When spoilt orphan Mary Lennox is plucked from the bright vibrancy of India and transplanted to a big old house brimming with secrets on the grey Yorkshire moors, she has to face some pretty big changes. As the wind whistles around the mysterious manor, Mary battles with loneliness and encounters locked doors, a curious robin, a gruff gardener and strange cries echoing through the house. A hidden key unlocks a refuge in the secret garden…but what will this discovery unlock in Mary? Unearthing the dark heart of this classic tale at the Rondo Theatre on Friday 10/Saturday 11 February, Angel Exit theatre company celebrates the centenary of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s memorable, magical tale ‘The Secret Garden’ (suitable for age 6+) with a brand new production presented in their own rich visual style, blending ensemble storytelling with striking physicality, beautiful puppets, live singing and an original soundtrack. Don’t miss it.

www.rondotheatre.co.uk

Get a wiggle on at Komedia on Saturday 28 January when Boogie Time – a live disco specifically geared towards little people and their big friends – is set to get the dance floor rockin’! Tickets cost just £5 (non-walking babies free), all ages are welcome and there’s a face painting maestro on hand. Can’t make the date? Don’t worry; it’s happening all over again on Saturday 25 February and Saturday 24 March.

www.komedia.co.uk/bath/

… the Theatre Royal’s got it all going on. Fans of director Tom Hooper’s hugely popular, multi-award winning 2010 film ‘The King’s Speech’ have a rare opportunity to attend the world premiere of writer David Seidler’s original play at the Theatre Royal from Monday 20-Saturday 25 February. Starring Joss Ackland, Charles Edwards and Jonathan Hyde, the story recounts the truth behind King George VI’s unconventional journey to the throne; a mu-mu-must see production if ever there wa-wa-was one. But if kings ain’t your thing, ‘Avenue Q’ brings contemporary frolics to Bath between Tuesday 31 January-Sunday 5 February, those frisky, risky ‘Calendar Girls’ will be baring all on the TRB stage the following week (Monday 6-Saturday 11 February) and the ‘Wizard of Oz’ takes us down the Yellow Brick Road into March at the very end of the month (Tuesday 28 February-Saturday 3 March).

www.theatreroyal.org.uk

The Bath Festival Season is gearing up for action already – and news has just hit the Pig that the fabulous Fringe will once again be capturing the hearts and minds of Bathonians from Friday 25 May-Sunday 10 June. Want to get involved? A call-out has been made for local artists to submit work for a variety of events and exhibitions taking place at various venues across the city. Submission of proposals is free, with the artists that are selected then being asked to contribute £10 towards publicity and other costs of the festival, but there are certain categories that are exempt from this charge. Meanwhile, the FAB prize – a new bi-annual competition/exhibition – invites artists practising contemporary work in the fields of painting, print, drawing, photography, film, sound, sculpture, installation and performance to get involved. Submission is by one image (jpeg) per entry with written proposals considered for performance and installation pieces (under 500 words), while film works need to be uploaded online via YouTube; selected works will be shown as part of a curated exhibition during FAB 2012. Or you might just fancy being a festival steward and getting involved at grass roots level; come on, Bath – your biggest and best festival needs you!

www.fringeartsbath.co.uk

Take 10 ‘luscious ladies’, a pinch of Vegas showgirl, a spot of fan dancing and a high-kicking smattering of Can Can routines and what have you got? The Flaming Feathers Variety Dance Show, that’s what! It’s all going on on Saturday 11 February, when the doyennes of High Tease and Coco Boudoir bring their full-length show to the Chapel Arts Centre. Expect fun, fabulous frocks and, of course, plenty of feathers at this brazenly burlesque-style extravaganza; kickin!

www.chapelarts.org

25% off the total bill for early diners, a Comfort Food Festival (Monday 23-Thursday 26 January), Stewsday Tuesdays, Real Fish and Chip night (Tuesday 7 February), 2/3-courses lunches for just £12/£15 and the return of the regular Steak Nights (two steak dinners and a bottle of Malbec for less than £30) – blimey, there’s so much going on at the Marlborough Tavern that it’s impossible to give you all the details here! So hurry along to the website (or follow them on Twitter: @MarlboroughTav) to keep up with the good news that just keeps on coming.

www.marlborough-tavern.com

Unfortunately, the bad news that started out as a rumour has been confirmed as fact: Market – the lovely, lively Sawclose haven of merriment – has closed its doors for good. Owner Ashley van Dyck, who took over the premises in September 2010, said he was extremely sorry to have to say goodbye to the many regulars who have kept business booming but was unable to reveal the cause of the sudden closure, hinting that other factors aside from the recession were to blame. And what might those ‘other factors’ be? Without wanting to attract the wrath of BANES council, The Pig can only hazard a gamble at guessing what the not-so-bright future for Sawclose might be. Meanwhile, over on Queens Square…

Having had multiple applications for schemes in various locations (including a bid to convert the Friends Meeting House on York Street) rejected by planners, a branch of Raymond Blanc’s upmarket brasserie chain Brasserie Blanc is all set to open on the ground floor of the Francis Hotel in May; the (disen)franchisation of the Heritage City is officially well under way.

Following the unmitigated success of The Bertinet Bakery’s temporary pre-Christmas pop-up at The Podium, upper-crust carb fans will be delighted to hear that the venture has turned into a non-moveable feast on 6 New Bond Street Place (on the corner of Upper Borough Walls). Already enjoying a brisk Monday-Saturday trade, the shop will be open seven days a week from February to ensure that a full range of freshly baked Bertinet breads (including their legendary award-winning sourdough), tarts, cakes and pastries are available to all, every day. All rise!

www.bertinet.com

‘Classical flavours, modern techniques’ – that’s the diktat that’s motivating bright young kitchen whizz kid Jackson Hacker in his new semi-permanent venture at the Richmond, the glorious Victorian inn on Richmond Place. Currently serving dinner from 6pm-9.30pm Thursday-Saturday and 12.30-3pm on Sundays, expect menus that team with delights such as slow-cooked pigeon breast, South Coast plaice and classic chocolate mousse or go carni-crazy on Steak Night: steak, fries and salad for just £10 every Thursday evening. The freshly baked bread that Hacker fans are going crazy for, meanwhile, comes courtesy of ‘secret recipes’ supplied by Jackson’s brother (and Bath Good Food Awards nominee) Charlie, who heads up Charlie’s Bakery, to be found at Bath Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning. High five, Jacksons!

www.jacksonhacker.com / www.charliesbakery.co.uk

It’s a question of first come, first served at the Raven on Monday 6 February when one of Pieminister’s original piemen will host a pie and ale tasting session at what’s surely one of Bath’s loveliest pubs from 7.30pm. The Raven’s ale’n’arty real beer selection is legendary around these yer parts, and what those Pieminister peeps don’t know about making pies isn’t worth knowing. Diet – what diet? The Pig’s gonna be first in the queue.

www.theravenofbath.co.uk