What's on in Reading this month

Spring may not have entirely sprung as we write this, but it’s very much on the way – and reflected in the vast number of events and activities springing up all over Reading in March! We’ve got mini music festivals, choral concerts, cracking comedy and so much more. So check out our highlights of What’s On in Reading in March – and, as always, don’t forget to check whatsonreading.com for so much more!

Local theatre | Various Dates

All the world’s a stage this month! At Shinfield Players Theatre, it’s A Bunch of Amateurs (4-7 March), the hilarious comedy about a Hollywood star who thinks he’s joining the RSC, but ends up in a very different theatre in a very different Stratford! And at Progress Theatre, it’s Writefest (18-21 March), the annual celebration of new writing with six new short plays from local writers. And on the professional side of things, Educating Rita continues at Reading Rep till 21 March, while RABBLE Theatre present this year’s Off The Block - four short plays, written in a week. Rehearsed in a day. Performed for one night only on 20 March.

Ben Portsmouth: This Is Elvis | 5 March

Reading’s favourite tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll returns to The Hexagon. Ben broke records becoming the first European to be crowned by Elvis Presley Enterprises as the ‘Worldwide Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist’ in Memphis, and with his jaw-dropping performances of Elvis’ most loved songs from the 50’s, ’68 comeback and the Vegas years, you’ll see why his fans say 'this is the closest you’ll ever get to the King!'.

Reading Card Show | 7 March 

Whether you're passionate about Pokémon cards, other TCGs, or rare and vintage collectibles, this show is the perfect place to buy, sell, and trade. With some of the best card traders in the region and from further afield, plus VIP guests from the collector community like Kanto.kings and UFC fighter Nathaniel 'The Prospect' Wood, it's becoming a major player in the card game.

Big Birthday Celebrations | Various Dates

Two Reading institutions will be celebrating their birthdays this month. On 7 & 8 March, Blue Collar mark ten years of serving up superb street food with a weekend packed with big eats and big beats! And on 27 March it’s the Future Transmissions Birthday Party, celebrating 23 years of top-tier gigs with another top-tier gig headlined by local legend Mr Fogg.

World Book Day at Broad Street Mall | 7 March

Young booklovers rejoice! Celebrate World Book Day at the Mall with the chance to meet the wonderfully charming Peter Rabbit throughout the day. Plus award-winning storyteller Danyah Miller will be hosting beautiful storytelling sessions at intervals between 11am and 4pm on the day.

Spring Choral Concerts | Various Dates

Reading’s choirs are in full voice this month with some wonderful spring concerts popping up throughout the month. On 7 March, Reading Phoenix Choir will be “In Perfect Harmony”; on 15 March it’s the turn of Reading Haydn Choir and/or Henley Choral Society, both with orchestral accompaniment; Reading Festival Chorus sing “From the Bavarian Highlands” on 21 March; and on 28 March both South Chiltern Choral Society and Pangbourne Choral Society present their Easter concerts.

Jordan Gray: Is That a C*ck in Your Pocket, or Are You Just Here to Kill Me? | 19 March

Following acclaimed runs in London and Edinburgh, the multi-award-winning star and creator of ITV’s Transaction comes to South Street with a guitar on her back and some very poorly written death threats in her DMs. But is the cost of success worth it? How do you live up to your own sky-high expectations? And most importantly, should you even be a comedian when your bum looks this good? Join Jordan as she explores all this and more in her rootinest, tootinest, shootinest hour of musical comedy yet.

D’Lecter Cabaret: A Night At The Movies | 20 March

Our local cabaret show is back at Sub89 this month for a fabulous evening filled with dazzling performances inspired by your favourite movies. The line-up of artistes will serve up magic, music, burlesque, comedy and more, each tipping their respective hats to Hollywood legends and the silver screen.

Celebrating Studio Ghibli | Various Dates

The crown jewel of Japanese animation is the subject of two separate and equally-wonderful events this month. On 21 March, The Great Hall plays host to Miyazaki Dreams, a concert where the Mystery Ensemble will perform magical music from his anime, and compositions inspired by his creations. And on 31 March, the latest Seed Talk at Sub89 is on the topic of The Art History of Studio Ghibli, with Helen McCarthy taking you on a journey through the studio’s history and inspiration, with time and space to appreciate selected artworks.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra | 27 March

The RPO return to The Hexagon for another dramatic programme of musical delights. Award-winning soloist Andrew Byun will join them for Dvořák's Cello Concerto in B minor was the last solo concerto written before his death. Rachmaninov’s First Symphony is set to go off like a volcano, and the famous ‘Rossini crescendo’ will set the tone for the evening with the Overture to his highly popular comic opera The Barber of Seville.

Beat Connection | 28 March

Heavy Pop’s “new music discovery” all-dayer returns to South Street with a packed line-up of some of the best new artists from around the UK. Featuring hot new trio HotWax (“adrenaline-jolted anthems about abandoning fear and leaping towards the future”), MOULD (“heavy riff-loaded doom-rock”), Reading’s own Puma Theory and more.

Secret Raves present: DJ Spoony | 28 March

BBC Radio 2’s DJ Spoony brings the finest House & UK Garage anthems to The Great Hall, joined by special guests MC DT, JBMac, Original Groover, and Big Herb. They’ll take you back to the golden era of house and garage – positive vibes, energy, and pure club classics all night long!