What's on where around Luton and Dunstable: listings, May 18 edition

WEDNESDAY MAY 18

Adults with learning difficulties arts and craft sessions. Every Wednesday 10.30am to 12.30pm and Saturdays from 11am to 1pm at Arttrend, Arundel Road, Luton. Social and creative activity for adults with learning difficulties, engaging in all types of art and craft work such as painting in acrylics, papier mache, salt dough, cross stitch, rug making etc. Please see the website www.arttrend.co.uk and go to Art ALD, then see the gallery of work already done. Tel 07794 987796 if you would like more details. 10.30am to 12.30pm Wednesdays, 11am to 1pm Saturdays – but you can come and go at any time. £6 per session including materials and refreshments.

Luton Irish Forum holds a weekly Tuesday and Wednesday Club from 11am to 1.30pm at 102 Hitchin Road. This is a great chance to meet old friends and make some new ones. Refreshments are all included along with soda bread, scones with jam and monthly chicken and chips. Entry costs £1, plus optional £3 for two games of bingo and a raffle.

Broadcast live from the Royal Opera House to the Grove Theatre, Dunstable, Royal Ballet artist in residence Liam Scarlett has chosen Mary Shelley’s gothic classic Frankenstein as the basis for his first full-length narrative ballet for the Covent Garden main stage. A story of betrayal, curiosity, life, death and, above all, love, it inspires Scarlett to explore the very depths of human nature and our need to find acceptance and a place in the world. The screening starts at 7.15pm. Tickets £15. Call 01582 602080 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk to book.

The Omnibus Society (Herts & Beds Group) holds its monthly meeting in Challney High School for Boys, Stoneygate Road, Luton, LU4 9TJ at 7.30pm. All interested in road passenger transport are welcome to attend. Call 01582 574903 for more information.

THURSDAY MAY 19

Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel Jane Eyre is brought to life in Mountview’s innovative musical staging of this timeless story at Luton Library Theatre. In addition to the production, there is a connected Acting for Stage Workshop run by Sally Ann Gritton from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts taking place earlier in the day. The workshop is recommended for budding professionals aged 14 years and over, plus adults. For full information, and to book tickets for the workshop or the performance, go to www.lutonculture.com or call the box office on 01582 878100.

TADS Theatre Group in Toddington presents its own production of Romeo and Juliet; promising a powerful, gritty interpretation of Shakespeare’s timeless love story. Students attending the show will be able to attend a pre-show talk by the director and her cast, and will be given a copy of the director’s notes on request. The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £8 for adults, £6 for concessions. Call 07952 633234 or visit www.tadstheatre.org to book.

The Market Theatre in Hitchin presents The Happy Funeral, a new musical telling the story of three sisters who have never got on with their father, who is a world famous actor, The show promises to be both humorous and thought provoking and culminates in a dramatic twist. Call 01462 433553 or visit www.markettheatre.co.uk to book.

Barnstormers Comedy returns to the Grove Theatre in Dunstable, with Dougie Dunlop, Pierre Hollins and Phil Butler. The show starts at 8pm. Tickets cost £12.50 in advance or £15 on the door. Call 01582 60 20 80 to book.

FRIDAY MAY 20

Bye Bye Baby takes audiences on a journey through the career of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. From their early beginning in the 1950s, when Frankie first joined the group, this show celebrates great hits such as Beggin’, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like A Man, Let’s Hang On and Grease through to a superb grand finale medley of more of the group’s greatest hits. Snappy choreography and a vast catalogue of hits makes for a memorable and unforgettable night of nostalgia. The show takes place at the Grove Theatre, Dunstable at 7.30pm. Tickets: £18.50. Call 01582 60 20 80 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk to book.

TADS Theatre Group in Toddington presents its own production of Romeo and Juliet; promising a powerful, gritty interpretation of Shakespeare’s timeless love story. Students attending the show will be able to attend a pre-show talk by the director and her cast, and will be given a copy of the director’s notes on request. The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £8 for adults, £6 for concessions. Call 07952 633234 or visit www.tadstheatre.org to book.

The Market Theatre in Hitchin presents The Happy Funeral, a new musical telling the story of three sisters who have never got on with their father, who is a world famous actor, The show promises to be both humorous and thought provoking and culminates in a dramatic twist. Call 01462 433553 or visit www.markettheatre.co.uk to book.

The 2016 Flamstead Book Festival - known as Books in the Belfry - kicks off in the evening with novelist Renee Knight, whose Gone-Girl style thriller Disclaimer was in the bestselling lists earlier this year. Visit www.flamsteadbookfestival.com for more information and to book tickets.

Revoluton Arts present Monologue Slam UK, the industry showcase for actors from all cultural backgrounds and profiles, at Luton Library Theatre at 8pm. Some 22 actors will get the opportunity to perform a one-minute or three-minute monologue. The showcase will be hosted by Chizzy Akudolu (Holby City) and there will be a panel of top industry judges. Winners of the Luton Showcase will go up against other regional finalists in the Monologue Slam final in London. Tickets: £10. Visit www.revolutonarts.com/events/monologueslam-uk for more information.

SATURDAY MAY 21

Featuring an all-star cast including Cheryl Fergison (Eastenders), Linda Nolan (The Nolans) and Rebecca Wheatley (Casualty), Menopause the Musical comes to the Grove Theatre, Dunstable at 7.30pm. The women make fun of their lives as they go through ‘The Change’ – the forgetfulness, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and chocolate binges. Don’t miss the hysterically funny and uplifting show as it heads out on a UK wide tour; packed full of sharp one-liners about memory loss hot flushes, and accompanied by a soundtrack of comic parodies of pop classics. Tickets: £22 or £20.

TADS Theatre Group in Toddington presents its own production of Romeo and Juliet; promising a powerful, gritty interpretation of Shakespeare’s timeless love story. Students attending the show will be able to attend a pre-show talk by the director and her cast, and will be given a copy of the director’s notes on request. The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £8 for adults, £6 for concessions. Call 07952 633234 or visit www.tadstheatre.org to book.

The Market Theatre in Hitchin presents The Happy Funeral, a new musical telling the story of three sisters who have never got on with their father, who is a world famous actor, The show promises to be both humorous and thought provoking and culminates in a dramatic twist. Call 01462 433553 or visit www.markettheatre.co.uk to book.

The 2016 Flamstead Book Festival - known as Books in the Belfry - continues with some big-name authors. Visit www.flamsteadbookfestival.com for more information and to book tickets.

St Augustine’s Church in Oakwood Avenue Dunstable is holding a Spring Fayre from 11am to 2pm. There will be stalls including bric a brac and books, refreshments and entertainment from a dancing group and a karate display. Everyone welcome.

Weekend Rockstars comes to The Hat Factory, Luton at 8pm. Written by the award winning Luke Barnes and with James Frewer’s original tracks underscoring throughout, Weekend Rockstars tells of three young lives living for the weekend, in a fusion of live music and theatre. The evening will be kick-started with a set from local band, Bowfinger. Tickets cost £12 or £10. Call 01582 878100 or visit www.lutonculture.com to book.

Dance company Intoto holds a dance workshop at The Hat Factory, Luton from 2pm to 4pm. It’s a chance to learn some repertoire and hear audition tips and other insights into life as a professional dancer. Some dance experience necessary. Suitable for age 12 to adults. Admission £3. Visit www.lutonculture.com/whats-on or call 01582 878100 to book.

THURSDAY MAY 26

Back by popular demand and now in its eighth year, GD1 returns to the Grove Theatre in Dunstable with two dance showcases. From street dance to ballet, solo pieces to whole dance company numbers, GD1 will entertain with a fantastic range of dance styles all performed by local artists. The show starts at 7pm. Tickets: £10. Call 01582 60 20 80 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk to book.

FRIDAY MAY 27

Back by popular demand and now in its eighth year, GD1 returns to the Grove Theatre in Dunstable with two dance showcases. From street dance to ballet, solo pieces to whole dance company numbers, GD1 will entertain with a fantastic range of dance styles all performed by local artists. The show starts at 7pm. Tickets: £10. Call 01582 60 20 80 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk to book.