Latest news

All the latest news and updates from across the arts, culture and heritage community in Reading.

Reading Rep Theatre presents Guildford Shakespeare Company and Orange Tree Theatre’s productions of Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet

Reading Rep Theatre presents Guildford Shakespeare Company and Orange Tree Theatre’s productions of Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet

Reading Rep Theatre has partnered with Guildford Shakespeare Company to present their upcoming schools tour, an adaptation of Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet to schools in the Berkshire area as part of the theatre’s ENGAGE:10 project.

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Reading Rep Theatre announce full cast & creative team for first UK revival of Shakespeare’s R&J By Joe Calarco

Reading Rep Theatre announce full cast & creative team for first UK revival of Shakespeare’s R&J By Joe Calarco

Award-winning actor Elijah Ferreira will return to Reading Rep Theatre for the first UK revival of Joe Calarco’s queer play Shakespeare’s R&J, which will run from Wednesday 11th October – Saturday 4th November 2023

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Reading showcases 900 years of history as part of England’s heritage celebration

Reading showcases 900 years of history as part of England’s heritage celebration

From 8-17 September, Reading will be celebrating over 900 years of history with more than 30 free events as part of Heritage Open Days - a national celebration of history with free events all over the country. In Reading, there will be a programme of guided walks, talks, open days, arts and craft activities, music and even dressing up across the 10 days of the festival.

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Berkshire Maestros becomes Berkshire Music Trust

Berkshire Maestros becomes Berkshire Music Trust

Berkshire Maestros are delighted to announce that in line with their new vision, mission and values, they are rebranding as the Berkshire Music Trust this summer. They announced their new name at a Garden Party event, the culmination of their celebrations of having been an educational charity in Berkshire for 40 years.

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£13.7 million project to revitalise Hexagon Theatre reaches first major milestone

£13.7 million project to revitalise Hexagon Theatre reaches first major milestone

The ambitious Hexagon Theatre project will see the creation of an attractive, flexible and exciting new space for performances and community use. The Council today (Wednesday 12 July) announced the official appointment of the internationally renowned professional team who will support this major project moving forward.

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Berkshire Maestros fundraising to create musical opportunities for all

Berkshire Maestros fundraising to create musical opportunities for all

Berkshire Maestros are raising funds for Soundbeam equipment to create more musical opportunities for all in their music centres and across schools. Soundbeam creates endless opportunities for music making for students with disabilities including offering a chance for them to fully express themselves musically, often for the very first time.

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Reading Flies the Purple Flag Again in 2023

Reading Flies the Purple Flag Again in 2023

Reading town centre businesses are officially celebrating after receiving news that its vibrant night-time economy (ENTE) has been awarded the prestigious Purple Flag accreditation. The award, which is similar to the Blue Flag for beaches, aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm to 5am.

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Council Successful in Bid to Revitalise Hexagon and Central Library

Council Successful in Bid to Revitalise Hexagon and Central Library

READING Council has been awarded £19.1 million to revitalise Reading’s cultural offer by transforming the much-loved Hexagon Theatre and building a modern new Central Library. The Council is one of a number of local authorities to be awarded the money as part of the Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ funding pot, announced yesterday (Jan 18).

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Hours of taped talks with Samuel Beckett get new home

Hours of taped talks with Samuel Beckett get new home

Private recordings of playwright, novelist and poet Samuel Beckett, hidden away for three decades, have been donated to the University of Reading’s Beckett archive, the largest collection of materials relating to the Nobel prize-winning author in the world.

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Our Domain project submitted for planning approval

Our Domain project submitted for planning approval

The Our Domain Team is delighted to announce that the three-dimensional public artwork Mantlepiece is now being submitted for planning approval. The application represents the final stage in a collaborative and participatory art project that launched last October. 

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Reading Council wins prestigious national accolade for Reading Arts & Venues

Reading Council wins prestigious national accolade for Reading Arts & Venues

READING BOROUGH COUNCIL’S Sports, Leisure and Cultural Service team has been announced as the winner at the APSE, Association for Public Service Excellence Service Awards.

The national awards recognises the best and most innovative local authorities, focusing on the delivery of frontline services and seeks to celebrate those councils who are achieving excellent results in a wide range of different service areas.

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