You may have enjoyed the online events organised by the Friends of Belsize Community Library during the lockdowns. The Friends are now planning an exciting programme, but returning to the in-person format at the Library, The first event is on Thursday 17 November at the Belsize Community Library, Antrim Grove NW3 4XN, at 7.30pm.

Writer and performer Karin Fernald will give an illustrated talk on JANE AUSTEN, CARL LINNAEUS AND THE EMPIRE OF SWEDEN. The talk looks at celebrated Swedes listed by Jane Austen; one who freed the country from Danish rule; one who took on the Holy Roman Empire and brought back many paintings. Please come along and meet your neighbours. Suggested donation £5 to include refreshments.

Between about 1933 and 1939, artists living around Parkhill Road pioneered the British Modernist art movement, whilst spies living around Lawn Road were at the centre of Soviet espionage in Britain.  The political turmoil in Europe, and arrival of exiles escaping Fascism, had a significant impact on both these developments.  You can find out more about local culture and chicanery in those extraordinary times on our walk on Sunday 25 September.  Led by Averil Nottage, it will takes place twice – starting at 11.00 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.

The afternoon walk will be followed by tea and cakes at Belsize Library. The walks will start at the junction of Parkhill Road and Haverstock Hill. We expect a big demand so, to keep everyone safe, we are limiting numbers by operating a ticket system.  For 11am, the booking is through an Eventbrite site at the link. For the 2.30pm, walk, there is a separate link.

Next on the Main Stage – The Snail House

Sir Neil Marriot had a “good pandemic”, becoming familiar to millions from his TV appearances as a government medical advisor, and he is now rewarding himself with a lavish birthday party. But, amidst the oak panelling and the silver service, his family are at one another’s throats again, and he thinks there’s something familiar – and somehow unsettling – about one of the catering staff…

The Snail House is the first completely original play from Richard Eyre, the vastly experienced director of theatre, opera, film and television who was Artistic Director of the National Theatre from 1988 to 1997. His previous productions at Hampstead have included The Last of the Duchess and Mr Foote’s Other Leg.

Next on Downstairs – Ravenscourt

Lydia is a mental-health professional determined to make a difference. She has given up her comfortable job in private practice to become a therapist at Ravenscourt – where society’s most in need can receive treatment. But as Lydia settles into the job, she starts to realise how high the odds are stacked against her being able to really change things. Maybe the cynics are right: the system is broken and nobody cares..

Georgina Burns is an alumnus of Hampstead Theatre’s INSPIRE course for emerging playwrights; Ravenscourt is her first produced full length play. Hampstead Theatre’s Associate Artist Tessa Walker (Big Big Sky, The Glad Game) directs.

Main Stage until 4 June – The Breach

Love has no limits for the Diggs siblings: there’s nothing that 17-year-old Jude won’t do to keep her younger brother Acton safe. Growing up in the turbulence of 1970s America, Jude works nights and weekends to pay the bills, just so that they can stay together and with their mother. But when Acton’s troublesome pals form a club in their basement, a foolish game threatens to upend Jude’s plans, and derail their lives forever. How far will Jude go to protect her brother? And who will pay the eventual price of her doing so?

As trust and loyalty are put on the line, hindsight proves devastating in Naomi Wallace’s absorbing drama The Breach, directed by Sarah Frankcom.

Coming soon…

The Fellowship: 17 June – 23 July

The world premiere of Roy Williams’ The Fellowship, directed by Paulette Randall, is, by turns, an electrifying, hilarious, gripping tale set in modern Britain. 

Children of the Windrush generation, sisters Dawn and Marcia Adams grew up in 1980s London and were activists on the front line against the multiple injustices of that time. Decades on, they find they they have little in common beyond family…