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Thursday, November 18, 2021 45

Newbury Weekly News

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT 2 n

Having a ball, oh yes we are... Dig out your posh frock, polish the glass slippers and prepare to party

THE socially distanced rehearsals that N2 dropped into at the Corn Exchange were obviously going well. The classic rags to riches tale of Cinderella has delighted generations and now Plested and Brown (Clare Plested, Adam Brown and Amanda Wilsher) are back with their fresh take on this beloved story. It opens on Friday, November 26, and runs to January 2. Will Cinderella make it to the ball? Will the Fairy Godmother save the day? And will her stepsisters ever give her a rest and help her with the housework? Cinderella is full of traditional Corn Exchange pantomime fun with plenty of jokes, songs from across the decades and more magic and sparkle than you can shake a wand at. Back in the day, Clare Plested and Adam Brown (who hails from Hungerford) together with Amanda Wilsher were Newbury’s resident theatre company and Clare and Adam also performed in the annual panto before becoming its writers and directors. Dig out your best frock, polish your glass slippers and expect to party. For proper grown-ups, there are also dates with an extra dose of tongue- in-cheek. Bring a little innuendo and a sprinkle of extra silliness to your festive plans at one of the Adult Only performances, it’s the chance to let your hair down, grab a drink and enjoy the magic of pantomime with a few cheeky twists. Adult Only Nights (8pm): Friday, Dec 3; Thursday, Dec 9; Friday, Dec 10 (limited availability); Thursday, Dec 16; Friday, Dec 17 (limited availability).

Cinderella rehearsal pictures by Phil Cannings Ref: 45-2121

Cinderella is presented in the full capacity auditorium, but in order to ensure everyone who wishes to attend feels comfortable to do so, the venue is offering at least one fully socially distanced performance each week in which rows will be left empty and spaces

Writer/director Adam Brown

For proper grown-ups, there are dates with an extra dose of tongue-in-cheek,more than a little innuendo and a sprinkle of extra sillines

either side of each booking. www.cornexchangenew.com

Energy levels are high in The Jungle Book rehearsal room, pictures by Pamela Raith Photography

Ready for a rumble in the jungle? IT’S opening night for The Watermill Christmas show and as these rehearsal pictures measures to control the risk of Covid-19. Face coverings are strongly encouraged.

FILm cinema

fri 19–thu25nov

families Pyjama Performances on Sundays, December 19 and 26, Monday 27, Tuesday 28 and Friday 31 – 5pm shows that they can bring their children to for a theatrical bedtime story. Lixi Chivas is audio describing one of two BSL integrated performers. The second BSL integrated performer will be a deaf sign performer. For audience members who would feel more comfortable to attend a performance with more space between themselves and other audience members there will be a socially distanced performance each week during the run. The Watermill continues to follow

theatres in the country. “The Watermill emanates magic through its history and the team have a deep-rooted desire to push the boundaries of what the space can do. “ The Jungle Book is a tale I have fallen in love with and hope that our production will bring a universal serving of joy while telling a story that oozes themes of acceptance, growth, understanding and love. I cannot wait to share it with our audiences!” The production runs through the Christmas period, from tonight (Thursday) to Friday, December 31. The theatre is also offering

Enhanced cleaning procedures, including regular fogging of the auditorium, and an efficient ventilation system supplying conditioned and filtered fresh air also remain in place. To help audience members to book with confidence, The Watermill is operating a flexible booking policy. In the event that their booking is affected by Covid-19, audience members will be offered a ticket exchange, account credit or refund. Booking details at watermill.org.uk

Spencer (12a) fri 14:00, 17:00 Sat 14:20, 20:30 Sun 15:00

suggest, it’s a corker. Its director has spoken of his excitement at returning to the theatre in a new role. Tom Jackson Greaves has adapted Kipling’s classic The Jungle Book for The Watermill’s unique space and this is his first time directing at the Bagnor theatre. Tom said: “After being an associate artist of The Watermill theatre for the past five years, it makes me unbelievably happy to be working on my 10th production at the theatre and my first as director. It truly is one of my favourite

Silver Screen Mon 14:30 parents & Babies tue 11:30 tue 14:30 parents & Babies Wed 11:30 Wed 14:15, 20:30 SubtitledScreening Thu11:00 Thu 17:05

noTIme ToDIe (12a) fri 19:40 Sat 11:00, 17:00 Sun 11:30 Wed 17:00 thu 13:40, 19:45

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