What's on - January 2023

It’s a New Year – and there’s plenty of new events and activities to enjoy and experience in Reading this January! From intimate live gigs in unusual spaces to a Baz Luhrmann blockbuster brought to the stage; from the chance to explore elements of our town’s past to learning something new, you’ll never be short of something to do! If anything, it’s a good job January is such a long month to fit it all in…

So check out our highlights of What’s On in Reading in January – and, as always, don’t forget to check whatsonreading.com for so much more!

Try something new…

It may sound cliché, but the new year is a great time to learn a new skill, pick up a new hobby or re-start a lapsed one! And there’s plenty to choose from – talented youngsters can learn dance, drama or music thanks to the likes of Reading School of Dance, StageAbility and The Rock Academy, while there’s plenty of creative classes and courses for adults from New Directions College, Low-Impact Tap with Sonia Brown and more! And if you’ve ever wanted to join a choir, both Reading Bach Choir and Reading Phoenix Choir invite you to come and sing with them!

The Dreading Grand Slam – 8 January

Dreading Slam is a monthly poetry slam competition held at The Rising Sun Arts Centre. And after a year that’s seen some incredibly talented Slam Poets win their monthly heats, the Grand Final is shaping up to be a hotly-contested event. Local poet and author A.F. Harrold will be the special guest Master of Ceremonies, ready to crown the best of the best… of the verse!

January Pantos – from 13 January

Panto season is over for another year? Oh no it isn’t! Two of our local amateur theatres will present their pantos this January, performed with passion and professionalism. In the south, Shinfield Players Theatre serve up Aladdin & The Valley Of The Dragons on Fri/Sat/Sun 13-22 January. Or head east and join Twyford Drama for their take on The Pied Piper of Hamelin on 13-15 January.

Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom: The Musical – 16-21 January

Based on Baz Luhrmann’s award-winning worldwide film phenomenon, Strictly Ballroom: The Musical stops by The Hexagon as part of its nationwide tour. Directed and co-choreographed by Britain’s best loved TV Judge, Craig Revel Horwood, Strictly Ballroom: The Musical follows arrogant, rebellious young ballroom dancer Scott Hastings and beginner Fran (EastEnders & Strictly star Maisie Smith). Together they find the courage to defy tradition and discover that to win, your steps don’t need to be strictly ballroom!

The Welkin – 20-28 January

Rural Suffolk, 1759. As the countryside waits for Halley's Comet, Sally Poppy is sentenced to hang for a heinous murder. When she claims to be pregnant, a jury of twelve matrons are taken from their housework to decide whether she's telling the truth, or simply trying to escape the noose... Originally staged at The National Theatre in 2020, this is a bold production from Reading’s Progress Theatre.

10 Years of RUDNB – 21 January

10 years ago, the Reading University Drum and Bass Society was created to bring like-minded students together to share their passion for Drum & Bass and Jungle music, creating a space where total beginners can learn to mix, and then go on to teach newcomers themselves. In the years that followed, local Reading talent has gone on to work for Hospital Records, DnB Allstars, UKF, Future Classic, Deep Within and many more. An all-star line-up returns to town to celebrate a decade of DnB.

A329(M) Berkshire's own motorway – 23 January

Berkshire Industrial Archaeology Group host a talk celebrating 50 years of this unique motorway – unusual in being a local authority scheme, not a government one. David Hunter, a civil engineer who was personally involved in the design and construction of the A329(M) while working for Berkshire County Council, will be the guest speaker.

Sara Pascoe: Success Story – 26 January

The star of BBC2 stand-up special Sara Pascoe: LadsLadsLads returns to The Hexagon with a brand-new stand-up show. It turns out, Sara decided she wanted to be famous at 14 years old. Since then, she has auditioned for Barrymore, scared Pete Burns and ruined Hugh Grant’s birthday – but look at her now… (please look, she needs you to look. And clap. And laugh. And then clap again).

Gigs in unusual spaces – 26 January

One night, two unique venues, and two unique gigs to choose from. Heavy Pop continues its monthly Roseate Sessions – intimate and entirely unplugged performances in the 30-seater mini-cinema of the Roseate Hotel – with local singer-songwriters Amya-Ray and James Kell taking to the floor. Or head to Reading’s long-serving music shop Hickies for their semi-regular Live Lounge featuring a tribute to the guitar-driven music of The Meters from Reading’s The Meterologists, plus live-looper Amazing Tiger Band the Reading Uni Rock Society’s Maddy Chelmis.

South Street Comedy Club – 28 January

Local laughmakers Mates Rates Comedy are back at South Street with another edition of their Comedy Club. This month’s headliner is “Effortlessly funny” stand-up Canadian Glenn Wool, with support from Sadia Azmat (endorsed by Frank Skinner) and Andy Gleeks. Your host as always is local stand-up Carl Richard.

Chinese New Year Gala – 29 January

The Concert Hall is the stage for a grand celebration of the upcoming Chinese New Year of Rabbit from Reading Chinese School. On top of a wonderful concert by the school’s children and staff, there will be a Lion dance, plus the chance to try Chinese calligraphy, drawing, and more.

American Superslam Wrestling – 29 January

Wrestling has been one of the key pillars of The Hexagon’s programme since the very beginning – over the years names like Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks, Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts and William Regal have all performed here. So it’s only right that there’ll be some of that history on show as part of its 45^th anniversary celebrations when American Superslam Wrestling makes its annual stop here this month. The show will be headlined by New Zealand superstar Niwa taking on the very popular Oliver Grey in a ‘falls count anywhere’ match.

January Concert – 29 January

Join Reading’s West Forest Sinfonia at the University’s Great Hall for their first concert of the new year. The programme will feature Sir Edward Elgar’s wonderful Enigma Variations, plus a feast of twentieth-century gems including Butterworth’s “Banks of Green Willow” and Vaughan Williams’ Symphony no. 4.