Latest news
All the latest news and updates from across the arts, culture and heritage community in Reading.
Support Acts Announced For elbow At Heritage Live 2024
As anticipation builds for elbow's highly anticipated concert at Englefield Estate Sunday, July 21st as part of Heritage Live 2024, organisers have unveiled two remarkable support acts set to grace the stage alongside the acclaimed multi-platinum-selling Manchester band.
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Reading Rep Theatre Announce This Year’s Festive Show
Following the sell-out success of their last three Christmas seasons, Reading Rep Theatre has announced that their 2024 winter production will be a new production of The Snow Queen by Anna Wheatley, which will run from Friday 29 November to Tuesday 31 December. And this year they are delighted to introduce a Split Ticket system, helping you pay for your Christmas tickets in two instalments.
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Create Your Own Beer For The Twyford Beer Festival
Twyford Beer Festival makes its welcome return this June to Stanlake Meadows in Twyford. And this year, they're collaborating with Disruption IS Brewing (formerly Ascot Brewing Company) to run a competition to create a modern bitter for the Festival to call its ‘own’.
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Curtain up at New Studio Theatre a step closer after planning application approved
Reading audiences will have the best seats in the house after plans to breathe life into the Hexagon by adding a new studio theatre have been approved by the Council. Reading Borough Council’s plans include a striking new accessible public entrance with a welcoming public area and flexible community space. Behind the new front door, a new studio auditorium is set to be built with a capacity of up to 300.
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Readipop Festival 2024 – Day Tickets & Second Line-Up Announcement
Readipop Festival, which takes place by the banks of the River Thames in Christchurch Meadows (10 mins walk from Reading Station) between Friday 12th and Sunday 14th July, has now announced who will be playing on each day of the festival and made limited day tickets available.
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32 creative projects in Reading receive Seed Fund grants from Creative Lives
Creative Lives, in partnership with Reading Borough Council, is proud to announce the full list of Seed Fund grants to support creative activities and encourage residents to feel connected to Reading. They awared 32 grants totalling £28,300, part of Reading Borough Council’s commitment to provide opportunities for everyone to get involved in creative activities where they live and enhance community engagement.
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Sneak preview of award-winning independent Reading bar Milk’s new design
Popular independent Reading bar Milk, winner of the Pride of Reading 2023 Hospitality Award, has teamed up with local interior design company MacGregor Studio to give the venue a full refresh. Milk, which recently celebrated 12 years since their opening, will reopen to the public with a new look, new cocktail menu, new staff and a new sound system as Milk’s founder Tim Hooper gets back behind the wheel.
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Reading Walks Festival 2024 programme announced
REDA, Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency, has announced the programme for Reading Walks Festival 2024. Following on from last year’s successful inaugural festival, the 2024 festival will see almost 50 guided walks take place across nine days in May. The festival is suitable for all ages and walking ability with walks ranging in length from a one-hour wellbeing stroll to a two-day pilgrimage.
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Original Theatre and Reading Rep Theatre Announce "The Importance Of Being Oscar Wilde"
Micheál Mac Liammóir’s renowned play The Importance of Being Oscar returns to the stage following huge critical acclaim. Told in the shadows of Reading Gaol, where Wilde was imprisoned, the strictly limited run will immerse audiences in a compelling journey through the loves and losses, successes and struggles of the iconic man - from the eccentric socialite to the imprisoned outcast.
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Broader smiles than ever on Broad Street for Launchpad's Pancake Race
A total of £8,500 (so far!) has been raised at Launchpad’s annual Pancake Race which saw 34 teams brave the weather and batter it out on Broad Street, celebrating Shrove Tuesday. The money raised by all the amazing teams will help fund Launchpad’s vital services across Reading. Helping people who are homeless, or at risk of losing their home.
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Reading Rep Theatre Announce The Launch Of Reading Rep Theatre: Reborn In Film
Reading Rep Theatre partnered with Barracuda Films to create five short films to celebrate Reading’s growing artistic community and spirit. Both companies are committed to working with local Reading-based talent. These shorts have been made with a local cast and crew, filmed in local Berkshire locations.
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Berkshire Maestros becomes Berkshire Music Trust
Berkshire Maestros are delighted to announce that in line with their new vision, mission and values, they are rebranding as the Berkshire Music Trust this summer. They announced their new name at a Garden Party event, the culmination of their celebrations of having been an educational charity in Berkshire for 40 years.
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£13.7 million project to revitalise Hexagon Theatre reaches first major milestone
The ambitious Hexagon Theatre project will see the creation of an attractive, flexible and exciting new space for performances and community use. The Council today (Wednesday 12 July) announced the official appointment of the internationally renowned professional team who will support this major project moving forward.
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Reading Flies the Purple Flag Again in 2023
Reading town centre businesses are officially celebrating after receiving news that its vibrant night-time economy (ENTE) has been awarded the prestigious Purple Flag accreditation. The award, which is similar to the Blue Flag for beaches, aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm to 5am.
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Council Successful in Bid to Revitalise Hexagon and Central Library
READING Council has been awarded £19.1 million to revitalise Reading’s cultural offer by transforming the much-loved Hexagon Theatre and building a modern new Central Library. The Council is one of a number of local authorities to be awarded the money as part of the Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ funding pot, announced yesterday (Jan 18).
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Hours of taped talks with Samuel Beckett get new home
Private recordings of playwright, novelist and poet Samuel Beckett, hidden away for three decades, have been donated to the University of Reading’s Beckett archive, the largest collection of materials relating to the Nobel prize-winning author in the world.
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Reading Council wins prestigious national accolade for Reading Arts & Venues
READING BOROUGH COUNCIL’S Sports, Leisure and Cultural Service team has been announced as the winner at the APSE, Association for Public Service Excellence Service Awards.
The national awards recognises the best and most innovative local authorities, focusing on the delivery of frontline services and seeks to celebrate those councils who are achieving excellent results in a wide range of different service areas.
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