Enjoy an outdoor evening at the opera

OPERALUNA will present The Magic Flute at The Ellis Theatre at Marlborough College on Saturday, July 22.

Heritage Opera, Northwest England’s professional touring opera company, is delighted to be returning to Marlborough for the fourth time with a delightfully playful version of Mozart’s mystery drama.

It is a production full of fantastic creatures, a singing Birdman, a Prince and Princess, a dark Queen, a wise Philosopher, magical musical instruments, a fierce dragon and even some helpful mermaids!

Set to sublime, timeless music, this performance, part pantomime, part opera, will have you rooting for Prince Tamino as he embarks on a noble quest, to rescue the Queen of the Night’s daughter, Princess Pamina, from the clutches of Sarastro and his followers.

Carrying his Magic Flute, and accompanied by Papageno the birdcatcher, Tamino searches a tropical island, until he arrives at Sarastro’s door.

He is confronted with stark choices, and has to decide just who is telling the truth, and who has been lying to him all along.

As the forces of Good and Evil square up, he and Papageno must undergo three trials in order to defeat the dark, and win the hands of the girls they love.

A story about growing up, and facing life’s sometimes difficult choices, this beautiful comic masterpiece has been delighting children and adults alike for 226 years, with its combination of heart-warming comedy and true heroism.

The Meadow opens at 5pm, with the performance starting at 6.30pm, and there will be a one-hour interval so visitors are invited to bring along a picnic.

Tickets cost between £15 and £30. There are no booking fees although there may be delivery charges. To book, call 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.

Don’t miss a funny night

JONGLEURS presents Comedy On The Road at Swindon Arts Centre tonight at 8pm.

With more than 30 years’ experience of running clubs and shows, Jongleurs has helped launch the careers of some of our biggest comedy stars.

Now, in the Jongleurs On The Road show, they proudly present four of the brightest and funniest acts on the current UK comedy circuit in an evening of live comedy at its best.

With top quality acts and guaranteed laughs, it’s a great night out.

Tickets are £14.50 from call 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.

A decade of dancing

THE Kirsty Farrow Dance Academy presents Decades from tomorrow until Saturday at the Wyvern Theatre.

It will be TKFDA’s third show at the Wyvern Theatre and it is a celebration of 10 successful years of Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre classes at the academy.

From hiring out a dance studio at a local school with three students right through to the present day with over 200 students in three fantastic studios in a place TKFDA can call home, the academy has been on an incredible journey.

This show will demonstrate choreography and themes from both the past and present by its wonderfully talented students, some of which have been with the academy since its first year!

The performance will tell the story of TKFDA and encapsulates the values that have held the academy together throughout the years; discipline, dedication, fun and family.

Performances are at 7pm nightly with a 1pm matinee on Saturday. Tickets are £15.50 from call 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.

A gala evening for dance stars

SWINDON Dance will be holding its Summer Gala performance at the Wyvern Theatre on Sunday.

The gala is a celebration of dancing at Swindon Dance, with performances by children, young people and adults who participate in weekly classes at Swindon Dance.

Tickets are £15.00 and £9 for under-16s. To book, call 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.

The show starts at 7.30pm

Starz all set to take the stage

ENJOY a Night at the Circus with Stage Starz at the Wyvern Theatre.

Stage Starz Performing Arts will be performing at the Wyvern on Tuesaday, July 25 and Wednesday, July 26 at 7pm.

More than 100 students will be showcasing their talents in dance and musical theatre.

Tickets are £13.50 from 01793 524481 or swindontheatres.co.uk.