Fri 19th April, 8pm

THE AGONY AND ECSTASY OF STEVE JOBS

Apple products – their computers iPhones, IPads and the like – command a very loyal following amongst their customers. But are they as popular with the Chinese workers labouring all hours in poor conditions to produce them? This controversy is addressed by a new theatre show coming to the Universal Hall on 19th April at 8pm. THE AGONY AND ECSTASY OF STEVE JOBS is a one-man monologue – a harrowing yet funny tale where we meet Steve Jobs, the late head of the Apple Corporation, and the Chinese workers toiling to make our beloved iPhones. Written by Mike Daisey, performed by Grant O’Rourke, and presented by the Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh, this is a passionate diatribe that will make you question what you thought you knew about one of the world’s most worshipped brands. It explores the legality and morality of electronic sweatshops in China and shows how one man’s story might not be enough to topple an empire, but it can certainly give it a righteous shove. Admission is £12 full, £10 concessions and £8 U16s. Tickets are available at the Phoenix Stores tel 01309 690110 and online at www.wegottickets.com/UniversalHall

Sat 20th April, 2pm

EACH PEACH PEAR PLUM

A wonderful and colourful show for little ones and their adults comes to the Universal Hall on 20th April at 2pm. Presented by the Puppet Lab, EACH PEACH PEAR PLUM is adapted from the book by Janet and Allan Ahlberg and is a game of ‘I Spy’ for little ones and their families. The setting is a delightful green meadow with a river running through it. With songs and music the production brings to life a variety of nursery rhyme characters played by a wide range of puppets, all on their way to Mother Hubbard’s for some Plum Pie. Suitable for ages 3+ Admission is £7 full, £6 concessions and £4 U16s. Tickets are available at the Phoenix Stores tel 01309 690110 and online at www.wegottickets.com/UniversalHall

Sat 20th April, 7:30pm

Amour (film)

A film that came top of many critic’s polls as the best film of 2012, and also won a Best Foreign Film category at the Academy Awards is shown at the Universal Hall on 20th April at 7.30pm. Amour is the story of Georges and Anne who are in their eighties, both cultivated, retired music teachers. Their daughter, who is also a musician, lives abroad with her family. One day, Anne has an attack and the couple’s bond of love is severely tested. This difficult and rewarding film is directed by Michael Haneke and is in French with English subtitles. Rated 12A Admission is £5 full, £4 concessions and £3 U16s – pay on the door

Fri 26th April, 7:30pm (film)

Rust and Bone

An unconventional love story is the basis of the film at the Universal Hall on 26th April at 7.30pm. Rust and Bone follows a struggling single father who helps a beautiful killer whale trainer recover her will to live after losing both her legs in a terrible accident. In French with English subtitles. Lonely and destitute, Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts) leaves the north of France for his sister’s house in Antibes after becoming the sole guardian of his estranged five-year-old son Sam. When Ali lands a job as a bouncer in a nearby nightclub, things quickly start to look up for the itinerant father and son. Then one night, after breaking up a fight in the club, Ali meets the radiant Stephanie (Marion Cotillard), and slips her his number after dropping her off safely at home. Though Stephanie’s position on the high end of the social spectrum makes romance an unlikely prospect for the pair, a tragic accident at Marineland robs her of her legs, and finds her reaching out in desperation to Ali. Her spirit broken by the same tragedy that took her legs, Stephanie gradually finds the courage to go on living trough transcendent moments spent with Ali — a man with precious little pity, but an enormous love of life. The film is rated: 15, and is directed by Jacques Audiard in French with English subtitles. Admission is £5 full, £4 concessions and £3 U16s – pay on the door.

Source: Universal Hall