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
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