THEATRES IN READING, CAVERSHAM, WOODLEY, EARLEY, LOWER EARLEY, TILEHURST, MORTIMER, PANGBOURNE

Founded in 1946, Progress is the oldest producing theatre in Reading. Its patron, Sir Kenneth Branagh, was a member in the late 1970s. Run by volunteers to an impressive standard, Progress puts on 11 productions a year – from The Hogfather to Under Milk Wood – in its intimate and accessible 96-seat venue, as well as hosting comedy and jazz nights. Its annual open-air production in the ruins of Reading Abbey is usually Shakespeare but this year will be  be Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. Visit their website to find out what’s on or how to join.

Check out the above website to see what’s on at The Hexagon – your very own ultra-modern, 1,200-seater multi-purpose theatre and arts venue operated by Reading Borough Council  - and none the worse for that. There’s drama, comedy, dance, classical, pop and rock music.

The only dinner theatre in the UK (every ticket includes a 2-course meal) and celebrating over 40 years of drama, comedy and music – plenty of good tribute acts. The Mill, complete with its revolving water wheel, has 217 theatre seats in the round and a restaurant with views over the Thames. Check the website to see what’s on but here’s a taste: Calendar Girls (April – June); Three Men in a Boat (here’s the Thames again and on June/July); a Genesis tribute act in September and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Nov–Jan). Box Office: 0118  969  8000 (Mon–Sat 10am–8pm).