April 2018
The Man on the Moor, Old Town Hall, Hemel, Sat 7 April
This sounds great. It’s a monologue, written and performed by Max Dickins, that looks at how people come to disappear and the impact on those they leave behind. On 12 December 2015, an elderly looking gentleman was found dead on Saddleworth Moor. He was carrying no form of identification. Train tickets in his pockets showed he’d travelled 200 miles, apparently just to die. Despite a national campaign he remained unidentified.
The Jungle Book, Broadway Theatre, Mon 9 April
No need for explanation. Although this is a new production by Immersion Theatre with singalong catchy tunes and a chance to meet the characters after the show. And given the weather has been a bit dodgy so far, it’s the perfect afternoon activity for a Monday afternoon. 2.3opm.
Courtney Pine, Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden, Thurs 12 April
The king of British jazz sax! Courtney Pine will be playing music from his new album, Black Notes From The Deep. Be quick, this is bound to sell out. The words ‘living legend’ aren’t an overstatement.
Courtney Pine, Saffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4UH
Hope to Nope, Design Museum – until 12 August
This is a brand new exhibition and I’m really looking forward to seeing it. Discover how graphic design and technology have played a pivotal role in dictating and reacting to the major political moments of our times.
Katie Piper – What’s In My Head, Hertford Theatre, Fri 20 April
This is Katie Piper’s debut theatre tour to share what she has learned through adversity. Uplifting and powerful and full of positivity. 7.30pm.
Out of the Block: Henry Moore’s Carvings, Henry Moore Studios & Garden – until October
Happy days. One of my favourite places in Herts opens again for Easter and the summer season. There’s a wonderful new exhibition celebrating Moore’s carvings but you’ve also got wonderful gardens, sculptures galore, spring lambs running around bronzes, a fab new cafe, and you can also visit Henry Moore’s house. An inspiring day out for all.
A big day out with Peter Rabbit™, Kew Gardens, until Sun 15 April
The start of a new trail based on Peter Rabbit and other famous Beatrix Potter characters. More permanent pleasures include the tree top walk, the 17 metre tall Hive sensory experience, a 14,000 tree arboretum and the Palm House.
Rich Hall’s Hoedown, Broadway Theatre, Sat 21 April
There’ll be no shortage of material for Rich Hall when he steps on stage in Letchworth. But there’s more to his act than Trump. Improvised ballads and all the thigh-slapping, foot-stomping yee haa exuberance you could wish for. 7.30pm.
The Making of Harry Potter, Watford, until Sun 23 Sept
This WB Studio Tour company never runs out of new reasons to get families back to this paean to the boy wizard. A new special feature dedicated entirely to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth instalment of the magical film series, revealing secrets behind the characters, costumes and props that made it so special.
Kate Terry, A System of Parallels, Broadway Gallery, Letchworth, until Sun 22 April
This is a wonderful new exhibition by British artist Kate Terry and I urge everyone to go and see this. Kate Terry lives in London and she has created a thread installation for the gallery, that has to be experienced. There are also drawings and sculptures and lots of Farrow and Ball paint. Uplifting and colourful.
Broadway Gallery The Arcade, Letchworth, SG6 3EW
Barbara Hepworth: Finding Form, River & Rowing Museum, Henley, until 3 June
Now you can see Barbara Hepworth’s work without making a trip to Cornwall. Although I went to St Ives last October and sitting in Barbara Hepworth’s garden in the sun was complete bliss. This retrospective at the Rowing Museum covers the sculptor’s work from the 1930s to the 1960s, borrowing pieces from the Tate and National Portrait Gallery. A must-see.
Fly the Link trainer, De Havilland Museum, London Colney
You’ve always wanted to do this, haven’t you? Get into the LINK cockpit and fly? Produced to help to train pilots, it was used extensively during World War Two. You’ll have an instructor by your side who will guide you through the trainee pilot test.
The de Havilland Aircraft Museum Salisbury Hall, London Colney, AL2 1BU
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