Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto is a masterpiece in piano music writing, a deeply intimate work that remains one of the composer’s best loved. Tonight, we hear it in the hands of Alim Beisembayev, winner of the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition in 2021.  

Brahms’s magnificent First Symphony was many years in the making. The wait was worth it – it’s a 45-minute journey through all the poetry and power an orchestra can conjure.  

Bedford: Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Brahms

Bedford Corn Exchange

The theme of the 2025/26 Orchestra Unwrapped concerts is centered around the history of the Philharmonia Orchestra, which was founded in 1945 by Walter Legge and celebrates its 80th birthday in 2025. Legge worked for a company called EMI, who was responsible for making recordings of classical music. 

The pieces you’ll hear take us on a journey through time linking to the exciting history of the Philharmonia, from 1945 to today – a history you are all part of by being part of Orchestra Unwrapped in its 80th year!

Bedford: Orchestra Unwrapped

The Philharmonia welcomes outstanding pianist Bruce Liu to Bedford.  

Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G was inspired by the jazz he heard on a tour of the United States. Ravel frames a serenely beautiful Adagio with outer movements of carefree, effervescent energy. It’s the perfect showcase for the “magician’s fingers” (Le Monde) of Bruce Liu, winner of the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition.  

Tchaikovsky himself said that his Fifth Symphony represented “a complete resignation before Fate”, but that hasn’t stopped it becoming a firm audience favourite. It opens with the sound of funereal footsteps on the clarinet. A singing horn melody gives the second movement a more hopeful mood, but the fateful ‘footsteps’ theme returns in the third movement waltz, and triumphs in the stormy finale.  

Bedford: Bruce Liu plays Ravel

Following the success of our first Philharmonia Brass at Christmas concert in Bedford last winter, our musicians return to celebrate the season.  

Enjoy a programme curated and introduced by Philharmonia trombonist Philip White, including arrangements of Christmas songs, carols, seasonal classics and more. Join our fantastic brass players – with a bit of help from our percussionists – as they celebrate the season and show us everything their instruments can do.  

Whether you’re a lover of Christmas or a self-proclaimed Scrooge, we guarantee you’ll leave this concert feeling a little more festive.

Bedford: Philharmonia Brass at Christmas

Niklas van Lipzig & David Martin take their podcast to the big stage. Painful truths, dark humor and a generous helping of heart: the podcast “dudes.” goes on a major live tour through eleven cities in Germany and Austria in 2027.

dudes. Live Tour 27

Stadthalle Köln

Live podcast by Hanno Klänhardt (Mantar) and Simon Hawemann (ex-War From A Harlots Mouth/Nightmarer) about everyday life as a professional heavy metal musician. The event has been canceled.

GEAR OF THE DARK

Zeche Carl

Live podcast show: the hosts Laura and Sarah present unsolved and little-known true crime and paranormal cases from their podcast 'Eyes in the Dark'.

EYES IN THE DARK - LIVE 2026

Staged reading. Ordering packages is an everyday affair, but then Bo, the ServicesBot, speaks up and has a very particular opinion of its own…

An Incredible Story in October

Theater der Gezeiten

Be part of a night like no other as we bring you the concert you’ve been dreaming of! The ultimate celebration of one the biggest bands to have ever graced the stage – Queen.

Radio GA GA

Think Floyd’s new show features the whole range of classic Pink Floyd from Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, The Wall, The Division Bell and more.

Think Floyd

Join the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity for an unforgettable evening of performing arts on October 17, 2025. The event will take place at The Quarry Theatre at St Luke's in Bedford, kicking off at 19:30. This spectacular event promises to be a night of entertainment and inspiration, all in support of a great cause. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy an evening of culture while supporting the life-saving work of this vital charity. For more information and to secure your tickets, visit the official website or the event link. Be a part of this special occasion and help make a difference!

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Scott Bennett - Stuff

The Quarry Theatre at St Luke's

Jason Manford: A Manford All Seasons

Get it On!

Josh Widdicombe is back on tour… not again! By now he has almost certainly mastered the art of stand-up, either that or he has wasted the last 15 years of his life. Come along and decide for yourself. Expect it to be shorter and with lowerproduction values than Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, but funnier and with morereferences to tea.

Josh Widdicombe

Join us at the Bedford Corn Exchange on September 17, 2025, for an unforgettable evening hosted by The Lowry Theatre. We're bringing the magic of performing arts to Bedford, showcasing a spectacular event that promises to captivate and inspire. The event starts at 19:30, so make sure you're there on time to secure your seat. For more information, visit our official website thelowry.com or check out our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@thelowry. Tickets are available at https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/josh-widdicombe-not-my-cup-of-bedford-17-09-2025/event/36006129E1DC37C7. Don't miss out on this extraordinary experience!

Josh Widdicombe: Not My Cup of Tea

The show has already taken ‘Swiftie’ fans across the world by storm and features all of Taylor’s much loved hits including ; Shake It Off, Blank Space, Love Story, You Belong With Me, Look What You Made Me Do, I Knew You Were Trouble and many, many more

Taylor Mania

This is the children’s pop concert with a big difference. The four fabulous Fairy tale Princesses are back with their NEW SHOW for 2025 They just love to sing! It’s the perfect mix!

Pop Princesses

ABBA Forever are recognised as one of the best live recreations of ABBA Live in Concert and theatre audiences worldwide have long enjoyed this superb recreation of possibly the world‘s greatest pop band. A considerable landmark in their career was their sixth sell out theatre tour of Sweden, the home of the original super group ABBA.

Abba Forever

Boasting an impressive, worldwide celebrity client list, Stuart brings his quick-witted humour, sensitivity, and compassion to the stage.

Stuart Michael – The Psychic Medium

Starring and produced by world renowned Elvis performer CHRIS CONNOR. With his  12 piece live band ‘THE STEELS’, & backing vocals by ‘ The Sweet Harmonies’ .

The World Famous Elvis Show – Chris Connor

Brace yourself for something truly spectacular… Forbidden Nights is here, celebrating 9 years of muscles, mayhem and over 11,000 shirt rips! 
 
Were you excited by the show stopping performance on Britain’s Got Talent? If you were left craving more, then get ready to experience their live stage show where YOU can be the ultimate judge! Get ready because Forbidden Nights is coming! 

Forbidden Nights

A Death Café is an informal gathering of people (often strangers) to talk about death over a cup of tea and a piece of cake. The topic of discussion is generated by the group and there is no agenda, objective or prescribed theme. A Death Café is an open, accessible and confidential space for those interested in talking about anything in relation to death.

Death Cafe

The Place Bedford

And this time, live on stage, they’re breathing life into the music of Bryan Adams, Blondie,
Cher, Rainbow, Bon Jovi, Kate Bush, Starship, Europe and Belinda Carlisle. . . and that’s just
for starters!

Don’t Stop Believin

North Bedford and Milton Keynes Poetry Stanza is a monthly group that meets to discuss their poetry, to learn together, develop their skills and approaches. It’s open to all adults. It’s a workshop format with occasional guests to support a themed session and is linked to the Poetry Society.

Events in Bedford

Bedford: Mendelssohn, Bee...

Philharmonia Orchestra

Bedford: Orchestra Unwrap...

Philharmonia Orchestra

Bedford: Bruce Liu plays ...

Philharmonia Orchestra

Bedford: Philharmonia Bra...

Philharmonia Orchestra

dudes. Live Tour 27

Dudes

GEAR OF THE DARK

Zeche Carl

EYES IN THE DARK - LIVE 2...

Eyes in the Dark Live

An Incredible Story in Oc...

Theater der Gezeiten

Radio GA GA

Delmar Hall

Think Floyd

Bedford Corn Exchange

Scott Bennett - Stuff

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity

Jason Manford: A Manford ...

The Lowry Theatre

Get it On!

Bedford Corn Exchange

Josh Widdicombe

Bedford Corn Exchange

Josh Widdicombe: Not My C...

The Lowry Theatre

Taylor Mania

Bedford Corn Exchange

Pop Princesses

Bedford Corn Exchange

Abba Forever

Bedford Corn Exchange

Stuart Michael – The Psyc...

Bedford Corn Exchange

The World Famous Elvis Sh...

Bedford Corn Exchange

Forbidden Nights

Bedford Corn Exchange

Death Cafe

The Place Bedford

Don’t Stop Believin

Bedford Corn Exchange

North Bedford and Milton ...

The Place Bedford