THEATRE

Macbeth Flabbergast Theatre — Macbeth – Flabbergast Theatre

Kicking off the month is Flabbergast Theatre’s version of Macbeth at Quarry Theatre on 3 Oct, with a stripped back set, puppetry and clowning which draws modern day parallels with the Shakespearean tragedy. Then, at the same venue on 4 Oct, you can catch Spontaneous Potter – an improv parody of the Harry Potter stories with live music – who knows what you’ll get as each show is unique and based on audience participation.

Love a ghost story? Get three for the price of one on 9 October at the Old Town Hall in Hemel Hempstead with Nightmares. Storyteller, Adam Z Robinson will bring to life three classic spooky tales: The Judge’s House by Bram Stoker, The Kit-Bag by Algernon Blackwood and John Charrington’s Wedding by E Nesbit.

Well timed for Black History Month, The Windrush Secret is on at the Spotlight Theatre on 9 October. It depicts the impact of the migration of Caribbeans to Britain between 1948-1973 (The Windrush Generation) and the scandal that followed, from three different political standpoints.

Abbey Theatre in St Albans has a small but thought-provoking programme of performances. The Father (11 – 19 October) is an award-winning tragi-comedy about the impact of dementia on family relationships. Whilst at the same venue, from 8 – 16 November, Nell Gwynn must win over King Charles II and his court with her theatrical talents to defeat her enemies in a lighter comedy.

Get ready to sing along to all your Madness faves in Our House, a musical featuring the band’s music and lyrics at Watford Palace Theatre from 15 – 19 Oct. Set in Camden in the 1980s it’s a tale of young love and the consequences of making the right (or wrong!) choices.

Something wicked this way comes… another production of Macbeth is heading to the Spotlight Theatre, Hoddesdon from 22 – 23 October.

Then a thought-provoking show from a Belgian Theatre company, Fight Night, puts democracy to the test as the audience must vote for one of five contestants, leaving only one survivor. It’s at Watford Palace Theatre from 24 – 26 October.

It must be spooky season as Frankenstein (on a budget) is coming to The Place, Bedford on 24 October. Think one actor playing 25 characters, lots of songs and a dodgy DIY set complete with cardboard creations an you’ve got the ultimate hammer horror comedy.

Meanwhile, Dyad Productions’ popular one-man/woman shows are a slightly more classy affair and Austen’s Women: Lady Susan, temptress and trickster – coming to Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre on 25 Oct is no exception.

Back at the Old Town Hall in Hemel Hempstead is a devilishly funny farce, The Comedy of Terrors, on 26 Oct. Whilst Shock Horror: A Ghost Story comes to Watford Palace Theatre from 30 Oct – 2 Nov, about a boy who grew up in an eery old cinema with only horror films for entertainment – expect some jump scares and nightmares to follow!

For a more traditional take on Halloween, Celtic Harmony is hosting The Night of Open Doors – Celtic Tales for Samhain, on 31 Oct, which will immerse audiences in stories of bewitched horses, mythic battles, ancient warriors, monsters and gods, as the old Celtic year dies at sunset and the doors between the worlds of the living, the dead, and the immortal are opened. Spooky stuff.

MUSIC & DANCE

Didn’t make it to the White Isle this summer? Here’s the next best thing (well, almost!) the Ibiza Orchestra Experience will transport you to heady club nights with live orchestral music playing all the classics in Gadebridge Park Hemel Hempstead on 4 Oct.

Bruno Mars fans won’t want to miss 24K Bruno at BEAM Hertford on 4 Oct – a tribute act performing the artist’s most popular songs. Whilst Flamenco Express is bringing the heat to The Place Bedford, also on 4 Oct, with legendary dancer Victor Fernández and singer Antonio El Pola. And Gin & Jazz is back in St Albans this year, on 4 October – with live jazz music, gin bars and late night shopping on George Street.

Get into the mood for Halloween at South Mill Arts on 9 Oct with a screening of gothic horror, Nosferatu with a live musical score – commissioned by English Heritage for a live outdoor screening at Dracula’s spiritual home of Whitby Abbey – to bring ALL the chills.

The fantastic Ballet Black are bringing a double bill of new work by two award-winning choreographers to Watford Palace Theatre on 9 October. Heroes includes The Waiting Game, which contemplates the meaning of life, and If At First, about quiet triumph over adversity.

Hatfield house music festival — Hatfield House Music Festival

Keep it classical for Hatfield House Music Festival from 10 – 13 October, which is themed around time travel this year, and how music can both transport us to different eras as well as remain timeless, with a programme of Songs Through Time and chamber music by Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms and Dvořák.

Couldn’t get your hands on tickets to the real thing? Then go mad for it at Oasiz, Definitely Maybe 30th Anniversary Tour at the Spotlight Theatre, Hoddesdon on 11 October.

Get ready to sing along to all your Madness faves in Our House, a musical featuring the band’s music and lyrics at Watford Palace Theatre from 15 – 19 Oct. Set in Camden in the 1980s it’s a tale of young love and the consequences of making the right (or wrong!) choices.

Broadway and small screen legend John Barrowman talks about his career on stage (Anything Goes, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera) and TV (Dr Who, Dancing on Ice) in Laid Bare which will also feature lots of musical performance. 18 October at Grove Theatre Dunstable.

If reggae’s more your jam, head to The Hat Factory Arts Centre on 26 October for The Marley Experience, featuring the top tracks from Bob Marley and the Wailers.

And at St Albans Cathedral on 30 October, Wallace and Gromit A Matter of Loaf and Death will be screened with live orchestral accompaniment, including a Gromit making workshop for kids before the show.

Crown Ballet’s classic production of Swan Lake is calling at Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage on 31 Oct, Watersmeet Theatre on 6 Nov and the Bedford Corn Exchange on 3 Dec.

And ballet isn’t just for grown ups – nurture little ones’ appreciation of dance early with this production of The Ugly Duckling Ballet by Let’s All Dance, especially aimed at ages 2-11 years. Book now for The Radlett Centre on 1 November.

COMEDY

King of pranks, Dom Joly is calling at not one but three Herts venues on his Conspiracy Tour, based on his book which took him all over the world investigating some of the whackiest conspiracy theories. He’ll be at Alban Arena on 4 Oct and South Mill Arts on 12 Oct Read the interview here for more.

The inimitable Ruby Wax is back after a sell-out 2023 run of her tour I’m Not as Well As I Thought I Was – a darkly comical look into her mental health struggles. Catch her on 5 Oct at BEAM in Hertford.

If you missed him earlier in the year, here’s your second chance to catch Jimmy Carr Laughs Funny at Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage on 5 Oct (two shows in one night).

The Noise Next Door are Freewheeling on 6 October – literally! The improv gang will bring gags, songs and silly stories to The Spotlight Theatre in Hoddesdon, all based on suggestions from the audience.

Jenny Eclair is a Doyenne of British stand up comedy, with a 40-year career under her belt and the first woman to win a coveted Perrier award. She’ll be at Chorleywood Memorial Hall on 7 October talking about her new memoir, Jokes, Jokes, Jokes.

BAFTA-nominated Rachel Parris is keeping things classy in her show Poise at the Alban Arena on 9 October.

On stage and internet sensation – thanks to their relatable and below-the-belt comedy – The Scummy Mummies are back in town to make you laugh so much that you spit out your G&T, on 9 – 10 Oct at BEAM Hertford.

Kerry Godliman tries out her new material at The Old Town Hall Hemel on 11 October. Ivo Graham is bringing his Grand Design tour to the Grove Theatre in Dunstable on 15 October. And Taskmaster star Lucy Beaumont is Live at the Grove as well, on 17 October, with surreal stories, and offbeat anecdotes about modern day womanhood.

Ed Gamble is processing his latest thoughts in his usual rambling way in a new show, Hot Diggity Dog. Coming to Watford Palace Theatre on 10 Oct and Grove Theatre Dunstable on 23 Oct.

Book now before tickets are gone. Frank Skinner is dishing the dirt on his 30 year career in comedy, aptly named (and inspired by that football song), 30 Years of Dirt, at Stevenage Concert Hall on 1 Nov.

ART & EXHIBITIONS

The Eastern Region Textile Forum brings Passion, Determination, Vision to St Albans Museum + Gallery from 12 July – 3 November, which celebrates individuals who have made an impact on St Albans and the wider Eastern region, from Saint Alban to Stephen Hawking and Michael Morpurgo to Tim Rice.

The Letchworth Open kicked off at The Broadway Gallery on 18 September and continues until 9 Nov – Herts’ largest open showcase exhibition giving over 450 established and amateur artists the opportunity to submit a piece of work in a variety of themes and media. Most will be available to buy, too. And three artists will be awarded a bursary for a solo exhibition and mentoring programme.

SCREENINGS

Grounded the metropolitan opera — Grounded

Bet you didn’t know that Leighton Buzzard had its own film festival – we may as well call it the Cannes of Bedfordshire! Buzz Cinema Festival takes place from 4 – 13 October this year and features a great programme of short films from emerging filmmakers and industry professionals.

The Metropolitan Opera is showing its performance of Le Contes D’Hoffman at Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre on 8 Oct, followed by Tony Award–winning composer Jeanine Tesori’s new opera, Grounded at the same venue on 22 Oct, which takes a deep dive into the ethics of war and technology.

The Royal Ballet Live brings Alice in Wonderland to the Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre on 15 Oct. You can also catch it at South Mill Arts on 15 Oct.

Plus there’s an Exhibition on Screen of Mary Cassatt: Painting the Modern Woman at South Mill Arts on 17 October.

There’s a family friendly screening (PG) of The Royal Opera’s Olivier Award winning Wolf Witch Giant Fairy – a new stage folk opera based on Little Red Riding Hood – coming to Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre on 28 Oct and BEAM Hertford on 29 October, with an encore screening at Grove Theatre on 30 October.

BOOKS & TALKS

The brilliant Chiltern Bookshops are hosting a number of events this month with some well-known faces. First up, Jenny Eclair is talking about her 40-year(!!) career and her memoir, Jokes, Jokes, Jokes at Chorleywood Memorial Hall on 7 October. Another comedian, the fab Julian Clary, puts on his author hat on 14 October at RMS for Girls in Rickmansworth, to discuss his new novel, Curtain Call to Murder. Kate Mosse is in the hot seat at Chorleywood Library on 19 October on her latest novel, The Map of Bones. And the one and only Vanessa Feltz Bares All (the name of her new book) at RMS for Girls on 24 October.

BOOK NOW: The annual Tring Book Festival is on from 1 – 16 November and always draws a really impressive author lineup and this year is no exception, with the likes of Susie Dent, Louise Minchin, David Baddiel and Vanessa Feltz gracing the programme of talks, meets and signings at local venues.

FOOD & DRINK

October can only mean one thing to beer lovers – Oktoberfest! And Herts does it in style. Head to Cassiobury Park in Watford from 4 – 5 Oct for gallons of German beer, live oompah bands, axe throwing, DJs, a German grill, Bratwurst, pretzels and tonnes of fun. Dust off those Lederhosen stat!

FITNESS

Rennie Grove Hospice is running a or the Herts 10K, 5k and fun run at the Herts Showground, on 6 October and Love Luton Run Fest offers a variety of distances from a 5K to a Half Marathon around the Luton Hoo Estate on 13 October.

While, if you’re after something a bit more, erm, dirty (not like that, naughty!), The Hospice of St Francis’ Mud Pack Challenge is taking place at Ashridge House near Berkhamsted on 13 October with 7K and 14K distances.

It’s not too late to sign up for the Willow 10k at Hatfield House on 13 Oct, while the long-running (‘scuse the pun) Stevenage Half Marathon is on 20 October.

KIDS & FAMILY

Discover the Dark Arts at Warner Brothers’ Harry Potter Studio Tour until 10 November where the sets will get a spookier makeover ahead of Halloween. Learn wand combat skills, search for the dark mark but beware of the death eaters.

Stotfold Mill’s annual Working Steam Weekend and Agricultural Show is always a fab family day out. Over the two days, 5 – 6 October, you’ll see the watermill in action (and have the chance to buy the flour), an array of steam-powered machinery with demos and working crafts as well as a vintage fairground. Plus you can make a weekend of it and camp overnight on 4 – 6 Oct for just £80 for a family pitch.

The Noise Next Door is a funny improv group who create audience-led shows for adults and kids. Catch their family friendly show The Adventure Academy (age 5+) at The Spotlight Theatre on 6 October .

The Shuttleworth Airshows are always a fab family outing. The next one – a Race Day – is on 6 Oct with ground and air races, stunt shows, stalls and more.

Julia Donaldson fans will enjoy The Smartest Giant in Town at The Radlett Centre from 8-9 October, whilst Judith Kerr’s classic tale (or should we say ‘tail’?) The Tiger Who Came to Tea, is roaring into South Mill Arts on 15 – 16 October.

There’s a multi-sensory dance experience coming to Hat Factory Arts in Luton on 19 October called Skydiver which will transport 3-5 year olds to an dream-like world in the skies amongst fluffy clouds and flocks of birds.

Boxville sounds like a fun show for ages 4 – 8, with set and puppets made entirely of cardboard! Kids can also craft along with the story to become cardboard engineers whilst meeting paper dragons, corrugated crabs, and card robots. At The Old Town Hall on 19 October.

Award-winning children’s author, Julia Jarman invites pre-schoolers for a splash about in The Big Red Bath for a reading of her book and interactive worshop with Full House Theatre at The Quarry Theare Bedford on 21 October.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is munching its way around the Radlett Centre from 24 – 26 October and BEAM Hertford on 28 – 29 October.

Mr Sleepybum has some very strange dreams and in this show, where he finds himself waking up in a roomful of parents and children, he decides to re-enact them in a series of very silly sketches. He’s waking up at Hat Factory Arts on 26 October.

The not-too-scary In the Dead of Night is a fun and heartwarming show about conquering a fear of monsters with puppets, music and comedy, at the Old Town Hall on 27 Oct.

Join poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko for The Great Big Dinosaur Show on 28 October. Inspired by Simon’s book, A First Book of Dinosaurs, you can expect poetry, rapping and dancing to some Jurassic Classics.

October ahoy! 80+ things to do this month

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