Last week saw The Forum host ‘The Howl and The Hum’ featuring singer-songwriter Sam Griffiths, bassist Bradley Blackwell, drummer Jack Williams and guitarist Conor Hirons, as part of the Music Venue Trust’s #ReviveLive campaign, supporting live music in venues across the UK. The buy-one-get-one-free ticket deal is funded by the National Lottery (with proof of purchase of a lottery ticket).
Hawkhurst Kino cinema last week went back to 1938 in ‘Munich: the Edge of War’ in 1938, about a British civil servant and a German diplomat on their way to the famous historical conference, trying to avert war while Adolf Hitler was preparing to invade Czechoslovakia.
Taking to the Assembly Hall Theatre’s stage last Wednesday, was cheeky comedian Jimmy Carr and audiences, all too easy to offend these days, were warned in advance that his jokes were about the ‘terrible things that might have affected you or people you know and love,’ but they were ‘only jokes’.
This coming week will see something for everyone with the National Theatre’s production of Tom Stoppard’s play ‘Leopoldstadt’ being shown at Trinity Theatre, while folk sensation John Francis Flynn is live at The Forum, as are Welsh funsters Goldie Lookin’ Chain.
Here’s a glimpse of where to go and what to do over the next seven days…
On Stage & Screen
LOOKING at screens and stages big and small, The Times of Tunbridge Wells presents a selected guide to the week ahead.
A screening of Tom Stoppard’s play Leopoldstadt, originally filmed at the National Theatre, is a topical choice for the week of Holocaust Memorial Day (on Thursday). His play tells the story of an Austrian-Jewish family’s experience over 50 years from the turn of the century to World War II. Trinity Theatre. Thursday, 27 January, 7pm.
Also on the Holocaust theme, the 2002 Roman Polanski film The Pianist (15) tells the story of Jewish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman, played by Adrien Brody, hiding and trying to survive in wartime Warsaw. Rusthall Community Cinema & Film Society. Saturday, 29 January, 7pm.
West Side Story (12A) matinées. The Matrix Resurrections (15) evening showings. The King’s Man (15) evening showings. These films and more, at the Odeon.
For some light-hearted relief, comedian Katherine Ryan recently married her first love – ‘accidentally’, or so she says. We hope the show will explain HOW she went from denouncing “partnerships” to becoming a “Missus”! Assembly Hall, Saturday, 29 January, 8pm.
Going Live
WITH one of the best live music scenes in the South East, here is a round-up of some of the best bands and acts performing this week…
The RTE Folk Awards Best Singer & Best Emerging Artist of 2021, John Francis Flynn, is singing and playing folk songs at The Forum Basement, Sussex Arms Thursday, 27 January, 7.30pm.
Country fans nostalgic for classics from one-name-famous Johnny, June, Dolly and Hank, as well as Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Kacey Musgraves and Chris Stapleton, might like to mosey along to the Soul Street Productions Made In Tennessee gig. Assembly Hall. Friday, 28 January, 7.30pm.
Goldie Lookin’ Chain, the pranksters from Newport, Wales will play The Forum. Friday, 28 January, 7.30pm.
To make the music yourself, with an antipasti board (meat or vegetarian) to go with your cockney songs, head to Carradine’s Cockney Sing-a-long at the Green Duck Emporium, Grosvenor Rd, Friday, 28 January, 7-11pm. Tickets from Eventbrite.
Although they’ve appeared across cinema screens and gaming screens, the Dub Pistols will bring their dub artistry live to The Forum, Saturday, 29 January, 7.30pm.
Paul Dunton & Guests will present the Harry Whitty Band and the Rob Picazo Band at The Grey Lady Music Lounge, The Pantiles. Sunday, 30 January, 7-11pm.
Family Fun
WHETHER your family is young or old, big or small, there’s plenty to do both indoor and outdoor over the coming week – and some very active ideas too.
There’s a last chance to get ready for the town’s Lantern Parade in February, with this lantern-making workshop at Church of Christ, Commercial Rd. Saturday 29 January, 10-12.30pm. Participants are asked to make a small donation, to discourage no-shows. Tickets from Eventbrite.
Parkrun is an international weekly community event, free to enter, whether running the 5K or walking it. Dunorlan Park, Saturdays, 9am. Register at parkrun.org
From secondary age (over 11), why not try active stress release with Joe’s Bows, taking aim at targets with bows and crossbows, throwing axes and handling falcons? Penshurst Place, Thursdays to Sundays this winter. Tickets from Bookwhen.
For a slower pace, try guided mindful walks at Bedgebury Pinetum, Thursday, January 27, 11.15-12.15pm. Tickets from yoga guru lisawhitehouse.co.uk
