Spring time at the theatre in Broadstairs (2016)

• Written by: Lorraine
• Written on: December 15, 2015
• Filed Under: 2016 Events, Activities, Broadstairs, Comedy, Entertainment, Local Area, Music

One of the many delights of Broadstairs is the Sarah Thorne Theatre Company which operates from the intimate Memorial Theatre at Hilderstone. This professional theatre company, presenting a broad selection of high quality shows for visitors and residents to enjoy, is a great asset to the town and we are proud to support the Company, who’s stellar patrons are Judi Dench, Julian Fellowes and David Suchet.

The Spring 2016 programme has just come in and there’s lots to look forward to, from drama to Murder Mystery, classical music, musical comedy, proto punk/blues, jazz, opera, Oscar Wilde, a romp through British history, shows about Peggy Lee and Doris Day and so much more.

So if you’re looking for a Broadstairs night out with a difference during the months of January to April – take a look at what’s coming up and reserve your tickets nice and early for the shows of your choice….

Don’t let the post Christmas blues get you down, there’s a Murder Mystery Night with a twist on 9th Jan. ‘The Back to School Murder’ with the Perfectly Dreadful Murder Company is set at Blunder Hall and the Head Master is missing! Has something terrible happened to him? Bring your own school lunch and there will be prizes for the best dressed.

Edgar Broughton, songwriter and guitarist tour de force with a voice like fire and brimstone, comes to Broadstairs on 16th January, performing both old favourites and new songs from the heart. This will be raw and rousing entertainment expected to shake the timbers of the Memorial Theatre.

‘Wilde at Heart’ is playing on 23rd January, this is a one man show written and performed by Patrick Marley, all about Oscar Wilde, his lives, loves and works.

The following Friday, 29th January it’s the world premiere of ‘At the Mountains of Madness’ by Icarus Theatre Collective, based on the book by HP Lovecraft which tells of a disastrous expedition to Antartica. This will be thrilling and weird.

‘An Evening of Clairvoyance’ takes place with ‘seer Tim Froome’ on 30th January. www.timfroome.co.uk for more info about what to expect if that appeals.

Then February kicks off with ‘The Cleverest Thief’ on 6th Feb, a play about Alzheimer’s, such a poignant topic, delicately covered with compassion and humour. The performance will be followed by a Q&A session and profits from the night are going to East Kent Independent Dementia Support Group.

The first Spring Classical Concert is the following afternoon (Sunday 7th Feb), ‘Beautiful Flute Music’ by Hannah Lang with Peter Hewitt on piano playing pieces by Mozart, Dvorak and Martinu is at 3pm and is preceded by a Master Class for up to three students at Grade 7 or above.

The following weekend has ‘Flanders and Swann Revisited’, a musical comedy, on 13th Feb.

Then it’s ‘Mimi and Me!’ with Allo Allo’s Sue Hodge – a fun musical celebration of the hit TV series and stage show. That’s on 20th Feb.

the Hot Fingers Trio featuring Tom ‘Spats’ Langham will delight committed and casual jazz fans alike – if you love the sounds of the ’20s and ’30 hot jazz, swing and gypsy swing, get tickets for 21st February and bring your tapping toes!

5th March sees The Merry Opera Company presenting La Boheme by Puccini.

Then The Mosaic Cat presents Sarah Moule in ‘FEVER!’, the Life and Loves of Peggy Lee, as part of Kent Big Weekend and International Women’s Day, on Saturday 12th March.

On the Sunday it’s the second Spring Classical Concert, ‘Enoch Arden’, a tale of love suspense and drama by Alfred Lord Tennyson with music by Richard Strauss, performed by Tim Hurst-Brown and Peter Hewitt.

Catch ‘The Spikedrivers’ in concert on 19th March, presented in association with Broadstairs Folk Week, “taking you on a journey from southern juke-joints and lazy front porches to the huge open spaces of dust bowls and railroad tracks disappearing into the distance…”,

The next day, it’s ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ by Oscar Wilde himself, on tour with The Pantaloons Company and showing at 4pm.

Over the bank holiday, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday 1st – 3rd April, Broadstairs Dickens Players present ‘Ladies Day’ by Amanda Whittington, a riotous sounding contemporary comedy which follows four Hull fish dock workers when they find tickets to Royal Ascot and set off for a wild day out!

9th April is ‘A Date with Doris Day’, which tells the intimate story of the great DD’s life off screen and includes her most loved songs, from Sentimental Journey to Que Sera Sera.

‘History of Britain’, playing on 16th April, has been described as a cross between Horrible Histories and The Reduced Shakespeare Company (by the Gloucester Echo). it’s the Pantaloons Theatre Company again, with a hysterically silly show, you will never think of Henry VIII or the Spanish Armada in quite the same way again!

The third Spring Classical Concert, ‘Glory and Power of the Piano’ has piano music by Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin, performed by Peter Hewitt on 17th April.

‘Jazz at the Movies’ – on 23rd April, will feature familiar tunes ranging from Bond to Bacharach, Dankworth to Disney, but all interpreted with a witty jazzy spin. A sophisticated evening to round off the season.

We are proud to support the Sarah Thorne Theatre Company. Find out more about all the shows by visiting their website.

Thanks for reading our blog today, don’t forget when you’re looking for holiday accommodation in Broadstairs, check availability of our comfortable Broadstairs Holiday lets on our homepage.