Category: News

For more information about times and performances, contact the box office on 01342 302000

Quick guide – for more details see below.

November 1-3 at 7.30pm: Gala Olde Tyme Music Hall 

Matinee on Saturday 3 November at 2.30pm

November 8 at 5pm and 8pm:The Vienna Festival Ballet presents Coppelia

November 9 at 8pm: Classic Clapton

November 11 at 7.30pm: Conchord presents East Grinstead’s Royal Poppy Appeal Concert   

November 12 at 7.30pm: Winter Wonderland

November 14 at 7pm: Rotary Youth Speaks    

November 16 at 7.30pm: Roy Orbison and Friends with Barry Steele   

November 17 at 7.45pm:The Ultimate Tribute to the Sensational 70s 

November 21 – 24 at 7.45pm plus Saturday matinee at 2.30pm: All Shook Up

November 26 at 7.30pm:  Ariel Drama Academy – Crawley Showcase           

November 27 at 7.30pm: Marks and Kennard

November 29 from 7pm: Jazz Café   

November 30 at 6.30pm: Pirouette Performers with Around the World in 60 minutes

Gala Olde Tyme Music Hall: 1 – 3 November, plus Saturday matinee

THE Company of Friends’ infamous Olde Time Music Hall returns, despite popular demand, for a special fundraising event in aid of Chequer Mead. There’s a multitudinous cast of comedic genius, Gaiety Girls, titillating terpsichory and dramatis personae, with a prize for the best dressed Olde Tymers.

All proceeds to Chequer Mead.

Why not book an old time supper before the show by calling the Cuisine Studio 01342 324860.

Tickets £14/concessions £12.50

The Vienna Festival Ballet presents Coppelia: 5pm/8pm on 8 November

A production in traditional style of this well-loved ballet, danced to the music of Delibes: a light-hearted story to appeal to the whole family, about an eccentric toy-maker who makes a wonderfully lifelike mechanical doll.

Tickets: £18.50/ concessions for pensioners and students £16.50/ children under 14 £12.50.

Classic Clapton: 9 November 9 at 8pm

CLASSIC Clapton features front-man Mike Hall, who not only looks like Eric, but sings and plays guitar like him too in a two hour journey though his greatest hits including Wonderful Tonight, I Shot the Sheriff, Lay Down Sally, Crossroads, Tears in Heaven and Layla.

Tickets £15/ concessions £13.

Conchord Big Band presents East Grinstead Royal Poppy Appeal Concert: 11 November at 7.30pm

CONCHORD Big Band in concert for the East Grinstead Branch of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal

Tickets £15/concessions £13.

Sue Flight presents Winter Wonderland: 13 November at 7.30pm

A magical evening of seasonal floral art in aid of East Grinstead Mental Health.  A Christmas demonstration by renowned Chelsea prize winner Sue, with ideas to create at home for Christmas.

All tickets £10.

Rotary Youth Speaks: 14 November at 7pm

PUBLIC Speaking Competition for local schools, East Grinstead Area local heat. Run by the Rotary Club.

Admission free

Roy Orbison and Friends with Barry Steele: 16 November at 7.30pm

BARRY Steele presents his spectacular Tribute show featuring classic Orbison hits plus the sounds of The Shadows, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Tickets £17.50

The Jackie Generation presents The Ultimate Tribute to the Sensational 70s: 17 November at 7.45pm

A live show which will include the ‘pin-up’ pop of The Osmonds, David Essex David Cassidy & Sweet, The Carpenters, Abba and songs from ‘Grease’.

Tickets £15/ concessions £13.

Table9 Productions and MM Musicals presents All Shook Up:

21-24 November at 7.45pm, plus Saturday matinee at 2.30pm

THE smash-hit musical comedy direct from Broadway, inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley, and a plot that fuses some of Shakespeare’s finest lines.

Into a square little town in a square little state rides a guitar-playing roustabout who changes everything and everyone he meets in this hip-swiveling, musical fantasy featuring over 20 Elvis Presley hits.

Tickets £15/ concessions £13.50.

Ariel Drama Academy – Crawley Showcase: Monday 26 November at 7.30pm

ARIEL Drama Academy (Crawley) presents an evening of Song, Drama, and Dance, celebrating the Academy’s work throughout the year, joined by the Ariel Musicality Choir.

Tickets £10

MK Entertainment presents On the Other Hand…Marks and Kennard: 27 November at 7.30pm in the Pavilion

MUSICAL Comedy duo Marks and Kennard return for one night only, by popular demand. Live entertainment the way it used to be – under-rehearsed.  Book early to ensure disappointment.

Tickets £12/concessions £10. Free glass of wine and nibbles.

Cuisine Studio presents Jazz Café: 29 November from 7pm

ENJOY the best of live Jazz combined with Cuisine Studio’s finest bistro menus at their monthly regular Jazz Café. Reserve a table in advance by calling Mandy, Roger or Paul on 01342 324860.

Entry £5.

Pirouette Performers presents Around the World in 60 minutes:

30 November at 6.30pm

Tickets £8/concessions £6.

Book now for Cinderella

TICKETS are already flying out fast for this year’s panto at Chequer Mead which will be the familiar rags-to-riches tale of Cinderella. The most popular and romantic pantomime of them all, Cinderella will be brought magically to life by a superb cast, an abundance of comedy, stunning sets and costumes, and fabulous special effects in a Christmas-long programme with times to suit all the family.

Book early to avoid disappointment.

Performances:

• Friday 21 December at 5:30pm (limited availability)
• Saturday 22 December at 1:30pm
• Saturday 22 December at 5:30pm
• Sunday 23 December at 1:30pm
• Sunday 23 December at 5:30pm
• Monday 24 December at 11:00am
• Monday 24 December at 2:30pm (limited availability)
• Thursday 27 December at 1:30pm
• Thursday 27 December at 5:30pm
• Friday 28 December at 1:30pm
• Friday 28 December at 5:30pm
• Saturday 29 December at 1:30pm
• Saturday 29 December at 5:30pm
• Sunday 30 December at 11:00am
• Sunday 30 December at 2:30pm

Tickets: £15.00

Pensioners: £13.50

Wheelchairs: £13.50

Children: £13.50

Students: £13.50

Family Ticket: £54.00 (Two adults, two children)

Cuisine Studio: Pre-theatre meals are available for this show at Cuisine Studio, our in-house restaurant. To book a table, call 01342 324860.

COUNCILLORS are asking the town’s children for their opinions about the Neighbourhood Plan which will dictate the development of East Grinstead over the coming 20 years.

“Children currently at school in the town will grow up while the Neighbourhood Plan is being implemented, and will have to live with the consequences of whatever is decided, so it is important they have a voice,” said Cllr Bob Mainstone.

The six town councillors on the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group will be liaising with all the local schools and with the East Grinstead Youth Council to canvas the younger generation’s opinions.

Cllr Bob Mainstone, a retired teacher with many years service at both Sackville and Imberhorne, is leading the initiative, and has already started work with the first primary school pupils.

“We want to give students the opportunity to express their views and to suggest ways East Grinstead could be improved in the future.

“We are asking them to imagine what their lives might be like in 20 years time and what their needs might be – and they have been quick to point out what will be important to them and what the town will need to help them lead those lives.”

All the students who take part will be asked to record what they like and dislike about the town, and what improvements they would like to see.

“We have so far worked with Student Councils at  Estcots, Blackwell and The Meads, and received wholehearted participation from the children.

“The student ages range from five to ten and the older children help record the ideas and opinions which are expressed.  It is vital that all the ideas we gather come from the children themselves and we avoid making any suggestions which could influence them.”

The results of the primary children’s contribution to the Neighbourhood Plan will be made available to the public once all the town’s schools have been involved.

The next stage will be to engage with the sixth form students at Imberhorne and Sackville who will be asked to take part in a more advanced consultation.

“In many ways the children’s opinions we have already gathered reflect those we have received from local adults but expressed from a child’s point of view.

“For example when discussing the range of shops in East Grinstead children might comment on a lack of toy shops while adults are more concerned about clothing shops.”

CHEQUER Mead theatre marked its 15th birthday last month with the arrival of its one millionth visitor.

The one million people who have poured through the doors of the community theatre and arts centre over the past 15 years include the many children who have come to playgroups, classes, workshops and rehearsals, or to take part in annual school productions and presentations.

Others belong to the many community groups who use Chequer Mead for exhibitions, youth theatre, and classes including Zumba, belly and tap dancing, choir rehearsals and karate, or who have taken part in other activities from meetings to conferences.

East Grinstead resident Mrs Judy Ross, who arrived ahead of friends for last month’s production of Calendar Girls walked through the doors to be greeted by a rousing chorus of cheers from patrons who had already gathered to see the Friday night performance.

Then Town Mayor Liz Bennett and the new centre manager Nick Byrne presented Mrs Ross with a bouquet, donated by local florist Zara Flora, and a bottle of celebratory bubbly given by H T White.

Mrs Ross, who was completely surprised, quipped “my friends will be furious that I arrived first!”

A regular theatre-goer, Mrs Ross described the community centre as “a terrific asset in a small town”, and said she had enjoyed “a great many wonderful productions” at Chequer Mead.

Nick Byrne said: “We now need to ensure that the centre and its theatre is ready for the next 1,000,000 visitors, by refurbishing the auditorium, and by continuing to develop Chequer Mead as a hub for the whole town community.”

* Chequer Mead is launching a fundraising programme to pay for a £60,000 refurbishment.

The two-stage programme will start by offering seat sponsorship at £100 a time, which will allow theatregoers and local businesses the opportunity to play a permanent part in the continued success of the town’s community arts centre. 

MICHAEL Spencer, who is back in a frock again this Christmas playing one of the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella at Chequer Mead, has been moonlighting as an extra on the latest Bond movie Skyfall.

Michael, who has appeared in many films and TV programmes, can be spotted as a backgound artist during a high speed chase across London.

“It’s all a bit different to rehearsing panto,” says Michael, who lives in East Grinstead, “but in the breaks between filming I’ve managed to run through some of the Cinderella script. Of course I’m actually hoping to be the next Bond Girl – so I am going to do my damndest to ensure Daniel Craig doesn’t clap eyes on our lovely Cinderella.”

* The panto will be at Chequer Mead from Friday 21 December to Sunday 30th December.

“Just like 007, we’ve got a superb cast, comedy, stunning sets and fabulous special FX,” said Michael. “Not sure about a car chase – but the transformation scene will be amazing.”

Tickets are available from the Chequer Mead Box office on 01342 302000.

TOWN Mayor Liz Bennett attended the opening of the new squash club at East Grinstead Sports Club with the chairman of Mid Sussex District Council Mandy Thomas-Atkin.

TOWN Mayor Liz Bennett attended the launch of the first-ever Euro Hockey competition at the town hockey club, which celebrates its 115th birthday this year

EVENTS celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in East Grinstead raised £2,400.25 which has now been distributed to town charities as follows:

• East Grinstead Lions: £500
• Meridian Radio: £500
• CVS: £300
• East Grinstead Athletics Club: £200
• East Grinstead Macular Group: £200
• Opportunity Play Group: £200
• Pets as Therapy: £200
• Town Museum: £150
• Rotary Club towards the cost of the town Christmas tree this December: £150.25

Town Mayor Liz Bennett presents a Cheque to the town swimming club

TOWN Council PR Geraldine Durrant is celebrating the release of her latest book, Pirate Gran and the Monsters.

Published by the National Maritime Museum, it is the third adventure of Geraldine’s feisty heroine Pirate Gran, who may have given up a life of crime, but still keeps a crocodile underneath her bed, and finds time to get up to mischief with her old shipmates Fingers O’Malley, Black Hearted Jack and Cut Throat Malone.

“I’ve been incredibly lucky,” said Geraldine. “The books have now been published in Australia, Canada and –  in both Spanish and Catalan –  in Spain.

“And the first two titles in the series – Pirate Gran and Pirate Gran goes for Gold –  are currently being adapted for the stage as an Arts Council project by the Scamp theatre company .

“Scamp specialises in children’s literature and has already adapted books by children’s laureates Michael Morpurgo and Julia Donaldson, so I am as surprised as I am delighted to find myself in such august company.”

The original Pirate Gran was the winner of a BBC short story competition to promote literacy and encourage parents and grandparents to read to their children, and it was the BBC who introduced Geraldine to artist Rose Forshall who has illustrated all three of her pirate books.

Their appearance on BBC London News to talk about the winning story was spotted by the National Maritime Museum who commissioned a longer version for publication.

“Rose is young enough to be my daughter but we work really well together and share the same rather quirky sense of humour.

“I knew from the first moment I saw Gran on paper that Rose had really captured what she was all about and I love the way she works all sorts of visual jokes into the illustrations. She’s absolutely brilliant!

“Our latest book was actually inspired by my little granddaughter Alice who ran into the sitting room one day screaming that there was a  ‘great big ‘normous spider’ in the kitchen.

“When my husband bravely went out to deal with it, he found it wasn’t a spider at all but a dried tomato stalk! So the book is all about the very silly pirate crew of the Black Barnacle  and the miseries they endure when their imaginations run riot.

“They think the terrible roaring they can hear from the sitting room is a monster, but it turns out only to be Grandpa snoring…while the gorilla in the cupboard is actually Pirate Gran’s fur coat. Gran of course sorts everything out satisfactorily and by the end of the book the pirates are brave enough to go to bed with the lights off.”

The two are currently collaborating on a new project, and Geraldine has a book featuring two very badly behaved grannies due out next year – although her new heroines are strictly landlubbers.

“They do say you should write about what you know, so my naughty grannies are largely autobiographical,” she laughed.

THE ladies of the ACE Theatre Company bared their souls – and their assets –  in a production of Calendar Girls at Chequer Mead last week.

The fictionalised film version of how members of a Yorkshire Women’s Institute raised millions of pounds for Leukaemia Research by posing nude for a calendar won numerous accolades including the British Comedy Award.

And the recent release of the amateur performing rights means that this immensely likeable romp is now enjoying a second life on stage.

I am prepared to bet that none of Ace’s Calender Girls has been naked in public before, but they overcome any qualms they may have felt about baring all for their art in this funny, feel-good production.

Humour and pathos were beautifully combined as the motives and back stories of the characters were laid as bare as their flesh.

Dorothy Maynard as the newly-widowed Annie, was touching in scenes with her dying husband John, played with cheerful resolve by Steve Gray, and later when the weight of other people’s grief threatened to overwhelm her.

Chris White played “Chris”, the driving force behind the calendar project, as a woman torn between making a success of something for the first time in her life and neglecting her family, and her eventual reconciliation with Annie, and the realisation that the Calendar was bigger than both of them, was movingly portrayed.

There were two reasons why Alicia Lane landed the role of Celia both of which both required “considerably bigger buns…” and her sassy debut with ACE was greatly appreciated by the male half of the audience in particular.

Veteran actress Kath Lunn played retired teacher Jessie, a woman tired of being dismissed on the grounds of her age. She put in a spirited performance and will be glad to know that no glimpse of her “front bottom” was visible behind her knitting.

While Carrie Hazeel, as the betrayed and tormented Ruth, was touching in her transition from shy introvert to a woman who finally knew her own worth, and was terrific in her show-down with the vacuous ‘other women’, beautifully played by Vicki Searle.

It fell to Kate Gledhill, playing the church organist Cora, to reveal most, in an endearing and heartwarming performance which was, despite being entirely naked, in the “best possible taste” thanks to some deft work by her fellow players who included Robert Barnes as the photographer drafted in to make the calendar a reality, Lynne Fallowell as the domineering WI chairman Marie and Peta-Jane Onslow as the formidable Lady Cravenshire.

Ladies you were brave, you were bold.

But above all, you were beautiful.