Leisure

Rooftop Theatre Company are delighted to be performing their next production, The Winter’s Tale, in the stunningly restored 14thC Kingsbury Barn, St Albans. Shakespeare’s compelling drama The Winter’s Tale is a moving story of the consequences of jealousy and tyranny and the power of remorse. Leontes, King of Sicilia is thrown into violent rage and jealousy at the perceived affair between his wife Hermione and best friend Polixenes. The results resonate through 16 years and across the seas to Bohemia. After this the redemptive effects of time, love and forgiveness bring a surprising and bittersweet conclusion.

Regarded by many as one of the best live bands of the 80s, Sad Café are back. Original members Ian Wilson and bassist Des Tong are joined by long-time associate, singer/songwriter Sue Quin, the exciting vocal talent of Barry James Thomas and lead guitarist Dave Day along with multi-instrumentalist Neil Shaw-Hulme, keyboard player Matt Steele and drummer Bryan Hargreaves to once again perform their catalogue of great songs including the unforgettable Every Day Hurts, My Oh My, Strange Little Girl and many more. Support comes from Sunbirds. The man who once told us he loved us from the bottom of his pencil case, founder Beautiful South member Dave Hemingway returns with his new band.

If there is any group that St Albans can be proud of, it's the St Albans Symphonic Orchestra. Last weekend, they performed four great orchestral pieces, with Bjorn Bantock as their new principal conductor. The church was filled...

Reviewing a tribute band will always be difficult. Do they sound as good as the original? Do they look the part? Thankfully ABBA Forever came up positive on all these points and I believe the sold-out crowd at the Radlett Centre would back me on this.

Introducing Waterloo - The Best of Abba Tribute show presented by Sweeney Entertainments and Produced and Directed by James Baker. This brand new show celebrates the music of one of the best-selling music artists of all time - Abba. In 1974 the little known Swedish pop group Abba swept to superstardom with their Eurovision winning ‘Waterloo’, and four decades later the song and the band remain as popular as ever.

February's weather is cold and dull but there is plenty on in this city for the family to get out and enjoy. Here are just a few examples but follow the links to find out lots more about each venue.

Another strong production by The Company of Ten. Well acted and staged. High quality theatre. This is a play that The Company of Ten should be highly suited to and indeed they are! All the main characters are credible and well-acted by the cast. The costumes and scenery are spot on in achieving a look and feel of a pre-war English country house. A very enjoyable and entertaining evening. Highly recommended, running till October 20th.

If you were at the St Albans' Market last saturday, you may have found yourself seduced by the tunes of one of the top musicians of the West End.

The Abbey Theatre's Christmas production, A Christmas Carol, opened on Saturday to capacity audiences. Many performances are already sold out, with availability largely limited to the end of the run. Charles Dickens’ tale was first told in 1843 has been adapted many times for the stage and screen. This colourful version is designed for all the family, featuring music, comedy and a young cast that shows great versatility, with many of them playing several roles.

It's official, the Christmas lights of St Albans are switched on! Entertainment and fun started yesterday at noon.By the afternoon, the town centre was filled with hundreds of happy little faces who were all set for the countdown with Santa, Elvis Schmelvis, Sarah-Jane Honeywell and The Little Mermaid Pantomine Stars.