THEATRE & DANCE

Terence Rattigan’s Separate Tables is at Abbey Theatre from 5 – 13 May – a play of two tales about love ans loss set in a shabby Bournemouth Hotel.

And it’s samosas at dawn for Happy Birthday Sunita at Watford Palace Theatre from 5 – 12 May – a revival of this sell-out comedy featuring high family tensions, Punjabi dance moves in the kitchens and the unravelling of unfinished business.

The brilliant Pantaloons are putting their chaotic spin on Jane Austen’s Emma at the Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre on 17 May, while two-wheeled theatre co, The Handlebards are performing an al fresco version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Walled Garden, Luton Hoo Estate on 26 May. And Ashridge House’s Outdoor Theatre events kick off this month with Robin Hood on 31 May.

If you’re thinking of heading to Wrest Park this month, go on 20 – 21 May and you can enjoy a free performance of Off-Centre Dance, choreographed to pre-recorded sounds while the dancers respond to their surroundings.

Not really theatre, but if you like magicians, Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Magical Bones is at the Quarry Theatre on 27 May.

SCREENINGS

There’s a gala screening of Pravesh Kumar’s Little English – the story of a jilted Indian bride with an escape plan – at Watford Palace Theatre on 16 May, followed by a Q&A with the cast and creators.

The National Theatre Live is bringing James Graham’s presidential drama Best of Enemies to a screen near you this month, starring David Harewood and Zachary Quinto. It’s showing at the Quarry Theatre, Grove Theatre and Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre on 18 May.

David Harewood and Zachary Quinto Best of enemies NT LIVE

The MET Opera’s take on Don Giovanni will be screened at Broadway Cinema on 20 May. And The Royal Opera House’s Sleeping Beauty ballet will be screened to Watford Palace Theatre on 24 May, South Mill Arts on 28 May and Grove Theatre Dunstable on 30 May.

MUSIC & DANCE

From 5 May there’ll be the chance to catch live local acts performing in the courtyard at Ashridge House in the Sunset Sessions. No booking required and drinks will be available from The Vault bar.

Live at the Mill is back at Stotfold Watermill on 12 May with an evening of live rock music to kick off the annual Steam Fair.

While if musicals are your thing, you won’t want to miss Dreamcoat Stars, which brings West End stars to the stage to perform songs from the shows, including Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar, SIX, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You, Jersey Boys, Les Mis, Moulin Rouge… you name it! Catch it at the Watford Palace Theatre on 13 May.

And it’s all jazz, baby, for Watford Jazz Junction from 18 – 21 May, kicking off with a double headliner show featuring legendary soul singer, Omar, and Black British jazz vocalist Zara McFarlane at Watford Palace Theatre.

There’s a ballet double bill at Abbey Theatre with the London Ballet Company performing Cinderella and 00 & His 7 – a spy spoof, in one night on 19 May.

The one and only Lulu talks and sings, sharing her memories and experiences in For the Record at Grove Theatre Dunstable on 19 May. And the Bedford Symphony Orchestra will be performing the works of Kodaly, Ravel and Schubert at the Bedford Corn Exchange on 20 May.

Try these candlelight tribute nights, happening at St Albans Cathedral this month, with over 20 hits performed live. Queen by Candlelight is on 22, 23 and 25 May, featuring a West End cast and live rock band, while George Michael by Candlelight will be performed by tribute act Rory Phelan with a live band on 26 May.

Hatfield House’s annual Chamber Music Festival launches this month with a concert on 25 May in the Marble Hall. Music by Britten, Mendelssohn and Dowland will be performed by Magnus Johnston on violin, Guy Johnston on cello (pictured) and Mishka Rushdie Momen on piano. For the full experience you can get tickets to include drinks with the artists and a private tour of the house by Lord Salisbury. Fancy!

It’s all glitterballs, glamour and big bouffants for Disco Inferno at Watford Palace Theatre on 27 May, featuring the music of the Bee Gees, Village People, Jacksons, Sister Sledge, Donna Summer, Kool and the Gang and Gloria Gaynor for starters. Burn, baby, burn!

Disco inferno performers on stage with disco ball

You shall go to the ball, on 27 May, by invitation of The Living Theatre, Whitwell near Hitchin, a grassroots outddor theatre venue which sprung up out of the Pandemic now known for their immersive experiences. Following a Ceilidh and 80’s flashmob, this May Ball has masquerade theme – so don your finery and dust off your Venetian masks, and expect lots of surprises!

COMEDY

Angela Barnes is a Hot Mess… no I’m not being rude, they’re the names of their latest tours, calling at the Radlett Centre on 13 May.

The fabulous Jo Brand will be sharing her Work in Progress, with special guest Andy Robinson at The Old Town Hall in Hemel Hempstead on 20 May.

While if you like your comedy a little more musical, check out Stephen Sondheim’s Company: A Musical Comedy at the Queen Mother Theatre Hitchin from 22 – 27 May.

And Lucy Porter‘s giving us a Wake-Up Call on 26 May at Watford Palace Theatre.

ART & EXHIBITIONS

A major exhibition of headwear (yep, that’s right!) is coming to Stockwood Discovery Centre from 22 April – 10 December. Hats Made Me will display more than 200 iconic pieces which have featured on stage, screen and glossy magazine pages, including Beyoncés famous red visor, Cate Blanchett’s headpiece from Elizabeth: The Golden Age, a Stormtrooper helmet and Michael Keaton’s cowl from Batman.

Did you know that the second battle in the War of the Roses was fought right here in Herts? A major exhibition at the St Albans Museum + Gallery features replicas of medieval warfare and a real canonball found on site – the second oldest ever discovered! The Forgotten Battle of St Albans is on now and runs until 28 June.

There’s a free exhibition at St Albans Cathedral from 3 May – 11 June by textile artist Jacqui Parkinson called Threads Through Creation featuring 12 large scale embroideries on the theme of Genesis.

Spaces, Places is an exhibition curated by NOHAT, an organisation which gives space and opportunities to female artists. Featuring works by 40 female-identifying artists spanning Letchworth eto London, Taiwan to Poland and Italy to India, it’ll focus on how we relate to our environment, where we feel at home and the concept of a ‘woman’s place’. At Broadway Letchworth from 28 April – 3 June.

Then from 27 May – 11 June see the work of local artists working in different media in response to the earth and its landscapes, from a collective called Take Five. The free exhibition, Earth Works is on at St Albans Museum + Gallery’s Assembly Room.

John Durham landscape earth works — John Durham

FOOD & DRINK

Want to know more about sustainable food? Book the Farm to Fork Dining Experience at Rothamsted Estate on 13 May, where you’ll enjoy a five-course dinner with canapés and paired wines in the Grade I listed Manor House, alongside talks from Head Chef, Jez, and members the campus science community about the sustainable practice and farming techniques being developed on site.

Home Farm Glamping’s Supper Clubs are back this month with Supper in the Barn on 18 May cooked up by Oxhey Village based caterers Gregory’s Kitchen. Start with some drinks and a stroll around the lake. BYO booze, enjoy a three course dinner (veggie and vegan options available) then sit round the campfire into the evening.

Supper club barn in the dark Home Farm glamping

In the mood for a booze cruise? You’re in luck as the new season of Ware’s Gin on the River cruises kicked off again last month. Don’t worry if you miss the boat though as the next one’s on 20 May, with monthly cruises up until September.

MARKETS, FESTIVALS & FAIRS

The Baldock Festival is back for the 38th time this year, celebrating arts and culture in North Herts. There’ll be a month long programme of live music, food and drink, family activities and local history events from 28 April – 21 May.

A celebration of our beautiful local countryside, the Greensand Country Festival takes place from 1 May – 11 June, with tonnes of events, ranging from wildlife and wellbeing to family and food, spanning Leighton Buzzard to Gamlingay.

Love having a rummage around a good old fashioned bric-a-brac market? Head to Barkway Market on 13 May where there’ll be 180+ stalls packed with antiques, home and garden wares, jewellery and other curious finds, within the grounds of Manor Farm. There’ll also be 30 craft stalls in the village church, a bar, food from local chefs, mini steam train, kids’ entertainment and music from the town band.

Elstow Abbey May Festival will be held on 13 May with a funfair, craft stalls, maypole dancing, dog show and cream teas. On the same date (13 May) is Herts Book Festival, taking place in the grounds of Hertford Castle, where there’ll be author talks, a children’s tent, storytelling, a book exchange and the chance to meet local authors.

Also on 13 May is the popular Studham May Fair at Studham Playing Fields from 1 – 4.30pm. There’ll be a dog show, classic cars, Morris dancing, rock choir, pig roast, Pimm’s and a gin tent – what more could you want from a sunny May afternoon (erm, except the sun of course!) All money raised goes to local causes, schools and community groups.

If you’re after a fab family day out. The annual Steam Fair and Country Show at Stotfold Watermill (13 – 14 May) will be a guaranteed hit. The programme is packed with adrenaline-fuelled stunt bike displays, Anglo Saxon reenactments, a funfair, inflatable play zone, live music performances, and, of course, the biggest working steam collection in Europe. Cask ales, cider and local food will be flowing too.

At Southern Maltings’ Tudor Square Produce and Farmers Market on 21 May there’ll also be a Fun Dog Show for the first time – £2 entry per category, including the waggiest tail of course!

St Albans’ first craft beer festival, Brewfest is coming to St Albans FC’s Mozzarella Fellas Clarence Park Stadium on the last May Bank Holiday weekend 26 – 28 May. There’ll be over 100 craft beers to try (plus Pimms, Prosecco, cocktails, gin spirits and a cider bar), plus live music and food stalls. Just add sunshine!

Brewfest group against grafitti background drinking beer

Ready to mosh?! Re-live your Emo youth at Slam Dunk South (27 May)- a one-day festival dedicated to pop-punk, alternative and metal music. Rock on! Headliners on the Dickies main stage include The Offspring and Bowling for Soup and the whole family can join the fun with under 5s going free. But there’s a strictly over 18s afterparty (11pm – 4am) at the O2 Forum in London on the same date if you want double the fun.

WANT MORE FESTIVAL INSPO? CHECK OUT MY GUIDE HERE.

TALKS & WORKSHOPS

And for more natural inspiration, head to Luton Hoo Estate’s Walled Garden, which will open its gates every Wednesday from 3 May – 27 September for it’s Art Season. Artists and art groups are invited to come and sketch, paint and enjoy the features and plants in the Capability Brown designed gardens, plus there’ll be monthly demos from local artists as well as access to the annual art exhibition. £7.50 per week, or, if you live nearby, a season ticket is just £15.

Candle making (17 May) is on the agenda for Ashridge House’s progamme of creative workshops this month. Create a set of candles to take home.

Remember voice coaches Carrie and David Grant from Pop Idol? They’re coming to Chorleywood Bookshop on 18 May to talk about their book, A Very Modern Family, and their experiences of being parents to four neurodivergent, mixed race children, three of whom are non-binary and gay. They’ll have plenty of real-life parenting insight to share.

Carrie and David Grant A Very Modern Family

Run don’t walk to London’s Design Centre in Islington from 19 – 20 May for, Postcards From Midlife Live – a brand new all-star women’s lifestyle event. Hosts Trish Halpin and Lorraine Candy – Postcards From Midlife podcast stars and ex-glossy mag editors – have gathered world-class speakers and celebrity pals to lift the lid on living your best midlife in one stylish, inclusive place. Expect gems on everything from fashion and beauty to HRT and sexpert advice on sizzling in the bedroom. Plus Muddy Stilettos founder and editor in chief Hero will be in the hot seat interviewing broadcaster and endurance athlete Louise Minchin – best known for her time on the BBC’s red sofa, but has fast become a midlife icon. Use the code MUDDY15 for 15% off tickets, from £28.

Postcards from Midlife Lorraine Candy Trish Halpin

The inimitable Ruby Wax bares all at Chorleywood Memorial Hall on 22 May. She’ll be talking about her new self-reflective book, which takes a deep dive into mental health, I’m Not As Well As I Though I Was.

You may well have spotted glimpses of Knebworth House on the big and small screen as it’s been used as a set for everything from The King’s Speech to The Crown and even blockbusters like Batman! Now you can walk in the steps of Hollywood royalty with tour of the famous locations around the house and grounds on 23 May. There’ll also be an exhibition to peruse and a lovely cup of tea and slice of Vicky sponge in the Garden Tea Rooms thrown in.

Helena Bonham Carter and Colin Firth, King's Speech, Knebworth House

KIDS & FAMILY

Calling all muggles – something new is coming to Warner Bro’s The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour this month. Discovering Hogwarts will invite visitors to see some scenes from Harry’s early years at wizard school, including the Great Hall lit up with 400 candles and Wingardium Leviosa demos! From 2 May – 4 Sept.

Watford Palace Theatre is running free interactive story sessions for kids on Thursdays after school, from 4 May – 29 June. Story Play is for ages 0-4 and involves an hour of story building and creative play, while Story Makers will introduce 5-7 year olds to new characters, exciting tales and both will give little kids the chance to creat their own stories.

And there are more red and blue characters coming to the stage at The Quarry Theatre from 13 – 14 May as Twirliwoos Live gets set to delight younger audiences.

Wanna get bubbly? No, not the kind you drink, sorry! Local charity, The Hospice of St Francis is hosting its brilliant Bubble Rush again this year on 14 May in Hemel Hempstead. Grab the gang and take on the 5k foam-filled course (walk, run, dance, jog, or toddle in the name of cha-ri-deee!) with 8 bubble stations, music and entertainment on route – for ALL ages.

Join the The Big Herts Hero Hunt on 14 May with Pākiki Theatre at Southern Maltings in Ware to help crack the clues and follow a map to discover some local heroes. There’s also an optional post-show Ware Town Quest, with prizes up for grabs. For ages 6+. It also coincides with National their Children’s Community Day, so you’ll find stalls, workshops, drop-in classes and craft activities, too.

Learn more about Dragons and Mythical Beasts at this interactive family show at The Radlett Centre (23 – 25 May) with impressive, lifesized and pretty realistic puppets, including the colossal Stone Troll, Japanese Baku, Tooth Fairy, Unicorn and Griffin.

OOPS, TOO LATE FOR THESE…

The man and legend that is Paul Young will be going Behind the Lens at the Eric Morecambe Centre on 6 May, with stories, hits and plenty of nostalgia. Also at the EMC, the all-male vocal quartet G4 will perform everything from Bohemian Rhapsody to Nessun Dorma, on 11 May.

Who needs Live at the Apollo, when you’ve got Live at the Radlett, right here in Herts? The funny line-up for 5 May includes Maisie Adam, Luke Kempner and Glenn Moore.

All aboard for the Bedfordshire Gin & Whisky Festival at Page’s Park Station in Leighton buzzard on 7 May. Hop on a traditional steam train at Leighton Buzzard Railway and try up to 70 around 70 whiskies, liqueurs, gin and other spirits. Not all at once though or you’ll be, erm… steaming! (sorry!)

whisky in a glass with fire in the background

If you love craft (doing it an buying gorgeous handmade stuff!), check out the ultimate craft-lovers fair, Living Crafts at Hatfield Park from 5 – 8 May 2023 (10am – 5pm). There’ll be demos, workshops, shopping, artisan food and entertainment. Find out more here and enter our insta giveaway to win tickets (before 1 May).

Try a wild writing workshop at Home Farm Glamping in Elstree, where internationally acclaimed eco poet, Helen Moore will guide through creating your own piece of poetry or prose inspired by the natural environment on 1 May.

Paintbrush in one hand, glass of vino in the other – don’t mind if we do! Whet your whistle with Mindful Art Box’s monthly Sip’n’Paint classes at The Old Town Hall in Hemel from 5 May. Or if life drawing is more up your creative street, there are afternoon sessions at the Broadway Gallery on the first Saturday of each month from 6 May.

Little Julia Donaldson fans will enjoy the adaptation of one of the beloved author’s more recent books, about friendship and difference, The Smeds and The Smoos on 2 May at the Radlett Centre.

smeds and smoos — Tall Stories – The Smeds and the Smoos

Little Julia Donaldson fans will enjoy the adaptation of one of the beloved author’s more recent books, about friendship and difference, The Smeds and The Smoos on 2 May at the Radlett Centre.

Hooray for May: 60+ things to do in Herts & Beds this month

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