This month
October 2018
THEATRE: Dangerous Corner, Abbey Theatre, St Albans, Fri 12 – Tues 16 Oct
This JB Priestley drama still resonates today as a group of friends having dinner begin to reveal themselves and the machinations of their relationships. The genius of Priestley’s writing doesn’t date as here he explores how much truth we can take in our private lives. Go with your friends if you dare!
ART: Henry Moore Exhibition: Out of the Block, Perry Green, now until Sun 28 Oct
This is the last month of this fascinating exhibition exploring how Henry Moore carved his sublime sculptures out of a whole block of stone or wood. He continually returned to this method for most of his career, despite periods modelling with clay, plaster and casting in bronze, and you can see the stunning results in this thematic display.
SHOPPING: Blacknose Christmas Pawty, Staffy B Homestore, Baldock, Fri 19 Oct
Support the Blacknose Foundation for rescue dogs at the launch of Staffy B’s Christmas room. £5 tickets get you a complimentary glass of fizz and entry into the raffle whilst your browse the lovely home accessories, gifts and interiors.
WALK: Deer Rut Stroll, Ashridge Estate, Fri 19 – Sun 21 Oct
Did you know you can pretend you’re on safari and go looking for rutting deer on the Ashridge Estate? Binos and stalking hats at the ready for a gentle morning stroll with the rangers from 7-9am this weekend. There’s a decent cafe for breakfast afterwards too.
MARKET: Antiques and Collectibles Market, Stable Yard, Hatfield House, Sat 20 Oct
I do like a good rummage round an antiques market – you never know what you might find – and with the background of Elizabeth I’s old gaff, you can dream of finding something really special and collectible that would get Fiona Bruce in a flat spin.
THEATRE: Much Ado About Nothing, Watford Palace Theatre, until 27 Oct
Photo: Richard Lakos – TheOtherRichard
We’re in 1940s wartime Britain for this production by Brigid Larmour of Much Ado About Nothing. The decision to cast all women in the play celebrates how the ladies held the fort so admirably back home. Muddy went to the press night and here’s what we thought of this charming, laugh-a-minute, yet sad in all the right places, production.
THEATRE: Funny Girl, Vyne Theatre, Berkhamsted, Weds 24 Oct
Be quick off the mark to catch Sheridan Smith who stars in this record-breaking West End show about Broadway star Fanny Brice, made famous by Barbra Streisand, in Berkhamstead for one night only. Full of iconic musical numbers that Sheridan belts out with aplomb, you can attend a free Q&A with musical orchestrator, Chris Walker, before the show. If you like musicals, you won’t want to miss this.
HALLOWEEN FUN: Explore the Haunted Hall, Forty Hall, Tues 23 – Sun 28 Oct
Halloween half term fun at Forty Hall, ancestral home of the Parker Bowles family, with all sorts of spooky activities that will keep the kids entertained in the stunning setting of this beautiful listed Manor House in Enfield.
COMEDY: Phill Jupitus, Sat 20 Oct, and Omid Djalili, Sat 27 Oct, Broadway Theatre, Letchworth
Well-known comics descend on Letchworth for an evening of satire, silliness and laughs. Phill Jupitus is best known for Never Mind The Buzzcocks whereas Omid Djalili has spread his wings into acting with ease and is no stranger to the West End and Hollywood.
ART: Luxmuralis at St Albans Cathedral, Fri 26 & Sat 27 Oct
A stunning light projection with sound will fill the nave of St Albans Cathedral to commemorate World War One on Friday and Saturday, free to all. They’ll be rose petals falling in the Shrine and the names of local residents who served over the past 100 years in the armed services will also be projected on to the cathedral’s walls. A beautiful, immersive experience as part of the remembrance commemorations, this sounds like a must-see.
THEATRE: Dinosaur World, Broadway Theatre, Letchworth, Sun 28 and Mon 29 Oct
Remarkably life-like dinosaurs appear right in front of you in this pre-historic interactive show for the family. Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus all pitch up to thrill and roar, and you get to learn lots of dino facts too.
HALLOWEEN FUN: Knebworth House, Pumpkin Trail, Tues 30 Oct -Thurs 1 Nov
All sorts of pumpkin / Halloween activities for kids with Halloween fancy dress and pumpkin carving competition (all children’s own work please!). Participation in games like Tunnel Terror and What’s in the Box lead to stamps in your pumpkin passport which lead to a goody bag, plus storytelling and a pumpkin trail.
FURTHER AFIELD
CULTURE: London Literary Festival, Southbank Centre, London, Thurs 18 – Sun 28 Oct
Lots of literary luminaries like Sir Salman Rushdie and Barbara Kingsolver plus a dollop of celebs like Sally Field, Sue Perkins, Roger Daltrey, Mary Beard and Melvyn Bragg will be heading to the South Bank for the 12th London Lit Fest. The burning issues of today will be discussed and with Homer’s The Oddessy at the heart of the festival – readings, talks and discussions – there’s your culture fix in the bag.
ART: Black Mirror: Art as Social Satire, the Saatchi Gallery, London, now until Sun 13 Jan 2019
Turbulent Tumble Tumble by Clayton Brothers
In these troubling times, satire can provide some light relief and hold up a mirror to modern-day politics. This new exhibition explores how art and satire can question and commentate in a way that can diffuse situations. All sorts of media have been used, including photography, installations and more obviously caricatures, and what’s even better is it’s completely free (very helpful when in Chelsea flexing the credit card).
THEATRE: The Wider Earth, The Natural History Museum, now – Sun 30 Dec
Exciting news – there’s a theatre being opened in the Jerwood Gallery at the Natural History Museum for the European premiere of award-winning drama The Wider Earth, a play about the young Charles Darwin. Puppets, an original score and cinematic animations make this theatrical event a great draw for kids plus they’ll learn a helluva lot in the process.
FOOD: London Restaurant Festival, various London locations, all month
The Montagu Kitchen
It’s worth popping into town this month as London’s fantastic restaurant scene is in full celebration mode with great value festival menus at loads of top-notch restaurants, plus foodie events like gastronomic weekends, tasting menus, restaurant-hopping tours, tasting menus with famous chefs, talks, films and art.
BOOK NOW
THEATRE: True West, Vaudeville Theatre, London, from Fri 23 Nov
Booking is now open for the West End Premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winner Sam Shepard’s ferociously funny, modern classic, True West. Directed by Matthew Dunster, an Olivier-nominated director, playwright, actor and Associate Director at Shakespeare’s Globe, and starring Kit Harington (of Game of Thrones fame) and Johnny Flynn (Genius) as warring brothers, this sure sounds like a goodie.
THEATRE: Rob Lowe: Stories I Only Tell My Friends, The Royal Albert Hall, Sat 1 Dec
Tickets for Rob Lowe’s live show are bound to sell out fast (as they have in the States). Inspired by his memoirs of the same name and his previous book Love Life, Mr Lowe will spill the beans on a career from the Brat Pack to The West Wing to Parks and Rec and beyond. Apparently, he’s quite the raconteur with loads of witty anecdotes that touch on his career, fame, Hollywood, fatherhood and marriage. Keep your eyes peeled come November – Rob is filming in London and Lincolnshire for a new ITV Drama called Wild Bill about a UK cop who moves to Lincolnshire!
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
WINE: Mahi evening, The Farmhouse at Redcoats, Thurs 4 Oct
Join us for an evening of Mahi wines on Thursday the 4th of October with Brian Bicknell, the owner and winemaker from Mahi Winery. He will be taking us through a tailored selection of four different wines (two x Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay & Pinot Noir) from his six vineyards which will be expertly matched by a 4-course menu from Exec Chef Sherwin. Brian is quite the storyteller, so it is set to be a fantastic evening! Places are £45 per person and you can reserve your table now by emailing reservations@farmhouseatredcoats.co.uk
COMEDY: Marcus Brigstocke, Hertford Theatre, Fri 5 Oct
Well known TV comic, Marcus Brigstocke, discusses all thing evil in his new show, Devil May Care, which has delighted the critics. He’s great at satirical comedy and apparently he’s even more funny live than on the telly where you’ll know him from Have I Got News For You, Live at the Apollo and Mock the Week to name but a few.
FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL: Gin and Jazz, George Street, St Albans, Fri 5 Oct
There’s a food and drink festival happening down George Street this Friday night with all the boutique shops, bars and restaurants taking part. The road will be covered in grass and you can stroll along and enjoy street performances, food and drink tastings with an emphasis on gin, jazz, beauty demos and even adult face painting.
FAMILY FUN DAY: The Old Town Hall Fun Palace, Hemel Hempstead, Sat 6 Oct
If anyone in your family is interested in life on the stage or behind the scenes, rock up between 11am and 4pm for a family fun day with arts, crafts, dance, creative writing, prop, set making and drama games
JAZZ: Herts Jazz Festival, Letchworth Garden City, Fri 5 – Sun 7 Oct
A weekend to indulge yourself in jazz concerts, including the Robert Mitchell’s Epiphany 3, Art Themen’s ‘New Directions’ Quartet and A Tribute To Jazz At The Philharmonic, with a couple of films thrown in for good message. If you love jazz, then the Broadway Theatre is the place to be.
FAMILY FUN: Apple Day, Tewin Orchard, Sun 7 Oct
For a fun-packed day all about apples, head off to Tewin Orchard where you can buy apples, apple juice, preserves, tea, coffee and cake. Experts will be on hand to identify varieties of apple and provide advice on fruit tree care plus they’ll be a kids’ scavenger hunt and guided walks around the orchard.
FOOD FESTIVAL: Feast on the Farm, Peterley Manor Farm, Bucks, Sat 6 – Sun 7 Oct
Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar’s Sindhu team will be taking over The Yurt for Peterley Manor Farm’s Feast at the Farm Festival, 6 and 7 Oct in Prestwood, Great Missenden. His pop-up restaurant will combine the cuisines of the Sindhu and Hawkyns (Old Amersham) in the form of small plates and he’s hosting a supper club on the Friday evening of the festival weekend. Feast at the Farm looks like it’s notching up a gear this year too – three times the workshops (including how to photograph food for Instagram by @olie_eats, tutored English wine tastings, a new children’s mini ‘Feastival’, a new area called The Garden Pergola with a Seedlip botanical bar, Harrow & Hope bubbles bar and a Campfire Gin cocktail bar. Wonder where the Muddy crew will be?
BOOKS: Neil Faulkner talk and book signing, David’s Bookshop, Letchworth, Tues 9 Oct
Leading historian and archeologist, Neil Faulkner, will discuss and sign his book A Radical History of the World. The history of the struggle and revolution of human society from hunters and herders to emperors and slaves, from patriarchs and women, to dictators and revolutionaries. And here we are now!
MUSIC: Pop-Up Choir, Hatfield House, Wed 10 Oct
Men’s Voices Untied team up with Welwyn Garden City male voice choir for an evening of traditional Welsh songs to modern era music in support of mental health charities. The performance will take place in The Old Palace, the 15th century banqueting hall once belonging to Queen Elizabeth I.
FOOD FESTIVAL: Hertford Food and Drink Festival, Fri 12 – Sun 14 Oct
Hertford is hosting its annual festival with farmers and charter markets, live cookery demonstrations, free tasters and celeb chefs in town plus on the Sunday, it expands into Hertford castle for its Beer and World Food Festival.
EXHIBITION: What’s on in the Woods, Natural History Museum, Tring, until Sun 14 Oct
Last chance this week to take your kids to this fun exhibition exploring outdoor and indoor woodland spaces. They can uncover what’s hiding nearby, hone their nature detective skills and play.
WALK: Guide Dogs Fest Fun Day, Hatfield House, Sat Oct 13
Walk with your dog (or without) round the beautiful grounds of Hatfield House and watch guide dog demos and a fun dog show.
SCREENING: The Importance of Being Earnest, Berkhamsted Arts Centre, Sat 13 Oct
A new production of one of the funniest plays in English, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, will be broadcast live to the cinema in the Berkamsted Arts Centre from the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End. This fresh take on Wilde’s classic, adapted by Michael Fentiman and with a superb cast, has had the critics in raptures.
FURTHER AFIELD
MUSIC: The Musick Scene, Handel and Hendrix in London, Thurs 11 Oct
Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde plays beautiful cello music by foreign composers living and working in Handel’s London in a lunchtime concert at the Brook Street house in Mayfair where Handel lived (followed many years later by Jimi Hendrix).
