21+ FAB THINGS TO DISCOVER THIS APRIL
21+ FAB THINGS TO DISCOVER THIS APRIL
Theatre in London and Surrey in April 2023
1 One Thousand and One Nights – West Horsley Place, 20 April
Storyteller in Residence Olivia Armstrong leads an immersive storytelling session, sharing folktales of hauntings, happenings, and hocus-pocus.
https://www.westhorsleyplace.org/Event/one-thousand-and-one-nights
2 The Good Person of Szechwan – Lyric Hammersmith, 15 April – 13 May
In this updated version of Brecht’s play, Shen Te receives a life-changing sum of money from three gods as a reward for her hospitality. She opens a tobacco shop, but forced to question the cost of her survival, she resorts to deceit and scheming.
3 Axel Blake: In Style – Dorking Halls, 5 April
Britain’s Got Talent 2022 winner, Axel Blake, showcases his observational comedy and witty charm in his new show “In Style.”
www.dorkinghalls.co.uk
4 Quality Street, Richmond Theatre, 12-15 April
This delicious farce, written by the author of Peter Pan, was such a sensation in its day that it gave its name to the UK’s most loved chocolates. Think Bridgerton meets Inside the Factory.
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/quality-street/richmond-theatre/
5 The Lost Spells – Polka Theatre, 13 April – 7 May
A magical book of spells leads a girl on a fantastical adventure like no other, where she meets a host of wonderful characters on a quest to find what was once lost.
6 Twelfth Night – Studio at New Wimbledon Theatre, 13-15 April
This classic play follows siblings Viola and Sebastian in the eerie place of Illyria, where Viola finds herself caught in a tangled web of affection between the highest rulers of the country.
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/twelfth-night/studio-at-new-wimbledon-theatre/
7 The Ocean at the End of the Lane – New Wimbledon Theatre, 11-15 April
This five-star production is an epic journey of fantasy, myth, and friendship, taking audiences to a childhood once forgotten and the darkness that lurks at its very edge.
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-ocean-at-the-end-of-the-lane/new-wimbledon-theatre/
8 LORD OF THE FLIES – Rose Theatre, 18-22 April
A group of British school children are stranded and left to fend for themselves after a devastating plane crash in the midst of a raging war. As tensions rise and hunger takes over, Ralph, Piggy, and Jack compete for leadership.
MUSIC EVENTS in London and Surrey in April 2023
9 An all-Mozart concert – Saint Gabriel’s Church – Warwick Square, 1 April 2023
The Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society will perform an all-Mozart concert at Saint Gabriel’s Church, featuring the Vespers KV339, a piano concerto played by Gavin Roberts and the famous Mozart Requiem. The choir and orchestra will be conducted by Robert Patterson.
10 The Magnets – Epsom Playhouse, 2 April
A Capella super-group The Magnets are bringing 80s Rewind to Epsom! Combining virtuosic beatboxing with glorious harmonies, The Magnets have revolutionised British a cappella and have become a must-see act on the international music scene.
11 Venus & Adonis, and Purcell’s Ode on St. Cecilia’s Day – Normansfield Theatre, 15-16 April
Richmond Opera will present the first-ever English opera, Blow’s Venus and Adonis, alongside Purcell’s Ode on St Cecilia’s Day at the Normansfield Theatre, both with a baroque orchestra. A fully staged performance, this is not to be missed.
12 Banstead Arts Festival – The Yehudi Menuhin School Orchestra – Community Hall, Banstead, 29 April
The 2023 Banstead Arts Festival opens with a performance by the Yehudi Menuhin School orchestra. The programme includes Benjamin Britten’s Simple Symphony, the sublime Violoncelles, Vibrez! for two cellos and orchestra by Giovanni Sollima, and Schubert’s magnificent String Quintet in C major. The orchestra, which features wonderful young string players, has delighted audiences many times before and is sure to do so again.
13 Oratorio of Hope: London Borough of Culture Flagship Event – Fairfield Halls, 1-2 April
Croydon is the highlighted borough of culture for 2023-24 and is being celebrated by London Mozart Players with two performances of the Oratorio of Hope, a brand-new commission that puts the Croydon community at the heart of the music. The double-bill concert showcases the very best of Croydon’s young talent through music, spoken word, song, dance, film, and visual art.
https://www.londonmozartplayers.com/whatson-event/oratorio-of-hope
Art events in London and Surrey in April 2023
14 RTPS Photographic Exhibition 2023 – Landmark Arts Centre, 7-16 April
From portraiture to landscape, architecture to wildlife, and fine art to street photography, Richmond and Twickenham Photographic Society’s annual exhibition celebrates the wonderful diversity of photography. This year’s exhibition will take place at the Landmark Arts Centre.
15 BOWIE AND BEYOND – Kingston Museum, 31 March – 16 Sep
The Kingston Museum will host an exhibition titled “Bowie and Beyond: Ziggy Stardust,” which will tell the story of Bowie when he first became Ziggy Stardust and his connections to Kingston’s music scene. Don’t miss this exciting exhibition!
https://www.kingstonheritage.org.uk/events/event/83/bowie-and-beyond
16 Florence Nightingale’s London – Omnibus Theatre, 17 April
Using extracts from her book, Julie Chandler explores the places where Florence Nightingale lived and worked in London, the city where she spent the rest of her life after her return from the Crimea.
17 10 Favourite paintings from the National Gallery, London – and why I love them by Linda Collins – Sacred Heart Church Hall, Edge Hill, 12 April
Linda Collins talks about the National Gallery’s collection and shares interesting and unexpected stories behind the pictures. She also explains the impact of restoration, cleaning, and display on how we view a painting.
Spring has sprung! in London and Surrey in April 2023
18 Hampton Court Palace Tulip Festival – 14 April – 1 May
Witness the grand display of over 110,000 tulips, the UK’s biggest planted tulip exhibition, at Hampton Court Palace this spring. Be mesmerized by the dramatic displays of tulips adorning the formal gardens and historic courtyards of the palace, and celebrate the most coveted flower of the 17th century.
19 Barnes Duck Race – Beverley Brook, Barnes Green, 8 April
Join the BCA’s annual community Duck Race on Beverley Brook, with ducks available in various colours for £5 each. The first two winning ducks’ owners will be awarded a year’s family membership from London Wetlands Centre, a soft toy, and Easter egg, while all participants will receive a small chocolate Easter egg.
20 Autism and Sensory Friendly Pond Dipping – WWT London Wetland Centre, 1, 8 & 15 April
Visit WWT London Wetland Centre on 1st, 8th, and 15th April for a unique pond dipping experience. From snails to newts and shrimps, explore and learn about the creatures living in the water. The event is specially designed to be autism and sensory-friendly.
https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on/autism-and-sensory-friendly-pond-dipping
21 Spring Craft and Design Fair – RHS Garden Wisley, 27 April – 1 May
Discover and purchase breathtaking contemporary crafts from some of the UK’s finest designer-makers at the Spring Craft and Design Fair at RHS Garden Wisley. With live music, food village, and demonstrating artists, the event promises a relaxed atmosphere and a treasure trove of original and affordable designs
