New Year, More First-Class Entertainment at The Orchard Theatre

by | Jan 24, 2016 | Dartford Entertainment

On Wednesday 13 January The Orchard Theatre hosted its first ever Season Launch, Nicola Samer, Associate Director of The 39 Steps, Managing Director of The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Ian Maclay and dancer Duwane Taylor and Dance Captain Kayla Lomas-Kirton from Into The Hoods – ZooNation all visited Dartford to speak to Groups Club members exclusively about our exciting up-coming Spring Season of shows. After the event Group bookers were also invited to the opening night performance of the spectacular Cirque Berserk!

To start off the New Year Lesley Joseph will play Miss Hannigan in a brand new production of Annie at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford from Monday 25 – Saturday 30 January.

The 39 Steps, will celebrate the Olivier Award-Winning Comedy’s its 10th anniversary. Based on Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 movie and John Buchan’s 1914 spy thriller The Thirty Nine Steps and adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow, The 39 Steps will at The Orchard Theatre from Monday 1 – Saturday 6 February.

Everybody Cut Loose as the explosive Rock ‘n’ Roll musical Footloose premieres on Dartford’s stage starring Gareth Gates playing the role of Willard, alongside Maureen Nolan as Vi Moore at The Orchard Theatre from Monday 8 – Saturday 13 February.

The international award-winning musical Chicago starring Eastender John Partridge, Coronation Street and Emmerdale favourite Hayley Tamaddon and real life prison wardon and X-Factor winner Sam Bailey will be hitting Dartford from Monday 29 February – Saturday 5 March.

Don’t miss the Olivier Award-nominated production of Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather as it is brought thrillingly to life on stage from Wednesday 23 – Sunday 27 March. Entertain your little ones with top-class family shows including Mister Maker, My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty, and Zoonation and Sadler’s Wells Co-production, Into the Hoods Remixed.

The highly acclaimed 2015 national tour of Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path, directed by Justin Audibert will come to The Orchard Theatre from Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 April 2016. Flare Path paints an evocative portrait of life in wartime Britain for the life-and-death existence of the RAF bomber crews, and their wives and sweethearts who were left waiting their return.

Get ready for the ride of your life! Duncan James will star as ‘Tick’ in the international smash hit musical Priscilla Queen Of The Desert at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford from Monday 25 – Saturday 30 April.

Louise Jameson (Doctor Who, EastEnders, Doc Martin) will star as Mrs Boyle in the record-breaking 60th anniversary tour of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. The beloved murder mystery will visit The Orchard Theatre from Monday 16 – Saturday 21 May.

Also this season prepare for a hilarious line-up of some of the UK’s most popular comedians including Lee Nelson, Ed Byrne, Russell Kane, Jimmy Carr and Bobby Davro to name but a few!

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.

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...