Bumper month for Cornerhouse, Surbiton

The dramatic and turbulent lives of some extraordinary jazz divas are celebrated in a new show coming to the Cornerhouse theatre on Friday, May 7.

A-Tisket, A-Tasket is a cabaret evening of song and narration which focuses on the talents of feted vocalists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Julie London, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone and Billy Holiday.

Musical director Keesha Mclean said: “The Cornerhouse performance space will be transformed into a jazz cabaret venue and feature local performers.”

Call the box office on 07753 822726 or email keeshamclean@yahoo.co.uk for tickets to the Friday or Saturday 7.45pm performance.

Photographs and poetry will reflect on rural landscapes at an exhibition also there this month.

The rural dreams and urban jungles exhibition runs until Friday, May 28.

It showcases photographs of Dartmoor by Jon Constant, and photographs and poetry about suburbia by Tanya Burley.

Ms Burley said: “In this busy world we can sometimes walk straight past a beautiful sculpture or intriguing piece of architecture. My photography is an attempt to capture these unusual flashes of inspiration often hidden away in our urban environment.”

There is a special gala night on Tuesday, May 11, from 7pm to 9pm for people to meet the photographers and talk to them about their work.

Then it is on to songs and scenes from West End musicals.

Well-known hits from Oliver, Mary Poppins, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Mamma Mia promise to thrill audiences on Friday, May 21, and Saturday, May 22.

Tickets for either show, which start at 7.45pm can be bought by calling 07718 064751 or emailing jeanmitford@yahoo.co.uk.

Volunteers are then needed on Saturday, May 22, to give the theatre a good spring clean.

The building gets lots of wear and tear and there are plenty of jobs such as painting, gardening, sorting, tidying, and general improvement to do.

All you need is old clothes and enthusiasm for the clean, which takes place from 10am to 1pm.