From open farms, music and theatre to Father’s Day specials
1 Jun
Plant a real Poppy Day
The 100th Anniversary of the start of the First World War is approaching and a campaign has been started to plant real poppies to coincide with this centenary. The bright red Flanders poppies, also known as corn poppies, will be planted by thousands of people across the nation for flowering late July/early August. Seeds are available direct from the Royal British Legion or from B&Q and many garden centres nationwide, realpoppy.co.uk
1 Jun
Ramsgate Tunnels
Ramsgate’s Tunnels Explorer takes visitors on a journey into the network of tunnels that became ‘a town below the town’ during the Second World War. There will be a special variety tribute show, Salute to the 1940s.
Ramsgate Satnav: CT11 8LN
1 and 2 Jun
Immortal Chi
From the producers of the Shaolin Warriors, Immortal Chi is directed by acclaimed Cirque Director Erik Villeneuve.
Tickets: £20 to £23.50 0844 871 7620 Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA
1 to 8 Jun
Glorious Gardens
Visit Penshurst Place to enjoy glorious Gardens Week, where there will be a variety of garden-themed events. These include a demonstration by Lesley Young, Master Florist and head of Hadlow College’s floristry department (2 Jun).
Tickets: Normal admission price includes floristry demo 01892 870307 Penshurst Place, Tonbridge Satnav: TN11 8DG
2 to 7 Jun
Pygmalion
A new revival of this enduring masterpiece, with TV star Alistair McGowan as Henry Higgins.
Tickets: From £18 (concs) 01227 787787 The Marlowe, Canterbury Satnav: CT1 2AS
7 and 8 Jun
Folkestone Airshow
The famous RAF Red Arrows will be one of the stars during the Folkestone Airshow. Along with a fantastic line-up of aviation events, there will also be a spectacular live concert on Folkestone seafront, with music supplied by Abba tribute band Björn Again and multi-instrumentalist Chris Andre. See also feature on page xx.
Tickets: Contact the venue for details, folkestoneairshow.com Folkestone Satnav: CT20
8 Jun
Open Farm Sunday
Princess Christian Farm, which is managed through a partnership between Kent County Council and Hadlow College, is one of the many farms participating in the Open Farm Sunday scheme. Go on a tour, take part in some sheep shearing, get behind the wheel of a tractor and milk a cow.
Tickets: Free 01732 838408 Princess Christian Farm, Hildenborough Satnav: TN11 9LP
8 Jun
Read Not Dead
Globe Education’s staged reading series has hit the road touring venues (and fields) nationwide, including Glastonbury, Wilderness and Latitude festivals. This summer Read Not Dead On The Road visits Penshurst Place for an exclusive premiere performance of Love’s Victory by Lady Mary Wroth, niece of the famous poet Sir Phillip Sidney.
Tickets: Contact venue 01892 870307 Penshurst Place, Tonbridge Satnav: TN11 8DG
9 Jun
Taste the best
The eighth annual Taste the Best of Produced in Kent in aid of the Kent Air Ambulance Trust takes place from 11am to 4pm at Biddenden Vineyards. Free admission and tastings of the family-owned vineyard’s fab award-winning sparkling and still wines, ciders and juices,
01580 291726 Biddenden Vineyards Satnav:TN27 8DF
9 to 14 Jun
Things We Do For Love
With a cast that includes Natalie Imbruglia, Claire Price, Edward Bennett and Simon Gregor, this new staging of Ayckbourn’s hit play is sure to be a hit. Bedroom farce develops into something more complex as two adversaries fall head over heels in lust.
Tickets: £10 to £28.50 0844 871 7620 Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA
11 Jun
The Reflections Band
A group of world-class musicians (Mick Wilson, Paul Bliss, Gordy Marshall, Marcus Cliffe and Huw Davies), singers and songwriters who have toured and recorded with such iconic bands as 10CC, Alice Cooper and Eric Clapton, bring you a great new show highlighting some of the best British rock and pop music.
Tickets: £19.50 01322 22 0000 The Orchard Theatre, Dartford Satnav: DA1 1ED
12 Jun
Magic of Motown
Paying tribute to 50 years of UK number one hit singles, Magic of Motown brings its brand-new Reach Out tour to town. Expect songs like Dancing in the Street, My Girl, Where Did Our Love Go, My Guy and Baby Love.
Tickets: £23.50 and £27.50 01322 220000 Orchard Theatre, Dartford Satnav: DA1 1ED
13 Jun
Mozart Sonatas
Kristian Bezuidenhout on fortepiano and Amandine Beyer on violin are giving a fund-raising recital in Frant Church.
Tickets: £15 01892 750665/01892 750845 Frant Church, Frant Satnav: TN3 9DX
13 and 14 Jun
Real Ale & Cider
Celebrate summer with a visit to the Real Ale & Cider Festival with the KESR. Visitors can try a range of around 50 of the finest ales, ciders and perry while enjoying live music. Entry is by platform ticket, and free to CAMRA members.
Tickets: £2 (platform ticket) 01580 765155 Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden Satnav: TN30 6HE
14 Jun
History of Britain
Outdoor theatre with The Pantaloons as you’ve never seen it before. Harold II and William the Conqueror don’t see eye to eye; Henry VIII decides five marriages just isn’t enough and Queen Victoria is not amused.
Tickets: £15 plus normal admission charges 0844 2491895 Sissinghurst Castle, Cranbrook Satnav: TN17 2AB
15 Jun
Japanese Day
This celebration of Japanese crafts and culture includes demonstrations of Kyudo (Japanese archery), Tameshigiri and Iai (Japanese sword arts) and the care of Bonsai trees. Children can try origami and many other creative arts in the activity tent.
Tickets: £4 to £32 01892 870347 Chiddingstone Castle, Chiddingstone Satnav: TN8 7AD
FATHER’S DAY
15 Jun
Beer and Steam Trains
KESR has a memorable Fathers’ Day planned. Dad can enjoy a return journey on one of the railway’s lovingly preserved trains, with a choice of either home-made lunch or a cream tea. This includes a bottle of the railway’s own beer - Dad’s Delight - and a KESR glass tankard.
Tickets: £24.50 (Dads); cost of food applies for rest of the party; £11-£45 (railway tickets) 01580 765155 Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden Satnav: TN30 6HE
15 Jun
Lunch at Chartwell
Treat Dad to a traditional three-course set Sunday lunch in the Mulberry Room at Chartwell.
Tickets: £25 (adult), £19 (child) 01732 861161 Chartwell, Westerham Satnav: TN16 1PS
15 Jun
Visit Emmetts
Celebrate Father’s Day with a trip to Emmett’s Garden. Gift-making activities will be available for the younger visitors while Dad soaks up the relaxing atmosphere.
Tickets: Normal admission 01732 868381 Emmetts Garden, nr Sevenoaks Satnav: TN14 6BA
16 to 28 Jun
Cats
Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s smash-hit musical returns to Canterbury.
Tickets: From £16 01227 787787 Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Satnav: CT1 2AS
16 to 21 Jun
Rock of Ages
Still rockin’ after five years on Broadway and three in London’s West End, Rock of Ages heads out across the UK. Featuring plenty of rockin’ tunes - Don’t Stop Believin’, We Built This City and The Final Countdown - this is the perfect opportunity to strut back down the Sunset Strip.
Tickets: £15-£35 0844 8717620 Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA
18 to 21 Jun
Gilbert & Sullivan
Simon Butteriss directs new productions of The Mikado and Iolanthe, and John Savournin helms a new, swashbuckling production of The Pirates of Penzance. They also star in the productions, which include cast members Bruce Graham, Sylvia Clarke, Oliver White, Victoria Byron and Richard Gauntlett.
The Mikado (18 Jun); Iolanthe (19 Jun); The Pirates of Penzance (20 and 21 Jun) Tickets: £18 to £28 01322 220000 The Orchard Theatre, Dartford Satnav: DA1 1ED
19 Jun
Trials of Oscar Wilde
A dramatic recreation of the libel and criminal trials experienced by playwright Oscar Wilde. This production uses the original words spoken in court.
Tickets: £12, £10 (Friends), £8 (under 25s) 01843 292795 Theatre Royal, Margate Satnav: CT9 1PW
21 Jun
Complete Works of Shakespeare
All 37 plays in 97 minutes! Now revised for 2014, with the same recycled jokes - just in a different order. This is an irreverent and fast-paced romp through the Bard’s plays, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) is performed by a trio of madcap men in tights.
Tickets: £16; £14 (concs) 0845 130 1786 Theatre Royal, Margate Satnav: CT9 1PW
21 Jun
Paul Weller
The Modfather (right) is appearing as part of the annual series of Forestry Commission gigs. A significant figure in popular music for the past three generations, Weller remains a cultural icon. Expect to hear many of his memorable tunes, including, naturally, Wild Wood.
Tickets: £46.20 03000 680400 Bedgebury Pinetum Satnav: TN17 2SJ
21 Jun
Church Fair
St Bartholomew’s Church is holding its annual fair in the grounds of Castle House. Lots to do, lots to see and lots to buy, otford.info/st.bartholomews.
Castle House, Otford Satnav: TN14 5PB
23 to 29 Jun
Hever in Bloom
Hever Castle is showcasing its glorious gardens with a fine display of roses and summer blooms. Visitors can meet the Castle florist who will give daily demons showing how she creates her imaginative floral arrangements.
Tickets: £8.70 to £39.70 01732 865224 Hever Castle, nr Edenbridge Satnav: TN8 7NG
25 Jun
The Johnny Cash Roadshow
The only show to be endorsed by the Cash family. Come and celebrate the life and career of a true music legend.
Tickets: £19 to £20 0844 871 7620 Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA
29 Jun
Pam Ayres
Pam Ayres brings her latest show to Kent following the recent publication of her latest book of poetry, You Made Me Late Again! For ardent fans, she will be signing copies after the show.
Tickets: £19.50 01892 530613 Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells Satnav: TN1 2LU
29 Jun
Faversham Open Gardens
Come and explore more than 30 private and community gardens in the heart of historic and picturesque Faversham. There will be a special garden market with more than 35 stalls selling plants, books, foods, crafts and vintage artefacts.
Tickets: £6 (per person); £10 (for two) 01795 534542 Satnav: ME1
