Hi Everyone

Scientists are warning us that unless our industrial and agricultural practices change, the world's insect population could collapse entirely within the next century.  Well I for one won't shed any tears if they do.  I got stung by a wasp while playing in the garden as a child, so as far as I'm concerned they started this fight, let 'em have it!

And in other news, there's a busy weekend here at the Rising Sun to be telling you about.

On Friday we bring you LIE BACK AND THINK OF AMERICA

To mark the eightieth anniversary of the beginning of World War II, Front Room Theatre presents this novelistic, funny, touching play about the Smith family living through the war in Bethnal Green, about the transforming effect of love against social and racial prejudice, about being yourself, accepting yourself and hoping others will too.  This play is inspired by award-winning director Noel Izon’s documentary ‘Choc’late Soldiers from the USA’. 

Doors at 8pm, performance starts at 8.30pm.  There's no admission fee, but please feel free to keep something aside for donations later

On Saturday we pay host once more to WALL OF SOUND

Wall of Sound's Mark Jones takes you Back to the Phuture as he brings together his pick of the best new artists that will make tomorrow today!!

ADAM & ELVIS deliver an up-tempo quirky romanticism, provocative and poetic, while bizarre and comedic all at once. Shimmering guitars, dirty bass-lines and quirky synths.

THE PURPLE LIGHTS return to Reading bringing a clash of rock and reggae fused with loop station magic evoking the buoyancy of Vampire Weekend meshed with the pure unleashed wigouts of FuckButtons. 

Bursting at the seams with upbeat power pop, grunge and drama, HAM LEGION's mini-epics dive and transform into sudden twisting, complex prog back to the Englishness of 60s pop, 70s punk and 80s new wave with occasional moments of restrained delivery and somber reflection.

Up and coming singer-songwriter LAUREN WYATT kicks-off with her own unique blend of Americana reminiscent of artists from Caitlin Rose to KT Tunstall.

We're open at 8pm and it'll cost you no more than £5 at the door to get in!

On Sunday afternoon, we bring you SARAH, JOE ET LA GUERRE!

A brand new French adaptation of Front Room Theatre's 'Lie Back and Think of America', translated by students and staff at Reading University, working with professional cast and crew. We know that the performance will be interesting and entertaining..... But does it work to set a play in 1940s Bethnal Green and then perform it in French?  Come and find out! 

Doors at 2pm, performance starts at 2.30pm.  And again, there's no admission fee, but please feel free to keep something aside for donations later

Sunday evening sees another OPEN PAGE/OPEN STAGE

A monthly collaborative event for writers, artists, musicians, and everyone in between! The premise is an extension of the traditional ‘open mic’, however the focus is on words and collaboration. We want people to come and showcase their art in a safe and comfortable environment. If you’re an artist, bring your work early on so we can hang it around. If you write – poetry, prose, songs, plays – bring a piece or an excerpt. Actors – come and practice for auditions! If you play an instrument, bring it along! Think of the evening as a cross-creative spectrum jam night.

We’re open at 7pm and it’s absolutely FREE!

That’s everything for another week, just to remind you that we are, as always, at 30 Silver Street, Reading, RG1 2ST (If you pop it into your satnav or Google, we shall magically appear!)