Plan your days and evenings out in Kent this January with Kent Life’s essential, county wide guide to the best in music, theatre, comedy and family outings
Until Jan 2015
Ice Skating
Now in its fourth year, the hugely popular Tunbridge Wells ice rink continues this month. Set in the natural amphitheatre of central Calverley Grounds, opposite the railway station, the ice rink offers spectacular views of the park. There is also plenty to do if cutting the light fantastic on the ice is not your thing, including the chance to do a spot of festive shopping and enjoy a hot chocolate or a mulled wine.
Tickets: £7 (child); £9.50 (adult) per hour 01892 530613 (Assembly Hall box office) Calverley Grounds, Tunbridge Wells Satnav: TN1 2SH
5 to 10 Jan
Dreamboats and Miniskirts
The sequel to the sell-out Dreamboats and Petticoats follows the story of the protagonists from the original musical and showcases some of the greatest songs of the 1960s. It’s 1963, and the world is changing – fast.
Tickets: £15 to £35 01322 220000 The Orchard Theatre, Dartford Satnav: DA1 1ED
5 Jan
Classic Rock Show
Come hear the Top 20 greatest guitar riffs of all time. From the extraordinary opening sounds of Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love to Queen’s powerhouse anthem We Will Rock You via AC/DC’s Back in Black and everything in between, this show really rocks.
Tickets: £32.50 01892 530613 Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells Satnav: TN1 2LU
6 Jan
Twelfth Night
Maidstone Choral Union invites you to an evening of carols and the spoken word that will be a joyous end to the festive season. The audience is invited to sing, together with the choir, some of the most popular carols. There will be a retiring collection
Tickets: Free, visit: www.maidstonechoralunion.org.uk United Reform Church, Maidstone Satnav: ME14 1QU
14 Jan
Peter Howarth
Grab this chance to see Peter Howarth, lead singer of the Hollies, exercise his vocal talents and superb acoustic guitar arrangements of hits by The Hollies, Cliff Richard and Roy Orbison. Songs include He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, The Air That I Breathe, Devil Woman, Carrie, Pretty Woman and some from his album Evermore.
Tickets: £13 01227 787787 The Marlowe, Canterbury Satnav: CT1 2AS
14 to 17 Jan
Dead Simple
Directed by Olivier award winner Ian Talbot and adapted by Shaun McKenna, this gripping, chilling, thriller has the classic suspense, twists and turns of an original tale from the pen of Peter James.
Tickets: £15 to £28 01322 220000 The Orchard Theatre, Dartford Satnav: DA1 1ED
16 Jan
Magical Mozart
From the producers of A Viennese Strauss Gala, this sumptuous costumed show immerses the audience in the music and classical baroque world of one of the world’s greatest composers - Mozart.
Tickets: £21, £19 (concs) 01892 530613 Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells Satnav: TN1 2LU
17 Jan
The London Welsh
Male Voice Choir
The choir will perform in aid of The Canterbury Forest of Blean Rotary Club charities.
Tickets: Marlowe Theatre 01227 787787 Canterbury Cathedral Satnav: CT1 2EH
18 Jan
Nils Lofgren
The legendary American songwriter, virtuoso guitarist and pianist makes his return to the UK in 2015. After touring with Bruce Springsteen as a long-time member of the E Street Band on The Boss’s Wrecking Ball and High Hopes tours, he is back to perform his own legendary live show. Nils will be joined for an acoustic set by the multi-instrumentalist Greg Varlotta.
Tickets: £28.50; £38.50 01892 530613 Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells Satnav: TN1 2LU
20 to 31 Jan
Jersey Boys
The internationally acclaimed stage sensation, Jersey Boys, is touring the UK and Ireland for the first time in 2015. This smash-hit musical has won 55 major awards worldwide, including the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Jersey Boys tells the true life story of four boys from the wrong side of the tracks who wrote their own songs, invented their own unique sound, and sold 100 million records worldwide.
Tickets: £18.50 to £49.50 01227 787787 The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Satnav: CT1 2AS
22 Jan
Sir Chris Bonnington
Sir Chris Bonnington is Britain’s best-known mountaineer and one of the most successful ever expedition leaders. He will be presenting a ‘life and times’ account, covering his 60 years spent in the mountains. With original images and raw footage, this is a rare chance to hear about some of the greatest expeditions of the 20th century.
Tickets: £19.50, £12 (concs) 01892 530613 Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells Satnav: TN1 2LU
23 Jan
Ross Noble
Following 14 sell-out tours, the king of improvisational comedy is back with a brand-new UK show, Tangentleman. The master surrealist uses an infinite imagination and plenty of tomfoolery, which is sure to have audiences in fits of laughter.
Tickets: £25 01892 530613 Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells Satnav: TN1 2LU
23 Jan
From The Jam
From The Jam, featuring former Jam bassist Bruce Foxton, vocalist and guitarist Russell Hastings and drummer Steve Barnard, is back on the road. The group has gained a reputation for the kind of incendiary performances that sealed The Jam’s reputation years ago. Expect to hear classics such as Down In The Tube Station At Midnight, Going Underground, Town Called Malice and The Modern World as well as songs from Bruce’s solo career.
Tickets: £23 0844 871 3015 Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone Satnav: CT20 2DZ
24 Jan
Canterbury Chorals
One of the most enduring scores by Berlioz, contrasting the deep, intense music written for the role of Herod with the sounds of angelic choirs, all wrapped in a masterpiece of orchestral writing. Also features the Crypt Choir of the King’s School and Canterbury Choral Society Youth Choir.
Tickets: Marlowe Theatre 01227 787787 Canterbury Cathedral Satnav: CT1 2EH
25 Jan
Sound of Music
Enjoy a screening of the Julie Andrews classic, celebrating its 50th anniversary, in glorious Technicolor, with subtitles so the audience can sing along..
Tickets: £16 01322 220000 Orchard Theatre, Dartford Satnav: DA1 1ED
26 Jan
La Fille Mal Gardée
Recreated by Alexander Gorsky, this remains one of the oldest ballets still regularly performed. A gentle tale of love thwarted, unrequited and found, it is a masterpiece of comedy. With plenty of ribbons, romance and rivalry, it conjures up a world of pastoral simplicity where a farm boy woos a flirty farmer’s daughter and they find inventive ways to avoid her mother.
Tickets: £25.50 to £48.40 0844 871 7620 Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA
26 to 31 Jan
Blood Brothers
Written by Willy Russell, this production tells the moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks only to meet again with fateful consequences. The superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the hit song Tell Me It’s Not True.
Tickets: £28.50, £25.50 (Tue to Thur evenings); £31.50, £29.50 (Fri and Sat evenings); £25.50, £21 (Wed and Sat matinees) 01892 530613 Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells Satnav: TN1 2LU
27 Jan
Coppélia
Every toy has a story, especially in this charming comedy of errors set in a doll-maker’s workshop. This light-hearted tale of mistaken identity and confused lovers follows mischievous Swanilda, her impetuous suitor Franz and the eccentric toymaker Dr Coppelius as they are brought to life by sparkling choreography and the animated score of Delibes.
Tickets: £25.50 to £48.40 0844 871 7620 Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA
28 Jan
Swan Lake
The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation this compelling, tragic tale has it all.
Tickets: £25.50 to £48.40 0844 871 7620 Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA
30 Jan
The Magic of Motown
One of the UK’s biggest musical spectaculars returns with an all-new, all-star production. Featuring more chart toppers than ever, with music from the Four Tops, Supremes, Jackson 5, Isley Brothers, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Temptations, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie.
Tickets: £18 to £32.50 08448 717 620 Churchill Theatre, Bromley Satnav: BR1 1HA
1 Feb
Fleetwood Mac: Rumours
Replicating the subtlety and power of Fleetwood Mac at the group’s brilliant best, let timeless classics such as Black Magic Woman, Albatross, Go Your Own Way, Dreams and Little Lies, take you on a nostalgic evening of breathtakingly outstanding musicianship; and all performed in the context where the songs work best – a live stage.
Tickets: £23.50 01322 220000 Orchard Theatre, Dartford Satnav: DA1 1ED
