THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT! WHAT’S ON THIS MONTH
Looking for something to do that doesn’t involve a bag of tinsel and Santa’s beard? Providing you with your regular chronicle of arts, crafts and culture – find out what’s on in Surrey this December with the latest instalment of ‘That’s Entertainment’ – and not a jingle bell in sight (except for these few introductory words of guidance).
HAPPY NOW / NOVEMBER 29 – DECEMBER 2 / ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD
Kitty’s life is positively overflowing. There’s her demanding job, and her kids. There’s June – her self absorbed mother, and then there’s Johnny, her timid and dependent husband. There’s Carl, her gay best friend and confidant who seems to have it all, and Miles and Bea – the friends with a troubled marriage; and then there’s Michael – Kitty’s work colleague. He’s got an agenda and Kitty’s right at the top of it! With salty language it is both provocative and thought provoking – an irreverent look at real life.
For more information, visit electric.theatre
IN-STORE GIG: SPARKY DEATHCAP / DECEMBER 1 / BANQUET RECORDS, KINGSTON
To celebrate the release reissue of the much loved Sparky Deathcap ‘Tear Jerky EP’, the Los Campesinos! multi-instrumentalist R N Taylor visits Kingston for an in-store set. Expect much fun an intimate in-store setting.
For more information, visit banquetrecords.com
BADGER AND NAPES / DECEMBER 1 / THIRTY3HZ, GUILDFORD
Enjoy the DNB vibes this December as legends of the game Badger and Napes arrive at boutiques nightclub Thirty3Hz in Guildford. get tickets quick for a night of non-stop dancing this month.
For more information, visit thirty3hz.com
FROM THE JAM: ALL MOD CONS / DECEMBER 1 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Fancy some live music? From the Jam were formed in 2006 when Russell Hastings and Rick Buckler (ex-The Jam drummer), who were touring as The Gift, joined forces with Bruce Foxton (ex-The Jam bassist and songwriter), to form From The Jam. Russell Hastings has been the only frontman to work with both Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton since Paul Weller. From The Jam will be performing the whole All Mod Cons album in full along with more hits and fan favourites of The Jam.
For more information, visit trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford
MALTINGS MONTHLY MARKET / DECEMBER 2 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Offering a treasure trove of curiosities, vintage gems, and craft created by local makers and designers, make your way to the Maltings Monthly Market to browse and buy from a variety of well-stocked stalls. Shop with peace of mind and find something special that you didn’t realise you needed until now.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
SKETCHING BY CANDLELIGHT / DECEMBER 5 / WATTS GALLERY ARTISTS’ VILLAGE, COMPTON
Enjoy a relaxing evening sketching by candlelight in the atmospheric and festive setting of the Limnerslease, George and Mary Watts’s home and studio. Working with contrasting light and shadow learn about chiaroscuro techniques as you develop sketches in charcoal and pastel.
For more information, visit wattsgallery.org.uk
BABA ALI + NUHA RUBY RA / DECEMBER 6 / THE BOILEROOM, GUILDFORD
Fancy some art rock? Recognised as one of the most electrifying new acts to emerge from the UK in the past year, Baba Ali is the combined force of American performer and musician Baba Doherty and British guitarist Nik Balchin. Support on the night comes from the oh so cool Nuha Ruby Ra.
For more information, visit theboileroom.net
DAME PENELOPE KEITH IN CONVERSATION WITH MEL GIEDROYC / DECEMBER 6 / YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre patron and iconic Olivier and BAFTA Award winning actor, Dame Penelope Keith, to the Yvonne Arnaud stage for a special fundraising event in aid of the theatre’s Play Your Part campaign. Dame Penelope will be joined in conversation by fellow TV favourite, Mel Giedroyc.
For more information, visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
GARETH MALONE: SING-A-LONG-A-GARETH-TWO / DECEMBER 7 / DORKING HALLS
Singing is back! It’s time to lift our voices once more as Gareth Malone hits the road again this autumn. Join Gareth for a joyous evening of song, together with his band and stellar singers, performing a whole new set of songs for the 2023 tour. This feel-good concert will leave you with a song in your heart and a spring in your step.
For more information, visit dorkinghalls.co.uk
MOCK TUDOR COMEDY CLUB / DECEMBER 8 / RIVERHOUSE BARN ARTS CENTRE, WALTON
For your fill of the silly stuff this month, make your way to Walton’s Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre and get ready for a giggle or two at the monthly Mock Tudor Comedy Club. Enjoy sets from Rich Wilson, Chris Stokes and Ben Norris.
For more information, visit riverhousebarn.co.uk
ROCKEOKE / DECEMBER 8 / THE FIGHTING COCKS, KINGSTON
Like the idea of Karaoke but are just too darn punk rock to belt out some Kelly Clarkson? Well even if you are a punk rocker who loves to belt out some Kelly Clarkson, get a fix of the heavy stuff with Rockeoke over at The Fighting Cocks in Kingston.
For more information, visit the-fighting-cocks.co.uk
OUTSIDE THE BOX COMEDY CLUB / DECEMBER 11 / THE FIGHTING COCKS, KINGSTON
Get your giggle on and head for The Fighting Cocks in Kingston for the Outside The Box Comedy Club. This month catch sets from Rhys James, Maff Brown and Dinesh Nathan.
For more information, visit outsidetheboxcomedy.co.uk
THE GAMES CAFE / DECEMBER 11 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Feeling a little board? Then why not take a chance on our new Farnham Maltings board game evening. The Games Café provides a social evening where you can make new friends, meet up with old ones, and enjoy a range of board games.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
IN CONVERSATION WITH ALISON STEADMAN + TOBY JONES / DECEMBER 12 + 14 / ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON
Enjoy conversations, anecdotes and tales with two of Britain’s great entertainers, Alison Steadman and Toby Jones. In these telling nights, listen on as Alison and Tony reveal all from their careers on stage and screen.
For more information, visit rosetheatre.org
DRINK & DRAW / DECEMBER 12 / THE BOILEROOM, GUILDFORD
Scribblers, scrawlers and drawers can rejoice and commune with like-minded folk of Guildford’s creative community at Drink & Draw. Bring your sketchbooks, pens, pencils, and some of your favourite equipment to share if you’re feeling generous. Materials will be available on the night.
For more information, visit theboileroom.net
FANBOY / DECEMBER 13 / MILL STUDIO, YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD
In his teens, he hid it. In his twenties, he owned it. Now in his thirties, Joe is still obsessed with Star Wars, Nintendo and The Muppet Christmas Carol. Fanboy is a love-hate letter to pop culture and nostalgia. Award-winning writer-performer Joe Sellman-Leava (Fringe First, Labels) explores our relationship to our past and future selves, and asks why his generation is so obsessed with its childhood.
For more information, visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
ALICE ARMSTRONG / DECEMBER 15 / CRANLEIGH ARTS CENTRE
Known for her impressive vocal range, unconventional lyrics, long red hair, light-sensitivity glasses and enigmatic stage presence, Alice’s music busts the seams of traditional genres, creating a heady amalgamation of blues, soul, funk, rock, pop and country. Catch Alice at Cranleigh Arts Centre this December.
For more information, visit cranleigharts.org
TROPICANA NIGHT 80s / DECEMBER 15 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Let’s face it – the 80s had some of the best bangers ever written. So if you are looking for a fun-filled evening of pure 80s music and dancing for the over 25s to help you make it through September, look no further! Indulge yourselves in pure 80s heaven at Guildford’s G Live.
For more information, visit trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford
BOBBY DAVRO: UNLEASHED / DECEMBER 18 / ESHER THEATRE
One of the biggest television comedy names of the 1980s and 1990s makes his Esher Theatre debut. Expect lots of jokes and brilliant impressions from a master of his craft with the energy of a young thoroughbred! Davro has had many of his own series for ITV and BBC as well as acting in EastEnders and on the West End stage. His shows are electric and for one night only you can see why he is regarded as one of the greatest performers this country has produced. Not for the easily offended.
For more information, visit eshertheatre.com
ED GAMBLE, FERN BRADY, JEN BRISTER, IVO GRAHAM AND KYRAH GRAY / DECEMBER 18 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
The country’s best comedians are coming to Guildford for a spectacular all-star festive show! Headlined by scampish charmer Ed Gamble. Host of the mega-hit podcast Off Menu and star of Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week and many more. Joining Ed is an astounding bill with Scotland’s comedy queen and breakout Taskmaster star Fern Brady, bumbling wordsmith Ivo Graham, fast-rising newcomer Kyrah Gray and the phenomenal Jen Brister as host.
For more information, visit trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford
ARIANDE’S THREAD / NOW UNTIL – DECEMBER 21 / ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON
An ongoing participatory installation which anyone is invited to join. The project is a large-scale cross stitch embroidery reproduction of a painting by the celebrated Ukrainian folk artist Maria Prymachenko. The activity is not just for experienced needleworkers but for willing participants and those who may benefit from uplifting and stimulating interaction. Open to all.
For more information, visit rosetheatre.org
POLICE DOG HOGAN / NOVEMBER 30 / GRAYSHOTT FOLK CLUB
Enjoy a right old knees-up this month with party-starters Police Dog Hogan at Grayshott Folk Club. Get a festival feel in the quaint countryside setting of Grayshott, as this lively folk/ Americana eight-piece band bring the noise via a variety of stringed instruments, accordion, trumpet, and drums.
For more information, visit grayshottfolkclub.co.uk