BEDFORDSHIRE

COMEDY

Saturday 26 July

Ian Stone is Looking for the Wow

Ian Stone is sick of the daily humdrum, he wants to be dazzled. He’s thought about exploring breathtaking forests, but “my ancestors wandered the desert for 40 years, I think we’ve been outdoors enough”, he stubbornly states in his press release. And spirituality is a no-go (“I’ve been harbouring a grudge against God since my mother stopped me going to see Arsenal play after my bar mitzvah”). So, what will wow this wry London comic? Join Stone as he attempts to find out.

8pm. £16.50. The Weatherly Centre, Biggleswade, SG18 8JH. www.ianstonecomedian.co.uk

BERKSHIRE

Thursday 23 November

Margaret Fingerhut: Around the World in 88 Piano Keys

Join pianist and Trinty Laban professor Margaret Fingerhut on a musical journey. Starting in Norway with Grieg, listeners are transported through Ukraine with Bortkiewicz, Nigeria with Bankole and onward to many other places. The Middle East is represented by Babylonia, a specially commissioned piece by Roxanna Panufnik, which you can read more about in the Summer 2023 issue of JR.

8pm. Phone for prices. Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF. 01628 788 997. www.margaretfingerhut.co.uk

MUSIC

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

UNTIL Sunday 21 September

Benjamin Disraeli and His Judaism

Explore the life and legacy of the first and only Earl of Beaconsfield, Benjamin Disraeli, in his former home, Hughenden Manor. The Jewish politician served as the UK’s prime minister twice and played a key role in the creation of the modern Conservative party. Talks will take place at 1pm daily.

1pm. £16.50, £8.30 per child. Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe, HP14 4LA. www.bnaibrithuk.org

TALKS

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Sunday 31 August

A Particularly Nasty Case: A Murderously Funny Evening with Adam Kay

Bafta-winning Jewish comic and former NHS staffer Adam Kay became a household name after his debut best-seller, This is Going to Hurt, was adapted into a hit BBC drama starring Ben Whishaw. Compiled from diary entries he made while working as junior doctor, the book (as well as its follow-up Undoctored) told everyday stories that were as gut-clenchingly funny as they were gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking. Now he presents A Particularly Nasty Case, his first work of fiction, a murder mystery inspired by his medical history – and highly humorous to boot. Discover more about it in this evening of anecdotes, insights and readings, followed by a Q&A.

3pm, 7.30pm. £35. Cambridge Junction, CB1 7GX. www.adamkay.co.uk

BOOKS AND POETRY

CHESHIRE

THEATRE

 

Friday 13 – Sunday 16 October

Conversations: From Hell to Wonder-mere

In 2003, psychiatrist David Rendel met Holocaust survivor Shlomo Weider and, in conversation, mentioned that his late father was also a survivor. It transpires that Weider and Rendel’s father were well acquainted throughout the war, before being brought to Windermere to recuperate, adapt to British life and become part of The Windermere Boys. Discover more of the story in this play, based on a remarkable true story.

2.30pm & 7.30pm (Sat only). £12. The Old Laundry Theatre, Windermere, LA23 3BX. www.oldlaundrytheatre.co.uk

CORNWALL 

Tate St Ives

Artist Rooms: Sol LeWitt

Influential in establishing the notion of ‘conceptual art’ in the 1960s, Jewish American artist Solomon ‘Sol’ LeWitt produced highly colourful, sprawling wall pieces. For example, Wall Drawing #1136 (2004) weaves together seven vibrant colours to create an enveloping chromatic environment.

Until 12 November

TR26 1TG. www.tate.org.uk

art

COUNTY DURHAM

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THEATRE

Until Saturday 18 November

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

A new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s multi-award-winning musical heads out on a tour of the UK. Featuring songs that have gone on to become pop and musical theatre standards, including ‘Any Dream Will Do’ and ‘Go Go Go Joseph’.

Times vary. £24-£29.50. Forum Theatre, Stockton-on-Tees, TS23 2LJ. www.kenwright.com/portfolio/joseph-and-the-technicolor-dreamcoat

CUMBRIA 

Saturday 15 October

A Year with Kurt Schwitters: Dada Ball

This event is made up of dance lessons to remember German Jewish artist Karl Schwitters’ love of tango, rhumba, two-step, shimmy and jazz. Learn the dances during the day and enjoy a 1920s-inspired Dada ball in the evening. This workshop coincides with Jewish artist Anthony D Padgett’s project, A Year with Kurt Schwitters, in which he responds to the artist’s life and work.

12-11.30pm. Price TBC. The Centre, Ambleside, LA22 9DH. www.amblesidepc.org.uk 

WORKSHOPS

DORSET

BOOKS & POETRY

 

Sunday 10 October

Jewish Tales

Author Liz Berg tells local tales from her book Jewish Folk Tales in Britain and Ireland.

2pm. FREE. Bournemouth Reform Synagogue, BH1 3PA. www.bournemouthreform.org.uk

GLOUCESTERSHIRE 

WALKS

Sunday 14 September

Open Door: Cheltenham Synagogue

See the oldest Ashkenazi furniture in the UK (manufactured in 1761) that’s still in use at Cheltenham Synagogue. Explore the Grade II-listed building, which features two 18th-century prayer plaques.

11am-2pm. FREE. Cheltenham Synagogue, GL50 3PU. www.cheltenhamsynagogue.org.uk

HAMPSHIRE 

Saturday 30 August

A Particularly Nasty Case: A Murderously Funny Evening with Adam Kay

Bafta-winning Jewish comic and former NHS staffer Adam Kay became a household name after his debut best-seller, This is Going to Hurt, was adapted into a hit BBC drama starring Ben Whishaw. Compiled from diary entries he made while working as junior doctor, the book (as well as its follow-up Undoctored) told everyday stories that were as gut-clenchingly funny as they were gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking. Now he presents A Particularly Nasty Case, his first work of fiction, a murder mystery inspired by his medical history – and highly humorous to boot. Discover more about it in this evening of anecdotes, insights and readings, followed by a Q&A.

7.30pm. £33.80. New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, PO1 2DD. www.adamkay.co.uk

books and poetry

HERTFORDSHIRE

Friday 11 July

Ian Stone is Looking for the Wow

Ian Stone is sick of the daily humdrum, he wants to be dazzled. He’s thought about exploring breathtaking forests, but “my ancestors wandered the desert for 40 years, I think we’ve been outdoors enough”, he stubbornly states in his press release. And spirituality is a no-go (“I’ve been harbouring a grudge against God since my mother stopped me going to see Arsenal play after my bar mitzvah”). So, what will wow this wry London comic? Join Stone as he attempts to find out.

8pm. £18. Ashlyns School, Berkhamstead, HP4 3AH. www.ianstonecomedian.co.uk

COMEDY

LANCASHIRE

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THEATRE

 

Thursday 19 March

My Jerusalem

At a time when Trump can declare Jerusalem to be the Jewish capital, accusations of antisemitism plague the Labour Party, and levels of awareness of the Palestinian cause and the negative feelings towards Israel rise, this solo performance from Avital Raz feels very timely indeed. My Jerusalem is a politically charged tale of a drunken one-night stand, infused with stories of growing up in the turmoil of 1980s Israel. A nuanced exploration of ethnicity, gender, racism and the underlying fear that perpetuates it; politics, division and an all too vulnerable humanity.

7pm. £5. Oldham Library, OL1 1AL. www.avitalraz.com/gigs.html

NORFOLK

Wednesday 7 May

Following a Written Trail: Isaac of Norwich

Jewish financier Isaac of Norwich was amongst the Jews imprisoned by King John of England in 1210, accused of concealing his assets. Palaeographer Judith Olszowy-Schlanger (University of Oxford) discusses Hebrew documents dating back to medieval England, which follow Isaac of Norwich and his family.

5pm. FREE. Sainsbury Lecture Theatre, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ. www.store.uea.ac.uk

TALKS

NORTHERN IRELAND

FAMILY

Tuesday 14 April

We Were There: Family Day

Eyewitnesses and veterans of World War II share their memories of life at sea and what it was like to grow up during the war.

11am, 1.30pm. FREE. HMS Belfast, SE1 2JH. www.iwm.org.uk

SOMERSET 

Sunday 14 September

Bath Jewish Burial Ground Open Day

Explore one of the few remnants of the now extinct Bath Hebrew Congregation. Established in 1812 and developed in Georgian times, now all that remains are the graves of some 80 people who are buried there.

11am. FREE. Bath Jewish Burial Ground, BA2 5DD. www.bathjewishburialground.org

WALKS

 

SUFFOLK

THEATRE

Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 November

Metamorphosis

Frantic Assembly presents a thrilling new adaptation of Franz Kafka’s surreal short story, adapted by British author Lemn Sissay OBE and directed by Scott Graham. Metamorphosis follows Gregor Samsa, who awakes one morning in the body of a bug and finds himself fatally shunned by society. Read more about Metamorphosis in the Autumn 2023 issue of JR.

7.30pm, 2.30pm (Wed, Thu & Sat only). £15-£32.50. Mercury Theatre, Colchester, CO1 1PT. www.franticassembly.co.uk/productions/metamorphosis

WARWICKSHIRE

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Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum

Artist Rooms: Diane Arbus

The daughter of prominent Jewish New Yorkers, Diane Arbus is best known for her black and white photos of members of society who were marginalised for the way they looked, dressed or behaved. These portraits reveal the complexities of human nature and challenge ideas of gender, beauty and identity. One of her most noted images is A Jewish Giant at Home With His Parents in the Bronx, NY, 1970.
Until 1 December

CV32 4AA. 01926 742 700. www.fb.com/leamingtonspaartgalleryandmuseum

ART

WILTSHIRE

books and poetry

 

Tuesday 26 August

A Particularly Nasty Case: A Murderously Funny Evening with Adam Kay

Bafta-winning Jewish comic and former NHS staffer Adam Kay became a household name after his debut best-seller, This is Going to Hurt, was adapted into a hit BBC drama starring Ben Whishaw. Compiled from diary entries he made while working as junior doctor, the book (as well as its follow-up Undoctored) told everyday stories that were as gut-clenchingly funny as they were gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking. Now he presents A Particularly Nasty Case, his first work of fiction, a murder mystery inspired by his medical history – and highly humorous to boot. Discover more about it in this evening of anecdotes, insights and readings, followed by a Q&A.

7pm. £34.50. Wyvern Theatre, Swindon SN1 1QN. www.adamkay.co.uk

WORCESTERSHIRE

THEATRE

 

Until Saturday 20 September

The Party Girls

The true story of the Mitford sisters is told in Jewish playwright Amy Rosenthal’s new show. The five women navigated their way through pre-war high society, chasing different paths at a time of rising fascism and political uncertainty. See their story unfold through the viewpoint of Jessica (aka Decca), as she strives to stay true to her beliefs while drifting further from her once beloved sisters, crossing continents on a romantic quest. Nancy aspires to be a celebrated writer, Diana and Unity become attracted to the dangerous, charismatic far right leaders in Britain and Germany, and Debo sets her eyes on a Duke. Read Amy Rosenthal’s piece about the play in the Summer 2025 issue of JR.

7.30pm, 2.30pm (Thu & Sat only). From £22.96. Malvern Theatre, Malvern, WR14 3HB. www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

AREA NAME HERE 

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Tuesday 13 – Monday 26 November

UK Jewish Film Festival

The UKJFF celebrates its 22nd anniversary this year, showcasing many world, European and UK premieres of new features, documentaries and shorts. Highlights include US comedy Humor Me, about a Jewish playwright whose life goes south, leading him to move into his father’s retirement home (13 Nov) and Itzhak, about Israeli virtuosic violinist Itzhak Perlman (26 Nov). Read our reviews of some of the festival highlights in the Oct 2018 issue of JR.

7.30pm. Prices and Leeds venues vary. http://ukjewishfilm.org

Film

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TALKS

Monday 5 November

Notable Leeds Jews

A lecture by Michael Meadowcroft for the Jewish Historical Society of England.

8pm. FREE. United Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, Leeds, LS17 8DW. 011 3318 6403. https://jhse.org 

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THEATRE

Wednesday 17 October

Gay and Friends

Play reading.

7.30pm. £3 (inc. refreshments). Kingfield Synagogue, Sheffield, S11 8UX. sheffieldsjcc@gmail.com