There's plenty going on in the Cotswolds this week

Thursday, October 27
Stratton

  • STRATTON village hall cinema presents Florence Foster Jenkins. The film, based on a true story, tells the inspirational tale of the eponymous New York heiress who obsessively pursued her dream of becoming a great singer. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start, admission £3.50.

Stow-on-the-Wold

  • MUSIC at Stow returns to St Edward’s Church until October 29 featuring Catrin Finch, fomer Royal Harpist, Colin Blunstone’s band The Zombies who achieved a number one hit in the USA in the 60s and the Darius Brubeck Quartet. Free parking in Stow Square after 6pm, tickets from £12-£20 can be purchased from Borzoi Bookshop, Church Street, by calling 01451 830268 or by visiting wegottickets.com

Cheltenham

  • THE Russian State Ballet and Opera House is coming to the Everyman Theatre this week with performances of Swan Lake (October 27), Sleeping Beauty (October 28) and The Nutcracker (October 29). Directed and choreographed by former Bolshoi Ballet soloist Konstantin Uralsky and with music by Tchaikovsky, these family favourite ballets will feature stunning choreography and sumptuous costumes. The shows are accompanied by a large live orchestra with over 30 musicians. Performances at 7.45pm with a Saturday matinee of The Nutcracker at 2pm. Tickets from £30, for more information and to purchase visit everymantheatre.co.uk or call 01242 572573.

Bristol

  • BILLY Elliot the Musical continues at the Bristol Hippodrome. Visit atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome for more details and tickets.

Woodchester

  • ART for animals exhibition at Sofas and Stuff, Woodchester Mill, North Woodchester.  Artists have created and donated animal artwork to raise money for the Cotswold Dogs and Cats Home. All artworks available to bid on in a secret auction. From 6pm. For more details about the charity and exhibition visit cdch.org.uk.

Friday, October 28
Cirencester

  • JON Richardson Work in Progress at The Sundial Theatre. See comedian Jon Richardson as he works on his new material ahead of  his next stand-up tour. He is massively in demand for television and radio appearances and his recent TV credits include Have I Got News For You (BBC One), Live At The Apollo (BBC One), and Channel 4s Comedy Gala Live at the O2. 8pm, visit sundial-theatre.co.uk for more.

Swindon

  • ALL male dance company BalletBoyz are embarking on a second leg of their UK tour of Life and they will be returning to the Wyvern Theatre. The production, which received its world premiere at London’s Sadler’s Wells in April of this year to widespread critical acclaim, initially toured over April and May. The show features new commissions by Javier de Frutos and Pontus Lidberg. Book your tickets now at swindontheatres.co.uk or by calling the Wyvern Box Office on 01793 524481.

Saturday, October 29
Cirencester

  • CIRENCESTER Baptist Church will hold a special evening of celebration in their old Church on Coxwell Street featuring Matt Hurley and the Bearded Acoustic Troubadour whose mission is to reach all people in society with a strong message of being loved. He has started making waves from the pubs and clubs to festivals and churches across Britain and Europe. Find out more about Matt at mattjrhurleymusic.com. Doors open at 6.30pm, for more information and ticket details email office@cirencester-baptist.org

Coates

  • THE annual Cobalt appeal sale is on at the village hall from 2-4pm with stalls of homemade cakes, knitted toys, gifts, tombola and raffle.

Fairford

  • GUIDE Dogs for the Blind is holding a Christmas fair and coffee morning at the community centre from 10am-12pm. There will be locally made crafts and gifts, Christmas cards and wrapping paper, a tombola, raffle and cakes and they will be serving coffee and mince pies. There will be a chance to meet some guide dogs and learn more about the work of the charity.

Rodmarton

  • QUIZ night at the village hall. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. £5 per person, bring your own food, bar serving beer, wine, soft drinks available. Questions are visual, projected onto a huge screen. Fun for all the family. To book your team in contact Neil on 01285 841601 or 07907 696849.

Malmesbury

  • DANIEL Cook, sub-organist at Westminster Abbey, will be giving an organ recital at Malmesbury Abbey at 7.30pm. The recital, organised by Malmesbury Abbey Music Society (MAMS) will feature pieces from four centuries of organ music including Dietrich Buxtehude, Henry Purcell and JS Bach as well as a talk from Daniel about life at Westminster Abbey. Tickets available from Malmesbury Abbey bookshop or from mamsmusic.co.uk. Contact 01666 824924 for more details.

Sunday, October 30
Cheltenham

  • ACCLAIMED children’s author and illustrator Liz Pichon will bring her fun-filled Brilliant Bands and Doodle tour to the Bacon Theatre, in celebration of the newest book in the Tom Gates series, DogZombies Rule (for now). The event features sing-a-long performances from fictional band DUDE3, a freestyle doodle masterclass for kids and a QandA session with Liz. Session starts at 5pm, children and parents are advised to bring paper and pencil to join in with the doodling. For more information and to buy tickets, from £12, visit bacontheatre.ticketsolve.com

Monday, October 31
Cirencester

  • CELEBRATE Hallowe’en at St Michael’s Park from 5-6.30pm. Fancy dress parade, prizes, refreshments, apple bobbing and more. A fun alternative to trick or treating. Entrance via King Street only.

South Cerney

  • CHILDREN’S pyjama disco at All Hallows church from 5.30-6.30pm with hot dogs and a tuckshop, free entry.