Watford Observer Leisure: What's on, food, theatre, cinema and Music in Watford and Hertfordshire

Theatre

Best in show - and other beauty pageants

11:47am Wednesday 15th May 2013

Victoria Melody and her Basset Hound Major Tom have risen from underdog to top dog in the world of competitions, and tell their story at artsdepot in North Finchley, writes <b>Rosy Moorhead</b>

Art

First there was ‘the bed’, now see Emin’s bedspread

4:44pm Wednesday 8th May 2013

From Andy Warhol’s soup cans to Claes Oldenburg’s public art installations featuring large-scale replicas of things including safety pins, clothes pegs and spoons, everyday objects and consumer durables have long had a place in the art world.

Comedy

Five years since his first stand-up gig, comedian Josh Widdicombe is at the top of his game

12:40pm Friday 12th April 2013

Josh Widdicombe is fast reaching the very top of his game. He’s a panel show regular, has got his own radio show, sells out theatres up and down the country and will have his debut DVD out for this Christmas – and all after performing his first ever stand-up gig just five years ago.

Music

Ain't there no pleasing you? It's Chas & Dave!

10:11am Wednesday 15th May 2013

Chas Hodges talks to <b>George Nott</b> about his love of gigging – and not wanting to stop - ahead of Chas & Dave's gig at the Alban Arena

Days Out

Celebrate spring with a bluebell walk

12:16pm Thursday 25th April 2013

Barnet YHA Group announces its programme of spring and summer walks

Pantos

REVIEW: The Sleeping Beauty by the Kings Langley Players ****

11:56am Tuesday 22nd January 2013

Festive spirit was in plentiful supply as the Kings Langley Players sung and danced their way into the New Year with this entertaining retelling of The Sleeping Beauty.

Interviews

Damian Williams talks about Being Tommy Cooper

2:51pm Friday 17th May 2013

A tip-off from a friend helped Essex-born actor Damian Williams, former presenter of Are You Smarter Than A 10-Year-Old?, secure the part of playing one of his all-time comedy heroes. The 42-year-old talks to Amie Mulderrig about Being Tommy Cooper before he comes to the Beck Theatre.

National Entertainment News

Lewis, Cumberbatch get Critics nods

2:02pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

Damian Lewis and Benedict Cumberbatch are among the British stars flying the flag at the 2013 American Critics' Choice Television Awards.

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Travel

'May the force be with you'

5:30pm Monday 29th April 2013

The Force will definitely be with you this weekend if you strap on your lightsaber and step into your land cruiser for a trip to the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort for a Star Wars™ spectacular.

Reviews

Courtney Pine at Harrow Arts Centre

2:30pm Friday 3rd May 2013

SOME 25 years ago Courtney Pine lived no more than ten houses from me in a quiet, tree-lined street in Harrow and here was I, on a Friday evening in late April 2013 at the Harrow Arts Centre, within ten metres of the man himself.

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Cutting It star heads for Paradise

12:20am Friday 24th May 2013

Cutting It star Ben Daniels is joining the department store costume drama The Paradise for its new series.

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Channel 4 reveal new music shows

12:20am Friday 24th May 2013

DJ Nick Grimshaw and chart stars Rizzle Kicks have been lined up to host a pair of new music shows for Channel 4.

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Twilight leads Teen Choice nods

8:29pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

Twilight's legacy shows no sign of stopping, after the film and its stars lead the Teen Choice Awards with nine nominations.

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Flanagan fleshes out skins protest

8:29pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan did her bit to protest against the skin trade by showing off some flesh of her own.

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Iron Maiden frontman's charity ride

3:20pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

He has already run to the hills, but now Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson is preparing to pedal to the festival.

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Brangelina agree sex scene ban

3:20pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have vowed not to appear in sex scenes with other people in their films, according to reports.

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Frankie admits worries over stag do

3:20pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

The Saturday's star Frankie Sandford confessed she was put off watching the Hangover films in case they give footballer fiance Wayne Bridge any ideas about his upcoming stag do.

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Bieber makes guests sign waiver?

3:20pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

Justin Bieber reportedly asks guests who visit his home to sign a secrecy agreement - which could land them a five million dollar fine if they break it.

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Lauper: Broadway is a happy place

3:20pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

Cyndi Lauper says Broadway is a much more pleasant place to work than the music industry.

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Lewis, Cumberbatch get Critics nods

2:02pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

Damian Lewis and Benedict Cumberbatch are among the British stars flying the flag at the 2013 American Critics' Choice Television Awards.

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Gosling gore film booed at Cannes

2:02pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

Ryan Gosling's film Only God Forgives has been booed at Cannes because of extreme violence.

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KT Tunstall marriage end signalled

12:47pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

A divorce judge has signalled the end of KT Tunstall's marriage to drummer Luke Bullen.

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Sheridan: Brand is just a mate

12:28pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

Sheridan Smith has insisted Russell Brand is just a "mate" after they were spotted having dinner together.

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Coppola back on Italian-Americans

12:28pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

Francis Ford Coppola is set to direct a film about an Italian-American family spanning 30 years.

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Adele asks Carr to be godfather

12:09pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

Adele has reportedly chosen Alan Carr as her baby's godfather.

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JLS headliners at Hyde Park show

12:09pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

Soon-to-split boyband JLS are the latest headliners for a series of major outdoor shows in London's Hyde Park.

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Madonna: Elton and I have made up

12:09pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

Madonna has confirmed that her feud with Elton John is over, after he took her out for dinner.

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McCartney in Pussy Riot parole plea

11:44am Thursday 23rd May 2013

A Russian court has denied parole to a member of the Pussy Riot punk group despite a plea by Sir Paul McCartney.

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Owen to star in Christmas movie?

11:27am Thursday 23rd May 2013

Mark Owen could be spreading Christmas cheer by playing an elf in a festive-themed film, according to reports.

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Douglas enjoys smiling for camera

11:27am Thursday 23rd May 2013

Michael Douglas has revealed one of the things he enjoyed most about playing Liberace in Behind the Candelabra was getting the chance to smile on screen.

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Scott Thomas: I felt stuck in dark

11:27am Thursday 23rd May 2013

Kristin Scott Thomas says she wants to do a comedy next to get over her character in Nicholas Winding Refn's Only God Forgives.

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Threlfall to play Tommy Cooper

10:43am Thursday 23rd May 2013

David Threlfall is set to play comedian Tommy Cooper in a new ITV drama.

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Halliwell says bye to Viva Forever

10:43am Thursday 23rd May 2013

Geri Halliwell has insisted the Spice Girls musical Viva Forever! is "good entertainment" - and admitted she had been "cocky" about it being a success.

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Arrested was friendship factor

10:17am Thursday 23rd May 2013

Ron Howard has revealed that relationships have been made - and broken - over Arrested Development.

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Canet: New York too clean for film

10:17am Thursday 23rd May 2013

Guillaume Canet has revealed he had to bring in truck loads of rubbish to dump on the streets of New York for his latest movie, as the city was just too clean and tidy.

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Carano: Fighting Rodriguez was fun

10:17am Thursday 23rd May 2013

Gina Carano says that swapping blows with Michelle Rodriguez on Fast And Furious 6 was "kick-a**".

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Dancing on Ice to end next year

9:03am Tuesday 21st May 2013

Dancing On Ice is to be axed after one further series, it has been announced.

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Cinema staff go Star Trek mad!

10:42am Sunday 12th May 2013

RESISTANCE is futile!

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Jazz superstars and top bands head Hampshire venue's summer line-up

10:36am Sunday 12th May 2013

JAZZ superstars, rock bands, top tribute acts and 60s pop bands are among a star-spangled summertime package at The Concorde Club.

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Charlatans to play Forest Live, Delamere Forest

4:45pm Thursday 4th April 2013

THE Charlatans have been named as the third and final headliner of this year’s Forest Live concert, along with Blondie and Paloma Faith.

Ant and Dec enjoy chart success

2:44pm Monday 25th March 2013

Ant and Dec could be Rhumbl-ing the music charts once again, as their revived hit song lands the top spot in the iTunes download chart.

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Walters given South Bank award

3:35pm Tuesday 12th March 2013

Julie Walters has been honoured with an outstanding achievement award to recognise a career spanning almost four decades.

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Bieber shares picture from hospital

10:57am Friday 8th March 2013

Justin Bieber posted an online picture of himself in a hospital bed just hours after leaving the stage during a UK show, complaining he was short of breath.

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Hoppen joins Dragons' Den panel

3:56am Tuesday 19th February 2013

Interior designer and businesswoman Kelly Hoppen is to join the fearsome panel on TV's Dragons' Den.

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I've served up last TV show: Delia

10:13am Tuesday 5th February 2013

Delia Smith has called time on her television career and said programme makers were now sacrificing education for entertainment.

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Will Neil take the Big Brother crown?

12:40pm Friday 25th January 2013

FORMER Saints defender Neil Ruddock could become part of reality television royalty if he is crowned winner of Celebrity Big Brother during tonight’s final.

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Pamela boobs on ice dance show

10:02pm Sunday 6th January 2013

Pamela Anderson suffered a stumble and a wardrobe malfunction as she became the first celebrity to be axed from Dancing On Ice.

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First BB housemates up for eviction

9:09pm Sunday 6th January 2013

Model Paula Hamilton and US reality stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have joined jockey Frankie Dettori as the first housemates up for eviction from Celebrity Big Brother.

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'Child sex' charges rocker remanded

11:35am Monday 31st December 2012

Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins has reappeared before a court to face allegations of plotting to rape a baby.

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Live blog - The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 European Premiere in London

5:20pm Wednesday 14th November 2012

From 5.30pm: Live coverage of the European premiere of the final installment of the Twilight Saga in London's Leicester Square. Follow the event as Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart - fresh from their very public break-up - walk the red carpet alongside Taylor Lautner and other fellow vampires.

Stones announce Paris warm-up gig

10:56am Thursday 25th October 2012

The Rolling Stones have surprised fans by announcing they are to play a warm-up gig - their first for five years - with an intimate show in Paris tonight.

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Williams: Monogamy not natural

10:56am Thursday 25th October 2012

Robbie Williams has admitted that if he started drinking again he'd end up being unfaithful.

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Hugh Bonneville on dog's demands

10:56am Thursday 25th October 2012

Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville has unmasked a diva on the hit show.

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McGovern: Live shows are terrifying

10:56am Thursday 25th October 2012

Downton Abbey star Elizabeth McGovern has confessed she "embraces the terror" every time she goes on stage with her band.

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Craig 'wanted to keep 007 pants on'

10:56am Thursday 25th October 2012

Skyfall star Berenice Marlohe has told how Daniel Craig kept his pants on during their shower scene - until she persuaded him to take them off.

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Kylie dazzles Charles and Camilla

10:56am Thursday 25th October 2012

Kylie Minogue dazzled the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall when she performed a surprise concert by royal appointment.

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Cruise files suit against publisher

10:56am Thursday 25th October 2012

Tom Cruise has filed a 50 million US dollars defamation lawsuit against the publishers of Life & Style magazine for articles that said the actor has abandoned his six-year-old daughter Suri.

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Dani: I'll set my mum on Craig!

9:48am Wednesday 26th September 2012

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Dani Harmer has revealed her secret weapon for coping with criticism on the show - her mum.

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X Factor 'wildcard' entry returns

1:11pm Friday 28th September 2012

X Factor bosses are once again to introduce a "wildcard" entry to the live stages of the show.

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X Factor reject: I still like Louis

4:48pm Monday 8th October 2012

Tearful X Factor loser Carolynne Poole said she still has "a soft spot" for Louis Walsh after he voted against her staying on the hit show.

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