The Alter Eagles are an experienced, authentic Eagles tribute band. Formed in 2003, they perform the whole repertoire of Eagles tracks, from tasteful country rock – complete with full harmonies – through to hard rocking numbers, showcasing the Eagles’ trademark duelling electric guitars. The current set comprises material from 35 years of Eagles’ performances, up to and including 2007’s Long Road Out Of Eden. Lauded for their accuracy, the Alter Eagles are a tribute to the Eagles, pure and simple and in a typical two hour set play many of the band’s greatest hits, including ‘Hotel California’, ‘Desperado’, ‘Life In The Fast Lane’, ‘How Long’, ‘Lyin’ Eyes’, ‘Take It Easy’ and ‘One Of These Nights’.

The Simon & Garfunkel Story continues to stun audiences across the globe, making it a must-see international sensation. Using huge projection photos and original film footage, the international hit show also features a full live band performing all the hits including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound and many more.

As Take That celebrate over 30 years as the UK's number one boy band, The Take That Experience mark over a decade together as their most popular and recognised tribute act. With acclaimed vocal performances, stunning replica costumes and iconic dance routines, The Take That Experience recreate the magic of Take That live on stage with their ‘Greatest Hits Tour’. This incredible show features hit after hit from Take That’s career spanning three decades - from classic 90s hits through to their most recent triumphs. Songs include Pray, Relight My Fire, Patience, Shine, These Days, Rule The World and Amore. This show is a must for any Take That fan as the boys don’t just give you a night you’ll Never Forget… they give you The Take That Experience!

Re-live the sounds of the swinging sixties, as Britain’s No. 1 tribute show brings alive the magic of the sixties with their tribute to over twenty five bands of that era. The show encompasses everything from that period, from the clothes that were worn, to flashbacks from television history, including: TV programmes, adverts and even clips from the original bands. The Counterfeit Sixties presents a showcase of the great bands of this unforgettable time. The fantastic music of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Dave Clark Five, The Kinks and The Monkees - to name but a few – all recreated in this stunning show. The band members have performed their unique tribute shows all over the UK and abroad, and have a wide range of experience in that field. The members of the band have individually worked with notable sixties’ artists such as The Searchers, The Ivy League, The Fortunes, The Tremeloes and many more. Join us for a night of sixties nostalgia!

Our Most Prestigious Line-Up Yet LIVE at Southwold Arts Centre! Presented by WCB Comedy Were bringing you a blockbuster night of stand-up with a line-up you wont want to miss! Headliner: the incredible Russell Kane! You already know how brilliant he is, but heres why Russell is one of the UKs top comedy stars: Multi-award-winning comedian, presenter, actor, author, and scriptwriter, Russell Kane is a regular face on Channel 4, BBC, and ITV. From Live at the Apollo, The One Show, The Apprentice: Youre Fired, and Michael McIntyres Big Show, to hosting the hit podcast Evil Genius (soon to be a BBC Studios TV show), Russell is a force of nature on stage and screen. He recently wowed crowds headlining at Latitude, Reading, and Leeds and now hes coming to Southwold Arts Centre! Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Melbourne Comedy Festivals Barry Award winnerRussell made history as the first comedian to win both in the same year! PLUS on the bill Roger Monkhouse sharp, intelligent, and effortlessly funny, Roger is one of the most respected voices on the circuit. Laura Lexx star of Live at the Apollo and Mock The Week, Laura is as witty as she is warm, with a natural knack for winning over any room. MC Justin Panks your wonderfully mischievous host for the night, guaranteed to get the room fired up from the get-go.

The Paul McCartney Project An evening of music, written by Sir Paul McCartney and spanning over 70 years, is performed by The Paul McCartney Project. Featuring songs from an enormous back-catalogue, the band perform hit after hit, including those from his time with The Beatles, Wings and solo career. Paul M (vocals, keys & guitars), Crazz (guitars), Mick Rose (keyboards & vocals),Dave Osborne (bass guitar& vocals) and Bill Brooks (drums, samples & vocals)bring a collective experience of almost 250 years, and having performed many musical styles, in many tribute and original acts from opera to punk and everything in between, have trodden the boards in support of, and with, the likes of Paul Garrack (Mike & the Mechanics), The Levellers and Sam Brown. A full light and video show enhance the performances of Live and Let Die, Bandon the Run, Another Day, Let em In, Silly Love Songs, Helen Wheels, Yesterday, Ive Just Seen a Face and The Frog Chorus.... ok, not The Frog Chorus, but many, many more. Join us for a night to remember!

Chest out! Shoulders back! Southwold, your moment approaches! WCB Comedy invites you to a night of magnificence and mirth at Southwold Arts Centre! Good people of Southwold! You are hereby summoned to an evening of uproarious amusement as WCB Comedy presents a line-up fit for royalty. Headlining: the splendid Troy Hawke! Greeters Guild ambassador, motivational juggernaut, and the moustachioed sage of the modern world. Troy is an award-winning gentleman whose comedic exploits have bewitched audiences far and wide winner of Leicester Comedy Festivals Best Show, two-time Perth Weekly Comedy Award champion, and lauded by GQ as one of the Top Ten Comedy Shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. Expect timeless 1930s sophistication fused with delightfully modern absurdity as Troy tackles everything from IKEA labyrinths to high street psychology. But wait, dear Southwoldians, there is more Paul Tonkinson quick-witted, high-octane storytelling from a Michael McIntyres Comedy Roadshow favourite and bona fide Time Out Comedian of the Year. Expect charm, energy, and a flurry of laugh-out-loud moments. Tony Law the uncontainable master of surrealism. Tony is a joyous tornado of unfiltered genius, a true original, and a cult favourite with Edinburgh Comedy Award credentials. Master of Ceremonies: Justin Panks your fearless comedic guide for the evening. Expect razor-sharp banter, bold spontaneity, and the kind of mischievous energy that could make even a statue smirk. A seasoned MC who whips audiences into an uproarious frenzy. An assembly of comedys finest, under one majestic roof courtesy of WCB Comedy. Chest out, shoulders back, and prepare for a night that will echo through the corridors of Southwold folklore.

Supersonic Queen are here to Rock you. Wyrley Music and Promotions brings you this five piece fully live tribute performing all the hits and all the majesty of Queen. Phil Copping is one of the most authentic Freddie Mercurys in the business, supported by a top class band that do the music justice. This is a night not to be missed, so get ready to be entertained, and sing along to all the anthems. This will be a supersonic night!

A fresh biography of Michelangelo, who is considered one of the greatest artists of the Renaissance. This film explores his relationship with his contemporaries and his immense artistic practice that included painting, sculpture and architecture. The documentary coincides with a glorious new exhibition at the National Gallery of London.

Ahoy Sailors! Old Time Sailors is a flashmob musical show designed to take the audience back in time through an unforgettable trip to the 19th century. The crew is composed of 17 musicians playing fully unplugged to ensure the most authentic experience. Over 40 songs and tunes where the audience will sing and dance surrounded by drunken Sailors, witnessing an astounding show! Join us and become an old time sailor; and have a truly memorable night out!

Capturing the authentic sound and spirit of The Greatest Rock n Roll Band In The World, NOT THE ROLLING STONES have played festivals, theatres and private gigs throughout Europe, the middle east and the UK. Featuring the best Mick Jagger lookalike you will ever see, the band will take you back to the Golden Age of The Stones- from Satisfaction to Sympathy for the Devil...You won't believe it's not Jagger!

The show includes a complete performance of the 1977 classic album "Bat Out Of Hell". in its entirety - as well as songs from other Meat Loaf albums and other artists - penned by musical genius Steinman. Meat Loud cover many of the songs from the Meat Loaf Back catalogue as well as some of the Steinman classics by Bonnie Tyler, Celine Dion and Cher. SO BUCKLE UP AND GET READY FOR A RIDE INTO HELL

Roll over Beethoven, because the greatest tribute to Jeff Lynne's Electric Light Orchestra is here! In an all live show featuring soaring strings, striking vocal harmonies and playing all the much loved songs from ELO's hit-filled library including Evil Woman, Telephone Line and Don’t Bring Me Down. The ELO Encounter promises a night filled with rock, roll and Blue Skies that would make even Mozart mambo and Bach boogie! So Hold On Tight because Rock and Roll Is King in a show that is guaranteed to have you partying All Over The World. Not only flawlessly recreating the wonderful music of ELO, it’s a spectacular live show from start to finish. Stunning lights and special effects create an atmosphere that will have you fully immersed in the whole experience. As the ELO Encounter reel off ELO classic hit after hit, it’s guaranteed to have the hairs on the back of your neck dancing in time to the music!!

T The Roy Orbison Experience The Roy Orbison Experience, the UKs newest and most authentic tribute to the music of Roy Orbison, one of Americas most famous voices. The Roy Orbison Experience is a celebration of the music of Roy Orbison, fronted by the incredible voice of Oliver Harris, who has appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe, the West End and many theatres across the UK. With a live band dedicated to faithfully replicating the iconic sound, it is guaranteed to be an experience that audiences and fans of Roy will not want to miss. This is no tongue in cheek look-a-like or impersonation, but rather a special unique live performance passionately replicating the unrivalled voice, sound, style and vision of Roy Orbison. Oliver Harris and his Roy Orbison Experience bring you on a musical journey celebrating the rock n roll hall of fame and 6-time grammy award winning Big O, telling his story and we invite you to experience the classic voice of Roy Orbison with us. Youd never expect five young musicians from Yorkshire to sound more like Roy Orbison than Roy himself Backed by a fabulous band, youll be taken from the rockabilly Sun Record years, his chart topping 60s hits, right through to the Traveling Wilburys era. Featuring all the Classic hits including: Pretty Woman, Crying, I Drove all Night, You Got It, Only the Lonely, In Dreams, California Blue, Handle With Care along with many of Roys iconic ballads, famous covers and rock and roll classics in a sensational 2 hour theatre show. Orbison's music, like the man himself, has been described as timeless, so join us and relive the operatic magic of the man they nicknamed The Caruso of Rock.

Maid In Britain The Ultimate British Rock celebration show taking you on a nostalgic journey through each epic era (60s / 70s / 80s).Featuring your favourite hits from Queen, Zeppelin, The Who, Purple, Whitesnake and many more, this explosive show is accompanied by stunning lights and retro video. Performed by a line up seen alongside Slade, Skidrow, FM and Graham Bonnet, this unmissable show is perfect for all ages!

The Silhouettes are unique amongst tribute bands in providing an authentic Shadows show which includes acoustic renditions of hits such as Guitar Tango and Nivram. The show includes all the group’s number one hits (Apache, Kon Tiki, Wonderful Land, Dance On and Foot Tapper) and 14 other top twenty hits.

THE TALES OUR MOTHER TOLD! by Pat Whymark "What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive" At their mother's memorial service, estranged brothers Brian and Dennis Cox remember the tales she told them as children - and as adults. Some were fables of homespun wisdom, some were her own versions of the grimmest fairy tales. Did they help the brothers in their life path, or did they make the forest darker and the way less clear? Were her stories just for fun, or a kind of smokescreen, an enchanted mist that enticed them to strange parts, then left them without Google maps? Untangling the web of her imagination could either bring the brothers closer, or shatter their uneasy peace for ever. Common Ground are committed to keeping small-scale theatre alive and well in East Anglia, presenting shows that are, first and foremost, entertaining. Featuring live music, performed by our company of skilled actor-musicians, our productions are theatrically inventive, character-based and always emotionally engaging.

MATT After two completely sold-out performances last year, MATT returns by popular demand now touring venues across Norfolk and Suffolk. Based on the real-life story of writer, director and lead actor Peter Dewar, MATT is a raw, real, and thought-provoking journey through depression, addiction, and the fight to survive. It dives headfirst into the darkness unflinching, emotionally charged, and painfully honest. But this is more than just Matts story. Its also about the devastating impact mental illness can have on the people who love him the partner left in silence, the parents consumed by fear and helplessness. Praised as brutally honest, a masterpiece of resilience, and unforgettable, MATT is a powerful, emotional, and ultimately hopeful piece of theatre that dares to speak the truth. One night. One fight. One story that stays with you. Last years tickets sold out fast book now to avoid missing out. Over 18s only contains mature and emotionally intense themes.

Vincent in Brixton ~ by Nicholas Wright Open Space Theatre Company In 1873 the young Vincent van Gogh rented a room in a suburb of London while he was being trained for a career as an art dealer. Wrights play premiered at the National Theatre traces the transforming effects of love, sex and youthful adventure on Van Goghs still unfound talent as a painter.

Milton Jones is an award-winning British comedy virtuoso whose delightfully surreal one-liners and offbeat observations have earned him a devoted cult following. A regular fixture on Mock the Week and Live at the Apollo, hes also the creative force behind acclaimed BBC Radio series such as The Very World of Milton Jones and Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! His razor-sharp wit, absurdist scenarios and impeccably timed puns combine to create a uniquely hilarious experience that leaves audiences howling with laughter long after the final punchline. Were incredibly lucky to have him headlining our nighttickets will fly off the shelves and sell out fast. Dont miss your chance to witness Miltons inimitable genius live on stage! This fantastic comedy club night will also include the very best from the UK Comedy Circuit. More announcements very soon.

Ann Cleeves Ann Cleeves is the multi-million copy bestselling author behind TV series Shetland, Vera, and The Long Call. Her first Shetland novel, Raven Black, won the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger for best crime novel, and Ann was awarded the CWA Diamond Dagger in 2017. She was awarded the OBE in 2022 for services to reading and libraries. Ann will be talking about her writing including her new book 'The Killing Stones. Tickets are 25 including a signed copy of her new Jimmy Perez novel The Killing Stones (a 10 ticket talk only ticket can be bought with each 25 one) and are available from Southwold Library 01502 442817 or www.ticketsource.co.uk/southwoldlibrary

Oasiz are one of the UK’s most authentic tribute bands, a point proved in 2023 when a short clip of front man Steve, performing as Liam, went viral on social media with over half a million views. Many fans were convinced the clip was actually of Liam Gallagher himself, which led to the story being covered in the national press, as well as a high profile TV appearance later that year. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of (What’s the story) Morning Glory, Oasiz are embarking on a 2025 UK tour and this is your chance to see them in top form. The setlist will pay homage to the most memorable parts of Oasis’ record breaking 2nd album and will also include all the big hitting career spanning anthems that you would associate with a greatest hits tour.

SOUTHWOLD JAZZ CLUB ~ John Etheridge's Blue Spirits with Vimala Rowe Guitarist John Etheridge enjoys a huge reputation in the jazz world. A dizzyingly virtuosic master of his instrument, he is one of a handful of players who can claim to have helped shape the character of modern jazz guitar, and has been described by legendary fellow fretsman Pat Metheny as one of the best guitarists in the world. His career has seen collaborations with classical guitarist John Williams, the groundbreaking jazz-fusion collective Soft Machine and he was the longstanding guitarist of choice for jazz icon Stephane Grappelli. The Blue Spirits Trio demonstrates Etheridges love of the combination of electric guitar and organ. As befits the groups name, the bluesier side of Johns playing is to the fore, but also elements of swing, some fiery funk and soulful ballads. Vimala Rowe is a jazz vocalist but also an award-winning original composer, a sometime rap artist, and a world musician trained in Hindustani classical techniques. Her 2016 collaboration with John Etheridge Out of The Sky won plaudits for its sweeping musical horizons (The Guardian) with refined jazz and blues mingling with tantalising touches of flamenco, Indian classical and African tones. The latest in a long line of Etheridges distinguished collaborators, this is a deft and expressive line-up thats steeped in the jazz tradition but unafraid to look outside its boundaries. John Etheridge's Blue Spiritshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eH0Xamipks John & Vimala https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzFLEC7RSTw

SOUTHWOLD JAZZ CLUB ~ Jazz At The Movies: A Swinging Xmas Celebrating 11 sell-out years at Ronnie Scotts, this festive jazz entertainment is the perfect way to swing into the holidays.This sublime seasonal jazz has been an annual sell-out for a decade at Ronnie Scotts, Pizza Jazz Club Soho, the RAHs Elgar Room and concert halls throughout the UK. Featuring an ever-evolving festive repertoire delivering a feel-good stocking-full of 20th century holiday classics and curiosities, A Swinging Chrismas is a unique blend of irreverence, poignancy and jazzy joy. Fronted by acclaimed singer Joanna Eden (The UKs answer to Norah Jones and Diana Krall TIME OUT) and featuring the groovy sounds of the Chris Ingham Quartet (One of the finest combos in the country JAZZ JOURNAL). Jazz At The Movies: A Swinging Christmas gathers jazzy festive favourites as made famous by Ella, Eartha, Frank, Doris, Dean, Bing and a whole gang of cool celluloid cats and hip Hollywood chicks. An enchanting show rich with anecdote, sophistication and swing, it was described by one audience member as pure joy. Watch a video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIhM kYER10

SANTA'S CHRISTMAS SHOW Brand New Show for 2025! Join Santa & his team for fantastically festive treat of a show. So take a journey to the North Pole where you will meet the manic team of Elves that keep the Workshop running! Also there be a special appearance from Rudolph and of course Santa will be there making sure all goes to plan. Our Santamime is suitable for all ages, there is something for everyone, plus there will be a photo opportunity with Santa & a gift for every child!

Steemy Dan Making a welcome return to Southwold Arts Centre, this dynamic 10 piece will once again be Reelin in the years performing a selection of songs from the canon of Steely Dans legendary catalogue including such wonderfully crafted classics as Rikki dont lose that number, Josie, Peg, Haitian Divorce, Do It Again, Kid Charlemagne & many more including a few tasty deep cuts ! Having been described as the closest you can get to the original thing the Band have also received praise from legendary session guitarist Elliot Randall who played on many of Steely Dans original recordings including the seminal guitar solo on Reelin in the years. In recent years Bob Cushing ( Founder, Bassist and Lead Vocalist ) along with David James ( Keyboards ) have also performed live on stage with Brit Award winner, Rag n Bone Man. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= dsdmeJRgd0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl1nvWeLS6c

Science Activity Week ~ SURPRISING SOUNDS This workshop covers a lot of science through a range of investigations and experiments. Looking at the transfer of vibrations into sound in our ears. Workshop contents and finish times may vary, please ask. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult Tickets: 3.00 per person per workshop

Science Activity Week ~ LOVELY LIGHT You will investigate light absorption and lasers, using a range of specialist equipment. Through a brilliant range of hands-on investigations you will discover the 7 colours that lightis made of. Workshop contents and finish times may vary, please ask. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult Tickets: 3.00 per person per workshop

Science Activity Week ~ LIGHT & ELECTRICITY You will investigate light using prisms and torches to see the colours of light. You will also experience static electricity and fibre optics. As well as working with circuit boards. Workshop contents and finish times may vary, please ask. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult Tickets: 3.00 per person per workshop

Science Activity Week ~ FORCES You will see different types of forces and experiment with air pressure, gravity, magnetism and friction. You will explore forces needed to lift items and launch rockets. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult Tickets: 3.00 per person per workshop Workshop contents and finish times may vary, please ask.

Science Activity Week ~ HALLOWEEN ANIMAL SHOW Whilst hearing a Halloween story you will come across certain characters. This is where you will interact with animals of different kinds. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult Tickets: 3.00 per person per workshop Workshop contents and finish times may vary, please ask.

Science Activity Week ~ SPACE You will look at planets and their positions from the sun and discuss their individual features. You will also hear about comets, Saturns rings and the international Space Station. You will also experience how astronauts take measurements and conduct experiments. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult Tickets: 3.00 per person per workshop Workshop contents and finish times may vary, please ask.

Science Activity Week ~ HALLOWEEN SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS This could include the following; Making elephant toothpaste using years and warm water, Making a lava lamp with water, oil and colours, Alternative ways to blow up balloons, Piercing a balloon without it bursting. Workshop contents and finish times may vary, please ask. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult Tickets: 3.00 per person per workshop

Tickets gives you entry to : Robert Ashton: 10.00am Sophie Hannah: 11.30am Wendy Holden : 2.00pm Unreserved seating.

Tickets gives you entry to : Rebecca Bishop: 10.00am Heidi Swain: 11.30am John Boyne: 2.00pm Ben Aaronovitch: 4.00pm Unreserved seating.

Tickets gives you entry to : Alison Weir: 5.00pm Unreserved seating.

Robert Ross is a comedy historian, who has many published books including biographies of Sid James and Peter Sellers, as well as the Monty Python Encyclopedia. He has also toured a number of 'comedy history' shows, including 'Oh, What A Carry On!', 'Christmas Crackers', and 'Forgotten Heroes of Comedy'. He was a close personal friend of Terry Jones and is very proud to be writing his authorised biography. Python, actor, director, popular historian, national treasure, purveyor of sincere silliness - this is the story of the one and only Terry Jones. In an intimate portrait penned by the close friend Terry chose to write his memoir, Seriously Silly is the story of one our greatest comedy legends. Taking in his major successes as well as his personal battles, it is the whole story, from his start as a war baby in the picturesque coastal town of Colwyn Bay, to meeting his lifelong friend Michael Palin at Oxford and the journey that took him on a convoluted pathway through revue sketches, anarchic children's shows, Monty Python, TV presenting and beyond. It reveals the fiery debates and creative genius of the pythons, as well as Terry's extraordinary determination and resilience - even in his final years as he battled with the dementia. Unreserved seating.

Frank and the Beans The Best Soul Band In Suffolk. Bringing their infectious brand of soul to the Southwold Arts Centre for the first time, this promises to be a night to remember. Expect all your favourite soul songs from, Stevie Wonder, Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett and many more. Lorded as the top ticket on the soul circuit Frank and the Beans will have you out of your seat from the first beat to the last note. Yes there will be dancing!

Richard Negus is a former soldier and horseman. He is now a professional hedgelayer, conservationist, and author. His writing champions the people, work, wildlife and beauty of the countryside, and can be found in publications including The Critic, Scribehound, The Daily Telegraph, Sunday Express and Country Life. Richard is recognised as one of the country's leading exponents and practitioners in rotational hedgerow management and rejuvenation. Fellow Countryside Writer, John Lewis-Stempel, describes him as "The hedgerow's one true champion". Words from the Hedge is a passionate evocation of the history, beauty and importance of our hedgerows by a craftsman who has been laying hedges for almost three decades and has the scars to prove it. Hedges are as old as civilisation and as emblematic of the British countryside as chalk streams, hay meadows and oak trees. But unlike woodland and rivers, farmland hedges remain on the periphery of the public consciousness, often going unnoticed and almost always underappreciated. Wielding his pen as deftly as he does a billhook, professional hedgelayer Richard Negus takes us on a journey that reveals these ribbons of thorn and barb are so much more than mere decoration or boundary markers. They are essential for much-needed wildlife recovery. And yet, no hedge is truly 'wild'; each one is a testament to generations of human skill and labour, requiring ongoing maintenance to survive and thrive. Written with vigour and humour, as well as rare insight and honesty, Words from the Hedge is a timely exploration of how we can use hedges to make the British countryside a place where nature has a home. Unreserved seating.

Sophie Hannah is a Sunday Times, New York Times and Amazon Kindle UK No. 1 bestselling writer of crime fiction, published in forty-nine languages and fifty-one territories. Her books have sold millions of copies worldwide. In 2023, Sophie won the Crime Writers Associations Dagger in the Library Award. No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have Done is the gripping new thriller by Sophie Hannah & it tells the shocking story of the Lambert family, whose extreme & controversial actions stun their community, raising questions about morality, loyalty, & human behaviour. Unreserved seating.

Dr Alison Weir is the biggest-selling female historian (and the fifth best-selling historian) in the UK since records began in 1997. She has published thirty-two titles and sold more than 3 million books - over a million in the UK and 2.2 million in the USA. She is now working on two concurrent series of books: the Tudor Rose trilogy of novels about Elizabeth of York, Henry VIII and Mary I, and England's Medieval Queens, a quartet of historical works of non-fiction. Her novel The Cardinal came out in May 2025 explores the rise of Thomas Wolsey, who was Henry VIIIs chief adviseruntil the king accused him of treason. And in Queens at War, the fourth in her non-fiction series on Englands Medieval Queens published September 2025, Alison Weir chronicles the five queens who got caught up in wars that changed the courses of their lives: the Hundred Years War between England and France, and the Wars of the Roses between the royal Houses of Lancaster and York. Unreserved seating.

Jasper Fforde spent twenty years in the film business before debuting on the New York Time Bestseller list with 'The Eyre Affair' in 2001. His 18th novel, 'Dark Reading Matter', will be published in the UK/USA in 2026. Fforde's writing is an eclectic mix of genres, which might be described as a joyful blend of Comedy-SF-thriller-Crime-Satire. He freely admits that he is fascinated not just by books themselves, but by the way we read and what we read, and his reinvigoration of tired genres have won him many enthusiastic supporters across the world. Amongst Fforde's output are police procedurals featuring nursery rhyme characters; a four-book series for Young Adults about Magic and Dragons set in a shabby world of failing magical powers, 'Shades of Grey' (2011) a post-apocalyptic dystopia where social hierarchy is based on the colours you can see, 'Early Riser' (2018), a thriller set in a world in which humans have always hibernated, and 'The Constant Rabbit' (2020), an allegory about racism and xenophobia in the UK. Red Side Story is a sequel to 2011s Shades of Grey, set in a world where your position in society depended on what bit of the colour spectrum you could see. Eddie Russett (a Red) and Jane Grey (a lowly Grey) have been framed for murder and as they fight to survive, they uncover hidden truths about their society, challenge its rigid rules, and stumble toward the mystery of what really happened to the world centuries ago. Blending satire, romance, and dystopian adventure, its equal parts absurdly funny and sharply thought-provoking. Unreserved seating.

Born in 1938, Neil Lanham grew up in post-war Britain, shaped by the hardships and traditions of rural life. Following the early loss of his father, Neil was raised by a determined mother in Newmarket and steeped in the stories of Suffolk farming folk, whose tales and resilience would guide him throughout his life. His formative years working on his grandfathers Red House Farm in Kersey ignited a lifelong curiosity which led him to become one of the UKs most successful auctioneers, uncovering hidden treasures and achieving more than 100 world record prices in the days before the internet and mobile phones. In I Bid You Farewell, Lanham charts an era of remarkable change in Britains auction houses, from the austere post-war years through the booming era of the 1980s, explaining the psychology behind the prices caused by dealers and collectors seemingly discovering lots in this rural backwater and reveals the full story behind each extraordinary price. It also highlights how Neil was able to nimbly react to rapidly unfolding new markets, caused firstly by Harold Wilson devaluing the pound and then Margaret Thatcher, where bigger auction houses couldnt. It is a true insight into the secrets of the auctioneers mind. Through tales that span decades from measuring in muddy fields to the genteel halls of East Anglias estates I Bid You Farewell chronicles the quirks, scams, camaraderie of auctioneering to highlight not only the evolution of that world, but also the deep-rooted traditions of a rural Britain that has all but vanished. The title I Bid You Farewell comes from an old Suffolk tale a nod to the humour and warmth that runs throughout Neils writing. Now aged 87, Neil sees this work as his final offering, a swansong that not only tells his personal story but preserves the spirit of rural community life for future generations. a must-read for anyone who cherishes the heritage of the English countryside and the colourful characters who shaped it. Unreserved seating.

Robert Ashton lives near the Suffolk coast, in the town where he grew up. He worked on local farms in his teens, studied agriculture at college and spent the first decade of his career selling fertiliser. His interest in George Ewart Evans dates back to his early teens, when his parents bought him a copy of Ask the Fellows who Cut the Hay. Already an established business author, Robert graduated from the UEA with a Creative Writing MA in 2020. A Quaker, Robert is driven by a strong sense of social justice and has helped establish a number of social enterprises. Where Are the Fellows Who Cut the Hay? is an ode to rural life, charting traditions of the past, how they were lost and why we need to reconnect. Exploring the relationship between everyday items and the communities that make them, Robert Ashton provides a snapshot of twenty-first century England. Where are the people who grow barley, milk cows and produce wool? How have their farming methods become less ethical, sustainable and natural over time? And what are we doing today to reverse that change? Inspired by George Ewart Evanss Ask the Fellows Who Cut the Hay, Ashton gives voice to local people and travels rural Suffolk in search for innovation, interweaving his own personal connection to Evans and to the land. Part memoir, part social history, Ashtons thought-provoking book is a manifesto for why, against all odds, we need to step back in order to progress. Unreserved seating.

Wendy Holden was a respected journalist and war correspondent for the Daily Telegraph. She is the author of more than thirty-five non-fiction titles and three novels featuring remarkable men and women, many of which are international bestsellers and several of which have been adapted for film, TV, and radio. Her books include Born Survivors, the bestselling story of three mothers who hid their pregnancies from the Nazis, now published in twenty-four countries, and the No.1 bestseller Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day, the memoir of Captain Sir Tom Moore. Assiduously researched and drawn from archives and survivor testimonies, in The Teacher of Auschwitz historian and biographer Wendy Holden tells the inspirational and uplifting true story of Alfred "Fredy" Hirsch, a young Jewish teacher and athlete who risked everything to protect children in Auschwitz. In 194344, he created a childrens block inside the campa tiny oasis where kids could learn, sing, draw, and laugh, even as death loomed outside. Fredy, just 27 and openly gay, used courage, discipline, and compassion to shield hundreds of children from despair. He secured food, insisted on cleanliness, and filled their days with hope. Though he died in 1944 at age 28, survivors remembered him as their guiding light. Wendys novel, based on survivor testimonies and archives, is heart-wrenching yet uplifting, a testament to resilience, humanity, and resistance in the darkest of places. Unreserved seating.

Sarah Perry is the internationally bestselling author of the novels Enlightenment, Melmoth, The Essex Serpent and After Me Comes the Flood, and the non-fiction Essex Girls. She is a winner of the Waterstones Book of the Year Award and the British Book of the Year Award. Enlightenment was longlisted for the Booker Prize 2024 and her other work has been nominated for major literary prizes including the Womens Prize for Fiction, the Dylan Thomas Prize, the Folio Prize and the Costa Novel Award. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Sarah Perry's father-in-law David died in the autumn of 2022, only nine days after a cancer diagnosis. Until then he'd been a healthy and happy man: he loved stamp collecting, fish and chips, comic novels, his local church, and the Antiques Roadshow. He was in some ways a very ordinary man, but as he began to die, it became clear how extraordinary he was.Sarah and her husband Robert nursed David themselves at home, eventually with the help of carers and visiting nurses. They bathed and cleaned and dressed him, comforted him in pain, sat with him through waking and sleeping, talked to him, sang to him, prayed with him. Day by day and hour by hour, they witnessed what happens to the body and spirit as death approaches and finally arrives. Death of an Ordinary Man is an unforgettable account of this universal aspect of life. It is not a book about grief: it is a book about dying, and it is a book about family, and care and love. Unreserved seating.

There Will Be Tinsel ~ Stories & Poems about Christmas With a record player playing Christmas songs, a stage covered in Christmas lights and tinsel, this is the perfect show for nights out in December. Festive poems and stories that have proved popular at Christmas shows across the country by theatre-maker and Radio 4 regular John Osborne. Bring your family, work colleagues and friends for a special night in December. From the creator of hit theatre show John Peels Shed. Stewart Lee is a big fan of Johns wonderful storytelling, and you will be too.