Leisure

Broadway's golden age of musical theatre wouldn’t be what it is today without the incredibly talented Jewish composers and lyricists of the 20th century. Together they created an enduring legacy that is enjoyed by millions of people across the world every year.

It's springtime again in our beautiful city and there are plenty of events going on in the theatres and other venues for you to get out and enjoy! Here are a few for you to choose from:

Jackson Live in Concert, presented by Sweeney Entertainments, brings the hugely talented ‘CJ’ to theatres across the UK, recreating the Michael Jackson experience with his stunning rendition of all his favourite songs. Michael Jackson is not only remembered as one of the most influential artists of all time, but many of today’s artists have been inspired by his iconic style. His career spanned nearly five decades of music, and he was continually at the forefront of popular music. Alban Arena, St. Albans – Friday 26th October 7.30pm.

The Cornish legend of comedy is back and hitting theatres across the UK on his massive 2014 UK tour. He is appearing at the Radlett Centre on the 20th June and the Watford Colosseum on the 31st November 2014. The tour, which opened to a sell out crowd at the Bristol Hippodrome in January, is running throughout the year taking in cities and towns from Edinburgh to Truro, Cornwall.

After the success of last year’s event, the Grove House Herts Cycle Challenge is back! Join them on Sunday 6th July 2014 and cycle your choice of two fantastic routes – 25 miles or 50 miles – through the scenic Hertfordshire countryside.

If you have children in our around the St Albans area, you may already be well aware of the recently opened Butterfly World in Chiswell Green and the ever-popular Willows Farm Village near London Colney.

From The Jam, featuring former The Jam bassist Bruce Foxton and Russell Hastings, bring their acoustic tour to Hertford Corn Exchange on 15th March. Box Offcie 01992584322. Bruce and Russell will be performing a selection of songs from The Jam’s extensive back catalogue and songs from Bruce’s new album Back In The Room as well as handing over the microphone to the audience for a question and answer session.

The next production by the Company of Ten will take audiences back to the 1970’s, with one of the best loved comedies of the time, Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh. Like most of Leigh’s projects, Abigail’s Party was devised by the cast developing their characters and the story through improvisation.

Everyone is welcome to visit Nuttfield Health (fitness and wellbeing) on Highfield Park Drive, St Albans this coming weekend, 15-17th Jan.

The stage is set, the countdown has started, stand by everyone because Roald Dahl’s splendiferous swizzfiggling story George’s Marvellous Medicine is arriving any minute on the Abbey Theatre stage. The Company of Ten’s gloriumptious Christmas show is a feast of eye-popping feats, outrageously funny situations and hilarious characters as only the master storyteller himself could come up with.