Hairspray at New Theatre, Oxford

Everyone’s favourite award winning musical, Hairspray, shakes and shimmies into the New Theatre Oxford this week. The Story Set in the swinging 60’s, Hairspray sees Tracey Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and even bigger dreams, audition to become a dancer on national TV with the “Nicest Kids in Town”. Tracy’s new-found local fame sets her on a path of discovery challenging inequality, racism and the super mean “Nicest Kids in Town”. Along the way she meets heartthrob Link Larkin and tries to dance her way into his affections too. The Cast The cast are exceptionally strong; Matt Rixon…

My Fair Lady at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

After George Bernard Shaw wrote his very successful play, Pygmalion, he spent decades refusing the rights to turn to it into a musical. But still, the West End and Hollywood dreamt …”wouldn’t it be loverly?” Eventually they got their way: a ‘loverly’ stage production was born and the musical was soon immortalised in an iconic rags to riches film. The Cotswolds Savoyards bring their amateur adaptation of My Fair Lady to the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham this week. The Story When Professor Higgins plucks Eliza from the gutter and teaches her to speak correctly, she is propelled into a world far from…

Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2018: Top 10 Places to Eat and Drink 

The Cheltenham Jazz Festival is under way and whilst we know it’s all about the music, its also definitely all about the food and drink too. Here are LewisLoves top ten places for topping up your tank during the Cheltenham Jazz Festival… (1) The Bottle of Sauce / Ambrose Street Dirty burgers, cocktails and stonebaked pizzas are the order of the day at this fabulous pub. They’ve got live jazz across the festival weekend so take advantage of their sunny courtyard and get your toes tapping. (2) Koj / 3 Regent Street If you’ve not heard of Koj yet then you need to listen up.…

Kneehigh Presents: The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

Hot on the heels of numerous sold out shows, Kneehigh Theatre brings their soaring success, The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk to the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham this week. The Story The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk is, at it’s heart, a love story. Following the real life story of artist Marc Chagall and talented writer Bella Rosenfeld as they begin their life together, this small but perfectly formed two-hander is Director Emma Rice’s swansong for Kneehigh. It’s a deeply emotional, personal exploration of all consuming love at first sight; creativity and sacrifice set against both the conflict of the First World War…

Jeremy Houghton’s Artist Residency at The Lygon Arms, Broadway

You might recently have seen Cotswolds-based artist, Jeremy Houghton, on The One Show. His latest work, a study of the last remaining Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster pilots from World War 2, is part of the RAF’s centenary and has captured imaginations up and down the country. RAF 100 includes images of the iconic aircraft in flight as well as portraits of “the last few” which will go on tour at galleries across Britain. Two group sketches of the remaining pilots are being silent auctioned to raise funds for the RAF Air Cadets so do check out the link above to bid!…

The Winslow Boy at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

VBased on the true life story of Gloucestershire born George Archer-Shee, whose name can be found on the North Woodchester War Memorial, Terence Rattigan’s drama, The Winslow Boy, brings suspense, political drama and a healthy dose of feminisim to the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham this week. The Story Shortly before the outbreak of the First World War, Ronnie Winslow, a 13 year old naval cadet is expelled for stealing a five shilling note. Having crept home, Ronnie is scared to tell his father Arthur but eventually is left with no choice. Believing him to be innocent, Arthur embarks on a two…

Dining Out at The Find, Cheltenham

With a mission to create a beautiful Regency coffee house, delivering excellent food, drink and service from dusk to dawn, The Find has proved to be a popular addition to Cheltenham’s foodie scene since its arrival in November 2017. If you haven’t found it yet, fear not and read on; we went along for dinner with some fellow bloggers, having already enjoyed the daytime offering on several occasions with friends. A Warm Welcome During the day, the downstairs area is great for a quick coffee and cake, brunch with friends, and visiting with your pet pooch; owner David keeps some…

Brighton Rock at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

With a dark, menacing take on Graham Greene’s 1930’s novel, York Theatre Royal and Pilot Theatre bring thriller noir Brighton Rock to the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham this week. The Story In murky 1930’s Brighton, the demise of 17 year old Pinkie’s gang leader thrusts him into role of swaggering gangster kingpin. His quest for revenge is witnessed by youthful waitress, Rose; rather than dispose of her, Pinkie persuades the naive Rose to marry him to prevent the long arm of the law reaching him. Local barmaid turned detective, Ida, is determined to bring justice to the world and seeks to…

Dinner at The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie, Cheltenham

Since its arrival on the Cheltenham restaurant scene just before Christmas, you’d be forgiven for thinking The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie was the only restaurant in town. It’s become an instant Instagram favourite and although they save tables for walk-ins each day, thousands of reservations were made before they’d ever opened. LewisLoves visited recently to check it out for ourselves and see if it lived up to the hype. The Interior If you ever visited The Rotunda in its former guise as a branch of Lloyds bank, you might be forgiven for being rather unimpressed. The building was clearly impressive, but it…

Lunch and Cooking at Eckington Manor, Worcestershire

One of life’s great pleasures surely has to be finishing work early on a Friday and heading out for a swanky lunch with friends. You should be trapped at your desk for another couple of hours, but are instead are being spoiled with fabulous food and great company. Eckington Manor made our Fri-yay dreams come true a few weeks ago, inviting us for lunch in the glorious Worcestershire countryside. Eckington’s head chef, Mark Stinchcombe, won MasterChef: The Professionals in 2015 and thankfully has stayed at Eckington Manor, with his wife and fellow head chef Sue, to grace the Cotswolds with…