What's on where around Luton and Dunstable: listings, July 14 edition

THURSDAY JULY 14

Dunstable Rep presents A Chorus of Disapproval, written by Alan Ayckbourn and directed by Joe Butcher. Call 01582 204021 to book.

FRIDAY JULY 15

Dunstable Rep presents A Chorus of Disapproval, written by Alan Ayckbourn and directed by Joe Butcher. Call 01582 204021 to book.

Following his hit BBC Radio 2 series, Leo Green presents Sounds of the 50s at The Stables, Wavendon, live on stage with his musicians and singers. The show will belt out hits from the likes of Elvis, Buddy Holly, James Brown, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Bill Haley, Frankie Laine and many others, all woven around Leo’s stories and fabulous sax playing. The show starts at 8pm. Tickets: £22 and £20. Call 01908 280800 or visit www.stables.org to book.

SATURDAY JULY 16

The Phoenix Players are holding auditions for their 2016 Christmas pantomime, Robin Hood. Auditions will take place at Trinity Church Hall from 9am to 3pm. Call 07771 361515 for more information.

Luton’s Cultural Quarter - around the Bute and Guildford Street area - hosts a varied programme of activities. In addition to live music and dance from an outdoor stage, a number of blockbuster movies will be playing on the outdoor screen along with international sporting events. Throughout the event there will be a range of street performers providing entertainment including magic, juggling jesters and stilt walkers, while local restaurants set up food stalls for people to try the cuisine offered in the area. The stalls and entertainment will run until early evening. The full programme is still being updated at www.theculturalquarter.co.uk

Dunstable Rep presents A Chorus of Disapproval by Alan Ayckbourn and directed by Joe Butcher. A widower, Guy Jones, joins Pendon Amateur Light Operatic Society (PALOS) and, by accident rather than design, rises through the company ranks purely through his inability to say no to others. The play is juxtaposed with scenes and music from John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera, which PALOS is staging, and Guy advances from one-line parts to the lead as the play progresses. The play earned Ayckbourn the London Evening Standard Award, Olivier Award and the Drama Award. Call 01582 204021 to book.

A stellar line-up of speakers is heading to Bedfordshire for the third annual Ampthill LitFest. Comedy legend Barry Cryer, actor and dramatist Steven Berkoff, author and comedian Francesca Martinez and best-selling crime writers Mark Billingham, Martyn Waites and Hugh Fraser are among those taking part in the event, being held at Connolly Hall, a new 400-seat venue in Ampthill. The weekend will be hosted by Robert Daws, star of BBC’s Poldark. Tickets for individual sessions start at £7. Visit www.ampthillfestival.co.uk to book. Updates to festival plans can be followed on Twitter (Amplitfest), Facebook(facebook.com/amplitfest) and at the Ampthill Festival website.

SUNDAY JULY 17

A stellar line-up of speakers is heading to Bedfordshire for the third annual Ampthill LitFest. Tickets for individual sessions start at £7. Visit www.ampthillfestival.co.ukto book. .

Wrest Park hosts a weekend of Capability Brown-inspired events. There are hosted timed tours of the grounds at Wrest Park, children have the chance to try landscaping themselves with specially designed sand pits and there is even a tethered hot air balloon that will allow you to see the great man’s handiwork from a unique aerial view. See www.english-heritage.org.uk/wrest or call 01525 860000 for more information. Admission costs £10.80 for adults, £6.50 for children, £9.70 for concessions or £28.10 for a family ticket. Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk or call 01525 860000.

TUESDAY JULY 19

The Band Plays On: A Celebration of Free and Paul Kossoff at The Stables, Wavendon at 8pm. Guitarist Paul Kossoff was best known for his work with the rock band Free. To mark the 40th anniversary of his untimely death in 1976, join Terry Slesser (Back Street Crawler), Jaz Lochrie (Bad Company) and Paul Buckton as they perform Paul’s music, including the Free classics All Right Now, Wishing Well, Little Bit of Love, The Hunter and many more. Tickets: £17.50. Call 01908 280800 or visit www.stables.org to book.

WEDNESDAY JULY 20

Wrest Park hosts a production of the Jane Austen classic Sense and Sensibility, presented by Chapterhouse Theatre Company. The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £16.50 for adults and £11 for children. Visit htwww.seetickets.com to book.

SUNDAY JULY 24

Cara Dillon will play an exclusive set at Folk by the Oak at Hatfield House, bringing together an all-star line-up of musicians including Jamie Lawson, whose 2015 top 10 single Wasn’t Expecting That took the seasoned performer to international fame and acclaim. Also playing are Afro Celt Sound System, folk supergroup Sweet Liberties featuring Martyn Joseph, Nancy Kerr, Sam Carter, Maz O’Connor, Patsy Reid and Nick Cook, and many more. Visit www.folkbytheoak.com or call 01432 355 416 for tickets or more information.

Wrest Park hosts a weekend of Capability Brown-inspired events. There are hosted timed tours of the grounds at Wrest Park, children have the chance to try landscaping themselves with specially designed sand pits and there is even a tethered hot air balloon that will allow you to see the great man’s handiwork from a unique aerial view. See www.english-heritage.org.uk/wrest or call 01525 860000 for more information. Admission costs £10.80 for adults, £6.50 for children, £9.70 for concessions or £28.10 for a family ticket. Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk or call 01525 860000.