Mon 2 – Sun 8 Oct 2017
Antigone, Sandpit Theatre, St Albans, Mon 2 and Tues 3 Oct
If you missed this in Hertford last week, here it is again, this time at the Sandpit Theatre in St Albans. Best Theatre in the Muddy Awards 2017! From what I’ve seen on Twitter and Facebook, it’s proving to be a huge help with GCSE and A Level homework. It’s the ancient Greek classic Antigone in a dystopian world. Fate is written in code, and the skies are filled with drones. You don’t know the story? It’s a battle to control Thebes. Antigone has two brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles, who have died. Creon is the new ruler, who declares that Eteocles will be honoured, but decides that Polyneices shouldn’t be buried but left in limbo to relive his death over and over again for all eternity. Antigone’s not having any of it. Fuelled with grief, she dares to take on Creon. This production of Antigone is by The Actors of Dionysus. Antigone is a set text for GCSE and A Level. The performance contains real drones. 7.30pm.
The Hunting of the Snark, Broadway Theatre, Weds 4 Oct
Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s poem, The Hunting of the Snark is a zingily colourful musical comedy. The Snark is currently on tour after leaving the West End and you can track it down in Letchworth on Wednesday. It’s had great reviews and the costumes alone will make you smile. 2pm and 4.30pm. Age 4 – 94.
Iona wine dinner, The Tilbury, Datchworth, Thurs 5 Oct
The Tilbury in Datchworth is firmly on the Herts’ good food map thanks to the creativity of chef and owner Tom Bainbridge. At the time of writing, there are a couple of places left for the Iona wine dinner on Thursday evening. The speaker and host is from the Iona producer, and Tom has created a 5-course menu inspired by South African cuisine. Tickets £65. Here is the menu.
Chocolate and wine tasting, Flagship Wines and Rock Pop Candy, St Albans, Thurs 5 Oct
Julia Jenkins of Flagship Wines is a wine expert extraordinaire with lashings of experience and a great sense of humour. She is joining forces for one night only with the confectionery crew of Rock Pop Candy on Holywell Hill. Who says chocolate and wine don’t mix? You’ll learn how to mix and match them until everything is a-tingle, not just your tastebuds. Ted from Chief Chocolate Officer will be there, along with Julia from Flagship Wines. 6-8pm. Tickets are £5 and they will be included in a raffle.
George Street Gin & Jazz, St Albans, Fri 6 Oct
As some of you will know, George Street is one of the most beautiful streets in St Albans with so many brilliant and special small shops and businesses that cleaned up in the Muddy awards this year. George Street Canteen won Best Cafe, Maison Hartley won best Interiors Store, Thirty Nine 10 won best Wine Merchant and Suckerpunch St Albans won Best Bar. Dylanskingsarms was a finalist for Best Pub and Cerimonia a finalist for Best Men’s Store. Wharton Goldsmith was a finalist for Best Jewellery Store. Oh, and Trinder Hair Studios, just around the corner, won Best Hair Salon. George Street has a wonderful spirit which is going to be celebrated on Fri 6 Oct, with gin, jazz and food. George Street will be car free and you’ll be able to pad about in bare feet on bright green grass.
Tring Eco Fair, Tring Baptist Church, Sat 7 Oct
The marvellously modest Andrei Lussmann is one of the speakers at the Tring in Transition event on Saturday. Andrei wins all kinds of awards for sustainable business practices at Lussmanns Restaurants and is a member of the Sustainable Restaurant Association and Food Made Good, but he tends to keep quiet about them most of the time. There will also be a talk by Bettina and Trevor of Gillyflower, the Berkhamsted flower growers who grow seasonal British blooms.
St Francis’ College, Letchworth, Open Morning, Sat 7 Oct
I went to visit St Francis’ College earlier this year and have been back a few times to various events, including the art show and also an evening of talks that were powerful and empowering. On Saturday 7 October, there’s an open morning, so this is your chance to have a look around. I should add that it’s a girls’ school, so you probably do need to go with someone who might one day be a student here. It’s a wonderful school that is very much part of the local Letchworth community.
May Morris: Art and Life, William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow, Sat 7 Oct – 28 Jan 2018
May Morris was the youngest daughter of William Morris, who was great friends with George Bernard Shaw. George Bernard Shaw lived in Hertfordshire for most of his life at Shaw’s Corner, which is open until the end of October. May Morris made a wide variety of work, including wallpaper, jewellery and embroidery. I don’t think the story of her work has been told before, and I’m looking forward to seeing this exhibition. E17 4PP
Jon Sopel, If Only They Didn’t Speak English, Notes from Trump’s America, Letchworth, Sun 8 Oct
This looks like a goody and a different kind of Sunday afternoon activity. Jon Sopel is a British journalist who has a unique insight into what goes on in North America. He’s travelled on Air Force One, interviewed President Obama at the White House, and has been eye to eye with President Trump. This is likely to sell out, so be quick! Tickets £6, redeemable if you buy the book. 3.30pm. The event is at the Spirella Ballroom. SG6 1GD
Apple Day, Tewin Orchard, Sun 8 Oct
Celebrate all things apple in Tewin. Activities for all: guided walks around the orchard, scavenger hunt for kids, experts to give advice on how to look after your own fruit trees and, as you’d expect on a Sunday afternoon, tea and cakes and apple juice to taste and buy. 12pm – 4.30pm. Toodle pip!
Why the Whales Came, Broadway Theatre, Sun 8 Oct
Danyah Miller is a force to be reckoned with. Combine her talent for storytelling with Michael Morpurgo‘s tale Why the Whales Came, and you’re in for a treat. The Broadway Theatre has a brilliant programme over the next few months and this is just one example of what we’ve got to look forward to. 3pm.
