The diary Linda Seward’s diary of the best of what’s on in theatre, music, exhibitions, arts and the countryside. New Wimbledon Theatre Theatre Wimbledon Tickets: atgtickets.com/wimbledon Richmond Theatre Monday 7 to Saturday 12 October Richmond Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Tickets: atgtickets.com/richmond New tour starring Joe McFadden. Monday 7 to Saturday 12 October Wednesday 23 to A Taste of Honey Saturday 26 October Taboo-breaking play returns. WLOS’ The Wizard of Oz Monday 14 to Saturday 19 October Classic, family-friendly tale. Prism Friday 1 to Sunday 3 November Production based on the life of How The Grinch Stole Christmas cinematic master Jack Cardiff, The Musical starring Robert Lindsay. Magical Dr. Seuss story. Monday 21 to Saturday 26 October Nigel Slater’s Toast Cranleigh Arts Centre Funny and touching show. Cranleigh Wednesday 30 October to Tickets: cranleighartscentre.org Saturday 2 November Saturday 12 October Billionaire Boy You’ve Got Dragons Based on the David Walliams’ book. Family show based on the book Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 November by Kathryn Cave. The Night Watch Wednesday 30 October By best-selling author Sarah Waters. Night Terrors Spine-tingling tales of the New Victoria Theatre supernatural told by Gerard Logan. Woking Heat Pang by Orlanda Broom, Surrey Artist of the Year competition, Tickets: atgtickets.com/woking Epsom Playhouse New Ashgate Gallery PHOTO COPYRIGHT: ORLANDA BROOM Monday 7 to Saturday 12 October Epsom Avenue Q Tickets: epsomplayhouse.co.uk Mischievous and popular musical. Wednesday 9 to Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 October Saturday 12 October 9 to 5 The Musical Hinchley Manor Operatic Society Dolly Parton’s famous show. present The Sound of Music Thursday 24 to Friday 25 October A nostalgic performance featuring Romesh Ranganathan – song favourites Climb Every The Cynic’s Mixtape Mountain, My Favourite Things Popular comic with new routine. and Do-Re-Mi. Monday 28 October to Friday 8 November Saturday 2 November Rock for Heroes The Girl on the Train New live music experience Mystery thriller. in aid of Help for Heroes. 40 essence-magazine.co.uk | OCTOBER 2019 Avenue Q, New Victoria Theatre, Woking essence | EVENTS Farnham Maltings Farnham Music Tickets: farnhammaltings.com Sunday 13 October Boileroom Morgan & West: Guildford Unbelievable Science Tickets: theboileroom.net Family science extravaganza. Throughout the year Friday 18 October A community hub showcasing Mark Watson: The Infinite Show music, events and the arts. Popular comedian on tour. See website for gig details. Thursday 24 October Macbeth by Proteus Epworth Choir A re-imagining of a classic play. H G Wells Centre, Woking Tickets: epworthchoir.org Guildford Shakespeare Saturday 2 November Company The Pirates of Penzance St Nicolas’ Church, Performance of Gilbert and Bury Street, Guildford Sullivan’s popular comic operetta. Tickets: guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk G Live Saturday 12 October to Guildford Saturday 2 November Tickets: glive.co.uk All’s Well That Ends Well Tuesday 22 October A special staging of this rarely Lisa Stansfield seen Shakespeare gem. Eighties’ icon Lisa marks the 30th anniversary of her debut solo Rose Theatre Kingston album Affection. Kingston-upon-Thames Wednesday 6 November Tickets: rosetheatrekingston.org Squeeze, plus special guests Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 October Heaven 17 The Lovely Bones An extensive list of hits on offer An adaptation of Alice Sebold’s and some lesser-known gems. wonderful book. Opera Holloway Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Various locations Guildford Information: operaholloway.co.uk Tickets: yvonne-arnaud.co.uk Until Saturday 12 October Monday 7 to Saturday 12 October La Bohème Gaslight A new production of Puccini’s Martin Shaw in a new production tear-jerker with performances of this thriller, memorably filmed locally on 5 October at Vera in 1944 starring the legendary Fletcher Hall in Thames Ditton, Ingrid Bergman. 10 October at St Teresa’s School, Monday 28 October to Effingham and on 12 October at Saturday 2 November St Martin’s Church, Epsom. A Woman of No Importance Oscar Wilde’s play starring The Electric Theatre Liza Goddard and Roy Hudd. Guildford Monday 4 to Saturday 9 November Tickets: electric.theatre Frankenstein Saturday 26 October A new adaptation of Mary The Clare Teal Duo Shelley’s gothic masterpiece. A night of inspired entertainment. OCTOBER 2019 | essence-magazine.co.uk 41 Lisa Stansfield, G Live PHOTO COPYRIGHT: GRACIELAND four tickets WIN to the RSC’s London Season at the Barbican Trail Dog, Top Dog Film Festival, Dorking Halls The Royal Shakespeare Company returns to the Barbican with three new Shakespeare productions, direct from Stratford-upon-Avon: As You Like It, The Taming of the Shrew and Measure for Measure. Featuring a company of 27 actors, this electrifying season explores the themes of morality, love, power and gender and sparks with striking resonance. As You Like It “Inventive, playful, captivating” ★★★★ Daily Telegraph Blending physical comedy, music and storytelling, this As You Like It dares you to change your state of mind. The Taming of the Shrew “A landmark production as women take charge” ★★★★ Evening Standard In this radical take on Shakespeare’s fierce and energetic comedy of gender, Baptista Minola is seeking to marry off her two sons, the sweet-tempered Bianco and the rebellious Katherine. Cue an explosive courtship and a keenly witty portrayal of hierarchy and power. Measure for Measure “Excellent… a rolling mass of desire, repression and duplicity” ★★★★ Financial Times In a conflicted society of promiscuity and puritanical law, this new Sunset by Jonathan Hateley, The Savill Garden, Surrey Sculpture Society production unveils a shadowy world of repression and dubious morals, which feels astonishingly urgent today. For a chance to win four tickets to the production of your choice, visit www.essence-magazine.co.uk and answer the following question: How many actors feature in the company? a) 25 b) 26 c) 27 Closing date Friday 25 October 2019. essence INFO The RSC London Season at the Barbican runs from 26 October 2019 to 18 January 2020 with 200 tickets per performance at £10 or less. For more information and to book tickets, visit rsc.org.uk/london. Terms and conditions: One reader will win four band A tickets to see the production of their choice, valid for Monday to Thursday performances until 28 November 2019. Accommodation and travel are not included. Subject to availability. No cash alternative available. 42 essence-magazine.co.uk | OCTOBER 2019 Amphitheatre at Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher PHOTO COPYRIGHT: NT/MARCO CINNIRELLA essence | EVENTS Spotlight on... 2019 Guildford Book Festival Various locations, Guildford Sunday 6 October to Sunday 13 October Yet another fantastic line-up of speakers for this year’s 30th Guildford Book Festival, from household names such as presenter John Craven and poet Pam Ayres to authors such as Louis de Bernières and Sarah Perry. In addition, actor and star of Poirot, David Suchet, pictured left, celebrates 50 years on stage and screen in his book Behind the Lens – My Life in Photos on 6 October. Former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq will headline a series of events for children and young readers, whilst historian Max Hastings appears at The Electric Theatre on 7 October as he discusses his Chastise – The Dambusters Story 1943. 12 October sees Readers’ Day, a mini festival in a day, and 13 October features adventurer and wildlife expert Steve Backshall in conversation about his book and television series Expedition at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. Information: guildfordbookfestival.co.uk David Suchet, 2019 Guildford Book Festival PHOTO COPYRIGHT: ROBIN SINHA Watts Gallery Polesden Lacey Festivals Exhibitions Compton, Guildford Great Bookham, near Dorking Information: wattsgallery.org.uk Information: 01372 452048 Chobham Flower and New Ashgate Gallery To Sunday 3 November To Thursday 14 November Music Festival 2019 Farnham John Frederick Lewis: Facing Fame Polesden Voices exhibition Various venues, Chobham Information: newashgate.org.uk Monographic exhibition featuring The stories of people who have Information: festival.chobham.org To Saturday 2 November the nineteenth century artist. lived and worked at Polesden To Saturday 12 October Surrey Artist of the Year 2019 To Sunday 20 October over the last century. Diverse music, art, theatre and Members of the public can vote Watts Ceramics 2019 To Sunday 17 November cultural events, plus flower festivals. for their favourite artist in this The Gallery’s first show of Autumn art at Polesden Lacey Concerts include Chobham Rock partnership between the gallery present-day ceramics. Use fallen leaves to help create Choir on 4 October and David Soo and Surrey Artists Open Studios. an autumn art installation. on 5 October. Saturday 26 October to Surrey Sculpture Society National Sunday 3 November Top Dog Film Festival The Savill Garden, Englefield Green, Halloween trail Dorking Halls near Egham Trust A spooky family trail. Tickets: topdogfilmfestival.co.uk Information: surreysculpture.org.uk Wednesday 30 October To Sunday 24 November National Trust properties offer Calling all dog lovers! This festival The Society rounds off its 25th perfect venues to explore any Out and is a collection of canine-inspired anniversary year with a major time of the year. We list a few, but short films celebrating dogs and exhibition of over 64 sculptures. visit nationaltrust.org.uk for more. about their people, touring for the first time this autumn. The Lightbox Claremont Landscape Brooklands Museum Woking Garden Weybridge Festival of Crafts Information: thelightbox.org.uk Esher Tickets: brooklandsmuseum.com Farnham Maltings To Sunday 12 January 2020 Information: 01372 467806 Sunday 13 October Information: farnhammaltings.com Burning Bright: Saturday 19 October to Autumn Motorsport Day Saturday 26 to Sunday 27 October The Scottish Colourists Sunday 3 November Competition cars from all ages on Discover handmade crafts and The works of four admired artists: Half-term potion-making trail the adjacent Mercedes-Benz World buy direct from the makers from S.J.