Out & About Winter 2018

It’s panto-time, oh yes it is, and magic’s in the air with rumours of giant beans sprouting in the Corn Exchange, says arts editor TRISH LEE. Ballet UK also dance their way down a fairytale road to true love at Arlington Arts. And there’s much to look forward to in the new year with music, mayhem and murder in a Watermill hit revival and the Ashmolean’s coup of a show by contemporary art superstar Jeff Koons. For arts news and reviews, see N2 each week in the Newbury Weekly News Pick of the ARTS

Fee-fi-fo-fum, we smell lots of panto fun

Jack & the Beanstalk The Corn Exchange Friday, November 30 to Sunday, January 6 www.cornexchangenew.com Expect adventure, mayhem and a gigantic helping of magic in the Corn Exchange’s Jack and the Beanstalk . Join Jack and the whole gang on an adventure of enormous proportions… from high-flying dreams to magical beans, prepare to be transported to the enchanted pantoland of Newbury Bottom, where anything is possible. Climb the beanstalk with Jack and enjoy high-energy dance routines, tunes to sing along to and plenty of audience participation. The ever- popular pantomime has become a fun-filled tradition for the families of Newbury and beyond.

Ballet beautiful

Ballet Theatre UK: Beauty and the Beast Arlington Arts Friday, December 21, 7.30pm www.arlington-arts.com

Ballet Theatre UK bring a little bit of winter magic to the stage with one of the most enchanting love stories of all time - Beauty and the Beast . Inspired by the original tale, this production tells the story of Belle, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who feels out of place in her provincial French village. When her father is imprisoned in a mysterious castle, her attempt to rescue him leads to her capture by the Beast, a grisly and fearsome monster. Little does she know that he is a Prince cursed by a magical Enchantress. The only way he may become human again is if he learns to love and be loved in return. The curse set by the Enchantress is bound by a magical rose. If the final petal falls all hope will be lost and he will remain a Beast forever. Their feelings grow ever deeper as the clock ticks and petals continue to fall – will they confess their love for one another before it is too late?

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