Reading Arts What's On Spring/Summer 2024

WHAT’S ON BROCHURE

WELCOME TO THE SPRING/SUMMER 2024

You may be aware that plans are afoot for a brand-new venue for Reading, The Hexagon Studio Theatre. The Hexagon is expanding to provide a new Studio Theatre, Rehearsal Studio, Community Space and Café/Bar and we are delighted to say that the planning application has been approved, enabling us to move to the next stage.

The new venue will be a cultural beacon in the regeneration of the Minster Quarter providing the catalyst for revitalising this area of the town. You can find out more information on pages 4 and 5 and by visiting reading.gov.uk/ hexagon

But before all that, the show must go on! Big name comedians at all our venues are heading your way, with Josh Widdicombe, Julian Clary & Ed Byrne at The Hexagon. Tom Houghton, Laura Smyth, Nick Helm, So ie Hagen & Aurie Styla at South Street. Plus Nurse Georgie Carol, Troy Hawke & Miles Jupp at The Concert Hall – to name a few!

Little ones won’t feel left out with plenty of family friendly shows just around the corner... Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book is set for its stage debut at The Hexagon and The Sainsbury Singers present A New Half A Sixpence Musical – Kipps! While South Street favourites Morgan & West return with their Massive Magic Show For Kids.

Classical Music aficionados can enjoy the last concerts of the current season with The Nash Ensemble, The Queen’s Six, Adrian Brendel and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Look out for details of the new season, beginning in the autumn, announcing soon.

You can find these events and much more by visiting whatsonreading.com We look forward to welcoming you back to one of our cultural venues very soon.

Donna Pentelow Assistant Director of Culture Directorate of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services Reading Borough Council

The Hexagon is expanding to become a new vibrant cultural destination for Reading. The new venue will be a cultural beacon in the regeneration of the Minster Quarter providing the catalyst for revitalising this area of the town.

Planning Permission for the new venue has now been approved and we look forward to moving to the next stage. The Hexagon Studio Theatre will be an accessible and inviting new extension to the much-loved Hexagon Theatre with a vibrant new studio theatre, rehearsal studio, community space and café/bar. It will provide new exciting cultural opportunities with facilities for professional, community and amateur events.

Blue Berg Baffin Bay (detail), 2017, © Julian Grater

READING ARTS AND VENUES MEMBERSHIP

If you love the arts in Reading, become a Reading Arts Member and you’ll get invites to exclusive events, priority booking and ticket discounts, while supporting the venues and the work that we do.

Gold Membership Benefits

Gold Membership Card

No Ticket Fee

Priority Booking

10% Bar & Café Discount

Free Ticket Exchange, within the same show or show run.

Invitation to South Street Season Launches

Exclusive Discounts

£45

Silver Membership Benefits

Silver Membership Card

Priority Booking

e-Newsletters

10% Bar & Café Discount

Invitation to South Street Season Launches

Exclusive Discounts

£35

For more information, contact the Box Office on 0118 960 6060 or visit whatsonreading.com/ramembership

Priority Booking is Subject to Availability

SOUTH STREET MEMBERSHIP

Become a Member and be a part of South Street’s exciting future by supporting the venue. Your support will enable you to access benefits such as priority booking on select shows and regular newsletters with the latest from the venue. Members will also be invited to our Season Launch events and other special events throughout the year. You will also receive discounts and offers on shows. The support will ensure we are able to continue to invest in the venue and provide a programme that is diverse, bold and unique in Reading.

South Street Membership Benefits

Membership Card

Exclusive Ticket Discounts

Priority Booking

Members Newsletter

Bar & Café Discount

Room Hire Discount

Invitation to Season Launches

Youth Theatre Discount

£35

For more information, contact the Box Office on 0118 960 6060 or visit whatsonreading.com/SSTMembership

The Concert Hall

Tues 23 April, 7.30pm

THE NASH ENSEMBLE

The Concert Hall Weds 8 May, 7.30pm

THE QUEEN'S SIX

The Concert Hall Thurs 13 June, 7.30pm ADRIAN BRENDEL & ALASDAIR BEATSON

The Hexagon Sat 1 June, 7.30pm ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA FILM MUSIC GALA

FIND OUT WHAT’S ON

whatsonreading.com

Summer’s here* and the time is right for enjoying all manner of events, indoors and out!

Reading’s festivals really get underway in the summer, and there’s lots to enjoy this year as usual. After last year’s inaugural events, Reading Walks Festival and the Reading Indie Comedy Festival return bigger and better this May. May also sees the University of Reading’s Community Festival return to show just how strong the connection between the university and the town is – and can be! Fourbears Books run their first book festival this year, Are You Listening will once again take over the town centre, Palmer Park, Christchurch Meadows and Englefield House will be filled with live performances from the likes of Blue, Ash and Madness, Jelly will once again make the town centre Open For Art… in short, we’re a town that’s filled with festival fever all summer long – and not just for one weekend in August!

This summer also sees the return of outdoor theatre from homegrown types like Progress Theatre, performing Oscar Wilde in the (literal) shadow of Reading Gaol, and annual visitors like SISATA who turn Caversham Court into Neverland with their new version of Peter Pan. And there’s plenty to enjoy indoors too, with the return of Concerts By Candlelight in Reading Minster as well as plenty of comedy, music, theatre and everything else that goes on in all of our local venues.

You may well have noticed that list of venues and Partner organisations growing, too –it’s great to be able to add more and more events, activities and workshops to our calendar and hopefully help you find someone, somewhere or something you might never have tried before. Do let me know if you’ve discovered a new favourite thanks to What’s On Reading!

All of which is a wonderful way for us to thunder towards our fifth anniversary later this year – and we’ll shortly be announcing how we plan to celebrate that milestone! Keep an eye out on our social media channels and give us a follow if you don’t already!

Have a great summer!

Damien Web Editor – What’s On Reading

*Actual length, warmth and dryness of summer may vary

The Hexagon Sun 7 April, 11.30am

RUDE SCIENCE LIVE

South Street Wed 10 April, 7.30pm

‘BROTHERLY, OTHERLY, DISORDERLY’ by Vijay Patel

South Street Thurs 11 April, 8pm

RAY BRADSHAW Stripped Back

South Street Fri 12 April, 8pm

POETS’ CAFÉ

South Street Sat 13 April, 3pm & 7.30pm

WIFI WARS

Interactive live comedy game show

South Street Weds 17 April, 7.30pm

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE by Rank and File Theatre

South Street Thurs 18 April, doors 7.30pm

ALISON COTTON + support

The Hexagon Thurs 18 April, 8pm

THE DREAMBOYS Stripped Back

The Hexagon Fri 19 April, 8pm

TOMMY TIERNAN tommedian

WHAT’S ON APRIL

South Street

Fri 19 April, 8pm

TOM HOUGHTON

It’s Not Ideal

South Street

Sat 20 April, 8pm

EMMANUEL SONUBI

Curriculum Vitae

The Hexagon

Tues 23 April, 7.30pm

RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC

South Street presents

Tues 23 April, 8pm

LEVERET

Andy Cutting • Sam Sweeney • Rob Habron

The Concert Hall

Tues 23 April, 7.30pm

Classical Music Alive

THE NASH ENSEMBLE

The Hexagon

Weds 24 April, 7.30pm

THE SENSATIONAL 60’S EXPERIENCE

South Street

Thu 25 April, (Sold Out)

LAURA SMYTH

Living My Best Life

The Concert Hall

Fri 26 April, 7pm

WE ARE 30! Sanctuary Fundraising Event

South Street

Sat 27 April, 4pm & 7pm

CRUELLA, PRETTY & RICHIE

by Doris Allimadi

WHAT’S ON APRIL

The Concert Hall Sat 27 April, 4pm

READING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

& READING YOUTH ORCHESTRA

80th Anniversary Family Concert

The Hexagon

Sun 28 April, 7.30pm

WHITNEY

Queen of the Night

The Hexagon

Mon 29 April, 8pm

THE BIG COMEDY BASH ‘24

The Hexagon Tue 30 April, 7.30pm

TIM RICE: MY LIFE IN MUSICALS

I Know Him So Well

The Concert Hall

Tues 30 April – Sat 4 May, various times

KISS MARRY KILL BY by Dante or Die presented at The Concert Hall by South Street as part of their SITELINES programme

WHAT’S ON APRIL

The Hexagon

Weds 1 May, 7.30pm

THE ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST WORLD TOUR

South Street

Thurs 2 – Sat 4 May, 8pm

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN

presented by Anything Goes Theatre Company

The Hexagon

Fri 3 May – Sun 5 May, various times

CHARLIE COOK’S FAVOURITE BOOK

The Hexagon

Tues 7 May, 7.30pm CARMEN

Featuring the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv

The Concert Hall

Weds 8 May, 7.30pm

Classical Music Alive

THE QUEEN’S SIX

The Hexagon

Weds 8 May, 7pm

NT Live presents NYE

Starring Michael Sheen

The Concert Hall

Thurs 9 May, 7.30pm

NURSE GEORGIE CARROLL

Sista Flo 2.0

The Hexagon

Fri 10 May, 8pm

COUNT ARTHUR STRONG

And It’s Goodnight From Him

The Concert Hall

Fri 10 May, (Sold Out)

TROY HAWKE

The Greeters Guild

WHAT’S ON MAY

The Hexagon

Sat 11 May, 7.30pm

RUSH

A Joyous Jamaican Journey

The Concert Hall

Mon 13 May, 1pm

LUNCHTIME ORGAN RECITAL

South Street

Weds 15 May, 8pm

THE FRESHWATER FIVE by Deadman Theatre

South Street

Thurs 16 May, (Sold Out)

LAURA BELBIN Too Much

The Hexagon

Weds 15 – Sat 18 May, various stimes

The Sainsbury Singers present

KIPPS:

The New Half A Sixpence Musical

South Street

Fri 17 May, (Sold Out)

NICK HELM’S Super Fun Good Time Show

South Street

Sat 18 May, 8pm

LADY MAISERY

Hazel Askew, Hannah James & Rowan Rheingans

South Street

Tue 21 May, 8pm

WESLEY STACE

(aka John Wesley Harding)

South Street

Tues 21 & Weds 22 May, 7.30pm

MURDER TRIAL TONIGHT You Are The Jury

South Street

Fri 24 May, 8pm

KANE BROWN

Don’t Listen To Me

South Street

Sat 25 May, 8pm

MICHELLE BRASIER Reform

South Street

Wed 29 May, 8pm

JAMALI MADDOX

Work in progress

The Hexagon

Thurs 30 May, 7.30pm

JULIAN CLARY

A Fistful of Clary

South Street

Thurs 30 May, 7.30pm

SUPER CONNECTED by Tim Arnold

WHAT’S ON MAY

South Street Sat 1 June, 11.30am & 2pm

MORGAN & WEST’S MASSIVE MAGIC SHOW FOR KIDS!

South Street Sat 1 June & Fri 21 June, 8pm

SOFIE HAGEN: Will I Ever Have Sex Again?

The Hexagon Sat 1 June, 7.30pm

Classical Music Alive

ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: Film Music Gala

The Concert Hall Thurs 6 June, 7.30pm

BETWEEN THE COVERS LIVE

South Street Thurs 6 June, doors 7.30pm

MILES HUNT

Presented by Good Deeds Music

The Hexagon Sun 9 June, 7.30pm

ED BYRNE: Tragedy Plus Time

The Hexagon Tues 11 June, 7.30pm

TALES FROM THE SOLANA: An Evening with Tim Healy, Sherrie Hewson & Crissy Rock

The Hexagon Weds 12 June, 7.30pm

THE SEARCHERS: Thank You Tour 2024

The Hexagon Thurs 13 June, 7.30pm

LUTHER LIVE

The Music The Voice The Legend

WHAT’S ON JUNE

The Concert Hall

Thurs 13 June, 7.30pm

ADRIAN BRENDEL, Cello & ALASDAIR BEATSON, Piano

The Hexagon

Sat 15 June, 3pm

ANTON & GIOVANNI: Together

South Street

Sat 15 June, 5.30pm & 8pm

LUKE KIDGELL: Happy Hour

The Concert Hall

Weds 19 June, 7.30pm

MILES JUPP: On I Bang

South Street

Thurs 20 June, 8pm

THE PARADOX TWIN

The Importance of Mr Bedlam +Other Stories

The Hexagon

Sat 22 June, 1pm & 6pm

CIRQUE: THE GREATEST SHOW Where Musical Theatre Meets Circus

The Hexagon

Sun 23 June, (Sold Out)

ED GAMBLE: Hot Diggity Dog

The Concert Hall

Tues 25 June, 8pm

JOHN COOPER CLARKE with special guests

South Street

Wed 26 June, 8pm (Sold Out)

SARA PASCOE & Friends (of Redlands)

WHAT’S ON JUNE

The Hexagon

Fri 28 June, 7.30pm PLATFORM YP 20

The Hexagon

Sat 29 June, 7.30pm

NADIYA AND KAI: Behind The Magic

The Hexagon

Sun 30 June, 7.30pm THE MCCARTNEY SONGBOOK

The Concert Hall Mon 1 July, 1pm LUNCHTIME ORGAN RECITAL

The Hexagon Thurs 4 July, 7.30pm THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY

The Hexagon Sun 7 July, 6pm Strictly Street Dance Company NEVERLAND

WHAT’S ON JUNE-JULY

The Hexagon Fri 5 April, 1pm Sing-a-Long-a MATILDA THE MUSICAL

South Street Sat 6 April, 11.30am HERMIT by Simone de Jong Company

The Hexagon

Sun 7 April, 11:30am RUDE SCIENCE LIVE

South Street

Sat 13 April, 3pm & 7.30pm WIFI WARS

Interactive live comedy game show

The Hexagon

Fri 3 to Sun 5 May, various times

CHARLIE COOK’S FAVOURITE BOOK

The Hexagon

15 May-18 May, various times KIPPS

The New Half A Sixpence Musical presented by The Sainsbury Singers

South Street

Sat 1 June, 11.30am & 2pm

MORGAN & WEST’S MASSIVE MAGIC SHOW FOR KIDS!

Relentlessly funny and bursting with magic for ages five to 105!

The Hexagon

Sat 22 June, 1pm & 6pm

CIRQUE: THE GREATEST SHOW

Where Musical Theatre Meets Circus

The Hexagon

7 Dec ’24 to 5 Jan ‘25 CINDERELLA

Christmas Panto

Starring Justin Fletcher and Paul Morse

WHAT’S ON CHILDREN & FAMILY

South Street Fri 13 Sept, 8pm

SARAH KEYWORTH My Eyes Are Up Here

The Concert Hall Tue 17 Sept, 8pm

MAISIE ADAM Appraisal

The Hexagon

Thurs 19 Sept, 7.30pm

RACHEL PARRIS

South Street Fri 20 Sept, 8pm

OASIZ

Definitely Maybe 30th Anniversary

The Hexagon Sat 21 Sept, 7.30pm

ELO AGAIN

The Ultimate Tribute to Jeff Lynne and the Electric Light Orchestra

The Hexagon Sun 22 Sept, 7.30pm

BYE BYE BABY

The Music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

The Hexagon Sat 28 Sept, 7.30pm

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

WHAT’S ON COMING SOON

The Hexagon

Sun 29 Sept, 7.30pm

A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES

The Soundtrack Of Your Life

The Hexagon

Wed 2 Oct, 7.30pm

HELLO AGAIN

The Neil Diamond Songbook

The Hexagon

Mon 7 Oct, 8pm

QUEENZ

Drag Me to the Disco!

The Hexagon

Fri 11 Oct, 7.30pm

COME WHAT MAY

The Ultimate Tribute to Moulin Rouge

The Hexagon

Sun 13 Oct, 7pm

THAT’LL BE THE DAY ‘24

The Concert Hall

Thurs 17 Oct, 8pm

GRACE CAMPBELL

Grace Campbell is On Heat

South Street

Fri 18 Oct, 8pm

TEZ ILYAS

After Eight

South Street

Sat 19 Oct, 8pm

PAUL FOOT Dissolve

The Hexagon

Thurs 24 Oct, 7.30pm

SIMON REEVE To The Ends Of The Earth

South Street

Tue 29 Oct, 8pm

OUR LITTLE HOUR

A Musical Drama based on the life of Walter Tull

The Hexagon

Thurs 31 Oct, 7.30pm

JOHN ROBINS Howl

The Hexagon

Fri 1 Nov, Doors 7pm

FROM THE JAM ‘Setting Sons’ 45th Anniversary Tour

The Concert Hall

Sat 9 Nov, 7.30pm

KIRI PRITCHARD-MCLEAN Peacock

The Hexagon

Sun 10 Nov, 7.30pm

JOOLS HOLLAND and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra

WHAT’S ON COMING SOON

South Street

Wed 13 Nov, 8pm

JEFF INNOCENT Smart Casual

The Hexagon

Wed 13 Nov, 7.30pm

THE STYLISTICS

The Greatest Hits Tour

The Hexagon

Thurs 14 Nov, 7.30pm

NISH KUMAR

Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe

The Hexagon

Fri 15 Nov, 7.30pm

MILTON JONES HA!MILTON

The Hexagon

Tues 19 Nov, 7.30pm

FERN BRADY

I Gave You Milk To Drink

South Street

Thurs 21 Nov, 8pm

PIERRE NOVELLIE

Why Are You Laughing?

The Hexagon

Thurs 21 Nov, 7pm & 9.45pm

JIMMY CARR

Laughs Funny

WHAT’S ON COMING SOON

CULTURAL+ COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR READING

Created in response to Reading UK’s survey of how best to support the arts and cultural community post-COVID, our new cultural and community resources hub is host to all manner of resources and opportunities for those within the sector, from funding and development opportunities and job adverts, to venue and equipment hire.

For the wider community, there will be access to smaller community events, plus information on volunteering –created in partnership with Reading Voluntary Action – and other ways to get involved in the wide range of arts and culture opportunities that Reading has to offer.

All that, plus the latest news, announcements and blog content from all over Reading. We hope you find it useful and informative.

whatsonreading.com/culturalcommunity-resources-reading

THEATRES AREN’T THE ONLY VENUES

READING MUSEUM

As well as their permanent exhibitions, Reading Museum run fun and educational events, workshops and talks for all ages.

readingmuseum.org.uk

READING ABBEY QUARTER

A wonderful venue, playing host to many tours, talks, plays and concerts throughout the year.

readingabbeyquarter.org.uk

ROYAL BERKSHIRE ARCHIVES

The RBA is a massive resource of local history and they hold regular talks and family history workshops for a royalberkshirearchives.org.uk

READING LIBRARIES

With regular children’s Rhyme Times and Story-times as well as author talks and signings. reading.gov.uk/leisure/libraries

READING TOWN HALL

The perfect Victorian destination for your Wedding, Party or Corporate Event. readingtownhall.co.uk

HOW TO BOOK TICKETS VENUE INFORMATION

All tickets for The Hexagon, Concert Hall & South Street are available in advance from the Reading Arts Box Office.

Box Office: 0118 960 6060 www.whatsonreading.com

Group Bookings:

Contact our Group Booker for details of group discounts, priority bookings, advance notifications, extended reservation periods, education packs and much more.

Sophie Edmonds on 0118 937 2011 or email sophie.edmonds@reading.gov.uk

Payment

All major credit and debit cards are accepted, except Diners and American Express.

Unless otherwise stated venue booking fees are included in the advertised price. An additional fee may be payable for postage.

The booking fee applies to ticket purchases made with credit cards, debit cards and cash. Bookings made in person with a pre-paid debit card are not subject to a booking fee.

Standing events.

All standing tickets are unreserved general admission; the seating plan and ticket number are for administration purposes only. Please note that Under 14’s will not be permitted into the standing arena. All under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult (18yrs or over) and seated in the balcony. The advertised time for standing events is the doors time and bears no relation to the performance time. Exact timings will be confirmed nearer the time and will be available from the box office or via readingarts.com.

To ensure your safety, security will be present to search bags on arrival. No food or drink may be brought into the venue. Professional cameras are not permitted at events and will not be allowed into the auditorium. Please be aware that concerts of this nature use various theatrical lighting and smoke effects, and may have high sound levels.

The management reserve the right to refuse entry and to make any changes to the information contained in this brochure without prior notice in the event of illness or any other unavoidable cause.

Full terms and conditions can be found on our websitewww.whatsonreading.com/ terms-and-conditions

Please check these terms and conditions before purchasing a ticket.

The Hexagon

Queens Walk, Reading RG1 7QF

Box Office: 0118 960 6060

www.whatsonreading.com

The Hexagon bar/s are open 1 hour before a show, with extended opening after selected events.

Concert Hall/Town Hall

Blagrave Street, Reading RG1 1QH

Admin: 0118 937 3400

www.whatsonreading.com

South Street

21 South Street, Reading RG1 4QU

Admin: 0118 937 3456

www.whatsonreading.com

The Box Office and bar at South Street are not open full time and will usually open 1 hour before any evening performance, except when the show is advertised with a doors time.

Reading Museum

Blagrave Street, Reading RG1 1QH

Admin: 0118 937 3400

www.readingmuseum.org.uk

Reading Abbey Ruins

Abbey Street, Reading, RG1 3BA

Admin: 0118 937 3400

www.readingabbeyquarter.org.uk

Reading Sport & Leisure

Palmer Park Sports Stadium

Wokingham Road, Reading RG6 1LF

Admin: 0118 937 5080

www.readingleisure.co.uk

Reading Central Library

Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ

Admin: 0118 901 5955

www.readinglibraries.org.uk

Royal Berkshire Archives

9 Coley Avenue, Reading

Admin: 0118 937 5132

www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk

download the Reading Buses app for up to 4 people ALL RDG

£5.50 off-peak group ticket