You could be forgiven for thinking that January entertainment could have a bit of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s Show’ about it, but that’s certainly not the case in Guildford.
We will begin our roundup of things to do with our great friends at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, and there is still time to catch the No.1 Panto in town as Beauty & the Beast runs until January 4th. It’s been another remarkable pantomime season and it is easy to see why this fabulous production has broken box office records.
Brilliant comic Mark Watson sails into town on the 9th and if you are quick you can still grab a ticket for One Winter’s Night, a fabulous annual celebration of live music brought to life by the great Gavin Thomas. All profits from the show (which always sells out), will go straight to local charity, the Prostate Project.
Agatha Christie classic Death on the Nile takes centre stage from the 13th to 17th, with a star studded cast bringing this timeless tale of murder, mystery and intrigue to life as never before in a show described by the Mail on Sunday as ‘ Brimming with Murder and Desire’.
National treasure Dame Siân Phillips, brilliantly supported by the wonderful Alex Jennings appear for one-night only in It’s All Greek, an exploration of love, laughter, tears, treachery and a bit of murder in ancient Greece.
On the 20th and 21st, the magic of classical ballet is given a festive outing with The Nutcracker, traditional and beautiful as always with Tchaikovsky’s mesmerising score and the brilliance of the Mergaliev Classical Ballet.
January at the Yvonne ends in real style with a Midsomer Murders world premier of The Killings at Badgers Drift starring the one and only Daniel Casey as DCI Tom Barnaby. This is a show that’s not to be missed, with the Radio Times calling it ‘a thrilling stage debut…retaining all the heart of the beloved TV show’.
Our near neighbours at G Live have an enviable reputation for presenting world famous acts, national legends and fabulous shows in just about every field of entertainment, and January is packed with something for everyone.
Paul Jones and Friends kick off the month in style with two nights of sensational music with a top secret line-up that in previous years has included Sir Tom Jones, Sir Van Morrison, Jools Holland, Eric Clapton and Paul Weller. If you are lucky enough to get a ticket for the 6th or 7th, then you are in for a real treat!
Friday the 9th sees the London Symphonic Rock Orchestra take the stage, while the following night sees The Chicago Blues Brothers hit town with their unique live performance of all the classic hits from the seminal movie.
For fans of true crime, the brilliantly detailed and hugely experienced Peter Bleksley brings his massive hit show The Makings of a Murderer to Guildford.
Sadly, or rather brilliantly, An Evening with Damon Hill and the Dead Ringers 25th anniversary shows are both complete sell-outs…we did warn you they would.
And here’s another heads up for another show that will sell-out as Professor Brian Cox presents Warm Up…you will need to be quick.