Book now for Oliver!, the first production by the newly renamed Ware Musical Theatre

A theatre in the round production of the famous musical Oliver! will mark the first performances of the newly renamed, award-winning local company formerly known as Ware Operatic.

For more than 50 years the group has been performing a wide variety of shows and concerts but the start of the millennium marked the beginning of a change for the society.

Its usual programme of opera/ operetta gradually began to give way to more modern musicals to reflect the public’s changing tastes and now, in keeping with the trend being followed by many amateur companies, the group has changed its name… to Ware Musical Theatre. Its first performances will be of Lionel Bart’s famous musical in Ware Drill Hall, which will take place from Tuesday 28th March to Saturday 1st April.

The shows will take place in a theatre in the round setting, as was used during Hertford Theatre’s recent successful Christmas show The Snowsmith at the Drill Hall, with the audience on raised seating surrounding the stage area. Dickensian London is the setting for the story, the film version of which is one of the few musicals to win an Academy Award for best picture. This adaptation includes a talented cast alongside some 40 children from local schools and drama groups as Fagin’s gang, making it a show for all the family to enjoy. To book your tickets visit waremusical theatre.org uk or call the box office on 07754 781049.

Tickets cost between £17 and £21 depending upon the performance and shows are at 7.30pm each night with a 2.30pm matinée on the Saturday as well.

Ware Drill Hall is in Amwell End, Ware.

Half term releases dominate film schedule

The Fabelmans (12A)

Now showing

As if Steven Spielberg hadn’t made enough of an impact on cinema history, he brings us a deeply personal film based on his own past. It’s a funny and lovely movie about a boy who falls in love with cinema – a real coming of age story about an isolated young man in pursuit of his dreams.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (PG)

Now showing Antonio Banderas returns as the voice of the notorious Puss in Boots, the swashbuckling, death-defying feline in this, the latest from Dreamworks Animation. PiB has now lost eight of his nine lives and getting those lives back will entail him embarking on his grandest quest yet. Also featuring the voices of Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone and Salma Hayek, this is perfect fare for the half term holidays.

Epic Tails (U)

From Friday 10th February

And here’s another one... this time the story of a super-smart mouse called Pattie and her feline friend Sam who embark on an epic adventure through Ancient Greece. With a little help from ageing hero Jason (he of the argonauts fame), the animals face some of the most bizarre creatures from Greek mythology as they race to save their city from the threat of none other than Poseidon himself. This one features the voices of Rob Beckett and John Widdicombe among others.

What’s Love Got To Do With It? (12A)

From Friday 24th February

Lily James plays documentary maker Zoe whose own attempts at finding love by swiping right have ended up with a string of bad dates and funny anecdotes, much to the dimay of her opinionated mother (played by Emma Thompson). When her childhood friend and neighbour Kazim opts for an arranged marriage and she starts filming him on his journey to Pakistan, she begins to wonder if she might have something to learn from a different approach.

Two exhibitions at Parndon Mill gallery

The Way I See It is the title of the current exhibition at Harlow’s Gallery at Parndon Mill which is now showing until Sunday 19th February. It features the work of three artists, Jane Lewis, Sam Hacking and Lucy Scott, who live near each other and respond to their landscape and surroundings in their art. The elements, seasons and weather all play an important part in their work though they each produce strikingly different paintings. Their works are complemented by the bold and beautiful ceramics of Simon Sharp.

Later in the month, the gallery will show a new exhibition, called Vertu, beginning on Thursday 23rd February and running until 6th April.

It features a series of oil paintings by Liz Boast, based on life drawings and worked on over time until the actual form is almost lost – the figures come and go as more layers of paint are added.

Paintings of harlequins have always been a favourite of the artist and are included among the pieces.

Parndon Mill is in Parndon Mill Lane, Harlow CM20 2HP. Visit parndonmill.co.uk or call 01279 426042 for opening times.

HSO to perform Classic Masterworks

Classic Masterworks with Hertford Symphony Orchestra will be performed at Ware Drill Hall on Saturday 4th March at 7.45pm. Daniel Hogan is guest conductor for the concert and cello soloist is Joely Koos, principal cello with English Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are £17 for adults and £8 for children and are available from Hertford Town and Tourist Information Centre on 01992 584322 or online at wegottickets.co.uk.