Mingling amid monologues

PROGRESS Theatre in Reading is hosting a fundraising event later this month.

“Monologues and Bubbly” is the launch of a series of campaigns to support the theatre with upgrades and improvements.

There will be a complimentary glass of bubbly (or a non-alcoholic alternative) and nibbles courtesy of some volunteer “butlers”, a sparkling welcome and a chance to mingle with fellow members alongside some original entertainment.

Four monologues, written by local writers, will be performed (content includes death and suicide).

“Monologues and Bubbly” takes place at the theatre in The Mount, Reading, on Saturday, January 24 at 7pm. Tickets cost from £20.

On Friday, January 30 (7.30pm), Josephine Davies’s Satori Quartet will perform, featuring Davies on tenor and soprano saxophones, with Alcyona Mick (piano), Dave Whitford (bass) and Jay Davies (drums). Then, from Thursday to Saturday, February 12 to 14 (7.45pm), Progress Youth Theatre presents its 75th anniversary production.

Lights Up is a showcase of performances from the Floodlights and the Blinders, the two older youth groups.

The Floodlights will present duologues on challenging themes and complex characters, with an extended, improvised ensemble scene.

There will be single bright flash lighting effects.

The Blinders will journey from Ancient Greece through Rome to Shakespeare’s Illyria and Victorian London, arriving at the present day, at a bus stop.

This selection of monologues and duologues will be accompanied by an adaptation called Beautiful Fools, influenced by The Great Gatsby.

For more information, visit progresstheatre.co.uk