What's On

Displaying events between 01 October 2024 and 31 October 2024

AJ West YEOVIL LIBRARY EVENT
Follow Sunday Times bestselling, award-winning novelist AJ West as he guides you through the dark and fabulous underworld of Georgian London’s secret Molly houses. Meet the infamous Mother Clap and her flamboyant and outrageous mollies, learn about the very real dangers that lurked in the shadows of every backstreet drinking house, and listen to the touching true stories AJ discovered in the Old Bailey archives. A fun and friendly author with a rapidly growing fanbase, AJ will be able to answer questions about his extraordinary new novel and his equally surprising journey to international success as a writer. Dates: Sat 19 Booking and More Information
Alan Johnson Alan Johnson was a Labour MP for 20 years before retiring ahead of the 2017 general election. He served in five cabinet positions in the Governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown including Education Secretary, Health Secretary and Home Secretary. Alan's award-winning childhood memoir, This Boy, was followed by Please Mr Postman and The Long and Winding Road completing the trilogy. His highly acclaimed novels The Late Train to Gipsy Hill and it's sequel One of Our Ministers is Missing have firmly cemented him as a best-selling author. Alan will be talking about his new novel Death on the Thames and also his new book on Harold Wilson. Taking his writing career from fact to fiction to fact. Dates: Sat 26 Booking and More Information
Amy Jeffs In her beautiful new book Saints: A New Legendary of Heroes, Humans and Magic, Amy Jeffs, the Sunday Times bestselling author of Storyland: A New Mythology of Britain uncovers and analyses the strange and wonderful legends of saints and the window they provide into the medieval mind.
Numerous saints were held to have lived and performed miracles across Britain and beyond, from only decades after Christ's death, up to the eve of the Reformation. Today, stories of saintly heroes are all but forgotten, especially by the secular West. This is a wrong that art historian Amy Jeffs sets out to redress in this astonishing, beautiful study: she argues that we should treat saints’ stories with the reverence we treat myth or folklore.
Amy is an enthralling storyteller and authoritative voice on medieval lives and legends. Now a Somerset-based author, she illustrates her books with print and paper cutout. As well as Storyland she also wrote Wild: Tales from Early Medieval Britain which was published in 2022. Dates: Fri 25 Booking and More Information
An Evening of Burlesque Roll up, roll up. . . a scintillating night out of sparkling entertainment – the UK’s longest running burlesque show – is back touring the nation. And, it’s bigger than ever.
Join us for the good old-fashioned night out as we bring you the ultimate variety show, blending stylish cabaret, comedy, music, circus and burlesque to light up all your senses.
With world-class entertainers and stars of the stage and screen – prepare for an extravaganza of glitz and glamour! Expect fun, feathers and fabulous costumes as we pick from the finest selection of specialty artistes, cabaret and circus stars, comedians and champagne showgirls! It’s the perfect night for everyone.
An Evening of Burlesque is filled with artistic spectacle that has enraptured audiences for centuries. This sensational variety show brings together a bounty of beautiful stars for an unrivalled variety show for the 21st Century! Expect the unexpected with plenty of glitter and glamour! It’s cocktails and cabaret o’clock!
An Evening of Burlesque - we are waiting for you! Tickets on sale now!
Content is subject to change. Over-18s advised
 Dates: Sat 19 Booking and More Information
Andrew Child In Too Deep is the 29th Jack Reacher thriller, and the fifth in the universally acclaimed collaboration between Lee Child and his brother Andrew. As James Patterson puts it 'Two Childs are even better than one'.

How does their writing relationship work? How has Jack Reacher become such a huge brand? - It's said a Reacher novel is sold somewhere in the world every nine seconds. The books have been made in to films starring Tom Cruise and the recent smash hit No.1 Prime Video series.

Andrew Child, who has also written thrillers under the name Andrew Grant, is hot-footing it from his home in Wyoming to tell us all about it.

Please note that Lee Child will not be appearing at this event.
 Dates: Sat 26 Booking and More Information
Angela Harding Angela Harding trained in Fine Art at Leicester Polytechnic and went on to specialise in printmaking at Nottingham Trent University. She now lives in the small county of Rutland and works out of the studio at the bottom of her garden.
Angela has worked on the covers for a number of books: she created the image for the now-iconic cover of The Salt Path, her children's book for the RSPB has been longlisted for the Klaus Flugge prize and her work is regularly featured in magazines like Country Living, Countryfile and Gardens Illustrated.
Angela's unique and distinct style has become instantly recognisable to nature lovers and book lovers alike, gaining her a huge number of fans who flock to buy her merchandise including calendars, cards, tea towels, tote bags and jigsaws.
In her gorgeous new book, Still Waters & Wild Waves, Angela takes readers with her on her travels across rivers and seas, featuring beautiful paintings and prints, pages from Angela's personal sketchbooks and stunning photos. It is a joyful celebration of water and wildlife across Britain - perfect for art admirers and nature lovers everywhere. Dates: Sat 26 Booking and More Information
Ben Elton Following the huge success of Ben Elton’s critically acclaimed sold-out UK tour in 2019, which marked his return to live comedy after a fifteen year hiatus, the undisputed godfather of modern stand-up is going back on the road with his new show – Authentic Stupidity.

Ben says ’Since my last live tour a whole new existential threat has emerged to threaten humanity! Apparently Artificial Intelligence is going to destroy us all! Well I reckon our real problem isn’t Artificial Intelligence it’s good old fashioned Authentic Stupidity! Forget AI! It’s AS we need to be worrying about!'

Ben Elton first exploded into the national consciousness back in the 1980’s hosting Channel 4’s ground breaking Saturday Live and he's been setting the standard for gag filled, taboo busting, tonsil rattling, mind expanding stand-up comedy ever since!

Age restriction: 16+ Dates: Sat 26 Booking and More Information
Billy Billingham MBE: Always A Little Further Billy Billingham MBE QCB is as tough as they come. Chief Instructor on Channel 4’s  SAS: Who Dares Wins, Paratrooper, decorated SAS leader, and a bodyguard to Hollywood superstars, Billy has seen extreme combat and gruelling missions aplenty. Spend an extraordinary evening with him, as he shares his incredible, inspirational story.

For these exclusive live events, Billy will share stories of his astonishing experiences; from leaving school at 11 and running with gangs in Birmingham before joining the Royal Marine cadets and Parachute Regiment, to rising to the rank of sergeant major in the SAS and undertaking dozens of classified and extremely dangerous missions. He’ll consider the 20 years he spent serving in countless warzones, winning a commendation for bravery and being awarded an MBE by the Queen, before embracing the life of a bodyguard to celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Sir Michael Caine, Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe.

Finally, Billy will take us behind the scenes of SAS: Who Dares Wins, where he has gained a reputation for excellence, honesty and integrity, supporting his fellow DS, but also intimidating and inspiring the contestants who take on the demanding challenges each week.

Educating, entertaining, and enthralling in equal measure, and with the chance to pose your questions to the man himself, this event will inspire those wishing to seek a challenge and conquer it – the SAS way. Dates: Wed 16 Booking and More Information
Bridget Collins Bridget Collins is the international bestselling author of The Binding and The Betrayals. She is also the author of seven acclaimed books for young adults and has had two plays produced, one at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Bridget will be talking about her career and her brilliant new book, The Silence Factory, a breathtaking tale of a man whose search for silence leads him into a world on the edge of time and magic. Dates: Sat 26 Booking and More Information
Carol Klein Hortobiography
Carol Klein is one of Britain's best loved horticulturists, and for decades gardening has been her life. In her extraordinary memoir, she tells the story of her life through the gardens - and the gardeners - who have shaped her, from learning at her grandfather's feet to building award-winning landscapes at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Exploring why our gardens are so important to her - and to all of us - and how they bring joy, creativity and good health to our lives, Carol also offers irresistible insights on her favourite flowers and plants, and how to help them flourish. A story of a life lived happily amongst the greenery, this book is the perfect companion for anyone who has sought solace in the natural world. Dates: Sun 27 Booking and More Information
Celia Imrie An entertaining afternoon with award-winning actress and author Celia Imrie, star of such classic films as The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and soon to be seen in Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club. Celia is also a familiar face from her many stage and TV appearances.

She will be talking about her long and distinguished life in acting and her latest novel, Meet Me at Rainbow Corner, inspired by the resilience and camaraderie of women during the Second World War. Together with Fidelis Morgan, the book’s researcher, and with the help of letters and photos from the time, she will delve into the back ground of her heart-warming novel, where a group of courageous women find themselves working alongside GI soldiers, forging bonds that transcend borders and defying the ravages of war. Dates: Sun 27 Booking and More Information
Clare Chambers Clare Chambers’s first job after university was working for Diana Athill at André Deutsch. Her first novel Uncertain Terms was published in 1992 and she is the author of eight other novels. Small Pleasures, her first work of fiction in ten years, became a word-of-mouth hit on publication, was selected for BBC 2 Between the Covers book club and for BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime, and was selected as a Book of the Year by The Times, the Evening Standard, Daily Telegraph, Spectator, Metro, Red and Good Housekeeping. It also won Pageturner of the Year Award at the British Book Awards 2022 and was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2021.
Now she's back with Shy Creatures, a life-affirming novel about all the different ways we can be confined, how ordinary lives are built of delicate layers of experience, the joy of freedom and the transformative power of kindness. Dates: Sat 26 Booking and More Information
Codebreakers - The Story of Enigma This show by Dr Mark Baldwin is one of the Second World War's most fascinating stories is that of the Allied Codebreakers, who deciphered a vast number of German secret messages and used the intelligence so gained to hasten Allied victory.

The show is divided into two parts. It is followed by an opportunity for questions, then a hands-on demonstration of one of the very few surviving Enigma machines. Dates: Wed 23 Booking and More Information
Conn Iggulden Conn Iggulden is one of the most successful authors of historical fiction writing today. A former English teacher and a passionate advocate for the power of stories, Conn has written bestselling series on Julius Caesar, Genghis Khan and the Wars of the Roses, as well as two stand-alone novels: Dunstan, set in the red-blooded world of tenth-century England, and The Falcon of Sparta, in which he returned to the Ancient World. Both instalments of his Athenian series, The Gates of Athens and Protector, and his recent Golden Age series, Lion and Empire, are Sunday Times bestsellers. He has been described as ‘one of our finest historical novelists’ by the Daily Express.
Conn will be talking about his latest bestseller Nero, brimming with intrigue, danger and ruthless power games, the first instalment in a new trilogy that revolves around Empress Agrippina's ambitious project of turning her son Nero into the ruler of all Rome. Dates: Fri 25 Booking and More Information
Debut Fiction Panel: Matt Coyne, Jennie Godfrey & Samuel Burr Three debut authors come together to talk about their novels and the journeys they went on to getting their first book published.

Matt Coyne is one of the UK’s leading parenting bloggers with his ManVsBaby blog, that has amassed over 450,000 followers. He has also recently started a career in stand-up comedy, selling out his first tour - Trolls and Tribulations - across the country. Frank & Red is his heartfelt and hilarious debut novel.

Jennie Godfrey's debut novel was an instant Sunday Times Bestseller. Set in the late seventies The List of Suspicious Things is the the story of two 12 year old girls who set out to find out who the identity of the Yorkshire Ripper. It's moving, charming, heart-warming and heart-breaking.

Samuel Burr has developed and produced popular-factual shows including the Bafta-nominated Secret Life of 4 -Year Olds. A documentary he shot inside a retirement village when he was eighteen years old launched his career in TV and inspired his debut, The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, another sure fire Sunday Times bestseller.
Dates: Sun 27 Booking and More Information
Donal Ryan Donal Ryan is an award-winning author from Nenagh, County Tipperary, whose work has been published in over twenty languages to major critical acclaim. The Spinning Heart won the Guardian First Book Award, the EU Prize for Literature (Ireland), and Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards and was voted 'Irish Book of the Decade'. Donal lectures in Creative Writing at the University of Limerick.
His latest book, Heart, Be at Peace, is a standalone novel that can also be read as a companion to The Spinning Heart. In a small town in rural Ireland, the local people have weathered the storms of economic collapse and are looking towards the future. The jobs are back, the dramas of the past seemingly lulled, and although the town bears the marks of its history, new stories are unfolding... Dates: Mon 28 Booking and More Information
Fern Britton A broadcasting legend and national treasure, Fern Britton has been on our screens for more than 40 years and won numerous TV awards – she was a presenter on Ready Steady Cook and on This Morning from 1999 - 2009. Since then, Fern has discovered the joy of writing novels and is a highly acclaimed Sunday Times bestselling author, with 10 fiction
books and a memoir to her name. Fern’s books are cherished for their warmth, wit and wisdom and have won her legions of fans.

Fern had recently entered her 60s when a series of life-altering events threw her into the eye of the storm. Both her parents passed away, her 20-year marriage ended, and the pandemic was looming. Faced with an uncertain future, Fern decided that if she wanted to start over, now was the time. She moved to Cornwall, where she reconnected with her true self and instead of fearing getting older, she chose to create a glorious new life full of friendship, fun and adventure. Fern explores the joy and challenges of aging with warmth and humour. She reflects back on all she has learnt, from enduring tough times to embracing new opportunities and learning how to be kinder to herself.

In The Older I Get, join Fern as she candidly shares her experiences of grief and loss, rebuilding confidence and exploring new passions, as well as the importance of finding friends you can put the world to rights with over a couple of Cosmos.

 Dates: Sun 27 Booking and More Information
G's Dance: 18+ Heels Choreography A class that is purely one of a kind in the area. Slip into something that makes you feel WOW and come and rediscover how amazing you really are. These classes are all about fuelling that inner confidence, strutting your stuff, and dancing in ways (and heels) surrounded by nothing but support you’d only dream of on a Wednesday night!
Intermediate 18+
Teacher: Georgia Green Dates: Wed 09, Wed 16, Wed 23, Wed 30 Booking and More Information
G's Dance: Heels Core Technique For those dying to roll, twist, turn and drop in those heels BUT are potentially a bit nervous this is the class for YOU. Just as unique, supportive, and sassy as the Wednesday class, Core Technique is slower paced and all about building those foundations to get you ready for that next “step”.
Beginner 18+ Teacher: Georgia Green
 Dates: Thu 03, Thu 10, Thu 17, Thu 24, Thu 31 Booking and More Information
G's Dance: Mini and Me Mini & Me is a class designed for you and your little ones to fuse movement and precious moments together to all YOUR favourite tunes. No nursery rhymes here, just the latest greatest music and some dance steps that are easy enough for even your little walkers to copy.

Devised for you and your mini-me, 0-3 years of age, you can dance whilst wearing your baby in a carrier OR allow them to dance along themselves.
 Dates: Fri 04, Fri 11, Fri 25 Booking and More Information
G's Dance: Pro Weekly WERKshops A class that focuses on current and exciting dance styles for up and coming or passionate and re-igniting that flame performer! From Commercial to Jazz, MT to Lyrical this class will cover your dance wants and needs no matter where you are in life and career.
Intermediate 15+. Teacher: Georgia Green
 Dates: Wed 02, Wed 09, Wed 16, Wed 23, Wed 30 Booking and More Information
Hazel Prior We welcome back, festival favourite and the No.1 bestselling author, Hazel Prior. She'll be introducing Gone with the Penguins, the heart-warming and charming final chapter of Veronica McCreedy's story.
Still fiery and feisty at eighty-seven, Veronica, the very first Penguin Ambassador, is determined to prove that nothing is impossible when you put your mind to it. Eileen, Veronica’s ever-patient assistant, is content taking care of other people. But when a new adventure calls, it makes her question everything...Ten-year-old, penguin-obsessed Daisy can’t wait to be reunited with Mrs McCreedy in her huge house by the sea for the school holidays. When they discover that the local Sea Life Centre is under threat, the unlikely trio are determined to save it and the penguins that live there. Inspired by the penguins and fuelled by Darjeeling and finger sandwiches, they embark on an epic fundraising walk. But soon, their mission becomes so much more and it might just lead each of them to a new beginning... Dates: Fri 18 Booking and More Information
Helen Castor We welcome back medieval historian Helen Castor to the festival to talk about her new book, The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV. Richard had birthright on his side, and a profound belief in his own God-given majesty; beyond that, he lacked all qualities of leadership. Henry had everything Richard lacked, all the qualities of a sovereign, bar one: birthright. A king who was a tyrant was replaced by a king who was a usurper.

Her other books include the award-winning Blood & Roses, a biography of the fifteenth-century Paston family, She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth, which was made into a BBC2 TV series and Joan of Arc, which was dubbed 'a triumph of history' (Guardian). Dates: Sat 26 Booking and More Information
Her Honour Wendy Joseph KC Her Honour Wendy Joseph KC examines four gripping trials in her new book, Rough Justice. She excavates matching historical cases of murder and intrigue. But, as she compares these modern courtroom tales with eerily similar cases and miscarriages of justice from years ago, might the most chilling story of all be that the lessons of the past have yet to be learned?

From the trial of a child charged with disposing of dismembered body parts, to the woman accused of killing her own husband, Wendy sets out how our justice system works.

Until March 2022 Wendy was a judge at the Old Bailey, sitting on criminal cases, trying mainly allegations of murder and other homicide. She sat as a full-time judge from 2007 to 2022. When she moved to the Old Bailey in 2012 she was the only woman amongst sixteen judges, and only the third woman ever to hold a permanent position there. She was also a Diversity and Community Relations Judge, working to promote understanding between the judiciary and many different sectors of our community, particularly those from less privileged and minority groups. She mentors young people, from a variety of backgrounds, who hope for a career in law and has a special interest in helping women.

Her first book, Unlawful Killings, won the Crime Writer’s Association ‘Gold Dagger’ for Non-fiction and was a Sunday Times bestseller. Dates: Sat 26 Booking and More Information
Iain Dale Iain Dale - The Dictators. 4pm Sunday 27th October. Westlands Ballroom. Tickets £15 (fee £150)

Were the signs that Putin is a ruthless dictator there all along? How should we deal with President Xi of China? Given the world seems to be moving more and more in favour of authoritarian rule, this is the right moment to seek warnings, and lessons, from history.

The Dictators includes elected and unelected dictators, wartime and peacetime dictators, those driven by ideology and those with a reputation for sheer brutality. How did these tyrants, autocrats and despots seize power and how did they exercise it? And how did they lose it? Very few dictators die peacefully in their own beds.

Author and broadcaster Iain Dale has brought together 64 different authors - a mix of historians, academics, journalists and politicians - to write about 67 different dictators. The Dictators is acutely relevant to world politics today: it is indeed a warning from history.

Iain will be joined by businessman, philanthropist, politician, social reform campaigner and contributor to the book, Brooks Newmark.
 Dates: Sun 27 Booking and More Information
Janette Manrara Janette shares her own poignant stories, from her childhood in a large Cuban family in Florida and her decision to pursue a career in dance to her big break on So You Think You Can Dance and finally, Strictly Coming Dancing. Full of magic and glitter and joy, Tiny Dancer, Big World is a fun and practical guide for learning to embrace self-love and ambition and be your best self in every aspect of your life.

Whether you’re looking to boost your happiness, advance your career or manifest your big life goals, Janette’s delightful blend of advice, inspiration, and life lessons from her time on stage and screen is just what you need. Dates: Sat 26 Booking and More Information
John Nichol: The Unknown Warrior In an emotional personal journey, former RAF
Tornado Navigator and prisoner-of-war John
Nichol retraces the Unknown Warrior’s journey
home from the battlefields of Northern France
to Westminster Abbey. In this remarkable and
highly emotive theatrical experience, brought to
life with haunting visuals, and an arousing sound
scape, the audience will be taken back to these
explosive times and experience, the fervour of
those that have gone before us. Dates: Tue 22 Booking and More Information
Kaleb Cooper Kaleb Cooper is a farming contractor from Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. He is well known and much loved for becoming a breakout star of the Prime Video smash hit series Clarkson’s Farm.
In his new book, It’s a Farming Thing, the Sunday Times bestselling author shares the highs, lows and unexpected adventures of farming life, from wrestling with temperamental tractors to dodging the wrath of cantankerous cows and – after all that – why he still believes he has the best job in the world.
Kaleb’s latest book reflects his loveable, down-to-earth personality and his deep passion for farming, with dead-pan gags and unique observations that will have you crying with laughter. This is the unexpected and utterly hilarious story of how he came to be one of the biggest names in farming today.
Kaleb has been working in farming since he was at school and studied agriculture at Moreton Morrell College. To support the next generation of farmers, he has launched an agricultural bursary through the Royal Agricultural University and also released a charity single and music video, I Can’t Stand Sheep, to raise awareness of RABI. Dates: Thu 24 Booking and More Information
Kate Humble Much-loved TV presenter Kate Humble brings you her heartwarming new cookbook, Home Made, Along with a wide range of recipes, Kate also offers inspiring stories from 20 individuals who play a role in bringing food to our tables, from basket-weavers and apron-makers to blacksmiths and woodworkers; potters and glassblowers to fishermen and cheese-makers; farmers and chocolatiers to distillers and salters.

Home Made is perfect for anyone who cherishes good, sustainable food and wants to connect with what they are eating, celebrate local producers, and create delicious meals in the comfort of their own kitchen.

Kate Humble is a broadcaster and author of five books, including Thinking On My Feet, A Year of Living Simply, Home Cooked and Where the Hearth Is. A champion of the environment, nature conservation and rural affairs, she is president of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and founded Humble by Nature, a rural skills centre on her farm in Wales. Dates: Fri 25 Booking and More Information
Lesley Pearse Lesley Pearse is one of the world’s leading storytellers with numerous No.1 bestsellers to her name and fans who span the globe. A Lesley Pearse book is sold every 4 minutes in the UK and with sales of over 10 million copies, she has dominated the bestseller charts for the last 30 years. Yet Lesley’s success is all the more remarkable because her first book wasn’t published until she was 48, and until that moment, her life was more incredible than any fiction.

Told with Lesley’s trademark warmth, wit and poignancy, her autobiography The Long and Winding Road is the extraordinary story of a remarkable woman fighting against the odds to achieve her dreams, and finally winning. Dates: Sun 27 Booking and More Information
Lost In Music LOST IN MUSIC – The Original Disco Show!

Embark on an electrifying journey through the sensational 70s. Our world class band and dazzling vocals are set to transport you straight to the heart of disco fever.

Get ready to re-live timeless hits from icons like Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sister Sledge and Chic.

Dress to impress in your most fabulous disco attire as we pay homage to the golden age of disco. From the irresistible beats of “Never Can Say Goodbye” to the pulsating rhythm of “Boogie Wonderland,” we’ve got an unforgettable lineup that’ll keep you grooving all night long.

Don’t miss out on the feel-good show of the year – join us, lose yourself in the music, and leave your worries behind!
 Dates: Thu 31 Booking and More Information
Macbeth A full-scale production set in the murky Dark Ages where love, politics and
witchcraft collide.
A warworn Macbeth is told by three sisters that he is fated to become King
of Scotland so beginning a series of events that lead to the destruction of
Kings, friends and souls as he, and his Lady, try to cling to the tainted crown.
Enjoy this classic tale as portrayed by William Shakespeare with sorcery,
ghostly apparitions and spectacular sword fights!

Age Recommendation: 11+
Genre: Drama
Number of actors: 10
Running time: 145 mins approx.
Number of intervals: 1
Warnings: Use of haze throughout, intermittent flashing lights (not strobes),
loud noises, choreographed fights, use of stage blood Dates: Thu 10 Booking and More Information
Mania - The Abba Tribute 2024 Direct from London’s West End, MANIA is accepted as the world’s number one ABBA tribute production.

Dig out those platforms, dust down those flares, join in and party to all your favourite hits including ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘Voulez Vous’, ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Winner Takes It All’, and ‘Super Trouper’.
Dates: Fri 11 Booking and More Information
Martin Clunes Martin Clunes has been a familiar and much-loved face on our television screens since the 1990s. Alongside appearing in hit shows like Men Behaving Badly and Doc Martin, he has presented numerous documentaries from around the world including Lemurs of Madagascar, Islands of the Pacific and A Dog Called Laura.

Inspired by Martin's own adoption of a former guide dog, Meetings With Remarkable Animals celebrates the fascinating, moving and sometimes astonishing ways animals have enriched our lives. From search and rescue dogs to mine-sniffing rats, and life-saving dolphins to therapy horses and medal winning cats and pigeons, the stories brought to life will charm, surprise and astonish in equal measure.

Together with his own life-changing encounters with animals around the world, Martin has celebrated the intelligence, loyalty, and companionship of some truly
extraordinary creatures whose lives have been entwined with our own. By turns heart-warming, inspiring and always fascinating, Meetings With Remarkable
Animals gives us a chance to meet them too. Dates: Thu 24 Booking and More Information
Movement Through Cancer Movement Through Cancer is a movement and dance class taking place at Westlands Entertainment Venue in Yeovil, designed specifically for anyone undergoing cancer treatment, in recovery, and those affected by cancer. The sessions are led by a team of specially trained, friendly teachers, with support of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and The Octagon Theatre.
The creative dance and movement-based sessions are a chance to explore moving and dancing to music in a relaxed, uplifting and fun environment. Participants will be supported throughout with seated and standing options, plus time to connect and chat over a free cup of tea or coffee at the end of every session.
When: Monday's 1:30pm - 3pm
Where: Westlands Entertainment Venue, Yeovil, BA20 2DD
Summer Term: 22 April – 8 July (no sessions on 6 May, 27 May)
£4 suggested donation per week
For ages 18+
Spaces are limited so advanced booking is advised

Free Parking. Step-free access. A carer / partner / friend is welcome to attend with you for free.
Dates: Mon 07, Mon 14 Booking and More Information
Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers Join the celebration of Mugenkyo’s landmark 30th anniversary, with a very special show of big beats, visual treats & vital energy.

Taking the audience on a journey ‘in time’, a thrilling ride through their 30 years, the concert is a full theatrical experience, with dynamic choreography and heart-pounding rhythms contrasting with atmospheric soundscapes.

As Europe’s longest-established taiko group, Mugenkyo are widely recognised as the ground-breaking pioneers of this exciting art-form, thrilling audiences at thousands of performances worldwide, now returning with their first major UK tour in almost 5 years.

In the meantime, Mugenkyo have been busy on projects such as collaborating on the ambitious “World of Gods” with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, filming for the Hollywood film “Tin Soldier” in Greece with Jamie Foxx and Robert DeNiro, a 2-week run at the World Expo in Dubai, the BBC TV Tokyo Olympics, a 26-date run at the Adelaide Fringe, the “Fire & Light” site-specific project, regular online workshops & performances, along with rebuilding their purpose-built residential studio.

In 2024 they return to the road with an electrifying and uplifting performance of skill, stamina and soul, just ‘in time’ for this special Birthday Bash! Don’t miss it! Dates: Tue 29 Booking and More Information
Nikki May Set in modern-day Lagos and Somerset, two cultures collide in an entertaining and fast-moving tale of class, greed and prejudice that asks what does it take to truly belong?
Witty, warm, hugely entertaining, This Motherless Land bridges three decades and two continents, delving into the thorny territories of race and culture and belonging. At its heart is a story about love and how it can make the difference between surviving and thriving.
Born in Bristol and raised in Lagos, Nikki May is Anglo-Nigerian. Her critically acclaimed debut novel Wahala won the Comedy Women In Print New Voice Prize, and is being turned into a major BBC TV drama series. Dates: Fri 18 Booking and More Information
Octagon Inclusive Dance - Morning Class This is a creative class for adults with different abilities in Somerset. An inclusive contemporary dance class for disabled adults and their carers in Somerset, who are looking to learn new dance skills, improve fitness, have fun and move to music.
The sessions are fully inclusive and accessible with an emphasis on self-expression, fun and building friendships. The sessions are led and delivered by a professional team of artists and a dedicated support worker.
Carers can either take part in the session or are welcome to take some time out and relax in our Lounge Bar at Westlands.

If you would like a better idea of the type of activity and dance you will be taking part in at the sessions check out this video, where you will meet Anna’s integrated dance group called No Limits based in Bridport: https://youtu.be/jBzwRaTJir8

Venue: Westlands Entertainment Venue, Yeovil, BA20 2DD
Time: Tuesday’s 10:30am – 12noon
Age Group: 18+
Price: £5 per week
Teacher: Anna Golding & Mickey Bonome
 Dates: Tue 08, Tue 15, Tue 22 Booking and More Information
Octagon Junior Choir Dates: Wed 02, Wed 09, Wed 16, Wed 23 Booking and More Information
Octagon Lunchtime Tappers Time: 12:15 – 1:15pm Age Group: 16+ years Price: £5 per week

Teacher: Briony Brown

Venue: Octagon Theatre

Get those toes tappin' with these fun sessions, great for developing rhythm, co-ordination and keeping fit. For more information please contact Katey Leader: [email protected] Dates: Tue 01, Tue 08, Tue 15, Tue 22 Booking and More Information
Octagon Street Dance Juniors: Carrie Madgwick Time: 5 – 5:45pm
Age Group: 5-9 years
Price: £5 per week
Teacher: Carrie Madgwick
Venue: Octagon Theatre
Capacity per class: 16 Spaces
Energetic, lively, structured classes which improve fitness, flexibility, co-ordination, muscular strength and confidence. Learn the latest funky moves, routines and dance styles with all your favourite music. For more information please contact Carrie Madgwick on [email protected]. Dates: Thu 03, Thu 10, Thu 17, Thu 24 Booking and More Information
Octagon Street Dance Seniors: Carrie Madgwick Time: 6 – 6:45pm
Age Group: 10-16 years
Price: £5 per week
Teacher: Carrie Madgwick
Venue: Octagon Theatre
Capacity per class: 16 Spaces
Energetic, lively, structured classes which improve fitness, flexibility, co-ordination, muscular strength and confidence. Learn the latest funky moves, routines and dance styles with all your favourite music. For more information please contact Carrie Madgwick: [email protected].
 Dates: Thu 03, Thu 10, Thu 17, Thu 24 Booking and More Information
Octagon Teatime Tappers Time: 5:45 – 6:45pm Age Group: 16+ years Price: £5 per week

Teacher: Briony Brown

Venue: Octagon Theatre

Get those toes tappin' with these fun sessions, great for developing rhythm, co-ordination and keeping fit. For more information please contact Katey Leader: [email protected] Dates: Mon 07, Mon 14, Mon 21 Booking and More Information
Octagon Youth Dance Do you have an interest in Dance? Come and join our NEW Octagon Youth Dance for ages 12-18 stating in September. The weekly classes will teach you different styles and genres such as Commercial, Contemporary, Jazz, lyrical, Hip-Hop and Street, and is suitable for all abilities. No previous dance experience needed.
Our fun, engaging and inclusive classes will involve warm ups, techniques and routines that you can also use as you work towards performance opportunities. Over the weeks this will help you build your dance skills, strength and confidence in a safe and friendly environment.
Venue: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Time: Tuesday 5:30-6:30pm
Age Group: 12 - 18 years
Price: £5 per week
Teacher: Asha Pathy-Barker
 Dates: Tue 08, Tue 15, Tue 22 Booking and More Information
Octagon Youth Theatre: Juniors Octagon Youth Theatre (Juniors)
Be a part of The Octagon Youth Theatre’s Junior Company, where you’ll get opportunities to perform and be involved in performances both on and off stage. In our youth theatre sessions you’ll play lots of games, create and tell your own stories, develop characters, work from scripts and learn to work as part of a team and theatre company. Our sessions are designed to build confidence, and are the perfect opportunity to make new friends and have fun.
You don’t need any experience to join our Octagon Youth Theatre, just bring energy and a willingness to get creative. The emphasis is on being creative and on enjoyment, but also to be pushed to create something brilliant.
There are no auditions for taking part and everyone is welcome.
Westlands Entertainment Venue is fully accessible. Please let us know any access needs you have in advance.
Time: Thursday’s 5pm - 6pm
Age Group: 7 - 11 years
Price: £5 per week
Venue: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Sessions will be led by experienced facilitator, director and teacher Sarah Lowery.
Dates: Thu 03, Thu 10, Thu 17, Thu 24 Booking and More Information
Octagon Youth Theatre: Seniors Octagon Youth Theatre (Seniors)
Be a part of The Octagon Youth Theatre’s Junior Company, where you’ll get opportunities to perform and be involved in performances both on and off stage. In our youth theatre sessions you’ll play lots of games, create and tell your own stories, develop characters, work from scripts and learn to work as part of a team and theatre company. Our sessions are designed to build confidence, and are the perfect opportunity to make new friends and have fun.
Come and join our dynamic rehearsal room and learn how to devise original and exciting theatre from scratch. If you are aged 12-18, this is an excellent opportunity to push yourself to the next level. You don’t need any experience to join our Octagon Youth Theatre, just bring energy and a willingness to get creative. The emphasis is on being creative and on enjoyment, but also to be pushed to create something brilliant.
There are no auditions for taking part and everyone is welcome.
Westlands Entertainment Venue is fully accessible. Please let us know any access needs you have in advance.
Time: Thursday’s 6.15pm – 7.15pm
Age Group: 12 - 18 years
Price: £5 per week
Venue: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Sessions will be led by experienced facilitator, director and teacher Sarah Lowery.
Dates: Thu 03, Thu 10, Thu 17, Thu 24 Booking and More Information
Orlando Murrin After being flung into the culinary limelight as a semi-finalist on Masterchef, Orlando Murrin edited BBC Good Food for six years and founded Olive magazine; then switched track to become a chef-hotelier in SW France and Somerset.

He has written seven cookbooks and is President of the Guild of Food Writers. An ever-popular guest on TV and radio, he presents the BBC Good Food Podcast with Tom Kerridge.
From his grandfather, a Met detective who rose to become a crack MI5 interrogator, he inherited a fascination with crime and mystery...His first novel Knife Skills for Beginners was published earlier this year to rave reviews. Dates: Sun 27 Booking and More Information
Parkinsons Dance A fun and creative movement-based class, designed specifically to address the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

With support of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and The Octagon Theatre, classes are led by a team of two specially trained, friendly teachers, using the Parkinson’s Dance Science model that combines creative dance, research evidence and physiotherapeutic effect. Classes feature a variety of dance styles, focusing on: posture, strength, coordination, balance, creativity, suppleness and most of all, fun!

Participants will be supported throughout with seated and standing options, plus time to chat over a free cup of tea or coffee at the end of every session.

When: Mondays 10am - 11.30am
Where: Ridgway Hall, Staceys Court, Bow Street, Langport, TA10 9PQ
Summer Term: 22 April – 8 July (no sessions on 6 May, 27 May)

£4 suggested donation per week
Spaces are limited so advanced booking is advised

Free Parking. Step-free access. A carer / partner / friend is welcome to attend with you for free.

Classes are part of the Octagon Theatre’s Arts Engagement & Outreach programme. The Parkinson Dance Science Model was co-founded by Neuro-Physiotherapist Dr Sophia Hulbert and Dance Artist Aimee Hobbs with support from Pavilion Dance South West.

All bookings are subject to a £2 transaction Fee.
 Dates: Mon 07, Mon 14 Booking and More Information
Paul Kidby Paul Kidby brings his beautifully illustrated, full colour book giving insight into the inspirations behind Terry Pratchett's Discworld & the creative collaboration between himself and the author.
Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld shows how the Discworld was brought to visual life - from the earliest sketches to the final magnificent masterpieces - and how Terry and Paul absorbed influences from art and pop culture, fusing them into the Discworld landscape. Dates: Mon 28 Booking and More Information
Paul Sinha Paul is a beloved and perennial favourite of the nation's teatime, frequently attracting millions of viewers on The Chase, and has in recent years had a successful leap back onto the stand-up circuit, selling out his most recent acclaimed Edinburgh show Pauly Bengali.

As a boy, Paul struggled to find his place in a world where he didn't quite fit. Who was he? An over-achieving schoolkid with the world's knowledge at his fingertips? A traditional Bengali son, destined for a career in medicine that he never once craved. A young gay man yearning to breathe freely? Or was he yet another flawed human being on a self-destruct mission? Amid life's mayhem, it was frequently Paul's love of facts in which he found solace, whether funding his lifestyle through quiz machines or simply trying to show off to his mates. Stumbling serendipitously into both a career in stand-up and the clandestine network of competitive quizzers introduced him to a new sense of purpose, a new identity, and, eventually, new love... A hilarious and moving coming-of-age memoir of one man's search for fulfillment, One Sinha Lifetime is an unconventional odyssey through love, family, and the joy of general knowledge.

Ticket Only £15 - Ticket and Book £25 Dates: Fri 25 Booking and More Information
Rebecca Thorne Best-selling writer Rebecca Thorne will be coming to the library to talk about her new thriller, The Grief House. Ex-tarot reader Blue is untethered after the death of her vulnerable mother three years ago. In an attempt to confront her grief, and to begin to move on with her own life, she turns to Hope Marsh House. Molly and Joshua Park, the owners, offer a unique grief retreat and Blue commits to a week surrounded by others who understand. But everything isn't as it seems. A storm is raging outside and one of the guests has disappeared without a trace. And now there seems to be no prospect of leaving. Blue realises that everyone here has their secrets. And one of them is a killer. Dates: Sat 19 Booking and More Information
Richard Fortey Richard Fortey is a celebrated scientist, writer and television presenter with a long career in palaeontology at the Natural History Museum in London. Richard has published numerous books including The Hidden Landscape, Life, Trilobite! and his highly-acclaimed memoir A Curious Boy. He was elected President of the Geological Society of London and was awarded the geological Society Lyell Medal for significant contribution to geology. For over four decades he has indulged his passion for the study of fungi.
In Close Encounters of a Fungal Kind, Fortey leads us on a glorious literary journey, narrated through field trips to real places in search of the strangest, most extraordinary, or even most delicious fungi. Dates: Thu 24 Booking and More Information
Royal Marine Association Concert Band & Yeovilton Military Wives Choir The Royal Marines Association Concert Band & Yeovilton Military Wives
Choir are back together after 5 years away!
An evening of great music where the Band & Choir will feature Marches,
Overtures, Classical, Soloists, West End, popular songs and join together
for a powerful Last Night Of The Proms finale. Dates: Sun 20 Booking and More Information
Samuel Graydon Samuel Graydon - Einstein in Time and Space.
His face is instantly recognisable. His name is shorthand for genius. Today, he’s a figurehead as much as a man, symbolic of things larger than himself: of scientific progress, of the human mind, even of the age. But who was Einstein really?

The Times Literary Supplement's science editor, Samuel Graydon, brings history’s most famous scientist back to life. From his lost daughter to escaping the Nazis, from his love letters to unlikely inventions, from telling jokes to cheer up his sad parrot Bibo to refusing the Presidency of Israel, through the discoveries and thought experiments that changed science, Einstein in Time and Space tells 99 unforgettable stories of the man who redefined how we view our universe and our place within it. Dates: Sun 27 Booking and More Information
Scott Bateman An extraordinary insider account of the legendary Hercules jet from right inside the cockpit. In war, natural disaster, or humanitarian emergency, for over fifty years the
RAF’s Hercules force was the first in and last out of any crisis faced by the UK government around the globe. Instantly recognisable, the C-130 Hercules is synonymous with daring special forces missions like the legendary raid in Entebbe, and in RAF colours it has seen action on every continent on the planet including Antarctica, flying life and death missions in the Falklands, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and Sudan.
Scott has been a professional aviator all his adult life. He began working as an air loadmaster on C-130 Hercules in the RAF in 1990, then was selected to train as a pilot in 1997, serving in the RAF for 18 years. Following his military career he worked as a pilot and fleet manager for a large airline. He now blends his aviation career with a successful career as a television producer through his company, 9-Line Media. Dates: Sun 27 Booking and More Information
Sh!tfaced Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® A Midsummer Night's Dream

This year, Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® are pouring their legendary cock-eyed chaos into the Bard-shaped vessel that is A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Think drunken donkeys, fandangled fairies and mullered mechanicals… it’s hard to imagine anything more magical, right?

Each night, a rotating cast member will get genuinely spiffingly splifficated and attempt to perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream as you have never seen before. Making for a different show every night, nobody (not even the cast) knows in which direction the show will stumble. Come and get fuddled in the forest with us!

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® seek to remind theatregoers that life is brighter when you are being stupid.
14+ Dates: Wed 30 Booking and More Information
Sharon Jacksties Sharon has been a performance, community, and applied storyteller for over 30 years and is the author of 4 books published by The History Press. Sharon has storytelling teaching practice in the UK and abroad, regularly running courses at Halsway Manor, England’s only residential centre for the performing arts. Much of her work is focused on the stories of place and her latest book, History of the World in 100 Days, does just that. Dates: Fri 18 Booking and More Information
Sheila Hopkins Following on from Life on Location, local poet Sheila Hopkins will be launching her next two books, Dancing to Your Tune and Flowers in a Jar. Her poems are inspired by the people she meets, the places she finds herself in, life experiences, the Bible, and her unique reflections on life. Both are a delightful and engaging collection of poems for amusement, inspiration and reflection. Dates: Sun 27 Booking and More Information
Silver Swans Ballet Class: Emilie Woan Whether you’re an experienced dancer, have briefly dabbled, or are a complete novice, we welcome all older learners of any ability. It’s never too late to enjoy ballet, getting lost in the music and the movement, finding muscles you’d forgotten about. You’ll glide out of the studio feeling unstoppable.

For more information please contact Emilie Woan.

Venue: Westlands Entertainment Venue (This class is in person, following current covid guidelines.)
Time: 9.15am-10.15am
Age Group: 50+
Price: £6.00 per week
Teacher: Emilie Woan. Dates: Thu 03, Thu 10, Thu 17, Thu 24 Booking and More Information
Simon Armitage Please join the Poet Laureate for a very special evening of readings to celebrate his Sunday Times bestseller Blossomise, which brings new perspectives and energy to a timeless poetic subject.

From a crashed Ford Capri wrapped around the immovable trunk of a cherry tree, to saplings flourishing among skyscrapers and urban sprawl, the fizz and froth of the annual blossom display is explored here both as an exuberant emblem of the natural world and a nervous marker of our vulnerable climate.

Blossomise was commissioned by the National Trust and is a glorious collaboration between the Poet Laureate and the well-known illustrator Angela Harding. This unmissable evening will feature screen projections of the book’s stunning artwork alongside the poetry readings. Dates: Thu 24 Booking and More Information
Simon Reeve To The Ends Of The Earth Simon is an author and TV presenter, and one of the world’s most adventurous travellers. His unique brand of documentary film-making combines travel and adventure with current affairs, history, wildlife, culture and conservation. His journeys have taken him to more than 130 countries, across jungles, deserts, mountains and oceans, and to some of the most beautiful, dangerous and remote regions of the world.

In 2018 Simon’s first national theatre tour was completely sold out. Now he’s returning to venues across the UK with new tales and his new tour ‘To The Ends Of The Earth’.

On his new UK tour Simon will offer stories, surprises, thrills, deeper thoughts and hearty laughs. He wants to nudge and encourage audiences to get out of their comfort zone, take a few gentle risks in life, and embrace the great outdoors and the wider world.

With behind the scenes footage and stunning imagery, Simon will inspire and remind audiences that we all need more journeys in our lives, and plenty of wild experiences.
 Dates: Mon 21 Booking and More Information
Sir Ian Rankin JOHN REBUS SPENT HIS LIFE AS A DETECTIVE PUTTING EDINBURGH’S MOST DEADLY CRIMINALS BEHIND BARS. NOW, HE’S JOINED THEM…

Sir Ian Rankin is the multimillion-copy worldwide bestseller of over thirty novels and creator of John Rebus. His books have been translated into thirty-six languages and have been adapted for radio, the stage and the screen. In 2024, a new Rebus six-part TV series was broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Ian will be talking about his brand new Rebus novel Midnight and Blue.

Single ticket: £25 (includes a copy of the book) - Couples ticket £35 (two tickets and 1 copy of the book)
The book will be available to pick up on the evening. Dates: Thu 10 Booking and More Information
Somerset Graduate Dancers Join us for weekly dance sessions to build & create Contemporary performance pieces and explore a variety techniques and repertoire. As well as exploring choreography, these sessions will help dancers maintain flexibility and strength through yoga inspired practices.

These sessions aim to give Somerset Dancers an opportunity to continue training with other dancers from a range of backgrounds, make new friends, network and have fun!

The perfect mid-week class to keep your body moving and creativity flowing.


Venue: The Octagon Theatre (This class is in person, following current covid guidelines.)
Time: 7:15pm – 8:15pm
Age Group: 16+ years
Price: £6 per week
Teacher: Darcy Berkley / Natalie Hyde / Katey Leader Dates: Wed 02, Wed 09, Wed 16, Wed 23 Booking and More Information
Somerset Youth Dance Juniors: Katey Leader Calling all dance enthusiasts aged 8-12! Join the Somerset Youth Dance team for a fun hour of dance every Monday afternoon, learning a variety of dance styles such as Contemporary, Jazz and Street Dance. You will learn steps and techniques which will help form routines for exciting performance opportunities.

Participants will develop their own personal style, flare and creative ideas, helping them build confidence and self-esteem! Somerset Youth Dance Juniors is the perfect class for children to make friends and release some energy.

Somerset Youth Dance, Tiny Dancers & Octagon Tappers are run by Leaders in Dance, in partnership with The Octagon Academy.

Venue: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Time: Monday 4:45 – 5:45pm
Age Group: 8 – 12 years
Price: £5 per week
Teacher: Natalie Hyde
 Dates: Mon 07, Mon 14, Mon 21 Booking and More Information
Somerset Youth Dance Tinys: Katey Leader Calling all those 4-7 year olds who can’t stop dancing! Join the Somerset Youth Dance team for lots of fun dancing every Saturday morning, learning a variety of dance styles such as Contemporary, Street Dance & Jazz.

The children will learn steps and techniques which will help form routines for exciting performance opportunities. Their own personal styles and creative ideas are encouraged throughout, helping them build confidence and self-esteem! Somerset Youth Dance Tinys is the perfect class for children to make friends and have fun.

Somerset Youth Dance, Tiny Dancers & Octagon Tappers are run by the team from Leaders in Dance, in partnership with The Octagon Theatre.

Venue: The Octagon Theatre
Time: Monday 4.00pm – 4.40pm
Age Group: 4 – 7 years
Price: £5 per week
Teacher: Natalie Hyde
 Dates: Mon 07, Mon 14, Mon 21 Booking and More Information
Steeleye Span The band who have changed the face of folk
music over their fifty five years together, Steeleye
Span's new album Green Man Collection brings
together recent tracks with new versions of three
classics. As ever performing a selection of songs
from across the years and firm fan favourites. Dates: Fri 18 Booking and More Information
Sue Cleaver Sue Cleaver is an actor best known to millions for playing Eileen Grimshaw in Coronation Street, as well as appearing in Dinnerladies, Casualty, A Touch of Frost, and The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper. She took part in a I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2022, and is a regular panellist on Loose Women. She is currently touring the UK as Mother Superior in Sister Act. A Work in Progress is her first book – a call-to-arms for women as they get older to remember their value and hold on to their confidence, with Sue sharing experiences from her incredible life (many of which she has never spoken about before and will be revealed for the first time in the book) and advice (she is also a trained therapist). Dates: Sun 27 Booking and More Information
Susannah Walker Why is it radical for women to walk alone in the countryside, when men have been doing so for centuries? The Hard Way is a powerful and illuminating book about addressing this imbalance, reclaiming fearlessness and diving into the history of the landscape from a woman’s point of view.
Setting off to follow the oldest paths in England, the Ridgeway and the Harrow Way, Susannah Walker comes across artillery fire, concern from passing policemen and her own innate fear of lone figures in the distance: a landscape shaped by men, from prehistoric earthworks to today’s army bases.
But along the way, Susannah finds Edwardian feminists, rebellious widows, forgotten writers and artists, as well as all their anonymous sisters who stayed at home throughout history. They become her companions over 135 miles of walking, revealing how much, or how little, has changed for women now. Dates: Sat 26 Booking and More Information
Susie Dent Agatha Christie meets Countdown in the debut mystery novel from the genius of Dictionary Corner, Susie Dent.

Susie Dent is a writer and broadcaster on language. She recently celebrated thirty years as a co-presenter and the resident word expert on Channel 4's Countdown, and also appears on the show 's comedy sister 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Susie comments regularly on TV and radio on words in the news, and is the author of several non-fiction books on words and language. Guilty by Definition is her first novel, a love letter to the English language wrapped about an intriguing puzzle of a story. Dates: Sat 26 Booking and More Information
Terry Stevens The unlikely and incredible story of a small collection of Somerset villages whose residents contributed to exploration, trade and travel around the world and created a new global standard of sailcloth – the unmatched Coker Canvas.
Terry Stevens is originally from East Coker and a pupil at the old Yeovil Grammar School. Although living in Swansea he regularly returns to Yeovil as a life-time supporter of the Glovers and as a Trustee of the Coker Rope & Sail Trust (the group that has successfully restored the Dawes Twineworks in West Coker.) Dates: Sat 26 Booking and More Information
The Glam Rock Show: Get It On Get ready for a night of glam rock!
Girls grab your boys it’s time to go wild, wild, wild!
As we transport you back to the golden age of
Glam, with all the songs you know and love!
Starring son of Sweet Legend - Brian Connolly Jnr,
it’s time to Get It On! As our sensational cast and
live band recreate the soundtrack of a generation. Dates: Fri 04 Booking and More Information
The Octagon Choir If you love singing, then why not join our choir! Make new friends and generally have fun. The ability to read music is an advantage but is not essential, first and foremost we want people who love to sing. Venue: Westlands. Time: 7 – 9pm. Age Group: 14+ years. Price: £5 per week. Teacher: Adam Burgan. Dates: Mon 07, Mon 21, Mon 28 Booking and More Information
THUMKA: Bollywood Dance Title: THUMKA: Bollywood Dance
Price: £5 per week
Time: 5:15pm – 6:15pm (45min class)
Age: 18+
Teacher: Chhavi Gupta
Get ready to embrace this exciting new dance style. In addition to being gorgeous to watch, Bollywood is a fun and enjoyable dance style that can double up as a cardio workout. Bollywood dance is a fantastic workout with a feel-good factor. It’s great for everyone from all walks of life – whether your older, younger, a seasoned performer or a complete dance novice! Fancy giving it a go?
Come and join us at Octagon Theatre studio with Chhavi every week.
 Dates: Tue 01, Tue 08, Tue 15, Tue 22 Booking and More Information
Tom Mead & SJ Bennett 'in conversation' Tom Mead is the author of the critically acclaimed crime thriller novels Death and The Conjuror and The Murder Wheel. His Joseph Spector Locked-Room Mysteries have been critically acclaimed and longlisted for the Capital Crime and Historical Writers’ Association Awards. Tom’s fiction pays modern homages to the Golden Age and is filled with references for crime thriller fans to pick up on in this 21st century take on classic crime fiction. he'll be talking about his new novel, Cabaret Macabre.
Tom will be joined by S.J. Bennett who writes the bestselling, brilliantly funny and clever Her Majesty The Queen Investigates mystery series, The latest of which, A Death in Diamonds is set in late 1970s London featuring a young Queen Elizabeth II. Two bodies turn up, horribly murdered in Chelsea. The Queen finds herself unwillingly used as the alibi for somebody very close to her. She needs support from someone clever, discreet and loyal, someone she can trust. Then she meets ex-Bletchley Park code breaker, Joan McGraw, and their investigation into the murders begins in earnest . . .
 Dates: Sun 27 Booking and More Information
Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain A concert by the Ukulele Orchestra is an
unforgettable experience. A witty, quirky, irreverent,
joyful, foot-stomping obituary of rock & roll and
melodious light entertainment, all played on
the ‘bonsai guitar’. Add to this a menagerie of
voices, eccentric humour and a fusion of postpunk
energy with a hint of ‘afternoon tea’, and a
wonderful evening of entertainment is guaranteed. Dates: Thu 03 Booking and More Information
Vanessa Kisuule The debut work of non-fiction by award-winning slam poet Vanessa Kisuule, this is a love letter to the musicians we adore and an unflinching look at the costs of hero worship
As debates rage on about abusive public figures, Kisuule asks not just if we should separate the art from the artist, but how this moral conundrum informs the way we shape our relationships, families and notions of social justice. Neverland is both an ardent love letter to the music we love and an unflinching look at the costs of hero worship.
Vanessa Kisuule is a published poet, writer and performer based in Bristol. She has been featured on BBC iPlayer, Radio 1 and Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, and has written for Guardian, NME and Lonely Planet. Kisuule was Bristol City Poet 2018-20 and her poem on the historic toppling of Edward Colston’s statue ‘Hollow’ gained over 600,000 views on Twitter in three days. Dates: Fri 25 Booking and More Information
Vaseem Khan In this presentation crime fiction author, and festival favourite, Vaseem Khan is back and explores Agatha Christie’s life and writing, with an emphasis on how her work overlaps with the British empire and its turbulent end. Vaseem Khan’s Malabar House novels, set in 1950s India, employ both the Golden Age tropes made famous by Christie and historical events marking the end of the British time in India.
A firm favourite with his Inspector Chopra novels, he'll also be talking about his latest in the Malabar House novels, City of Destruction. Dates: Sat 26 Booking and More Information
Wayne Sleep Legendary ballet dancer and entertainer Wayne Sleep looks back on the extraordinary times he's lived through.

Wayne Sleep has danced with ballet legends Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn, partied with Freddie Mercury and performed with Princess Diana, becoming her close friend.
Behind the glitz and glamour, Wayne has always felt like an outsider. In this moving - but also laugh-out-loud and gossip filled - memoir, Wayne reveals the difficulties for a working-class, gay man in handling the prejudices of his generation and living through the Aids epidemic. Wayne was also the shortest principal dancer in the Royal Ballet - he had to spin twice as fast and jump twice as high to succeed. Dates: Mon 28 Booking and More Information
YAOS: Some Enchanted Evening An Evening of Musical Showstoppers.

Featuring The Octagon Choir - Musical Direction Gill Merrifield.

Come and spend an ‘enchanted evening’ with Yeovil Amateur Operatic Society performing songs from the world of Musical Theatre to live music under the musical direction of Gill Merrifield. From Gilbert and Sullivan to Rodgers and Hammerstein to Andrew Lloyd Webber and more. The show will also be featuring the wonderful Octagon Choir who will be performing medleys from their favourite musicals. Dates: Sat 12, Sun 13 Booking and More Information
YCAA: Yeovil Literary Prize Winners Meet and listen to some of the past Yeovil Literary Prize Winners reading extracts from their work and telling us about their exciting journey into the world of publishing. Dates: Sun 27 Booking and More Information

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