5 Things to Do in Nottingham This Week

You may not recognise his name, but there’s a bleddy good chance you’ll recognise the voice of the man who narrated the summer’s biggest TV show. For nearly two months this year, Iain Stirling’s scottish accent was coming outta most telly screens in the country as the voice of Love Island. But narrating the lives of young singletons living it up in a Majorca villa is not his only talent, he’s actually a BAFTA award winning comedian. On Monday, he’s coming to Notts to take part in Nottingham Comedy Festival, bringing us a show that’s all about dinner etiquette, feminism and the generation of instant gratification. Iain will be pondering how this modern world of social media and techy stuff has affected our ability to be happy and whether Facebook will ever be used to reflect our real, boring lives. And, mostly importantly, he’ll be explaining to us all why on earth the floor is lava.
Monday 6 November, 7pm, £6-£12, Nottingham Trent University Student Union, event link

Immerse yoursen in an underwater world of love, heartbreak and sea creatures at Theatre Royal this week. Northern Ballet’s new show has reimagining the classic Hans Christian Anderson’s fairytale, The Little Mermaid, and will take us on a journey beneath the big blue. We all know the drill - when a young mermaid is finally allowed her first glimpse at human life, she falls in love with a price and longs to have legs. However, this story might not end so well as the Disney adaptation. The ballet has been choreographed by company director, David Nixon, and will see performances by the cream of the crop from this powerhouse of inventive dance. Not only that, but it will be performed to an original score played live by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia. It’ll be a feel-good night full that leaves you yearning to pick up yer own dancing shoes and tap some toes.
Tuesday 7 - Saturday 11 November, 7.30pm, £12-£42, Theatre Royal, event link

Launched by Creation Records legend Alan McGee, Musician’s Against Homelessness are on a mission to raise funds and play music. Independent shows are being held all over the country to help raise money for the homeless charity, Crisis, and the work they do to supply housing and give the vulnerable life changing opportunities. This weekend, it is Hoodtown’s turn to host, with a gig dahn at Rough Trade. The line-up for the night includes Nick Aslam, Scott Bugg & The Vital Few and The Flavells and it’s all in the name of charity. All you lot gorra do is pay a donation on the door for entry, with every penny raised being given to MAH in support of Crisis. Go on, do yer good deed for the day.
Wednesday 8 November, 7pm, donations welcome, Rough Trade, event link

Here’s another load of comedy festival goodness. Except, this one might not be yer standard ‘sit in a seat and have some giggles’ kinda affair. Wordy lovers Phrase Goblinz from the deep, dark depths of Derby and Mr Benjamin Knight is bringing a whole bunch of odd and outlandish acts to tickle your pickles and maybe even leave a little piddle in your pants. As well as the comedy acts, there will also be music, poetry and storytelling. The gang have promises us there’ll be thrills, chills and possibly liquid spills, so grab yersen a tipple and get ready to gaze inside that bag of secrets. And for only two pahnd, that’s a steal. Oh, and one last thing. Costumes are very much encouraged for this performance…
Thursday 9 November, 9pm, £2, The Angel Microbrewery, event link

Festival season may have come to an end, but it’s about to go out properly with a bang. Or a blast, if yer will. Blast Off! Fest is returning to Nottingham for the third time, and has lined up some wonderful and wild entertainment for us lot. The shindig will pop off with a welcome night, followed by two all-nighters and one epic all-dayer event. The folks in charge have picked out a cracking selection of garage, surf, beat and rock ‘n’ roll acts, with performances all throughout the event, including ones from The Fuzztones, The Pretty Things, Kaleidoscope and more. As well as the bands, there will be all-female DJ crews, go-go dancers, off-beat movies and visuals, a ‘monsterous’ daytime vintage retro market and a rock ‘n’ roll jumble sale. Things will be cracking off over at both Rough Trade and The I Club, so check out the website for more information.
Thursday 9 - Sunday 12 November, all day, £15-£65, event link