Friday October 8 2021
7.30pm No Jacket Required – The Phil Collins Tribute: Trinity Theatre, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1JP
The UK’s top Phil Collins tribute act returns as part of ‘The Serious UK Tour’. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of ‘…But Seriously’, the 12-piece band will perform the album in its entirety, then the best of the rest from Phil Collins’ chart-topping career as a solo artist and with Genesis.
7.30pm Toploader plus guests The Polygons: The Forum, The Common, London Road, Tunbridge Wells TN4 8YU
Since forming in 1997, Toploader have over two million album sales to their name and a string of top 20 hits both home and abroad. Their debut album ‘Onka’s Big Moka,‘ sold over one million copies and remained in the Top 5 of the UK album chart for over six months earning them 4 Brit Award nominations. In 2000 the single ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ became a global hit, transforming the band into a household name.
8pm The Comedy Store: The Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2LU
Laugh a Minute: Maureen Younger, Mike Gunn, Marcus Brigstocke and Kate Barron
Enjoy great stand-up comedy from the monthly Comedy Store residency, tonight starring Marcus Brigstocke (QI, Live at The Apollo), Kate Barron (A Positive Spin,) and Mike Gunn (Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow) – all hosted by Maureen Younger (The Biggins & Lesley Show). 18yrs+
8pm My Last Supper: One meal, a Lifetime in the Making with Jay Rayner The EM Forster Theatre, High Street Entrance, Tonbridge School, Tonbridge TN9 1JP
Award-winning restaurant critic, MasterChef judge and writer Jay Rayner sets the scenario: Imagine you are about to die. You have one meal left. What are you going to have?
It’s the question he has been asked most often by audiences across the UK. So in a show based on his new book, Jay tells the stories of the killer dishes that would end up on his table – how he was introduced to oysters by his late mother, how he almost burnt down a hotel because of his love for snails in bubbling garlic butter, and the many ways by which the mighty pig has fed him over the years. Plus, he’ll get the audience to design their own last meal.
Films screening today at The Odeon, Knights Way, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW
No Time to Die (12A); The Addams Family 2 (PG); Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (12A); Poltergeist (15)
odeon.co.uk/cinemas/tunbridge-wells
Saturday October 9 2021
Online Sat Oct 9-Sun Oct 17: Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival – Red Rover (2020)
Short film, free to watch. A stop-motion sci-fi adventure. When a robotic rover starts drilling for signs of life on Mars, the race is on for one tiny rock-beast to save her native community from the invader from Earth.
Online Sat Oct 9-Sun Oct 17: Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival – The Lonely Sailor Weather Report
Short film, free to watch. An exploration into amphibious living at the edge, where radio signal and static meet. Age 12+ (Content Warning: Shows scenes of drowning)
The Pantiles Market: London Road, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5TN
10.30am Moth ID Event: The Hub Table 8, Grosvenor and Hilbert Park, Auckland Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2HU or Hilbert Road TN2 3SF
With Dr Ian Beavis. Go along any time during the morning to see the moths caught overnight in the trap.
From 10.30am Steam & Heritage Diesel Train Rides: Spa Valley Railway, West Station, Nevill Terrace, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5QY
From both Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge Stations.
11am, 2pm & 3.30pm Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival – Moose on the Moon: Five Ways entrance, Upper Mall, Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2SS
Rust & Stardust’s new show for toddlers and their families – a gentle, interactive musical adventure with beautiful handmade puppets, music and storytelling which also allows young ones to learn about sounds and the phases of the Moon.
After the performance, join the puppeteers for a workshop where children can make their own moon-moose puppet. Tickets £5, to include the workshop. Ages 3-8.
Times review: (out of five stars)
*****
12noon From Tonbridge to Tate: Exhibition of the life and work of Old Tonbridgian Anthony Whishaw, RA Old Big School Gallery, Tonbridge School, High Street, Tonbridge TN9 1JP
Constantly curious – a lifetime in paint. Discover more about an intriguing and influential figure who, at the age of 91, still paints daily. The exhibition includes several works that were created while Anthony Whishaw was at Tonbridge, including cartoons of staff and very early paintings that he has never exhibited publicly before. The artist hopes that his journey From Tonbridge to Tate will inspire others to embark on their own artistic journeys. No booking required. Open on various dates until Sun Nov 7.
tonbridge-school.co.uk & oldbigschoolgallery.co.uk
See also Guest of honour Anthony Whishaw, RA, presents art prize:
4pm Stick Man (also on Sunday): The Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2LU
Freckle Productions’ delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man is touching, funny and utterly original. What starts off as a morning jog becomes quite the misadventure for Stick Man – a dog wants to play fetch with him, a swan builds a nest with him, and he even ends up on a fire! How will he ever get back to the family tree?
This award-winning production from the team behind Zog features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and ‘funky moves’. Suitable for all ages
The book: Stick Man © 2008 Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Published by Alison Green Books, an imprint of Scholastic Children’s Books
assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
Times review: (out of five stars)
*****
A superb adventure for youngsters and adults alike! Brilliantly played with singing, dancing, a hula hoop, devious dogs and even a cartwheel. The ‘invisiball’ was genius when it came to everyone in the audience joining in, and we loved the clever snow umbrella, too. Not to mention the ‘grate’ surprise in the finale! The kids loved it. The last show is Sunday (October 10) at 4pm. Do catch it! assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk/
6pm Fiona Brown: Organ Recital: King Charles the Martyr Church, Nevill Street, Tunbridge Wells
6pm Indian Tasting Menu & Live Music with Jessica Louisa: The Spotted Dog, Smarts Hill, Penshurst, TN11 8EP
Try an Indian tasting menu created by chef Chandar, followed at 8pm by Jessica Louisa taking you through the music of the 50s, 60s and 70s to Motown and current chart hits.
Booking required for tasting menu.
7pm Film – The History Boys (2006): Rusthall Community Cinema, Sunnyside Hall, Rusthall Road, Rusthall TN4 8RA
7.30pm Dreadzone: The Forum, The Common, London Road, Tunbridge Wells TN4 8YU
Fast approaching their 30th anniversary, Dreadzone are an unstoppable force who have long been one of the best live bands around with their storming live performances. Dreadzone opened the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 1994 and began to bring their unique blend of electro, dub and reggae to a wider audience, going on to chart several singles including their Top 20 hit ‘Little Britain’.
7.45pm Live at The Hive – Magic of Motown & Gourmet Burger Boogie Night: The Hive, 19 Stone Street, Cranbrook TN17 3HF
With The Fireflies. Prize for best Motown outfit of the evening.
Films screening today at The Odeon, Knights Way, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW
No Time To Die (12A); The Addams Family 2 (PG); Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (12A); Free Guy (12A); Candyman (15); Paw Patrol: The Movie (U); Jungle Cruise (12A); Spirit Untamed (U); The Croods 2: A New Age (U); The Met Opera Live: Boris Godunov; The Rocky Horror Picture Show (12A)
odeon.co.uk/cinemas/tunbridge-wells
Sunday October 10 2021
The Pantiles Market: London Road, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5TN
9.30am Tonbridge Farmers’ Market: Sovereign Way, Tonbridge
With over 35 stalls most months, a Demonstration Kitchen, covered eating area and plenty of fresh local produce.
10am The 10th Tonbridge Half Marathon: The Judd School, Brook Street, Tonbridge TN9 2PW
Raising money for charities supported by the Rotary and Lions clubs.
10.30am, 1.30pm & 4pm Stick Man: The Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2LU
For details, see Saturday above
Times review: (out of five stars)
*****
A superb adventure for youngsters and adults alike! Brilliantly played with singing, dancing, a hula hoop, devious dogs and even a cartwheel. The ‘invisiball’ was genius when it came to everyone in the audience joining in, and we loved the clever snow umbrella, too. Not to mention the ‘grate’ surprise in the finale! The kids loved it. The last show is today (Sunday October 10) at 4pm. Do catch it! assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk/
From 10.30am Steam & Heritage Diesel Train Rides: Spa Valley Railway, West Station, Nevill Terrace, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5QY
From both Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge Stations.
12noon Children’s Workshop at From Tonbridge to Tate: Old Big School Gallery, Tonbridge School, High Street, Tonbridge TN9 1JP
Inspired by the environmental themes in Anthony Whishaw’s work, and to celebrate the upcoming COP26 UN Climate Conference, this fun and experimental free workshop offers the chance to use recycled and reused materials to create a prototype for a machine that can help clean and save our planet. What machine would your child invent? Suitable for age 4+. No booking required
3.30pm Fabulous Fables: King Charles the Martyr Church, Nevill Street, Tunbridge Wells
Afternoon family concert.
7.30pm Billie Marten and Guests: The Forum, The Common, London Road, Tunbridge Wells TN4 8YU
Billie made a name for herself built on minimalist acoustic folk. Her new album, Flora Fauna, tells a story of personal growth and what it takes to flourish. “If the album was a painting, it would look like flora and fauna to me, it encompasses every organism, every corner of Earth, a feeling of total abundance.”
Films screening today at The Odeon, Knights Way, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW
No Time To Die (12A); The Addams Family 2 (PG); Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (12A); Free Guy (12A); Paw Patrol: The Movie (U); Jungle Cruise (12A); Spirit Untamed (U); The Croods 2: A New Age (U); The Many Saints of Newark (15)
odeon.co.uk/cinemas/tunbridge-wells
Monday October 11 2021
Mon Oct 11-Sun Oct 17 Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival – An Exhibition of Puppets: Various locations in Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2SS
A free event by Astrid Goldsmith, Mock the Duck Studios, whose latest film, ‘Red Rover’, can be seen online at twpuppetryfestival.org
7.30pm Stable 2021: The Forum, The Common, London Road, Tunbridge Wells TN4 8YU
A showcase of artists from the Kent and East Sussex area to support new music, tonight featuring The Act, The Harlequins, The Lots and The Right Times.
Films screening today at The Odeon, Knights Way, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW
No Time To Die (12A); The Addams Family 2 (PG); Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (12A) Hocus Pocus (PG); The Many Saints of Newark (15)
odeon.co.uk/cinemas/tunbridge-wells
Tuesday October 12 2021
2pm & 8pm Film – The Last Bus (12A): Trinity Theatre, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1JP
A heartwarming tale in which Timothy Spall stars as Tom, an elderly man in John O’Groats whose wife has just passed away. He uses only local buses on a nostalgic trip to carry her ashes to the other end of the UK to Land’s End, where they originally met, using his free bus pass. Unbeknownst to Tom, his journey begins to capture the imagination of the local people that he comes across and, ultimately, becomes a nationwide story.
6.10pm Exhibition On Screen – Raphael Revealed: The Odeon, Knights Way, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW
A documentary screened to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Italian master painter Raphael – a giant of the Renaissance. In Rome, the filmmakers gained exclusive access to the greatest exhibition ever held of his works. With over 200 masterpieces, including paintings and drawings – over 100 of which were brought together for the first time – it shows the breadth of Raphael’s skill, creativity and ingenuity.
7.30pm The Skints: The Forum, The Common, London Road, Tunbridge Wells TN4 8YU
London four-piece band The Skints have clawed their way up from the depths of the underground punk/ska scene to become a unique fixture on the global reggae stage. Their brand of ‘tropical punk’ has seen them evolve in to one of the hardest working and most respected bands in UK music.
Films screening today at The Odeon, Knights Way, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW
No Time To Die (12A); The Addams Family 2 (PG); Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (12A); Hocus Pocus (PG); Exhibition on Screen: Raphael Revealed (PG) – see above; Poltergeist (15); The Many Saints of Newark (15)
odeon.co.uk/cinemas/tunbridge-wells
