From Great British Food at Leeds Castle to camel and pig racing in Rolvenden

2 to 6 Sep

The Perfect Murder

The first stage adaptation of the work of crime thriller novelist Peter James tells the tale of Victor Smiley and his wife Joan whose marriage has reached crisis point. Victor decides there is only one way to get Joan out

of his life. Enter young detective Roy Grace, who starts to investigate his first homicide.

Tickets: £16 to £31.50 01227 787787 The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Satnav: CT1 2AS

3 and 4 Sep

Peppa Pig’s Big Splash

The nursery roof is leaking and Peppa and her many friends need to fix it quickly. They set

up a fête to raise the money for Mr Bull to do the repairs, put up bunting, run stalls and organise a great day out.

Tickets: £14.50 to £16.50 0844 871 7620 Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA

5 Sep

The Dualers

This ska and reggae band will have you jumping to your feet with their toe-tapping ditties.

Tickets: £15 0844 815 9045 Mercure Great Danes Hotel, Maidstone Satnav: ME17 1RE

5 and 8 Sep

Dawn French

The award-winning actor, best-selling novelist and all-round funny lady has written a new show, based on her life and career. She will be at the Assembly Hall on 5 Sep and at the Churchill on 8 Sep.

Tickets: £39.50 (Assembly Hall); £40.50 (Churchill Theatre); 01892 530613 (Assembly Hall); 0844 871 7620 (Churchill Theatre) Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells; Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: TN1 2LU (Assembly Hall); BR1 1HA (Churchill Theatre)

5 to 26 Sep

The Beginner Gardener

Sign up for this course and you will learn how to get the best from your garden with the help of Horticulture lecturer Fiona Abrahams from Hadlow College.

Tickets: £150 01233 643854 Godinton House, Ashford Satnav: TN23 3BP

6 Sep

Rat Pack Vegas

Come Fly With Me, Under My Skin, Mr Bojangles, Fly Me To The Moon, Lady Is A Tramp, That’s Amore, Mack The Knife, Sway and many more of your favourites will all be showcased in this wonderful tribute to the undisputed ‘Kings of Cool’. Also joining in the fun are The Fabulous Vegas Showgirls who add a touch of glamour.

Tickets: £17 to £23 0844 871 3015 Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone Satnav: CT20 2DZ

6 Sep

Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown

The lewd, crude comedian who sometimes shocks, often insults, but always entertains his audience is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Tickets: £21 0844 871 7620 Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA

7 Sep

Camel and Pig Racing

Hole Park will provide the backdrop for this colourful fundraising event. As well as camel and pig racing there will also be Mongolian wrestling, singing and dancing. The Wild Camel Protection Foundation is staging the event to raise funds for one of the world’s most endangered animals.

Tickets: £10 (per car) 01580 241344 Hole Park House & Gardens, Rolvenden Satnav: TN17 4JB

8 to 13 Sep

Hay Fever

Felicity Kendal stars in this Noel Coward classic alongside Simon Shepherd. Hay Fever has been a favourite ever since it first dazzled London’s West End in 1925. Unconventional, risqué, often rude, the Blisses are everything a respectable English family should not be. Misjudged meetings, secret seductions and scandalous revelations proliferate during one outrageous weekend in Berkshire.

Tickets: £18 to £35 01227 787787 The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Satnav: CT1 2AS

9 Sep

Queen Extravaganza

Hot on the heels of a North American tour, The Queen Extravaganza will rock 14 venues across the UK. This spectacular touring show is designed to take the music and live experience of rock icons Queen and bring it to generations of fans. Two of Queen’s original members – drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Brian May – are the masterminds behind the show.

Tickets: £22.50 to £24.50 01892 530 613 Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells Satnav: TN1 2LU

11 to 20 Sep

Blockbuster Musical

A brand-new musical, starring evergreen actor Paul Nicholas, has its world-premiere at Dartford’s Orchard Theatre. Featuring the classic music of Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn, the song-writing duo who dominated the pop world in the 70s and 80s with hits including Tiger Feet, Can the Can, Mickey, Living Next Door To Alice, it’s a guaranteed solid-gold trip down memory lane.

Tickets: £20 to £32 01322 220000 The Orchard Theatre, Dartford Satnav: DA1 1ED

12 and 13 Sep

Spitfire Solo

This one-man show tells the story of fictional Battle of Britain pilot Peter Walker, whose life in a retirement home is turned upside down by the arrival of an unexpected visitor. Includes some Second World War film footage as well as music of the time. Pitched as a tribute to The Few and a reminder of their sacrifice, it’s mixed with a human story and some gentle humour.

01424 440484 Ellen Terry Barn Theatre, Smallhythe Place, Tenterden Satnav: TN30 7NG

12 to 14 Sep Country Life at Hever

Unwind in the glorious grounds of Hever Castle while enjoying displays and demonstrations. Talented craftspeople set up stall on Half Moon Pond to show off

their skills. Enjoy food and drink from local producers and learn how to keep hens and bees.

Tickets: £8.70 to £39.70 01732 865224 Hever Castle, nr Edenbridge Satnav: TN8 7NG

12 to 14 Sep

Great British Food

See, smell and taste goods from local food and drink producers, retailers, chefs and cookery schools. Daily demonstrations, children’s activities and entertainment. A valid entrance ticket to Leeds Castle is needed.

Tickets: Contact venue 01622 765400 Leeds Castle, Maidstone Satnav: ME17 1PL

13 Sep

Autumn propagation

A practical session that will reveal the secrets to fill your garden with free plants. You can even take home a selection of plants from Godinton’s lovely borders.

Tickets: £55 01233 643854 Godinton House, Ashford Satnav: TN23 3BP

13 Sep

Think Floyd

Now in their 20th year, the talented musicians who make up Think Floyd have faithfully recreated the atmosphere, visual magnitude and musical excellence of Floyd live.

Tickets: £20 01982 530613 Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells Satnav: TN1 2LU

13 and 14 Sep

Hop Festival Weekend

Former hop pickers will relive their memories while visitors can experience the hop picking way of life first hand at the Kent & East Sussex Railway’s Hop Festival Weekend. Displays of memorabilia plus heritage and steam-driven road and model vehicles. Morris dancing and music from The Sideboard Men.

Tickets: £12 to £48 01580 765155 KESR, Tenterden Satnav: TN30 6HE

16 Sep

French Dining

The first in a series of corporate networking events organised by the Heart of Kent Hospice offers an evening of French cuisine where guests can enjoy a delicious three-course meal. Places are limited, so book early.

Tickets: £25 01622 790195 Frederic Café Bistro, Maidstone Satnav: ME14 1HP

16 to 20 Sep

To Kill A Mockingbird

Directed by Timothy Sheader, this critically acclaimed play starts its UK tour in Canterbury. Set in America’s Deep South, racial injustice envelops a small town. Through courage and compassion, lawyer Atticus Finch seeks the truth and his daughter Scout brings new hope to a neighbourhood in turmoil.

Tickets: £19 to £34.50 01227 787787 The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Satnav: CT1 2AS

19 and 20 Sep

Flashing Eyes

Set in 1950’s Margate, this unique musical tells of love at first sight, the courtship that follows with its ups and downs, tears and laughter.

Tickets: £10; £9 (concs) 01843 292795 Theatre Royal, Margate Satnav: CT9 1PW

20 Sep

Weald of Kent Ploughing Match

As well as the traditional events that include Ashford Valley and Tickham Hunt, the Bolebroke Beagles, birds of prey and a mass gathering of every tractor that has taken part in the ploughing, there will also be a dog agility competition and a tug-of-war competition.

Tickets: £5, www.wkpma.co.uk Gatehouse Farm, Marden Satnav: TN12 9SG

20 to 21 Sep

Salute to the 1940s

Get whisked back in time and find that around every corner period vehicles, evacuees and people dressed in 1940’s attire will bring the period vividly to life. This is one of the finest vintage events of its kind.

Tickets: from £6 to £57 01634 823800 The Historic Dockyard, Chatham Satnav: ME4 4TE

20 to 21 September

War and the Horse

Witness the powerful imagery and confidence of the Cavalry of 1914 as they prepared to dominate the battlefields of Europe, little aware of the way

in which the machine gun and barbed wire would sweep away their preconceptions. Glimpse into this world as we tell this remarkable story through re-enactment, talks, music and children’s activities.

Tickets: Up to £48.10 0870 333 1181 Dover Castle, Dover Satnav: CT16 1HU

21 Sep

The Demelza Run

Returning to Leeds Castle, where the first Demelza Run was held 10 years ago, participants of all ages are welcome. Suitable for novice runners taking on their first 5k to experienced runners who are looking for a more challenging 10k. Register your place by visiting the website at: www.demelza.org.uk.

Tickets: £15 (adults); £5 (children); £35 (family) 01795 845200 Leeds Castle, Maidstone Satnav: ME17 1PL

21 Sep

Ruby Wax

The much-loved US-born comedian presents her new show, based on her book Sane New World. Both show us how to rewire our thinking to find calm in a frenetic world and how to become the master, not the slave, of our own minds.

Tickets: £19 0844 871 7620

Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA

21 Sep

Classic Car show

With hundreds of interesting and modified vehicles, this a great day out for all the family, with stalls, a local Farmers’ Market, beer tent and a barbeque.

Tickets: £4; £12 (family); under 12s are free

020 8768 4500 (St Christopher’s Hospice)

Tripes Farm, Orpington

Satnav: BR6 7RS

22 September 2014

The loss of Hogue, Cressy and Aboukir

Three Royal Navy Cruisers (Hogue, Cressy and Aboukir) were lost in 1914, off the Dutch coast in the North Sea. The ships were manned with reservists from the Chatham Division and the 1,273 names of those lost are recorded on the Chatham Naval Memorial. This event commemorates their loss.

Tickets: Contact venue 01634 823800 Historic Dockyard, Chatham Satnav: ME4 4TE

23 to 27 Sep

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat

X-Factor finalist Lloyd Daniels is now part of the cast for this long-running production. The youngest contestant in the 2009 competition, Daniels got to the final five out of 250,000 entrants, and performed in front of 10 million TV viewers.

Tickets: £10 to £25 0844 871 7620 Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA

23 to 28 Sep

Festival of Flowers

This popular floral event returns to Leeds Castle this autumn. Local florists, flower societies and clubs will transform the State Rooms into works of art using flowers. A valid entrance ticket to Leeds Castle is required.

Tickets: Contact venue 01622 765400 Leeds Castle, Maidstone Satnav: ME17 1PL

26 Sep

Sir Thomas Allen

Sir Thomas Allen, the lyric baritone and internationally renowned star of some of the greatest opera houses in the world, presents Schubert’s Winterreise. Pianist Joseph Middleton will accompany him.

Tickets: £16 01892 750665 or 01892 750845 Frant Church, Frant Satnav: TN3 9DX

27 Sep

Grow Your Own

Make your garden, whether it’s big or small, more productive and enjoy a bumper harvest of fruit, veg and cut flowers.

Tickets: £55.00 01233 643854 Godinton House, Ashford Satnav: TN23 3BP

27 and 28 Sep

Day out with Thomas

The Kent & East Sussex Railway invites you to meet Thomas and his friends, including Sir Topham Hatt aka The Fat Controller. Tickets include a 70-minute train ride, the chance to enjoy Thomas & Friends station scenarios, and a fun-packed programme of children’s events.

Tickets: £15 (adult); £12.50 (child); £48 (family) 01580 765155 KESR, Tenterden Satnav: TN30 6HE

28 Sep

Jane McDonald

A singer, TV personality and platinum-selling recording artist, Jane McDonald is on the road to publicise her latest album, The Singer of Your Song. She will be undertaking a 35-date UK tour, which includes Kent.

Tickets: £23.40 to £39.40 01303 228600 Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone Satnav: CT20 2DZ

30 Sep and 2 Oct

Michael McIntyre

The popular comedian returns to Margate with a ‘work-in-progress’ show for his hotly anticipated new stand-up tour ‘Happy & Glorious’. His previous tour, ‘Showtime’, was one of the biggest-selling comedy tours in the world in 2012, which included a record-breaking 10-night residency at the O2.

Tickets: £22.50 01843 292795 Theatre Royal, Margate Satnav: CT9 1PW

Sep to Oct

Sevenoaks Literary Celebration 2014

Lucy Hughes-Hallett, crowned winner of the 2014 Samuel Johnson Non-Fiction prize and the Costa Biography prize, will be the first speaker in the Sevenoaks Literary Celebration this year. Her highly acclaimed biography of Gabriele d’Annunzio, The Pike, tells the story of an outrageous Italian poet, seducer and adventurer a century ago. The festival will also welcome writer and actor Ian Kelly, and Liz Lochhead, Scotland’s national poet, leading biologist Professor Dave Goulson, Robert Sackville-West and many more. See feature on page 48.

Tickets: Various 01732 452055 (Sevenoaks Bookshop) Satnav: TN13