 Theatre Spring brings blossoming talent


Outdoors or indoors, Spring is always a time when Kent’s performance venues really wake up after Christmas...


Easter at Leeds Castle


If you are heading to Leeds Castle this Easter bank


holiday weekend, try not to miss the “walking theatre” production featuring Robin Hoodie, Maid Marion and a band of naughty outlaws. Described as an “adventure


of silliness and laughter” with a dash of villainy from the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham, it is staged twice a day — 11.30am and 1.30pm. It starts on the Pavilion Lawn, and visitors will then go on a woodland walk as the story unfolds.


April 14 – 17, 1.30pm, Leeds Castle grounds, Leeds www.leeds-castle.com


Cinderella


A classic fairy tale and one of the best known, Cinderella told through the medium of ballet comes to the Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone on May 7. A family-orientated


production, the Vienna Festival Ballet is definitely one for the younger audience, as well as mums and dads. With choreography by Sheila


Styles, this afternoon performance tells the well- worn story of the down- trodden servant girl, the two ugly sisters, a glass slipper and a handsome prince. While many of us have seen this in pantomime form, the


Mr Malaprop swaps radio for stage


Radio 4 has been turning in some spectacularly funny and ground- breaking comedies in recent years.


The diaries of serial malcontent and would-be professional writer, Ed Reardon’s Week, is a case in point, as was the spoof populist radio show host Gary Bellamy in Down the Line.


Reardon’s laugh-out-loud observations on modern life, as he struggles to scrape a living at his keyboard, have become a firm favourite with men in their middle years, while Bellamy’s show was so convincing as a parody phone- in programme that some R4 listeners took it seriously and complained about the BBC dumbing down.


In the same bracket and occupying a berth between the end of the news and The Archers has been Count Arthur Strong — a show business legend in his own mind, but more famous for malapropisms and losing his train of thought mid-sentence.


Strong’s creators Steve Delaney (who plays Arthur) and


Graham Linehan (Father Ted writer) have a fine pedigree and have pulled a stunt few have really succeeded at in the past, ie taking a brilliant radio format and converting it to TV.


Now the Count takes to the boards in Tunbridge Wells and is probably not going to fail in this format either, with his celebration of the musical called The Sound of Mucus.


dance element will lend more than a touch of fantasy, but adds a dash of comedy, too. Set to Rossini’s operatic


score, the work has been especially arranged for the Vienna Festival Ballet. Prices are reasonable too,


set at £20 and £17 for concessions.


Sunday May 7, 2pm Hazlitt Theatre www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/Hazlitt-Theatre


The meaningless press blurb which accompanies the show is written by the man himself: “Using stories and other things that are secret, Count Arthur Strong, showbiz legend, pays tribute to one of the best musicals he can remember. Uniquely recreating the salient and poignant moments for your enjoyment. Plus something else. Don’t miss this amazing event.


“If you only buy one ticket for something this year buy a ticket for this one twice and bring a friend. I promise you, you won’t regret it. And if you do, there must be something wrong with you. No refunds.”


On stage with him will be Terry Kilkelly as Malcolm de


Tinsell, from the radio version, and Dave Plimmer, who features in the television series, as Allan Leslie.


Don’t miss it. No refunds.


June 2, 8pm, Assembly Hall Theatre, Royal Tunbridge Wells www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk


Reginald D Hunter


Reginald D Hunter was already established on the comedy circuit when he started to make appearances on Have I Got News for You in


2005, and Brits fell for his dulcet, American charm delivered in a trademark slow, sardonic fashion. He’s never been one to duck


May 11, 8pm, Assembly Hall Theatre, Royal Tunbridge Wells www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk


Edited by Simon Finlay 30 Mid Kent Living


issues or sprinkle the ‘n’ word into his material and returns to the UK after a successful tour of Ireland and other parts of Europe.


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