Latest News from Orchard West

by | Mar 6, 2024 | Entertainment, Families, What's On?, Where to go locally

Orchard West, the temporary home of the Orchard Theatre, is fully operational and has already hosted many successful shows and performances.

The new structure is state-of-the-art offering a fully-equipped auditorium, comfortable seats with excellent views and accessibility for all visitors. It has a fully stocked and licenced bar for pre-show drinks, an ice-cream counter or confectionary stand for interval treats and comfortable indoor toilets. Basically all the amenities you expect at the Orchard Theatre.

The theatre continues to work with different production companies so that it can offer a wide variety of entertainment shows. Here is what is on offer during March and April 2024.

Saturday 2nd March: Buddy Holly and the Cricketers

A concert of hits that just keep coming.

Sunday 3rd March: An Evening with Anton De Beke and Friends

Song and dance show with behind the scenes, laugh-out-loud stories from his time on Strictly.

Sunday 10th March: The Circus of Horrors

A rock ‘n’ roller coaster ride of amazing, bizarre and downright beautiful acts.

Thursday 14th March: Calling Plant Earth

Relive the 80’s to the greatest hits of Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Ultravox, ABC, Depeche Mode and many more.

Sunday 17th March: That’ll Be The Day

A celebration of the most iconic moments in comedy, Rock ‘n’ Roll and pop culture from the 50s to the 80’s.

Sunday 24th March: The Sooty Show 75th Birthday Spectacular

A celebration of the longest-running children’s television show in the world for the whole family.

Sunday 24th March: Jim Davidson, Swimming Against the Tide

An evening of rip-roaring grown-up comedy.

Tuesday 26th March: Seven Drunken Nights

Tells the story of a career spanning 50 years invoking the spirit of Ronnie Drew, Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, John Sheahan, Ciaran Bourke and Jim McCann.

Wednesday 27th March: – Tony Blackburn’s Sound of the 60’s Live

Tony Blackburn hosts an evening of stories and classic songs from the 60’s

Friday 29th March: Queenz – The Show with Balls!

A night of fun and fabulousness delivered by dazzling divas direct from their smash-hit run in London’s West End.

Tuesday 2nd – Saturday 6th April: Blood Brothers

Willy Russell’s musical telling the captivating and moving tale of twins who grew up apart but meet again, with fateful consequences.

Monday 8th April: Sing-a-long-A Matilda the Musical

Fancy dress and audience participation is encouraged!

Wednesday 17th – Saturday 20th April: Curtain Up! A night at the musicals

DAODS presents a magical journey through the greatest hits of Broadway and the West End.

Sunday 21st April: Most Haunted Live

Be taken on the darkest, most terrifying journey of your life.

Wednesday 24th April: Johannes Rademe House of Jojo

A theatrical celebration jam-packed with roof-raising music, dazzling costumes and world class dance.

Thursday 25th April: Lost in Music

Be taken on a musical journey straight to the heart of disco!

Friday 26th – Sunday 28th April: Zog and the Flying Doctors

A truly modern take on the classic fairy tale for the whole family.

LOCAL CHILDREN GIVEN CHANCE TO SHINE IN THIS YEAR’S CHRISTMAS PANTO AT THE ORCHARD THEATRE

Young performers across Kent are being given the chance to step into the spotlight this Christmas as The Orchard Theatre announces open auditions for this year’s magical family pantomime, Cinderella. Youngsters aged 9–16 (school years 4–11) are invited to audition for...

Bluewater to Host ‘The Monster’ – One of the World’s Largest Inflatable Obstacle Courses

Bluewater is set for an action-packed summer as one of the world’s largest inflatable assault courses, The Monster, arrives during the summer holidays, with tickets on sale now. From Saturday 18th July to Monday 31st August, the Kent shopping and leisure destination...

Orchard Theatre – WE’RE HIRING

The Orchard Theatre Announces Search for a New Buildings and Technical Manager to Lead Landmark Reopening Following a period of major refurbishment, Dartford’s iconic Orchard Theatre is officially launching a nationwide search for a visionary Buildings and Technical...

‘A Brief History of Me and My Time’ – Local Author’s new book is released in September

My name is Richard Winston. I am a retired teacher of languages, living in Sidcup. Since retirement I have written a couple of novels and a memoir. The novel, called "The Seed of Change", is currently with Troubador Publishers and is due for release on 28th September....

Dartford’s Night Food Market returns with a World Cup twist

Dartford will once again host its popular Night Food Market on Friday 12 th  June, transforming the town centre into a vibrant celebration of flavour, live entertainment, and community spirit.  Visitors will be able to taste their way around the...

The Kindness of Strangers: A Reminder of What Unites Us

We never truly know how a day is going to unfold. One moment you are enjoying a sunny  Sunday afternoon listening to the Bandstand Concert in Dartford’s Central Park. The next you  are waking up from a sudden blackout, surrounded by confusion and panic....

Dartford Juniors lift the inaugural Kent County Chess Association Foundation Cup

Dartford Juniors are the 2026 KCCA Foundation Cup champions — and the first team ever to lift the trophy. On Saturday 30th May, our squad beat Petts Wood & Orpington 2½–1½ in a tense final to write their names into Kent chess history. The Foundation Cup is a...

“FAMILIES CALL US THE COMFORT BLANKET”

“When you spend time with Tina, you quickly understand why families remember her. She puts people at ease immediately and makes families feel like they’re not going through difficult moments on their own. Tina brings warmth and reassurance into people’s homes every...

Paralympian JohnBoy Smith to Scale the O2 in Wheelchair for We Are Beams

Commonwealth Games Medallist, Team GB Paralympian and Patron of We Are Beams JohnBoy Smith is taking his support to new heights by undertaking a breath taking wheelchair climb over the iconic O2 Arena in London. This special fundraising event, which will take...

Pop Icon Sinitta and Drag Royalty Divina De Campo announced to headline Dartford Pride

Pop Icon Sinitta and Drag Royalty Divina De Campo Announced to Headline Milestone 5th Anniversary of Dartford Pride. Orchard West, in partnership with Dartford Borough Council, is thrilled to announce that 80s pop sensation Sinitta will headline PrideFest: The Party...