We're proud to be part of the University of Reading's Centenary celebrations, and this May we're giving music-making workshops for local groups and participants in the lead-up to a public performance of a brand new work on Saturday 9 May 🎶 @rdgwhatson.bsky.social
Join us!
The words "bank holiday weekend #inrdg" over an image of Forbury gardens
"Bank holiday comes six times a year"
Not our words, the words of Blur.
But they're right. And two of those are in May.
And the line-up of things to do over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend - from music to theatre to drag to comedy and more - is building up nicely...
buff.ly/Jn1Mdam
Poster for Late Spring Concert with images of the performers and info about the event
Concerts In Caversham's Late Spring Concert is coming on Sat 25 April.
International prize winner violinist Jiafeng Chen is accompanied by Adrienne Black pianist, accompanist on BBC's Young Musician of the Year, for an evening spanning pastoral Beethoven to sumptuous Gershwin.
buff.ly/traNVz7
The next concert from Mostly G&S on 23-25 April is mostly just the "S" part, celebrating of the music of Sullivan and his contemporaries It includes a performance of Sullivan’s first two-act comic opera The Contrabandista, offering a rare chance to hear this charming early work.
Sanctuary & Solidarity: a concert giving voice to hope comes to Reading Minster on 25 April.
Raising funds for the Refugee Support Group, it features acclaimed vocal collective SANSARA, Reading’s Ukrainian choir Kryla and a guest performance by award-winning soprano Ruby Hughes.
Just a heads up - our Web Editor is heading off on some well-earned leave and won't be around for the next couple of weeks.
We've got some posts scheduled throughout the time he's away, but the site is always your best bet to see what's happening and when.
StageCraft logo in white on a teal and fuchsia background, with white text underneath it reading '24th - 25th April 2026. A festival of independent beer + wine, cider, street food'. White banners with fuchsia text are across the top and bottom of the image, reading 'One Week To Go!'.
The wait's nearly over, folks! Just one week until StageCraft cracks open the beer and the revels truly begin! With 14 great breweries, 2 awesome street food vendors & a South Street Bar stocked with wine, cider & more, it's going to be a top time. Don't miss out! whatsonreading.com/stagecraft-2...
🌜 It's time! 🌛
Start planning Your Big Sleep Out this summer and help raise funds to support people who are homeless or are at risk of losing their home.
#YourBigSleepOut #support #fundraising #charity #CommunityGroups #homeless #HomelessnessPrevention
BAFTA-winning actor, comedian, director, and writer Richard Ayoade comes to The Hexagon on 28 June for an evening of reflections as he shares insights from his latest book, Afterthoughts, or Some Pistachios Won't Open: Wisdom for the Unreflective.
whatsonreading.com/venues/hexag...
With an episodic, chorus-led structure and a set filled with picture frames, easels and even TV screens, Dorian was brought to new life (ironically).
Running 20-25 Apr and selling fast, so be quick...
whatsonreading.com/venues/progr...
2/2
poster for the Picture of Dorian Gray with a tree spilt into two halves, one side green and ulsh, the other greying and decaying
Headhsots of three actors over the Dorian Gray poster. All have bold expressions
Headhsots of three actors over the Dorian Gray poster. All have bold expressions. One is holding a picture frame around their face
Headhsots of two actors over the Dorian Gray poster, and an image of a big cast rehearsal with multiple actors in goblin-like poses surrounding an older lady in a chair
We were lucky enough to catch a preview of Progress Theatre's bold adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray last night.
Wilde's tale of vanity in extremis centres around a wonderful lead performance, and features an inclusive cast with actors who wouldn't normally find themselves on stage.
1/
This summer, Moving Parts Theatre Company brings you Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, perofrmed in our very own Abbey Ruins.
A thrilling Gothic tale of dark deeds… or a playful, heartwarming Regency romance. Let’s find out, shall we - on Sunday 9 August.
Female actor in pink patterened pyjamas with curlers in her hair, holding a champagne glass
Male actor in a vintage tuxedo, holding a champagne glass
Male actor in white dress short and gold bow tie, holding a champagne glass
Female actor in a 1920s outfit and hat
It's the opening night of Private Lives at Reading Rep Theatre, Noël Coward's wickedly funny comedy of manners, full of biting wit, fiery romance, and deliciously bad behaviour.
And the piano used in the production? Coward himself ACTUALLY PLAYED IT
whatsonreading.com/venues/readi...
montage of gig posters
It's another packed weekend of #livemusic #inrdg
So it's another packjed WEEKEND GIG GUIDE, chock full of blues, rock, folk, tributes, communities and some weirdness, too.
Look and book (where applicable) via whatsonreading.com/themes/weeke...
Mills & Boon romances have long been a beloved escape for millions of readers – but the women who actually wrote them often lived far from the glamorous worlds they created. Join doctoral researcher and poet Vic Pickup as she brings these hidden lives into the spotlight.
buff.ly/Eescmod
Despite initially vowing not to add any extra dates, the opportunity to continue telling audiences the stuff that he CAN’T SAY on his hit podcast ‘Shagged Married Annoyed’ was too tempting...
ON SALE FRI 17 APRIL, 10am
Reading Arts Members' Priority Booking Thu 16 April, 10am
buff.ly/etaCdj6
comedian Chris Ramsey in a blue shacket over a white t-shirt, holding his hand up to the camera
Following a rapid and complete sell-out Spring tour, Chris Ramsey has added a limited run of extra dates this autumn for his show "Here, Man" - including a stop at The Hexagon on 7 October!
1/
Poster with logos for Reading Food Festival and Blue Collar food on a blue background
Can you smell that? That's the smell of oodles of street food vendors descending on Broad Street on 9 & 10 May for the Reading Food Festival - two days packed with sizzling street food, refreshing drinks and feel-good live music.
whatsonreading.com/venues/reda/...
33 artists
23 locations
2 days
LOTS of steps!
The Whiteknights Studio Trail returns on 13 & 14 June, giving you a chance to walk around the University area exploring the works (and spaces) of loads of local artists.
whatsonreading.com/venues/white...
Image of a concert at the Hexagon theatre with text over the top saying "£2.06m for Hexagon upgrade" and "Funding awarded by Arts Council England"
The Hexagon has been awarded £2.06 million by Arts Council England to carry out essential upgrades to ensure it is fit for the future. The funding will deliver new, more comfortable seating and improved accessibility for people with mobility issues.
whatsonreading.com/ps206m-grant...
Medieval manuscript of song 'Sumer is icumen in', British Library collection
Was the Reading Rota manuscript, which features Sumer is icumen in, really created in Reading?
Don't miss our talk on Saturday 2 May with Anne Lawrence-Mathers, professor of medieval history at the University of Reading, book now!
www.readingmuseum.org.uk/talk-sumer-i...
@rdgwhatson.bsky.social
Actors on stage all wearing aprons and holding whisks like microphones while reaching out their other hands for a handshake with an unseen person
They're all hoping for *that* handshake
These are the bakers who'll be cooking up a storm when Shinfield Players Theatre serve up The Great British Bake Off Musical on 22-25 April
buff.ly/v2GhYsO
Flter for Treasure Hunt with a silhouetted map of Reading and info about the event
On 25 April, there's a fun way to explore some of the great independent venues and businesses #inrdg.
Just head to Reading Bike Hub to grab a map, do your first challenge and then navigate across the town to get as many points as possible.
All the info at buff.ly/pPxrdQ4
Different coloured Reading Buses lined-up
28 June is the date for this year's @reading-buses.co.uk open day - a day full of behind-the-scenes tours, games and activities and more... including the chance to get your name (or special message) on the front of a bus or ride through the bus wash!
whatsonreading.com/venues/readi...
Poster with logos for all the bands performing
Crazy Cowboy Festival 11 is coming up on 24 May - 14 bands performing across two stages at The Facebar. The line-up represents the cream of the CC team's favourite rock n roll bands, including headliners Fury, Leadfeather, The DEAD CAN WAIT and much more besides.
whatsonreading.com/venues/face-...
Photo of Katie Greenall during a performance of 'Blubber', wearing a sheer blue dress and standing in front of a white chiffon curtain. A projection of her image is on the curtains behind her. Text overlaid onto the image reads 'Five stars, BingeFringe. Four stars, The Scotsman. Four stars, Corr Blimey. This Week! The Hale presents Blubber written & performed by Katie Greenall'.
Join us this Thursday 16 April for Katie Greenall's acclaimed, funny, relatable and uplifting show about synchronised swimming, self-compassion and kindness for our bodies 🏊️🌊🙌
Book now for 'Blubber' at whatsonreading.com/blubber
To mark the tenth anniversary of the passing of Prince, Twin Sun return to Oakford Social Club with PURPLE REIGN, spinning a whole night of Prince originals, productions, covers & remixes, all in aid of Laura’s Lasting Legacy.
Join them and party like it’s 1999
LEGO model of the Enchantment Under The Sea dance from Back to the Future
LEGO models, mostly of Japanese-style buildings on mountains
LEGO model of an Incan statue in the jungle with tribespeople eating a feast
LEGO model of Reading's Forbury Gardens, including the bandstand and lion statue
These are just some of the LEGO displays that have wowed visitors in recent years at the Reading Brick Show.
There'll be even more this year - alongside robot battles, buildable mosaics, and much more - when the event where everything is awesome returns on 24 & 25 April.
buff.ly/gPzkydP
Montage of tribute show posters
If you like hearing (mostly) pitch-perfect recreations of your favourite songs, we've got you covered, with with tributes to Guns N Roses, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Chris Rea, Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Dubliners and even the music of 2006 all coming up this weekend!
whatsonreading.com/themes/top-t...
"Comedy in Spencers Wood" written to look like the lightbulb sign outside a theatre, with photos of three comedians - Paul Tonkinson, Eddy Brimson and Alistair Williams
Laughter Craft Comedy are back in Spencers Wood this Saturday with another cracking line-up of top comic talent, including TV's Paul Tonkinson, Eddy Brimson and Alistair Williams
whatsonreading.com/venues/laugh...