From Broadway-calibre musicals and timeless children’s classics to politically charged circus and world-class photography, July delivers a spectacular lineup of culture across Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. Whether you’re venturing into Narnia, roaring along to Bat Out of Hell, or exploring the radical lens of Paz Errázuriz, there’s a story to captivate everyone. Here’s your curated guide to the must-see theatre, exhibitions and live events this month.
Best Things to do in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire this July
Calamity Jane
Dates: 29 July-2 August
Venue: MK Theatre
This revival stars multi-award-winning West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher as Calamity Jane herself. Based on the much-loved Doris Day movie, this foot-stomping new production features all the sure-fire classic songs including The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away), The Black Hills of Dakota, Just Blew in from the Windy City, and the Oscar-winning Secret Love.
Book Calamity Jane at MK Theatre
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Dates: 22-26 July
Venue: MK Theatre
The celebrated production of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which was loved by audiences and critics alike during its recent West End run, has embarked on a major new tour of the UK. Step through the wardrobe into the enchanted kingdom of Narnia. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and embark on the most magical of adventures in a frozen, faraway land where they meet Mr. Tumnus the faun, talking beavers, Aslan (the noble king of Narnia) and the coldest, most evil White Witch.
See The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe on tour
Pablo Bronstein
Dates: Until 2 November
Venue: Waddesdon Manor
Celebrated British artist Pablo Bronstein presents a bold new exhibition featuring a new body of work in response to Waddesdon Manor as a Jewish country house, with a grand assembly of paintings on paper reimagining the legendary Temple of Solomon. Alongside his works, Bronstein will select historic drawings from Waddesdon’s exceptional collection for display.
View the Pablo Bronstein exhibition
Gorilla Circus
Dates:12 July
Corn Exchange Newbury
A mesmeric new outdoor show combining exhilarating acrobatics, adrenaline-pumping street dance and breathtaking roller skating, set on a giant moving treadmill! RPM explores the tragic, comic and absurd aspects of modern society, unravelling untold links between current problems and the UK’s troubled history – it asks the question: has this country ever confronted its colonial past?
Bat Out of Hell
Dates: 21-26 July
Venue: Wycombe Swan
This heart-pounding experience, with a powerhouse eight-piece live band on stage, delivers a new production with sprawling multi-level platforms to transport you from Raven’s bedroom to the underground world of the Lost in a visual feast that pushes the boundaries of live theatre.
Get tickets to Bat Out of Hell at Wycombe Swan
Paz Errázuriz
Dates: 19 July-5 October
Venue: MK Gallery
“They are topics that society doesn’t look at, and my intention is to encourage people to dare to look.” The first UK solo exhibition of Chilean photographer Paz Errázuriz presents over 170 works in colour and black and white from the 1970s to the present day.
During General Pinochet’s dictatorship from 1973 to 1998, Errázuriz took her camera onto the street, recording prohibited subjects and breaking regulations and curfews imposed by the military regime. In 1981 she was also one of the founding members of Chilean Association of Independent Photographers – providing a network of support to help distribute ‘unofficial’ images. Errázuriz often spends months or years within a community, building trust and getting to know her sitters before creating her work.
Often working in series, her photographs include men and women in psychiatric institutions, Trans communities, sex workers, individuals sleeping unprotected in the street and the Kawésqar, an indigenous group whose culture and language are under threat. Other series feature circus workers, protesters, boxers, wrestlers, children and elders and dancers.
Errázuriz’s work can be seen in important international collections including Tate, MoMA, New York, the Guggenheim and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid. She has received various national and international prizes, including the PHotoEspaña Prize in 2015, the year she also represented Chile at the Venice Biennale. In 2014 she received the Pablo Neruda Order of Merit, the highest cultural and artistic recognition given by the Chilean government.
Visit Paz Errázuriz at MK Gallery
Heritage Live Festivals
Dates: 17-20 July
Venue: Englefield House
Heritage Live Festivals are staged at some of England’s most beautiful and culturally significant venues. It returns to Englefield House, Berkshire, from 17th-20th July featuring amongst others The Jacksons, Ministry of Sound Classical, The Beach Boys and The Wombats.
Book tickets for Heritage Live 2025
How Absolutely Picks the Best for You
At Absolutely Magazines, we pride ourselves on curating only the finest recommendations for our refined readers. Our editors leverage their extensive expertise in lifestyle journalism to ensure that every selection meets the highest standards of quality and relevance. From scouring local insider tips to understanding trends and feedback, we leave no stone unturned in identifying the most exceptional venues for you. Guided by an appreciation for your taste, we prioritise venues and events that epitomise luxury, style, and premium experiences. You can trust us to bring you the Absolute best, every time.
