NOW at the Local Theatres

NOW at the

20 Local Theatres Maltings Arts Theatre Ladies Day 2nd -4th April 8pm & 4th April 3pm A comedy set in Yorkshire in 2005: the year in which Royal Ascot relocated to York racecourse. Focusing on four fish factory workers, for whom life is one hard slog, until the day they get tickets to Ladies’ Day at the races. £13.50, £11.50 Meet Me At Dawn 16th -18th & 23rd -25th April Two women wash up on a distant shore following a violent boating accident. Dazed by their experience, they discover that this unfamiliar land is not what it seems. £13.50, £11, £7.50 The Maltings Arts Theatre, St Albans AL1 3HL www.maltingsartstheatre.co.uk Abbey Theatre Seussical The Musical 2nd -4th April 7.30pm & 4th April 2.30pm Based on the stories of Dr Seuss, and narrated by The Cat in the Hat, this imaginative musical features wellknown characters such as Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz and Mayzie La Bird. Join Jojo on his adventures to Whoville in the Land of the Whos, a microscopic planet on a speck of dust. Building the Wall 24th, 25th & 28th -30th April / 1st & 2nd May 8pm 26th April 2.30pm America, 2019. The President is impeached, a wall has been built on the border with Mexico and Rick is in prison awaiting sentence for the crime of the century. He grants just one interview to Gloria, an African American historian. As this extraordinarily relevant new play unfolds, the truth is chillingly and inevitably exposed - or is it? Abbey Theatre, St Albans AL1 2DL www.abbeytheatre.org.uk 01727 857861 The Sandpit Theatre Thoroughly Modern Millie 4th April 7pm Overture Performing Arts take you back to the jazz age in New York in this high-spirited musical, when "moderns," including a flapper named Millie, were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce and rewriting the rules of love. £12, £10 Film: In Search of Haydn 5th April 3pm This biographical account of Haydn’s life is a visual and aural extravaganza, including performances by some of the world’s most celebrated musicians. £10 Easter in Art 12th April 3pm See the story of Christ’s death and resurrection which has dominated western culture for over 2000 years depicted by the greatest artists in history. £5 Live Cinema: 42nd Street 28th April 7pm A beautiful revival of an American classic with Bonnie Langford, Tom Lister, Clare Halse and Philip Bertioli. Featuring iconic songs, We’re In The Money, Dames and I Only Have Eyes For You. Filmed live at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. £13.50, £10 The Sandpit Theatre, St Albans AL4 9NX www.sandpittheatre.co.uk Trestle Arts Base Theatre Do Not Disturb 9th April Based on the true story of a cast member who had an accident and is in a coma. Trying to get through to him, his mum puts Fawlty Towers on his headphones, and his unconscious mind goes into overdrive. The result is singing sheep and French waiters, all set in a hotel which holds one big secret as well as numerous doors where nothing appears impossible. £10, £6 Trestle Arts Base, St Albans AL4 0JQ www.freewheelerstheatre.co.uk High Street Methodist Church Still Life 16th -18th April 8pm The play by Noel Coward, that Brief Encounter was based on, performed by the High Street Players. £10 from the Church office or www.hsplayers.org.uk High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden AL5 2RU The Barn Theatre City of Tomorrow 24th April -2nd May 100 years of England -comic, tragic, farcical and thrilling -seen through the history of the Garden City. Two kids from either side of the tracks, meet and as they quarrel, banter and flirt their way round the landmarks of their birthplace, the ghosts of the past century come alive. The Barn Theatre, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6ST www.barntheatre.co.uk

Eggs, Lambs & Dragons

St Albans Clock Tower 10th April 10.30am - 10.45am Every Good Friday the Mayor of St Albans opens the Clock Tower. Pausing by the front door holding the replica, Victorian, solid iron, 7lb ceremonial key and walking over the threshold as the first visitor of the season. The Clock Tower is then open every weekend and bank holiday until the last Sunday of September.

High Street, St Albans AL3 4EL

Easter Egg Hunt 10th April 1pm -4 pm In its 6th year, this is an afternoon of family fun has an egg hunt for the toddlers and a challenge for the over 5’s both with a chocolatey prize. There’s also a cafe, a bar, glitter tattoos and a craft activity.

Harpenden Cricket Club, Southdown Road, Harpenden AL5 1PG

Hatfield House Exhibition: Lord Burghley 4th April -27th Sept Elizabeth I learned of her accession to the throne when living at Hatfield. She ruled for over 40 years and at her side for most of that time was William Cecil, Lord Burghley. This exhibition celebrates his achievements and legacy on the 500th anniversary of his birth. Easter Bunny Park Trail 4th April 10.30am - 12 noon Follow the trail on the Woodland Walks and find the coloured wooden bunnies, put your answer sheet into the box ready for the winners to be announced at a later date. Tudor Legacies: Meet the Six Wives of Henry VIII 5th April 11am -4pm A chance to interact and engage with the ‘Real Housewives Of Hampton Court’. Find out what it was like to be married to one of history’s most infamous kings, as the six wives regale you with their experiences in a royal court full of scandal, intrigue and beheadings.

Hatfield House AL9 5HX www.hatfield-house.co.uk

British Schools Museum Walk: Around Edward Bulwer-Lytton Country 4th April 10am -1pm A 4/5 mile walk from Old Knebworth to Graffidge Wood and the Keeper’s Cottage, with local historian and writer, Mike Clarke. £7 please book Talk: Charles Dickens & Edward Bulmer-Lytton –a Literary Bromance 7th April 7.30pm A talk by Clare Fleck and Henry Lytton-Cobbold of Knebworth House on the remarkable story of two of the greatest Victorian writers. £5 please book Walk: Along Edward Thomas' Icknield Way: 18th April 10am - 1pm Edward Thomas (1878-1917) was a poet who wrote extensively on travel. An obsessive walker from childhood, he loved the solitude and natural beauty of the pathways of southern England. £7 please book

British Schools Museum, Hitchin SG4 9TS www.britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk

BerkoBeerFest 25th April 12 noon - 11pm Back for its 6th Festival, with lots more beer, music and comedy. 48 cask and keg beers from local breweries and over 12 ciders. Come and enjoy the day!

Berkhamsted Cricket Club HP4 1HE

Ashridge Estate Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 6th -9th April 10am - 4pm £3 10th -13th April 10am - 4pm £5 Stretch your legs and learn about some amazing nature, complete the Easter trail and receive a chocolate egg at the end. Easter Crafts 14th -17th April 10am - 4pm Make a nature-themed craft at the visitor centre. £2 Gentle Stroll -Signs of Spring 15th April 10.30am -12.30pm A volunteer led walk looking for spring wildlife. Meet at the visitor centre. £3 18th & 19th April 10am -1pm & 2pm -5pm 20th April 2pm -5pm Watercolour Workshops Join local artist Niki Bell to paint the famous bluebells. Materials and refreshments provided. Please book, adult £35 Dockey Wood Bluebells 25th & 26th April & 2nd, 3rd & 8th -10th May 10am - 4pm Learn more about this special woodland and its bluebells. The wood is free to enter at other times. £3, child £1 30th April & 9th May 6pm - 7.30pm Blissful Bluebells Walk Join mindfulness coach Michelle Ryan for a relaxing walk among the bluebells in the evening light. Please book £8, child £5

Ashridge Estate, Nr Berkhamsted HP4 1LT www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Royal Gunpowder Mills Walking Tour 18th April Described by Historic England as the ‘most important site for the history of explosives in Europe’. The remarkable and beautiful landscape chronicles the development of explosives, propellants and rocket motors and fuels from the Civil War to the Cold War, including rare surviving WW1 factory buildings, and intriguing structures and earthworks. The Royal Gunpowder Mills is a Scheduled Monument with over 20 listed buildings, and is also designated a site of Special Scientific Interest for its wildlife. Its alder woodland is undergoing conservation, and the site features a unique three level industrial canal system (now mostly dry). Refreshments will be provided.

Waltham Abbey EN9 1JY www.royalgunpowdermills.com

Heartwood Forest Walk: Heartwood Geology and Landscape 5th April 11am -12.30pm A 2km walk taking in the top 10 selected events in geological and human history which have dramatically changed and shaped the landscape at Heartwood. Please book Heartwood -SOB Photo Walk 23rd April 10am -12pm As part of the 'Save our Bluebells' campaign, enjoy this walk to photograph the bluebells at their best with two experienced photographers. Please book

www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/events

Chiltern Open Air Museum Easter Lambing 10th -13th April 10am -5pm Take part in fun family crafts, Easter trails and activities. Meet the gorgeous spring Oxford Down lambs, explore the traditional farm and lambing fold and learn about lambing traditions of the Victorian Chilterns. St George and the Dragon 25th & 26th April 10am - 5pm Celebrate St George's Day with a weekend of knight and dragon inspired fun. Be enthralled and entertained by a magical mounted masquerade. A ripping yarn of good and evil full of mayhem, myth, mystery, fighting and romance and, of course, the Dragon. Take part in a dragon trail, dragon inspired crafts, meet St George and take a selfie with a real, armoured knight.

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4AB www.coam.org.uk

Lambing Days 4th, 5th, 10th -13th, 18th & 19th April 10.30am - 4pm See a modern sheep farm at work, with over 2000 sheep to give birth, it’s a great chance to see lambs being born, taking those first few steps and suckling their mothers for the first time. There will also be pony rides, sheep shearing, tractor and trailer rides and wool spinning. Please wear wellies if the weather’s bad.

Watergate Farm, Hockliffe LU7 9LN www.watergatefarmturkeys.com