From ballet to garden tours, rock and roll to wrestling, Kent has it all this month
From 4 Jan
Guided Garden Tours
Explore the grounds at Groombridge Place while learning more about the estate’s history and plant life on a series of free guided walks. On Mon and Tue visitors can hear about the house’s connection to Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle and how it inspired a story featuring Sherlock Holmes.
Tickets: Normal admission charges apply
01892 861444
Groombridge Place, Tunbridge Wells
Satnav: TN3 9QG
8 Jan
Abba Mania
Just over 40 years ago ABBA won Eurovision; this special concert presentation should revive special memories of the fab Swedish four-piece.
Tickets: From £14.75. 0844 871 7620
Churchill Theatre, Bromley.
Satnav: BR1 1HA
9 Jan
A Vision of Elvis
One of the leading touring Elvis productions is celebrating all the music of Elvis Presley, from the Sun Studio years through to the incendiary ‘68 Comeback Special, with the finale being the Concert Years.
Tickets: From £21.25. 0844 871 7620
Churchill Theatre, Bromley
Satnav: BR1 1HA
11 to 13 Jan
Russian State Ballet
Russia’s acclaimed ballet company will be returning to UK shores in 2016. The company will be performing three legendary ballets: Giselle (11 Jan), Sleeping Beauty (12 Jan) and The Snow Maiden (13 Jan).
Tickets: From £25.50 (even); £15.50 (matinee)
0844 871 7620.
Churchill Theatre, Bromley
Satnav: BR1 1HA
12 to 17 Jan
The Glenn Miller Story
Starring rock’n’roll icon Tommy Steele, this is a spectacular new musical, featuring period hits, including, of course, In The Mood.
Tickets: £22 to £46.50. 01227 787787
The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Satnav: CT1 2AS
13 to 17 Jan
Cirque Berserk!
Combining contemporary cirque-style skills with off-the-scale thrilling stunt action, Cirque Berserk! is a danger-filled spectacle that will amaze audiences of all ages.
Tickets: £10 to £28. 01322 220000
The Orchard Theatre, Dartford
Satnav: DA1 1ED
15 Jan
Soul Legends
Featuring the music of Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Lionel Richie, Barry White and more, this production will certainly put a spring in your step.
Tickets: From £25.25. 0844 871 7620
Churchill Theatre, Bromley
Satnav: BR1 1HA
15 and 16 Jan
Stargazing Live
Edenbridge & District Astronomers invite you to gaze up at the heavens. Look at the sun through solar telescopes (16 Jan) and then switch to normal telescopes to look at the Moon, Jupiter and other heavenly bodies (15 and 16 Jan). There will also be activities for children and a raffle.
Tickets: Free. www.edenbridgeastro.org.ukKent & Surrey Golf & Country Club, EdenbridgeSatnav: TN8 5LQ16 Jan Superslam WrestlingA two-hour wrestling spectacular! Expect tag team matches, Royal Rumble matches, a Divas’ competition, ladder matches and a whole lot more, right here ringside in Kent.Tickets: From £15.25. 0844 871 7620 Churchill Theatre, Bromley. Satnav: BR1 1HA16 JanChristine TobinThe award-winning vocalist and songwriter’s show is a celebration of Brazilian music and the songs recorded by Brazilian singer Elis Regina.Tickets: £14. 01227 787787The Marlowe Studio, Canterbury Satnav: CT1 2AS16 Jan to 28 FebPhotography exhibitionImages on show from the international garden photographer of the year exhibition.Tickets: Contact venue. 01580 710700Sissinghurst Castle and Gardens, nr CranbrookSatnav: TN17 2AB16 Jan Superslam WrestlingA two-hour wrestling spectacular! Expect tag team matches, Royal Rumble matches, a Divas’ competition, ladder matches and a whole lot more, right here ringside in Kent.Tickets: From £15.25. 0844 871 7620 Churchill Theatre, Bromley. Satnav: BR1 1HA18 Jan to 21 Feb P.O.W family trailDiscover how Churchill escaped as a POW during the Boer War. Follow in his footsteps and decide how you would escape capture.Tickets: Contact venue. 01732 868381Chartwell, Westerham. Satnav: TN16 1PS18 Jan to 26 FebThey shall grow not oldCommemorative exhibition bringing to life the thoughts and feelings of soldiers who served in the trenches through their letters, music and art.Tickets: Contact venue; normal admission charges apply. 01732 868381Chartwell, Westerham. Satnav: TN16 1PS18 to 23 JanPrivate LivesPrivate Lives, written in just three days, remains Coward’s greatest success, and is being revived in 2016. Elyot (a role originated by Coward himself) and Amanda are a gloriously selfish divorced couple who, by a quirk of fate, meet again on their honeymoons with their new spouses.Tickets: £15 to £41.90. 0844 871 7620Churchill Theatre, Bromley. Satnav: BR1 1HA19 to 23 JanAn Inspector CallsOscar-nominated Stephen Daldry (who directed Billy Elliott among other great films), will be directing this multi-award-winning production of JB Priestley’s classic play.Tickets: £18 to £33.50. 01227 787787The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Satnav: CT1 2AS19 to 23 JanMoscow City BalletThe dance company returns with its dramatic story-telling and captivating performances of some of the most beloved of ballets. The company will be presenting Giselle (19 to 20 Jan) and The Nutcracker (21 to 23 Jan) Tickets: £20 to £80. 01322 220000The Orchard Theatre, Dartford. Satnav: DA1 1ED 22 to 30 Jan Jack and the BeanstalkTravel to the once-lovely land of Eynsinham, which has been taken over by the evil giant Blunderbore, who claims punishing taxes off the good people of the realm.Tickets: Contact venue. 07704 279948Eynsford Village Hall, Eynsford.Satnav: DA4 OAA 22 JanMaz O’ConnorDon’t miss one of British folk’s rising stars, playing a mixture of traditional songs and her own thoughtful and poetic compositions.Tickets: £10. 01227 787787The Marlowe Studio, Canterbury Satnav: CT1 2AS 24 JanThe Snow QueenJoin Ballet Theatre UK in a beautiful retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale ballet, the inspiration behind the smash-hit film Frozen.Tickets: £8 to £16. 01843 292795Theatre Royal, Margate. Satnav: CT9 1PW24 JanWedding ShowcaseBrides and grooms-to-be and their families are invited to Hever for this rare opportunity to see the choice of wedding venues set up as they would be for ceremonies and celebrations. Email weddings@hevercastle.co.uk Tickets: Contact venue. 01732 865224Hever Castle, Edenbridge. Satnav: TN8 7NGUntil 31 JanArthur’s WarAn exhibition focusing on the life of Brigadier General Arthur Hussey during the events of the First World War.Tickets: £55 (including lunch). 01892 893820Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst. Satnav: TN3 8JN25 to 30 JanAnnieAnnie is coming to Kent for one week only, with Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph playing the tyrannical Miss Hannigan. Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Tickets: £22 to £38. 01322 220000The Orchard Theatre, Dartford. Satnav: DA1 1ED25 to 30 JanLet It BeA showcase of the music of one of the world’s most revered rock‘n’roll bands; from humble beginnings in the Cavern Club to the height of Beatlemania and later studio masterpieces. Tickets: From £20. 0844 871 7620 Churchill Theatre, Bromley. Satnav: BR1 1HA27 to 31 JanCirque de GlaceThe Marlowe’s stage will be transformed into an ice rink for this spectacular show. The production combines ice dance with the world of contemporary circus performance.Tickets: £13.50 to £32. 01227 787787The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Satnav: CT1 2AS28 to 31 Jan Jack & The BeanstalkJoin Jack, Silly Billy and Dame Trott in this fun-packed ‘giant’ of a family panto.Tickets: £5.50 (child); £8.80 (adults)07895 123450. Christ Church Hall, AshfordSatnav: TN23 7SR29 JanPascal and Ami RogéBrilliant piano virtuoso Pascal Rogé, who will be joined by his partner in life and in music, pianist Ami Roge, will be continuing Frant’s International Music Festival. Tickets: £18. 01892 750665Frant Church, Frant. Satnav: TN3 9DX30 Jan Wedding Open DayPenshurst Place and Gardens’ first Wedding Open Day of 2016 allows couples to sample canapés, see the banqueting rooms and meet the team of wedding coordinators. Specialist wedding suppliers will be on hand to discuss everything from photography to floristry. Tickets: Contact venue for an invitation01892 870307 Penshurst Place and Gardens, TonbridgeSatnav: TN11 8DGUntil Mar 2016Forgotten Wrecks of the First World WarThrough this Heritage Lottery-funded project, the Maritime Archaeology Trust is revealing moving accounts of bravery and sacrifice surrounding these sites. Tickets: Contact venue. 01303 254472St Peter’s Church, Folkestone. Satnav: CT19 6AL
