Find out what's on in Hertfordshire in November 2011

THEATRE

1st & 2nd Wake Up, Don Quixote. Dance, puppets, music and animation, Trestle Arts Base, St Albans. 01727 850950

1st-5th Tartuffe by Moli�re adapted by Roger McGough, Watford Palace Theatre

3rd Magners Funhouse Comedy Night, Rhodes Arts Complex, Bishop’s Stortford

4th My Grandfather’s Great War, a powerful drama interweaving the First World War diaries of Captain Alexander Stewart with the contemporary perspective of his grandson, the actor Cameron Stewart, Letchworth Arts Centre

4th The Missy Malone and Friends Burlesque Review, Rhodes Arts Complex, Bishop’s Stortford

4th Patrick Monahan, finalist from Show Me the Funny, Old Town Hall Theatre, Hemel Hempstead

4th Al Murray The Pub Landlord – Barrel of Fun Extra, Watford Colosseum

5th Comedy Club with Michael Smiley, Quincey and Tiffany Stevenson, Gordon Craig Theatre

7th Hair Today Gone Tomorrow with TV magician Paul Daniels, Gordon Craig Theatre

7th Friend or Foe, a thrilling tale of extraordinary friendship during WWII, Harpenden Public Halls

7th Micky Flanagan, a razor-sharp, cockney comic, Watford Colosseum

8th Some Like It Hotter, fantasy comedy with a little bit of Monroe, Curtis and Lemmon! Old Town Hall Arts Centre, Hemel Hempstead

9th Rivers to Cross, Presented by Gazebo Theatre Company, Suitable for ages 11 +, Bishop’s Stortford Museum, Rhodes

9th-12th When We Are Married by JB Priestley, in 1900 three couples meet to celebrate their 25th Wedding Anniversaries, Radlett Centre

10th-12th Steel Magnolias, Broxbourne Civic Hall, Hoddesdon. 01992 465665/441946

10th–15th Noises Off, hit comedy seen by over one million people worldwide, Milton Keynes Theatre. 0870 0606652

11th Comedy with Jon Richardson, Wyllyotts Theatre, Potters Bar

12th Comedy Night with Tony Law and Matthew Hardy, Letchworth Arts Centre

13th Jimmy Carr – Laughter Therapy, Watford Colosseum

14th Barry Cryer – Butterfly Brain, Gordon Craig Theatre

17th Dave Gorman – PowerPoint Presentation, Watford Colosseum

17th-19th KATS present In Praise of Love, Knebworth Village Hall, 01438 235375

20th Lee Hurst, Man v Woman Tour, comic with his own game show, Harpenden Public Halls

22nd-26th Rickmansworth Players presents: Meet Me in St Louis, Watersmeet Theatre

24th Hellfire Comedy Club, Watford Colosseum

25th RNA Club Pantomime – Cinderella with a naval twist! RNA Club, Black Fan Road, Welwyn Garden City AL7 1HA www.maclub-wgc.webs.com

25th Nun the Wiser, the true story of Triona Adams, Letchworth Arts Centre

25th-December 31st Jack & the Beanstalk, Watford Palace Theatre

26th-January 22nd Beauty and the Beast, Gordon Craig Theatre

27th Christmas at Cranford, adapted from the popular novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, Radlett Centre

27th The House of Bernarda Alba, Federico Garcia Lorca’s final masterpiece, Rhodes Arts Complex, Bishop’s Stortford

28th Ed Byrne – Crowd Pleaser, master of observational comedy, Watford Colosseum

30th–December 3rd The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Queen Mother Theatre. 01462 455166

MUSIC AND DANCE

3rd Elio Pace and his unique blend of Pop, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz and Rock & Roll, Gordon Craig Theatre

4th Abba Forever, a two-hour sing-a-long tribute, Gordon Craig Theatre

5th Carlton Main Colliery Band, Alban Arena

6th Sunday, Christmas Woodland Recital, music and poetry in aid of The Woodland Trust, Letchworth Arts Centre

6th Grimethorpe Colliery Band, 15th Anniversary Tour ‘Brassed Off’, Watford Colosseum

7th-11th Cassio OS presents Hello, Dolly! Watford Palace Theatre

8th Brendan Shine, Gordon Craig Theatre

8th-12th OPSOC presents Thoroughly Modern Millie, Alban Arena

9th The National Youth Jazz Orchestra – Christmas Show, Gordon Craig Theatre

10th & 11th That’ll Be The Day – Brand New 2012 show, Gordon Craig Theatre

11th Stylistics, harmony and style combined, Gordon Craig Theatre

11th Vampires Rock, join Baron Von Rockula in his search for a bride and some rockin’ tunes, Watford Colosseum

12th Watford Philharmonic Society’s choir and Orchestra, Watford Colosseum

12th Classic Rock n Roll Evening, Eternit Sports & Social Club, Meldreth. 01763 222655

12th Joe Brown, Wyllyotts Theatre

12th Brodowski Quartet, Civic Centre, Berkhamsted, 01442 862798

13th Organ Concert with Janet Dowsett, 12noon, Gordon Craig Theatre

13th Diwali, celebrating the Festival of Lights with Music and Dance, Watford Palace Theatre

13th Ade Edmondson and The Bad Shepherds, Harpenden Public Halls

13th The Brubeck Brothers, Gordon Craig Theatre

13th Sunday Lunchtime Jazz with Kate Garner, Gordon Craig Theatre

13th On the Road to Mandalay, A journey through the life of a Victorian soldier with music and poems, Abbots Langley Community Centre, Gallows Hill Lane, Abbots Langley, ALConcerts@gmail.com, 01923 264536

13th Jackson, Amir Sharma’s portrayal of Michael Jackson in his prime, Alban Arena

14th-19th Guys and Dolls, Rhodes Arts Complex, Bishop’s Stortford

15th Glen Millar Tribute Orchestra, Gordon Craig Theatre

15th -19th The Bancroft Players present ‘Musical Connections’, musical hits, Queen Mother Theatre. 01462 455166

16th Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Watford Colosseum

16th A Timeless Collection of music hall classics, Wyllyotts Theatre, Potters Bar

17th-19th Bugsy Malone, New York 1929, Radlett Centre

17th A Grand Night for Singing, an evening of Rogers and Hammerstein, Plinston, Broadway, Letchworth SG6 3NX

17th Rock ‘n’ Roll Paradise, Wyllyotts Theatre, Potters Bar

18th Queen – The Bohemians, a tribute, Wyllyotts Theatre, Potters Bar

18th John Mayall in Concert, successful blues artist, Watford Colosseum

18th Royal Air Force Regimental Band charity concert, tickets from alan.warman1@btinternet.com Chauncy School, Ware SG12 ODP

19th The Nutcracker, Wyllyotts Theatre, Potters Bar

19th Harp Concert – International Harpist Robin Ward, 01923 661862 All Saints Church, Horseshoe Lane, Leavesden, WD25 0LU

21st Organ Recital with Richard Hills, Watford Colosseum

22nd-26th Guys and Dolls, 1950s New York, Radlett Centre

22nd-26th Fiddler on the Roof, Wyllyotts Theatre, Potters Bar

23rd That’ll Be the Day Christmas Show, Alban Arena

24th The Beat, musical masters of Ska, Rhodes Arts Complex, Bishop’s Stortford

25th Buddy Holly and the Cricketers – Holly at Christmas, Rhodes Arts Complex, Bishop’s Stortford

27th Jazz Night, Letchworth Arts Centre

27th Big Chris Barber Band, Wyllyotts Theatre, Potters Bar

30th Radlett Music Club, Ashley Wass, Radlett Centre. 01923 859291

CHILDREN AND FAMILY

2nd & 3rd Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt, Alban Arena

3rd Fireworks Display at Butterfly World, 5-7pm, St Albans. 01727 869203

5th Firework Display, Tring Park Cricket Club

5th Bishop’s Stortford Grand Fireworks Display, BSRFC, Silver Leys, Hadham Road, Bishop’s Stortford, 5pm CM23 3AQ

5th The Stick Man, from the book by Julia Donaldson, Harpenden Public Halls

5th Fireworks and bonfire night, Cassiobury Park, Watford, from 6pm, children’s fireworks 6.15pm, main 7.30pm

5th Hansel and Gretel, Radlett Centre

15th Play With Clay: create a clay animal to take home, under 5’s, 10.15am & 2pm, Natural History Museum, Tring. 020 7942 6171

19th The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, The Old Town Hall Arts Centre, Hemel Hempstead

23rd–January 24 Santa’s Spectacular Grotto and Magical Ice Rink, Willows Farm Village www.willowsfarmvillage.com

24th Animals After School: Feather and Fur, discover some great facts and make something to take home, Natural History Museum, Tring. 020 7942 6171

26th-27th Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt, Watford Colosseum

27th Pinocchio, puppetry and illusion, Wyllyotts Theatre, Potters Bar

SPECIAL EVENTS

5th The Beautiful Blonde Ball in aid of Isabel Hospice, Manor of Groves Hotel, High Wych. 01707 873823

6th Stevenage Half Marathon, run and raise vital money for research into diabetes. 17+ years, www.half.fvspartans.org.uk, louise.rout@diabetes.org.uk. 01376 501390

8th Coffee Morning in aid of Isabel Hospice, 10.30am to noon, Markwell Pavilion, Bishop’s Stortford. 01279 755320

16th ‘Doing it for Charity’ Christmas Fair. Gifts, refreshments and entertainment in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, 9am-3pm, Noke Thistle Hotel, Watford Road, St Albans AL2 3DS

Until 25th Register for The Biggest Loser challenge in aid of the Hospice of St Francis, fundraising@stfrancis.org.uk or call 01442 869555

25th-27th Hatfield House Christmas Frost Fair

26th Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, Silk Ball, www.helenrollason.org.uk

27th Harpenden Christmas Carnival and Lights Switch-On, noon-6pm

Until 30th Strictly Learn Dancing, in aid of the Hospice of St Francis, email fran.martin@stfrancis.org.uk or call 01442 8694555 or visit www.stfrancis.org.uk

GENERAL INTEREST

1st & 2nd Shakespeare for Schools, challenging the myths that studying Shakespeare is difficult and dull, Gordon Craig Theatre

2nd Tony Stockwell, Psychic Medium, Radlett Centre

3rd John Sutherland talks about and signs his new book, Lives of the Novelists, A History of Fiction in 287 Lives. Entry �4 but is redeemable against the cost of the book. David’s Bookshop, 7.30pm. 01462 768234, Letchworth

4th Bullseye, former World Champions Bob Anderson, John Lowe and of course Eric Bristow playing darts against each other and featuring the game ‘Bullseye’, Radlett Centre

4th Henry Blofeld, entertaining and dry cricket commentator, Harpenden Public Halls

5th Guy Fawkes & Christmas Food Fair 10.30am-3.30pm, The Green House, @The Gallery, Station Road, Letchworth SG6 3BL

5th Art & Craft Show, 11am-4pm, Albury Village Hall SG11 2JL

5th & 6th Art & Craft Show, 11am-4pm, Albury Village Hall SG11 2JL

6th Mill Green Golf Club Craft Fair, 10am-3pm, Gypsy Lane, Welwyn Garden City AL7 4TY

6th Hertford Castle’s Autumn Wedding Exhibition, 11.30am-3.30pm

6th Hanbury Manor Christmas Fair in aid of Isabel Hospice, 10.30am-4.30pm, nr. Ware SG12 0SD

6th Dolls House & Miniatures Fair, 10.30am -4pm, Plinston Hall, Broadway, Letchworth Garden City SG6 3NX www.dollysdaydreams.com

8th An evening with Tony Benn, Harpenden Public Halls

10th Naturally Christmas, for eco-aware shoppers, 10am-7pm, Tythe Barn, Tewin Bury Farm, Hertford Road AL6 0JB

12th Craft Fair 10am-2pm, Potten End Village Hall HP4 2QG

12th Craft Fair 11am-3pm, Place House Hall, Bluecoat Yard, East Street, Ware SG12 9HL

13th The Knebworth Barns Wedding Fayre, 11am-4pm, Knebworth Park SG3 6PY

11th Charity Christmas Card Sale, Radlett Centre

11th Antique Antics with Eric Knowles, Harpenden Public Halls

12th An evening with Gazza and Greavsie, football anecdotes galore, Gordon Craig Theatre

15th-21st December Craft Fair 2011, Letchworth Arts Centre

15th Radlett Art Society Lecture – Sculptor Oscar Nemm, Radlett Centre

16th Steven Fuller Talks about 1st Bedfordshires: Mons to the Somme – a history of the 1st Battalion Bedfordshires in the First World War. Entry �3, but refundable against the book. David’s Bookshop, Letchworth, 7.30pm. 01462 684631

16th Peter Alliss the great golf commentator, Wyllyotts Theatre, Potters Bar

18th Murder Mystery Evening, Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage

19th & 20th Knebworth Christmas Fair, Knebworth House, 10am-4pm. 01438 810931

19th A Sense of Place: English Songwriters in a Landscape – Music appreciation talk by Hilary Finch, Benslow Music Trust www.benslow.org

25th Murder Mystery Dinner, Watford Colosseum

25th Hertford Town Christmas Gala, market and switching on of lights! 4-7pm, Town Centre

25th Tring Together’s Traditional Christmas Festival, 6.30pm-9.30pm, High Street

26th David’s Christmas Market, David’s Book and Music shop kick-starts the Christmas season with its annual Christmas Market, 3pm to 7pm, admission is free. 01462 768234

26th Christmas Bazaar noon-4pm, meet Santa, play games and buy some gifts in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice, St Elizabeth’s Centre, Much Hadham. 01279 843451

26th & 27th Christmas at Stotfold Watermill at Stotfold Watermill & Nature Reserve, visit Santa’s Grotto. 01462 734541

27th Winter Craft Fair for Stepping Stone Pre-School, 11am-4pm, Knebworth Village Hall

ART AND EXHIBITIONS

Until 11 January, 2012 My Dear Students – Artists of the Herkomer School, Bushey Museum and Art Gallery

Until 1 January, 2012 Bushey Then and Now, 20th-century gems from the Greville Collection, Bushey Museum and Art Gallery

1st-30th Boundaries, Sanaa Mufti specialises in making decorative tiles inspired by Islamic patterns, Letchworth Arts Centre

Until 11th Storm on the Island, and related works, Letchworth Arts Centre

18th-20th Harpenden Arts Club Annual Exhibition, Harpenden Public Halls

27th Digswell Arts Trust pre-Christmas show, 11am-5pm, Forge Studios, Digswell

Throughout November – Costume Evening Wear, a display of evening clothes and accessories, Bushey Museum and Art Gallery

Until 28th Dave McKean: A Retrospective, Rhodes Arts Complex, Bishop’s Stortford

WALKS AND NATURE

From 6th Barnet and Monken Hadley historical and ghost walks.020 8440 6805 www.barnetwalks.talktalk.net

12th Badger Tea and Talk, National Trust event, booking essential, Ashridge Estate

20th Get Digging for Nature, plant trees for the Woodland Trust in Heartwood Forest 10am-3pm www.heartwoodforest.wordpress.com

25th The Edible Dormouse Tea and Talk, A National Trust event, booking essential, Ashridge Estate

FARMERS’ MARKETS

4th Barnet, Spires Shopping Centre, 8.30am to 3pm

5th Hatfield, White Lion Square, 9am to 2.30pm

12th Tring, The Marketplace, Brook Street, 9am to noon

12th Hertford, Market Place, 8.30am to 1pm

12th Baldock, High Street, 10am to 2pm

13th St Albans, Market Place, 10am to 4pm

18th Hexton, St Faith’s Church, 1pm to 4pm

18th Barnet, Spires Shopping Centre, 8.30am to 3pm

20th Wheathampstead, East Lane Car Park, 10am to 1pm

26th Hatfield Heath, Village Hall, 9.30am to 12.30pm

27th Woolmer Green, Village Hall, 9.00am to noon

USEFUL CONTACTS

Abbey Theatre, St Albans 01727 857861; Alban Arena, St Albans 01727 844488; Ashridge Estate, Berkhamsted 01441 851227; Barn Theatre, Welwyn Garden City 01707 357117; British Schools Museum, Hitchin 01462 420144; Broxbourne Civic Hall 01992 441946; Court Theatre, Pendley, Tring 01442 823130; First Garden City Heritage Museum 01462 482710; Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage 01438 363200; Harpenden Public Halls 01582 767525; Hatfield House 01707 287010; Hitchin Museum and Art Gallery 01462 434476; Hopleys, Much Hadham 01279 842509; Knebworth House and Gardens 01438 812661; Letchworth Arts Centre 01462 670788; Market Theatre, Hitchin 01462 433553; Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead 01442 228091; Queen Mother Theatre, Hitchin 01462 434875; Radlett Centre 01923 859291; Rhodes Arts Complex, Bishop’s Stortford 01279 651746; Sandpit Theatre, St Albans 01727 370067; Shenley Park 01923 852629; St Albans Cathedral 01727 860780; Trestle Arts Base, St Albans 01727 850950; Watford Palace Theatre 01923 225671; Watersmeet Theatre 01923 711063