WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK IN SURREY?
Whether you fancy some live music, stand-up comedy, sports fixtures, family days out or food festivals – this week in Surrey sees a plethora of pleasure making events for you to get to. Fancy some fun? Of course you do! Without further ado, go forth and read the below.
GUILDFORD BOOK FESTIVAL / OCTOBER 1 – 17 / MULTIPLE VENUES, GUILDFORD
The Guildford Book Festival is back to provide literary lovers with an array of readings and events from some of the country’s finest writers and personalities. Now in its 33rd year, highlights of this year’s Festival include: much-loved actor Eileen Atkins, sharing stories from her extraordinary life and career; star of Downton Abbey and Paddington Hugh Bonneville, speaking about his entertaining memoir, Playing Under the Piano, published in October; Melanie Chisholm, aka Sporty Spice, who will talk about what life was really like in The Spice Girls and more, and international bestselling author, Jeffrey Archer, who will be making his first appearance at the Festival to speak about his latest novel, Next In Line.
For more information, visit guildfordbookfestival.co.uk
THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE / OCTOBER 1 – 22 / ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON
A thrilling and romantic adventure, The Caucasian Chalk Circle is a story of hope emerging in a time of chaos. Amid a bloody revolution, a young woman risks all to raise the abandoned child of the Governor and his wife. Years later, when the Governor’s wife returns seeking her son, a rogue judge turns justice on its head. Can the test of the chalk circle determine which of the two women is the boy’s true mother? A Rose Original Production, this new version by Steve Waters (Limehouse, Donmar Warehouse) stars Carrie Hope Fletcher and features original songs by Michael Henry (Barber Shop Chronicles, National Theatre).
For more information, visit rosetheatre.org
MICHAEL PALIN: FROM NORTH KOREA TO IRAQ / OCTOBER 11 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Actor, comedian, presenter, historian, and globetrotter – the one and only Michael Palin arrives at Guildford’s G Live this October recounting tales from some of the far-flung places around the world. Venture vicariously to North Korea and Iraq as Palin tells all from two of the most extraordinary journeys that he’s taken.
For more information, visit glive.co.uk
FESTIVAL OF FLAVOURS / OCTOBER 12 – 16 / RHS GARDEN, WISLEY
Get ready for five-day food spectacular at RHS Garden, Wisley, this October. Whether you’re tasting your way around the world, browsing and buying from over 35 foodies stalls, taking tours of edible gardens or even getting handy tips from celebrity chefs, venture safe in the knowledge that your appetite may be whetted somewhat. Expect live food demonstrations from chefs including; Raymond Blanc, Ching He Huang, Asma Khan, Manju Malhi and Atul Kochhar as they share ideas to help you cook up plant-based recipes at home, using fresh ingredients from the garden.
For more information, visit rhs.org.uk
ELLA MILLS: HOW TO GO PLANT-BASED / OCTOBER 12 / THE GUILDHALL, GUILDFORD
Whether you’re switching to a plant-based diet or simply looking for practical ways to be more conscious about what you eat, join award-winning cookery author Ella Mills this month at The Guildhall in Guildford. As part of the Guildford Book Festival, expect Ella to share her words of wisdom that will help make changes to your diet easily and deliciously.
For more information, visit guildfordbookfestival.co.uk
YOTAM OTTOLENGHI AND NOOR MURAD / OCTOBER 12 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Spend a delicious evening with Yotam Ottolenghi and Noor Murad, the team behind the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen (OTK), as they reveal how to ‘Ottolenghify’ your meals in this fun and interactive event. Live on stage, Ottolenghi and Murad will take you through their latest OTK cookbook, Extra Good Things, and how everyday ingredients can be transformed into dishes with oomph. Tasty.
For more information, visit glive.co.uk
THE BIG MOON / OCTOBER 12 / PRYZM, KINGSTON
The once Mercury Nominated The Big Moon are back with their third full-length album, ‘Here Is Everything’. As is customary for many of the finest purveyors of musical ditties, they shall celebrate by performing at Kingston’s PRYZM this October. So bag a ticket quick for what will almost certainly be a sell-out night.
For more information, visit banquetrecords.com
LUCY SIEGLE: BE THE ULTIMATE FRIEND OF THE EARTH / OCTOBER 13 / ZERO, GUILDFORD
How much do you know about the state of our planet and the journey we’re on to reach a more sustainable future? In this invaluable book, environmental expert and broadcaster Lucy Siegle tackles ten big topics involved in our quest to reach net zero. Through stories and a series of revealing questions, she probes your understanding of what we can all do to get there. From recycling and reusing, the importance of flora and fauna and planet-friendly food, find out how much you and your family know about how our consumer habits and lifestyles affect the environment – and how you can be an engine for change. As part of the Guildford Book Festival, book your tickets online and head for the Zero Hub in Guildford.
For more information, visit zerocarbonguildford.org
DICK & DOM IN DA BUNGALOW / OCTOBER 14 / NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING
Those pesky pair of TV presenters are back with their all farts and bogies. Twenty years after the hit BBC show ‘Da Bungalow’ first burst onto our screens, quadruple Bafta award winners Dick & Dom are bringing their own special kind of mayhem live to New Victoria Theatre, Woking! So get ready to do your favourite pants dance and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with the family.
For more information, visit atgtickets.com/woking
LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO & MUNTO VALDO / OCTOBER 14 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
The amazing Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Munto Valdo make an appearance at Guildford’s G Live this month. Having shot to fame on Paul Simon’s groundbreaking Graceland album, Mambazo are widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest voices. So expect a night of positive vibrations and goosebumps galore as South Africa’s finest sing some heavenly harmonies for your listening pleasure.
For more information, visit glive.co.uk
COMPASSIONATE MINDFUL RESILIENCE / OCTOBER 14 / ZERO CARBON, GUILDFORD
No doubt about it – it’s pretty tough out there, isn’t it? In order to best equip ourselves for whatever comes our way, practising compassionate, mindful resilience may well be the difference between you keeping your bits together or collapsing in an undesirable heap of woe. Take away simple but powerful tools to help support you in your daily life.
For more information, visit zerocarbonguildford.org
OKTOBERFEST / OCTOBER 15 + 16 / DORKING BREWERY, DORKING
Fancy a bevvy of Bavarian bevvies? Dorking Brewery will hold its very own ode to Oktoberfest at its place this October. So in celebration of Don, your finest lederhosen and get set for a feast of bratwurst and beer over two days. Adult tickets are just £5, which includes your first drink free! Win.
For more information, visit dorkingbrewery.com
JEKYLL & HYDE / OCTOBER 15 – NOVEMBER 5 / ST NICOLAS’ CHURCH, GUILDFORD
Guildford Shakespeare Company returns to the fore this autumn with a seasonal treat as they present the deliriously spooky, solo-actor adaptation of Robert Louis Stephenson’s classic Jekyll & Hyde. Staged at St Nicolas’ Church in Guildford, brace yourselves for a night of gothic horror.
For more information, visit guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk
GRAYSHOTT FOLK CLUB: BLACKBEARD’S TEA PARTY / OCTOBER 15 / GRAYSHOTT VILLAGE HALL
York’s funniest and finest big band return to treat you to an exhilarating and uplifting evening of entertainment. This is not for the faint of heart or those who prefer quiet and gentle Folk music. This is full-on Festival Folk Rock. So grab your stripy t-shirt, your neighbour’s Parrot and maybe a pretend Cutlass, then prepare to board the Good Ship Grayshott Folk Club, before you and your motley crew embark upon a musical raiding party.
For more information, visit grayshottfolkclub.co.uk
DAWN FRENCH IS HUGE TW*T / OCTOBER 15 / NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING
Telling some “butt-clenchingly embarrassing stories”, Dawn French is back with her brand new tour and is being a huge tw*t about it. With a sold-out show in the evening, there are still some tickets left for an afternoon performance of absurdities courtesy of one of the nation’s brightest treasures, the one they call Dawn French.
For more information, visit atgtickets.com/woking
FESTIVAL OF CRAFTS / OCTOBER 15 – 16 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Feeling creative? Are you a lover of all things arts and crafts? Be inspired by the return of the Festival of Crafts taking place at the Farnham Maltings this October. Buy from over 70 designers and makers in a marketplace featuring homewares, jewellery, textiles, ceramics, glass and more.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
SURREY SCORCHERS V LONDON LIONS / OCTOBER 15 / SURREY SPORTS PARK, GUILDFORD
New season, new coach. Can Scorchers turn over a new leaf and look to reach the upper echelons on the league table this season? This league derby sees new Head Coach Lloyd Gardner’s men welcome Lion Lions to SSP. Get involved with the carnival-style atmosphere as an action-packed game awaits. Tip-off at 6 pm.
For more information, visit surreyscorchers.co.uk
SUE BARKER: CALLING THE SHOTS / OCTOBER 16 / ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON
Spend an unforgettable evening with tennis and broadcasting legend Sue Barker as she shares the remarkable story of her life and career. From her former tennis career as Britain’s No 1 player and world No 3 to her four decades on camera as an award-winning broadcaster, this event will celebrate the publication of her all-in, once-only autobiography – Calling the Shots.
For more information, visit rosetheatre.org
SURREY HILLS SINGLETRACK ADVENTURE / OCTOBER 16 / THE ROYAL OAK, HOLMBURY ST MARY
If you love nothing more than zipping up and down gnarly trails on your mountain bike, this guided Surrey Hills Singletrack Adventure is a great way to test yourself. Covering a distance of 18 – 20 miles and an ascent of 2,400ft, a good level of fitness and decent MTB skills are required to fully enjoy the sublime trials that await.
For more information, visit marmalademtb.com
WIMBLEDON HALF MARATHON / OCTOBER 16 / WIMBLEDON COMMON
Home of the famed Wombles, and take on this autumnal half marathon around Wimbledon Common this October. Enjoy two picturesque laps around the outskirts and inside of the common as you start hilly, go flat in the middle and downhill for the finish.
For more information, visit runthrough.co.uk
FACES OF FAME: G F WATTS X SIMON FREDERICK / NOW UNTIL MARCH 26 / WATTS GALLERY ARTISTS’ VILLAGE, COMPTON
Enjoy a balance of old and new as a selection of contemporary portrait photographer Simon Frederick’s images are placed alongside G F Watts’ paintings from his Hall of Fame. Re-examining the representation of celebrity, race, gender, class, power and empire, explore famous faces from the past and present in this unique exhibition created in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery as part of their Inspiring People project.
For more information, visit wattsgallery.org.uk