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Catch a Taylor Swift tribute, a Carry On-style comedy and an updated version of The Sword in the Stone at the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds




From Taylor Swift to slapstick 'Carry On' comedy, burlesque to history, the Theatre Royal has a sprinkling of everything over the coming weeks.

First up is a hilarious historical storytelling show performed by historian and comedian Paul Coulter about five people and how their mistakes (big and small) changed the world.

5 Mistakes That Changed History blends history, storytelling and comedy and was a sell-out success at both Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Adelaide Fringe Festival twice in 2023 and 2024.

5 Mistakes That Changed History
5 Mistakes That Changed History
An Evening Of Burlesque
An Evening Of Burlesque

See it on Friday, June 13

Prepare for an extravaganza of glitz and glamour when the UK’s longest running burlesque show provides a good old-fashioned night blending stylish cabaret, comedy, music, circus and burlesque on Saturday, June 14.

Direct from London's West End, An Evening of Burlesque delivers fun, feathers and fabulous costumes.

Fans of Taylor Swift, brace yourselves as Xenna brings Swift’s iconic songs, signature styles and magnetic presence to life, taking the audience on a journey through Taylor’s career, with Xenna perfectly channelling the superstar’s unique energy and stage persona.

With timeless hits like ‘Love Story’, ‘Blank Space’, and ‘Shake It Off’, Xenna’s tribute promises to echo Swift’s own dazzling performances, with costume changes, spot-on choreography and a line-up of mesmerising dancers who complete the experience.

The Eras Experience: Taylor Swift Tribute is on Saturday, June 21

When a priceless painting goes missing at Lord and Lady Raeburn’s private auction, Detective Stuart Pidcock is called upon to uncover the mystery. However, when he can't solve it himself he is reluctantly forced to enlist the help of an old nemesis. Together, the pair must interrogate the many characterful suspects that reside at the manor in order to catch the conniving culprit.

The slapstick farce A Shoddy Detective and the Art of Deception was inspired by classics of comedy, such as the Carry Ons, Only Fools and Horses, Tommy Cooper, Naked Gun, Dads Army, Airplane, Morecambe and Wise, Two Ronnies and more.

See it on Wednesday and Thursday, June 25-26.

A Shoddy Detective and the Art of Deception. Picture: Rah Petherbridge Art & Photography
A Shoddy Detective and the Art of Deception. Picture: Rah Petherbridge Art & Photography

Looking ahead a little further and the Theatre Royal puts youngsters front of stage when its Summer Young Company performs a production set to be full of magic and mayhem - Sword in the Stone.

A cast of young people will work with professional creatives for three weeks, receiving professional training in all aspects of theatre.

This new version of Sword in the Stone catapults us into the modern day. With
darkness engulfing the world, and their magic starting to fail, Merlin must hurry to find a pure heart to lift the sword from the stone and set things right. When they meet down-on-their-luck teenager Art, things start to slot into place. . .

See it Thursday to Saturday , August 21-23.

For more information and tickets visit theatreroyal.org