The Ultimate Guide to UK Summer Festivals 2025

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Liz Nicholls

Diana Ross at Henley, DJ Charlie Hedges near Chinnor, Fabio + Grooverider at Stowaway & Mucky Weekender (see our Q&As with both!), & more… this summer is set to be a sizzler for festival fans, says Liz Nicholls

Summer Festival Season Is Here!

Drumroll, please! Festival season is officially underway—starting with a touch of class.

Surrey Hills International Music Festival (6–17 May)

Begin with something refined. The Surrey Hills International Music Festival features Grammy-nominated VOCES8 at Guildford’s Holy Trinity Church, and pianist Alim Beisembayev at the Menuhin Hall. Don’t miss the return of Lunchtime Young Artist Concerts at West Horsley Place. Find talks, guided walks, and more at shimf.co.uk.

May Highlights

  • Are You Listening? (9–10 May, Reading)
    Expect incredible performances across venues in Reading. Full details at areyoulistening.org.uk.
  • Pub In the Park, Marlow (15–18 May)
    Star chefs like Tom Kerridge, Yotam Ottolenghi, and Raymond Blanc will join forces with music icons like Dizzee Rascal, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Craig Charles. Full line-up at pubintheparkuk.com.
  • Shindig Festival, Wiltshire (22–25 May)
    A Glasto-style family-friendly rave! Featuring Gilles Peterson, Mr Scruff, art installations, wellness zones, crafts, and a kids’ area. shindigfestival.co.uk
  • Rokefest, Wallingford (23–25 May)
    Held at Home Sweet Home, this grassroots fest supports local charity Style Acre. Find updates on Facebook.
  • Chesham Fringe Festival (23–25 May)
    A joyful mix of comedy, cabaret, music, theatre, and kids’ entertainment. More at cheshamfringe.com.
  • Wasing Words & Wellness (25–26 May)
    A brand-new wellness and literary festival at Wasing Estate. Also check out their Solstice celebration on 20–22 June featuring James Blake. wasing.co.uk
  • Chippenham Folk Festival (24–27 May)
    Celebrating its 52nd year with music, dance, and colourful street fun. chippfolk.co.uk

Racing & Rock at Silverstone

Motorsport meets music! On 25 May, Silverstone hosts the thrilling MotoGP. Later, enjoy Sam Fender, Raye, and Fatboy Slim (3–6 July), then Craig David and Ministry of Sound Classical during Silverstone Festival (23–25 August). silverstone.co.uk

Shynefest & Local Gems

  • Shynefest, Merrist Wood (30–31 May)
    Celebrating 10 years with Reef and Nirvanher. Supports Treloar’s charity. shynefest.uk
  • Alton Beer Festival (30–31 May)
    Raise funds for local charities. altonbeerfestival.org.uk

June Kicks Off with Big Sounds

  • Witney Music Festival (6–7 June)
    Headlined by Goldie Lookin Chain and Spice Forever. witneymusicfestival.com
  • Tilford Bach Festival (6–8 June)
    Marking its 73rd year and 25th anniversary of the London Handel Players. tilfordbachfestival.com
  • Wycombe Jazz Festival (7 June)
    Includes dance, workshops, and DJ Mr Jazzy Vibe. wycombejazzfestival.com

June Highlights

  • Olly Murs in Reading (13 June) – legacylive.co
  • Southampton Summer Sessions: Rag’n’Bone Man (13 June), Craig David (21 June), and Ocean Colour Scene (27 June) – smmrsessions.com
  • Rowachella (14 June): Radio 1’s Charlie Hedges headlines this dance-meets-beer fest – rowachella.co.uk
  • Good Festival (15 June): Family fun supporting Hampshire Medical Fund – goodfestival.co.uk

Isle of Wight & More Big Names (19–22 June)

This legendary fest features Justin Timberlake, Sting, Faithless, and James. isleofwightfestival.com

At Blenheim Palace, Nocturne Live (19–22 June) hosts Richard Ashcroft, The Corrs, Nile Rodgers & CHIC. nocturnelive.com

Jazz fans should head to Iford Manor’s Jazz Festival starring Shakatak and Jacqui Dankworth. ifordmanor.co.uk

Wellness & Words (21–22 June)

July Bursts Into Song

  • Summer Sounds, Frensham Heights (29 June)
    With tributes to Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. frenshamevents.uk
  • Love Supreme Jazz Festival (4–6 July)
    Starring Nile Rodgers, Smokey Robinson & Jacob Collier. lovesupremefestival.com
  • Guilfest, Stoke Park (5–6 July)
    Featuring The Jacksons, Razorlight & more. guilfest.co.uk
  • Joe Wicks Festival at Kew (6 July)
    Holistic vibes with the Body Coach. thebodycoach.com
  • Parallel Windsor (6 July)
    A fully accessible, inclusive festival for all. parallellifestyle.com
  • Kew the Music (8–13 July)
    Acts include Craig David, Alison Moyet & The Human League. kewthemusic.org
  • Henley Festival (9–13 July)
    Black-tie elegance with Diana Ross, Rick Astley & Jo Whiley. henley-festival.co.uk

DJ Takeovers & Family Faves

  • Fi.Fest (11–12 July, Maidenhead)
    With Feeder, Rick Parfitt Jnr & a silent disco. fifest.co.uk
  • Classic Ibiza, Bowood (18–19 July)
    A stunning orchestral night with London Community Gospel Choir. classicibiza.co.uk
  • Newbury Racecourse (19 July, 15–16 August)
    Featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Clean Bandit & more. newburyracecourse.co.uk
  • Englefield Estate (19–20 July)
    Enjoy The Jacksons, Sister Sledge & The Beach Boys. heritagelive.net
  • Raver Tots (20 July, Reading)
    Dance fun for all ages. ravertots.co.uk
  • Marvellous Festival (19–20 July, Wokingham)
    Packed with top tribute bands. marvellousfestivals.com

Late July into August: Pure Magic

August Keeps the Beat Going

  • Boardmasters (6–10 August, Cornwall)
    Surf, sun, and music with Central Cee, The Prodigy & Raye. boardmasters.com
  • Boomtown (6–10 August, Winchester)
    A fully immersive world featuring 12 stages, 50 hidden venues & a secret lineup! David Rodigan, Phil Hartnoll of Orbital, Don Letts, DJ Yoda & more will star. boomtownfair.co.uk
  • Retro Festival (8–10 August, Newbury)
    Dress up and party to the past. retrofestival.co.uk
  • Rewind South (15–17 August, Henley)
    Classic acts like Soft Cell, Holly Johnson & Midge Ure. south.rewindfestival.com

Closing Summer with a Bang

  • Creamfields (21–24 August)
    Massive electronic party with David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia & Eric Prydz. creamfields.com
  • Big Feastival (22–24 August)
    With Nelly Furtado, Faithless, Justin Fletcher, and Raymond Blanc. bigfeastival.com
  • Windsor Rock the Rec (24 August) – rocktherec.co.uk
  • Wokingham Festival (23–25 August) – wokinghamfestival.co.uk
  • Carfest (22–24 August, Laverstoke)
    Madness, Squeeze, Rita Ora & Travis bring the energy. carfest.org
  • Found Festival (22–24 August)
    A new adventure rising from the ashes of Towersey. foundfestival.uk
  • The Wake (23 August, Billingshurst)
    Featuring King Creosote, family fun & talks. thewake.uk
  • End of the Road Festival (28–31 August)
    Wrap up the season with Caribou, Self Esteem & Father John Misty. endoftheroadfestival.com

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Tom Kerridge’s vanilla crème brulee 

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Liz Nicholls

We’re sharing a recipe from Tom Kerridge to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Hand & Flowers & 10 years of The Coach 

Vanilla Crème Brulee

Ingredients:
750ml double cream 
One vanilla pod 
Four medium free-range eggs 
30g caster sugar 

Put the cream and vanilla pod into a heavy-based saucepan and bring to the boil over a medium heat. Remove from the heat and leave to infuse for 30 minutes.  

Beat the eggs and sugar together in a bowl until smoothly blended. Bring the vanilla-infused cream back to the boil, then slowly pour onto the beaten egg mixture, whisking as you do so to combine.  

Pour the mixture back into the pan and cook, stirring constantly, over a medium-low heat until the custard thickens and reaches 88°C (check the temperature with a digital probe). Immediately remove from the heat and pass through a fine chinois into a clean bowl. Press a layer of cling film on to the surface to prevent a skin forming and leave to cool for 20 minutes or until the custard is at room temperature.  

Pour the custard into a high-powered jug blender (Vitamix) and blitz for 30 seconds; this will lighten it slightly. Now pour the custard into crème brûlée dishes or ramekins, dividing it equally (about 125ml per dish). Cover each dish with cling film, leaving a small gap on one side, to allow any moisture to evaporate. Stand the dishes on a tray and place in the fridge to set; this will take about three hours. 

Caramel Glaze
200g demerara sugar

When ready to serve, sprinkle a generous, even layer of demerara sugar over the surface of each set custard. Wipe the edge of the dish with a clean cloth. Using a cook’s blowtorch, caramelise the sugar, starting from the edges and working towards the centre. Take the caramel to a dark brown – this dish is all about balancing the rich creamy egg custard with the slightly bitter caramel flavour. 

Leave to cool for about five minutes before serving. 

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Tom Kerridge chef Star Q&A

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Liz Nicholls

Liz Nicholls chats to Tom Kerridge, the double-Michelin starred chef who opened The Hand & Flowers 20 years ago & The Coach 10 years ago

Hello Tom! What’s your first food memory?! “Oooh, I grew up in the ’80s, in a single-parent family on an estate in Gloucester. So Birds Eye potato waffles, Findus crispy pancakes, tinned corned beef… I still love it!” 

Q. Would you have imagined you’d be where you’re now 20 years ago? “My God, no! The idea was to set up and create somewhere where we loved the food that we cooked for people. I’m so proud of the team of people who have been around us for so long. Lourdes, our general manager, has been with us 18 years, and you’ve got Katie, who’s been there 15 years, Gabby who runs front of house, has been with us for another 14 years. And then you’ve got the likes of Tommo, who’s the head chef and Sarah, who’s the head chef of The Coach since the beginning. So it’s been this long, progressive journey of not just the businesses, but people, professionally and personally. And then we’re so grateful for the continued support of Marlow & everyone around here. We just wanted to create great food and relaxed, informal service. Two Michelin stars later, ending up on telly and doing books are added bonuses. We’ve gone with it. But it’s always been about great food and that’s down to continued hard graft that everyone puts in.” 

Q. We’re celebrating festivals this month! What are your favourite festival memories? “Well, Pub in the Park has been amazing and I love doing it every year. The energy, the buzz people get from it, and Marlow is very special because it’s my home town. The sun always seems to shine, we’re very, very lucky with that! I’m sure Dizzee Rascal will be great, bringing the energy and I love the brilliant cookery demos, the stuff on the fire pit.” 

Q. What’s your most rock’n’roll food moment? “We’ve had so many famous people in our restaurants, probably the most famous being Beyoncé and Jay-Z. They were great, warm, not divaish at all. And they loved their fish and chips!” 

Q. Cliche I know! But what’s your best ever meal? “For me it’s always about situation and place. So fish & chips on a beach in Brighton, in the winter when you have to wrap up warm, with loads of malt vinegar on. Some street food I had in Singapore, maybe eight or 10 years ago, was unbelievable, absolutely stunning. And awesome tacos from a shack in Tucson, Arizona. They’re some of the best food experiences I’ve had.” 

Q. What are the ingredients for a perfect pub? “A warm welcome, great beers and food done with care; it doesn’t have to be Michelin star food, just made with love. A great pub has this kind of unwritten rule of connectivity. The problem is everybody wants that on a Sunday. You need to have it on a Tuesday lunchtime as well, and we should support pubs this way otherwise they won’t be there on the Sunday.” 

Q. Who would be your dream dinner party guests? “I’m a massive Oasis fan so Liam Gallagher. I love rugby too, so maybe Joe Marler, oh and Lewis Hamilton, please! And we need someone extra funny so Katherine Ryan.” 

Q. Do you cook much with your son Ace? “Yeah, I try to make sure Sundays I’m about and present. This weekend he wants to do an apple crumble. We’ll normally do some sort of slow roasting in the morning because we’ll be off to rugby training, and then the afternoon when we get back, it’s all cooked and lovely.”  

Q. What kitchen gadgets or tools would you not be without? “Sharp knives and a good chopping board… Very simple!” 

Q. What are your favourite restaurants except your own? “I’m a fan of Malik’s in Cookham, which is absolutely outstanding. I was first introduced to Malik’s 20 years ago by Heston Blumenthal and still, to this day, it’s the best curry you’ll find.”   

Q. What foods are you borderline obsessed with? “I always have great cheese and grapes; that’s always a go-to snack. If I get in late at night cheese and grapes is always a winner.” 

Q. What about the worst? “I had one of the worst burgers I’ve ever had at a water park in Portugal. Like, so bad like that it stands out as one of the worst things ever.”  

Q  If you had a magic wand, what would you wish for? “That everyone understood and respected the food pyramid, the way it all works. Good food doesn’t come cheap. You know, there’s a lot of heart and soul and care that goes in producing as well as cooking. So I’d give a little bit more love to farmers.” 

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Enjoy glass art with Julia Batten 

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Liz Nicholls

Chesham artist Julia Batten tells us about her craft as she prepares to open her studios for Bucks Art Weeks, from 7th to 22nd June 

As far as finished materials go, few are harder and as brittle as glass. But, as artist Julia Batten understands, glass can be fused and moulded at the creative stage, which brings her endless joy. 

“Fused glass involves creating a design (which always evolves as I work), choosing and cutting coloured glass and then combining it to create the piece,” says Julia. “The work is then fired in a kiln at a very high temperature, which fuses it together as one piece. If the work is going to be a 3D piece, a bowl for example, it is fired again (this is called a ‘slump’ firing) to take the shape of a mould. 

“My fused glass art is very colourful! I enjoy strong shapes and bold designs and this is reflected in my work. Many of my pieces depict abstract designs, but I also have colourful cats and florals in my portfolio. I create pieces most weeks as I love being in my studio, listening to music, audio books or true crime podcasts!” 

Julia has created art since she was very little… “I went to school in Chesham in the 1970s and ’80s. My most inspiring teacher as far as art is concerned was Mrs Ronnie Powell, who was my favourite primary teacher. Thanks, Ronnie! 

“Apart from my time at university in Southampton, I’ve lived in Chesham all my life. I’m 55 and have been a primary school teacher and school leader for over 30 years. I currently work in school part-time, having walked away from my leadership responsibilities a few years ago. I have three sons and two stepsons, a lovely husband called Alistair and two very demanding moggies called Calypso and Penelope. 

“I still love drawing and painting, as well as teaching art to children. I discovered fused glass in my 40s and have never looked back! I’ve been an exhibitor in Bucks Art Weeks for several years now. I love welcoming people to my studio and talking them through the process of making fused glass, showing them my work and hearing their comments.”  

If you fancy giving glass art a crack yourself, Julia runs very popular workshops throughout the year. To find out dates, follow her on Facebook or Instagram, or email her on juliabattenglass@yahoo.com. She’s also available for charity, youth group or corporate bookings, as well as school art weeks. She wishes there were more local galleries and craft shops and would welcome the opportunity to show her work in a local gallery. 

To anyone who has a creative side they’d like to pursue, Julia’s advice is: “Go for it! You may have to experiment with lots of different art types before you find your ‘thing’ but do it!” 

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Relaxing hour-long summer music recitals  

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Liz Nicholls

Cello star Nicky Tait Baxter invites music-lovers to book for Woodside Summer Recitals at Amersham Free Church on Sundays throughout June 

Classical music fever will hit Amersham, with the arrival of Woodside Summer Recitals, featuring four top-notch, classical and family-friendly chamber music concerts. 

The hour-long Relaxing Sunday Afternoon Concerts take place at Amersham Free Church on Sundays at 4pm from 1st to 22nd June. 

At the first concert on 1st June star violinist Michael Bochmann (MBE) and his much-loved String Trio and pianist Paul Turner will perform two stunning and sparkling piano quartets by Mozart & Faure. 

Other concerts feature celebrated horn player Richard Wainwright & pianist Andrew Melvin (8th June) and rising star performers & composers from London’s Royal Academy of Music (15th June.) Look out for special guest appearances by local young musicians too. 

The series finishes with a brilliantly engaging concert of piano trios by Mendelssohn & Shostakovich (22nd June). This final concert features the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year WINNER, violinist Nicola Loud, local star cellist Nicky Tait Baxter (me) and acclaimed pianist Colin Stone and is not to be missed! 

You can book tickets (or become a FRIEND of the series) via the QR code or Tickets Tailor – visit buytickets.at/woodside summerrecitals/1502580 

Or you can call 01494 722257 to book your tickets or to discuss sponsorship. Tickets on the door, subject to availability.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Life-changing Obvs Skincare fundraiser 

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Liz Nicholls

Obvs Skincare’s family fun day raises over £1,500 for Brain Tumour Research and The Sophie Barringer Trust 

Local organic skincare brand Obvs Skincare hosted a family fun day fundraiser at the Concorde Club, raising over £1,500 for The Sophie Barringer Trust and Brain Tumour Research. The event, organised by Obvs Skincare Founder, Sian Louise, was a huge success, with over 600 people attending to support vital causes while celebrating the launch of the brand’s new Organic Scalp Oil.   

The new product has a deeply personal story. Maddison, Obvs Skincare’s lab assistant, played a key role in formulating the oil while recovering from chemotherapy after being diagnosed with a brain tumour at just 23 years old. Created under Sian’s guidance and following Soil Association COSMOS organic standards, the oil supports scalp and hair health—something Maddison experienced firsthand during her recovery. 

The event also saw support from Southampton FC legends James Beattie, Mark Dennis, and David Hughes, who attended to back the fundraiser and its important mission.

Speaking about the event, Sian Louise said: “This fundraiser was more than just a celebration—it was about raising awareness and funding for critical research. Maddison’s story is a testament to resilience, and we’re proud to support both Brain Tumour Research and The Sophie Barringer Trust while launching a product that came from such a personal journey.” 

With over 600 attendees, the event was a fantastic community effort, bringing people together to raise funds and awareness. All proceeds will go towards funding research and supporting those affected by brain tumours. 

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Foodie courses at The Bell, Ramsbury 

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Liz Nicholls

During April and May, The Bell is hosting several special food-focused events so you can learn from the best, including talented head chef James Graham 

Friday, 18th April, bring a Good Friday Fish Special – a special evening celebrating fish from around the world + fish & chips! On Thursday, 24th April, one for asparagus lovers: an eight-course dinner highlighting new-season asparagus. £80pp with optional wine flight, £45pp. 

On Thursday, 29th May, there’s a lamb butchery demonstration at 6pm hosted by The Bell’s head chef, James Graham, which includes welcome drink and small dishes served throughout the evening, £80pp. 

Recently included in The Good Food Guide and the Michelin Guide, this boutique retreat and community hub is owned by the Ramsbury Estate, which surrounds the village and supplies The Bell with its own multi- award-winning Ramsbury Distillery single estate gin and vodka (voted Vodka of the Year with the London Spirits competition 2024) and award-winning Ramsbury Brewery beers, and the Estate’s Black Gold extra virgin cold pressed rapeseed oil from its own Oil Press.  

Seasonal fresh produce is delivered daily from the Estate’s Priory Farm kitchen garden two miles away, along with regular consignments of beef from its own herds of Aberdeen Angus, flocks of water meadow lamb and wild game from its woodlands, which also help to keep the pub’s carbon footprint low. 

James Graham is passionate about and committed to creating a truly individual style of sustainable, responsible, farm-to-table dinning using the best, local, seasonal produce on his exciting, flavourful and regularly changing menus.  

Dogs are welcome in the bar, Cafe Bella, out on the terrace and lawned beer garden, and for overnight stays in the four converted coach house bedrooms, free of charge     

The Bell’s 10, stylish and individually decorated guest bedrooms, with six above the pub and four in a separate converted coach house, offer a calming palette enhanced with locally sourced antiques, comfy armchairs, prints and photographs, with luxurious Hypnos beds, upholstered headboards, hypo-allergenic duvets and pillows and crisp white linens.  

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

The Haar will star in Harwell 

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Liz Nicholls

Genre-busting folk band The Haar will bring their sweeping panorama of Irish traditional music to Harwell Village Hall on Friday, 18th April 

Known for taking a familiar tune and turning it into something breathtakingly fresh and ambitious, The Haar are a band of high-level improvisers who produce ever-changing musical soundscapes, while Molly Donnery lets her sublime vocals flow to stunning effect.  

This Anglo/Irish folk band bring the formidable singing talent of All-Ireland Scór na nÓg winner Molly combined with three of the most exciting instrumentalists on the folk and traditional music scene Cormàc Byrne (Show of Hands/Seth Lakeman), Adam Summerhayes, and Murray Grainger (both of the FATEA award-winning The Ciderhouse Rebellion).  

“We need more music like this; spontaneous, alive and affecting,” wrote FRUK of The HAAR who have also earned praised for their radically fresh, boundary-pushing take on traditional songs. 

“This is not a dyed-green-Guinness-and-a-bit-o’-craic Ireland, this is the coast of Connemara Ireland, watching the fog roll in around The Skellig Islands Ireland… devastatingly beautiful,” wrote Bristol 24/7. 

Expect a magical evening of stunning, made-in-the-moment renditions of some of the world’s most incredible songs. Doors open at 7pm with support from Eleanor Dunsdon & Gregor Black.  

Doors will open at 7pm ahead of the music starting at 7.40pm. Support comes from Eleanor Dunsdon & Gregor Black. Tickets £18pp at wegottickets.com

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Tower Wizard rings the changes! 

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Liz Nicholls

Theo Boughton, the 10-year-old newly appointed Tower Wizard at All Saints’ in Marlow, tells us about bellringing and invites you to have a go at a church near you 

My duties include doing the register, waking my brother up for the Sunday morning service (he’s also a bellringer), and writing articles like this for Round & About and for The Ringing World.  

Bellringing is an excellent social activity for all ages. I started learning when I was eight but I’d recommend starting at 10 as you’ll be shorter than everybody and some towers can’t provide large enough boxes to stand on (but Hambleden and Marlow do).  

Usually you ring for services on a Sunday, practices that vary between all days but Sunday, and weddings.. but only if you’re good enough (and you get paid if you do, varying amounts!)  

You can ring a Quarter Peal method (45 minutes), or a Peal (three hours of ringing). It’s the equivalent of going to the gym but much easier and much more social! You can also ring if you’re blind or use a wheelchair. The only problem is some towers have quite steep stairs, others have ground-floor ringing chambers (Lane End, for example). So if you want to get fit, earn a little cash, or are just interested, get in touch with your local tower’s Tower Captain. You never know, some day our paths may cross! 

You can ring bells on practice nights at Cookham (once renovations finish), Wycombe/Bray (Monday), Marlow/Hughenden (Tuesday), Lane End (Thursday) & Hambleden (Friday). Visit odg.org.uk or type ODG EBSB into your search engine! 

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Marlow Players’ French connection 

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Liz Nicholls

Gloria Kendrick tells us about The Marlow Players’ entente cordiale with Les Baladins (“strolling players”) de Marly-le-Roi ahead of another visit in May 

Marlow began a link with Marly-le-Roi, about 12 miles west of Paris, about 1971. Russell Sage, a teacher at Borlase’s Grammar School and a founder member of The Marlow Players, thought it would be a good idea for the Players to form a link with Les Baladins (strolling players) of Marly. Since then two companies have enjoyed visiting each other’s towns, as well as performing to delighted audiences.   

Every other year Les Baladins present a French play in Marlow and the following year The Marlow Players present an English play in Marly. Agatha Christie, Shakespeare and Noel Coward are just some of the playwrights we introduce to our French audiences. This year, for a change, we are taking one of our popular Murder Mysteries, presented in the form of a 1950s BBC radio play. The play will be performed in English, as usual, but there will be explanations in French to help those less fluent in English. The evening will comprise a “diner spectacle” – a meal will be served, probably before the performance begins. (For our home-grown evenings we invite our audience to bring an indoor picnic, which they may consume during our presentation.) During the interval we shall invite our audience to guess the identity of the murderer and, after the denouement, present a small prize for the first correct answer drawn out of a hat.  

As a troupe we shall travel to Paris, Gare du Nord by Eurostar, then by commuter train to Marly.  Two of our number are coming by car, which will be loaded with our props. e.g. our wind machine, some old-fashioned microphones and our costumes. Coach travel has become too expensive for us and we first travelled by Eurostar two years ago, which worked very well, as we had very few props to take along.  The weekend, hosted by Les Baladins and the Marly Twinning Society, was successful and very enjoyable. The one downside was the unannounced train strike by Eurostar staff, which we learned of only when we arrived on Sunday evening at the Gare du Nord.  We had to book in at a nearby hotel for the night and find an alternative method to get home on Monday. It is quite amusing to think back to now, but not so amusing at the time, when the station was full of confused passengers wondering how and when they were going to get back to the UK. 

We are travelling on Eurostar again – the triumph of hope over experience. I’m sure it will be just fine! 

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter: