Check out what’s on the agenda for Essex this November from theatre productions to Christmas Fair’s!
THEATRE
Ghost Stories by Candlelight
3 November
Monks Barn, Harlow
Written by Kelly Jones, Shamser Sinha and Nicola Werenowsk, with music and songs composed by Georgia Shackleton, Ghost Stories by Candlelight is heading on an East of England tour and visits Marlow this month starring Katie Cherry, Elizabeth Crarer and Loren O’Dair. Gather close for a candlelit evening of chilling, contemporary tales, and haunting new folk music from the ‘Witch Counties’ of East Anglia. What happens when the ghosts of the past creep up on us today?
EVENT
Wedding Show
12 November
Chelmsford City Racecourse
The perfect precursor to Absolutely’s mini wedding special later in this issue, here’s a reminder of your chance to visit the largest wedding show in Essex. Expect over 100 stands including venues, live entertainment, food and drink to enjoy and much more, including of course inspiration for brides-to-be, plus the businesses who will make your big day extra special.
EVENT
Essex County Christmas Fair
17-19 November
Layer Marney Tower
The Essex County Christmas Fair 2023 is taking place at the breath-taking Layer Marney Tower with stalls situated in the magnificent Essex Barn, The Long Gallery, heated shopping marquees and outside in the beautiful grounds. Get ahead of the crowds and find unique gifts, all the while enjoying festive food and drink to get you into the spirit nice and early.
EVENT
Owls by Candlelight
19 November
Hedingham Castle
During this fantastic candlelit encounter, you will witness a variety of owls and experience these beautiful birds demonstrating their natural abilities. The evening will begin with a welcome by the team of expert falconers, who will guide you throughout the duration of the experience. You will then have the chance to meet the feathered members of the flying team, where you will have the opportunity not just to hold, but to also fly the owls. Enjoy learning about each bird’s habitat, prey and their survival in the wild, together with their individual characters.
THEATRE
Jack and the Beanstalk
18 November–6 January 2024
Stratford East
Welcome to Splatford! Jack lives here with his cow, Winnie The Moo, and his mum, Milky Linda. The town is home to a magical marsh full of healing mud, which Jack and his pals spend their days mining. But there’s a BIG problem: Giant Belch. He dominates Splatford from the sky – stealing the mud, charging outrageous rents and polluting the air with his burps. One odd shepherd, a handful of beans and an unexpected beanstalk later, Jack is on a life-changing journey.
MUSIC
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
24 November
Cliffs Pavilion
Following on from the huge success of her 2022 Kitchen Disco Tour in which she brought her lockdown online sensation from her kitchen to sold-out stages across the country, Sophie Ellis-Bextor has announced a very special Christmas Kitchen Disco tour for 2023. The tour will feature hits from throughout Sophie’s career, as well as some very festive classics, all in Sophie’s own seasonal disco style.
Settle down
News on Jack Whitehall’s return to Colchester this month
Colchester Events is delighted to announce that international comedy superstar, Jack Whitehall, is to bring his brand new live comedy show, Settle Down, to Colchester’s Charter Hall on 7 November. Following three complete sell-out arena tours, Jack is eager to get back on the road doing what he does best – delighting audiences!
Jack says: “This is my most personal show yet, with plenty of material about the big changes that have happened in my life. It’s about my struggle to settle down gracefully. I’ve got a long-term partner, a ridiculous dog and am now hurtling towards middle aged without a clue. It’s about a foppish man-child’s cack-handed attempt at adulting!”
It took just 40 minutes for tickets to Jack Whitehall’s ‘Warming Up’ show at Charter Hall’s 1,200-seat venue to sell out in March 2023. Colchester audiences who enjoyed the rare opportunity to see Jack test drive his new material will now get the chance to come back and see his highly anticipated new live show.
For more information and to book tickets visit colchester-events.co.uk/event/jack-whitehall-settle-down
