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What's On Reading

@rdgwhatson.bsky.social

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What’s On Reading is the ultimate guide to all things arts, culture and heritage for Reading, listing events and activities from over 200 organisations and venues. https://whatsonreading.com/

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What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 10d

Our October #podcast is here!
And with spooky season also here, we caught up with Mojo Jones of the Scarlet Vixens to talk about their two creepy cabarets this month, as well as their history, their pivot from burlesque to cabaret, and keeping things fun and silly!
whatsonreading.com/podcast

A woman with long dark hair in an olive green dress and a man with a green checked shirt and grey chinos standing in an arts centre, surrounded by drums and various ephemera

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 15m

Spine-tingling spontaneity and bone-rattling laughter are guaranteed when What's The Game improv return to Brewdog Reading for their next hilarious show, Fright Night.

Join them on Fri 24 Oct as they conjour hilarity seemingly out of nowhere.
Comedy so good, it’s scary.
buff.ly/oivNd3T

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 3h

One week to go!
Next Saturday, Kala The Arts will fill the town centre with performances, puppets and a parade for Diwali: Light It Up!

FREE and open to everyone!
buff.ly/o2G1lhP

Giant puppets of Indian figures and various people playing dhol drums

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 19h

Did you know we have a weekly newsletter?

It's packed full of weekly picks, spotlights on the people and places you might not know, thematic highlights and more.

Sign up via buff.ly/qNhZLtH

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 20h

But before that, on 1 November 2025, we have Reading's own Beatles tribute, the Magical Mystery Four - part faithful rendition, part loving interpretation, they play hits and faves from across the Fab Four's back catalogue.

That's at the Butler
whatsonreading.com/venues/butle...
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Poster for the Magical Mystery Four show with four squares, each showing a different member of the band

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 20h

Just Announced: The Bootleg Beatles will be returning to the Hexagon with their latest show "5", focusing on The Beatles' top five selling albums - Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt Pepper, The ‘White Album’ and Abbey Road.

That's on 8 October 2026
whatsonreading.com/venues/hexag...
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Poster for the the Bootleg Beatles "Five" with the number five, inside which are Beatles album covers

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 20h

Looking for something Fab? Maybe even Gear?

Basically, do you like the Beatles?

Because we've got two top fab four shows coming to town, almost a year apart...
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a group of men are posing for a picture and one of them is wearing a colorful shirt

ALT: a group of men are posing for a picture and one of them is wearing a colorful shirt

media.tenor.com

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What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 1d

Autumnal fun for all the family comes to Wasing Estate from 17 October.

Wander down the Estate’s enchanting woodland trail and be met by a life-sized fairytale pumpkin carriage - and stunning autumnal views. And PYO pumpkin, too!
whatsonreading.com/venues/wasin...

Poster for Pick Your Own Pumpkins and Woodland Trail 2025 with a photo of a carriage that looks like a pumpkin

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 1d

JUST ANNOUNCED!

Through A Different Lens's Film Festival will return to the Biscuit Factory on Saturday 8 November.

Expect a range of screenings, panel discussions and audience vote showcasing filmmaking and highlighting the independent film industry.
whatsonreading.com/venues/throu...

Through A Different Lens Film Festival poster with four still images of the films agasint a red background

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 1d

The lovely lot at @fourbearsbooks.bsky.social are being extra lovely again this Christmas

Fourbears Books @fourbearsbooks.bsky.social · 1d

In 2023 we opened on Christmas Day for anyone on their own. Food, drink, games and plenty of festive cheer. We're doing it again this Christmas Day. 10.30am-1pm. Spread the word so people know they can come to Caversham if they want some company.

Thanks to @garethpjones.bsky.social for the video.

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What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 1d

The @uniofreading.bsky.social have got a fair few public events coming up in the next month or so - three events for #BlackHistoryMonth (a panel discussion, community fete and talk with author and dynamic literary activist Bernardine Evaristo), plus a couple of public lectures!
buff.ly/oRlM6Mc

Stonehenge at sunrise with the words "Into the World of Stonehenge"

Event poster featuring headshots of the panelists

Poster for University of Reading's Black History Month Community Fete

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 1d

Halloween + Half Term = spooktacular fun for kids!

And a few new events and activities of that ilk have landed on the site, including pumpkin carving at Reading Biscuit Factory, a Halloween edition of Little Ravers at Popworld, and the town centre Creepy Creatures Halloween Trail!
buff.ly/F5jDNUP

Banner for Creepy Creatures Halloween Trail with a pair of cute cartoon monsters

Poster for Little Ravers event with a cartoon monkey

Photo of various people doing pumpkin carving on a big table covered in newspaper

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 1d

There's a lot of changes at The Hexagon at the mo, but at least some things stay the same!

The countdown to this year's panto - Beauty & The Beast - with Justin Fletcher, Paul Morse and Samantha Dorrance is officially ON!

(Oh yes it is!)

Book now via whatsonreading.com/beautyandthe...

Front entrance to the Hexagon with a massive panto poster

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 1d

The bars had better get plenty of red, red wine in...

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 1d

We Can't Help Falling In Love with @heritagelive.bsky.social - they've just announced UB40 ft. Ali Campbell will headline a big summer reggae party at Englefield Estate on 26 July next year.

Register now for the pre-sale on 15 Oct
General on-sale 16 Oct
whatsonreading.com/venues/herit...

Event poster featuring a black and white photo of Ali Campbell holding a guitar and red and yellow text on a green background

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 2d

Something a little different for @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social's first Hexagon show of the season on 8 Nov - a majestic array of operatic classics, including music by Puccini, Verdi and Gershwin, all performed by renowned soprano Francesca Chiejina.
whatsonreading.com/ClassicalMus...

Singer Francesca Chiejina, a black woman in a purple dress, standing in front of a brick wall with various plants in front of it

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 2d

Featuring @southstreetarts.bsky.social, @purpleturtlerdg.bsky.social, @readifolk.bsky.social and lots more places that are still, bafflingly, not here on Bluesky

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 2d

The weekend is pretty much here

The weekend gig guide is DEFINITELY here

And it is JAM-PACKED with jazz, punk, rock, folk, indie and much more!
whatsonreading.com/themes/weeke...

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Reposted by What's On Reading

South Street Arts Centre @southstreetarts.bsky.social · 2d

TONIGHT (Thu 9 Oct)! The brilliant Victoria Melody is here with 'Trouble, Struggle, Bubble and Squeak', her hit new theatre show directed by Mark Thomas.

A funny, insightful & inspiring show about everyday heroes, this is life-affirming stuff folks. Come on down! whatsonreading.com/trouble-stru...

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Reposted by What's On Reading

Stephen Graves @stephengraves.co.uk · 2d

🚨 TONIGHT! 🚨

🌞 THE SEVERED SUN + director Q&A 🌞

Thursday October 9th at 7:30pm, Reading Biscuit Factory

Folk horror fans, this is not to be missed!

🎟️ Tickets here 🎟️

www.readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk/movie/the-se...

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What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 2d

Nowt as choir as folk!
And our list of choral (and, indeed, carol) concerts is slowly building up as our local choirs prepare for autumn and Christmas concerts.

buff.ly/ERFgT71

Painting of Mozart and info about Reading Bach Choir's Mozart Mass in C Minor Come and Sing workshop

Poster for Reading Phoenix Choir's Singing For Autism concert, with an image of Douai Abbey

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 2d

Unfortunately, this Saturday's Stranger Flings show from the Scarlet Vixens is no longer going ahead.

But the troupe still have plenty of creepy cabaret fun planned for you this month! Hear all about it, and lots more coming up this spooky season, in our latest #podcast
whatsonreading.com/podcast

Smartphone playing the What's On Reading podcast

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 2d

Things are looking ship-shape at Woodley Light Operatic Society as they prepare to bring one of Gilbert & Sullivan's most famous works to the stage.

H.M.S. Pinafore comes to the Oakwood Centre on 3-6 December, including a Saturday matinee.
whatsonreading.com/venues/woodl...

Poster for H.M.S. Pinafore featuring an MS Paint-style rendering of a sailing boat

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 3d

Oh, and the ticket link is whatsonreading.com/venues/hexag...

Reading Arts Member's Priority Booking From Thurs 9 Oct, 10am
On General Sale Fri 10 Oct, 10am

Nigel Havers: Talking B*ll*cks

On Sale Fri 10 Oct, 10amReading Arts Member's Priority Booking From Thurs 9 Oct, 10am Well, I loved my first tour – and I think the audiences did too - so here we go again!

whatsonreading.com

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 3d

Nigel Havers is coming to town!
In just under a year's time!
But this preview from @cheeselogs.co.uk will hopefully keep you sated till then.

Cheeselogs @cheeselogs.co.uk · 3d

What's this? Nigel Havers Talking B*ll*cks?
The star is coming to The Hexagon next October - tickets go on sale this Friday via @rdgwhatson.bsky.social

Find out more with our preview - which includes words from the great man himself.
#rdguk cheeselogs.co.uk/2025/10/08/n...

Never mind the Talking B*ll*cks … here’s Nigel Havers: star plans hilarious 2026 Reading date - Cheeselogs

Tickets have just gone on sale for Nigel Havers’ brand-new live show Talking B*ll*cks, which brings his trademark wit, storytelling, and charm to The Hexagon

cheeselogs.co.uk

What's On Reading @rdgwhatson.bsky.social · 3d

Not long to go till Kala The Arts take over the town centre with music, performances, puppets, light and a lot of love.

Diwali: Light It Up comes to Reading on 18 November
whatsonreading.com/venues/kala-...