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Contrary Life is a website covering quirky events across the UK.

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  • This summer, the East London Shakespeare Festival (ELSF) are welcoming you to 1980s Illyria as they bring their rip-roaring take on Twelfth Night to outdoor spaces...

  • This spring, discover Coventry's brightest new creatives and performers at the city's Shoot Festival...

  • For ten days each spring, the village of Wray in Lancashire is overrun with colourful characters as they host their fun and quirky scarecrow festival...

  • The 20th Kinoteka Polish Film Festival begins this month and is showing solidarity with Ukraine by donating its proceeds to help the humanitarian crisis...

Chelsea Fringe 2023

Pigments, perfume and pizza at Chelsea Fringe

Forget the flower show, this year’s Chelsea Fringe has exhibitions, workshops, walks and open gardens to enjoy…

Music and Flow 3 - courtesy of St John's Smith Square

London, it’s time to Baroque as music festival hits town

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to Baroque! Starting today, St John’s in Smith Square hosts the London Festival of Baroque Music…

Tilted Wig in Around the World in 80 Days

Around the World in 80 Days gets a circus-style makeover

Join a rag-tag band of travelling circus performers who’re embarking on their most daring feat in Around the World in 80 Days…

Latest Headlines
St Bride's Foundation London - workshops events

A talk on typing with art and mystery

This evening, there’s a talk on typing taking place. If you think this sounds too much like work, you might be surprised. There’ll be history, mystery, art and fun…

Your Time Is Up by Donald Shek (c)

A clash of opposing worlds in State-less exhibition

State-less 無國界 is a new visual arts exhibition bringing together ten internationally acclaimed East and Southeast Asian artists at Two Temple Place…

Flabbergast Theatre The Tragedy of Macbeth (PictureGrafix)

Flabbergast’s The Tragedy of Macbeth promises a treat for the eyes and ears

Watch a retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth like you’ve never seen before at Southwark Playhouse this spring…

Pancake Day stack of pancakes by Sam Moghadam Khamseh via unsplash

Best places to eat pancakes this Shrove Tuesday

Got no flipping energy to make your own pancakes this Shrove Tuesday? Here’s a few of the best places in the UK to get your Pancake Day fix!

Olney Pancake Race, Shrove Tuesday, Olney Buckinghamshire

Pancake Day races and traditions you shouldn’t skip this Shrove Tuesday

From wacky races to local customs, here’s the quirkiest Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) events taking place…

Person Spec by Forest Sounds at Alphabetti Theatre

Person Spec: a play where you’re part of the interview panel

Fancy livening up your next theatre visit with something a bit different? Then, Person Spec at Newcastle’s Alphabetti Theatre is just the ticket…

Dragon Fish - The Royal Society Lates in March

Fakes, forgeries and misinformation at Royal Society Late

Next month, the Royal Society’s Late event mixes tomfoolery with science as it tackles fake news and hoaxes…

VAULT Festival 2023

What to see at VAULT Festival: Flair Ground fun and quirky cabaret

Wondering what to see at VAULT Festival 2023? Here’s what caught our eye, from fresh new finds and quirky cabaret to immersive shows and thoughtful theatre…

Battle of Nantwich - Holly Holy Day - Sealed Knot

Battle of Nantwich storms into Cheshire for the weekend

Holly Holy Day celebrates the Battle of Nantwich with musket fire, drums and Plough Witches taking over the Cheshire market town…

Previous articles ➡

Curiosity of the Week

Woodhenge, Stonehenge’s lesser-known neighbour
Woodhenge - ©English Heritage, Historic England Photo Library

You have heard of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, but have you heard of its lesser known neighbour, Woodhenge? Find out more in our latest Curiosity of the Week…

Top Story

HandleBards hit the pedals again to bring you a summer of outdoor theatre
HandleBards A Midsummer Night's Dream ©Rah Petherbridge Photography

The HandleBards are a Shakespearean troupe who tour by bike. And to celebrate their 10th anniversary, they’re climbing back into the saddle…

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