What's On?

New Era Players, a locally based amateur theatre group, will be presenting what is considered to be Oscar Wilde's best play The Importance of Being Earnest.  Join us on the Orangery Lawn where Shaw House will provide the perfect backdrop to add to the sense of grandeur and style.

Performance approx. 2 hours (20 minute interval time).  Please bring your own seating/rug, warm clothes and picnic.  The café will be open serving light refreshments including ice cream and locally produced beer and cider.

Newbury Dramatic Society presents a dramatised reading based on the play, which explores the complicated life and loves of the twentieth-century British painter Stanley Spencer, with special reference to the iconic murals in Sandham Memorial Chapel depicting the artist's experiences as a medical orderly during World War One.

Spencer's unconventional but profound religious beliefs inspired visionary paintings of biblical scenes taking place in contemporary settings, notably those of his beloved Cookham. He left his first wife Hilda for a disastrous second marriage, though Hilda remained the love of his life.

Paintings, prints, pottery, photography, jewellery, stained glass, millinery, ceramics,sculpture, textile art.

Exhibitors: Jonathan Hall, Robyn Carter, Hilary Reem, Rosalind Hewitt, Micky Thompson, Claire Acworth, Amy Malikov, Diana Barraclough, Diccon Dadey, Arran Miles, David H Jones, Patty Medlin, Susan Kirkman, Normandy Barcelo Soto, Sue Acworth, Elizabeth Davis, Sandra Cook, Rosemary Trigwell, Helen Colling, Shirley Cartey, Andi Mulholland, Diana Pattenden

Returning for a third year, Hadfest is a concert organised by young people, for young people. We aim to support local up-and-coming bands and put together a night bringing those rising names to Hungerford.

Our headline acts of both previous and upcoming years have performed with the likes of Sundara Karma, The Amazons and The Libertines. We are honoured to host these bands as they grow to undoubtedly become big names in years to come.

2017's line-up includes Dolly and the Dinosaur, Tyrant and headlining act Misfires.

Trio Sospiroso's programme includes familiar music from the Baroque, French favourites, a celebration of Greek folk music and two stunning pieces by the Belgian composer Joseph Jongen.

The Trio have been playing together in a flute-harp-viola configuration since 1995, since when they have performed at the inaugural Grimsby St Hugh's Festival, at the Endellion North Cornwall Literary Festival, for Greyladyes Arts Foundation, and at Westridge Drawing Room, the Bath Festival, and venues from Penzance to Bury St Edmunds. They have recently expanded their repertoire to include a cello rather than viola, and are now exploring new music-making opportunities.

Clare Mellor studied flute at the Guildhall School of Music and in Paris. She teaches and plays chamber music, and is director of the newly-formed Breckland Wind Ensemble. Lucinda Wright gained an MA with distinction at Birmingham Conservatoire and currently teaches for Hampshire Music Service and performs chamber music regularly with the Gregynog Ensemble and the Boxbury Piano Trio. Jenny Broome studied the harp while reading Architecture at Cambridge University. She has a busy freelance career as a harpist and delights in playing chamber music, working not only with Trio Sospiroso but also with Arpatagora (strings and harp) and Arcangeli (harp duet).

Musical Director: Tim Crouter

The Band enjoys being at the heart of the community and performing at local civic events. The evening?s programme features soloists from within the Band, the Training Band, and modern as well as traditional arrangements.

Francis Pugh and the Whisky Singers are a six-piece band from Oxford, playing a mixture of bluegrass, Americana and roots music. They blend acoustic guitar, fiddle, banjo, harmonica, drums and cornet with five-part vocal harmonies to produce their raw, energetic sound.

Over the last three years they have built up a strong fan base through the festival circuit (including the BBC Countryfile Live Festival), and supporting Ameripolitan hero Ags Connolly, and Cerys Matthews's favourite, the CC Smugglers.

Linda is a self-confessed 'collector'. She has all the necessities: broken umbrellas to match any outfit, unopened Amazon parcels delivered in 2012, shoes that don?t fit but were a bargain at 75 per cent off, and trainers because, one day, she will definitely take up running. Adding to her collection there is Tony, an affectionately named rat who has taken up residence in her home.

The arrival of Jonathan - a man who can't sleep if the sponge is in the wrong place by the kitchen sink - brings about a more life-changing situation than Linda could ever have imagined. The journey that follows is one of love, loss - and an obsession with Stevie Wonder memorabilia.

Nesting is a funny and moving look at compulsive behaviour and finding love in the most unlikely of places.

Organist and Director of Music at St Marylebone Parish Church, Gavin enjoys enjoys a varied career as a piano accompanist, and has partnered singers in recital at Wigmore Hall, the Barbican Hall, and the Royal Festival Hall. He is Artistic Director of the recital series Song in the City, and has appeared regularly on BBC Radio as a soloist and accompanist, often giving premiere performances of new works. He has played on numerous recordings for the BBC, ASV, Guild and Priory Records.

As part of the Art in the Foyer season, we present an exhibition of photographs by Nicki Lister. These compositions explore form, rhythm and pattern in the deserted spaces and places of 'out-of-season' coastal resorts.

Private View:  Friday 5th May, 7–9pm

Exhibition open:  Saturday 6th May, 11am–5pm; Saturday 13th May, 11am–5pm; Saturday 20th May, 11am–5pm

Coffee Mornings              
Saturday 3rd June, 10.30am–12 noon Saturday 17th June, 10.30am–12 noon Saturday 1st July, 10.30am–12 noon Saturday 22nd July, 10.30am–12 noon

Other times by arrangement until 30th July