‘Oh, go on’ and treat yourself to comedy this Father’s day
Father’s Day approaching this weekend, why not celebrate in style with one of TV’s most famous comedic fathers.
Welcome back to Craggy Island and the society of Father Ted and his fellow exiled priests in ‘A Celebration of Father Ted’ with Joe Rooney, who was in the original show alongside the late, great Dermot Morgan and who played a cynical, ‘super-cool’ priest.
The Hever Festival performance on Sunday starts with a screening of the episode ‘The Old Grey Whistle Theft’, in which Father Damien swaggers in to the society of exiles, calling himself ‘Damo’, smoking cigarettes, sneering at Catholicism, and tempting Father Dougal.
Yet by tempting priests who are already venal and selfish, the Father Damo character is far from just a walk-on part: he is part of their Purgatory and is thus essential to the comedy.
But Father Ted is not the only one thwarted and frustrated. Damo has his own ambitions – and they are foiled.
According to Joe: “Father Damo is always being thwarted.
“He wants to live an irresponsible life of playing football and video games, smoking and stealing whistles, but the grown-ups are always spoiling things for him.
“He stole a whistle, but so what? It’s only a bleedin’ whistle. Anyway, as Father Dougal said: ‘Father Damo is cool!’”
And Joe added: “Damo can’t wait to tempt the good folk of Hever.”
A Celebration of Father Ted with Joe Rooney is on at the Hever Festival this Sunday, June 19 at 8pm (Two Sisters’ Theatre).
On Stage & Screen
BAFTA winner, poet, writer, film and television producer Henry Normal graces Trinity Theatre for an evening of stories, jokes and poems this Sunday [June 19] at 7:30pm. Will this be your ‘Escape Place’ before the start of the working week?
On Thursday [June 16] Trinity Theatre is putting on a performance of Virginia Woolf’s ‘A Room of One’s Own’ with Rebecca Vaughan. Dyad Productions presents this twenty-first century take on Woolf’s exploration of the impact of poverty and sexual inequality in the twentieth century.
The much-loved Crawley family of the hit UK series Downton Abbey are going on a grand journey in ‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’. Trinity Theatre are showing the film at 8pm next Tuesday [21 June] with tickets starting at £9.
Have a laugh at one of the popular comedy nights hosted at the EM Forster Theatre (Tonbridge) this Friday [June 17] with tickets at £13, ages 16+. Performances from headliner Mark Simmons, support Rich Wilson and compère Russell Hicks. Doors open at 6:45pm.
Going Live
Mick Hucknall paints The Hop Farm Simply Red this Friday [17 June]. Formed in 1985 in Manchester, the band has had great success performing live over the years. The show starts at 5pm and will include special guests Lisa Stansfield and Yolanda Brown.
Also at the Hop Farm, East Sussex alt rock band Keane make a long-awaited return after a six-year break this Sunday, in concert with their album ‘Cause and Effect’. Doors open at 5.30pm and Keane will be joined by special guests Flyte and Michael Conryan.
This Saturday, Daft Funk, pay tribute to the infamous electronic music duo Daft Punk at The Forum. Daft Funk Live is open to all ages 16+, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult, from 7.30pm-11pm. Tickets start at £17.50.
The Forum’s Stable 2022 showcase events continue, on Monday and Tuesday nights at 7.30pm. The showcase aims to help smaller bands and artists build their audience and go on to play regular shows.
Monday’s lineup includes Crushed by Pimps from London offering a post-punk, prog rock and electronic music blend, Dead Deer’s Post-Hardcore music, Tunbridge Wells and Brighton-based band Fourth Grade and new band Hot Smoothie.
Tuesday’s featured bands included Molly Fletcher Hebden, Martha Lily. These Guilty Men, from Rochester wield their Richmond Fontaine, New Order and Echo and the Bunnymen influences. The Volunteered’s indie sound blends folk, rock, pop and psych.
Down for the Count Swing Orchestra brings the big band sound to Trinity Theatre this Friday [June 17], blaring and booming out the likes of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Glenn Miller, and vocal classics from singers such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat ‘King’ Cole.
Folk duo Spiers & Boden are back on the circuit, after releasing a new album in October 2021. Catch them at Trinity Theatre on Saturday [June 18] at 8pm.
Family Fun
Tunbridge Wells Operatic and Dramatic Society (TWODS) presents ‘Shrek the Musical’ with performances every day until Saturday [June 18]. Come along to The Assembly Hall and enjoy a family favourite with well-known songs like ‘I’m a Believer’. Based on the DreamWorks film, the evening shows begin at 7pm with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday.
The Tunbridge Wells Forum is hosting an Under 18s Open Mic Event this Thursday 16th 5pm-7pm. Everyone’s welcome to bring their own instruments or backing track. Sing your hearts out in a 10-minute time slot. Entry for under 18s is £3 and £5 for adults.
Treat your dad to a free beer with a roast dinner this Sunday, Father’s Day [June 19], at One Warwick Park’s STEAK restaurant. Book at OneWarwickPark.co.uk or at 01892 520 587.
Salomons Estate is also offering a free beer for dads during Sunday lunch this Father’s Day. Book by calling 01892 51 51 52 or email reception@salomons-estate.com. Dog friendly, too, with 36 acres of grounds to explore.
Treasure-hunt your way through The Amelia with the Family Trail this weekend, following the Henry Moore ‘thread’ and making your own drawings. There are colouring sheets inspired by local history for younger children. Tag @theamelia_tw on social media, with your drawings or pictures of your visit, for a chance to win a family theatre ticket to The Assembly Hall.
