Come to the cabaret

IF you fancy some fine food and festive glamour in the run-up to Christmas, why not book a seat at the Wyvern Theatre’s Christmas Cabaret on Saturday night?

The cabaret offers a chance to sit down to a lavish three-course meal, and sit back to enjoy a line-up of vintage entertainment, laid on by the Flaming Feathers, in the Place at the Wyvern.

The troupe is making its fourth visit to the theatre, bringing glamour and glitter, feathers, burlesque and cabaret – perfect for brightening up a dark winter’s night.

The evening’s entertainments begin at 8pm and the dinner promises such delights as carpaccio of beetroot, toasted walnuts and goats’ cheese fondue, turkey roulade with apricot and sage, and lush desserts of salted caramel and chocolate torte or lemon cheesecake served with winter berries and lime syrup.

Once your appetite has been sated, you may enjoy a performance by compere and singer Stage Door Johnny, a spectacular display of hula hooping by Kat Collett – and of course, the visual delights offered by the vintage showgirls, the Flaming Feathers.

Tickets for the Christmas Cabaret cost £40, including the meal. To book, call 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.

THE stories of extraordinary women will be explored in music at the latest in the Swindon Recital Series, on Saturday at the Swindon Arts Centre.

Entitled The ‘Complete’ Heroine, the recital features mezzo soprano Clare McCaldin and pianist Paul Turner.

Clare is visiting Swindon between appearing in London with the Choir of Christ’s College, Cambridge, to sing Mozart’s Requiem, and performing Handel’s Messiah in Derby.

At the Arts Centre, she will sing of historic, cultural and literary women. We are promised, amongst others, Lady Macbeth, Ophelia, Mignon and the Blessed Virgin, with dramatic entrances and quirky humour as their stories are told.

Clare is described as a lyric mezzo-soprano and a communicator of outstanding quality on the dramatic stage and concert platform. She is a powerful creative influence and enjoys a busy concert schedule. She is committed to chamber music collaboration of all kinds and has worked on commissions with the Brodsky Quartet and Walton’s Facade, as well as baroque works with La Réjouissance and the Le Page Ensemble.

The recital starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £16, concessions £13.50, students £3.50. Accompanied children aged 14 and under go free. To book, call 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.

Put sparkle into Christmas with bubbly tasting

‘TIS the season to be jolly – and what better way to raise the spirits than a glass full of Festive Fizz?

The Richard Jefferies Museum is holding its Festive Fizz event tonight at 7pm – offering an opportunity to blind-taste a variety of sparkling beverages, including Prosecco, Cava. Champagne and English sparkling wine.

You can find out how well you distinguish between them, and what you like best. The event will help you decide which is your top tipple in time for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The Festive Fizz event includes six top wines as well as some cheese and nibbles, and some fun and games.

Deciding which corks to pop may all become a little clearer.

Tickets are £25 each. To book visit www.richardjefferies.org.