10 of the best things to do in Peterborough this week

Katharine of Aragon Festival

Peterborough Cathedral and Peterborough Museum, January 23-26

Marking the anniversary of January 29, 1536, when Henry VIII’s first wife was buried at Peterborough Abbey. She lies here to this day. The Festival offers a lively programme of events for history lovers, children and families. There is the first ever performance of a Katharine of Aragon monologue by Lesley Smith, a talk about Katharine’s

daughter Princess Mary and her upbringing, by Melita Thomas, and Spanish artists will present A Homage to Katharine of Aragon

from Spain, with music, drama and dance performances .

Funhouse Comedy Club

Lightbox, Bridge Street, January 30

Topping the bill is Steve Shanyaski who, following his appearance last year on ITV’s ‘Comedy Rocks’ hosted by Jason Manford was asked to appear on the live show at Manchester Lowry for the Royal Variety Performance. Audiences never fail to be drawn to his excitable and genuinely warm persona. He’s like a hurricane appearing on stage full of energy and madness, and then proceeds to delight with his uproariously funny material.

Opening the night will be comedian and scriptwriter Sean Percival. His brand of comedy steers clear of the surreal and confronts realism in an explosively funny way. His down to earth act is bang up to date with its upfront attitude, no long stories, just gags galore.

Completing the line-up is Josh Baulf, with his warm and imaginative anecdotes. Compere for the night will be the cheeky and sociable Stevie Gray with his boundless energy and mix of news, music and comedy.

Info at www.funhousecomedy.co.uk

Cabaret

New Theatre, until Saturday

The hit West End show with an all-star cast brings 1930s Berlin to Peterborough.

read the review

Think Floyd

Stamford Corn Exchange, Jan 25

This extraordinary band, dubbed the Definitive Pink Floyd Experience, are renowned for their stunning celebration of the music of one of the world’s greatest musical phenomenon.

Following the hugely successful tour of The Wall in 2019, Think Floyd continue their celebration of this classic album with a new production for 2020 featuring a complete performance of the iconic album, as well as the whole range of classic Pink Floyd from the Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and much more.

Tickets on 01780 766455

Ruby Turner

Key Theatre, January 24

For many years Ruby Turner has been regarded as having one of the greatest voices the UK has ever produced. Her career to date has been sensational with major tours, film, TV and

theatre appearances.

Her first album, Women Hold Up Half The Sky was released to critical acclaim in 1986.

Tickets at vivacity.org

From The Jam

The Cresset, January 25

Featuring original Jam member Bruce Foxton, From The Jam will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of The Jam’s best albums - Setting Sons! Support comes from special guests The Vapors.

Tickets at www.cresset.co.uk

Peterborough Arts Cinema

John Clare Theatre, tonight

In Bait, Martin is a fisherman without a boat, his brother Steven having re-purposed it as a tourist tripper. With their childhood home now a get-away for London money, Martin is displaced to the estate above the harbour. This leads to a clash of cultures where traditional trades and lifestyles are threatened by the demands of a changing society. Director Mark Jenkin shot Bait on grainy 16mm black and white film stock with sound and dialogue added in post-production. Film critic Mark Kermode praised Bait as “...a genuine modern masterpiece, which establishes Jenkin as one of the most arresting and intriguing British film-makers of his generation.”

Starts at 7.30pm

Stamford Chamber Orchestra

Stamford Arts Centre, January 25

Warm away the winter blues with some wonderful Dvorak – his hugely-popular Serenade for Strings and Nocturne, along with Vaughan Williams’s blissful Oboe Concerto (soloist Katie Bennington) and Puccini’s Crisantemi.

www.stamfordartscentre.co.uk

Wellbeing Weekend

Sacrewell Farm, Jan 25/26

Explore the beautiful farm with a relaxing walk led by Hal Palmer, a BACP registered counsellor at 10am, 11.30am and 1.00pm.

Get involved at Sacrewell by planting a tree with enviromental group PECT at 11am-12pm and 1.00pm and 3.00pm.

www.sacrewell.org.uk

La Boheme (presented by The Royal Opera House)

Key Theatre, January 29

When Rodolfo, a penniless poet, meets Mimì, a seamstress, they fall instantly in love. But their happiness is threatened when Rodolfo learns that Mimì is gravely ill.

Rodolfo is painfully aware that he cannot afford the medicine and care Mimì needs, and so separates from her. As her sickness takes hold Mimì returns to Rodolfo’s garret.

Tickets at vivacity.org