21+ EXTRAORDINARY THINGS TO DISCOVER THIS JANUARY
21+ EXTRAORDINARY THINGS TO DISCOVER THIS JANUARY
Pictured: Cannizaro Park by Francesca Snelling @akilipix
Art events & festivals in London and Surrey in January 2023
1 Duplexity – The Art Agency, Esher, until 12 Feb with private view on 12 Jan
A two-person show featuring the brilliant artwork of Nadia Day and Kasia Clarke.
2 Create your own chain mail masterpiece – Fulham Palace, 26 Jan
Become a knight of the realm (well, almost) and create your own chain mail masterpiece! Learn how to use traditional tools and assemble a little something you can carry home – without a horse.
3 Painting Winter – Snow Scenes in Art by Stella Grace Lyons – Sacred Heart Church Hall, Wimbledon, 11 Jan
Magical, festive, beautiful, harsh, cruel and bleak – this lecture organised by the Arts Society Wimbledon will explore a variety of interpretations of this season through the works of Brueghel, Caspar David Friedrich, Monet and Andrew Wyeth.
Community and charity events in London and Surrey in January 2023
4 Richmond Park Half Marathon – Sheen Gate, Richmond Park, 15 Jan
Race around the famous Richmond Park with this beautifully scenic half marathon. Suited to beginner and experienced distance runners alike, the race enjoys the backdrop of the river Thames.
5 Big Wetland Bird Watch – Morden Hall Park, 21 Jan
Discover a wealth of wetland bird life at Morden Hall Park. Join expert volunteers and learn how to identify the feathered friends you encounter. No booking needed.
6
Guided Walk: Winter Tree Identification – Cannizaro Park, 21 Jan
Explore the trees and learn how to identify them through bark and buds with arboriculturist Greg Packman.
7
Lunchtime Book Club – Landmark Arts Centre, 13 Jan
The monthly lunchtime book club is back for 2023! The January book is Black Diamonds by Catherine Bailey – a story of the demise of England’s forgotten palace, forbidden love, and class war.
8
Sharing the stages – Omnibus Theatre, 16 Jan
A fascinating conversation organised by Clapham Society. Wife and husband Alison Skilbeck and Tim Hardy, local residents and actors, talk about their work, together and apart – from Broadway to RADA to playing a salmon and cucumber sandwich.
9 Wellness Weekend at Morden Hall Park – 28-29 Jan
From expressive arts to let go of stress, worries and tensions reflected in the body through rose pruning and creating a mosaic to a wassail, mindfulness-based art activities and forest bathing, immerse yourself in nature in this beautiful urban oasis.
10 Snowdrops Tour with senior Horticulture member – Chelsea Physic Garden, 26 Jan
Join a senior member of the horticulture team for an exciting tour around the garden and explore all the fascinating snowdrops and winter plants.
Music events in London and Surrey in January 2023
11 Event screening: Andre Rieu in Dublin – The Harlequin Theatre & Cinema, 7-8 Jan
Start 2023 in style! This celebratory concert will delight you with romantic melodies, popular classics, party tunes and beloved waltzes.
12 The Thomas Heppell Band Live – The Sound Lounge, Sutton, 13 Jan
A multi-talented blues & jazz singer–songwriter based in Berkshire, Thomas Heppell will get your foot tapping to some good old classics.
13 The Untouchables Live – The Sound Lounge, Sutton 28 Jan
The Untouchables are champions of raw blues, basing their sound on the swinging soul of the great artists who recorded for Chess Records in the 50s. Expect a string bass, a vintage drum kit, a cranked guitar, a hot valve amp and a wailing harp!
14 Mozart Explored: Piano Concerto No.17 in G – St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, 25 Jan
LMP’s lunchtime series with pianist Howard Shelley is back! This year, it’s and better than ever. the (17)80s classics when Mozart was at the top of his game in Vienna, composing reams of piano concertos for the finest instrumentalists of the day.
15
BLUESCLUB – Eel Pie Club, 26 Jan
An all-star band showing their love of the Blues of America from the 1930s to 1970s. The line-up is Guy Fletcher (Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler) on keys and steel guitar, William Topley (The Blessing) on vocals, Peter Hope-Evans (Medicine Head and Pete Townshend) on mouth organ and Jews Harp, Danny Cummings (Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler) on drums, and Robbie McIntosh (Pretenders, Paul McCartney Band and John Mayer) on guitar.
16
A Fresh Take on Beethoven – Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, 12 Jan
London Mozart Players presents the wonderful rendition of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto – showcased by the Young Artist-in-Residence, Leia Zhu – as well as Mozart’s Symphony No.31, Jessie Montgomery’s ‘Strum for strings’ and ‘4 African Dances’ by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Leslie Suganandarajah joins us as the conductor for this concert.
Top theatre in London and Surrey in January 2023
17
The Cher Show – New Wimbledon Theatre, 31 Jan – 4 Feb
Three West End stars play Cher to span her iconic career: Millie O’Connell (SIX, RENT) as BABE, Danielle Steers (Bat Out of Hell, SIX) as LADY and the Olivier Award nominated Debbie Kurup (Prince of Egypt, The Bodyguard) as the ultimate diva, STAR. Head to Wimbledon to witness the incredible story of Cher’s meteoric rise to fame.
18
Steel Magnolias – Richmond Theatre, 24-28 Jan
A hilarious and heart-warming true story that inspired the hit film starring Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts. An all-star cast led is by Jacqueline Jossa (EastEnders) and Laura Main (Call The Midwife). Six women come together in a small town beauty salon in the American South and prove that female friendship conquers all.
19 The Tiger Who Came To Tea – Dorking Halls, 31 Jan – 1 Feb
There’s a ring on the door, who could it be? Why, a big, stripy tiger of course! Head to Dorking for this supremely delightful family show with song, dance and of course cake!
20 The Boys are Kissing – Theatre503, 17 Jan – 4 Feb
The world premiere of this brand new play features children’s birthday parties gone sour, angelic intervention and kissing. The Boys are Kissing is the debut play by Zak Zarafshan, an alumni of Theatre503’s celebrated 503Five playwriting residency.
21 Grandad, Me and Teddy Too – Polka Theatre, 2 Dec – 29 Jan
Mia loves her Grandad very much. He’s coming to visit from halfway across the world and brings with him adventurous stories and games which set Mia’s imagination alight – together they explore the whole world without ever leaving her playroom. Bring your own teddy or toy when you see the show! Suitable for ages 2-5.
22 The Edge of Darkness by Brian Clemens – Hampton Hill Theatre, 24-28 Jan
After her disappearance several years ago, Emma finds that her memory is damaged; there is much she does not recognize or understand. Why does she appear familiar with certain Russian phrases, why has she such a horror of a harmless silver bell, of a portrait on the wall, of knives?
23 The Ocean at the End of the Lane – New Victoria Theatre, Woking, 24-28 Jan
From the imagination of Neil Gaiman, best-selling author of Coraline, Good Omens and The Sandman (now a major Netflix series), comes the National Theatre’s major new stage adaptation of The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
24 We Didn’t Come to Hell for the Croissants – Riverside Studios, 17 Jan – 4 Feb
Seven stories by seven renowned South African writers told and illustrated by the fabulous Jemma Kahn. Just like its title, the show is filled with unexpected twists and thrills.
25 The Commitments – New Wimbledon Theatre, 9-14 Jan
A feel-good celebration of soul returns to tour the UK and Ireland. Based on the BAFTA award-winning film, it features over 20 soul classics performed live – including Night Train, Try A Little Tenderness, River Deep, Mountain High, In The Midnight Hour, and Papa Was A Rolling Stone. Read our interview with Nigel Pivaro who stars in the show!
26 Shen Yun – New Victoria Theatre, Woking 4 – 5 Jan
Walk through five millennia of traditional Chinese culture with Shen Yun’s unique artistic vision. This outstanding dance company – famously banned from performing in China – offers a multi-dimensional, inspiring performance like no other.
27 Two Billion Beats – Orange Tree Theatre
Seventeen-year-old Asha is unafraid of pointing out the hypocrisy around her. Meanwhile, her younger sister, Bettina, is just trying to get through the school day without getting her pocket money nicked. When Bettina turns to her for help, Asha starts to ask what standing up for her political beliefs really looks like.
28 Frantic Assembly’s Othello – Lyric Hammersmith, 19 Jan – 11 Feb
An electrifying take on Shakespeare’s tragedy of paranoia, sex and murder, firmly rooted in a volatile 21st century.
29 New Plays: Japan 新作: 日本 – Royal Court Theatre, 26-28 Jan
A series of three staged readings, bringing brand new plays from three of the most exciting new voices in the Japanese theatre to the Royal Court. From tender drama to supernatural folk horror, expect the unexpected.
