Sarah Singleton looks at events on offer this weekend

The Bard is wheely great

AN all-female troupe of Shakespearian actors will cycle to Swindon’s Richard Jefferies Museum on Sunday to perform As You Like It.

Handlebard Theatre’s production is part of the museum’s popular summer series called Cream Teas and Culture, and it’s free.

This bicycle-powered production, from 1.30pm to 5pm in the garden of the Marlborough Road museum, promises to be full of energy, laughter and chaos.

As You Like It is one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, telling the story of Rosalind and Orlando, who have been forced into exile in the Forest of Arden. They become entangled in a bizarre game of lust, love and mistaken identity – with plenty of confusion and humour on the way.

Handlebard Theatre is a ground-breaking company, made up of four-strong troupes of cycling actors who carry with them all the set, props and costumes they need to perform very lively Shakespeare plays in an environmentally friendly way. The company was formed in 2012 and the following year it embarked on its first cycling theatre tour – covering hundreds of miles by bike in the UK.

The following year it went further afield, covering 2,000 miles in the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium performing Macbeth and The Comedy of Errors to over 6,000 people at 50 venues.

This year the women’s troupe is pedalling As You Like It across the UK, with a tour including Brighton in the south, Edinburgh in the north – and Swindon on Sunday. They have covered over 1,300 miles by bike so far - and had 16 punctures.

So why not catch up with the girls at the Richard Jefferies Museum – enjoy the play, indulge in a cream tea, and support environmentally-friendly Shakespeare.

Get funky with a Latin jazz duo

THE Bex Latin Jazz Duo will be playing at the Plough Inn, Old Town, on Sunday afternoon.

The pub organises an impressive line-up of smooth jazz sounds every Sunday afternoon, and has set up the venue to be the perfect place to some summer afternoon music.

The duo consists of Bex for vocals and percussion, with Andy Rushton on guitar. They will songs from Brazil and Cuba, and some jazz tunes with a Latin feel.

Bex is known for her fearless and strident style, and an impressive vocal range that encompasses big and powerful as well as soft and subtle. She specialises in singing in Brazilian Portuguese and has sung with some of Britain’s leading jazz musicians, including performances at the 100 Club in London and many great jazz festivals.

Her set at the pub in Devizes Road, Swindon, will begin at 3pm and continue till 5.30pm.

Branching out for a Sunday

A SUNDAY morning stroll around the ancient and beautiful trees of Lydiard Park will take place on Sunday.

The warden will lead the guided walk around the park, inviting guests to enjoy the forms and features of the most interesting and significant trees on the estate, at Lydiard Tregoze, near Swindon.

The event, from 10am till 11.30am, should be booked in advance on 01793 465270. Tickets cost £3.