Upcoming shows at Orchard Theatre

Orchard Theatre

We are delighted to bring you a new season of top-class entertainment at the Orchard Theatre, in the heart of Dartford. We really do have something for everyone, from spectacular musicals to thought provoking drama, hilarious comedy to live music and not forgetting the annual Pantomime…oh yes we do! Having wowed audiences across the UK since 2016, Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet makes its debut at the Orchard Theatre this new year with a spectacular production of Tchaikovsky’s perennial favourite, The Nutcracker. Under the expert direction of Marina Medvetskaya, this acclaimed company combines classical training and technique with outstanding soloists to entertain audiences in breath-taking style. A full orchestra complements the purity of the dancing and traditional staging, to bring a taste of imperial Russia to the UK. This spectacular new version of The Nutcracker, with stunning baroque designs, is a delightfully festive tale and the perfect treat for the whole family. Don’t miss this captivating production of The Nutcracker from Monday 3 - Wednesday 5 January. Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony and Olivier Award-winning, true-life phenomenon, Jersey Boys. They were just four guys from New Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect onstage, off stage it was a very different story—a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. From the streets of New Jersey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this is the musical that’s too good to be true. The show is packed with their hits, including Beggin’, Sherry, Walk Like A Man, December, 1963 (Oh What a Night), Big Girls Don’t Cry, My Eyes Adored You, Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got), Bye Bye Baby, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back to You, Fallen Angel, Rag Doll and Who Loves You. The phenomenal musical stops in Dartford from Tuesday 18 - Saturday 22 January. ‘Cats sit on mats, hares sit on chairs, mules sit on stools, gophers sit on sofas and frogs sit on logs’ Are you sitting comfortably? It’s a new day at Sittingbottom school and Frog is looking for a place to sit, but Cat has other ideas and Dog is doing as he’s told. Little do any of them know that chaos is coming.. Who knew there were so many rhyming rules and what will happen when Frog is in charge? Join Frog, Cat and Dog in this Olivier Award nominated stage adaptation of Kes Gray and Jim Field’s bestselling books. Expect songs, puppets, laughs and more rhymes than you can shake a chime at. Oi Frog & Friends! is created for the stage by Emma Earle, Zoe Squire, Luke Bateman and Richy Hughes. 55 minutes of fun for ages 3+ “This ZANY, SILLY, GOOD-NATURED show had my two and a half year old jumping out of his seat.” The Times “A WILD TIME for fans of RHYME.” The Guardian Visit Frog and friends in Oi Frog on Wednesday 26 - Sunday 30 January. A sold out hit in the West End, on its UK Tour, at the Sydney Opera House and reigning on Broadway, the multi Olivier Award nominated, international smash hit Six is the phenomenon everyone is losing their head over! From Tudor queens to pop princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII finally take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power. These Queens may have green sleeves but their lipstick is rebellious red. It’s time they told their story. Think you know the rhyme, think again….Divorced. Beheaded. LIVE! Don’t lose your head this January from Tuesday 25 - Sunday 30.

A pair of tickets for either Fri 14 or Sat 15 January Fat Friends - Fri 14 & Sat 15 January 2022

The “weight’ is over! Fat Friends - The Musical is back and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever! The show will be launching its tour at the Orchard Theatre starring West End and TV favourite, Lee Mead. Joining the previously announced Lee Mead as ‘Kevin’ will be Sherrie Hewson as ‘Julia’, Jessica Ellis as ‘Kelly’ and Les Dennis as ‘Fergus’. This hugely entertaining musical is based on the hit TV show Fat Friends, that starred James Corden and Ruth Jones. Created and directed by the brilliant award winning Kay Mellor, (In the Club, Girlfriends, Band of Gold), whose latest hit series of The Syndicate has just run on BBC One and with original music and songs by Nicholas Lloyd Webber, Fat Friends - The Musical reunites our favourite foodie friends as they are put through their Zumba paces at their local slimming club, whilst Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams. Kay Mellor said ‘I am thrilled with the amazing star cast we have assembled for our second outing of Fat Friends The Musical. Lee Mead and Jessica Ellis are fantastic performers and will be wonderful as Kevin and Kelly, and it’s great to be welcoming two iconic actors, Sherrie Hewson and Les Dennis who first worked together 40 years ago and are now reunited on stage’. This hilarious treat opens at the Orchard Theatre on Fri 14 & Sat 15 January and returns for second helpings from Mon 14 - Sat 19 March.

Fat Friends – The Musical stars which West End favourite actor? a) Lee Mead b) Michael Ball c) Michael Crawford

Email competition@dartfordliving.com by the 12th December to be in with a chance of winning.

RUES: 1. The winner(s) will be the first correct entry/entries drawn. 2. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 3. Prizes are as stated and no cash in lieu or an alternative prize will be offered.. 4. Winners will be notified by telephone by the Orchard, within 5 working days of the competition being drawn. 5. Employees and the immediate families of participating companies are ineligible to enter. 6. Closing date for the competition is stated above. 7. 7. All entries will be added to the Dartford Living mailing list to receive a copy of the magazine by email once a month. Please state when you enter the competition if you don’t wish to be added

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