Legendary cricket broadcaster, Henry Blofeld, takes readers on a charming journey through modern cricket, while looking back at the great games of yesteryear.

Henry has been close to the heart of cricket for over fifty years.  He has seen the game grow into a hugely international sport, where franchises continue to have massive influence and more and more games are added to the world calendar.  It wasn't always this way and Blowers reflects on how cricket used to be and where it is headed.

In this new book he explores the big shifts, innovations and challenges facing the game today, while looking back at his life and career, recounting his cherished memories of his beloved sport.  With his signature wit and insight, he compared the cricketing landscape of today with the cherished memories of yesteryear.

Henry began writing about cricket, for The Times, in May 1962 and in 1972 he started his long career as a commentator with the BBC's Test Match Special. During his career he has written for numerous papers and broadcast for both radio and television for many networks around the world especially in Australia and New Zealand. Henry now tours the country with his one man show.

Presented in association with Clive Conway Productions

Image credit:: Rii Schroer

Tightwire Workshop

Ahead of the performance at The Exchange, children and young people can join professional circus artist, tightwire walker and hair hanger Poppy Plowman for an exciting taster session in balancing on ropes, beams and tightwires!

Suitable 5+, children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Loose, comfortable clothing is recommended.

Places limited – advanced booking essential.

Turk(ish) is an empowering, autobiographical show by contemporary circus artist Poppy Plowman, combining high skill, humour and intimate storytelling with an evocative soundtrack.

Poppy uses tightwire and hair hanging to explore personal struggles of identity and Western beauty standards. Through her story we follow Poppy as she embraces who she is, encouraging and inspiring audience members to do the same and to nurture an anti-oppressive attitude.

Poppy Plowman is a British circus artist with Turkish Cypriot origins.

About the project

Circus Around and About 2 is a south-west touring circus project, funded by an Arts Council England Lottery Project Grant. The project is led by Take Art with principal partners Crying Out Loud and Extraordinary Bodies, in collaboration with nine presenting partners including Artsreach.

The band’s lively setlist includes Tex-Mex classics like "La Bamba", "Wooly Bully", and "Speedy Gonzales", along with a mix of Spanish ballads and original tunes. The fun-loving spirit of Los Pacaminos is infectious, turning any evening into a celebration of music, rhythm, and great company. The combination of accordion, guitar, and traditional Tex-Mex beats will transport you to the heart of the Southwest, all within the intimate setting of Boisdale. Each member of Los Pacaminos brings something special to the band, With a lineup of seasoned musicians delivering every note with passion, this is a night that will have you singing along and dancing until the very last song. Please note Paul Young will not be appearing this evening as he is recovering from an injury.

An insight behind the scenes at the routines and rituals that make Highclere Castle the most magical place to be throughout the festive season. Lady Carnarvon will guide you through Advent, Christmas preparations and Christmas Eve all the way through to the day itself, and beyond. Learn how the castle and grounds are transformed by decorations, including the raising of a twenty-foot tree in the saloon, the gathering of holly and mistletoe from the grounds. All the intricacies of the perfect traditional Christmas are here: from crackers and carol singers. The festive feeling is carried through to Highclere's Boxing Day traditions, the restorative middle days and the New Year's Eve celebrations.

Lady Carnarvon also tells the story of historic Christmases at Highclere - of distinguished guests warming themselves by the fire after a long journeys home through the snow, unexpected knocks on the door, and, always, the joy of bringing family - and staff - together after a busy year.

Illustrated talk with book signing. Highclere gin and books will be available to purchase

 

Living Spit are delighted to bring you 'the alternative' Christmas show this festive season!

Hard hearted Ebenezer Scrooge hates the season of goodwill until a visit from three spirits one Christmas Eve makes him rethink his... blah blah blah.

We all know the story. We’ve all seen the film(s). But who’s the best Scrooge of all time? Albert Finney? Alistair Sim? Patrick Stewart? Well, just hold your horses there! Because you’ve yet to witness Bristol actor Craig Edwards’ take on Dickens’ mean miserabilist.

He waits, like a coiled spring, ready to bring his unique brand of Midlands malcontentment to the role. And he’s brought Clevedon’s finest, Stu Mcloughlin, along for the ride to play (almost literally) all the other parts!

Hilarious, tender, idiotic and musically virtuosic by turns, Living Spit’s two-man adaptation of A Christmas Carol promises a feast of festive foolery that’ll have you splitting your sprouts with laughter, or your money back!*

*only joking about the “money back” bit!!

"Christmas tradition laced with really, really good comedy."

Bristol Post

 

“The jokes are brilliantly bad, the songs are wonderful and all in all the whole performance is hilarious. Its proper fun for all the family, which is exactly what you want at Christmas.“

Bristol 24/7

Parental Guidance; Suitable for ages 10 years + due to occasional bad language and regular terrible puns!

Legends of Motown is a high energy tribute show jam packed with all of Motown’s biggest hits, with stunning vocals and amazing live band, celebrating the music of the iconic and timeless Motown era. Undoubtedly the golden era of music, the show pays tribute to the legendary artists that appeared on the Motown label at that time. Get ready to be wowed with a song list that won’t fail to have you up and out of your seats and dancing in the aisles. Make it a night to remember with the music authentic to the Motown label from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, The Temptations, Jackie Wilson and many more!

Expect mega hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “You Can’t Hurry Love”, “My Girl”, “This Old Heart of Mine” and a few Christmas classics like “Santa Claus is Coming To Town”, and “Sleigh Ride” for a special Christmas show!

www.legendsofmotown.uk 

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https://twitter.com/motownband_uk 

“Legends of Motown delivered a powerful performance with stellar musicianship and contagious energy. Superb vocals, pitch - perfect harmonies, classic tunes and undeniable musical talent ensured an enjoyable atmosphere and experience forall in attendance.” ***** backseatmafia.com

“The show is well executed with a fiery setlist - not a single seat was down by the end of the night as they had everyone dancing in the aisles.” *****

“They had so much energy that flowed through to the audience, with amazing vocals that are perfectly accompanied by an extremely high quality band. *****

‘A Christmas Night at the Opera’

Featuring the great operas of Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Bizet, Puccini, Offenbach, Gilbert & Sullivan and more. The distinguished cast appears in sumptuous period evening dress, recreating the grandeur and glamour of past times.  

Join in the Christmas spirit with a singalong carol!

London Festival Opera brings together international artists from the major companies including the Royal Opera, ENO and Glyndebourne with exceptional young singers.   Past performances have been throughout the UK and Europe, including in one of the world’s greatest opera houses La Fenice in Venice, and as far afield as Hong Kong, Africa and India.

Operatic masterpieces, fabulous singing, spoken introductions and elegant costumes combine to make this a performance not to be missed for all opera lovers and newcomers alike.  A programme of passion, drama and humour accompanied by superb orchestral backing tracks.  

 

‘Outstanding singers’                                                

THE SUNDAY TIMES

‘Opera at its very best’

OXFORD TIMES

BSO Curious Creatures

An ensemble of fourteen musicians from across the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra invite you to join them on a musical journey through the natural world, in a programme presented especially for families.

 

Travel with us on this symphonic venture through verdant forests and across the open ocean. Embrace the wild with a catchy Mancini tune and Elgar’s spirited The Wild Bears. Explore the elements with Williams’ ode to the sea and de Falla’s frenzied Ritual Fire Dance, and enjoy an orchestral adaptation of a popular work by Björk with music that delves into emotions of the heart through the crystallisation of minerals and rocks. The sing-a-long favourite from the blockbuster Moana and Vaughan Williams’ musical flight of the lark completes the programme. Proudly presented in partnership with Artsreach, this adventurous afternoon is an escapade fit for all to join in with!

Supported by The Pitt-Rivers Charitable Trust

Neil Sands and his wonderful cast are back with the new 2024 production of their hit show, a spectacular spirit lifting, heartwarming, afternoon of festive nostalgia. filled with over 60 of your all-time favourite Christmas songs and Carols that will have you singing along from start to finish and bringing back so many wonderful memories of Christmases past.

Mad Dog Mcrea blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your ass’ music. From self-penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life, to traditional songs of gypsies, fairies, legless pirates and black flies – Mad Dog never fail to capture their audience with their infectious songs. In constant demand and having played just about every festival and two-bit, jibe-arsed dive in Christendom, Mad Dog Mcrea are, in every sense of the word, a live, band.

Matched with the unshakable dedication of their massive and “loyal-to-the-hilt”, fan base – Mad Dog Mcrea are more than just a very popular, festival act – with five albums under their belts, they are serious and acclaimed recording artists too. December 2019 saw Mad Dog Mcrea released a 5-track EP titled ‘It’s a Sign’.

The famous purple happy bus is fired up and ready for action, and there’s room for you – jump aboard!

PLEASE NOTE: The raked seating, which seats 151, will be out for those who wish to sit. The seating is unreserved and unfortunately cannot be prebooked. floor will be open for dancing and for those who prefer to stand at this show.