The Guide
A SELECTION OF IDEAS TO HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST OF THE WEEK AHEAD IN BATH
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This week you really ought to…
SEE A NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE SCREENING OF: Antony and Cleopatra, with Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo playing Shakespeare’s famous fated couple in this great tragedy of politics, passion and power. At the fringes of a war-torn empire, the Egyptian queen Cleopatra and General Mark Antony have fallen fiercely in love. In a tragic fight between devotion and duty, obsession becomes a catalyst for war. Directed by Simon Godwin. Little Theatre Cinema, Thursday, December 6, 7pm. Tickets £22/£17.50/£10, picturehouses.com
SEE A FESTIVE GEORGIAN KITCHEN BROUGHT TO LIFE BY: Dr Annie Gray, food historian, writer and broadcaster. The Victorians may have invented much of our modern Christmas – from Santa to stockings – but there was festive life before Prince Albert, and in this Christmasthemed lecture Annie will unveil the glories of a Georgian yule. Museum of Bath Architecture, Paragon, Thursday, December 6, 6.30pm. Tickets £7, no1royalcrescent.org.uk
GO TO A WINTER FLOWER FESTIVAL AT: The Bishop’s Palace in Wells, part of the Christmas at the Palace event. The festival will showcase the NAFAS South West Area competitions, with fantastical and elaborate floral displays with a variety of themes. With an opportunity to watch hands-on demonstrations from skilled florists (11.30am and 3pm), plus a photography competition. Friday, December 7, until Sunday, December 9, 10am to 4pm. Tickets £9/£8/£4 (discount cards/passes not valid), bishopspalace.org. uk
TASTE SOME NEW WINES AT: Laithwaite’s annual festive wine-tasting event at the Guildhall. Sample a superb selection of over 30 wines, including warming reds and new year sparklers. With a chance to meet the passionate wine growers behind these bestselling wines, and hear the stories behind the bottles. Ticket includes all wine samples, exclusive tasting glass and wine brochure. Saturday December 8, 1pm to 3.30pm (afternoon session) and 6pm to 8.30pm (evening session). Tickets £27, laithwaites.co.uk
ATTEND A LATE EVENT ON WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE 100 AT: No 1 Royal Crescent, with an exhibition including a ten-minute film, where two actresses represent heroines of their eras, from 100 years ago and 250 years ago. The two characters have an animated discussion across time, with shared issues of equality, struggle, resolve and fortitude. See whether our Georgian ancestors did start the journey towards emancipation which continues today. Friday, December 7, and Saturday, December 8, 6.45pm and 8.15pm. Tickets £5, no1royalcrescent.org.uk
WATCH A FREE SOLO CLIMB AND LIVE Q&A EVENT WITH: Free soloist climber Alex Honnold, award-winning documentary filmmaker Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and world-renowned photographer and mountaineer Jimmy Chin. To celebrate International Mountain Day on December 11, see Honnold prepare to climb the face of the world’s most famous rock, 3,200-foot El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, without a rope. Screening and Q&A will be broadcast live across the UK and Ireland via satellite. Little Theatre Cinema, Tuesday, December 11, 6pm, picturehouses.com
ENJOY AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL PALIN AT: The Forum, as he brings to life the world and voyages of HMS Erebus, from its construction and the part it played in Ross’s Antarctic expedition in 1839-43, its abandonment during Franklin’s ill-fated Arctic expedition, to its final rediscovery on the seabed in Queen Maud Gulf in 2014. He explores the careers of the men who shared its journeys, and describes what life on board was like. Tuesday, December 11, 7.30pm. Tickets £20, toppingbooks.co.uk
VISIT BATH’S AWARD-WINNING CHRISTMAS MARKET: With more than 180 twinkling chalets spread out across Bath’s picturesque Georgian streets. Local makers and designers will be showcasing artisan gifts, Christmas decorations, handcrafted jewellery and more. With hog roast, burgers, caramelised nuts and aromatic mulled wine. Running for 18 days until Sunday, December 9. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 10am-7pm; Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10am-8:30pm; Sunday 10am-6pm. More details from bathchristmasmarket.co.uk
Why not take the kids to…
A PLAY AT THE EGG: A fresh and contemporary take on The Scarlet
Pimpernel, the popular novel by Baroness Orczy, set in 1790s Paris with the French Revolution in full swing. A mysterious band of bounders, led by a flamboyant masked hero, are helping French poodles and their owners escape to England. A Pins and Needles production, age six and up. Thursday, December 6, until Sunday, January 13, performance times vary, audio described performance and touch tour on January 5. Tickets £18/£12, theatreroyal. org.uk
DO SOME STARGAZING: At the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, where experts from Bath Astronomers will assist with identifying features in the night sky. Professional telescopes will be in the museum’s garden where, in 1781, William Herschel spotted Uranus for the first time. The museum will be open, and in the event of cloudy weather there will be talks about the Herschels’ lives and the night sky. Age eight and up. Friday, December 7, 4pm to 8pm. Tickets £10/£7/£4, must be booked in advance, details from herschelmuseum. org.uk
A SANTA SPECIAL TRAIN RIDE: At Avon Valley Railway, with a ride on one of the steam-hauled trains and a special visit from Father Christmas! During an hourlong trip through the rolling Avon Valley countryside, Santa’s helpers will distribute mince pies and festive biscuits. Then Father Christmas will spend time with each family, and give each child a present suitable for their age. Saturday, December 8, and Sunday, December 9, plus every weekend before Christmas and on Christmas Eve. Tickets from £14, booking essential, avonvalleyrailway.org
A WORKSHOP FOR BUDDING FILMMAKERS: Bristol-based production company and film school Screenology have designed a one-day intensive film-making session specifically for young people aged 14 to 18. Participants will create a short documentary-style film inspired by the Gallery’s exhibition, Unintended Consequences. Artists Maeve Brennan and Imram Perretta will share their motivations and unique perspectives. The Edge, University of Bath, Saturday, December 8, 10am to 4.30pm. Tickets £35 (booking essential), edgearts.org
A RE-TELLING OF THE SNOWMAN: Hear one of the UK’S most acclaimed children’s writers, Michael Morpurgo, reading Raymond Briggs’ much-loved tale of true Christmas magic. Michael will also read an extract from his new novel, and everyone will get the chance to join a live draw-along with The Snowman illustrator Robin Shaw. With snowy and seasonal fun for the whole family in the foyer ahead of the show. Age six and up. The Pavilion, Sunday, December 9, 5pm. Tickets £8, bathfestivals.org.uk
SANTA’S GROTTO AT MILSOM PLACE: Children will be welcomed by Peppermint the Elf before being shown inside a Narniainspired wintry wonderland. With festive face paint and an opportunity for Christmas craft-making while they wait. Father Christmas will make an appearance and call each child to come and chat to him about the nice things they’ve done this year, before being invited to find their personalised gift under the tree. Christmas fancy dress encouraged! Monday, December 10, until Monday, December 24, £12.50 per child, superpirates.co.uk
A JOURNEY TO THE NORTH POLE AT: Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park, a 60-minute magical theatrical journey. Includes meeting Father Christmas, visiting Mrs Claus in the Elves’ Parlour, a tour of Patch’s Toy Factory, a simulated reindeer flight with Goggles the pilot elf, feeding real reindeer, access to the Yuletide Village and much more. Selected dates until Monday, December 24, time slots 9am to 4.30pm (12pm Christmas Eve). Tickets £22-£32 (includes park access), christmas.avonvalley.co.uk BATH ON ICE 2018: Experience the thrill of the ice this winter in Royal Victoria Park. With 1,000m² of ice this will be the biggest rink to date, with skating, penguin/seal skate aids, groups and parties, food and a bar. Every ticket includes skate hire and one hour on the ice. Booking not required but recommended for evenings and weekends. Until Sunday, January 6, daily 11.45am to 10pm (weekdays), 10.30am to 10pm (weekends and holidays, except Christmas Day). Tickets £11/£10, bathonice.com
GLOW-IN-THE-DARK MINI GOLF: This year Bath’s famous adventure golf course in Victoria park will be lit up, spreading the festive atmosphere from the ice rink. Operating on first come, first served basis, with a waiting list if needed to create a flow of people around the course. Booking allowed for groups of 10 or more (on 01225 436888). Until Sunday, January 6, daily 4.30pm to 9.30pm (last start 8.30pm). Tickets £6.50/£5.50/£20 family (2+2 or 1+3), bathonice.com