What's On In Stoke And Staffordshire

THEATRE: A double-bill of former Coronation Street stars are among the cast in this year's Stafford Festival Shakespeare production, Twelfth Night. Jenny Platt, in the lead as Viola, and Eric Potts, in the guise of Sir Toby Belch, can be seen in the open-air professional production at Stafford Castle until Saturday, July 11. Call the box office on 01785 254653.

THEATRE: Bryony Lavery's stage adaptation of Magdalen King-Hall's The Wicked Lady opens at the New Vic Theatre in Basford on Friday. Like the 1940s film with the same title, it tells the story of Lady Barbara Skelton, who – forced into marriage and bored – turns to a life of gambling, highway robbery, and murder. For tickets, call the box office on 01782 717962.

FESTIVAL: Organised by Matt Taylor, landlord of The Unicorn in Hanley, the first ever Piccadilly Circus festival will be taking place in Piccadilly, Hanley, on Saturday. The Decision and The Black Apples are among the bands on the bill from 4pm onwards, with The Control set to headline the admission free event. Other attractions at this family-oriented day, which begins with stage performances by local schools and amateur dramatics organisations from 12pm, include arts and crafts stalls, skateboard demonstrations, magic, street salsa, a hog roast, and a beer tent.

CINEMA: State Of Play (12A) is a political conspiracy thriller adapted from the critically-acclaimed BBC drama by Kevin Macdonald. Russell Crowe, above, leads as a reporter under pressure from his editor, played by Helen Mirren, to pursue an investigation. In doing so, he is putting himself, a colleague, and the congressman at the centre of the story in danger. The film, screening nightly at 7.45pm, can be seen from tomorrow night until Saturday at Stoke Film Theatre. Call 01782 411188.