On the cusp of summer, the May issue of Cambridge Edition brings news of brand-new seasonal arts programmes, festival itineraries and lots of other events for this month and beyond. There’s a special spotlight on the quaint riverside market town of St Ives, which makes the perfect day trip or short stay destination, and a peek behind the scenes at three much-loved Cambridge stages, revealing famous faces, ghostly goings-on and impressive ice cream statistics! Plus, there’s plenty of home inspiration, with ideas for transforming your bathroom into a spa-like sanctuary, a recipe for a delectable home bake, and a fascinating focus on the pollination processes of the trees in our gardens, parks and countryside.
FREE
LOCAL LIVING DONE WELL
MAY 2026
PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES AT SOME OF THE REGION’S GROUNDBREAKING THEATRE STAGES t rbeoaadri nd gs
WHAT’S ON Festivals, country shows, art and culture for the weeks ahead
VISIT ST IVES A day trip or short stay in Cambridgeshire’s riverside gem
TREES OF LIFE The awe-inspiring pollination processes taking place around us
WELCOME
MERRY MAY
EDITORIAL Editor Louise Hoffman 01223 492249
louisehoffman@bright.uk.com Editorial director Nicola Foley 01223 499459 nicolafoley@bright.uk.com Chief sub editor Matthew Winney Junior sub editors Tabitha John & Kezia Kurtz ADVERTISING Sales director Sam Scott-Smith 07875 711967 samscott-smith@bright.uk.com Ad manager Maria Francis 01223 492240 mariafrancis@bright.uk.com CONTRIBUTORS Charlotte Griffiths, Phoebe Harper, Katie Kasperson, Kate Lawson, Sally Petitt, Charlotte Phillips & Esther Sánchez DESIGN & PRODUCTION Design director Andy Jennings Magazine design manager Lucy Woolcomb Graphic designer Hedzlynn Kamaruzzaman Junior designer & ad production Holly May MANAGING DIRECTOR Andy Brogden TYPEFACE Nyght Serif / Maksym Kobuzan from Tunera Type Foundry
As we enter May, there seems to be a palpable energy all around us – gardens are back in bloom, the evenings are long again, winter coats are fully relegated to the wardrobe, and there’s a real sense of excitement building around the city’s big annual events, which are now well and truly on the horizon. In truth, this momentum has been gathering for a few weeks now. I sensed it in mid-April, when I had the great privilege of seeing the spectacular jade vine in bloom at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden – what a colour! – and, during a particularly sunny moment that same day, dispensed with a jacket altogether for the first time so far this year! It was wonderful to take some time out to wander the paths and lawns with the Botanic Garden’s Sally Petitt and Helen Needham – and to witness the very blooms and catkins that are the subject of Sally’s article this month! Turn to page 76 to be amazed by the wonders of nature. While preparing this issue, it was impossible not to feel the bubbling optimism of the region
While preparing this issue of Cambridge Edition , it was impossible not to feel the bubbling optimism of the region as summer arts programmes and festival itineraries are revealed for May, June and beyond. The calendar is packed, with two of the biggest events this month being Cambridge Food & Drink Week and Cambridge Fringe Festival. The latter is set to bring belly laughs aplenty to audiences across four city venues over the second bank holiday weekend. We managed to grab some quick- fire interviews with three of the top acts taking to the stage (see page 19 for more). Our local theatres have also revealed their programmes for the coming months. You can get to know the venues even better thanks to this issue’s cover story on page 8, in which Kate Lawson goes behind the scenes to discover some fascinating facts – from ghostly goings-on to impressive ice cream statistics! Whatever you’re funnelling your springtime energy into during the weeks ahead, be sure to enjoy every moment.
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Cambridge Edition Magazine Bright Publishing Ltd, Bright House, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridgeshire CB22 3HJ, 01223 499450, cambsedition.co.uk • All rights reserved. Material contained in this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior permission of the publishers. • Views expressed in the magazine aren’t necessarily those of Cambridge Edition or Bright Publishing Ltd, which do not accept any liability for loss or damage. • Every effort has been made to ensure all information is correct. Prices quoted were correct at time the magazine went to print. • Cambridge Edition is a free publication that is distributed in Cambridge and the surrounding area.
With all best wishes,
Illustration by Holly May, inspired by a photo from @suneetmalhotra
Louise Hoffman, editor
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ON THE COVER 08 / TREADING THE BOARDS Kate Lawson discovers the rich histories, fascinating facts and advanced tech behind three of the area’s most beloved stages 31 / SPOTLIGHT ON ST IVES With so much to see and do, find out why this Cambridgeshire gem should be the next day trip or short stay destination on your list 76 / TREES OF LIFE Sally Petitt uncovers the hidden ingenuity of pollination in both flowering and catkin-bearing trees
CULTURE EDITION 18 / CULTURE NEWS Upcoming events and key updates from Cambridge’s cultural scene 24 / BOOK CLUB Feast your eyes on this visually impressive and immersive reading list 27 / SCREEN TIME A rundown of May’s most anticipated films, plus a Martin Scorsese spotlight FOOD EDITION 40 / FOOD NEWS The latest gastro goings-on around Cambridgeshire
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REGULARS 06 / INSTACAMB Showcasing our favourite social media snaps of the season 14 / THE AGENDA A round-up of events across Cambridge and the wider region this May, including the South Suffolk Show and a circular economy event at Grand Arcade 48 / LOCAL NEWS Brighten up your day with news of a local nature restoration project, charity-based events and a chance to help change the lives of some feathered friends in search of new homes
42 / HOME COMFORTS Esther Sánchez celebrates simple and elegant flavours with a delectable recipe for pistachio muffins HOME EDITION 66 / STEP INTO SERENITY Expert-approved ways to transform your bathroom into a restorative haven using colour, texture, lighting and those all-important finishing touches
52 / AWARENESS AND ACTION For this month’s education feature, Charlotte Griffiths finds out how local schools are actively supporting pupil wellbeing and mental health 61 / MEETING GOALS Key aspects to take into consideration when seeking the perfect conference or meeting space – according to those in the know 82 / I ♥ CAMBRIDGE Photographer (and Instacamb regular) Claire Reynolds tells us why the city is always in her heart – and her viewfinder
74 / EDITION LOVES Give your bathroom a spa-like feel with this aesthetically pleasing tile selection
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LOCAL LIFE
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Our favourite Cambridge Instagram pics of the month
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LOCAL LIFE
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ON STAGE
Looking back (and forwards) in wonder at three arts powerhouses in our region, Kate Lawson discovers their extraordinary histories, memorable moments and fascinating facts
08 MAY 2026 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
ON STAGE
S tanding on Park Street in ADC Theatre, which lays claim to being England’s oldest university playhouse. Founded nearly 200 years ago in the back room of The Hoop Coaching Inn, plays have been performed on site since 1855, and it’s also the former stomping ground of many national treasures. Historically owned and managed by the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club, it’s a fun venue where the shows are put on by students and Cambridge locals alike; a space in which up-and-coming talent can test out new ideas, making for diverse and exciting seasons of shows. ‘All the world’s a stage, and all the Cambridge, the first stop on this tour of some of the area’s most celebrated stages is the men and women merely players’, as the Shakespeare quote goes. But if you were a woman before 1935, you wouldn’t have performed on the ADC stage, as women’s parts were traditionally played by men. Thankfully, things changed, and Rachel Weisz, Miriam Margolyes, Naomie Harris, Emma Corrin and Olivia Williams have all trodden the boards since. As the first theatre in the city to have a full fly tower back in the late 1980s, it had a significant facelift in 2018, with refurbished auditorium seating and lighting bridges. The original wooden front doors remain, but are now inside the theatre having survived a fire in 1933. According to urban legend, someone was trapped inside as the theatre burned down, and so after
The ADC Theatre has a haunted key. This opened the original front doors of the theatre, which survived the disastrous fire of 1933. Did you know?
IN THE LIMELIGHT Both the ADC Theatre (above) and the Arts Theatre (left) have had future stars begin their budding careers on their stages
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ON STAGE
the doors were relocated to the front-of- house corridor, nobody locked them for fear of being haunted by the ghost. One manager tried during Covid only to find a slight misalignment in their heights, so they couldn’t be locked. Was this a mistake, or the intervention of a supernatural force? As far as we know, they haven’t been locked since! The theatre’s original ethos also remains: to broaden access to student and community theatre. Once inside, you might just hear the echoes of laughter from days gone by, when Fry and Laurie, Mitchell and Webb, and Mel and Sue all cut their comedy cloth in the Cambridge Footlights here. You might hear the laughter from days gone by
BREAK THE FOURTH WALL Whether steeped in a long cultural history like the ADC Theatre (above) or a newer arts venue like Saffron Hall’s concert space (below), both are intertwined with their communities
The acoustics are so precise at Saffron Hall that, during an early demonstration, an engineer dropped a small object on stage – and the entire audience could hear it! Did you know?
The sound of music A fanfare from the Master of the Queen’s Music, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, thrust Saffron Hall’s new concert space onto the international stage in 2013. Since then, it has attracted more than 30,000 prestigious artists to perform there, including the likes of Nicola Benedetti, Jess Gillam, Maxim Vengerov, Clare Teal and Courtney Pine, and has two resident orchestras – the London Philharmonic and Britten Sinfonia. Here, the 740-seat auditorium’s adjustable acoustics can shift you from the crystal-clear speech of a drama to full orchestral richness in a crescendo – but even more remarkable is that the hall is in the middle of an Essex school.
school, which came from an anonymous local donor with a passion for music. “World-class art and outstanding music education should be accessible to everybody and this was the motivation behind Saffron Hall,” says Angela Dixon MBE, chief executive of Saffron Music Trust. “Twelve years on, the effect of having the hall in this location within a school continues to grow and reach into the communities locally and regionally.” A cultural hub with a strong local foundation, the hall’s social impact projects include Together in Sound, a pioneering music therapy programme in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University, bringing music to those living with dementia and their carers.
When not hosting exams or daily assemblies, by night Saffron Walden County High School comes alive to the sounds of classical, jazz, folk, theatre and opera, alongside dance and laughs aplenty from its stand-up comedy shows. Sleek, tiered seating with excellent sightlines helps when spotting the ice cream usher during the interval (a British theatre institution). For the fun fact lovers among you, the venue has sold more than 42,000 pots of the stuff! Conceived as a concert hall rather than an adapted space, and having garnered architectural acclaim as a dual- purpose venue, Saffron Hall cost just over £9 million to build thanks to the largest-ever private donation to a state
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ON STAGE
Star quality Nestled on Peas Hill close to King’s College, the Arts Theatre Cambridge is a cultural repository of history and personal memories – a time capsule of past performances and experiences going back generations. Located on the site of a former fish market and university lodgings, the theatre was opened in 1936 by economist John Maynard Keynes, bursting onto the scene with a gala night that featured ballet icon Margot Fonteyn. Since then, the playhouse has hosted many premiere performances, including works by Harold Pinter, and launched the careers of such notable thespians as Sir Ian McKellen, who made his debut at the venue in 1959. The Lord of the Rings actor later voiced the need for a refurbishment of the theatre during a tour of his one-man show, and with a wave of Gandalf’s staff, the Grade II listed building has been undergoing a magical
transformation, while respecting its historical character. Funded by a grant from charitable trust the Gatsby Foundation, the overhaul pays homage to its 1930s design roots, with crafted timber panelling, a curved balcony in the
One of the first people to donate to the Arts Theatre was E M Forster, giving the royalties from a stage adaptation of A Passage to India . Did you know?
auditorium and backstage wings and dressing rooms upgraded using materials and details drawn from the original building. Once vulnerable to theatre superstitions with its unlucky 666 seats,
TALE AS OLD AS TIME Programmes from the Arts Theatre highlight the theatre’s long-standing history, having been founded in 1936 by economist John Maynard Keynes (above and below)
there are now 664 new red ones! Still to come is a 200-seat rooftop studio theatre for smaller-scale productions, community events and activities, with a Name Your Seat campaign championed by McKellen. Always in the limelight, the Arts Theatre celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. Its diverse programme continues to bring a stirring mix of comedy, dance, music and drama to the city, including its first in-house professional production in years (aside from its famous panto) – Noël Coward’s Easy Virtue , directed by Sir Trevor Nunn. With support for artists and future voices, the show does indeed go on. The Arts Theatre is a cultural repository of history and memories
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THE AGENDA
12 THEATRE Death on the Nile, Arts Theatre Cambridge A couple’s honeymoon cruise is cut short by a brutal murder. Can Hercule Poirot (Mark Hadfield) untangle the web of lies and solve another crime? Until 16 May. THEATRE Albatross, Cambridge Junction Award-winning playwright Martha Loader’s Albatross takes us to the very edge of love in the age of climate catastrophe. Do family ties make us act with more care or blind us to the facts? 13 MUSIC Rhythm Across Time, West Road Concert Hall Academy of Ancient Music join marimba virtuoso Christoph Sietzen and The Wave Quartet for a programme that reimagines different baroque masterpieces. 14 FESTIVAL Disrupt, Cambridge Junction Celebrating live art, disruptive and lingering contemporary performance and theatre, this festival showcases work from critically acclaimed artists Tink and Abra Flaherty, Mengting Zhuo, Yas Clarke, Krishna Istha and Liv Ello. Until 21 May.
15 EVENT Bat safari punting, River Cam Running until the end of September, enjoy a unique experience as you set off from Scudamore’s boatyard just before dusk with a Wildlife Trust guide and handheld bat detectors to pick up on bat echolocation. 16 MUSIC Richard Durrant, Upwood Village Hall In celebration of his fourth decade as an independent soloist, this guitarist and composer presents his 2026 tour: The Art of Levitation . He will perform guitar works from Bach, Scarlatti, Purcell, Barrios and his own compositions.
1 EXHIBITION
Gael Sellwood Solo Exhibition, Cambridge Contemporary Art Marking this botanical painter’s final exhibition, this is a rare and poignant opportunity to experience the culmination of an extraordinary artistic practice. Until 31 May.
2 MUSIC The Romano Viazzani Ensemble, Little St Mary’s Church Embarking on their the worlds of Latin American, classical and jazz music to play and create tango and tango-inspired music. 8 spring tour, this ensemble bring together seven musicians from Eddington Square Sip your way through craft beverages, cask ales, exquisite gins, pimped prosecco and low-and-no delights, and enjoy a mix of entertainment including a special teaser act for the Cambridge Folk Festival. Until 10 May. EVENT Eddington Beer Garden,
9 EVENT Barkway Market,
Manor Farm, Barkway One of Hertfordshire’s most popular country shows, Barkway Market dates back to medieval times. Expect entertainment for all the family, refreshments and 180+ stalls selling antiques, bric-a-brac, artisan food and drink, garden wares, homeware, clothing, jewellery and more.
10 EVENT
South Suffolk Show, Ampton Racecourse near Bury St Edmunds A day out for all the family. Enjoy displays, demonstrations, live music, a fun dog show, shopping opportunities, refreshments and more at this celebration of country life.
An array of events to enjoy in Cambridgeshire this month
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THE AGENDA
31 FAMILY Spring Serenade, St John the
Evangelist’s Church This classical music concert for toddlers and their parents, presented by The Little Concert, features music by Beethoven, Dvořák and more, with artists Lika Kobzeva, Kristin Barone-Samadi, Simon Cartledge and Arabella the Music Fairy! MUSIC Midge Ure, Cambridge Corn Exchange In his A Man of Two Worlds Tour , musician, producer and Ultravox frontman Midge Ure blends iconic hits and fan favourites with the atmospheric instrumentals that have long featured on his solo albums. 14 May
6 EVENT
Jun
Festival of Plants 2026, Cambridge Botanic Garden From gardeners and budding plant scientists to families and photographers, there’s set to be something for everyone at this fun- filled fact-finding day in the Garden as it reaches full bloom. 4 EVENT Duxford Summer Air Show, IWM Duxford Held in the grounds of a historic World War II airfield, the Duxford Summer Air Show returns for more aviation thrills, with flying displays and family-friendly entertainment. Runs until 5 July. 22 COMEDY Lenny Henry, Cambridge Corn Exchange In his first UK tour since 2010, Still At Large will see Lenny return to the experiences that shaped him while also exploring the ideas, challenges and creative sparks driving him today. Jul Sep
13 May
29 EVENT Country in the Country, Ely Outdoor Sports Association Cat’s Country Band headline an evening of live country music, tribute performances and authentic American atmosphere – complete with a mechanical rodeo bull, honky tonk bars and entertainment.
MUSIC Let’s Go Circular, Grand Arcade Showcasing some of the best circular economy initiatives
MUSIC City of Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, West Road Concert Hall The City of Cambridge Symphony Orchestra perform a contrasting programme featuring works by Stravinsky, Doreen Carwithen and Rachmaninov, conducted by Robert Hodge, opening with Stravinsky’s Symphonies of Wind Instruments .
from Cambridgeshire, find a programme of interactive workshops, exhibitions and stands on the ground floor. There will be two areas: Regenerate Natural Systems and Keep Products and Materials in Use. Until 31 May.
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ON THE PULSE The latest updates from Cambridgeshire’s cultural scene
VISUAL STORYTELLING Graphic novels to capture your imagination this month
SCREEN STARS New film releases and an extra-special retrospective
Power pose
English Heritage has opened a new display at Audley End House near Saffron Walden, marking 400 years since the death of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk, whose exceptional ambition created the impressive mansion, but ultimately led to his downfall. For the first time, portraits of Thomas and his wife Katherine are being displayed at Audley End, alongside those of other family members. Together, these paintings trace the fortunes of one of Tudor and Jacobean England’s most powerful families. From Monastery to Mansion: Portraiture, Power and Ambition runs until 1 November. english-heritage.org.uk
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CULTURE EDITION
International organists to headline five-day festival A five-day festival of services, concerts and recitals will take place
premiere of a new organ work, Swift Messengers , by Tim Watts. Then, on 10 May, former director of music at St John’s College, David Hill, will return to perform a recital immediately before Evensong, when a dedication and blessing of the new organ will take place. Organ music has a rich history at St John’s College – an organ has been owned by the college since it was founded in 1511, and the college choir has been accompanied by the instrument throughout its 350-year history. More information and tickets are available at sjcchoir.co.uk
He will perform a programme of French pieces including César Franck’s Troisième Choral (en La mineur) , Jehan Alain’s Litanies and Louis Vierne’s Carillon de Westminster , in a recital that will be recorded for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Following on, the Choir of St John’s College will be joined by acclaimed British organist, pianist and conductor Wayne Marshall and baritone Tom Butler for a concert on 9 May, featuring Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb , Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs , and works by Holst, Marsh and Daley, as well as the
at St John’s College, Cambridge from 6 to 10 May to celebrate the installation of its new Harrison & Harrison organ, incorporating historic Father Willis pipework from 1889. At the heart of the festival is the inaugural recital given on 8 May by Olivier Latry, titular organist at Notre-Dame in Paris. A leading ambassador for the organ, Latry has played at the world’s most prestigious venues, worked with top orchestras and conductors and recorded with major labels.
LOCAL LITERATURE Secrets of the Royal Maid ANNIE SEYMOUR
A 17-year-old pit miner’s daughter in Merthyr Tydfil sees a notice for maid work in a big house in London. When she arrives for the interview, she discovers the position is at Buckingham Palace! This rags-to-riches story set during WWII is inspired by the life story of royal maid Rosa Edwards, told to Seymour by Rosa’s daughter Jan.
MUSIC FOR GOOD A series of pop-up performances from The Collaboration Choir took place across five Cambridge locations during March, raising more than £1,000 for charity Maggie’s in Cambridge. This is to add to the £46,000 total The Collaboration Choir has raised for charitable causes since it was founded! thecollaborationchoir.com
The latest from the cultural scene in Cambridge
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CULTURE EDITION
Lead, Kindly Light – The Sixteen’s 2026 Choral Pilgrimage – arrives in Cambridge on 8 May, as the ensemble perform at Trinity College Chapel, conducted by Harry Christophers. The range of emotion covered by composers in the Spanish Renaissance is demonstrated beautifully in selected works by Cristóbal de Morales and Sebastián de Vivanco that form the basis of this pilgrimage. Also available in album format, the tour programme includes such masterpieces as Vivanco’s Magnificat octavi toni and Caritas Pater est , and Morales’ Lamentabatur Jacob and Jubilate Deo omnis terra . Find out more and book tickets at thesixteen.com PILGRIMAGE OF MUSIC
Cambridge Fringe Festival returns for 2026! The Cambridge Fringe Festival is back, with comedy acts from across the country and world performing at four city venues during the second May bank holiday weekend. for each show or, for those not sold out in advance, simply turn up and provide a donation on the way out. All profits go straight to the acts, which include Geoff
Norcott ( Mock the Week , Live at the Apollo ), Tiff Stevenson ( Mock the Week , Live at the Apollo ), Ria Lina ( QI , Have I Got News for You , Live At The Apollo ), Rob Auton ( Taskmaster , Edinburgh Fringe shows) and Dan Tiernan (BBC New Comedy Award winner, Live at the Apollo ). Below, meet three more of the acts headed our way this month! The Cambridge Fringe Festival takes place on 23 and 24 May. Find the full line-up at cambridgefringe.co.uk
This year’s line-up features sketch, clowning, musical comedy, improv and family shows, plus several showcases for up-and-coming Cambridgeshire-based comedians, giving a platform to emerging local talent. With shows taking place at The Portland Arms, Thirsty, The Boathouse and The Waterman (all within a two-minute walk of each other in the heart of Cambridge), the festival runs on a pay-what-you-want model. Guarantee a seat for just £6.60
KATE CHEKA
Number of years in stand-up: Seven (minus the year and a half they made us stay in the house). Favourite comedian or comedy actor: Michelle de Swarte. Favourite TV comedy moment: Smack the Pony window washer with kitten in pants. Describe your act as if you were trying to sell it door-to-door: Sex and politics. Date of your Cambridge Fringe show: 23 May.
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CULTURE EDITION
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY OPERA ENGLISH TOURING OPERA The English Touring Opera returns to the Arts Theatre Cambridge with two titles for their spring 2026 season: Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers (7 and 9 May), a fizzing comedy of mistaken identity; and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci (8 May), packed with passion, melodrama and revenge. artstheatre.co.uk THEATRE PETER SOUTER DOUBLE BILL Showing at Ickleton Village Hall on 22 May, Viva Theatre in Soham on 23 May and Cambridge Junction J3 on 25 and 26 May, Corkscrew Theatre is producing two poignant plays by writer Peter Souter: Goldfish Girl and 13a, 13b . Grand sets are stripped away to put the audience in the heart of the characters’ private worlds. corkscrewtheatre.co.uk Children’s classic takes to the stage The perfect half-term treat, coming to the ADC Theatre this month, is The Wind in the Willows : a riotous comedy musical that follows Mole, Rat, Badger and the impulsive Mr Toad, whose insatiable need for speed lands him in serious trouble. With his beloved home under threat from the notorious Chief Weasel and his gang of sinister Wild Wooders, Toad must attempt a daring escape, which leads to a series of misadventures and a heroic battle to recapture Toad Hall. Bringing together Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes and Olivier Award-winning composer pairing Stiles and Drewe, this family-friendly musical will bring Kenneth Grahame’s beloved story to life with humour, heart and plenty of thrills. Book tickets at adctheatre.com
ARTS THEATRE REVEALS UPCOMING PROGRAMME The Arts Theatre Cambridge has announced its slate of shows for the year ahead. Highlights include national treasure Jane Asher starring as the Queen in the funny, poignant and celebratory play By Royal Appointment (beginning 24 September), co-produced by Lee Dean, Daniel Schumann and the Arts Theatre Cambridge; Tamzin Outhwaite in Mike Leigh’s classic comedy Abigail’s Party (3-8 August, pictured above); Tracy-Ann Oberman in Noël Coward’s comedy Present Laughter (8-12 September), Martin Shaw in A Man For All Seasons (27-31 October) and a brand-new staging of the celebrated novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (9-13 February). The programme also includes dance, comedy, literary adaptations, spine chillers like The Haunting of Hill House (17-21 November), family favourites such as The Gruffalo (17- 21 June, pictured below) and Dear Zoo (17-19 July), plus a host of much-loved musicals and West End and Fringe smash hits, including Blood Brothers (15-19 September). Plus, of course, the theatre is preparing for another Christmas pantomime extravaganza: Jack and the Beanstalk (beginning 27 November) promises to be jam-packed with music, comedy, magic and festive fun! Find out more at artstheatre.co.uk
MUSIC POSTMODERN JUKEBOX
On 24 May, this internationally acclaimed music collective, famed for their signature time-twisting style that transforms beloved songs into dazzling vintage masterpieces, is coming to Cambridge Corn Exchange as part of their globe-spanning The Future Is Vintage world tour. cornex.co.uk
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CULTURE EDITION
MAKE IT WITH MARMALADE AT ELY ARTS FESTIVAL Soham’s Marmalade Print
developed Peonies, Print and Prosecco, a linocutting workshop that’s suitable for beginners and anyone over the age of 16. It will be held in its garden studio or, weather permitting, outside among the peonies. Marmalade is also holding a family-friendly open day on 27 June from 10am to 3pm, where you can find out about printmaking and have a go at using traditional printmaking presses. Making with Marmalade workshops include all materials and refreshments in the price – and, for the Ely Arts Festival special events, complimentary strawberries and a glass of prosecco will be served in celebration as well. For complete details of the Peonies, Print and Prosecco workshops and open day, visit marmaladeprintstudio.co.uk , and for the Ely Arts Festival’s full programme of events, head to elyartsfestival.org
Studio has announced it will be part of this year’s annual Ely Arts Festival, which takes place from 13 to 27 June. Al Smyth, the printmaker and artist who runs Marmalade, said: “We were pleased to learn that the festival organisers wanted to provide more events in villages local to Ely this year, as this fits with Marmalade’s aim – to spread the word about how great printmaking is and to help keep this wonderful, traditional art form at the forefront of people’s minds.” As part of the festival programme, the team has
Home & Garden Show returns to Ely Cathedral Following a successful debut in 2025, the Ely Cathedral Home & Garden Show is back with an array of new features. Highlights this year include a vibrant The cathedral’s beautiful medieval interior will bring together a collection of handpicked exhibitors showcasing inspiring homeware, furnishings and original handmade crafts. The Knowledge Garden, located
newly extended outdoor show space in the cathedral grounds will become a hub for entertainment and outdoor living inspiration, showcasing specialist nurseries, plants and bulb growers, garden ideas and furnishings, artisan food vendors and live performances. The Home & Garden Show at Ely Cathedral takes place on 19 and 20 June. Find out more at elycathedral.org
live entertainment stage, an expanded programme of talks and demonstrations, an enhanced outdoor experience and a mini flower festival in the Lady Chapel, with floral displays representing each of the seven continents of the world.
in the rarely accessible Bishop’s cloister, will house a number of insightful talks and demonstrations, from top planting tips to sustainable living ideas. And a
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LITERATURE
May Book Club Charlotte Griffiths is captivated by the visual delights and immersive storylines of graphic novels, as she presents some top picks for May
The Worst Journey in the World: The Graphic Novel Volume 1 SARAH AIRRIESS & APSLEY CHERRY-GARRARD If you only ever read one book I recommend, make it this extraordinary
time at Disney, made the graphic novel an obvious format. More than a decade later – after a stint in Antarctica which you can read about on her truly brilliant blog (the third recommendation) – this instalment of her project was published, brilliantly depicting the first stage of Cherry-Garrard’s journey. The artwork is stunning, the lighting and staging in each frame as considered as any film’s cinematography and her pacing and structure breathes so much life into the pages you’d be forgiven for thinking you were watching an animated movie rather than reading a static comic. When you finally come up for air, you then enter the annotations – a ‘repository of sources, explanations and amusing anecdotes that didn’t make it in’ – and get to read it again, now powered by Airriess’s extensive, meticulous research.
work, adapted by Cambridge-based illustrator Sarah Airriess. I’m actually going to sneak three reads into one review, as the source material is also one of my favourite books – even just remembering The Worst Journey in the World , Apsley Cherry-Garrard’s memoir of his time in Captain Scott’s fateful expedition to the South Pole in 1910, makes me screw up my face in disbelief at humanity’s capacity for endurance. Airriess first encountered the story as a radio dramatisation in 2008, and after learning more (at Cambridge’s own Scott Polar Research Institute in part) was struck by an idea to tell the tale ‘properly’, including all the personalities, stories and scientific research carried out in such inclement conditions. Her background in illustration, including
Airriess is at work on the next two instalments, in hope of completing her calling. You can support her progress on Patreon and join other readers keeping their fingers crossed for more of her version of this unforgettable tale.
Do Admit! The Mitford Sisters and Me MIMI POND
Whatever your feelings on the Mitford Sisters, their impact on the world cannot be denied. Their actions and interests had implications for politics, wars and society at large – bending the arc of history and revealing hidden truths by pulling on an intricate web of contacts and connections granted at birth, then reinforced through their sometimes-unbelievable deeds and choices. Illustrator Mimi Pond weaves her own life story alongside that of the Mitfords. Growing up in California in a country that was only as old as some of the sisters’ inherited furniture, Pond’s life lacks the pageantry and depth she craves, yet she determinedly pursues a future of her own choosing, striking out solo against expectation. Pond uses only Prussian Blue ink throughout the book, which reminded me of willow pattern plates, that once-treasured ceramic tableware design that’s now out of favour, yet still laden with meaning and memories for those who grew up with it. Her illustrative style is charming, each page packed with expressive details of the sisters’ complex lives, with witty asides on Pond’s own choices interspersed throughout the main biographies. This fascinating graphic biography of the six women is possibly the most colourful story ever told using only blue ink. It is such a compelling version that even if you’re familiar with the sisters, you’re bound to come away with a deeper understanding of their place in history.
24 MAY 2026 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
LITERATURE
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic ALISON BECHDEL
This graphic memoir tells the story of Alison Bechdel’s childhood and complex relationship with her meticulous, controlling and deeply closeted father, who died suddenly when Bechdel was 20, just four weeks after she’d come out to her parents and two weeks after her mother had asked her father for a divorce. Their family home in Pennsylvania was akin to a living museum – a gothic revival mansion brought back to life by her father who painstakingly restored every historic detail and sourced original furniture to fill the rooms. He’d returned to his hometown to work in the family business, a funeral home (or ‘fun’ home, as Bechdel and her siblings dub it), up close and personal with death on a regular basis. As an adult, Bechdel slowly learns more of her father’s history, reflecting on their similarities and the contrasts of the eras in which they came of age. No doubt everything would have unfolded differently if her father had been able to live openly. Every single frame of Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic is packed with meaning that’s intensely personal for Bechdel, yet impactful and thought-provoking even to readers who didn’t grow up in this very specific set of circumstances. It’s clear why this won so many awards, and is still regularly included on lists of the best graphic novels of all time.
ALL FUN AND GAMES UNTIL... Tragicomedy meets graphic novel in Bechdel’s breathtaking, genre-bending autobiographical book
Three novels, from sci-fi epic to classical retelling, coming soon to a bookshop near you… NEW RELEASES
Homebound PORTIA ELAN
FRANCESCA DE TORES Cast Away
Aphrodite gets her turn in the spotlight in this lush, heady romance that centres on the Greek goddess’s complex relationship with Ares, the god of war. It turns out both deities have immense power over humanity but none over each other. For those who love reading reimagined myths, Saint’s books are always unmissable, and this is no exception. This Immortal Heart JENNIFER SAINT
It’s 1704 and Alexander Selkirk is marooned on an island, with a few goats and cats his only companions. His four-year stay will eventually be immortalised as Robinson Crusoe , but what really could have happened on that isolated rock? Star author de Tores’ reimagining will make you ponder redemption, regret and what it truly takes to atone…
Already garnering rave reviews, this boldly ambitious time-slip sci-fi novel spans 600 years of adventurous women, whether quietly coding computer games in 1983 or captaining a ship through post-apocalyptic waters. If you loved Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow , this is one to pick up for the summer.
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1 May As Miranda Priestly nears retirement, she reunites with Andy Sachs to face off against her former assistant turned rival: Emily Charlton. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci reprise their roles. The Devil Wears Prada 2
8 May George (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realise they must become the detectives. The Sheep Detectives
8 May The Mortal Kombat martial arts franchise (inspired by the hit video game series of the same name) returns for a fourth instalment that promises the ultimate, no- holds-barred, gory battle ! Mortal Kombat II
Power Ballad
29 May Paul Rudd stars as Rick, a washed-up wedding singer who bonds with Danny, a fading boy band star played by Nick Jonas. When Danny turns Rick’s song into a big hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves.
LOCAL CINEMAS Arts Picturehouse picturehouses.com Everyman everymancinema.com The Light cambridge.thelight.co.uk
22 May When a lovesick musician is given the wrong number for his dream girl, he teams up with a driven psychology student to find her, prompting a hilarious campus-wide frenzy. Charming romcom starring Spike Fearn and Angourie Rice. Finding Emily
Movie magic not to miss this month
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SCREEN TIME
LIVING LEGEND See Scorsese’s masterpieces, from Goodfellas (1990) to The Departed (2006), at the Arts Picturehouse
PICTUREHOUSE PICKS Duty manager and events coordinator Chloe Kelly focuses in on the work of Martin Scorsese, in honour of this year’s Cambridge Arts Picturehouse retrospective
C elebrating filmmakers is a priority here at Cambridge Arts Picturehouse, as we are big believers in legacies and accessibility. Reviving lost and found titles to showcase them on our screens for audiences to see all year round has therefore become a highlight in our programming calendar. In 2025, all Picturehouses across the UK paid a year-long tribute to the late David Lynch with David Lynch’s Dream Theatre, a chronological retrospective of his masterful 12 feature-length titles, which were carefully paired with works of ‘Lynchspiration’. My favourite pairing was Lynch’s definitive Inland Empire (2006), which was showcased with Federico Fellini’s 8½ (1963). In Lynch’s book Catching the Big Fish , he names 8½ as one of the perfect examples of filmmaking, saying: “Fellini manages to accomplish with film what mostly abstract painters do – to communicate an emotion without ever
Visit picturehouses.com/scorsese to find out more about this special retrospective theme beating through Scorsese’s films, and with each title chosen for this season you will witness the rise and collapse of the American Dream. Langford’s ego-bruising disinterest leads to Pupkin stalking and kidnapping him, only then to offer him release in exchange for a guest spot on Langford’s show. In an interview with Terrence Rafferty that appeared in Sight and Sound ’s 1983 summer publication, Scorsese described The King of Comedy as a ‘reassessment’ of his directing career. His signature volatile camera work and orchestrated violent outbursts, seen in titles such as Taxi Driver and Mean Streets (1973), were challenged on this production. The movement of the camera and narrative becomes minimised and scenes stretch longer than Scorsese was comfortable with, making this film a ‘no laughing matter’ experience. Death-by-success in America is a
saying or showing anything in a direct manner, just by a sort of sheer magic.” This kind of sheer magic, we believe, can be seen in our newly reimagined 2026 retrospective celebrating the Manhattan- bound brilliance of Martin Scorsese. Best known for his American films such as Taxi Driver (1976), Raging Bull (1980) and The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), Scorsese kickstarted his directing career back in 1967. Since then, he has been responsible for 26 fiction feature films and 17 feature documentaries, a list too long to name or even screen, so our team of programmers and marketing leaders have carefully handpicked ten Scorsese titles for you to (re)discover this year. Our May pick is his dark comedy The King of Comedy (1982), which stars his long-term muse Robert De Niro. The King of Comedy follows comedian Rupert Pupkin (De Niro) who is a celebrity in his own mind, believing he has what it takes to convince talk-show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) to give him his big break.
28 MAY 2026 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
DAY TRIPS
ST IVES Thanks to the Guided Busway, it’s never been easier to explore Cambridgeshire’s quaint riverside gem. Katie Kasperson finds out what the town has to offer this summer Spotlight on
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DAY TRIPS
A s the weather warms and the sunlight extends well into the evenings, day trips and local excursions become vastly more appealing (to me, at least!). So, this summer, we will be heading to central confused with the one in Cornwall), a market town known for its rich history, idyllic charm and eclectic collection of shops and eateries. Cambridgeshire’s St Ives (not to be
If your visit is imminent, be sure to pick up a St Ives Shop, Drink and Dine loyalty card from participating businesses and receive one stamp for every £5 you spend. Collect ten stamps and you qualify for entry into a prize draw! This town-wide Just rewards
scheme runs until 31 May. huntingdonshire.gov.uk
A bit of background
I n line with the rest of Cambridgeshire, St Ives is steeped in history. Once called Slepe, meaning ‘muddy’, the settlement has been traced back to the fifth or sixth century, when it served as a key point on trade routes. Named after a bishop called Saint Ivo, the merchant town held connections to Ramsey Abbey, the Benedictine monastery responsible for building the iconic St Ives Bridge – which you can view on foot from the quayside or via boat (cars aren’t permitted to cross). First constructed in wood, the original structure was replaced with stone in the 1400s, and a chapel (since restored and Grade I listed) was added to its eastern pier. One of only four remaining bridges like it in England, the site is still used for public worship on rare occasions. This year, the bridge chapel celebrates its 600th birthday! Make sure to head to the Norris Museum for a series of exhibitions, lectures and other events, all centred around this impressive anniversary. Transport aficionados should also look out for From Boom to Beeching: A History of Huntingdonshire’s Railways , which runs from 25 April through to 4 July.
Outdoor explorers I f you love a scenic stroll, then St Ives is the perfect
and bank holidays, with a raised boardwalk to ensure it’s accessible to all. Nearby, enjoy a walk through The Thicket or across Wilhorn Meadow, just south of St Ives Bridge. Further downstream, find the RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes Nature Reserve. If you’re less mobile or simply spent from exploring, opt for a boat cruise instead – a relaxing means of soaking in the sights.
Things to do
place. Hugged on all sides by the River Great Ouse, its Holt Island Nature Reserve offers flora and fauna, from voles, badgers and bats to otters, warblers and butterflies. Before the 70s, the island looked quite different: made up primarily of osier beds, willow was harvested here for basket weaving. It welcomes nature lovers on weekends
Holt Island Nature Reserve holtisland.org
Norris Museum norrismuseum.org.uk
St Ives Corn Exchange thecornexchange.org.uk
St Ives Electric Riverboat Co electricriverboat.co.uk
St Ives Golf Club stivesgolfclub.co.uk
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DAY TRIPS
Eat, drink, stop and shop S t Ives has a surprisingly varied food scene. Enjoy a meal with a view along the River Great Ouse, or stop in at one of several pubs for some traditional English fayre – washed down with a pint. There’s a cuisine to suit all tastes, from Indian, Italian and Chinese to Turkish and Caribbean. Meanwhile, a farmer’s market takes place at Sheep Market on the first and third Saturday of each month, perfect for sourcing some delicious produce from local farmers, growers and small businesses. Fancy a drink? Browse for a beverage in one of the town’s wine shops, or sip on a cocktail (or mocktail!) at a local bar. As for beer, put Booze in the Pews, the St Ives Parish Church’s annual charity fest, on your radar for October 2026. If shopping is your bag, St Ives is home to vintage retailers, antique auctions and contemporary boutiques alike. The town hosts an antiques fair six times per year in Burgess Hall. Dates for 2026 include 24-25 May, 30-31 August and 21-22 November. Come ready to nab some hidden treasures!
Shopping and wellness
Adorn adorn-shop.co.uk
Citrus Rooms citrusrooms.com
Cloud Nine Gems cloudninegems.net
Janet Church Interiors janetchurchinteriors.co.uk
St Ives Wellness stiveswellness.uk
Events and outings I f you’re looking for something a little livelier, the St Ives Carnival and Music Festival should be right up your street. Free to all and family- friendly, the two-day event (11 and 12 July this year) offers games, fair rides, food and musical entertainment. The St Ives Corn Exchange
The Snug Micro Pub snugstives.co.uk Perfect pit stops
includes recent Oscar winners Hamnet and One Battle After Another ). Meanwhile, keen golfers, both experienced and beginner, can visit St Ives Golf Club – which recently celebrated its centenary – any day of the week (take a virtual course tour and pre-book a game online). The 18-hole course spans across 230 acres, proving a solid way to get some exercise while basking in East Anglia’s bucolic beauty.
The Taproom thetaproom.co.uk
The Teller’s Table thetellerstable.co.uk
The Whisky Cafe thewhiskycafe.co.uk
provides year-round entertainment; catch a concert, quiz night, silent disco, stand-up comedy or popular film (the Screen St Ives series
The Oliver Cromwell theolivercromwellpub.co.uk
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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Explore St Ives
More local attractions to see during your day trip or short stay in the area
THE WHISKY CAFÉ A double AA Rosette restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart of St Ives. This stunning 15th-century building has been extensively renovated into a modern and stylish restaurant. Their globally inspired menu invites you to explore bold flavours with a relaxed, untraditional twist, offering small plates for sharing, large plates for indulging and the freedom to eat how you like. Each dish has been crafted with fresh, local produce. With a 14-seat private dining room, large function room and spacious outside patio, The Whisky Café is the perfect place to host group bookings and special events. thewhiskycafe.co.uk
THE TELLER’S TABLE The Teller’s Table is a modern British restaurant with
European influence. Set within the beautifully restored former Old Bank in St Ives, the space pairs original features with two dining rooms and a quiet courtyard. Open all day, every day, guests can enjoy brunches that linger, refined daytime plates and seasonal evening menus built around carefully sourced produce. Cooking is guided by simplicity, balance and confident flavour, with thoughtful service and a strong wine focus. Weekly rituals include Monday Wine Club, Sunday Supper Club and family‑style Sunday lunches, creating a restaurant shaped by the rhythm of the week. thetellerstable.co.uk
ADORN LIFESTYLE STORE Celebrating independent makers and thoughtfully made goods, curated to adorn you and your home. With a Scandi-inspired aesthetic, muted tones and natural textures, Adorn offers a calm and inviting atmosphere – a space where you can slow down, browse and feel welcome. We collaborate with like-minded small businesses and independent designer-makers, curating pieces that reflect care, skill and craftsmanship. Each item is a considered object designed to blend into your home and everyday life. Discover a variety of homewares, jewellery, fragrance, skincare, fashion, plants, a coffee bar and our jewellery welding service. adorn-shop.co.uk
ST IVES WELLNESS Welcome to St Ives Wellness Clinic – a place to bring your body back into balance. We offer intuitive diagnosis using applied kinesiology combined with therapeutic techniques to resolve aches and pains. Each treatment plan includes advice on managing your health and wellness using nutrition, hydration and appropriate exercise. No clicking or cracking, just gentle treatment to help restore balance to your body. Seona has 17 years of experience as a chiropractor and is trained as a sports scientist, personal trainer and massage therapist. To book an appointment contact 07377 773312 or seona@stiveswellness.uk. seonagunnkelly.com
36 MAY 2026 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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