Hi Everyone

After listening to a rather excruciating instalment of the Archers, I've had an idea for an episode of my own. Ambridge gets invaded by an extremist sect of Trappist monks who force the middle-class thespians and the even more annoying middle-class thespians pretending to be country folk into a sponsored silence.  Let's face it, if you're not into a load of white noise in strange rural accents then ten minutes of Susan Carter, Shula Archer or Lynda bloody Snell is ten minutes too long...

And in other news, if you're looking for things that are slightly less dum ti dum ti dum ti dumb to keep yourself entertained this weekend, we've got something at the Rising Sun just for you...

CLUB VElOCITY presents STEVE IGNORANT'S SLICE OF LIFE

Steve Ignorant is a singer/songwriter and artist. He co-founded the anarcho-punk band Crass with Penny Rimbaud in 1977. After Crass stopped performing in 1984, he worked with other groups including Conflict, Schwartzeneggar, Stratford Mercenaries, Current 93, and US punk band Thought Crime, as well as occasional solo performances.

Steve is also a wood sculptor and volunteer on the Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat, has written his autobiography "All The Rest Is Propaganda" and has worked as a traditional Punch and Judy performer using the name Professor Ignorant.

In 2007 he performed Crass’s entire Feeding of the 5000 album live at the Shepherds Bush Empire and throughout 2010-2011 presented The Last Supper, touring/celebrating the songs of Crass around the globe, ending with a farewell gig at Shepherds Bush Empire in November 2011.

In 2013 Steve and Paranoid Visions decided to record an album. The result ‘When …?’, a hybrid of styles, all with a nod to early 80s anarcho-punk. They now perform live on special occasions. Steve is now performing with his new band Slice Of Life. A far cry from the aggression of Crass, nevertheless compelling with powerful songs delivered in an acoustic style.

“Impossible to categorise, Slice Of Life’s music is up-front and soul-baringly personal. It’s a mixture of songs and spoken word that draws you in and stays with you long after the final note has been played.”

Debut album Love And A Lamp-post, was released on Overground records in late 2014, surprising many with its honesty and change of style for Steve. A new bassist followed in early 2015, along with new songs and extensive touring all over the UK, as well as dates in Finland, and festival slots at Rebellion, Wickerman and Something Else A Bit North.

We'll be open at 8pm and it'll cost you £10 in advance from www.wegottickets.com and slightly more than that on the night.

On Saturday and Sunday, we are pleased to be one of the many venues in Reading playing host to READING FRINGE

The Reading Fringe Festival returns to the Rising Sun, playing host to comedy, theatre, music and more! And we’re proud to host 6 exciting shows this weekend!

Saturday

THE MARINER'S SONG
Price: £8. Tickets available via https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/

Calling all adventurers! Touring the UK following critical success at EdFringe 2018, and making their Reading Fringe debut, KinkyFish Theatre invite you to join writer-performer Rajan Sharma on this lyrical spoken word voyage navigating personal experience, family history and ancient myth; “wonderful storytelling” (edfringereview.com); “beautiful and hypnotic” (ThreeWeeks)

Doors at 5pm, show starts 5.30PM

THE TONYX and Holly SHILLITO
Price: £8.  Tickets available via https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/

The Tonyx – Helen, Ali, Holly and Louise – sing four-part close harmony a cappella. Holly Shillito is a singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist. Together we bring you an evening of song, from barbershop classics to rock anthems and Holly’s original compositions.

Doors at 6.30pm, show starts 7pm.

AVENUE (SOLD OUT)

Avenue are a contemporary acapella group based in Twyford. Originally the creative vision of Cat Hignell, the group is made up of 11 talented singers, brought together through their love of music, who quickly became a close-knit family. They perform hit songs like you’ve never heard them before!

Tickets

Doors at 8pm, show starts 8.30pm

Sunday

BLUE GOAT THEATRE: 30 NEO FUTURIST PLAYS
Price: £8 Tickets available via https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/

Blue Goat Theatre presents 30 Neo Futurist Plays From Too Much Light Makes Baby Go Blind

Prepare yourself for an ever-changing line up of plays where the audience is the director and the cast has no idea what’s coming next! Laughter, love, social commentary and a whole lot of mayhem!

Doors at 12:30pm, show starts 1pm.

THE ZAP SHOW
Price: £8 Tickets available via https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/

Following last year’s successful Fringe show the Zap team bring you The Zap Show – a variety show in the best tradition of Saturday evening TV light entertainment. With sketches, standup, slapstick and a host of special guest starts – possibly including Claudia Winkleman (we haven’t asked her yet).

Doors at 2.30pm, show starts 3pm

FRIENDLINESS
Price: £8. Tickets available via https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/

Henry is a gifted young musician/lyricist. Performing mostly his own songs, mostly on guitar, he persuades you to traverse your emotions, visiting surprise, love, fear, anger and joy, with maybe a little detour via shame and envy. As the show ends, you’re left feeling shamelessly but enviably invigorated.

Price: £8. Tickets available via https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/

Doors at 4.30pm, show starts 5pm

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!)