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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Community Open Day at Mary Arden's Farm: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/community-op...

weekendnotes.co.uk

Community Open Day at Mary Arden's Farm

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

'Audiences can look forward to a show which blends modern, coastal Britain with ancient folklore - rewriting the myth of the mystical selkies.' Sea Change, performed by British Youth Music Theatre premieres at Birmingham Hippodrome: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/sea-change-a...

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Tickets selling fast for this Sunday's concert with Meow Meow and Ramin Karimloo - West End stars to launch @therepbirmingham Raise the Roof campaign: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/a-night-with...

weekendnotes.co.uk

A Night with Meow Meow and Ramin Karimloo at Birmingham Rep

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

"It is a classic which has stood the test of time. I think what makes it stand out is the fact it’s so technically demanding; it has every classical step thrown into one ballet. And then there’s the music." Find our more about BRB's Swan Lake: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/birmingham-r...

weekendnotes.co.uk

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

'The challenge is to approach him not as a cartoon villain, but as someone shaped by power, repression, and a warped sense of morality who believes he is acting within the order of his world.' David Bedella plays Judge Turpin in #SweeneyTodd @therepbirmingham www.weekendnotes.co.uk/sweeney-todd...

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

The Black Country murder mystery known as 'Who put Bella in the Wych Elm?' is the inspiration for a cabaret show from @the_ruby_dolls @oldjointstock @ojstheatre Catch The Ruby Dolls Are Alive on 19 July. www.whatsonlive.co.uk/birmingham/

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

'Birmingham Indian Film Festival returns this July with a range of films from different countries and genres covering a whole range of subjects. Audiences will have the chance to see independent films reflecting on their history, lives and experiences.' www.weekendnotes.co.uk/birmingham-i...

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

'BalletBoyz should justly feel proud of what they have achieved in what is actually quite a short time for a dance company and we look forward to the next 25 years.' Full review: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/balletboys-s...

weekendnotes.co.uk

BalletBoys: Still Pointless at Birmingham Rep - Review

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Rocky Horror Show returns to Brum next month and Jackie Clune tells all about being the Narrator: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/the-rocky-ho...

weekendnotes.co.uk

The Rocky Horror Show - UK Tour 2026

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

We had a visitor on our garden!

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Bestselling author Maggie O'Farrell discusses her new book Land at this event hosted by The Heath Bookshop: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/an-evening-w...

weekendnotes.co.uk

An Evening with Maggie O'Farrell - The Crescent Theatre

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Starting today - Inspired Festival gives you the chance to see the work of graduating students from a range of creative courses @mybcu www.weekendnotes.co.uk/inspired-fes...

weekendnotes.co.uk

Inspired Festival

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Carlos Acosta takes to the stage with dancers from Birmingham Royal Ballet and Acosta Danza in Myths and Modern Masters at the Royal Opera House this summer. www.weekendnotes.co.uk/carlos-acost...

weekendnotes.co.uk

Carlos Acosta: Myths and Modern Masters

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

'The way the building felt during the festival, it was so buzzy. We had people coming in who had never been to the theatre before, we had regular theatregoers who wanted to try something new' @brumhippodrome first Origins Festival a resounding success. www.weekendnotes.co.uk/origins-fest...

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

"Sweeney is one of those rare characters who feels almost inexhaustible." Musical theatre A-lister Ramin Karimloo on Sweeney Todd in a new production coming to Birmingham Rep : www.weekendnotes.co.uk/sweeney-todd...

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

A stripped back Flying Dutchman by WNO: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/welsh-nation...

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

'By blurring illusion with harsh reality, Murphy and Kludje successfully ensure a bizarre 16th-century adventure remains relevant today.' Fun and funky Midsummer Night's Dream @therepbirmingham aims to encourage us to re-think some of the messages in the play. www.weekendnotes.co.uk/a-midsummer-...

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

I saw Single White Female at Birmingham Alex last night and was very relieved I don't have to rent out my spare room!

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

The Origins Festival @brumhippodrome offers the chance to experience new theatre. A cohort of talented writers will be sharing their work during the week-long event. www.weekendnotes.co.uk/origins-fest...

weekendnotes.co.uk

Origins Festival - Birmingham Hippodrome

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

I've been reading up on Johnny Cash and June Carter this morning after watching The Ballad of Johnny and June at the Alex last night. A fine musical which left me wanting to know more about a couple of fascinating lives. Plus of course it had a good tune or two!

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Stratford-upon-Avon prepares to celebrate #Shakespeare's birthday with a host of events on Saturday including a parade through the town. www.weekendnotes.co.uk/shakespeares...

weekendnotes.co.uk

Shakespeare's Birthday Celebrations 2026

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

A day in the life of The Heath Bookshop Literature and Music Festival: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/the-heath-bo...

weekendnotes.co.uk

The Heath Bookshop Literature and Music Festival Review

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

All The Happy Things is a little gem of a piece which gives us a glimpse of the devastating impact the death of a loved one can have but also shows us there can be hope. www.weekendnotes.co.uk/all-the-happ...

weekendnotes.co.uk

All The Happy Things at Birmingham Rep Review

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

New musical Fairlight explores queer invisibility in tennis by turning the lens on the two men who invented the game in the Victorian era - www.weekendnotes.co.uk/fairlight-at... And the tour opens in Brum!

weekendnotes.co.uk

Fairlight at Edgbaston Archery & Lawn Tennis Society

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

'Sienna’s sister Emily may have died, but for Sienna, she remains a very real presence – so real that Sienna sees her sister wherever she goes and even talks to her.' All The Happy Things opens tonight @therepbirmingham Want to know more? www.weekendnotes.co.uk/all-the-happ...

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Talented Birmingham-born composer Christopher Churcher to hit the heights with his first album release: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/christopher-...

weekendnotes.co.uk

Christopher Churcher: Moonrise

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Birmingham Rep is staging a new production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and it is firmly grounded in Brum - www.weekendnotes.co.uk/a-midsummer-...

weekendnotes.co.uk

A Midsummer Night's Dream - Birmingham Rep

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Loved Kiss of the Spider Woman at Leicester Curve. Incredibly that last time I saw this novel staged I was a university student and that was a while ago!

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Excellent staging of Agatha Christie whodunnit Death on the Nile currently at The Alex in Brum. Mark Hadfield is a fab Poirot.

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

A wonderful ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐production of Andrea Levy's Small Island @therepbirmingham until Sat 18 April. 'It keeps you gripped from its dramatic beginning as a hurricane approaches through to the no less tempestuous lives of its characters in the following years.' www.weekendnotes.co.uk/small-island...

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

'This eerie tale of ghostly premonition was penned by Charles Dickens, a year after he was involved in a train crash and a sense of the menace of the railways haunts the story.' Review of The Signalman @wolvesgrand www.weekendnotes.co.uk/the-signalma...

weekendnotes.co.uk

The Signalman at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - Review

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

'The story is a timely reminder that at the centre are human beings whose lives and futures are shaped, often disastrously, by the world they live in.' YA favourite Noughts and Crosses brought to life on stage at Birmingham Rep: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/noughts-and-...

weekendnotes.co.uk

Noughts and Crosses at Birmingham Rep Review

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

It's zany and great fun - Operation Mincemeat at Wolves Grand Theatre. Telling the story of one of the most audacious plots of WW2. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - full review: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/operation-mi...

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Worcester's newest arts venue holds a family festival: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/scala-festiv...

weekendnotes.co.uk

Scala Festival of Play

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Young dancers from the East and West Midlands join for the Applause Youth Dance Festival. www.weekendnotes.co.uk/applause-you...

weekendnotes.co.uk

Applause Youth Dance Festival

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Bringing people together through performance @womenandtheatrebham The Brummie Ensemble comes to @therepbirmingham on Saturday. www.weekendnotes.co.uk/the-brummie-...

weekendnotes.co.uk

The Brummie Ensemble

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

It's ballet but not as you know it! The Trocks return to the UK this spring in a Dance Consortium tour with a stop off at Wolves Grand. Artistic director Tory Dobrin discusses the company's history and why their shows are now popular with families: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/les-ballets-...

weekendnotes.co.uk

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

On #worldwildlifeday I'm sharing a sifaka pic because we all need something beautiful to look at.

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

“This year we’ve expanded the festival, and there should be something for everyone" The Heath Bookshop's Literature and Music Festival is packed full of events: www.whatsonlive.co.uk/birmingham/n...

whatsonlive.co.uk

Feature: Arts Alive in Kings Heath

The Heath Bookshop Literature & Music Festival returns in Birmingham next month, complete with a packed programme of more than 30 events for all the family to enjoy. The festival features contributi....

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Coming to The Door at Birmingham Rep this April, All The Happy Things is a dark comedy exploring the bond between sisters which is so strong it continues after death: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/all-the-happ...

weekendnotes.co.uk

All The Happy Things at Birmingham Rep

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

They were photos which captivated the nation but were they real? New musical The Cottingley Fairies brings us a new take on the famous hoax: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/british-yout...

weekendnotes.co.uk

British Youth Music Theatre presents The Cottingley Fairies at Birmingham Hippodrome

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

If you're a #gilbertandsullivan fan, you might want to check out Birmingham Savoyards' production of Ruddigore coming to the Old Rep next month: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/birmingham-s...

weekendnotes.co.uk

Birmingham Savoyards present Ruddigore

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Encouraging children to enjoy The Bard - The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has a host of ideas to celebrate #Shakespeare Week: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/shakespeare-...

weekendnotes.co.uk

Shakespeare Week

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

'A production which is big on personality, packed with humour and layered with nostalgia.' Currently onstage at Birmingham Rep, The Battle takes us back to 1995 and the Blur/Oasis race for the number one slot. Full weekendnotes review: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/the-battle-a...

weekendnotes.co.uk

The Battle at Birmingham Rep - Review

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

"Comedy is absolutely central to society. Not only does it make us laugh, it can make us think, it can bring about political change, it’s so many things." Photographer Andy Hollingworth talks about his current exhibition I photograph comedians! now at BMAG www.weekendnotes.co.uk/i-photograph...

weekendnotes.co.uk

I photograph comedians! By Andy Hollingworth at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

I popped into Birmingham's RBSA Gallery and caught the Drawn to Dance Exhibition featuring costumes and artwork from Birmingham Royal ballet productions of Nutcracker and Cinderella plus artists responding to spending time with the company and photos. It's fab but only there until Feb 21.

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

'a production full of life, love and laughter' Birmingham Royal Ballet's Don Quixote is just the tonic. www.weekendnotes.co.uk/birmingham-r...

weekendnotes.co.uk

Birmingham Royal Ballet: Don Quixote - Review

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

So much to choose from in this year's The Heath Literature and Music Festival - www.weekendnotes.co.uk/the-heath-bo...

weekendnotes.co.uk

The Heath Bookshop Literature and Music Festival 2026

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Diane Parkes @dianeparkes.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

'a two-hour romp of craziness with each crisis knocking into the next at rapid speed as the hotel gradually succumbs to chaos.' @weekendnotes review of @fawltytowersplay @wolvesgrand www.weekendnotes.co.uk/fawlty-tower...

weekendnotes.co.uk

Fawlty Towers Reviewed at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

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