We’ve scoured the county to bring you the top events taking place this month
Absent Friends
London Classic Theatre presents this drama by the Olivier and Tony Award winning playwright Alan Ayckbourn. Wealthy, unfulfilled housewife Diana arranges a gathering of old friends to cheer up bereaved Colin, whose fiancée drowned two months earlier. Preparations for the tea party spark tensions as lingering resentments surface. Directed by Michael Cabot, the play explores friendship, marriage and what it ultimately means to be happy.
• When: 21 to 23 May
• Where: Theatre Royal Winchester, Jewry Street, SO23 8SB, 01962 840440, www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk
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Vintage Rally
The New Forest Vintage Tractor and Engine Club are back with their fantastic exhibits, so head down to Longdown for a glimpse of yester-year. Enjoy working demonstrations such as woodcutting on the sawmill and cooking in the Victorian country kitchen, plus displays of vintage tractors, vintage working machinery and engines. Moreover, there will be bumpy tractor rides, miniature steam engine rides and the fabulous tractor-v-children tug of war.
• When: 30 and 31 May
• Where: Longdown Activity Farm, Deerleap Lane, Ashurst, Near Southampton, SO40 7EH, 02380 292837, www.longdownfarm.co.uk
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Material World
‘An Intervention’ is concerned with the carefully chosen use of materials and their placement, presence and situation within a gallery context. This group show includes artists whose work utilises material intrinsic to their practice, and whose contemporary ideals harness key Modernist architects.
• When: 12 May to 27 June
• Where: John Hansard Gallery, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, 02380 592158, www.hansardgallery.org.uk
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Darling Buds of May
Following the smash hit TV series, this new 1950s rock and roll musical sees the larger than life Ma, the sultry Mariette and of course the shy tax inspector Cedric Charlton back living the Larkin way! With a professional cast, including Coronation Street’s Steve Arnold, terrific songs and lashings of laughter, it’s ‘Perfick’ fun for all the family.
• When: 25 to 30 May
• Where: Groundlings Theatre, 42 Kent Road, Portsea, PO1 3BS, 02392 737370, www.groundlings.co.uk
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Lymington Open Gardens
With 16 gardens to visit there will be something to appeal to every taste, from luscious English gardens to a yachtsman’s courtyard garden. The garden owners will be on hand to answer your questions. Plus enjoy teas, homemade cakes and plant stalls. Get your programme, which includes a map to help you plan your afternoon, at St Barbe Museum shop in Lymington.
• When: 31 May, 2pm to 6pm
• Where: For more details see: lymingtonopengardens.weebly.com
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Collage Workshop
Discover your artistic side and create a series of paper collages under the guidance of Rachel Reynolds. Suitable for all levels of experience, draw inspiration from found objects, papers and collected memorabilia. Various artistic styles, including painting, printing, tearing and sticking will be used. All materials will be provided.
• When: 13 May, 10.30am to 4.30pm
• Where: Rum’s Eg, 27 Bell Street, Romsey, SO51 8GY, 01794 511220, hampshireartandcraft.org
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Bringing Colour to Britain
In the late 1940s, Britain was in the grip of austerity and there was little decorative material available. J Lyons & Co decided to change the visual landscape by commissioning famous artists to create a series of colourful lithographs for their teashops – names like L.S. Lowry, Edward Bawden and John Nash. See an exhibition of 30 of these original and vibrant lithographs, from the 1940s and 1950s at Mottisfont.
• When: 2 May to 5 July, 11am to 5pm
• Where: Mottisfont, nr Romsey, SO51 0LP, 01794 340757, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont
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Truckmania
Stand amongst the giants of motoring and enjoy a day of all things trucking at Beaulieu. Witness vehicles of all shapes, sizes and ages, as well as eco-friendly lorries and specially decorated trucks. With monster truck displays, remote control trucks and Beaulieu Truck Pull, it’s guaranteed family fun!
• When: 24 and 25 May
• Where: Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, SO42 7ZN, 01590 612345
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Birds of Prey Art Day
Spend a relaxed, creative and fun day with Hawk Conservancy founder Ashley Smith, wildlife artist James Nash, and some of their wonderful raptors in a secluded part of the grounds. Whether you are an expert or a novice this is a unique experience not to be missed.
• When: 10 May, 9.30am to 4.30pm
• Where: The Hawk Conservancy Trust, Sarson Lane, Weyhill, Andover, SP11 8DY, 01264 773850, www.hawk-conservancy.org
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Celtic Fiddle Festival
Celtic Fiddle Festival celebrates the violin in all its globe-trotting variations. Fiddlers Kevin Burke (Ireland), Christian Lemaître (Brittany) and André Brunet (Québec) showcase a fascinating juxtaposition of international and individual styles. Along with acclaimed guitarist Nicolas Quemener from Brittany, the quartet combines their talents, musical traditions, and spontaneous humour for an evening of dazzling energy and subtle grace.
• When: May 20, 8.15pm
• Where: The Forge, Churchill Way, Basingstoke, RG21 7QR, 01256 844244, www.anvilarts.org.uk
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• Things to do in Hampshire this weekend - Great things to do in Hampshire this weekend: art exhibitions, walks, concerts, theatre, places to visit and other events and ideas.
