Leisure

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that a local group was to perform 'Spamalot'. St. Albans Musical Theatre (previously known as St Albans Operatic Society) have been producing high-quality productions for some years now and I must say expectations were high. St. Albans is blessed with many high-quality amateur and professional performers (being located close to London being one of the main reasons), as well as directors and choreographers.

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.

Celebrate the music of Franki Valli and The Four Seasons with Frankie’s Guys. This fast-paced, energetic production brings the talented foursome to theatres across the UK to relive an era of timeless classic hits.

James Hannaway, owner of the beautifully renovated Rex Cinema in Berkhamsted, is now in the final phase of purchasing The Alpha (previously the Odeon Cinema) in St Albans. It is hoped that the last £100 K will be pledged or donated in the coming week bringing it to a total of £1 million.

Vocal harmony quartet BLAKE present their stunning new UK tour ‘Love Lifts Us Up’ for 2012. Join these four incredible young male singers, famous worldwide for their unique renditions of pop, classical and West-End anthems, for a wonderful evening of musical entertainment. With a rich harmony sound that brings spectacular colour to much-loved songs their live shows delight and entertain audiences.

Inequality and sexual politics in the workplace are common themes in the theatre today, but not something you would expect from a 1930’s play. However, London Wall, at the Abbey Theatre from next week, is set in a City solicitor’s office at that time. It’s a fascinating and touching play that strongly evokes the atmosphere of the time, and the concerns of working women.

St Albans Operatic Society is proud to present Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Alban Arena, St Albans from Tuesday 13th to Saturday 17th October 2009. For those of you who don't know the show, or haven't seen the Jonny Depp film, it is a dark tale of love and revenge that is thrilling, chilling and, in places, extremely funny. The show won many awards on its debut 30 years ago and has starred a number of musical legends from Angela Lansbury, Sheila Hancock, Julia Mackenzie in the Mrs Lovett role to George Hearns, Dennis Quilley, Alun Armstrong, Johnny Depp and Bryn Terfel in the Todd role.

Jerusalem, the anthem of the Women’s Institute, and popular hymn, is a symbol of England and its “Green and Pleasant Land”. Jerusalem the play, written by St. Albans local Jez Butterworth, is a completely different kettle of fish. First performed at The Royal Court in 2009, to great acclaim, it is set in the archetypal English village of Flintock, in the heart of Wiltshire, and covers twenty four hours in the life of Johnny “Rooster” Byron.

The top UK tribute to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers is coming to the Alban Arena on the 11th March 2023. The band are based locally, in St. Albans and have been performing since 2018. For this show, as well as all the greatest songs of Tom Petty, such as Freefallin’, I Won’t Back Down, American Girl, Refugee, Learning To Fly, Mary Jane’s last Dance, Breakdown, Don’t Come Around Here No More and Running Down a Dream, the show will also feature some of the best Stevie Nicks songs, including Landslide, Dreams, Gold Dust Woman and Edge of Seventeen.

Market Days in St Peter’s Street: Wednesdays and SaturdaysST ALBANS CLOCK TOWER, High Street, OPEN Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays through until mid-September. Climb...