Leisure

The Christmas Pantomime and Show Season in St Albans is about to start and the first snow has arrived this morning! How very timely! There are wonderful events lined up in the city this year so if you haven't already booked a ticket, read the list below and see what might appeal to your family.

"The money raised will be used to pay for a Radio Station at the school - another way to let people develop their creative side." (R.Noden)

Today Pope Benedict XVI has landed in Scotland for the first of a four day state visit to the UK. Although St Albans won't be graced by his presence, many local catholics are set to see him in London.

Holly Road Productions (Ben Hill and St Albans local Alex Bell) are presenting 6 new short plays written in response to theme of "White Lies" which will premiere over two weekends in August. The plays will be directed by Stanley Walton (another St Albans local) and star just 4 actors. The actors Tom Crowhurst, Liam Hynes, Daisy May Parsons and Sarah Cullum will have one day to rehearse each play and will be playing all characters. The entire production will be designed by Wimbledon College of Arts graduate Lauren Woodward and will feature original music composed by Henry Mitton.

I must admit that this is not a play that I was familiar with, but some research showed that the lead role was performed by Mark Rylance originally, for which he won many awards and the play many plaudits. The play has a reputation for being, shall we say 'edgy', due to the adult content, including frequent strong language. An interesting and laudable choice for a local theatre group. The play revolves around the character of Johnny ‘Rooster’ Byron, played by Marlon Gill. A loner, living in a caravan close to a new Housing estate, the residents of which would like to see the back of him. A larger-than-life character, living on the edge of the law.

Discover how ancient philosophy makes sense today. An upcoming course will help show you how.........

Life-long Aretha Franklin fan and power-house vocalist, Letitia George stars in this heartfelt and uplifting dedication to the Queen of Soul. Letitia George rose to the spotlight after featuring on series four of BBC 1's The Voice UK, where she became a member of Team Ricky and soared her way through to the knockout rounds. Letitia also presents the radio show ‘The C Word’ on BBC Radio Coventry every Monday evening and has just won this year’s Gillard Award for Newcomer of the Year.

‘If you go down to the park today, You’re in for a pink surprise, There are thousands down in the park today, Running to save some lives’

Run by a local family and opened in 2005, Big Space is a ten minute drive from St Albans. There are lots of seriously cosy sofas, a café with a big variety of hot drinks (even Maltesers Hot Chocolate), soft football area, wavy slide, drop slide (my kids' favourite), climbing wall, chill-out room,

Come shake a tail feather with the UK’s original, award-winning Tina Turner tribute …. aka Justine Riddoch and her talented cast. When Tina burst onto...