24 | January 8, 2015 | cambridge-news.co.uk | Cambridge News

Hopefully you’vefully recoveredfrom your NewYear’s Dayhangover, and arenow well on theway to breakingyour New Year’sresolutions . . . ohyou are wicked.To keep youentertained andlooking forward,ELLA WALKER haspicked the 50 bestfunny, touching,intriguing, scaryand family-friendlyshows and eventsthis spring thatyou should bebooking tickets forNOW, starting withmusic.

Editor:Ella Walkeremail:ella.walker@cambridge-news.co.uk

For breakingentertainment newsfor the city, visitcambridge-news.co.uk/whatson

Follow@CamWhatsOnon Twitter

50 SPRING SHOWS: MUSIC

the critical listThis week’s entertainment highlights

First Aid KitSisters and makers of ethereal folkpop with a country edge, Johannaand Klara Söderberg weren’t even outof school when the music industrystarted taking note. In fact, they beganwriting songs aged 6, and Klara wasonly 14 when they were signed totheir first label. And rightly so. TheSwedish pair, now in their early 20s,with hippie hair and a penchantfor all things glittery, are really quitemesmerising. Their set will be packedwith beautiful, countrified delightsfrom latest album Stay Gold which,in places, has “all the slinkiness ofa 1960s spy movie soundtrack”according to NME. We’re smitten.Cambridge Corn Exchange,Saturday, January 17. Contact(01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk.

Royal NorthernSinfoniaLovers of classical music are in for

a treat this month when leadingUK ensemble the Royal NorthernSinfonia make their Cambridge CornExchange debut. The evening openswith Barber’s haunting Adagio forStrings which tugs at the heart likeno other piece of string music. KyraHumphreys directs the ensemble andplays Mozart’s Violin Concerto No 4,one of the composer’s most elegantand accomplished compositions.Cellist Natalie Clein gives a spiritedperformance of Saint-Saëns’ lyricaland majestic Cello Concerto No 1.The evening concludes with Mozart’splayful and brilliant Symphony No. 29.Cambridge Corn Exchange, Friday,January 23. Contact (01223) 357851/ cornex.co.uk.

King CharlesWest London born singer-songwriterKing Charles is rather dashing. Havingrecently lopped off his trademarkdreadlocks, he’s looking ruggishlyNew Romantic, just in time for hisnew tour. The 29-year-old, who haspreviously trekked about supporting

Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling andNoah and the Whale, makes rakish,operatic rock that’s punchy but atouch on the jittery scale of things(have a listen to his album LoveBloodfor jaunty piano bashing). Seeing himlive will definitely be an experience…The Portland Arms, Monday,February 9. Contact greenmind.co.uk.

Hudson TaylorIf you haven’t heard of HudsonTaylor yet, we’ll wager you’reneither a teenaged girl or a hardcorefolkster. All sharp cheekbones,black skinny jeans and rockabillyhaircuts, the Irish folk pop duo areDublin brothers Alfie and HarryHudson-Taylor. They started out asbuskers in their home town beforeflooding YouTube with a selectionof raw, catchy tracks and attractingthe attention of Polydor. Since thenthey’ve gone from supporting JakeBugg on tour to headlining theirown.Cambridge Junction, Tuesday,

February 10. Contact (01223) 511511/ junction.co.uk.

Katherine JenkinsMezzo soprano and Welsh sweetheartJenkins is bringing her Home SweetHome tour to the relatively enclosedspace of Cambridge Corn Exchange– normally she pops up at AudleyEnd’s summer concert and the ForestLive series at Thetford Forest. Still ona high from marrying film directorAndrew Levitas, switching back toher favourite record label, Decca andreleasing her latest album – also calledHome Sweet Home – she’ll be singingher heart out as usual.Cambridge Corn Exchange,Wednesday, February 11. Contact(01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk.

The StavesTo celebrate their upcoming releaseof second album If I Was, folk-rocktrio The Staves – aka Watford bornsisters Emily, Jessica and Camilla –are known for their sweetly wrought

50 spring shows

HOME TURF:Clean Banditare back inCambridgeat the CornExchange inMarch

Cambridge News | cambridge-news.co.uk | January 8, 2015 | 25

50 SPRING SHOWS: MUSIC

harmonising and the fact Bon Iver’sJustin Vernon is a massive fan. Notonly did he take them out on tourwith him, he’s also produced If IWas, the ethereal follow up to 2012’sDead & Born & Grown. That’s someclaim to fame, but then they’vealso worked with Tom Jones andMumford & Sons. These girls knowhow to charm.Cambridge Junction, Tuesday,February 17. Contact (01223)511511 / junction.co.uk.

SivuSt Ives singer-songwriter JamesPage – Sivu is his name in Finnish– is coming back to headline ahomecoming gig at The Portland,we are pleased to report. In recentmonths the indie kid has toured withthe likes of Bombay Bicycle Club (hewas with them for the last ever gig atEarl’s Court in December), LondonGrammar and Marika Hackman. Hisdebut record, Something On High,garnered a slew of highly positivereviews (NME called it a “deft slowburner”), and we’re huge fans. Yougotta support the locals.The Portland Arms, Wednesday,February 25. Contact greenmind.co.uk.

Clean Bandit plusJess GlynneCambridge electro quartet CleanBandit have announced they’refinally playing a headline gig inthe city in which they formed(about time!). The four-piece– who met while studyingat Cambridge University– features Jack and LukePatterson, cellist GraceChatto and violinist MilanNeil Amin-Smith. Playingsynthy chamber music,in 2014 they had theirfirst number 1 with breakouthit Rather Be featuring JessGlynne – who’ll be joiningthem on tour – spent the summerdrawing major crowds at festivals (ohthe dancing), and saw their debutalbum New Eyes do rather well toboot. We adore them.Cambridge Corn Exchange, Sunday,March 8. Contact (01223) 357851 /cornex.co.uk.

Paul WellerKing of the mods Paul Weller isvisiting Cambridge again. The Jamlegend has acted on his own termssince splitting from his Town CalledMalice boys in 1982 and followinga five-album stint with The StyleCouncil. His solo career has garneredIvor Novello nominations andOutstanding Achievement awardsall over the shop, and clearly he hasno interest in retiring just yet. Wellerhas hinted he’ll be performing tracksfrom his as yet unnamed 12th studioalbum, which is rumoured to be setfor a spring release, fingers crossed.Cambridge Corn Exchange, Friday,March 13. Contact (01223) 357851/ cornex.co.uk.

Wolf AliceThis four-piece might still beworking on their debut album,but they are serious onesto watch. Last time theyvisited Cambridge it wasfor a Portland Arms show,so they’ve already steppedup their game venue wise.Prepare for a show thatsounds like “the lovechild of folk and grunge”according to Clashmagazine. It’sthumping yetmelodious stuff.And they’regoing tohavea

big 2015 – jump on the bandwagonnow.Cambridge Junction, Friday, April10. Contact (01223) 511511 /junction.co.uk.

Bipolar SunshineThis gig is the rescheduled versionafter Adio Marchant (BipolarSunshine) cancelled his first headlinetour to focus on his debut record (stillto be released). Penning heartfelt,uplifting indie pop with an R&B edge,the singer is formerly of Manchesteroutfit Kid British – and used tomake gold teeth grills for the likes ofRihanna, believe it or not. Always

stylish and deep into the feelingbehind his music, Adio knows how totug on your emotions and put on animpressive show, of course.Cambridge Junction, Friday, April10. Contact (01223) 511511 /junction.co.uk.

Public ServiceBroadcastingThis gig from the eclectic andrather mysterious Public ServiceBroadcasting will come weeksafter the pseudonymous duoshowcase their brand new secondalbum, The Race For Space, at theNational Space Centre. Known forwearing corduroy and bow ties,and for playing live electronicaover snatched audio recordingsand video archive material fromold public service informationfilms (hence the name), the pair, JWillgoose Esq and Wrigglesworth,made a name for themselves with2013 record Inform EducateEntertain. This time they’reindulging a passion for the galaxybut are guaranteed to be as

wonderfully magnetic as always.Cambridge Corn Exchange,Saturday, April 25. Contact (01223)357851 / cornex.co.uk.

StornowayNamed after the Scottish town onthe Hebridean Isle of Lewis thatappears on British weather reportsand shipping forecasts on the telly,this introspective lot met and formedin Oxford (don’t hold it against them).Their third album, for which theyraised the cash via the PledgeMusicscheme, should be out shortly,packed with wheeling vocals andstormy themes – they love a bit ofindie murkiness.Cambridge Junction, Tuesday,April 28. Contact (01223) 511511 /junction.co.uk.

Belle & SebastianCelebrated Scottish indie darlingsBelle & Sebastian had everyone in aflutter after announcing a huge newspring tour, and luckily Cambridgemade the line-up. The Glaswegians,who won Outstanding ContributionTo Music at 2014’s NME awards,plan to release their next album, Girlsin Peacetime Want To Dance, thismonth, so you’ll have plenty of timeto learn all the words before theyvisit.Cambridge Corn Exchange,Thursday, May 7. Contact (01223)357851 / cornex.co.uk.

Royal PhilharmonicOrchestraThe Cambridge Corn Exchange’sorchestra in residence for the2014/15 News-backed ClassicalConcert Series have two majordates planned that you ought topop in your diary. First up, see theorchestra, joined by violinist PinchasZuckerman, perform major worksby Beethoven and Elgar in April;and in May, the artist in residence,pianist Freddy Kempf, will showcaseGlinka’s Overture to Ruslan andLudmilla.Cambridge Corn Exchange,Saturday, April 11, and Saturday,May 30. Contact (01223) 357851 /cornex.co.uk.

>>>>> Turn over for comedy and theatre >>>>>

WELSH WARBLER: KatherineJenkins brings her Home SweetHome show to Cambridge CornExchange next month

HERE COMES THE SUN:Bipolar Sunshine, right,is at Cambridge Junctionin April after cancellinghis previous date; St Ivessinger-songwriter JamesPage, aka Sivu, left, playsthe Portland Arms nextmonth

26 | January 8, 2015 | cambridge-news.co.uk | Cambridge News

Sara Pascoe: SaraPascoe vs HistoryThe brilliantly hilarious Sara Pascoecame to the fore after starring inBBC comedy hit Twenty Twelve,spoofing the organising of the LondonOlympics alongside Hugh Bonnevilleand Olivia Coleman. Still don’trecognise her? She’s pennedpieces for The Guardian,The Independentand new feministwebsite StandardIssue, and hasappearedon Live atthe Apollo,QI, NeverMind TheBuzzcocksandMock TheWeek. Hernew showpromisesnatterings onSara’s romantichistory, wars, witches,existential theory andKim Yong-Il.Cambridge Junction, Friday, January23. Contact (01223) 511511 /junction.co.uk.

Omid Djalili:IranalamadingdongIranian-English comedian and actorOmid Djalili is back out on tour withnew show, Iranalamadingdong. It’sa tongue twister of a title, but theshow itself we’re promised won’t beentirely nonsensical. In fact, you canexpect much of what Djalili has beenknown and loved for since he brokeinto the comedy scene in the mid-90s. He’ll be chatting away aboutrace, stereotypes, family and culture,all wedged happily between jokes,and a lot of them.Cambridge Corn Exchange, Friday,January 30. Contact (01223) 357851/ cornex.co.uk.

MarkWatson:FlawsThe 34-year-old stand-up is returning

to his former student stompingground. Mark Watson studied Englishat Queen’s College, nabbed a first,clever boy, and became best mateswith fellow Cambridge comedian andpoet Tim Key thanks to Footlights.Still, Mark will happily forgive you ifyou don’t “know who the hell I am”,as long as you buy a ticket to his

new show Flaws and find out.It’s all about how “my

hapless stage personahas at some point

become ahapless human

being.”There’ll bemore jokes,and lessmoaning,than thatimpliesthough.Cambridge

CornExchange,

Saturday,January 31.

Contact (01223)357851 / cornex.

co.uk.

Dylan Moran:Warm upScruffy-haired Moran, star of BlackBooks, will be trialling material forhis next stand-up show, Off TheHook. Knowing him, even whenpractising he’ll still be effortlesslypolished within the remit of hisshambolic, comic persona. Morerecently he featured in one of themost acclaimed films of the year,Calvary, alongside Brendan Gleesonand toured America. How much youlaugh at his observations on the nightwill help determine how the finalshow turns out – feel the power.Cambridge Junction, Thursday,February 12 - Friday, February 13.Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk.

Josie Long: CaraJosephineJosie Long’s latest show is proppedup by a whole lot of oversharing,but despite some ickier topics, her

confessional style is full of childishjoy, silliness and fun. Sure, it allcomes from a horrible break upand the bleak realisation that she’s‘back on the shelf’ at 32, but it’salso irrepressibly optimistic and sheperforms giddily (she did when wesaw her at Latitude last summer),however much of her heart and soulshe’s had to painfully excavate towrite the material.Cambridge Junction, Monday,February 23. Contact (01223)511511 / junction.co.uk.

Simon Amstell:To Be FreeHow could you not love BAFTAnominated, British Comedy Award-winning stand-up Simon Amstell?The scrawny former Nevermind TheBuzzcocks host (they should neverhave let him go), and Grandma’sHouse actor, is back with hisfourth stand-up tour to date, To BeFree. He’ll be tackling all the bigissues – freedom, joy, love, death,adventure, art, peace, sex, regret,success, eating, suffering, dreaming,healing, forgiving etc. – withhis usual lashings ofs e l f - d e p r e c a t i o n andintrospection.Wittinessguaranteed, despitethe topics on offer.CambridgeJunction,Tuesday, March10 – Wednesday,March 11. Contact (01223)511511 / junction.co.uk.

Henning Wehn:EINS, ZWEI, DIYWehn is the self-styled “GermanComedy Ambassador To The UK”apparently. The German stand-up hasbeen based in London since 2002but is still happily making a livingquestioning the quirkier differencesbetween the Germans and theBritish. E.G. Why do we insist onbeing “owned by a house”? Andwhat’s wrong with the Euro exactly?Let’s just say, he’s not fully assimilatedjust yet. A regular on 5Live’s FightingTalk and BBC Radio 4’s panel gameThe Universal Truth, he’ll have yourhead in a whir.Cambridge Corn Exchange,Saturday, March 21. Contact(01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk.

Austentatious: AnImprovised JaneAusten NovelPreviously this literary comedy troupehave come up shows entitled Prideand Predator, Strictly Come Darcyand Mansfield Shark – Jane Austenshould definitely be grinning goodhumouredly, wherever she is. Thesix-man improv group, who performdecked out in full period costume, inthe course of an hour come up withbrand new – usually hilarious – twistson Austen’s classics, nudged alongand directed by suggestions from theaudience. They sold out their lastJunction show, so don’t miss out.Cambridge Junction, Saturday,March 28. Contact (01223) 511511/ junction.co.uk.

Alan Carr: Yap,Yap, Yap!Famed for his snappy wit and awardrobe of kaleidoscopic suits(seriously, some of them are

magnificently gaudy), Alan Carr isone comic whose career doesn’tseem to ever dip. The 38-year-old Dorset born funny guy grewup in Northampton before goingon to carve out a career in quipsand laughs. He won the BBC NewComedy Award for Stand-up in 2001and hasn’t stopped winning thingssince. Deservedly so, Friday nightswouldn’t be the same without himspouting innuendos-a-go-go, makingtongue-in-cheek observations andgrilling everyone from Lady Gaga toJustin Timberlake and One Directionon Channel 4’s Chatty Man. Nowhe’ll be chatting away in Cambridge.Cambridge Corn Exchange, Friday,April 3 – Saturday, April 4. Contact(01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk.

Jimmy Carr: FunnyBusinessJeez, the man just can’t keep away.Jimmy Carr returns once again withlatest show, Funny Business, for anadditional date after he sold out theCorn Exchange (for the thousandthtime) in December. Famed for hisdark humour, as well as his taxarrangements, the Gonville andCaius alumnus explains: “Come forthe witty and incisive musings onthe human condition; stay for the

knob gags.” Charming.But seriously,

it’s quitefunny,despitethecrude-

ness.Cambridge CornExchange,Friday,April10.

Contact(01223) 357851 /cornex.co.uk.

ReginaldD Hunter:The ManWhoAttemptedTo Do AsMuch AsSuchYep, that’s a longtitle for a show. ButHunter’s been toobusy to get his redpen out. The Georgia-born “dangerouslyfunny man” – so saysThe Independent– has been filmingSongs Of The South,a three-part BBC2series which seeshim road trip fromNorth Carolinato New Orleansthrough 150 years ofAmerican popularmusic. He hasn’tlet his comedyslip though,don’t worry, he’llstill have you

collapsing with laughter.Cambridge Corn Exchange,Saturday, May 2. Contact (01223)357851 / cornex.co.uk.

Milton Jones: TheTemple of DaftMilton Jones – he with the array ofloud and gaudy Hawaiian shirts –knows his one liners. Specifically, heknows how to deliver them at highspeed, with perfect timing, so thatyou become a chuckling mess oncethe punch line hits. His new show,charmingly titled The Temple of Daft,promises even more of what he’sbest at.

Cambridge Corn Exchange,Saturday, May 16 – Sunday,

May 17. Contact (01223)357851 / cornex.co.uk.

RubyWax:Sane NewWorld

Brash, bawdyand strangely

lovable,

Americancomic Ruby hasrecently gota masters inmindfulness andthis show, you’llbe pleased tohear, is basedon her books ofthe same name.Basically, it’s aguide to becoming“the master, notthe slave, of ourown minds”,and sorting yourhead out. We’rehoping she’llbe bringing herbrand of loudnessand outspokenhilarity to themix too.CambridgeJunction,Saturday,May 30 –Sunday, May31. Contact(01223)511511 /junction.co.uk.

50 SPRING SHOWS: COMEDY

Cambridge News | cambridge-news.co.uk | January 8, 2015 | 27

50 SPRING SHOWS: THEATRE

Three Men In ABoatGrab your straw boater and havea right old giggle thanks to CraigGilbert’s adaptation of the 1889tale, Three Men in a Boat (To SayNothing of the Dog), by Englishwriter Jerome K. Jerome. Dubbed a“boating misadventure”, a trio of jollygood mates (yes, it’s a tad well to do)embark on a trip down the Thames,complete with gaudy blazers,bawdy tunes, raucous stories and,presumably, damp feet.Cambridge Arts Theatre,Wednesday, January 21 – Saturday,January 24. Contact (01223) 503333/ cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk.

The Witches ofEastwickJohn Updike’s cackling witches ofEastwick will be stretching theirvoices in this performance by theCambridge University MusicalTheatre Society. Alexandra Spofford,Jane Smart and Sukie Rougemont arebored, lonely and ostracised by theirlittle town, so, not-so sensibly theylook to a devilish rogue to solve alltheir problems. Things do not go toplan. Be careful what you wish for. . .The ADC, Tuesday, February 3– Saturday, February 7. Contact(01223) 300085 / adctheatre.com.

RoundelayA rather random evening is in storewith Roundelay. It consists of fiveshort interconnected stories thatcan be jumbled up and played inany order from writer and directorAlan Ayckbourn. Sound like a bitof a muddle? Well, yes. The idea isthat each individual piece can bea prelude, a sequel, an aside, anaddition, to each other narrativefragment. There are 120 possiblecombinations and outcomes, andeven the actors only find out 25minutes before going on stage whichset up they’ll be performing thatnight. There are just so manyopportunities for it all togo horribly wrong,which always addsto the drama.CambridgeArts Theatre,Monday,February 9– Saturday,February14. Contact(01223)503333 /cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk.

GroundedPresented by Gate Theatre andBeckie Darlington, a female fighterpilot has gotten pregnant and losther right to fly the skies. She’s nowtrapped in an air conditioned trailerin Las Vegas flying remote controlleddrones. So how exactly do youreconcile hunting and killing terroristson 12 hour shifts, with going homeand being a mum? Prepare to beutterly gripped.Cambridge Junction, Wednesday,February 18. Contact (01223)511511 / junction.co.uk.

Oh! What A LovelyWarJoan Littlewood’s much lauded

musical, Oh What A Lovely War, hasbeen revived to commemorate the100th anniversary of the First WorldWar. First staged in 1963, Littlewoodset out to make audiences leave thetheatre laughing at the “vulgarity ofwar”, while the tunes to It’s a LongWay to Tipperary, Pack Up YourTroubles in Your Old Kit-Bag andKeep the Home Fires Burning spun inbrains. In this colourful production,Corrie’s Wendi Peters and IanReddington (EastEnders) star.Cambridge Arts Theatre, Monday,March 2 – Saturday, March7. Contact (01223) 503333 /cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk.

The Strip“Ten characters chase their wantsand hopes across the transatlanticwilderness for forgotten clichés of

love and success – will theymake it before the

impending solareclipse?” In PhyllisNagy’s warpedAmericandream,bleakness,bitternessand satiresimplythrash theidea ofcelebrity.The ADC,

Tuesday,March 3

– Saturday,March 7. Contact

(01223) 300085 /adctheatre.com.

The King’s SpeechJason Donovan (seriously!) is steppinginto Geoffrey Rush’s considerableshoes to play Australian speechtherapist Lionel Logue, the man tohelp the stuttering stammering KingGeorge VI (Bertie, in this case playedby Raymond Coulthard, rather thanthe dashing Colin Firth unfortunately).If you don’t know the story, Bertiehas had to take on the crown after hisbrother Edward chose divorcee WallisSimpson over the royal position. Butwith his speech impediment, publicspeaking – on the brink of a war – ismore than a little terrifying. Then hevisits the rambunctious Logue. . .Cambridge Arts Theatre, Monday,

March 9 – Saturday, March14. Contact (01223) 503333 /cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk.

The Woman InBlackReady to start shrieking? The WomanIn Black has several objectives, mainlyto make you shiver, and scream andgo home a shaken wreck. So it’s justthe thing if you’re in need of a spine-chilling thrill. There will be muchedge of the seat action and hidingbehind hands in this adaptation – thesecond longest running West Enddrama of all time – of Susan Hill’s1983 novel. Now, if only we couldrope Daniel Radcliffe into reprisinghis role.Cambridge Arts Theatre, Monday,March 16 – Saturday, March21. Contact (01223) 503333 /cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk.

Pioneer“Pioneer shuttles you from theGarden of Eden to mission controland onto the surface of Mars,”intriguing, no? This sci-fi exploration,set in 2029, from Curious Directiveearned the team the accolade ‘FringeFirst winners in 2014’, so they mustbe good. See how they manage aterrifying expedition to Mars.Cambridge Junction, Wednesday,March 18. Contact (01223) 511511/ junction.co.uk.

Rebecca“Last night I dreamt I wentto Manderley again. ..” What an unbeatableopening line. Hopefullytheatre companyKneehigh have wovenit into their version ofDaphne Du Maurier’screepy, romantic classic,Rebecca. Maxim deWinter’s first wife Rebeccadied in mysteriouscircumstances, but shecan still be felt throughoutManderly by his new wife,her secrets and memorieskept aflame by the formidablehousekeeper Mrs Danvers.

Cambridge Arts Theatre, Monday,March 23 – Saturday, March28. Contact (01223) 503333 /cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk.

An Evening ofBurlesqueSo, the corsets will be wrenchedin, the heels fully sharpened andthe stockings rolled on, for a showdripping with glitz, glamour anddecadence. An Evening of Burlesquereturns with another tantalisingprogramme of cabaret performances.There’ll be moments that screamArabian Nights, as well as flirty fandancing, forties inspired sirens,‘bubblegum blowing baseball babes’and ‘cheesecake pin-ups’ – whichwe’ll leave to your imagination.Cambridge Corn Exchange,Saturday, March 28. Contact(01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk.

Peter Pan GoesWrongThere’ll be much clattering about,clumsiness, silliness and farcicalgoings on as The Cornley PolytechnicDrama Society set out to stage J.M.Barrie’s Peter Pan. Everything is goingto go wrong. Winner of best newcomedy at the 2014 WhatsonstageAwards, the lost boys are going to beeven more lost than usual. . . Fromthe team that brought The Play ThatGoes Wrong to the Arts Theatre lastyear, the chances are you’ll be rollingin the aisles.Cambridge Arts Theatre,Tuesday, April 7 – Sunday, April12. Contact (01223) 503333 /cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk.

FootlightsThis is the traditional Footlightsshowcase, where the brightest,the loudest, and the most thespianof Cambridge University studentsditch their studies for two nights toshare their current crop of sketches.There’ll be songs, stand-up andsnippets of hilarity to dip into, from aselection of students that’ll no doubtbe the next lot to find themselvesshouting out on Mock the Week andHave I Got News For You. See themin action before it all goes to theirheads.CambridgeArts

Theatre, Friday, April 17 – Saturday,April 18. Contact (01223) 503333/cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk.

This Is How We DieMotor-mouthed spoken word artist,performer and musician ChristopherBrett Bailey told us this new showis: “a dense and vicious theatricalmonologue that weaves grotesqueimagery, absurdist storytelling andcomedic opinion pieces to exploreour fixation on apocalypse, violenceand death. With lots of sex jokesalong the way.” Sounds like a rightlaugh.Cambridge Junction, Wednesday,April 29. Contact (01223) 511511 /junction.co.uk.

Hollie McNishCambridge spoken word poetHollie is not only magnificent,penning pieces on everything fromimmigration to breastfeeding inpublic loos, she’s also branchedout into EPs, setting her verses tomusic, become a viral YouTube hitand won the UK Slam Poetry Finals.She’s amazing. If you haven’t seenher perform at Cambridge’s premierspoken word night, Hammer &Tongue, you’ve been missing out.Now she’s (finally) headlining atCambridge Junction, it’s about time.After all, the legend that is BenjaminZephaniah said: “I can’t take my earsoff her.” Don’t argue with the man.Cambridge Junction, Tuesday,May 5. Contact (01223) 511511 /junction.co.uk.

The Importance ofBeing EarnestSuch fantastic news this is on, whatho! In Oscar Wilde’s practicallyperfect comedy of manners, dandyAlgernon Moncrieff and the straightlaced John Worthing J.P. embarkon double lives to win the heartsof Gwendolyn Fairfax and CecilyCardew. However, before they getwhat they want, they’ll have todeal with the exacting (and mildlyterrifying) Lady Bracknell, here playedby none other than Poirot! Sorry, wemean David Suchet. Catch it before itheads to the West End.Cambridge Arts Theatre,Monday, May 18 – Saturday, May23. Contact (01223) 503333 /cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk.

>>>>>>>>>>>> Turn to page 30 for family, film and books >>>>>>>>>>>>

30 | January 8, 2015 | cambridge-news.co.uk | Cambridge News

50 SPRING SHOWS: FAMILY

How The KoalaLearnt to HugYou’d find it tough to find a creaturemore cuddly than a koala, hence StevenLee’s bestselling book How The KoalaLearnt to Hug. Starring Natascha theWitch, the Reggae Beavers and Karenthe Koala (silly name for a koala, but gowith it), the People’s Theatre Companyhave transformed the story in an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza witha whole lot of audience interaction.There’ll be a book signing with Lee afterthe show too.

Cambridge Corn Exchange, Sunday,April 12. Contact (01223) 35781 /cornex.co.uk

Erth’s Dinosaur ZooWant to get up, close and personal withsome prehistoric giants? Now’s yourchance. Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo returnswith its live, interactive show completewith some scaly, razor-toothed marvels– it’s all very Jurassic Park. Little onescan learn about, touch and wonderat a range of mechanical beasts, fromadorable baby dinos to fully-grownpredators and skeletons. ROAR. Suitablefor over-3s, choose the ‘danger’ seatswhen booking for an even moreterrifying experience.

Cambridge Corn Exchange, Saturday,February 14 – Sunday, February 15.Contact (01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk

The Tiger WhoCame For TeaGrrr! A very hungry, very thirsty tigerarrives on Sophie’s doorstep, just as sheand her mother are sitting down fortea and cakes. Well, they can’t justleave him moping on the doorstep,can they? What ensues is charminglycalamitous, but you probably alreadyknow that. Who hasn’t read Judith Kerr’sclassic storybook? Suitable for over-3s,this adaptation comes with sing-a-longs,magic and lots of fun.

Cambridge Arts Theatre, Sunday,May 10 – Wednesday, May 13. Contact(01223) 503333 / cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk

50 SPRING SHOWS: FILM 50 SPRING SHOWS: BOOKS

We don’t know yet who’ll beappearing at The CambridgeStudent International Film Festival,Watersprite, but in previous yearsthey’ve bagged some serious namesfrom the world of film to chat –Eddie Redmayne, Jim Broadbentand Rob Brydon were definite

highlights. The team have now closedthe submissions process for the shortfilm programme, so you’re going tohave to wait to see what this year’scrop of budding directors have imagined.

Cambridge Arts Picturehouse,Friday, March 6 – Sunday, March 8.Contact watersprite.org.uk

The line-up of this spring’sNews-backed CambridgeLiterary Festival has yet

to be announced (watch thisspace, or stay up to date by

visiting cambridge-news.co.uk/whatson), but 2014 saw the

likes of Rachel Joyce (The Unlikely

Pilgrimage of Harold Fry), Hanif Kureshi(The Buddha of Suburbia), Carol AnnDuffy and Jacqueline Wilson take to thestage. We’re expecting some even biggernames to be involved come April.

Cambridge Union, Wednesday, April15 – Sunday, April 19. Contact (01223)515335 / cambridgeliteraryfestival.com.

Cambridge Spring Literary FestivalWatersprite Festival

aSWtf

Room on a Broom“How the cat purred and how the witch grinned,as they sat on their broomstick and flew throughthe wind”. Mums and dads probably knowevery single word of Julia Donaldson and AxelScheffler’s Room on a Broom, a tale of a witch,a broom and a motley collection of passengers;but now you can see it in full 3D glory. The ever-inventive Tall Stories Theatre Company has madea musical stage adaptation, perfect for over-3s,that, according to a sold-out West End run, ispretty darn magical. Remember to boo

the dragon . . .Cambridge Arts Theatre, Tuesday,

May 5 – Saturday, May 9.Contact (01223) 503333/ cambridgeartstheatre.

purchase-tickets-online.co.uk