What’s on this March in Surrey
Dorking (c) Julian Walker, Flickr (CC BY 2.0) - Credit: Archant
We round up some of the best events and things to do across Surrey this month
For anything we've missed on our monthly round-up keep an eye on our weekend events round-up through this link
The three day festival, Guildford JazzFest returns this month from March 20-22 at Guildford's Electric Theatre and features a wide spectrum of jazz, funk and latin grooves. Headlining the festival will be ECM recording artist and internationally-recognised saxophonist and composer Iain Ballamy. Ballamy, who is listed in the BBC publication 100 Jazz Greats alongside Count Basie and Chet Baker, has recorded over 70 albums in a career spanning more than 30 years.
He has played with Loose Tubes, Bill Bruford's Earthworks, Everything but the Girl as well as figures as varied as John Dankworth, Carla Bley and Django Bates. His headlining at Guildford Jazz Fest 2020 follows past appearances at numerous international festivals including North Sea, Berlin, Vancouver and Montreux.
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Sat 7 - Sun 15 March
Hairspray behind Bars
Since 1991, Pimlico Opera has taken more than 60,000 members of the public into prisons and more than 1,000 prisoners have been part of staging an opera. It receives no public subsidy. In March 2020, the company is going back behind bars to stage Hairspray at HMP Bronzefield in Ashford for six extraordinary performances.
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Pimlico Opera rehearses with the prisoners full time, for five weeks. Most of them have never acted before, or even been inside a theatre. The Pimlico Opera team for Hairspray - headed up by director Nikki Woollaston (whose credits include The King And I, and Gypsy in the West End) - includes a number of professional singers and a core expert backstage team to support the prisoners as they learn their roles, improve vocal technique and develop their stagecraft in time for opening night.
ticketing.grangeparkopera.co.uk/
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Fri, March 13
ToooB by Angel Exit Arts
Meet toooB, a curious and friendly shape-shifting creature. An enchanting, wordless show for 6-24 month olds and their grown ups.
A sensory adventure with an original soundtrack, captivating movement and interactive fun and games; a perfect introduction to theatre and dance for the very young, including a stay and play session with the performer.
Performances at 10.30am, 11.30am & 2pm
Tickets £6 with group bookings and family tickets available
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Sat 14 and Sun 15 March
Surrey Contemporary Art Fair
Come and experience the unique buzz of Contemporary Art Fair where over 160 emerging and established contemporary artists and galleries will gather to share their extraordinary work in a relaxed, participatory and welcoming environment.
This vibrant and easily-accessible event returns for its third year at Sandown Park Racecourse. Bringing together an exciting mix of artists, printmakers, photographers, sculptors and selected galleries offering the very best in contemporary art to new and established collectors.
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Mon 16 - Sat 21 March
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Mark Goucher and first-time producer Jason Donovan have announced that actor and Strictly Come Dancing winner Joe McFadden will star in their brand-new production of the much-loved glittering hit musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
The show will be coming to the New Victoria Theatre in Woking, and marks Donovan's first time as a producer, having performed in the cast of the original West End production and two subsequent UK tours.
Tickets from £13
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Fri 20 - Sat 21 March
Wendy and Peter Pan
The Young Oxted Players perform a re-telling by Ella Hickson of the classic children's story, which features Wendy Darling as the protagonist who flies away with Peter Pan to Neverland.
Shows at 2.30pm (Sat only) & 7.30pm, Tickets (£9 to £10)
barntheatreoxted.co.uk 01883 724852
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Sun, March 22
John Illsley: The Life And Times Of Dire Straits
If you want a show that delivers on every level this is it. John Illsley's Life and Times of Dire Straits at the Dorking Halls is not just an evening with a bit of chat and the odd anecdote, it's much, much more...
Of course there is plenty of chat and stories - and who doesn't want to know about life in one of the most famous bands the world's ever known - but there's double bubble even here. John is interviewed by one of Dire Straits' old managers, Paul Cummins, who has his own take on the good old days himself.
Tickets start at: £20.
johnillsley.com / dorkinghalls.co.uk
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The best of the rest
Not just a pretty face
Comedian and host of Sky's Soccer AM Lloyd Griffith is brings his tour to G Live, Tues, March 24.
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Rob Brydon
The Comedian brings his eight-piece band to perform Songs and Stories at New Victoria Theatre on Tues, March 24.
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Clive Anderson
Me, MacBeth and I looks at Clive's long obsession with that play and his own 'half Scottishness'. March 20
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Dorking Film Festival
The fourth festival comes to Dorking Halls on Mon, March 23 with Oscar-winning film Free Solo.
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