Entertainment

Theatre

Cambridge is considered a breeding ground for performing arts talent – but why not judge for yourself? For student-led performances (for example at the ADC Theatre, as well as in the many colleges), see the Listings sections of the two student newspapers The Cambridge Student and Varsity, for details of the plays and events showing during university term-time. As at Oxford, many a famous thesp has honed his or her craft at the university.

All year round drama is, of course, available at various locations throughout the city. The Cambridge Drama Centre, off Mill Road offers an alternative approach and concentrates on hosting productions from outside Cambridge.

By contrast, The Cambridge Arts Theatre (and The Playroom) in St Edward’s Passage, offers mainstream theatre and the very best family orientated shows in town as well as more eclectic productions. The ADC Theatre on Park Street plays host to numerous productions – and also has at least 20 student shows a year, including themed productions at key times in the year (for example, Christmas), as well as comedy shows.

Cinema

There are two cinemas in Cambridge: the multiplex style Warner Brothers Village (at The Grafton Centre) which offers all the latest blockbusters, and the Cambridge Arts Picture House on St Andrew’s Street which shows a huge variety of less mainstream and foreign language films each week. Themed weeks are a specialty of this cinema, and its cafe and bar is particularly popular.

Nightclubs

There are two main discos that regularly attract the largest crowds of partygoers, as they offer the liveliest and most varied sounds. 5th Avenue, more popularly known by its former name of Cindy’s, remains a firm favorite; music ranges from 70s and 80s pop to dance, trance and funk. Dress smart at the weekend and expect to queue. Life, just off Sidney Street is popular with both town and gown. Again, there is a range of music on offer, depending on the night – pop, 70s and 80s disco, rock and dance.

If you’re looking for mellow late night vibes, or just a change from the two large disco style clubs, then there’s The Fez in Market Passage. There’s plenty of seating for when you want a break and a good variety of music including salsa and hip-hop.

If you enjoy smaller, more chic clubs then you’ll want to get down to Po Na Na in Jesus Lane, which caters for Latino, pop, funk, hip-hop and jazz in its funky basement setting. Of course, if you want even more choice you can always catch a fast train to the big city!

Music

If you want to hear some great live music then explore the world outside the city centre. The Boat Race in East Road provides Cambridge with live music seven days a week and is wholly dedicated to providing performing space for local and touring bands. The Portland Arms on Chesterton Road has live bands – including funk, indie, traditional folk and pop – several days a week.

Various other venues include the following pubs which cater for a wide variety of musical tastes: Seven Stars on Newmarket Road and the Clarendon Arms in Clarendon Street, which has modern jazz every Wednesday night. For more jazz and blues, check out the Cricketers’ Arms in Claredon Street and the Elm Tree in Orchard Street as well as the Claredon Arms near Parker's Piece.

For live folk music at the weekend there’s Live and Let Live in Mawson Road.

Two excellent large venues stage a variety of music and comedy. The centrally located Corn Exchange on Wheeler Street, a former market hall, puts on regular opera, ballet, musicals, orchestral gigs and the majority of the city’s major music band concerts. Further afield is The Junction in Clifton Road which is much more rock, indie, jazz and soul focused, though it also hosts a number of famous comedy and dance acts throughout the year. King's College in King’s Parade, of course, is a favorite for choral and classical music, and is popular with many visiting artists. Lunchtime concerts, in everything from classical music to medieval Spanish singing, take place at Kettle's Yard.

Dance

Regular dance performances and musicals are staged at The Corn Exchange.

Art/Museums

Kettle's Yard on Castle Street is a wonderfully preserved home linked with the Bloomsbury set and which now hosts a wide variety of artistic endeavours. The Fitzwilliam Museum has a marvellous collection of ceramics, art (Rubens, Monet, and Picasso), Egyptian galleries, illuminated manuscripts and classical statues. At the New Museums Site, Free School Lane, you’ll discover the Cambridge University Collection of Air Photographs. There’s also the Cambridge Medieval Brass Rubbing Centre to explore on Bridge Street (the Round Church). And don’t forget the many historical colleges of the university, which are dotted around the city center.

Photo by JP Oakar

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