THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
Looking for a live music gig? Fancy laughing uncontrollably to the very best in stand-up comedy? Find out what’s on this June with our guide to all things entertainment; a chronicle if you like, to all things arts, crafts, and culture…
CELEBRATING MICHAEL AYRTO: A CENTENARY EXHIBITION / MAY 29 – AUGUST 8 / THE LIGHTBOX, WOKING
The Lightbox is ready to welcome visitors to their gallery and museum space in Woking! Hooray! This exhibition will celebrate the centenary of artist and polymath Michael Ayrton (1921-75), a painter, sculptor and draughtsman whose remarkable and wide-ranging talents make him a key but underexplored figure in post-war British art. The exhibition will highlight how Ayrton used drawing and sculpture to bring greater conviction to his vision and will include major paintings as well as examples of his stage designs and book illustrations.
For more information, visit thelightbox.org.uk
PAINSHILL ART FAIR / MAY 29 – JUNE 1 / PAINSHILL PARK, COBHAM
A double helping of arts and culture at Painshill Park awaits eager attendees this summer. At the end of May, you’ll be able to browse and buy artworks from a variety of artists who will be exhibiting their work on the Amphitheatre lawn.
For more information, visit painshill.co.uk
STAND-UP COMEDY IN THE WALLED GARDEN / JUNE 1 – JULY 20 / PAINSHILL PARK, COBHAM
From June all the way into July, Painshill Park working together with Crack Comedy, will be bringing a wealth of stand-up comedy talent to the fore that’ll take place in the gorgeous Walled Garden. With several dates already sold out, laugh out loud to the likes of Simon Brodkin, Shappi Khorsandi, Zoe Lyons, Hal Cruttenden, Dominic Holland and more.
For more information, visit painshill.co.uk
BIG DOG WALK / JUNE 6 / LOSELEY PARK
Attention fellow dogs, terriers, hounds, and all other canine friends! Get ready for the Big Dog Walk at Loseley Park this June, and walk with thousands of other dogs whilst raising money for other dogs not fortunate enough to have loving families. Get your humans to sign up online, and see you in the park for a furry festival to remember! Woof! Woof!
For more information, visit bigdogwalk.co.uk
THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES / JUNE 3 – JUNE 12 / YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD
Theatrical Grand Dame, Siobhan Bassett (Sara Crowe) presents her personal adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles. Lovingly crafted during lockdown in her spare bedroom in Teddington, Siobhan is delighted to bring her magnum opus to the stage. In order to adhere, both physically and fiscally, to government measures, the production stars her husband, Michael (Stefan Bednarczyk) and may have to be achieved without set, crew, lights and sound, and potentially without an audience. The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre is delighted to present this new comedy by Sara Crowe, directed by Joanna Read and designed by Neil Irish.
For more information, visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
FUNKE AND THE TWO TONE BABY / JUNE 10 / THE BOILEROOM, GUILDFORD
Did someone say live music? Get some tickets for this socially distanced show at The Boileroom in Guildford and get ready to move your body to the sounds of Funke and the Two Tone Baby. Who? A one-man sonic explosion. Uncategorised and uncharted. Jammed halfway between frenzied alt-blues and metronomic dance beats. Combining guitar and harmonica with beatboxing and effects that seamlessly collide the organic with the mechanical to create a fresh sound of unstoppable rhythm and unrelenting melody.
For more information, visit theboileroom.net
DRAWING FOR ADULTS / JUNE 11 / THE LIGHTBOX, WOKING
With arms wide open, The Lightbox welcome one and all back to their cultural space in Woking. Meet like-minded aspiring artists and head for their regular Drawing for Adults event. Be inspired by the range of artworks currently exhibited at the gallery and set about making your own masterpiece. Reflect, relax and let your imagination do the rest. Aimed at adults of all abilities, all materials are provided. This a free draw session though a donation is always welcome and advanced booking is required to ensure a socially distanced space for all.
For more information, visit thelightbox.org.uk
THREAD FESTIVAL / JUNE 12 – 13 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Join like-minded lovers of good yarn at the ninth annual Thread Festival taking place at the master-crafter mecca that is the Farnham Maltings this June. Enjoy workshops, talks, demonstrations and exhibitions, as well as a vibrant marketplace ready and waiting for you to snap up some textile treats to take home. Advance tickets only and timed entry will be in place with a handy one-way system throughout the building to ensure we all stay safe and sound.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER / JUNE 17 – JULY 3 / GUILDFORD CASTLE GARDENS
The highly acclaimed Guildford Shakespeare Company return to their roaming stage in Oliver Goldsmith’s 18th-century comedy ‘She Stoops to Conquer this June. Performing in the outdoor environs of Guildford Castle Grounds, expect a sublime Georgian comedy of manners and one of the best-loved and most-performed English comedies.
For more information, visit guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk
ALFRESCO THEATRE / JUNE 17 – 20 / STOKE PARK, GUILDFORD
Following a successful drive-in tour across April – June 2021, The Alfresco Theatre is swapping drive-in for deckchairs and will be hitting Guildford with a tasty mix of big-screen movies, comedy gigs, live theatre and exciting music acts – all served alongside one-off dishes from some of the UK’s most exciting and well-known chefs!
For more information, visit thealfrescotheatre.co.uk/guildford
A SOCIALLY DISTANCED SOUND INSTALLATION / JUNE 21 – 26 / YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD
Don’t miss out on this unique sound installation to be found at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre this June. Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens has adapted Nobel Prize-winner José Saramago’s dystopian novel Blindness as a sound installation, directed by Walter Meierjohann and with immersive binaural sound design by Ben and Max Ringham. Juliet Stevenson voices the Storyteller/Doctor’s wife in this gripping story of the rise and, ultimately, profoundly hopeful end of an unimaginable global pandemic. Running four times a day with seating arranged 2m apart, visitors will listen with headphones as the narrative unfolds around them.
For more information, visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
HAMLET / JUNE 21 – SEPTEMBER 4 / THEATRE ROYAL, WINDSOR
Get ready for a new era of theatre as acclaimed director Sean Mathias leads an all-star cast at the Theatre Royal in Windsor later this June. Government guidelines permitting, hopeful audience members will be able to choose on-stage seats, presenting them with the opportunity to experience some truly world-class theatre up-close. Led by Mathias, catch one of the stages best-loved plays performed by a cast that features none other than Jenny Seagrove and Sir Ian McKellen.
For more information, visit theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
PAINSHILL OUTDOOR THEATRE: HENRY V / JUNE 21 / PAINSHILL PARK, COBHAM
Head to the outstanding setting of Painshill Park’s Walled Garden for a spot of outdoor theatre this June. Performing Shakespeare’s classic Henry V, performed by Festival Players International. Now in their 35th year of touring, catch this established professional company of all-male actors perform Shakespeare’s finest historical play, packed with exhilarating entertainment. Picnics are welcome, and a bar will be available on site.
For more information, visit painshill.co.uk
CARA DILLON / JUNE 24 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Enjoy the sweet sounds of Cara Dillon as the Irish singer returns to perform at Farnham Maltings this June. Serving a selection of favourites from her previous releases, Cara will be performing material from her new album ‘Wanderer’. Get ready for the return of live music at the Matings and snap some tickets quick.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
OPERA IN THE VINEYARD / JUNE 24 & 25 / ALBURY VINEYARD
The first in a series of music events taking place at Albury Vineyard this summer, enjoy an evening of opera and be entertained by Emily, David and Marina as they perform an open-air concert of their favourite operatic arias and duets. Sit back and relax with a glass of one of the vineyards range of award-winning organic wines as you listen to the music of Mozart, Rossini, Verdi and Vaughan Williams, with the vineyard serving as the perfect backdrop to a sumptuous evening of music and wine.
For more information, visit alburyvinbeyard.com
GUILDFORD GAG HOUSE COMEDY CLUB / JUNE 26 / THE BACK ROOM OF THE STAR INN, GUILDFORD
The great and glorious Guildford Gag House Comedy Club returns to its spiritual home of The Back Room of the Star Inn in Guildford later this June. Get set to giggle in the company of real people as some ridiculously funny stand-up comedy entertains you. Your line-up on the night features Christian Reilly, Cally Beaton, Jarlath Regan and Josh Jones.
For more information, visit guildfordfringefestival.com
WOKE / JUNE 28 – 30 / ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON
Written by Apphia Campbell and Meredith Yarbrough, this award-winning production is a news story about the 20th Century African American experience. The play follows two women’s fight for civil rights. One is notorious Black Panther Assata Shakur; the other, a present-day university student enrolling as the Ferguson riots begin. Set against a powerful soundtrack of original music and traditional gospel and blues sung live, the two women challenge the American justice system, become criminalised through political activism, and ultimately are faced with the same choice: stay and fight, or flee? Find out at the Rose Theatre in Kingston this June.
For more information, visit rosetheatre.org
JAMES BOND 007 AUCTION / JULY 1 / EWBANK’S AUCTION ROOMS, WOKING
Find 007-heaven at Ewbank’s Auction Rooms near Woking this July with this specially curated collection of James Bond movie memorabilia. Satisfy your license to bid and win on an array of movie posters and more as Ian Fleming’s famed double agent becomes the main feature of this unmissable auction. Browse the catalogue online beforehand, find your favourite items, and prepare to go head to head with fellow faithful followers of the man they call Bond. James Bond.
For more information, visit ewbanksauctions.co.uk