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TICKET THE

WINTER/SPRING 2022

www.colchester-events.co.uk

OMID TAKES THE MIC

Comedian, actor and quiz show host tells us more about his new stand-up tour

Life’s a Drag the See out pull ’s On t Whauide G de! insi

Stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race come to town

LAUGH, DANCE, DISCOVER, ENJOY! Who Dares Wins? Life in the SAS P28 Festive shows you won’t want to miss P14 Hey kids! Milkshake Monkey’s on his way P39

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JOIN US FOR AFTERNOON TEA “CHRISTMAS ROYAL-TEA” available from 17th November 2021 - 30th December 2021

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THE TICKET - Winter/Spring 2022

WELCOME

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s we move into the winter months, what better way to cheer up the long dark evenings ahead than to plan some great nights out in town?

Whatever makes you feel good – music, comedy, theatre or dance, there’s plenty to choose from in Colchester.

Did you know, Colchester Events is part of the Amphora group of companies owned

by Colchester Borough Council? This means, when you buy your tickets through Colchester Events’ website, you’ll be helping to generate income to support local services.

You can also pop into our box office at the Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, CO1 1PT.

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PICK AND MIX Variety is the spice of life! Here’s our pick of events to look out for this season

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FIRST CLASS COMEDY Discover the comedy superstars coming to Charter Hall

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INTRODUCING Omid Djalili in his own words HOT SHOWS FOR COLD

14 NIGHTS

Spectacular events to make the festive season sparkle PULL-OUT EVENTS GUIDE

17 What’s On in Colchester? Get your pull-out guide 1 Dec – 30 April 22

Image Credit: MATT STRONGE

CONTENTS

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HOW TO FIND US

24 Discover our venues WHO DARES WINS?

28 Discover the life and incredible

career of SAS hero, Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham

39 MILKSHAKE THE MUSICAL

Magical mayhem for little ones www.colchester-events.co.uk

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PICK AND MIX

Here’s a flavour of the many events coming to Charter Hall and Colchester Town Hall. There’s something for everyone and maybe a few surprises – head to page 17 for the full ‘What’s On’ guide.

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OH MY IT’S OMID You may have seen him host his own ITV quiz show ‘The Winning Combination’ or appear in the smash hit Mama Mia 2: Here We Go Again or His Dark Materials. Now multi award-winning comedian and actor Omid Djalili is heading back where he belongs, on a stage and ready to deliver another legendary stand-up performance.

The Good Times Tour, takes place at Charter Hall on 4 March.

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BACK TO THE 80S Martin Kemp, whose band Spandau Ballet, topped the charts and sold millions of records worldwide, brings his ‘Back to the 80s Party’ to Colchester on 28 January.

Martin said: “It’s amazing! People absolutely lose themselves, singing to every word. It’s the most euphoric atmosphere I have ever been in, in my life!”

A perfect retro night out with friends, get ready to dig out those 80’s outfits, grab your dancing shoes, and enjoy a night of pure ‘Gold’.

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THE TICKET - Winter/Spring 2022

COMING UP

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MILKSHAKE LIVE! CHARTER HALL, COLCHESTER Milkshake Monkey back and Monday 18 April 2022 | 12 noon | is colchester-events.co.uk can’t wait to put on a spectacular new show at Charter Hall on 18 April with some of his favourite Milkshake friends. He’ll be joined by two Milkshake presenters to create the most dazzling show you have ever seen! Join some of your favourite musical friends for an unforgettable family time at Milkshake Monkey’s Musical!

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GIFTS GALORE Colchester’s Town Hall will host a fantastically local Christmas Market on the weekend of 2728 November. With everything sourced and made locally it’s sure to get you in the festive spirit as you search for the perfect gifts for your loved ones! This event is free entry - no need to book just turn up and shop!

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DEE-LIGHTFUL I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, BBC Radio’s hilarious antidote to panel games, is coming to Charter Hall on Thursday 24th February.

Join Jack Dee, Miles Jupp, Tony Hawks, Pippa Evans and Rory Bremner for an unmissable evening of inspired nonsense.

“Indisputably the greatest radio comedy of all time.” Radio Times

90’S DANCE ERA Let’s rewind to the most exciting musical movement in decades – the 1990’s Dance Era. We bring you five original headline artists in one show: Livin Joy - ‘Don’t Stop Movin’, Kelly Llorenna – ‘Set You Free’, Urban Cookie Collective – ‘Feels Like Heaven’, Cappella –‘Move On Baby’ and Dario G – ‘Sunchyme’. Ultra 90s takes place at Charter Hall on 26 March.

www.colchester-events.co.uk

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COMEDY SPECIAL

“He’s blessed with the sort of laid-back charm and sharp turn of phrase you can’t manufacture” **** Daily Telegraph

Saturd a 26 Feb y ruary 2022

COMIC TIMING

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This winter we’re hugely excited to welcome a line-up of world class comedy talent to Charter Hall.

ot on the heels of John Bishop and Sarah Millican, who made their first appearances at Charter Hall in Autumn 21, we get set to give a warm Colchester welcome to Jimmy Carr, Katherine Ryan, Daniel Sloss, Gary Meikle, Omid Djalili, Jason Manford and Nish Kumar.

JASON MANFORD He’s back! If you missed Jason Manford’s debut Charter Hall show in October, don’t despair – here’s another chance to catch his latest tour ‘Like Me’.

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THE TICKET - Winter/Spring 2022

Fans of Jason’s Absolute Radio show will know this nationally acclaimed comedian hasn’t changed a bit. ‘Like Me’ is Jason’s latest comic offering set to hit the road and brings “expert observational comedy” (The Guardian) mixed with “comic gold” (Mail on Sunday).

“Effortlessly entertaining” **** Evening Standard “Manford successfully straddles the line between contemporary stand-up and oldschool mainstream entertainment.”

The Guardian www.colchester-events.co.uk/event/ jason-manford2022

DANIEL SLOSS ‘Hubris’ is the all-new, 11th solo show from Daniel Sloss, Scotland’s international comedy star. Daniel has performed six solo seasons off Broadway in New York, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to Charter Hall on 3 December.

His new tour comes hot on the heels of his ground-breaking, global smash-hit ‘Daniel Sloss: X’ which received rave reviews across its record-breaking, global tour.

www.colchester-events.co.uk/ event/daniel-sloss

KATHERINE RYAN

nts.co.uk/ www.colchester-eve an -ry ne event/katheri

Katherine Ryan makes a hugely welcome return to the stage with her brand-new live show, Missus - a sellout for Charter Hall on 20 January.

Having previously denounced partnership, Katherine has since married her first love, accidentally. If you were lucky enough to bag a ticket, look forward to hearing Katherine’s hilarious new perspectives on life, love, and what it means to be Missus.

JIMMY CARR Tickets to Jimmy Carr’s new show Terribly Funny at Charter Hall on 1 December sold out in days!

“Having political correctness at a comedy show is like having health and safety at a rodeo,” said Jimmy whose new show contains jokes about all kinds of terrible things. “Terrible things that might have affected you or people you know and love. But they’re just jokes – they are not the terrible things.”

www.colchester-events.co.uk/ event/jimmy-carr-terribly-funny

www.colchester-events.co.uk

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COMEDY SPECIAL

Friday 4 Marc h 2022

OMID DJALILI: The Good Times Tour Intelligent, provocative, entertaining, Omid’s legendary stand-up performances are captivating comedy masterclasses.

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THE TICKET - Winter/Spring 2022

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e can’t wait to welcome Omid to the Charter Hall stage for his Good Times Tour. A show “so hysterically funny and at the same time so poignant and powerful that calling it stand-up barely does it justice,” according to Michael Levin of the Huffington Post.

Omid’s credits range from Hollywood films to television and the West End stage.

He is currently hosting his own ITV quiz show ‘The Winning Combination’. We took the opportunity to find out more about Omid and what audiences can expect from his comedy tour.

How would you sum up the new show?

It’s a celebration of stand-up comedy, and the joy of coming together. One of the producers of the Royal Variety Performance once said ‘a stand-up can conjure up 1,000 images because your mind is working while you’re listening’.

So basically, my new show is a thousand images in an hour and a half.

You did a few gigs earlier in the year.

How was it being back in front of live audiences?

The last gig I did was at a beer garden in Colchester. I was only a mile away but because of a road closure I was an hour late. When I got there, they said “ok just come in with the car”. I drove right onto the stage, parked, got out, walked to the centre of the stage, they passed me a microphone, I spoke for 40 minutes, we laughed, I got back in the car and left. I was wearing a suit too so I looked like some Hollywood big shot (or even worse, someone who thinks they’re a Hollywood big shot) coming on, talking for a bit, then swanning off.

How have the other gigs gone?

Every comic I’ve spoken to has come to the realisation that this is a profession you can never take for granted because we have the best job in the world. I did Zoom gigs and enjoyed them but you can’t beat the live experience. When you have a shared experience it has an affect on the mind, body and spirit in a way that is very different to watching things digitally.

Your ITV quiz show Winning Combination aired last November. Was game show host always on your career wish list?

No. I went into it kicking and screaming.

There’s a saying that “you always end up doing the thing you’re second-best at” the implication being that you have to try lots of different things before you find that thing. I’ve always had great respect for game show hosts. It took me a while to get into it but once I understood the machinery of it I totally bought into the experience. We’ve done a second series too and I can’t wait to do a third!

You’ve been in the business for more than 25 years. Did you ever imagine you’d still be going strong?

I was told early on by comedians I respected that it takes about 25 years to find your voice. You can’t just get up and be funny. Careers are always hard to navigate but in comedy, as in most things, you’re never the finished article.

It’s great to be 55 years old and still know definitively there’s so much more room to grow and improve.

You must be so excited about going back on the road?

I am. But there’s a big part of me that is prepared for the mistakes, the terrible things that go wrong on tour. And I’m looking forward to those things as well! We’ve had 18 months of no live performance so if you don’t enjoy it right now, if you don’t savour every moment, good or bad, you never will.

www.colchester-events.co.uk

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NISH KUMAR Takes Control

Host of the Mash Report and one of the Guardian’s Top Fifty Comedians of the 21st Century, Nish has achieved huge success on the stand-up circuit.

‘If you like your comedy to be intelligent, inventive, thoughtprovoking and delivered with a passion, urgency and enthusiasm that makes an hour feel like a fantastic ten minutes, then you’re going to love Nish Kumar’s show… a truly impressive piece of standup from a comic in full control of his material and onstage persona.’

- Time Out

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icket readers will know him from Live at the Apollo, Taskmaster, Netflix’s Comedians of the World, QI, Conan and The News.

Now fans will have the chance to come to Charter Hall to see Nish perform his new show, ‘Control’ on 9 April.

“It has been a period of upheaval and uncertainty with Covid and the political situation”, said Nish who was booed off stage after making Brexit jokes at the Lord’s Taverner’s annual charity cricket lunch. “You will be amazed by my capacity to somehow take all these things personally,” he added.

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THE TICKET - Winter/Spring 2022

‘He challenges his audiences, he makes you think – and miraculously he manages to make people laugh about politics in an era when hardly anyone can bear to think about it.’

- The Scotsman ‘A laughter filled hour.’

- The Telegraph ****Time Out ****Scotsman ****The Guardian ****The List ****Chortle ****Edinburgh Festivals Guide www.colchester-events.co.uk/ event/nish-kumar

COMEDY SPECIAL

“KUMAR IS THE SMARTEST, AND OFTEN THE SILLIEST, POLITICAL COMIC WE’VE GOT: ACUTE, FURIOUS AND OFTEN THE RIDICULOUS FALL GUY OF HIS OWN JOKES” - THE GUARDIAN www.colchester-events.co.uk

Image Credit: MATT STRONGE

day Satur l i 9 Apr 2022

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COMEDY SPECIAL

GARY MEIKLE - Surreal

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cottish Comedy Award winner and viral sensation, Gary Meikle is back with his second tour show, Surreal!

Surreal is a word that perfectly describes Gary’s recent career. The Glaswegian comic started out performing in comedy clubs and ended it selling out big theatres in the UK as well as tours in America, Canada and Europe!

Not one for mincing his words, Gary has been described as “playfully dark”.

His cheeky chappie nature and ability to get away with talking about anything will have you laughing at things you probably shouldn’t be!

As always, Gary will draw material from his own real-life experiences, including his unique family dynamic and his rapid rise to online fame.

day Satur ry ua 8 Jan 2022

Evolution, social media, how to deal with burglars, single mums and bee sex are just some of the topics explored.

Quickly putting his audiences at ease, a night of stand up with Gary feels like a night in the pub chatting with friends! www.colchester-events.co.uk/ event/gary-meikle-surreal

An evening with Mortimer and Whitehouse…LIVE! Bob and Paul invite you to join them for a chat about fishing, life, death and falling over. And Ted of course. Will Bob ever stop winding? Will Paul ever stop whining? This is your chance to ask them. You never know, you might get an answer.

It all takes place at Charter Hall on Thursday 12th May 2022.

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THE TICKET - Winter/Spring 2022

www.colchester events.co.uk 13

BRING SOME

Dazzle to December

A daring duo of big nights out awaits you this December. Add some sparkle, thrills and laughter to the festive fun with tickets to these hot new shows!

X-MAS X-TRAVAGANZA SHANTAY YOU SLEIGH Get set for the biggest drag Christmas show ever in the UK! The X-mas X-travaganza - Shantay You Sleigh is coming to Charter Hall on 18 December as part of a nationwide tour of 19 cities across the UK and Ireland, including London’s iconic Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith.

Hosted by none other than The Vivienne, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, and audience favourite Baga Chipz it brings together some of the world’s most-loved RuPaul’s Drag Race stars from across the UK, the US and Canada for a not-to-be-missed Christmas extravaganza and a night of unapologetic, fierce festive cheer.

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THE TICKET - Winter/Spring 2022

With The Vivienne and Baga Chipz at the helm throughout, the tour will see the RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 1 drag superstars join forces to set off upon an unforgettable and magical sleigh ride to visit some of their favourite kings and queens from all around the world to spread some festive drag cheer.

Each night they will be joined by vivacious drag queen Latrice Royale, best known for appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race US Series 4 and All Stars and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 3 newcomers. The sophisticated and savage Vanity Milan, who will be serving an unapologetic, high-octane performance and self-confessed ‘Cockney Princess’ Scarlett Harlett.

A dazzling array of fabulous queens will join the Charter Hall line-up with the charming New York-based drag queen Olivia Lux and US fan favourite Scarlett Envy embarking upon the tour, alongside the most exciting queen to ever grace the Canadian drag scene, and winner of Drag Race Canada, Priyanka.

This exceptional festive experience includes a Santa’s Grotto featuring a drag Santa and her entourage of elves, a drag Christmas market for plenty of fun and sassy drag gift ideas, for a true night to remember. www.colchester-events.co.uk/ event/xmas-x-travaganza

FEELING FESTIVE

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS Acrobats, male vocalists, fire acts, aerial artists and world-renowned circus performers – you’ll find it all at the muchanticipated Forbidden Nights 2021 Tour.

Get ready for the action-packed show rolling into town at Charter Hall on 10 December. The show is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat as the cast perform heart racing tricks and sensational choreography.

Forbidden Nights is a full theatre show with world-renowned circus performers and variety acts, jam-packed with action routines from opener until finale! Routines include aerial straps, fire, acrobatics and live musicians… not forgetting the Forbidden’s side-splitting Comedy Compere and a few men in uniform thrown in for good measure.

Having made their debut on Britain’s Got Talent six years ago and played to packed houses since then, the boys are still in high demand at theatres all over the country with an even bigger and hotter tour for 2021.

Be sure to come and see Forbidden Nights for an unbeatable night of glamour, talent and torsos. The show has everything to keep you entertained with an unrivalled thrilling ride, packed full of energy, talent and comedy. A night you won’t forget! www.colchester-events.co.uk/event/ forbidden-nights-2021 www.colchester-events.co.uk 15

FOOD & DRINK | GIFTS STALLS | ARTS & CRAFTS

SATURDAY 27 & SUNDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2021 COLCHESTER TOWN HALL CO1 1PJ 10AM – 5PM

WWW.COLCHESTER-EVENTS.CO.UK @COLCHESTERSEVENTS 16

THE TICKET - Winter/Spring 2022

@COLCHESTERSEVENTS

PULL OUT GUIDE

What’s on Colchester? in

Here’s your Pull-Out Guide to all events taking place at Charter Hall and Colchester Town Hall.

1 December to 30 April 2022

www.colchester events.co.uk 17

JIMMY CARR - TERRIBLY FUNNY 1 December 7.15pm From £31.50 Charter Hall

3 December 7.30pm From £25.50 Charter Hall

One of the UK’s best-loved comedians, Jimmy Carr brings his brand-new tour Terribly Funny to Charter Hall with jokes about all kinds of terrible things.

But they’re just jokes - they are not the terrible things.

Daniel Sloss, Scotland’s international comedy star, performs his all-new, 11th solo show ‘Hubris’. It comes hot on the heels of his ground-breaking, global smash-hit ‘Daniel Sloss: X’ for a tour comedy fans won’t want to miss.

A NOT SO SILENT NIGHT

BOYZLIFE

3, 9, 18 December 7pm £49 Town Hall Celebrate in style this Christmas with ‘A Not So Silent Night’ at Colchester Town Hall. Ideal for office parties and team nights out, enjoy wining and dining with a festive three course meal and dancing till midnight.

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DANIEL SLOSS - HUBRIS

THE TICKET Winter/Spring 2022

4 December 7.30pm From £33.50 Charter Hall Keith Duffy of Boyzone and Brian McFadden of Westlife, two of the world’s biggest bands, come together for the first time with this full band production show featuring their greatest hits ‘Swear It Again’ to ‘No Matter What’.

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS 10 December 7.30pm From £24 Charter Hall

X-MAS X-TRAVAGANZA SHANTAY YOU SLEIGH 18 December 8pm £37 Charter Hall

Leave your inhibitions at the door as the talented cast of acrobats, live male vocalists, fire acts, aerial artists and world-renowned circus performers flip and spin across the stage in this highoctane show.

Shantay you Sleigh is here…get set for the UK’s biggest ever drag Christmas show. Hosted by the dynamic drag duo The Vivienne and Baga Chipz. Over 18s only!

GARY MEIKLE – SURREAL

KATHERINE RYAN – MISSUS

8 January 7.30pm From £22.50 Charter Hall After his meteoric rise through the ranks, Scottish Comedy Award winner and viral sensation Gary Meikle is back with his second tour show, Surreal! His cheeky chappie nature will have you laughing at things you probably shouldn’t!

20 January 8.00pm £27 Charter Hall Katherine Ryan makes a welcome return to the stage with her brand-new live show, Missus. Hear Katherine’s hilarious new perspectives on life, love, and what it means to be Missus.

www.colchester-events.co.uk 19

MARTIN KEMP’S BACK TO THE 80S PARTY 28 January 7.30pm From £22.00 Charter Hall

THE GIN TO MY TONIC 19 February 12.30pm & 6.30pm From £17 Charter Hall

Martin Kemp’s band ‘Spandau Ballet’ topped the charts and sold millions of records worldwide. Now, Martin is delighted to announce his first ever Back to the 80s Party in Colchester.

The Gin To My Tonic Festival brings together over 100 different gins from across the UK and beyond. Each gin has been selected on outstanding craftsmanship, delightful flavour and the best drinking experiences.

I’M SORRY I HAVEN’T A CLUE

THE COMEDY STORE

24 February 7:30pm £30 Charter Hall BBC Radio’s multi award-winning antidote to panel games returns to the stage. Join Jack Dee, Miles Jupp, Tony Hawks, Pippa Evans and Rory Bremner for an unmissable evening of inspired nonsense.

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25 February 8.00pm From £17 Charter Hall The Comedy Store is renowned as a breeding ground for new comedy talent and remains the place to see tomorrow’s stars today. It’s where Eddie Izzard, John Bishop, Jimmy Carr and Sarah Millican all cut their comedy teeth!

JASON MANFORD - LIKE ME 26 February 7.30pm From £32 Charter Hall It’s been a busy few years for Jason since his last smash-hit stand up show but fans of his Absolute Radio show will know this nationally acclaimed comedian hasn’t changed a bit. Jason’s latest comic offering promises comedy gold.

AN AUDIENCE WITH MARK ‘BILLY’ BILLINGHAM 5 March 7.30pm £23.50 Charter Hall Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham is TV’s most experienced, highest ranking and most decorated SAS leader and sniper; and bodyguard to stars such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Tom Cruise.

OMID DJALILI: THE GOOD TIMES TOUR 4 March 8.00pm £27.50 Charter Hall Multi award-winning comedian and actor, Omid Djalili is now back where he belongs, on a stage and bringing back The Good Times. Intelligent, provocative and entertaining.

WEDDING FAIR 6 March 11am - 4pm Free Town Hall Looking for your perfect wedding?

Discover all that Colchester Town Hall can offer for your big day and chat with our friendly and experienced Weddings Team. www.colchester-events.co.uk 21

COLCHESTER YOUTH ARTS PARTNERSHIP 18 March 7.00pm From £10 Charter Hall A celebration of musical talent from Colchester’s secondary school students who will perform their own choice of music in a variety of styles and ensembles at a staggering level of performance.

ULTRA 90S 26 March 8.00pm From £25.00 Charter Hall Europe’s first and only show of its kind, ULTRA 90s brings a full live band experience to perform the best classic chart, dance and club anthems from the most exciting musical movement in decades – the 1990’s Dance Era. 22 THE TICKET- Winter/Spring 2022

CIRCUS OF HORRORS 25 March 8.00pm From £24.00 Charter Hall The Circus of Horrors is back with its latest incarnation ‘THE WITCH’. This sensational new phantasmagoria features amazing and bizarre circus acts with an original Rock score, and a sinister story of witchcraft.

THE DIANA ROSS STORY IN THE NAME OF LOVE 8 April 7.30pm TBC Charter Hall The premier show in celebration of Diana Ross and The Supremes. Theatre audiences prepare to be taken on a spellbinding journey visiting one of the greatest musical stories ever told.

NISH KUMAR – YOUR POWER, YOUR CONTROL

MILKSHAKE! LIVECOLCHESTER MILKSHAKE CHARTER HALL, Monday 18 April 2022 | 12 noon | colchester-events.co.uk MONKEY’S MUSICAL

9 April 7.30pm From £22 Charter Hall

18 April 12 noon From £15 Charter Hall

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Control is a new show from Nish Kumar, host of The Mash Report and one of the Guardian’s Top Fifty Comedians of the 21st Century.

05/11/2021 11:09:36

Milkshake Monkey can’t wait to put on a spectacular new musical for you all!

But when stage fright hits, his favourite Milkshake friends come to help.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Ticket Information E-tickets are sent out following booking; in some cases tickets can be posted or collected at the venue.

Refunds or exchanges We are unable to offer refunds and exchanges once tickets are purchased. However, if a show is postponed or cancelled due to Covid-19, customers will be offered a refund.

Discounts Some events offer family tickets or discounts. Visit our website or call 01206 506905 for details.

Booking Fees Some events charge a booking fee which will be indicated when purchasing tickets.

Box Office – Telephone: 01206 573948 All listings and prices are correct at the time of going to print. Colchester Events reserves the right to make alterations where necessary.

Colchester Events is part of Colchester Amphora Trading Ltd (CATL) a company established and wholly owned by Colchester Borough Council. All profits are reinvested to support the delivery of council services to the borough’s residents. www.colchester-events.co.uk 23

Colchester Station

NCN1 Dedham Vale & Ipswich

London

Ipswich/Norwich

HOW TO FIND US

Childsplay Adventureland

Fire Station

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Putt in the Park

River C olne

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Lower Castle Park

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A133 to University of Essex Clacton | Harwich

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Colchester Town Station Colchester Magistrates’ Court St John’s Green

WALSINGHAM RD

MAGD ALEN Abbeygate

Save time on the day and pre-pay for parking when purchasing tickets through our website; 400 onsite spaces.

For accessible seating and carer ticket options please call our box office on: 01206 573948.

Visitors can enjoy a selection of beer, wine, spirits, hot drinks and light snacks.

ID required and card payments only.

CP COLCHESTER CASTLE PARK, HIGH ST, COLCHESTER CO1 1UG The closest car parks are located at Priory Street and Leisure World.

Blue badge and disabled car parking is available in the High Street and Castle Street. Most areas of the Park are fully accessible on tarmac paths.

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VENUES B1022 To Tiptree | Maldon and Colchester Zoo

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Police Station

Curzon Cinema

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ELD LANE

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Headgate Theatre

Priory Walk Shopping

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Minories Art Gallery

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Bank Passage

Odeon Cinema

Colchester Arts Centre

CROUCH STREET

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Castle Museum

A1232 To A12 and Ipswich A137 To Manningtree

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Jumbo Water Mercury Tower Theatre

Victorian Bandstand Café

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TH TOWN HALL – HIGH STREET, COLCHESTER CO1 1PJ The closest car parks are located at Priory Street and St Mary’s.

The venue is fully accessible and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

OLD HEATH RECREATION OH GROUND, OLD HEATH RD, COLCHESTER CO1 2ER A car park is located 400m from the entrance.

The venue is fully accessible and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

ALL OUR VENUES ARE AVAILABLE TO HIRE – VISIT: COLCHESTER-VENUES.CO.UK

For Town Centre car parks information: www.colchester.gov.uk/parking-and-travel/ town-centre-car-parks/ Contactless payments can be made with the MiPermit app.

24 THE TICKET - Winter/Spring 2022

www.colchester-events.co.uk 25

8 JANUARY 2022

www.colchester-events.co.uk 27

WHO DARES WINS

‘BILLY IS INSPIRATIONAL AND ALWAYS HUMBLE. A GIANT OF A MAN!’ - BEAR GRYLLS

AN AUDIENCE WITH

MARK ‘BILLY’ BILLINGHAM As seen on Who Dares Wins

28 THE TICKET - Winter/Spring 2022

M

ark ‘Billy’ Billingham is TV’s most experienced, highest ranking and most decorated SAS leader and sniper. This inspiring event will educate and enthral those wishing to seek a challenge and conquer it – the SAS way.

A hard road to success Billy left school at just eleven years of age. The threat of borstal and close encounters with gangs in his home city of Birmingham, eventually led to him discovering the British Armed Forces at sixteen years old. It would be the making of him.

When Billy graduated from the Royal Marine cadets he went on to enlist with the Parachute Regiment in 1983, where he would serve with distinction as a Patrol Commander and expert sniper.

In 1991 he took on an even bigger challenge – taking the SAS course.

This fearsome and secretive elite special forces unit has a reputation for excellence in operating in extreme and hazardous conditions.

He excelled in this life, rising to the rank of sergeant major for the regiment, and undertaking dozens of classified and extremely dangerous missions. He would ultimately spend seventeen years with the SAS, serving in countless war zones, winning a commendation for bravery and being awarded the MBE. After leaving the army he embraced the life of a bodyguard to Hollywood stars such as Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe, before being recruited as one of the lead instructors on SAS - Who Dares Wins for television.

This event is hosted and produced by Mark Llewhellin, Endurance (Running) World Record Breaker and author of several books.

‘THE SAS AND ALL IT STANDS FOR IS EXEMPLIFIED IN MEN SUCH AS MARK ‘BILLY’ BILLINGHAM. THEY ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE BRITISH MILITARY AND I FOR ONE AM THANKFUL HE IS ON OUR SIDE!’ - SIR RANULPH FIENNES www.colchester-events.co.uk 29

30 THE TICKET - Winter/Spring 2022

www.colchester-events.co.uk 31

9am - 4pm | 7 days a week on Culver Street East and West Fridays and Saturdays on High Street colchester.gov.uk/markets

FRUIT, VEG, FISH, BREAD, CAKES, BOOKS, CLOTHES, STREET FOOD, BAGS, GIFTS AND LOTS MORE!

Wednesday LATE NIGHT shopping throughout December.

Stalls open till 8pm. Free parking after 3pm.

Planning

your break

is easy

Visit Colchester Information Centre @ Hollytrees Museum For details see www.visitcolchester.com or Call 01206 282920 32 THE TICKET - Winter/Spring 2022

www.colchester-events.co.uk 35

08.04.2022 Charter Hall, Colchester 36 THE TICKET - Winter/Spring 2022

Colchester Town Hall Sunday 6 March 2022 | 11am-4pm Free entry Planning your dream wedding?

Come and meet some of the region’s top wedding suppliers who can help you plan your big day.

Pre-register now for your complimentary goody bag and a glass of prosecco.*

colchesterweddingfair.eventbrite.co.uk * Available to first 50 guests only

CHARTER HALL, COLCHESTER Monday 18 April 2022 | 12 noon | colchester-events.co.uk

38 THE TICKET - Winter/Spring 2022

MILKSHAKE LIVE

MILKSHAKE! LIVE

MILKSHAKE MONKEY’S MUSICAL

M

ilkshake! Monkey is back and can’t wait to put on a spectacular NEW Show for you all, joined by some of his favourite Milkshake! friends plus two Milkshake Presenters creating the most dazzling show you have ever seen!

Join Paddington, Daisy & Ollie, Milo, Noddy, Pip and Posy, Blue’s Clues & You! and of course Milkshake! Monkey for an unforgettable family time at Milkshake Monkey’s Musical!

Learn the amazing songs and dances with your favourite Milkshake! friends and watch as the music, the lights, the costumes and the stage brings

Milkshake! to life. With great Milkshake friends, anything is possible.

This brand-new show has plenty of laughter, audience interaction and great fun to get everyone up on their feet! It’s a family show not to be missed!

Produced by Mark Thompson Productions by arrangement and in partnership with Channel 5 Broadcasting. www.colchester-events.co.uk/ event/milkshakelive www.colchester-events.co.uk 39

WELCOME TO

INCOLCHESTER A website designed for you to find out about and discover new places, right in the heart of Colchester Town Centre.

Discover events and deals from businesses in the town or exciting competitions you will

EAT & DRINK SEE & DO ACCOMMODATION ENTERTAINMENT & LEISURE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

not want to miss! Use us to find great places for food, drink, shopping, services and more!

SHOPPING

incolchester.co.uk @InColchester 40 THE TICKET - Winter/Spring 2022

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@InColchester