Not bad for a boy who grew up in Essex, the son of a corner shop owner and a secretary. From Leytonstone and the Leyton Players to Hamlet at the Edinburgh Fringe and a scholarship to Cambridge. With peers such as Ian McKellen and Trevor Nunn, Derek is a founding member of the National Theatre […]

Join Caroline Swinburne, in conversation with Adrian Peel, from 6pm on Thursday the 29th of January to discuss her brand new novel Solo. Cate was a world class musician in a leading orchestra all until a famous solo went disastrously wrong in front of a huge audience. Traumatised and humiliated, she abandons her instrument and […]

The Sampson Orchestra of Cambridge, conducted by Darrell Davison, performs works by three famous composers of the 19th-century Austro-German symphonic tradition. The concert begins with Schumann's Manfred Overture (1848), and this is followed by Bruch's renowned Violin Concerto No.1 (1868), featuring rising star soloist Basil Alter. The second half of the concert comprises Bruckner's wonderful […]

Robert Bathurst and Patricia Hodge star in Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s sparkling satire of love and language. Bath in the Roaring Twenties: risqué revelry, romance, and rivalry in the Assembly Rooms – a town torn between tradition and the new age. Lydia and Jack are made for each other – but Lydia’s a rebel and Jack’s […]

Prokofiev's second sonata, composed in 1912, has endlessly fascinated pianists: a paradoxical series of superimposed ideas, where Romanticism, parody, brutality, tender lyricism, and infinite changes of texture compete; indeed, one musicologist has described it as an example of 'polypersonalia'. Its large-scale architecture, arresting complexity, brilliance, dreamy narratives and toccata-like finale make it one of the […]

It is the rather historically inaccurate “Medieval period” and twin princes Alexander and Leonard have never known who is the oldest brother and therefore has the right to be King. Their mother died shortly after their birth and their father was too busy watching the Medieval football highlights to notice who was born first. Supposed […]

Iain Ballamy, tenor saxophone | Rob Luft, guitar & electronics 'Riversphere' Two long-term jazz collaborators join forces for a bespoke evening of music for guitar and saxophone, showcasing the unique musicianship and infectious performance style that has marked their stellar careers. 'Riversphere' is the metaphor they have coined for an interconnected, flowing experience, connecting sound […]

Cambridge TradFest returns for its second year from 6–8 February 2026, bringing a weekend of Irish music and dance back to the city. The 2026 festival will be headlined by Irish trio The High Seas, who will feature prominently across the weekend. Alongside their headline concert on Sunday, the group will lead workshops in fiddle, […]

Anna Clyne is one of today’s foremost contemporary composers; in 2013, her concert overture ‘Masquerade’ opened the last night of the Proms. Inspired by 18th century concerts in London pleasure gardens, involving dancers, acrobats, street entertainers and masquerades, the piece evokes a sense of fun and celebration. Reuben Anelay  will perform Malcolm Arnold’s Trumpet Concerto. […]

Mr Griff and The Grifters are an original powerhouse from Cambridge, with an undeniable groove and infectious energy. Spreading messages of hope and unity in the form of classic Funk and Soul, with edgy elements of Rock, Skank and Fusion. With their dynamic and colourful performances, the band have become regulars on the UK festival […]

Following a string of successful performances, Cambridge Footlights are back by popular demand with two nights of hilarious comedy! Cambridge Footlights are the world-famous comedy troupe who first aired the talents of some of the foremost British comedians and actors of this century. Founded in 1880, this university drama society boasts impressive alumni including Golden […]

10.30am – 1.30pm Get outdoors, get active, and make a difference! Come along for a rewarding morning helping to care for Coton's beautiful green spaces and the wildlife that calls them home. Under the guidance of  knowledgeable wardens, you’ll spend three hours learning new skills, meeting like-minded people, and giving something back to nature. What […]