On Sunday 4 June night the lights are low and the Orchard Theatre is the place to go. Join the fantabba-ulous Thank You For The Music party of the year as the 40th anniversary of ABBA’s greatest hit Dancing Queen is celebrated in sequin-spangled style. Rocking the retro sounds of the right music – Super Trouper; Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, Knowing Me Knowing You and more – to Lycra-tight perfection.
Ray Cooney, (‘THE MASTER OF FARCE’ – The Telegraph), is celebrating both his eighty-fifth birthday and seventy years in showbiz in 2017. He is working with producer Tom O’Connell on a brand new season of Ray’s comedies; an updated version of his Olivier-Award-winning Westminster comedy Out of Order, will be at The Orchard Theatre on Monday 5 June with a stellar cast and directed by Cooney himself.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s exceptional Principal Clarinet, Katherine Lacy, will be performing Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford on Sunday 11 June. Opening this concert will be Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, which conjures the sights and sounds of Scottish scenery, from calm still waters to intense and dramatic storms. Moving from the Highlands to Nordic plains, Sibelius’ symphonic poem Finlandia opens with snarling brass and thunderous timpani, building to its stirring climax brimming with drama.
Join the Orchard Youth Theatre on Monday 12 June as they tell the untold stories of the much-loved Lost Boys, Mermaids, Fairies and Pirates. Who does the Tick Tock Croc work for? What secret are the Mermaids hiding and will the real Captain James Hook please stand up? Neverland Uncovered is a collection of short pieces devised by the youth theatre companies.
The fabulous Ceri Dupree is back on the road with his one man, 21 woman show at The Orchard Theatre on Wednesday 14 June presenting a glamorous evening of hysterical comedy, amazing vocal impersonations and jaw dropping, eye popping costumes. You could meet Adele, Cher, Joan Collins, Lady Ga Ga, Bjork, Shirley Bassey, Camilla and even the Queen! Ceri brings them all lovingly to life with a touch of Las Vegas class rarely seen in the UK today. Once described as ‘Joe Longthorne meets Lily Savage…. only with better legs!’
The All-Star Stand-Up Tour is coming to the UK – with 3 top comedians together with returning Chortle Award-winning compere Jarred Christmas delivering two hours of the very best comedy, at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford on Thursday 15 June. This team of top comedians will combine forces for a comedy show like never before. Don’t miss The All-Star Stand-Up Tour – the biggest comedy tour of the year.
The Orchard Theatre is delighted to bring you the smash-hit spectacular Soul Legends on Friday 16 June. Bringing to life hits by Earth Wind & Fire, Barry White, George Benson, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Tina Turner, Lionel Richie and more in ‘soulsational’ style. Get on board the soul train as it takes you on an unforgettable soul music journey. From Sixties origins to present day via all your classic Seventies and Eighties floor-fillers.
Following her smash hit TV series Jane McDonald, the showbiz legend and household favourite is extending her Making Memories tour by public demand and will be at the Orchard Theatre on Sunday 18 June. Excited as her best show yet, Jane performs audience favourites of self-penned songs such as The Hand That Leads Me to stunning medleys of Cilla’s hits, a nod to her role as Grizabella in Cats and everyone’s favourite disco hits from Boogie Wonderland to Let’s Groove and of course, her signature hit ‘Dizzy’.
2017 Cast
All Or Nothing, the new Small Faces musical sensation, will be hitting Dartford from Monday 19 – Wednesday. Carol Harrison is an award-winning actress and writer, well known for her theatre and TV work. Featuring the music of the Small Faces, including an arsenal of brilliant hits like Whatcha Gonna Do About It, Lazy Sunday, Tin Soldier, Sha La La La Lee, Itchycoo Park and of course All Or Nothing.
T.Rextasy, presented by Sweeney Entertainments, has been performing all over the world for 25 years, a career that ironically out-lives Marc’s very own T.Rex. In 2017, the band returns The Orchard Theatre, Dartford on Thursday 22 June to transport audiences back to the 70s for the Marc Bolan 40th commemorative anniversary tour.
Rhythm of the Dance will create a new era in Irish entertainment, featuring world champion dancers, a traditional Irish band, and the handsome Young Irish Tenors, an array of the most talented, gifted cast who keep Dartford audiences wowed all over the world on Friday 23 June.
The Sons of Pitches will be hitting Dartford with a brand-new themed touring show on Wednesday 28 June. Following on from the incredible successes of their two 2016 tours, where they wowed over 40,000 very satisfied fans, they will be bringing their SOPTV Show in what will be their biggest ever UK tour. So settle down in front of SOPTV and enjoy what should be a great evening’s viewing.
Acclaimed jazz singer and West End actress, Claudia Morris returns with this exciting and moving exploration of timeless classics about the ups and downs of love, from past to present. Together with her band, Claudia will sing the songs of some of the greats, from the 1930’s to the present day including hits from such artists as Doris Day, Carole King, Eva Cassidy and many more on Thursday 29 June.
The Magic Of The Beatles are regarded as one of the UK’s leading Beatles tribute shows, playing to ecstatic sell-out audiences throughout the world and regularly appearing on television and radio. Celebrating 50 years since the seminal release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – this magical ‘musical’ mystery tour will transport you back to the golden era of pop with hit after hit on Thursday 29 June.
Pre-show dining is also available before the show. The Orchard Theatre’s Restaurant provides a range of delicious, unique and memorable dishes, using the freshest local produce and prepared daily by the Head Chef. Reserve your table when booking your show tickets. For more information visit orchardtheatre.co.uk or call the Ticket Office on 01322 220000.