The county’s most comprehensive guide to the best in theatre, music, events and half-term activities for the whole family to enjoy
1 Oct
All You Need To Know
During the Second World War, the Grounds of Bletchley Park housed some of Britain’s greatest minds, and was the backdrop to the breaking of the German Enigma codes. This is multi-media production combines personal testimony, captivating storytelling and innovative presentation to tell the tale of the heroism demonstrated by a group of people who changed the course of history.
Tickets: £10 to £14 01843 292795 Theatre Royal, Margate Satnav: CT9 1PW
1 Oct
The Noise Next Door
Taking audience suggestions, this charming quintet turn them into funny scenes and songs with a perfect blend of ludicrous characters and witty one-liners.
Tickets: £12 and £14 01622 758611 Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone Satnav: ME14 1PL
2 Oct
Roger Moore
Following the release of his new book, the film and TV star, charity ambassador and former James Bond chats intimately with biographer Gareth Owen about his life and career.
Tickets: £26 0844 871 7620 The Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA
2 Oct
Michael McIntyre
The comedy superstar returns to Margate to test out some new material an intimate theatre.
Tickets: £22.50 01843 292795 Theatre Royal, Margate Satnav: CT9 1PW
4 Oct
Autumn Garden Tasks
Topics for this workshop include the pruning of climbing plants and shrubs, winter protection and plants with seasonal interest.
Tickets: £55 01233 643854 Godinton House & Gardens, Ashford Satnav: TN23 3BP
5 Oct
Tour of Kent
Blackpalfrey Motor Club of Kent invites you to join the 2014 Tour of Kent. Entry is open to cars over 20 years old and to more modern cars at the organisers’ discretion. Entry fee covers a crew of two, lunch and tea.
Tickets: £70
020 8460 9641
In and around Maidstone
6 Oct
Tom Wrigglesworth
In turns heart-wrenching and hilarious, join radio star and comedian Tom Wrigglesworth on an emotional journey from childhood to adulthood.
Tickets: £12 01227 769075 The Gulbenkian, Canterbury Satnav: CT2 7NB
6 to 11 oct
Black Coffee
In the first play written by Agatha Christie, we meet the most famous detective of all time, Hercule Poirot; the only fictional character to receive a full-page obituary in the New York Times.
Tickets: £10 to £25 0844 8717620 The Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA
8 Oct
Helen Crayford
The first lunchtime concert of the year will get your feet tapping to the rhythms of ragtime and early piano jazz, as Helen Crayford presents her virtuoso one-woman show Rags to Riches. This will be a whistle-stop tour from 1890 to 1940, all performed in period costume.
Tickets: Free (donations) 01227 769075 Colyer-Fergusson Hall, Canterbury Satnav: CT2 7NB
10 Oct
Jim Davidson
The comedian manages to turn one of the worst years of his life into a resounding success. No Further Action see Jims tell the story of his arrest and the nightmare year that followed.
Tickets: £23.90 to £25.90 0844 871 3015 Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone Satnav: CT20 2DZ
11 Oct
Memory Walk
Join the Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walk in the grounds
of Leeds Castle. Register at: www.memorywalk.org.uk
Tickets: raise £50 sponsorship 020 7423 3501 Leeds Castle, Maidstone Satnav: ME17 1PL
11 Oct
Aled Jones
Singer, actor, author, broadcaster, TV presenter, musical theatre performer and part-time dancer, Aled Jones, accompanied by world-class musicians, offers an eclectic mix of songs and stories from his time in the public eye.
Tickets: £25 to £27.50 01843 292795 Margate Winter Gardens, Satnav: CT9 1HX
11 Oct
Charity Concert
The Kent Police Male Voice Choir is staging a charity concert in aid of Hi Kent, a local charity for deaf and hard of hearing people.
Tickets: £8 01622 691151 St Teresa’s Church, Ashford Satnav: TN24 8TX
12 Oct
Autumn Wedding Fair
A great opportunity to experience the Imperial’s New Ballroom, with a selection of inspiring local exhibitors, live music, canapés and bubbly.
Tickets: Contact venue
01303 267441
Mercure Hythe Imperial, Hythe
Satnav: CT21 6AE
12 and 29 Oct
10CC
After a two-year break, the legendary 10CC are back on the road. with some of the greatest pop hits of the 20th century, including Dreadlock Holiday, Donna and Rubber Bullets.
Tickets: £30.50 (Orchard Theatre); £28 (Assembly Hall) 01322 220000 (Orchard Theatre); 01892 530613 (Assembly Hall), The Orchard Theatre, Dartford; Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells Satnav: CT9 1HX (Orchard); TN1 2LU (Assembly Hall)
16 Oct
Lord of the Rings
Charles Ross recreates the enchanting and diverse world of Middle Earth with nothing more than a set of elbow pads and his own fertile imagination.
Tickets: £17 0844 871 7620 The Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA
16 Oct
Paul Daniels
Expect an evening of magic and illusion as Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee bring their unique brand of comedy, entertainment and sleight of hand to Maidstone.
Tickets: £13 to £54 01622 758 611 Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone Satnav: ME14 1PL
16 to 18 Oct
The Dreamers
The tragic story of David Reginald Salomons, heir to the Salomons Estate, who led his regiment to the battlefields of Gallipoli, is narrated on large screens by Amanda Redman and Christopher Beeny, with special appearances by Sir Tim Rice, Philip Glenister and Sylvia Syms.
Tickets: £10 to £19.50 01892 530613 Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells Satnav: TN1 2LU
17 Oct
Trevor Pinnock
A top harpsichordist and conductor, Trevor pioneered performance on historical instruments with The English Concert, which he founded in 1972 and led for 30 years. He now divides his time between conducting, solo, chamber music and educational projects.
Tickets £15; £7 (students)
01227 769075
Colyer-Fergusson Hall, Canterbury Satnav: CT2 7NB
17 Oct
The Nutcracker
The Vienna Festival Ballet Company presents the enchanting tale of Clara and her nutcracker doll, which magically transforms into a princely soldier.
Tickets: £14 to £26.90 0844 871 3015 Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone Satnav: CT20 2DZ
18 Oct to 1 Nov
Canterbury Festival
More than 200 individual events across many different genres of performance, from Voces8 in the Cathedral to the Pirates of the Carabina flying into The Marlowe Theatre with their circus spectacular. You can also see Ruby Wax or enjoy Simon Callow acting The Man Jesus. Lots of musical treats, comedy events and, of course, a hearty selection of activities for the younger members of your family.
Tickets: Various 01227 787787 (Marlowe Theatre), various, Canterbury Satnav: CT1 to CT4
19 Oct
Conker championships
Challenge your family and friends to a game of conkers. Who will have the upper hand?
Tickets: £12 01732 751509 Emmetts Garden, Sevenoaks Satnav: TN14 6BA
21 Oct
Ha Ha Hood
Following a messy divorce, outlaw Robin Hood and Marian are forced back together to fight the nefarious Sheriff once more. The hilarious show stars Su Pollard and Cannon & Ball.
Tickets: £18 to £21 0844 871 7620 The Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA
24 Oct
Jethro: Legend at Large
The Cornish comedy legend is bringing his West Country wit to Kentish audiences. From humble beginnings in the pubs and clubs of Cornwall to appearances on the Des O’Connor Show, Jethro is a true master of comedy.
Tickets: 20.50 0844 871 3015 Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone Satnav: CT20 2DZ
25 Oct
Chas & Dave
Legendary ‘London Geezas’ Chas & Dave are bringing their massive 2014 tour to Kent. Celebrating the recording of their first album of new material in 27 years, which is sure to be a bona fide ‘rockney’ classic, the duo will be trying out a few new numbers, alongside some of their classics.
Tickets: £23.50 to £27.50 0844 871 3015 Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone Satnav: CT20 2DZ
26 Oct
Swan Lake
The Russian State Ballet and Opera House will present an updated and family-focused version of the perennial favourite Swan Lake, transformed from a traditional ballet into a magical fairy tale. Highlights include the charming Dance of the Little Swans and some sweeping ballroom waltzes in the splendour of the Royal Palace.
Tickets: £24; £22 (concs) 01634 338338 Central Theatre, Chatham Satnav: ME4 4AS
28 Oct to 1 Nov
Beached
A British premiere, Beached tells the story of 18-year-old Arty who, at 63 stone, is morbidly obese and the world’s fattest teenager. He is a young man quite literally going nowhere. All this is about to change when a reality TV crew moves in to ruthlessly document Arty’s supposed transformation from bedridden walrus to ‘trousered sophisticate’.
Tickets: £12.00 01227 787787 The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Satnav: CT1 2AS
28 Oct to 1 Nov
The Great Gatsby
Indulge in the heady and exciting days of New York’s Long Island during the rip-roaring 1920s, as Northern Ballet brings F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel to the stage. The seductive style of the era is perfectly recreated through stunning sets and costumes with music by award-winning composer Sir Richard Rodney Bennett CBE, played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia.
Tickets: £17 to £39.50 01227 787787 The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Satnav: CT1 2AS
29 Oct
Levellers Greatest Hits
From the folk punk roots of Carry Me, to the anthemic One Way, Fifteen Years and chart-topping Hope Street, Just The One and Beautiful Day, alongside more recent tracks such as Truth Is, Burn America Burn and The Cholera Well are perfect demonstrations that the old mix of scathing political comment and positive DIY attitude to life hasn’t dissipated.
Tickets: £27.40 0844 871 3015 Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone Satnav: CT20 2DZ
30 Oct
The South
Featuring members of The Beautiful South, The South will combine a set list of Beautiful South hits and album tracks as well as original songs from their own debut album.
Tickets: £21 to £25 01322 220000 The Orchard Theatre, Dartford Satnav: ME15 8SE
31 Oct
Beverley Craven
Award-winning musician Beverley Craven is embarking on an extensive UK tour supporting the release of her new album, Change of Heart. The performer is looking forward to showcasing some of her new songs, alongside some of her better-known tunes such as Holding On, Woman To Woman and Love Scenes.
Tickets: ££22.90 0844 871 3015 Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone Satnav: CT20 2DZ
31 Oct
Joe Longthorne
Joe began his career more than 30 years ago. His big break came in 1981 when he reached the finals of Search for a Star. His repertoire of voices includes hundreds of the world’s top singers, including Shirley Bassey, who declares: ‘Joe can do me better than I can do myself’.
Tickets: £19.50 to £22.50 0844 871 7620 The Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HAw
