The Jolly Brewer Theatre Company is putting on a performance of John Gay’s 18th century comedy classic The Beggar’s Opera this weekend.

Starting tonight (Friday 22nd July) the show will run until Sunday 24th July at The Jolly Brewer pub on Broadgate.

The play tells the story of rascal highwayman Macheath as he attempts to dodge the law whilst fulfilling his intense desire for women, playing two whores against each other in an effort to escape the grips of their determined (and often drunk) fathers. Will rogue Macheath run away with luscious Lucy Lockitt, walk down the aisle with pretty Polly Peachum or swing from the gallows?

The Jolly Brewer Theatre Company presents its unique twist on the classic play with an exciting mix of biting satire and retro punk!

Director John Aspill set up The Jolly Brewer Theatre Company as a means to bring theatre to the locals, by the locals in their local, making it accessible to a new audience.

John said: “With so many theatre companies struggling with rising theatre costs and cuts to arts funding, I saw the chance to use the amazing space that the Jolly Brewer has to offer to give theatre a new, exciting edge in this new environment.”

After the success of his pantomime Snow White and the Seven Brewers back in 2010, John decided it was time for something a bit different and perhaps a little more risqué.

Grace Waite, who plays the part of Polly Peachum in the show, said: “We have had so much fun with this show. I’m involved in a few drama companies in the area but performing in the Jolly Brewer is so exciting, it’s a completely different atmosphere and the crowds are always great!”

Whores, sluts, beggars and scandal – what more could you ask for? The show even includes original live music including Our Polly is a Sad Slut and Fill Every Glass!

Tickets are available from The Jolly Brewer. Advance tickets cost £7.50 and tickets on the day cost £8.50.

Good news for lovers of the odd glass of vino! Café Portico is extending its opening hours to become an intimate evening wine bar four nights a week!

The launch event kicks off at 5pm next week on Friday 29th July and guests will be able to enjoy live music from acclaimed singer/songwriter Abi Moore free of charge!

Café Portico will open its doors from 5pm ‘til midnight from Wednesday to Saturday each week and has a programme of special events and music nights planned.

The café, located on the ground floor of The Terrace, recently came under the new ownership of Sim Bellandini.

Sim said: “Our aim is to offer a variety of special nights alongside our new evening opening times. We already have an exciting programme of live music lined up in the coming months, from jazz and blues to new writing, folk and acoustic sets.

“We’ve even got some West End stars lined up! But most importantly we will be offering an inviting and cosy setting for the people of Lincoln to enjoy with their friends.

“We are delighted to have Abi playing at our launch night and we are warmly inviting people to pop by on this special night, enjoy some music and see what we’re up to at Cafe Portico.”

A selection of tasty nibbles and sharing platters will be on the evening menu with a broad selection of wines, spirits and drinks also available. So whether it’s a quiet drink after work, a meeting place or a relaxing evening out, Café Portico is set to become a charming Lincoln night spot.

Cafe Portico is open Monday to Friday from 9am ‘til 5pm, offering a varied Italian-inspired menu and a selection of delicious cakes.

To check out upcoming events at Café Portico visit us at www.lovelincoln.co.uk and have a look at our events listings.

AHOY there! Lincoln By the Sea is back and a mighty pirate ship is on course to arrive in Lincoln bang on time for the popular summertime attraction.

Wragby-based Playdays is busy putting the finishing touches to the six by three-metre vessel, which will anchor up at The Beach for the duration of the event which takes place from 1st – 27th August.

Youngsters will be able to board the ship, as well as build sandcastles and play games on Lincoln’s very own beach, with its newly-painted surround.

Mums and dads can take a load off in authentic seaside deckchairs and enjoy an ice cream while children of all ages will be able to enjoy fairground rides and play floor games.

This year youngsters will also be able to try Water Zorbing between 11th and 15th August!

The Beach is being staged by Lincoln BIG with the help of funding from the European Regional Development Fund.

Lincoln BIG Events and Promotions Manager Michael Armstrong said: “The Beach proved to be a runaway success last summer, so we’re recreating it – but this time with some great new twists.

“We’re hoping that families will make the most of it and have a great time. We’re inviting everyone who visits The Beach to make a real day of it by coming into the city early and also making time to pop into city centre shops and cafes.”

Don’t forget your bucket and spade!

Lincoln’s own little Italy in West Parade is becoming a hub of edible Italian delights with its newest addition La Trattoria Da Vincenzo now open for business.

The authentic Italian restaurant serves traditional dishes – all made using fresh ingredients.

The restaurant joins Italian delis A Taste of Italy, which opened earlier this year, and La Bottega Delitalia, a deli and café where you can eat in or take food away.

Another authentic Italian business in the neighbourhood is gents’ hairdresser Salvatore.

Dishes on the menu at La Trattoria Da Vincenzo include hot and cold starters, pizza, pasta, steak, chicken and fresh fish – plenty on offer to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters!

“We decided to do something different,” said Vincenzo Tragni, Head Chef and co-owner of La Trattoria.

“We wanted something authentic – unusual you might say! The restaurant is set inside a Victorian town house and it creates a very intimate, authentic experience for our customers.

“We’ve only been open a short while but the response we have had so far has been positive – we want to keep spreading the word.”
The restaurant is open for lunch from Monday to Thursday from 12 noon until 2pm and from 12 noon to 3pm Friday and Saturday.

Evening dinner service is from 5.30pm to 9.30pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 5.30pm to 10pm Friday and Saturday.

La Trattoria seats a maximum of 22 diners so booking in advance is advised. Call 01522 519050 to book your table now!

It’s the season of change for central Lincoln café and bar The appletree.

The café bar, located on Lincoln High Street, has appointed a new chef and assistant manager and bar supervisor.

Leonora Robinson, originally from Colombia, has lived in the UK since the mid 80s and is now the new chef and Assistant Manager at the venue.

Leonora has previous experience running her own business with her husband which turned over in excess of £5 million and was the Manager of cafè Repleat in Lincoln, just off the A46 bypass.

In addition to her usual managerial duties she also prepared home-made daily specials and developed an outside catering outlet for the local business parks.

You can get your first taste of the new chef’s home-made specials at The appletree with an initial offering of lasagne and salad tomorrow.

A new summer menu has also been created to coincide with Leonora’s arrival. New dishes featured on the menu include steak ciabatta, club sandwich, a variety of fresh salads and additional panini fillings including sweet chilli chicken, tuna mayo and cheese and mozerella, tomato and basil. Sounds de-lish!

Tapas will also be coming to The appletree’s menu! The Spanish cuisine will be available during the day and plans for a tapas dining evening (most likely Wednesdays) are in the pipeline.

All of the ingredients for the food and drink at The appletree are sourced locally where possible and prepared on site at the café bar.

Daniel Barloga, who has spent the last few years making cocktails at the White Hart as Assistant Manager, will shake things up as the new Bar Supervisor.

Daniel’s duties include maintaining the high standard of current and future cocktails, influencing the development of the cocktail menu and training staff up to the same standard.

“Leona is full of energy and extremely driven,” said Steven Trwoga, who owns with The appletree with his partner, Sherrie Cowie. “And Daniel has a real interest in mixology and a passion for cocktails.

“We’re incredibly excited about having them both on our team, launching our new menus and about the changes that are under way.”

The full line-up for the fourth Lincoln Comedy Festival has been announced!

The diverse mix of shows to appear in the city this year features household favourites such as Jack Whitehall, Dave Spikey, Arthur Smith, Shappi Khorsandi and Jon Richardson as well as some of the best performers of musical comedy, sketch, stand-up, dance and improvisation in the UK.

Other acts lined up for the festival, which takes place from 5th – 11th October across three different venues in the city, include Sean Walsh, Tom Stade, Andrew Lawrence, Fascinating Aida and The Boy with Tape on His Face.

This year budding local stand-ups will also have the opportunity to sign up for a weekend stand-up course with early alternative comedy scene legend and former resident compère at The Comedy Store Tony Allen!

Festival Director Shaun Almey said: “This is the biggest and most eclectic programme of comedy we’ve put on during a festival and we can’t wait for it to start.

“We’ve worked hard alongside all three venues to bring some of the best performers in the UK to the city for a celebration of comedy, having a good laugh and – for some people – the opportunity to take their first steps on the road to being a comedian.

“We hope there is something that most people will find suits their taste in the programme and we can all have a laugh together for a week in October.”

Check out our site at www.lovelincoln.co.uk for details of the full line up! For clips of all the acts performing at the festival and ticket details visit www.lincolncomedyfestival.co.uk.

Radio waves that is! Fancy yourself as the next Annie Mac, Nick Grimshaw, Fearne Cotton or maybe even Jeremy Vine?

Well practice makes perfect! Community radio station Siren 107.3 FM is running two one-week courses for young people in and around Lincoln over the summer holidays.

If you are (or know someone who is) aged 10 to 15 and wants to get some exciting experience in the world of live media then this is your chance!

Participants will learn the basics of recording, mixing, interviewing, editing, producing and presenting.

Each course will end with a fun live radio show. Everyone will get the chance to select the music, record and edit interviews, produce jingles and read the news, sports, weather and travel features, and every student will get a professional CD recording of his or her show!

Technical Manager Liam Juniper is a recent graduate from the University of Lincoln working at Siren FM. “Its loads of fun,” said Liam, “You get to meet the experts as well as use some state-of-the-art kit.”

The first week of the summer school, from 8th to 12th August, is for 10 to 12-year-olds and week two, from 15th to 19th August, is for 13 to 15-year-olds.

Siren Summer School Co-ordinator Andy Deighton said: “This is a fabulous chance for kids around Lincoln to get a proper feel of how radio works. We have some top teachers who will deliver a quality summer school that will not only be great fun, but also an experience that will last a lifetime.”

The courses cost £60 per person and last from 10am – 3pm. Just bring a packed lunch!

The Siren FM station is based at The MHT Building on the University of Lincoln’s Brayford campus. For more information or to book, visit www.sirenonline.co.uk or call Siren 107.3 FM reception on 01522 837337.