plus 10 things to do with the family q Chiwetel Ejiofor q Listings

music • theatre • films • listings • comedy • family days out

what’s on09:01:14

unmissablespring showsunmissable

MusicDel AmitriIt’s 30 years since Del Amitri firstmade their mark on Glasgow’spost-punk scene, peddling a brandof spiky, angular jangle-pop thatsaw them championed by JohnPeel. After one brilliant but largelyignored self-titled album, the banddisappeared to America and returnedpretty much unrecognisable, tradingin their choppy new wave stylingsfor a rootsier, country-blues vibe.Despite splitting and the fact theywere never exactly fashionable, thegame certainly wasn’t up. Not evenfrontman Justin Currie’s solo careerderailed a plan to get back on theroad. Better make it worth theirwhile.l Cambridge Corn Exchange,Tuesday, January 28. Contact (01223)357851/cornex.co.uk

RoyalPhilharmonicEnjoy the infectious rhythms of 1920sAmerica with Gershwin’s Girl CrazyOverture thanks to the CambridgeCorn Exchange’s Orchestra inResidence. Hear the jazz-inspiredRhapsody in Blue with its famousclarinet notes, Copland’s exuberantRodeo Excerpts, Bernstein’s On theTown: Four Dance Episodes andGershwin’s An American in Paris,made famous by MGM’s dazzling,Oscar-winning 1951 film. Conductedby rising star David Charles Abell,also see piano soloist, Freddy Kempfwho made his concert debut with theRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra aged8, won the BBC Young Musician ofthe Year competition and is one oftoday’s most successful pianists.l Cambridge Corn Exchange,Thursday, January 30. Contact(01223) 357851/cornex.co.uk

Paul CarrackSinger-songwriter Paul Carrack mightnot be a stadium sell-out kind ofmusician, but the sometime voice ofSqueeze and Mike and the Mechanicshas been successfully pluggingaway for decades. His songs havebeen recorded by artists includingThe Eagles, Diana Ross, Tom Jonesand Jools Holland, while he’s toured

and sessioned with Elton John,Ringo Starr, BB King, the Pretendersand The Smiths. He’s also recentlyfinished touring with Eric Clapton.The guy has serious game. Why notsee him on his own terms?l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Friday,January 31. Contact (01223) 357851/cornex.co.uk

LondonGrammarNewest indie-pop kids LondonGrammar are Radio 1 darlingsHannah Reid, Dot Major and DanRothman. They met at universityin Nottingham and have made aname for themselves by racking uphundreds of thousands of hits onYouTube, magnified by their buzz-laden debut album, If You Wait. Filled

with ethereal, wistful tracks like thehaunting Wasting My Young Years andthe plaintive Hey Now, these guys areset to be massive.l Cambridge Corn Exchange,Saturday, February 1. Contact(01223) 357851/cornex.co.uk

dan le sac VsScroobius Pipdan le sac (otherwise known asDaniel Stephens on production,programming, keyboards, guitarsand backing vocals), and ScroobiusPip (aka rapper, poet and singerDavid Peter Meads), are a hirsutehip-hop, rap and electronica duowho have a habit of selling out theirtours. And, after this year’s albumRepent Replenish Repeat – their thirdtogether – they look like they’re goingto do it again. Don’t miss them on topform.l Cambridge Junction, Wednesday,February 5. Contact (01223) 511511/junction.co.uk

Lonely theBraveThis Cambridge-born five-piece areslowly but surely taking the rockscene by storm. Influenced by thelikes of The National and Deftones,they’re made up of Mark Trotteron guitar, Andrew Bushen on bass,unconventional singer David Jakes(he fronts the band from the backof the stage), Gavin “Mo” Edgeley

on drums and second guitarist JoelMason. They’ve already got thesupport of Zane Lowe and Daniel PCarter and are currently on tour withDon Broco. Do not miss them.l Cambridge Junction, on Saturday,February 8. Contact (01223) 511511 /junction.co.uk

Cate le BonQuick to admit a preoccupationwith death (thanks to an awkwardinterview in which she cited petdeaths as an inspiration; she hasn’tbeen able to escape the label since),psych-folkster Cate le Bon is onher third album, Mug Museum.Rock-edged folk with a 1970s vibe,her career owes a lot to SuperFurry Animals founder Gruff Rhyswho helped nurture her, and now,aside from touring solo, she haseven supported the Manic StreetPreachers.l Cambridge Junction, Monday,February 10. Contact (01223)511511/junction.co.uk

The StrypesSuited, booted and brilliantly fringed,they look about 14 but even theirpenchant for sunglasses doesn’t seemtoo try-hard. This is The Strypes’first UK headline tour, made up ofIrish lads Ross Farrelly (on vocalsand harmonica), Josh McClorey (onlead guitar), Pete O’Hanlon (on bassand harmonica) and drummer EvanWalsh. Touted as a major act live,they do speed-blues with old-schoolrock ’n’ roll. Think a revved-upversion of The Yardbirds, influencedby Dr Feelgood. Oh, and ArcticMonkeys are massive fans. You can’targue with that.l Cambridge Junction, Tuesday,February 11. Contact (01223)511511/junction.co.uk

Little CometsLittle Comets can be counted on to plyyou with dance floor indie stuff youcan stretch out your skinny jeans towhile chatting with bright-eyed boysover Jaeger bombs. You know? They’rethat kind of band: fun, jaunty andsinging right at you if you’re an all-over-the-place twentysomething. Hencewhy Zane Lowe and Huw Stevens like

The New Year resolutions have been made (and, quite

possibly, already broken), and January payday seems

oh so far away, but that doesn’t mean you can’t

start planning a host of fun things to get up to

when it finally arrives. ELLA WALKER picks the

50 shows – from music, comedy and theatre,

to film, family and books – you really shouldn’t

miss this spring. Go get booking.

20 | January 9, 2014 | cambridge-news.co.uk |

50unconventional:lonely the Brave

soloist: Pianist Freddy Kempf

New Year

| January 9, 2014 | cambridge-news.co.uk | Cambridge News

Cambridge News | cambridge-news.co.uk | January 9, 2014 | 21

The Forestry Commission by arrangement with SOLO presents

NEW ALBUMOUT NOW

PLUS GUESTS

FRIDAY 11 JULYTHETFORD FORESTNR BRANDON, SUFFOLK

03000 680400WWW.FORESTRY.GOV.UK/MUSIC

FRIDAY 11 JULYFRIDAY 11 JULYFRIDAY 11 JULYTHETFORD FORESTTHETFORD FORESTNR BRANDON, SUFFOLKNR BRANDON, SUFFOLK

03000 68040003000 680400WWW.FORESTRY.GOV.UK/MUSICWWW.FORESTRY.GOV.UK/MUSIC

FRIDAY 11 JULYTHETFORD FORESTNR BRANDON, SUFFOLK

03000 680400WWW.FORESTRY.GOV.UK/MUSIC

ella.walker@cambridge-news.co.uk

unmissableshowsfor spring50

them. Frontman and guitarist RobertColes is joined by Michael Coles on leadguitar, Matt Hall on bass and touringdrummer David Green. Go have alisten, and a dance.l Cambridge Junction, Saturday,February 15. Contact (01223) 511511/junction.co.uk

Rizzle KicksJordan “Rizzle” Stephens and Harley“Sylvester” Alexander-Sule are RizzleKicks, a pumped-up hip-hop duofrom Brighton, but you probablyalready know that. They bouncedon to the Radio One playlist in 2011with their debut album Stero Typical,and the annoyingly catchy Mama DoThe Hump (no, you will never get itout of your head), and tend to chuckthemselves about merrily rapping,singing, dancing and wearing acehi-tops. You know they’d be incredibleon a night out. The adrenalin-heavyduo, who have worked with Pharrelland Ed Sheeran, will perform tracksfrom their latest album, Roaring 20s.Expect a whole lot of fun.l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Friday,February 21. Contact (01223) 357851/cornex.co.uk

We AreScientistsCan you believe it’s been eight yearssince We Are Scientist broke outwith their debut album With Love& Squalor? Remember the openingguitar riff of Nobody Move, NobodyGet Hurt? It practically made theCalifornian indie rock band; theyplayed Reading and Leeds, appearedon Letterman, played a string of tours,released two further albums and slidquietly away. Now they’re back. Arethey still as good as they once were?l Cambridge Junction, Friday,March 7. Contact (01223) 511511/junction.co.uk

Son of DaveSon of Dave, aka BenjaminDarvill, is a bit of a maverick.Raconteur, beatboxer,harmonica and mandolinplayer, the Canadianmusician has been knownto hand out chocolate to thecrowd – basically he goes allout. So, if you fancy a ratherbizarre, eclectic eveningwhere absolutely anythingmight happen (you can onlyguarantee on “cotton-pickin’

blues”); seriously check this guy out.l Cambridge Junction, Monday,March 10. Contact (01223) 511511/junction.co.uk

The OvertonesThe Overtones were discovered ina really quite magical way; singingon their tea break while decoratingnear Oxford Street. Fortunately theyhad faces as stunning as their voices(they’re the kind of boys that’ll makeyour mum go weak at the knees).The five-piece cover old, vintageclassics and are on their third album,Saturday Night at the Movies. Expectto find yourself singing, dancing andswooning along.l Cambridge Corn Exchange,Monday, March 17. Contact (01223)357851/cornex.co.uk

Steel PantherIf you fancy a rowdy night of heavymetal shot through with hilarity and80s posturing, Steel Panther are foryou. The cultish LA musicians – whohave the best names: Michael Starr,Satchel, Lexxi Foxx and Stix Zadinia– parody the loudest, brashest hairmetal for you to leap about andheadbang to. Their lyrics are packedwith swears and silliness,topped off with leathertrousers and animal printbandannas. Sadly thegig has already soldout, but here’s hopingmore tickets getreleased.l CambridgeCorn Exchange,Saturday, March22. Contact(01223) 357851/cornex.co.uk

The StranglersNew wave punk rockers TheStranglers certainly know how tostick around. Forming in 1974 theyflitted in and out of the mainstream,veering from aggressive rock toslightly more sophisticated pop asthey got older. Now in their fifthdecade(!), impressive in itself, they’restill touring, playing old and new hits.With support from Nine Below Zero,you shouldn’t want to miss their 40thanniversary show.l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Friday,March 28. Contact (01223) 357851/cornex.co.uk

UB40They’ve sold more than 70 millionrecords, are considered one ofBritain’s greatest ever reggae bandsand sang Red Red Wine. Yep, UB40are back. The band, who formed in1978, released their latest recordGetting Over The Storm last summerand are ready and willing to have youdancing, swaying and rememberingyour reggae roots. Don’t you go lettingthem down now.l Cambridge Corn Exchange,Monday, April 14. Contact (01223)357851/cornex.co.uk

Continued

on page 22 let’s rrrrock! steel Panther,above, and london Grammar

dynamicduo: Jordan

stephensand Harley

alexander-sule,aka rizzle

kicks

22 | January 9, 2014 | cambridge-news.co.uk | Cambridge News

Miles KaneThe Merseyside 27-year-old andco-frontman of The Last Shadow Puppetshas a serious knack for playing guitar – andgoing out with models (namely AgynessDeyn and Suki Waterhouse) – but it’s hisvoice, and his rather brilliantly-cut suits, thatmake him. His debut solo album, ColourOf The Trap, came out in 2011, followed by2013’s Don’t Forget Who You Are; completewith major hints of John Lennon, LiamGallagher and Paul Weller. Arctic Monkeyshave booked him as their support in May, soyou know he must be absolutely awesomelive. But this guy doesn’t just have famousmates. He’s got shed loads of talent too.l Cambridge Junction, Sunday, March 30.Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

ChvrchesIf you haven’t yet stumbled across theelectro-loveliness of Scottish trio Chvrches,you’ve been seriously missing out. Boundingout of nowhere with their first song Lies lastyear, they followed up with the achinglywonderful The Mother We Share and skin-tinglingly good Recover. Then they releaseddebut album, The Bones Of What You Believe,which can only be described as incredible.It’ll seep into your brain and cling onindefinitely. Can you tell we’re massive fans?Go adore them.l Cambridge Junction, Wednesday, March12. Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

The WillowsThe Cambridge-based five-piece are whatyou call a well-versed roots band. Previouslylikened to Laura Marling and Alison Krauss& Union Station, the play music drenchedin rich vocal harmonies and are CambridgeFolk Festival favourites. They released theirdebut album Beneath Our Humble Soil, lastyear and count Mike Harding (of The MikeHarding Folk Show) and BBC Radio 2’s BobHarris as huge fans.

l Cambridge Junction, Thursday, March 27.Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

British Sea PowerVeterans of independent label Rough Trade,British Sea Power have been compared tosome big names including Arcade Fire, TheCure and Pixies, and have some big fans inthe form of David Bowie, Jarvis Cocker, BillBailey and Flaming Lips. Why base youropinion on that though? The indie rockersare best judged live – here’s your chance.l Cambridge Junction, Friday, April 18.Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

Susan BoyleBritain’s Got Talent and tabloid darling SusanBoyle broke into public consciousness in2009 after performing I Dreamed A Dreamfrom Les Misérables brilliantly well on thebrutal talent show, much to the surprise ofthe judges and the audience. A hop, skip anda makeover later, she was beaten by Diversitybut nabbed a record deal and a worldwidefollowing anyway. Several million YouTubehits later (plus more Daily Mail articles thanyou’d care to count), SuBo shows no sign ofdisappearing.l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Wednesday,April 16. Contact (01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk

ComedyAndrew LawrenceHe’s been described as a “supreme misfit” bythe Daily Telegraph, but we think they meantit nicely. Andrew Lawrence – he’s starred onLive At The Apollo and Michael McIntyre’sComedy Roadshow – already has his ownRadio 4 series and is now making a seriousmark on the world of stand-up. Graftingalong since studying at the University of StAndrew’s, the funny red-head is practicallyguaranteed to go stratospheric any day now.l Cambridge Junction, Friday, January 24.Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

Punt and DennisFormer Cambridge Footlighters Steve Punt(writer and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s TheNow Show) and Hugh Dennis (Outnumbered,Mock the Week) are visiting the city wheretheir affair with comedy sketches andpolitical satire began. See the double act inaction with their current show, Ploughing OnRegardless, which takes winter and the factthe “AA are busy advising comedians ‘notto tour the country unless it is absolutelyessential,’” to laughingly great heights.l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Thursday,February 13. Contact (01223) 357851 /cornex.co.uk

Sarah MillicanYou can’t help but know her voice. That high,laughing South Shields burr shot throughwith self-deprecation and charm. SarahMillican, right, turned up in 2008 armedwith a raft of jokes about her divorce and theensuing two and a half years she spent backat her mum and dad’s… she won the BestNewcomer Award at the Edinburgh FestivalFringe and we haven’t been able to escapeher since. Not saying you’d want to. Thistime around the 38-year-old will beexplaining how to behave on a dirtyweekend and how to fit in seamlesslyat a posh restaurant. How veryeducational. Have fun.l Cambridge Corn Exchange,Thursday, February 6 – Friday,February 7. Contact (01223) 357851 /cornex.co.uk

RussellKaneRussell Kane’s Twitterbio says: “Dodged thebullies by making jokes,”– well, it certainly worked.The 33-year-old perfectlyquiffed comedian hassurvived divorce, the

bullies and a knack for controversy, thanksto his talent for funny. Great mates withRadio 1’s ever-so charming Greg James (thepair have their own BBC3 show, Staying In),and a regular on a myriad of chat and panelshows (most recently, Who Wants to be aMillionaire?), he’s bringing his new one-manshow, Smallness, to Cambridge.l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Saturday,February 8. Contact (01223) 357851 /

cornex.co.uk

Miles JuppStroppy, witty, dapper andticking all the boxes (actor,writer, comedian), Miles Juppis quite a talented guy. Alwaysone for popping up on Have

I Got News For You, The NewsQuiz and Mock The Week,

he’s a panel show hoston BBC Radio4,

has recently beenonstage in AlanBennett’s Peopleat the National

Theatre and starredin Rev and The Thickof It. Now you cansee him do stand-up. He explains:

Music(continued)

50 unmissable shows for spring

Chvrches

Andrew Lawrence

Miles Kane,

Cambridge News | cambridge-news.co.uk | January 9, 2014 | 23

loads more online at cambridge-news.co.uk/whatson

“It’s a man, standing on a stage, facing anaudience, talking about some things andultimately aiming to cover the cost of hiswhite goods.”l Cambridge Junction, Friday, February 28.Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

Footlights springrevue 2014:The History ofeverythingSpot the future stars of the British comedyscene at the Footlights Spring Revue.Compiled, written and staged by an eight-strong troupe of performers and writers,this year’s show is “a chronological odysseythrough the history of the universe, from theBig Bang to the invention of the iPhone andeverything in between.” You’ll be taken ona breakneck tour “through the primordialsoup, up the Jurassic coast, down the Fallof the Roman Empire, into the House ofthe Tudors, and Back to the Future in timefor tea.” Expect skits, laughs and sillinessa-plenty.l The ADC Theatre, Tuesday, March 4 –Saturday, March 8. Contact (01223) 300085 /adctheatre.com

russell BrandThe ridiculously-intelligent, crazy-haired,skinny-belted lothario is doing a second visitwith his Messiah Complex world tour. He’llbe investigating whether or not Jesus hada mental disorder that made him believehe was the son of God and was just ratherconvincing about it all. Hence the Bible andall that jazz. Brand will tackle it with all hisusual wit, flair and rampant chat, so if you’reeasily offended, it’s probably not for you.The man/actor/TV cad/fractious politico isa motor-mouthed genius. Or perhaps he justhas a mental disorder he’s using to comicadvantage… either way, it’ll be terriblyamusing.l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Tuesday, April1 – Wednesday, April 1. Contact (01223)357851 / cornex.co.uk

alan daviesJonathan Creek – no, wait, sorry – AlanDavies, the rambling, mop haired QIpanellist, is visiting with his new stand-upshow, Little Victories. Best mates with BillBailey, the Essex-born 47-year-old hasn’tbeen out on the road recently as much aswe’d probably like – he’s quite busy whatwith writing books, chatting on with StephenFry and fitting in the odd bit of acting work– but he seems to be getting back into it.Expect shrewdness, smartness and oh, somany laughs.l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Saturday, April5. Contact (01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk

robBeckettRob Beckett’s grinis unbelievablyimpressive. Hugeslabs of pristinewhite enamel,very little gum

and a quiff of spikyblonde hair adding

to the ensemble. Butif you haven’t seen

too much of him, it’sno wonder. Other thana couple of Mock TheWeek clips, he’s only got

a few skits floatingaround on YouTube.The best being

one on being workingclass (the test is if your

plasma TV is biggerthan your bookcaseapparently), andanother on all thepeople he lookslike, but isn’t (BorisJohnson, PeggyMitchell and ClareBalding make thelist). He’s quite the

cheeky chappy. It’sgoing to be a right

giggle.l Cambridge Junction,

Wednesday, April 9. Contact(01223) 511511 / junction.

co.uk

FilmWatersprite:The Cambridgeinternationalstudent FilmFestivalWith past speakers such as Eddie Redmayne,Bill Nighy and Olivia Colman (yes, oooh),Watersprite is becoming quite renownedfor its cinematic programme. The twomain strands of the volunteer-run festivalinclude the short film competition whichtakes submissions from students around theworld; and then a slew of talks, workshopsand panel discussions looking at a range offilm topics – set to be interesting whetheryou’re a major celluloid buff or just a big fanof popcorn. And incredibly it’s all free andopen to everyone, not just students. Thespeaker line-up hasn’t yet been announcedbut it’s sure to impressive when it is.l Cambridge, Friday, March 7 – Sunday,March 9.Visit watersprite.org.uk

BooksCambridge literaryFestivalLast year’s Cambridge Literary Festival(formerly Cambridge Wordfest) saw the likesof Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie, Sandi Toksvigand Deborah Moggach taking to the mic.Winter Wordfest was brilliantly studded byZadie Smith (swoon)and Donna Tartt(what a coup)too, so thisyear’s springoffering willhopefully beas intimid-atinglygood. Expecta rosterpacked withthe literary great,good and downrightfascinating. Wewill, of course, keep you up to date withall announcements – the News is a mediapartner after all!l Cambridge, Tuesday, April 1 – Sunday,April 6.Visit cambridgewordfest.co.uk

Continuedon page 26

ALL-STAR CAST:The stars headingour way, this page

clockwise from left,Russell Brand, AlanDavies, Donna Tartt,

Eddie Redmayne,Rob Beckett and

Russell Kane

26 | January 9, 2014 | cambridge-news.co.uk | Cambridge News| y 9, |

TheatreRichard IIISince being dug up from beneath a car parkin Leicester last year, Richard III has barelybeen out of the spotlight. First up was theBBC’s 10-part drama, The White Queen, thenThe Globe’s touring production of Henry VIwhich visited Cambridge last summer, andnow the Cambridge University EuropeanTheatre Group and the ADC are getting inon the act with their take on Shakespeare’sRichard III. Casting two Richards ofGloucester, prepare to see the lethal rise andfall of a man and murderer-king.l The ADC Theatre, Tuesday, January 14– Saturday, January 18. Contact (01223)300085 / adctheatre.com

Black CoffeeCatch Agatha Christie’s first everPoirot plot, Black Coffee, starring Baftanominated Robert Powell as the inquiring,moustachioed gent. Best known for playingJesus in Franco Zefferelli’s Jesus of Nazareth(you might need to be a certain age to getthat reference), Powell’s first case as Poirotdoes of course include a rambling countryestate, an eccentric murder victim (thistime, an inventor by the name of Sir ClaudeAmory), and intellectual property theft… Wereckon Poirot will know just how to solve it.l Cambridge Arts Theatre, Monday, January20 – Saturday, January 25. Contact (01223)503333 / cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk

Doctor FaustusTo celebrate the 450th anniversary ofChristopher Marlowe’s birth, who betterto stage his most captivating play, DoctorFaustus, than the Cambridge UniversityMarlowe Society? The drama group isperforming the complete works of Marloweat different locations in Cambridge overthe course of a year. But back to Faustus: abrilliant man who sells his soul to Lucifer inexchange for knowledge and power goes ona destructively merry path through Emperor

Charles V’s court to the Pope’s banquet inRome, with his hell-bound companion,Mephistopheles. But the fiery depths areset to catch up with him eventually… theyalways do.l Cambridge Arts Theatre, Wednesday,January 29 – Saturday, February 1. Contact(01223) 503333 / cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk

Blue StockingsSet in 1896 when women in Britain werevote-less, downtrodden, suppressed andconsidered hysterical threats if blessed withan iota of intelligence and a mouth to proveit, Girton College in Cambridge was the firstuniversity to admit them. Only a handfulmind, and no, they didn’t get to graduate.

Jessica Swale’s Blue Stockingstracks Principal Elizabeth Welshand her female first years as theybattle for the right to a degree.The Telegraph said of The Globe’soriginal production: “Swale tellsthe story with both wit and a hintof righteous indignation,” adding:“There’s an effervescent vitalityabout it.” Will the CambridgeUniversity Amateur Dramatic Clubdo it justice?l The ADC Theatre, Tuesday,January 28 – Saturday, February1. Contact (01223) 300085 /adctheatre.com

1984George Orwell’s seminaldystopian novel, 1984, is a bravechoice for amdram group TheDryden Society. Adapted byMatthew Dunster, the peopleof Britain (now called AirstripOne) are trapped in a cycle ofnever-ending war (with an everchanging enemy), in a stateof constant surveillance andsystematic mind control. Andwhat happens if you rebel insideyour mind – so-called ‘thoughtcrimes’? Winston Smith discoversthe consequences are moredamning than you can imagine.l The ADC Theatre, Tuesday,

February 4 – Saturday, February8. Contact (01223) 300085 /adctheatre.com

Eternal LoveThe English Touring Theatre isbringing Shakespeare’s Globeproduction of Eternal Love: TheStory of Abelard and Heloise(previously named In Extremis),to regale Cambridge audiences.A tale of scandal, passion andcontention, it follows Abelard ashe falls madly and catastrophicallyin love with his rather brilliantstudent Heloise. When shebecomes pregnant out of wedlock,Abelard’s enemies in the church,who are already not amused byhis controversial views, use it as anexcuse to destroy him…l Cambridge Arts Theatre,Thursday, February 6 –Saturday, February 8.Contact (01223) 503333/ cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk

Moon TigerAdapted from PenelopeLively’s Booker Prizewinning novel of the samename, Moon Tiger startswith 70-year-old ClaudiaHampton on her death bed,daydreaming of writingthe history of the worldusing her own life asa graph to plot it on.The first time it’s beenstaged, the story spiralsthrough Claudia’s pasttracking her loves, herlosses and her regrets,plastered against abackdrop of war, incestand literary fame.l Cambridge ArtsTheatre, Monday,February 10 – Saturday,February 15. Contact(01223) 503333 /

cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk

Brendan Cole:Licence to ThrillFresh from twirling Sophie Ellis-Bextoraround the Strictly Come Dancingballroom floor, Brendan Cole – the dapper,perfectly postured professional that heis – is returning with his own dance show,Licence to Thrill. Joined by a horde of livemusicians and dancers, you’ll get to see anextravaganza of glitz, glitter, ballroom andLatin moves, while imagining being swungabout on stage yourself. We’ll definitely beswooning over the American smooth…l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Saturday,February 15. Contact (01223) 357851 /cornex.co.uk

royal rumpus: richard III

50 unmissable shows for spring

no has-bean: robertpowell as poirot inBlack Coffee

on stage: natalie Imbruglia,left, stars in Things We Do For

Love, while Ian mcDiarmid starsin A Life of Galileo

Cambridge News | cambridge-news.co.uk | January 9, 2014 | 27

PygmalionTo celebrate the 100th anniversary of GeorgeBernard Shaw’s witty exploration of classand gender, the Theatre Royal Bath is stagingPygmalion with impressionist AlistairMcGowan as the lead, Professor HenryHiggins. The basis of My Fair Lady (don’tsay you don’t know it), the plot follows the

phonetic-obsessed professor as he triesto get cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittleto pass for a duchess at a very fancy

party. The question is whetheror not she’ll assert her ownindependence, or simperalong with the challenge.l Cambridge Arts Theatre,Wednesday, February26 – Saturday, March 8.

Contact (01223) 503333/ cambridgeartstheatre.

purchase-tickets-online.co.uk

Moon on aRainbow Shawl

Critically acclaimed for its opening Londonstint, the National Theatre and TalawaTheatre’s Moon on a Rainbow Shawl ismeant to be quite something. Set in Port of

Spain, Trinidad, Ephraim is desperateto break out and start a new life in

England, regardless of the rathercharming Rosa and the rolling

life of calypso music andneighbourly love of home. Allof which is all interrupted bytroops returning from war.Expect sunshine, big dreams

and tough decisions.l Cambridge Arts

Theatre, Tuesday,March 18 –Saturday, March22. Contact(01223) 503333/ cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk

A Life of GalileoBertold Brecht’s esteemed play of scienceand controversy gets the Ian McDiarmidtreatment in the Royal ShakespeareCompany’s adaptation of A Life of Galileo.The Scottish Star Wars actor is reprisinghis role as the cantankerous, outspokenItalian scientist Galileo who, in 1609 whileusing a new-fangled device – the telescope –discovers a truth that throws the church intoangry disarray. He must tackle the clerics,his opposition and the demand for him todenounce his belief that the earth orbitsthe sun, not the universally accepted otherway round.l Cambridge Arts Theatre, Monday,

March 31 – Saturday, April 5. Contact(01223) 503333 / cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk

Happy DaysFormer Sugababe Heidi Range– the blonde Liverpudlian fromband line-up number two – willbe donning some serious 50s styleto play Pinky Tuscadero alongsideMrs Cunningham (Bucks Fizz’sCheryl Baker) and, of course, TheFonz (Emmerdale’s Ben Freeman)in a brand new musical fromGary Marshall, who wrote theHappy Days TV show. And yes,you will get to sing-a-long to theoriginal theme tune. Now, howare they going to get The Fonz’smotorbike on stage?l Cambridge Corn Exchange,Monday, April 7 – Saturday, April12. Contact (01223) 357851 /cornex.co.uk

Things We DoFor LoveWho knew Natalie Imbrugliahad gone back to her actingroots? We thought she’d left herNeighbours days behind her,but we’re rather pleased shehasn’t. The Australian songstressis starring in Alan Ayckbourn’sThings We Do For Love, atopsy-turvy bedroom drama oflodgers piled up on top of eachother (in more ways than architecturally).An intolerant landlady, a love-lorn postman-turned-plumber, an old school friendand her vegetarian fiancé = a recipe fordisaster, bed-hopping and hilarity. You’ll getcompletely swept up in the ingenuity of it all.l Cambridge Arts Theatre, Tuesday, April 29– Saturday, May 3. Contact (01223) 503333/ cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk

FamilyErth’s DinosaurZooWant to get up, close and personal withsome prehistoric giants? Now’s your chance.Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo is a live, interactive showcomplete with some scaly, razor toothedmarvels – it’s all very Jurassic Park (butwithout the faulty electricity and escapedT-Rex… not to mention those terrifyingvelociraptors). Little ones can learn about,touch and wonder at a range of mechanicalbeasts, from baby dinos to fully grownpredators. ROAR.l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Sunday,February 16 – Tuesday, February 18. Contact(01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk

Peppa Pig’s BigSplashIs there a child in existence that doesn’tadore Peppa Pig? This brand new showis an “all-singing, all-dancing adventurefull of songs, games and muddy puddles”apparently. Don your wellies and find outwhether Peppa and his friends George,Mummy and Daddy Pig, Danny Dog, PedroPony and Suzy Sheep can fix the nurseryroof shed. Plus, see how they all fare at aChampion Puddle Jumping competition.Expect puppets, singing and lots of fun.l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Saturday,March 1 – Sunday, March 2. Contact (01223)357851 / cornex.co.uk

Family FolkShow with MegsonIf you’re beginning to grow sick of singingalong to “The wheels on the bus go roundand round, round and round,” everysingle car journey, Megson can help. Thehusband and wife duo (Stu and DebbieHanna), are the darlings of the Britishfolk scene. Hailing from Teeside andnamed after Debbie’s family dog, thepair are three time BBC Radio 2 FolkAward nominees, and are coming toCambridge toting guitars, mandolasand a fresh approach to nursery rhymetime.l Cambridge Junction, Sunday, March 23.Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

Jungle BookNo, not an adaptation of Disney’s (amazing)animation, but inspired by Rudyard Kipling’soriginal story. Developed by the IndigoMoon Theatre, you’ll be able to race throughthe jungle with man-cub Mowgli as heswings and loops through the dangerous,magical world of the wild. Using somerather special shadow theatre set to anoriginal musical score and colourful digitalprojections, it’s set to be rather mesmerising.l Cambridge Junction, Sunday, April 6.Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

Tom’s MidnightGardenAfter stumbling upon a grandfather clockthat chimes 13 times, Tom finds himselfbeing whisked through time to a secretgarden locked away in the past, where hemeets Hatty. Together they embark on atangle of a friendship, but Tom must workout this time travelling business. FromThe Birmingham Stage Company – the guysthat brought James and the Giant Peach tothe Arts Theatre in 2013 – this is guaranteedto be as magical as the book by PhilippaPearce.l Cambridge Arts Theatre, Tuesday, April 22– Saturday, April 26. Contact (01223) 503333/ cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter @CamWhatsOn