CULTURE EDITION
LET THE COMEDY COMMENCE!
Bury St Edmunds’ third Comedy Festival brings two months of side-splitting stand-up and outrageous improv to venues across the town. The season begins on 4 February at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds with Later Life Letter , a performance in which Luke Wright (below) steers his audience through a warm and honest hour of poems and stand-up with the wit, pathos and silliness that have made him so popular. The laughter continues with Showstopper! An Improvised Musical (12 and 13 February), as The Showstoppers present a brand-new musical comedy created from scratch at each performance based on audience suggestions, plus Daliso Chaponda (14 February) and many more. Then, in March, comedy lovers can look forward to a special International Women’s Day event at Abbeygate Cinema (8 March) and live shows by Jason Manford (12 March) and John Kearns (20 March) at The Apex entertainment centre. To view the full line-up and book tickets, visit the website at burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk/comedy-festival
Arts Theatre director awarded MBE Rachel Tackley, creative director and co-chief executive of the Arts Theatre Cambridge, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours List to recognise her outstanding services to the arts. Rachel, who lives with her family in St Neots, has led the theatre through a period of transformation, re-establishing and re-energising the organisation after the building’s closure and redevelopment – a mission that is ongoing, with plenty more plans in the pipeline. She is also a highly respected theatre consultant, producer and curator, producing and programming work across the UK and internationally, as well as leading and strengthening major arts organisations. “I am extremely honoured to receive this award,” said Rachel. “Theatre is a collective endeavour, and this recognition is shared with the extraordinary artists, staff, volunteers and supporters I have had the privilege to work with. I believe the arts play a huge part in the wellbeing of local and national communities – giving voice to different experiences and strengthening understanding and tolerance. Working in Cambridge has shown me just how much theatre can mean to people – bringing us together and enriching our lives.”
Tickets for this year’s Cambridge Literary Spring Festival go on general sale on 13 February at 10am. Visit cambridgeliteraryfestival.com to get first dibs! HEADS UP!
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