KLDIARYJAN

January is always a bit bleak mid-winterish, but not this year! There are plenty of events to fill up your diary and if you hurry, you can still catch a panto or two!...

GARETH GATES IN THE BEST OF FRANKIE VALLI

Where? The Central Theatre, Chatham

When? January 27

Cost- from £22.50

Gareth Gates will be joining this rip-roaring show fresh from the smash hit Tony award-winning musical Jersey Boys. He will be supported by an exceptional live band and cast as he brings The Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons to the stage. This is sure to be a high pitched celebration of timeless music from one of the biggest selling groups of all time.

Medwayticketslive.co.uk

THE NUTCRACKER BALLET

The Orchard Theatre, Dartford

When? January 3-4

Cost- tickets from £27-£39.50

You don’t have to be a hardcore ballet buff to enjoy The Nutcracker. You don’t even ever to have seen a ballet before, because this classical production is for absolutely everyone. Brought to the stage by The International Classic Ballet Theatre from America, the enchanting tale is full of magic and wonder.

Orchardtheatre.co.uk

SIX THE MUSICAL

Where? The Orchard Theatre, Dartford

When? January 24-29

Cost- Tickets from £26.50 to £45

This sold out hit in the West End is on a UK tour and is selling out houses wherever it goes. Expect

the six wives of Henry VIII belting out pop hits and finally taking to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st-century girl power.

Orchardtheatre.co.uk

GUIDED WALK – WINTER BIRDS

Where? Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve

When? January 13

Cost- £8 per person

Get some colour in your cheeks with a winter guided tour around the stunning reserve where you’ll spend time observing some of the birds found here during January, discover which trees have shed their leaves and find out why this is the perfect time to venture outdoors for a woodland walk.

Kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

STEEL MAGNOLIAS

The Churchill Theatre, Bromley

January 19-21

Cost-Tickets from £22.

The heart-warming play based on a true story enjoyed huge global success in the hit 1989 film adaptation starring Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts. Now, heading to the stage the star-studded ensemble cast will feature Laura Main (best known as Sister Bernadette in BBC One’s Call the Midwife), X Factor star Diana Vickers and TV and radio actress Lucy Speed.

Churchilltheatre.co.uk

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Where? The Orchard Theatre, Dartford

When? January 9-13

Cost- Tickets from £28 to £46.

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show has become the world’s favourite Rock ‘N’ Roll musical, having been performed worldwide over 45 years in more than 30 countries. Now it’s heading to Kent and will feature Stephen Webb (Jersey Boys/Legally Blonde) in the iconic role of Frank with fan favourite Haley Flaherty (Mamma Mia/Chicago) as Janet.

Orchardtheatre.co.uk

SLEEPING BEAUTY

Where? The Marlowe Theatre. Canterbury

When? Until January 8

Cost- tickets from £15-55

There’s still time for some thigh-slapping fun with this barnstormer of a panto. Join TV favourite, Ore Oduba (Strictly Come Dancing), West End Superstar Carrie Hope Fletcher (Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella) and Jennie Dale (CBeebies’ Swashbuckle) as they deliver the story of Sleeping Beauty with plenty of song, dance and laughter along the way.

Marlowetheatre.com

GUIDED WALK – WINTER BIRDS

Where? Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve

When? January 13

Cost- £8 per person

Get some colour in your cheeks with a winter guided tour around the stunning reserve where you’ll spend time observing some of the birds found here during January, discover which trees have shed their leaves and why this is the perfect time to venture outdoors for a woodland walk. Don’t forger your binoculars and some comfy boots.

Kent wildlifetrust.org.uk

VEGAN DINNER

Where? Balfour Winery, Tonbridge.

When? January 14

Cost- £60 per person.

To celebrate Veganuary the winery will be hosting a six- course dinner in its tasting room, The View. The evening starts with a glass of Balfour Wine followed by an inventive vegan six course set meal. A full range of wines will be available to help your dinner go down a treat. A great way to give yourself a mid-winter treat!

Balfourwinery.com

BIRDS OF PREY OF THE NORTH KENT MARSHES

Where? Capel Fleet Raptor Viewpoint, the Isle of Sheppey.

When? January 27

Cost- £35 per person

An expert ornithologist will escort you on this day-long event where you’ll get to see why the Isle of Sheppey has the highest density of overwintering birds of prey in the county and is one of the UK’s premier sites for species such as short-eared owl, hen and marsh harrier, merlin, peregrine and, in some years, rough-legged buzzard.

Kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

HANDEL MESSIAH CONCERT

Where? The Precincts, Canterbury Cathedral

When? January 21

Cost- £10-£32

Handel’s Messiah is unquestionably the most enduringly popular choral work of all time, and one which Canterbury Choral Society has performed with power and conviction over the years. Now, hallelujah, they will be doing it again- joined by four soloists and the famous Hanover Band which specialises in performing on period instruments from the 18th Century.

Canterburyfestival.co.uk

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST BALLET

Where? The Woodville Theatre, Gravesend

When? January 25

Cost- £18.50

Join Ballet Theatre UK as they perform one of the most enchanting love stories of all time. Inspired by the original tale the production tells the story of Belle, who feels out of place in her stifling French village. Set to a stunning classical score this production will showcase new choreography as well as new sets and costumes.

Woodville.ticketsolve.com

A NIGHT OF VIENESE MUSIC

Where? Rochester Cathedral

When? January 7

Tickets- £10 to £40.

The City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra will be delivering a wonderful evening of Austrian waltzes and music galore at this concert which is organised by the Friends of Rochester Cathedral. The two-hour-long evening concert within the surrounds of the spectacular cathedral building will ease you into the new year in gloriously elegant fashion.

Rochestercathedral.org.

NEW YEAR’S DAY WALK

Where? The Powell-Cotton Museum, Birchington

When? January 1

Cost- £2.50 per person.

Here’s a chance to walk off the over-indulgences (and perhaps the headache) of the night before with this wintry walk for the whole family. Go for a crisp walk around Quex Gardens and if you want to, afterward go for a tour around Quex House as the museum will be open to visitors.

powell-cottonmuseum.org

AN EVENING WITH FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE

Where? University of Greenwich Medway Campus

When? January 25

Cost-Free but registration for event is required

As part of a series of new public lectures, Dr Noel-Ann Bradshaw, deputy dean for the Faculty of Engineering and Science at the University of Greenwich will discuss how Florence Nightingale's understanding and management of data influenced policy makers in the British Army and Government during and after the Crimean war. The audience will hear how the Lady With the Lamp’s methods resulted in improved conditions for soldiers and the working classes in Victorian Britain.

fes-events@gre.ac.uk

TWELFTH NIGHT CHORAL CONCERT

Where? Maidstone United Reformed Church, Maidstone

When? January 6

Cost- free but a charity collection will be held

This celebration concert with epiphany carols to mark the Twelfth Night will be a lovely way to end the Christmas season. After the evening of delightful music there will be mulled wine and mince pies to enjoy. Everyone is welcome.

Maidstonechoralunion.co.uk

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: THE CRUCIBLE

Where? The EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge

When? January 26

Cost- tickets from £13

Arthur Miller’s captivating 1953 parable of power is to be explored in a new production from the National Theatre, which will be shown live from the Olivier Stage to viewers at the EM Forster Theatre. A group of young women in Salem, Massachusetts suddenly begin to act very strangely- and their words lead all the way to the gallows for many in their village.

emftheatre.com