Duchess of Richmond's Ball

On 15 June 1815 the Duchess of Richmond organized a ball in Brussels for the officers of Wellington’s army and distinguished guests. This ball was part of Wellington’s psychological warfare which had always involved ‘pleasure as usual’. During the ball a message arrived from the Prussian commander Prince Blucher warning of Napoleon’s approach. Officers slipped away quietly from the ball to join their troops in Quatre Bras on 16 June and the Battle of Waterloo two days later.

Nearly 200 years later the Ball has been revived to help charities supporting British and other citizens in Belgium.

Where: Palais d’Egmont in Brussels

When: 15 June

More information and tickets on the Duchess of Richmond's Ball website.

Gilbert & Sullivan's Basingstoke or Bust!

A group of incompetent pirates plan to kidnap a rich young lady and hold her to ransom. Affluent young ladies and gents are joining other guests at the Savoy Hotel for a speed dating event at an afternoon tea dance in fancy dress. Rich pickings? Not necessarily. The dizzy representative from the event’s sponsors, Bonjour Magazine, explains that the prize is a wedding that must take place and be photographed for the next issue, in Basingstoke. An impoverished Duchess, with a past, has brought her daughter, Heroine, to find a husband but Heroine meets Hero, agrees to a first date at the Tower of London and............goes missing. Hearing that she might have been abducted by pirates, the Duchess leads everybody to Paddington Station to take a train to Penzance to rescue her. How they finally end up in Basingstoke having met a variety of Gilbertian characters along the way, is for you to discover! Find out by booking a ticket to see Basingstoke or Bust!

Where: De Bosuil

When: 23, 24, 25 May at 8 p.m. and 25 & 26 May at 14h30

More information and tickets can be found on the Brussels Light Opera Company website.