Surrey Sound - Events Diary

There’s a controversial new president in the White House, and racial tensions are on the rise. It's not 2019 and we're not talking about Donald Trump but Pittsburgh, 1969.

Regulars of Memphis Lee’s restaurant are struggling to cope with the turbulence of a rapidly changing world. The diner is in threat of being torn down, a casualty of the city’s renovation project that is sweeping away the buildings of a community, but not its spirit.

The American playwright August Wilson paints a vivid portrait of everyday lives in this defining moment of American history with this play "When Two Trains Running" and is being performed at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford on 15 - 19 October.

15-19 October Epsom Light Opera Company presents Jesus Christ Superstar - Epsom Playhouse

Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, Jesus Christ Superstar is a musical with no spoken dialogue and is sometimes considered a modern rock-opera.

Loosely based on the Gospels, Superstar focuses on the personal conflicts between Jesus, his disciples, the people of Israel, and the leadership of Rome.

The Epsom Light Opera Company presents Jesus Christ Superstar at the Epsom Playhouse from 15 - 19 October.

'In Loyal Company' is the incredible true story of missing World War II soldier and prisoner of War Arthur Robinson - written and performed by his great-nephew, David William Bryan.

In May 1941, Arthur Robinson joins up becoming a private in the 18th Reconnaissance Division. Deployed to Singapore, his ship is destroyed by Japanese dive bombers on arrival. Arthur is declared missing. This extraordinary true story of survival is a tour-de-force war epic. You can see this on Wednesday 16 October at the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill.

The Merrow Dramatic Society are staging "Bedroom Farce" - considered to be one of Alan Ayckbourn's most hilarious comedies!

Ernest and Delia are celebrating their wedding anniversary after many, many years of marriage; Malcolm and Kate are gearing up to host a party in their new 'love nest'.

Nick and Jan are coping with Nick's recent back injury and Trevor and Susannah are trying their hardest to deal with their marital issues.

Following a sold-out run at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Tom Brace returns with a brand new magic show - "Brace of Spades" - at Redhill's Harlequin Theatre.

Featuring Tom's unique blend of comedy and magic, the show promises to have a little something for the whole family.

"Brace of Spades" is at the Harlequin Theatre on Sunday 20 October.

"Gutted" is a black comedy that explores the lives of three strong women who work in a fish factory in 1980’s Dublin.

Told through comic monologue, raw powerful language, movement and dance, the women give us a snapshot of the characters and challenges in their lives at the time.

In light of Ireland’s recent referendum on abortion, these issues remain as relevant today as they did over 30 years ago.

The Immigrant is a hilarious and heart warming slapstick comedy inspired by Charlie Chaplin’s original film.

This delightful show tells the story of people starting a new life in the West today. It is based on hundreds of accounts of what it is like to come to live in an strange country and trying to fit in when you stand out.

Chaplin’s film was released in 1917. Chris Michael - who plays the Immigrant - has captured the spirit of the original film and re-worked the content to tell a story of modern times.

It's at Guildford's Electric Theatre on 25 October

Dave Gorman, the man behind the Googlewhack Adventure, is back on the road with a brand new live show called "With Great Power Point Comes Great Responsibility Point".

As the title suggests, he’s bringing his laptop and projector screen with him so expect the ‘King of Powerpoint comedy’ to have more detailed analysis of those parts of life you’ve never stopped to think about before.

Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess. She loved playing with her golden ball but one day she drops it in the pond.

When a very friendly and very bouncy frog offers to retrieve it in exchange for her friendship, she is far from keen.

But in the end the princess must agree to be his friend just to get her ball back. Slowly their friendship grows and the princess is rewarded in true fairytale style.

An original score, gorgeous costumes and crystal clear story-telling draw you into the magical world of ballet and make it accessible to all.

The Princess & The Frog is at the Electric Theatre, Guildford on Monday 28 October.

Watch out - there's a vampire behind you. Spend a spooky night out as Gothic meets Slapstick in Dracula – the Panto! It's irresistibly scary fun in true panto style.

Only the Dame and a songsheet stand between the naughty Count and world domination.

An eighteen year-old girl, Mary Shelley, dreams up a monster whose tragic story will capture the imaginations of generations to come.

A young scientist by the name of Frankenstein breathes life into a gruesome body.

Dangerous and vengeful, the creature threatens to obliterate Frankenstein and everyone he loves, in a ferocious and bloodthirsty hunt for his maker.

Frankenstein's being performed at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on 4 - 9 November and also the Richmond Theatre from 18 - 23 November.

13 - 16 November Kipps- The New Half A Sixpence Musical - Epsom Playhouse

Following its run on the West End in 2017 the Sutton Theatre Company is proud to be one of the first amateur theatre companies chosen to do Kipps, the new version of the classic musical comedy Half a Sixpence.

It tells the story of Arthur Kipps, an orphan and over-worked draper's assistant, who unexpectedly inherits a fortune and climbs the social ladder before losing everything and realising that you just can't buy happiness.

Reinvented for modern audiences, this musical has all the qualities any show needs, with infectious toe-tapping songs and raucous dancing.

The classic Jerome K Jerome story - Three Men in a Boat - recounts the hilarious story of his boating holiday along the Thames with two companions and Montmorency the dog.

The Godfather of modern stand-up - Ben Elton - is back on the road with an all new stand-up show which promises to try and make sense of a world which appears to have gone stark raving mad.

Known for his hilarious perspective on modern life, this is Ben Elton's first tour for some 15 years.

As he said - “The last time I toured I was still smarter than my phone. Things have definitely taken a funny turn.”. You can see Ben Elton at the Hawth Theatre in Crawley on 15 November.

18 - 23 November The Lovely Bones - Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Susie Salmon is just like any other young girl. She wants to be beautiful, adores her charm bracelet and has a crush on a boy from school. There’s one big difference though – Susie is dead.

Now she can only observe while her family manage their grief in their different ways. Her father, Jack is obsessed with identifying the killer. Her mother, Abigail is desperate to create a different life for herself. And her sister, Lindsey is discovering the opposite sex with experiences that Susie will never know. Susie is desperate to help them and there might be a way of reaching them…

Pam Ayres has been making us laugh for over 40 years. On 21 November, she's at the Hawth Theatre in Crawley performing poems from her new book - Up In The Attic - along with classic poems and stories from her long career.

21 November David Starkey: Six Wives, The Queens of Henry VIII - Harlequin Theatre

No one in history had a more eventful career in matrimony than Henry VIII. His marriages were daring and made instant legends of six very different women. In this fascinating talk, David Starkey argues that the king was not a depraved philanderer but someone seeking happiness -- and a son. Knowingly or not, he elevated a group of women to extraordinary heights and changed the way a nation was governed.

Weaving new facts and fresh interpretations into a spellbinding account of the emotional drama surrounding Henry's six marriages, David Starkey reveals the central role that the queens played in determining policy.

You can see David Starkey at the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill on 21 November.

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23 November Steeleye Span - Harlequin Theatre, Redhill

1969 saw the birth of a band that would start as an idea to electrify traditional music and would go on to become one of the most enduring stories in the folk world and beyond.

Fifty years on and Steeleye Span are set to mark this incredible milestone with new album and a tour that will celebrate a band that are as creative and vital now as ever. Led by the iconic Maddy Prior, the seven-piece line-up will draw on the group’s incredible history to provide a night of favourites and surprises from down the decades.

Steeleye Span are at Redhill's Harlequin Theatre on 23 November.

27 - 30 November Leatherhead Operatic Society present OKLAHOMA - Epsom Playhouse

Leatherhead Operatic Society are performing the beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, Oklahoma! at the Epsom Playhouse. It's running from 27 - 30 November.

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit is about the sceptical novelist -Charles Condamine - who invites the eccentric medium Madame Ar-cati to his home for a séance, hoping to gather material for a new book.

His scheme backfires when Arcati accidentally summons the spirit of Condomine's late wife, Elvira, who makes continual attempts to disrupt his marriage to his second wife.

6 December Never Mind The Baubles, Here’s The Dirty Carols - Electric Theatre

Join The Dirty Carols for some not-so-festive fun and a damp gusset or two in - Never Mind The Baubles - at the Electric Theatre in Guildford.

It's an evening of ridiculous rudeness and (mostly) heavenly harmonies. Elizabeth, Lorna, Louise and Sandrine welcome you into their metaphorical bosom to warm your cockles with two sets of their own funny, irreverent take on songs you know and love.

It's at the Electric Theatre on 6 December

To get you in the mood for Christmas, join Father Christmas and his friends for a magical, musical, festive adventure - and remember to bring your Christmas letter to post in Santa’s special post box, HO-HO-HO!

18 December A Wreath of Festive Frights - Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Alfred Sinjohn (St John) Merri-moon regales his audience with unsettling tales of seasonal spooks, winter wraiths and Christmastime horrors.

Huddle closer to the fireplace and keep away from the shadows, for who knows what might be lurking just out of sight? A Wreath of Festive Frights is an amusingly chilling way to see in this special time of year!

Below are some of the many pantomimes taking place in Surrey and the surrounding area.

21-26 December The Night Before Christmas - Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

On the night before Christmas, Emma stares out of the window, hugs her teddy and waits excitedly for the morning, while in the corner a little mouse called Eddie can’t understand why only humans are allowed to celebrate and get presents. So he sets off in search of Father Christmas to find out for himself.

Along the way he dodges the family cat and is given some unexpected advice from the magical fairy on top of the tree.

Will Eddie get an answer? Will Emma get her wish? And what is that funny-shaped present sitting under the tree?

This show is full of fun and excitement, there’s catchy songs and lots of audience participation.

Laugh at dotty Widow Twankey, boo and hiss the evil Abanazar and cheer on our hero Aladdin who, with one rub of his magic lamp, meets the most amazing Genie.

With a star cast, impressive music and heaps of audience participation - you can join in the fun at the Dorking Halls.

Fly away with the cast at the Epsom Playhouse as they take you on a swashbuckling adventure to the magical panto world of Peter Pan.

Meet the Darlings, Hook and his crew of pirates, Tiger Lily and her Tribe, The Lost boys and of course the mischievous Tinkerbell in Neverland.

With nothing but a handful of (magic!) beans, Jack must find the courage to slay the evil giant in his quest to win the hand of the beautiful Princess and to free his village of tyranny forever.

This Christmas, join our hero on the adventure of a lifetime as he climbs the beanstalk to fame, fortune and true love!

Neil Wheatley, returns for a tenth season, this time as Jack’s brother Silly Simon.

Featuring breathtaking scenery, dazzling costumes, spectacular singing and dancing together with plenty of traditional pantomime mayhem, laughter and chances to join in the fun, Jack and the Beanstalk is the perfect festive entertainment for all the family!

6 December - 5 January Sheeping Beauty - Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

When evil fairy, Carabosse doesn't receive an invitation to Princess Aurora's christening, she casts a curse on her. Can the Good Fair and Muddles protect Aurora? Will the Prince save the day?

With award-winning choreography, fabulous sets, sparkling costumes, magical illusions and enough laughter to wake up even the sleepiest of princesses, this year’s Sleeping Beauty is a must-see for all the family.

Robin Hood returns home to Sherwood Forest to find the greedy Sheriff of Nottingham starving the local people, raising taxes and ruling a very unhappy kingdom.

Courageous, kind and headstrong, Robin can’t stand by and watch friends and family suffer so he vows to be brave and stand up for the local people.

The Sheriff, alone in his ivory tower, is hell-bent on becoming the richest and most powerful man in the country. He tricks Will Scarlett into betraying Robin, giving him vital information and capturing Maid Marion – will the Merry Men and true friendship save the day?

With the help of the Merry Men and old friend Maid Marion, Robin sets out to defeat the Sheriff once and for all! Join our fearless hero and a host of lively friends as they set off on a mission to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Sometimes you have to do the wrong thing, to do the right thing!

Dick Whittington is the purrrfect pantomime adventure, with spectacular sets and costumes, amazing special effects and a genuinely funny script.

Comedian, writer and presenter Jo Brand leads the cast as The Wicked Queen. Adding to the comedy will be Britain’s Got Talent finalist Jon Clegg returning as Muddles and brilliant dame Jason Sutton.

Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients Richmond audiences have come to expect, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be spectacularly brought to life with an abundance of comedy, sensational song and dance numbers, fabulous costumes and stunning scenery.

There’ll be a magical mirror, seven friendly dwarfs, a beautiful princess, a handsome prince and plenty of audience participation as the beautiful Snow White tries to outwit the Wicked Queen and let love prevail in this glittering festive treat for all ages.