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Nothing Ventured: New Venture Theatre announces the rebirth of their main performance space, writes Andrew Kay

The much loved New Venture Theatre has played an important role in the creative and artistic life of Brighton and Hove since it started in the 1940s. It was in 1953 that they opened the Main Theatre in the large upper space. Sadly in 2005 it was closed because of fire regulations and since then NVT has performed all its shows in their studio theatre on the ground floor. The great news is that a performance licence has now been granted, and the old theatre is being reborn.
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Here come the girls: The global phenomenon Calendar Girls makes its first visit to Theatre Royal Brighton

Calendar Girls, a smash hit show both in the West End and on tour throughout the UK, is coming to Theatre Royal Brighton for two weeks only from Monday 29 November to Saturday 11 December.

The production stars Lynda Bellingham alongside a cast of much-loved actresses including former EastEnders star Michelle Collins; Jan Harvey, star of the popular 1980s TV series Howard’s Way, and Ruth Madoc, well known to audiences for her role in Hi-de-Hi.
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Stephanie Beacham has been a screen icon and soap star both sides of the Atlantic. Now she returns to the stage as Maria Callas in Master Class. Andrew Kay met her in London

Let’s talk about Coronation Street. Did you enjoy that?
I loved it. I couldn’t believe what a darling man Bill Roach is. When someone has been in something for 50 years you would think they would play king, but he is so modest and happy to do proper acting. The story was an utter delight. She [Martha] was so dear, and I loved the way they rounded her off. She didn’t take the highest road – they loved, and they expressed that love. There was no regret.

Do you think they will ask you back?
I don’t see how they can. We’ve talked about it, but she’s not going to go in to the Rover’s Return and confront Deirdre. Do you see what I mean? So it’s just a delightful, self-contained perfection for me. I really enjoyed it; it’s another sort of tick.
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Bard Work: Brighton Dome is home to a long weekend of Shakespearean activity, finds Andrew Kay

Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth! There, it’s out of my system now and I will be able to resist inciting the wrath of the ghosts when I enter Brighton Dome to see the centrepiece of this long weekend of Shakespearean events.

The inventive Macbeth on offer is a powerfully re-imagined version of the Scottish play by renowned Polish company Teatr Piesn Kozła (Song of the Goat Theatre). This production started life during the Royal Shakespeare Company’s complete works season at Stratford upon Avon, and has been two years in the making. The company has an ensemble drawn from the UK, Sweden, Finland and France as well as Poland. They have enjoyed two award-winning runs at Edinburgh in 2004 and 2006, leading to a host of international invitations including New York, Sydney and London seasons.
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