What’s on Bedford: 9 – 19 February 2023

Your weekly what’s on guide for Bedford and the surrounding area from The Bedford Clanger.

Never miss a thing in Bedford ever again. From theatre to film, live music to art exhibitions, The Bedford Clanger what’s on guide lands every Thursday and is the only guide you need to know what’s on and what’s happening across the Borough for the next 10 days.

Friday 10 February 2023

Live music: Ben Ottewell (Gomez)
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm
Tickets: £15

Ben Ottewell, singer and lead guitarist in rock band Gomez, is well known for his unmistakable voice and talent for blistering and inspired guitar solos. Rolling Stone declared, “Gomez’s not-so-secret weapon is Ben Ottewell.” And as GQ Magazine once wrote and anyone listening can attest, “[his] voice is not of this world.”

Ben Ottewell proffers hope and promise accompanied by sublime acoustic and slide guitars, and that’s something we can all use.

Friday 10th February 2023

Live Music: Cameo & Mark
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm
Free Entry

Cameo & Mark make their debut at The Cellar Bar for an evening of fantastic vocals. Cameo appeared on The Voice in 2020 and turned the heads of Ollie Murs and Sir Tom Jones – they have good taste!

Saturday 11 February 2023

Live music: Saturday organ recital
St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square @ noon
FREE with retiring collection in aid of church funds

St Paul’s monthly Saturday organ recitals featuring Martin Monthly Saturday organ recitals12 noon,  Noble (HM Chapel Royal, St James’ Palace).

Saturday 11 February 2023

Bedford Sings: Sing Together
St Paul’s Church Workshop 3pm – followed by public concert 7.30pm
Admission £5

To launch the Bedford Sings programme, inspirational choir-leader Greg Link (Apollo 5) is going to lead over two hundred singers from Bedford choirs as they work together, perform and learn new songs.

The choirs include: Alive and Singing, Bedford Choral Society, Rock Choir, Cantamus , Carers Choir, Come and Sing, First Tuesdays, Fusion Choir, Opus 18, Sharnbrook Community Choir, Unisong, and lots of secondary schools.

Saturday 11 February 2023

Charity: Jumble Sale
Pavenham Village Hall @ 2pm
Admission: £1

Find some great bargains at the jumble sale at Pavenham Village Hall in aid of Pavenham Women’s Istitute (WI). All the usual stalls and there are bound to be some great bargains.

Saturday 11 February 2023

Theatre: Intruz/Intruder
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £10

A young Pole moves to Scotland from Poland to pursue his dreams to become an actor. When he is about to fulfil his dreams, he is confronted with a few traumatic events.

Having already been a victim of crime in Poland, he develops the Intruder, an imaginary figure that takes its toll on the protagonist’s mental health. In the meantime, police arrest the perpetrators that the protagonist decides to meet.

Age Guidance 14+

Saturday 11 February 2023

Live music: Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan + Field Lines Cartographer + Polypores
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £8.50

Live Music: Extra Mile
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm
Free Entry

Local covers band ‘Extra Mile’ play a set of rock and indie covers, alongside some surprising classics, promising an evening of sing-along classics and foot to the floor rock tones.

Saturday 11 February 2023

Music: The Ultimate Commitments & Blues Brothers Experience
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £16

In a show that has been described as “absolutely amazing” and “truly authentic”, take a trip down memory lane as you hear the best songs from The Commitments and The Blues Brothers in a full live-band experience.

Get your dancing shoes on, as Jake and Elwood meet Deco and Jimmy in a fantastic experience where Chicago Blues meets Dublin Soul. The stage show includes state-of-the-art audio-visual effects as well as iconic scenes from both cult-classic films.

Definitely, a show not to be missed.

Sunday 12 February 2023

Children’s Theatre: Breathe
The Quarry Theatre @ 1.30pm and 3.30pm
Tickets: from £12

Find the epic in the tiny from the perspective of an acorn. An extraordinary journey from the perspective of an acorn; the hectic forest floor, thrumming underworlds, and dazzling heights of icy branches.

Beautifully realised through puppetry, live camera work, and live ethereal folk songs. Discover bizarre larger-than-life fungi, connecting creaking tree roots, and majestic guardians watching over a delicate cycle.

Join three storytellers as they lead you through an enchanting experience like no other. Find the epic in the tiny in this celebration of trees, nature, and finding space in a buzzing community.
Age guidance: 5+

Sunday 12 February

Sing Bedford: Sing Praises
St Andrews Church @ 6pm

The choirs of St Andrew’s Church and St Paul’s Church will sing this centuries’ old service of evensong together.

Sunday 12 February 2023

Live Music: Open Mic Night
The Cellar Bar @ 7.30pm
Free Entry

Mat Roberts hosts the weekly Open Mic nights at the newly opened Cellar Bar on Bedford High Street. So whether you think you are the next Tom Grennan or just want a good night of entertainment, you know where to go.

Monday 13 February 2023

Classical music: Bedford Sings presents – Choir Concert featuring Bedford Choral Society and Youth Choir Bedford
St Paul’s Church @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £5 on the door

Conducted by Ian Smith, Bedford Choral Society is the seventh oldest in the country and has been bringing choral pleasure to thousands of people since 1867. Youth Choir Bedford is one of the newer choirs in Bedford, conducted by Naomi Jones. As part of the Bedford Sings festival, both choirs will be performing at St Paul’s church.

Monday 13 February 2023

Described in the Guardian as “an essay in acceptance and love”, Ali & Ava tells the story of a friendship, built on a mutual love of music, gradually deepening into something more as the couple struggle to overcome their respective familial entanglements and prejudices.

Tuesday 14 February 2023

Wednesday 15 February – Friday 17 February 2023

Workshop: Movie Live – The Greatest Showman
The Place Theatre from 9.30am each day
Tickets: £45 for 3 days (inc food)

Join the Place Team this half term for an immersive and interactive journey like no other, in a three-day workshop for young people aged 13-17.

This February The Greatest Showman will be used for inspiration; creating scenes, characters, moments and lots of cool snippets inspired by this incredible movie.

There will then be performances before, after and even during the film screening on Friday 17 February in a cinematic-live hybrid experience to a real audience. Expect a fast-paced, fun workshop including singing, dancing, immersive theatre, acting and – of course – top hats!

Wednesday 15 – Saturday 18 February 2023

Brace yourselves sisters!! – the habit is coming to Bedford this February!

Don’t miss this eagerly anticipated production of the Broadway and UK smash hit musical Sister Act, performed by The Bedford Marianettes.

Disco diva Deloris’ life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found – a convent! Encouraged to help the struggling choir, she helps her fellow sisters find their true voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.

Featuring original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted) and songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, this heavenly musical is joyous and uplifting in equal measures. A musical sent from above, Sister Act is the brilliant, must-see show which raises the spirits and warms the soul time after time.

Children: Jackastory
The Place Theatre @ 10.30am
Tickets: Pay What You Can

Listen to members of The Place team read their chosen children’s stories and discover some new favourites of your own. You are welcome to bring your own book suggestions with you too. Each session runs for forty-five minutes to an hour, with a break for refreshments.

This will be a very relaxed event with young and old, being invited to join the readers on the stage in an intimate and friendly atmosphere, on a mound of comfortable cushions!

(Aimed at 2-5-year olds, but all ages welcome)

Wednesday 15 February 2022

Film: Cinema @ 3 St Peter’s presents – Roman Holiday
3 St Peter’s Street @ 7pm
Tickets: £12/£10.50/£9/£6

Overwhelmed by her suffocating schedule, touring European princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) takes off for a night while in Rome.

When a sedative she took from her doctor kicks in, however, she falls asleep on a park bench and is found by an American reporter, Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck),who takes her back to his apartment for safety. At work the next morning, Joe finds out Ann’s regal identity and bets his editor he can get exclusive interview with her, but romance soon gets in the way.

Thursday 16 February 2023

Heritage: Spring re-opening
Panacea Museum @ 10am – 4pm every Monday – Saturday
Free entry

Discover the incredible story of the Panacea Society at this fascinating museum, just off Bedford’s beautiful Embankment.

The museum looks behind the scenes at this remarkable religious community formed in the early twentieth century.

For 90 years, members of the society quietly lived, worked and worshipped God in their community.

Although they took care to reveal little about themselves to outsiders, the society’s name became familiar to many people beyond Bedford through their national advertising campaign to open ‘Joanna Southcott’s Box’ a curious cultural icon of inter-war Britain.

The museum re-opens for 2023 featuring a mix of events and temporary exhibitions as well as permanent displays on the history of the Panacea Society, the ‘Garden of Eden’ and a cosy tea shop.

Thursday 16 – Saturday 18 February 2023

Family fun: Half-term trails 
The Panacea Museum @ 10am – 4pm
Free entry

Fun trails for all the family, spot objects around the Panacea Museum and gardens.

Thursday 16 February 2023

Thursday 16 February 2023

Bunyan Meeting, Mill Street @ 7.45pm
Tickets: Adult £18, Student (full time, 18-25) £5, Young person (under 18) £3

As part of the Bedford Sings festival, the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge and conductor Graham Ross return to Bunyan Meeting with a spectacular choral programme, ‘Attired with Stars’. William Byrd’s masterful Mass for four voices is interwoven amongst works from Monteverdi and Rachmaninov to Pärt and Freya Waley-Cohen, including Howells’ St Paul’s Service and James MacMillan’s masterpiece, Miserere.

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Thursday 16 February 2023

Theatre: Learning to Fly
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £10

A new show from James Rowland featuring his captivating mix of theatre, comedy and music.

LEARNING TO FLY sees James tell the story of a remarkable friendship he made when he was a lonely, unhappy teenager with the scary old lady who lived in the spooky house on his street.

It’s about connection, no matter what the obstacles; about love’s eternal struggle with time; about music and its ability to heal. It’s also about her last wish: to get high once before she dies.

Uplifting, big-hearted and hilarious, this brand-new show is touring following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh festival.

Friday 17 February 2023

Family fun: Bedford Sings presents – Mini Mozart
Putnoe Heights Church @9.30am

Mini Mozart offers fun and interactive live music classes for toddlers and babies, getting children actually listening, not just hearing.

They interact with Mini Mozart’s live musicians in a way that is impossible with recorded music! Mini Mozart is led by Bedford-based musician Lottie Greenhow, (one of the founders of Bedford Sings) who brings classes to life with her violin and harp and local pianist, Andrew Longland-Meech.

Friday 17 February 2023

Music: Bedford Sings presents Music for Memory (M4M) and Promethidion
St Paul’s church @ 2 – 4pm

M4M(Music for Memory) is Tibbs Dementia Foundation’s community music therapy service for people living with
dementia/memory loss and their families/friends. As part of the Bedford Sings festival, Promethidion, a group of young Polish singers will be joining M4M in their national costume – a beautiful sight and sound!

Friday 17 February 2023

Film: The Greatest Showman
The Place Theatre @ 6pm
Tickets: Pay what you can (from £2)

This hybrid screening of the mega-hit musical will include performances before, during and after from children who have taken part in the Place Theatre’s half-term Greatest Showman workshop.

The film is the story of American showman P.T. Barnum, founder of the circus that became the famous traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

It celebrates the birth of show business and tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation and embraces diversity in all its forms.

Friday 17 February 2023

Live Music: Shakila K
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm
Free Entry

We’re so happy to welcome Shakila K. to The Cellar Bar, bringing a mix of original and cover songs. She has previously released a charity single for Help for Heroes, raised money for victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster and has performed at a range of venues including Club Wembley and the Royal Albert Hall, as well as a number of festivals.

Saturday 18 – Sunday 19 February 2023

Theatre workshops: Fairytales & Myths workshop for Y2 & 3 and Y 4 – 6
The Place Theatre @ 9.30am and 1.30pm
Tickets: £7.50

Join Standing In The Wings and rediscover some classic fairytales – with a modern twist!

Using century-old stories, you will explore where the stories came from, how they developed into the stories we all love and how we can perform them today.

Open to school years 2 and 3 in the morning and years 4-6 in the afternoon, tutors will develop storytelling skills as well as creativity, communication and teamwork skills.

Saturday 18 February 2023

Folk Music: The Joshua Burnell Band
The Place Theatre @ 8pm
Tickets: £14

Having cut his teeth playing folk festivals throughout the UK and releasing his critically acclaimed arrangements of traditional songs, Joshua now returns to his original songwriting roots in his brilliant acoustic trio.

With music ranging from stomping, acoustic sing-alongs, Bowie-esque music hall epics, and alt-pop singles – whilst keeping a sharp focus on the traditional themes – Joshua is fast carving out his own unique corner of the genre.

Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February 2023

Children’s Theatre: Pinocchio
The Quarry Theatre @ various times (including BSL signing @ 11am on Sunday 19 February)
Tickets: from £12

Acclaimed puppet director Steve Tiplady as Geppetto, uses the objects of a carpenter’s workshop to tell the tale of the puppet that wants to be a real boy, and the puppet-maker who wants to be a real father.

Pinocchio is carved on stage, brushes become a fox and the shadow of two saws transforms into a giant shark. An element of improvisation makes each performance unique to its audience.

Puppetry, shadows, illusion and especially composed music combine to create a show with something for all ages; it’s inventive, visually and verbally witty with a big heart.

The performance at 11am on Sunday will have BSL interpretation. Do contact the venue to get a good view of the interpreter!

Age guidance: from 4 years

Saturday 18th February 2023

Live Music: Lord Baker Soul & Ska Show
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm
Free Entry

A Soul and Ska show that will get you dancing from the first song.

Saturday 18 February 2023

Live music: Dr Feelgood + guests
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm
Tickets: £20

History and heritage: John Bunyan Exhibition
Panacea Museum @ 10am – 4pm Thursday – Saturday
Free entry www.panaceamuseum.org/events

Temporary exhibition at the Panacea Museum including pieces from the John Bunyan Museum collection.

Until April 2023