WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK IN SURREY
Whether it’s a night out with your gang, the day out with the fam or some smoochie time with your other half – find out what’s on in Surrey this week with your ever present guide to what’s good in your neighbourhood.
THE VANITY OF SMALL DIFFERENCES BY GRAYSON PERRY / JANUARY 27 – JUNE 2 / THE LIGHTBOX, WOKING
Grayson Perry’s The Vanity of Small Differences – six large-scale tapestries exploring the British fascination with social class, created by the Turner Prize-winning artist as a result of his acclaimed TV series – go on display at The Lightbox this January. The tapestries, which are part of the Arts Council Collection, are touring the country and this will be their first public display in Surrey. Inspired by the characters, incidents and objects the artist encountered during the making of his Channel 4 documentary series, All in the Best Possible Taste, the tapestries evolved from drawings and photography Perry made whilst travelling around England in search of what is – or isn’t – deemed to be ‘good taste’.
For more information, visit thelightbox.org.uk
PRIDE & PREJUDICE / FEBRUARY 5 – 24 / HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, GUILDFORD
In Surrey’s largest Georgian church, three actors will bring to life a cast brimming with unforgettable characters – from the dry and doting Mr Bennet, the rakish Mr Wickham, to the sycophantic Mr Collin’s and of course the unstoppable Mrs Bennet and her fervent pursuit of husbands for her daughters. Join the highly acclaimed Guildford Shakespeare this February for a classic.
For more information, visit guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk
REPAIR CAFE / DORKING, EPSOM, FETCHAM, GODALMING, GUILDFORD, HASLEMERE, OXSHOTT, REIGATE, WALTON & WOKING
Broken vacuum cleaner? Faulty toaster? Modern conveniences have a habit of failing us, don’t they? Such is the convenient nature of life; sometimes, the easy thing to do is bin it and pick up another one. Avoid landfill and take your broken items to one of the county’s excellent repair cafes, as a team of dedicated volunteers put their experience to the task, and fingers crossed, fix up that favourite electric hand whisk that has seen better days.
For more information, visit surreyep.org.uk
MEN’S FIRE CIRCLE / FEBRUARY 5 / BUCKLAND PARK LAGOON, BETCHWORTH
A supportive space for men to come together, connect and explore ideas that might help each other mentally, sign up and head for this Mens Fire Circle taking place at the scenic environs of Buckland Park Lagoon this August. Limited spaces are available.
For more information, visit theshac.co.uk
ALTER EGO – DRAMA FOR ADULTS / TUESDAYS / RIVERHOUSE BARN ARTS CENTRE, WALTON
Develop acting and performance skills, tap into your dramatic creativity and unleash your alter ego! Through drama games and acting exercises our fun workshop-style sessions will give you the freedom to explore the process of making drama without the pressure of being in a production. Come along for a creative workout! No experience necessary, new members can join at any stage of the term following a free taster session. Hurrah for drama!
For more information, visit riverhousebarn.co.uk
SURREY HILLS BUSINESS SUSTAINABLE SHOWCASE / FEBRUARY 7 / UNIVERSITY OF SURREY, GUILDFORD
An exciting and important event in the Surrey Hills bringing together the Surrey Hills community to share ideas and raise awareness on how communities and organisations can become more sustainable. The Surrey Hills Sustainable Business Showcase will bring together a wide range of Surrey based organisations to help inform and inspire others to take practical, effective and realistic actions which will help them put sustainability at the forefront of their business strategy. Business owner? Sustainable-centric supplier? Sign up online.
For more information, visit surreyhills.org
DEVIL’S PUNCHBOWL 10K TRAIL RUN / FEBRUARY 8 / DEVIL’S PUNCHBOWL, HINDHEAD
Get ready for all the ‘feels’ as you take on this awesome night trail run around the Devil’s Punchbowl. A multi-sensory 10km designed to be fun but tough will see runners take on some fantastic trails featuring plenty of hilly terrains. A guided trail run; this makes a great introduction to those new to trail running as well as runners who like to run with like-minded folk.
For more information, visit runningadventures.uk
QUEER PLANET WITH BI-CURIOUS GEORGE / FEBRUARY 8 / ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD
London drag King Bi-Curious George presents Queer Planet, a raucous drag celebration of queerness and the animal kingdom. Queer Planet is a raucous romp through the animal kingdom which aims to shatter the heteronormative binaries through which we view the natural world. Combining stand up comedy, parody songs, drag and all manner of ridiculous behaviour, George takes the audience through some of the many animals who display queer behaviour; from dolphin orgies, to hermaphroditic snails; from transgender fish to gay giraffes.
For more information, visit electric.theatre
TWIRLING TODDLERS / FEBRUARY 9 / RICHMOND THEATRE
Join this new parent and toddler session based at Richmond Theatre. Enjoy a 30-minute dance class that will help the little one’s in your life to discover more about their own movement and physical development whilst also having a good ol’ fashioned boogie-woogie at the same time. Ideal for 2 – 4-year-olds.
For more information, visit atgtickets.com/richmond-theatre
BERRY BROS & RUDD WHISKY TASTING MASTERCLASS / FEBRUARY 9 / THE LIQS CLUB, ASHSTEAD
Warm those cockles and head for The Liqs Club in Ashstead for a sophisticated night sampling and sipping some rather tasty Berry Bros. & Rudd Whisky. If you like what you tase, why not consider becoming a member of the Liquid Gold Whisky Company whereby you’ll be able to choose from a selection of over 600 whiskies, as well as an extensive list of gins, wine, Champagne and cocktails. Sign me up! Drink Responsibly.
For more information, visit liquidgoldwhiskyco.com
ORDINARY PEOPLE: THE MAIDSTONE MUSICAL / FEBRUARY 9 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Extraordinary musicals about ordinary people, exploring how all of us have a story worth telling. Led by multi-award winning composer and lyricist Darren Clark (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Ordinary People is an extraordinary musical about the ordinary people of Maidstone. Based on true stories, it’s a show that explores the extraordinary nature of our everyday lives and reveals that all of us have a story that’s worth telling which paints a vibrant and beautiful picture of one town.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
HUNDRED WATT CLUB – AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE & VAUDEVILLE / FEBRUARY 9 / ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD
Hypnotic, Chaotic, and just the right amount of Erotic – Hundred Watt Club return to The Electric Theatre with their risqué and ridiculous evening of burlesque, vaudeville, comedy and cabaret! The Lowdown: Not for the fainthearted, this show employs and embraces adult themes, strong language and partial nudity with gusto. No refunds if it’s simply ‘not to your taste’!! Over 18s Only. Glamorous, vintage attire is encouraged (they love it when you dress up!) but not enforced; wear what you’re comfy in. Show starts at 8pm and includes an interval.
For more information, visit electric.theatre
BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH / FEBRUARY 9 / ST JOHN’S CHURCH, KINGSTON
Folk singer-songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich brings his blissful tunes to St John’s Church in Kingston this February, playing songs from his latest record as well as some blasts from the past. A master of his craft, enjoy a night of first-class music in intimate and atmospheric environs.
For more information, visit banquetrecords.com
ABSTRACT EMBROIDERY / FEBRUARY 10 / THE LIGHTBOX, WOKING
Suitable for complete beginners, this two hour workshop with artist Zoe Bateman will give you an introduction to embroidery, whilst also encouraging you to embrace your creativity by creating your own abstract art piece. Choose from a huge range of threads, yarns, sequins, beads and embellishments to create a completely unique stitched piece of wall art.
For more information, visit thelightbox.org.uk
ART CLASS FOR CHILDREN / SATURDAYS / CASS ART, KINGSTON
Join these educational and fun art lessons, focused on developing creative and technical skills At CASS Art in Kingston. All materials are provided and all artworks are taken home by the students after the class. Art improves concentration, fine motor skills, self-esteem and aesthetic understanding. These workshops will explore a different theme each week.
For more information, visit cassart.co.uk
DECLUTTER YOUR MIND / FEBRUARY 10 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Clear away excess mental baggage on this course with Buddhist nun Gen Nyingpo. She will provide a talk and guided meditations to experience relief, clarity and space. In this session, Gen Nyingpo will guide you through meditations that can be reproduced at home. She will explain how to let go of everyday mental busyness and stress, how to improve mindfulness and concentration and how to set up a regular meditation practice.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
INTRODUCTION TO COLD WATER SWIMMING AND IMMERSION / FEBRUARY 10 + 18 / BUCKLAND PARK LAGOON, BETCHWORTH
Love nature? Love to swim outdoors? Brace yourself for a dip in Buckland Park Lake and join the Surrey Hills Adventure Company for an introduction to cold water swimming. Cold Water Swimming (especially at this time of year) isn’t for the fainthearted or inexperienced, but thankfully the good folk over at the SHAC have a great session whereby you’ll learn the do’s and don’t of this past time aimed at self-preservation.
For more information, visit theshac.co.uk
ENGLAND V WALES – GUINNESS SIX NATIONS / FEBRUARY 10 / TWICKENHAM STADIUM
Ready for some Six Nations action? Steve Borthwick’s men’s side will play two matches at Twickenham in the Guinness Six Nations 2024. England will take on Wales in the first of their two home fixtures this month. For your guaranteed place at this fixture, hospitality packages are on sale now.
For more information, visit twickenhamstadium.com
WOKING V HARTLEPOOL / FEBRUARY 10 / LAITHWAITE COMMUNITY STADIUM, WOKING
Eek. Worrying times for Woking as they seek to avoid slipping into the dreaded relegation zone. Can they take advantage of Hartlepool’s long haul trip down to Surrey from County Durham? A must-win game for the Cards, find out if Michael Doyle can start to make his mark at the Laithwaite Community Stadium this month.
For more information, visit wokingfc.co.uk
FEBRUARY HALF TERM / FEBRUARY 10 – 18 / HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Step into the enchanting world of Hampton Court Palace this half term. Be transported back to 1562, when the Tudor court is buzzing with whispers and secret meetings. Queen Elizabeth I has fallen victim to smallpox, casting a shadow of uncertainty over Hampton Court Palace. It’s up to you to become part of the story and help Elizabeth’s spymaster unravel the mystery of who might be conspiring to take the throne. Think you can handle the mission?
For more information, visit hrp.org.uk
MR HAMILTON’S SCIENCE AND CURIOSITIES TRAIL + HALF TERM WILD WOODLAND CAMP / FEBRUARY 10 – 25 / PAINSHILL, COBHAM
Fancy a wild adventure? Painshill Park have some excellent excursions for you and the fam this month. Go on a Curious Trail with Mr Hamilton and later in the month, get wild at the Wild Woodland Camp. Learn all about bushcraft and spend your days in nature as you explore your surroundings and discover skills for life.
For more information, visit painshill.co.uk
MEGSON FAMILY FOLK SHOW / FEBRUARY 10 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Award-winning folk duo Megson come to Farnham Maltings this autumn, bringing their Family Folk Show with them. Playing songs old and new, expect lush harmonies and plenty of audience interaction.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
MAGIC OF LOCOMOTION / FEBRUARY 10 – 18 / WATERCRESS LINE, ALRESFORD
Discover the magic of train travel with the Watercress Line’s very own magicians! Be spellbound by shows at the Old Goods Shed in Alresford and wonder at the close-up tricks and entertainment on board our service trains. Enjoy learning how the magic becomes reality to make the locomotives move as you clickety-clack along the track on this fun family day out.
For more information, visit watercressline.co.uk
GO SUPERSONIC / FEBRUARY 10 – 18 / BROOKLANDS MUSEUM, WEYBRIDGE
Head for historic Brooklands Museum this half term and God Supersonic! Help us make our own model With drop-in sessions throughout the week why not fly high and help Concorde to celebrate Delta Golf’s 50th Anniversary! Help decorate a piece of fabric to be part of Brooklands’ large Concorde model, which will be proudly on display in the Museum.
For more information, visit brooklandsmuseum.com
SURREY RIDEOUT / FEBRUARY 11 / G!RO, ESHER
Get ready to hideout with the Surrey Rideout this February. Starting and finishing at Esher’s centre for cycling excellence, G!ro, meet like minded lovers of the pedal powered, 2-wheel leisure machine this month. Courtesy of Hot Chillee, whether you’re a pro or just giving it a go, turn up with a smile (and a bike) at this ace event that is free and open to all.
For more information, visit hotchillee.com
LAZY BRUNCH: BREAKFAST BURRITO / FEBRUARY 11 / GORDON RAMSAY ACADEMY, WOKING
Breakfast for dinner and dinner for breakfast? Yes please! A hearty burrito makes a brilliant brunch and in this fun weekend cooking class you’ll master this Mexican-inspired recipe so you can cook it again and again at home. The only thing you need to worry about is how spicy you make it…Get some serious kitchen skills at the Gordon Ramsay Academy in Woking this month.
For more information, visit gordonramsayacademy.com