From political comedy, gothic horror and open gardens to classic thrillers, music and fairs there’s lots on in Suffolk and Essex over the weekend.
Letters to Windsor House
New Wolsey Studio, Ipswich, 7.45pm, February 21
The housing crisis gets personal in multi-award winning Sh!t Theatre’s new show.
Curious about their Hackney flat’s previous occupants, Louise Mothersole and Rebecca Biscuit use a loophole in the Postal Services Act that says you can open other people’s mail under certain circumstances and opened Pandora’s box.
Making a song and dance about the state of the nation and “generation rent” it blends comedy, theatre, song, performance art and investigative journalism with dancing red cardboard post boxes.
Mark Nevin
The Fisher Theatre, Bungay, 7.30pm, Febuary 17
Next month sees the release of ex Fairground Attraction member Mark Nevin’s fifth solo album, My Unfashionable Opinion.
He says: “The title track is about that feeling a lot of people have in these days of social media - put a coma in the wrong place on Twitter and your life could be over. I’m staying in with my unfashionable opinion, no logging on or mouthing off.”
A storyteller at heart, songs like Curly Wurly Boy recount his refusal to accept his school careers officer’s advice to get a job at the Cadbury Schweppes chocolate factory and Punching Above My Weight where he recalls being the little one, in the rugby scrum.
Songs on Film
The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm, February 17
If you didn’t catch Joe Stilgoe at the Ipswich School Festival of music - I did, he was fantastic - here’s another chance.
Following a smash-hit run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the internationally acclaimed musician, performer and entertainer pay tribute to 100 years of cinema - from Hollywood’s golden age to the classic films of the 1980s, the contemporary work of Tarantino, the Coen Brothers and Pixar.
Joe says: “I’ve tried to make this show feel like the best cinema trip there ever was and for film geeks like me it’s a chance to spot every reference, while for normal people it will be a great ride through all the greatest musical moments put to film.”
Cultural Traffic Counterculture Fair
Firstsite, Colchester, 12.30pm-6pm, February 18
It features more than 40 dealers of new, rare and collectable books; zines, prints, posters, catalogues, vinyl and tapes.
The day will be closed by a special screening of My Buddha is Punk at 6pm. Directed by Andreas Hartmann, the documentary centres on a young Burmese punk pursuing the dream of seeing the punk scene take off in Myanmar.
The event coincides with the final weekend of Introspective, the major survey of Gee Vaucher, which is being held at the gallery until February 19.
Academy of Ancient Music
Civic Theatre, Chelmsford, 7.30pm, February 18
Called the finest period-instrument orchestra in the world by Classic FM, the orchestra only uses period instruments like wooden flutes, trumpets without valves and strings woven from animal gut.
Members are also famed for using first edition scores whenever possible to ensure the music is as close to the composer’s original compositions. The performance will include pieces by Bach, Vivaldi, Albinoni and A Marcello.
There’s a pre-concert talk at 6.30pm for concert ticket holders.
Second Annual National Garden Scheme Snowdrop Festival
The Old Rectory, Boreham, noon-3pm, February 18-19
Enjoy a tranquil, early spring garden. The naturalised snowdrops, crocus and cyclamen will be a beautiful sight. The crocus has spread down a grassy bank and jumped across the stream.
Sounds of the Glenn Miller Era
Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm, February 18
The classic tunes of swing are brought to life by the Nick Ross Orchestra, with saxophones, trombones, trumpets and singers combining to recapture the big band sound of the 1940s.
Bookends
St Peter’s by the Waterfront, Ipswich, 7.30pm, February 18
Hear Simon and Garfunkel hits like Homeward Bound, Mrs Robinson and Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Ipswich Chamber Music Society
Ipswich School, 7.30pm, February 18
The sociesty presents a concert by the Heath String Quartet with James Baillieu on piano, playing quartets by Haydn and Bartok plus Elgar’s piano quintet.
Wish
Seagull Theatre, Lowestoft, 7.30pm, February 18-19, 2.30pm matinee Saturday.
Once upon a time, a magic lamp was found that changed the stories of the town’s folk.Musical featuring all your favourite fairytale and folklore characters - from Cinderella and the White Rabbit to Captain Hook.
Gaslight
Cambridge Arts Theatre, 7.45pm nightly, 2.30pm matinee Saturday, to February 18
While Jack Manningham is on the town each evening his wife Bella is home alone. She can’t explain the disappearance of familiar objects, the mysterious footsteps overhead or the ghostly flickering of living room gaslight - is she losing her mind? The surprise arrival of retired Detective Rough leads to a shocking discovery.
You Win Again - The Story of the Bee Gees
Ipswich Regent, 7.30pm, February 18
Following its West End debut, the show embarks on its first nationwide tour.
It charts the brothers Gibb’s early charting triumphs and fall from grace to their climb back to the top. Features hits from 1960s-1980s, topped off with ang array of iconic artists they wrote for such as Diana Ross, Celine Dion and Dionne Warwick.
Explore Flatford
National Trust Flatford, 10.30am-4.30pm, to Februry 19
The reserve has four hidden geo-caches to discover and tomorrow, you can enjoy a winter wander with a four-mile ramble. Led by an experienced National Trust volunteer, they will guide you through the Dedham Vale’ s winter landscape following ancient footpaths and lanes.
The RSPB in the Flatford Wildlife Garden are also hosting Snowdrop Weekends tomorrow and Sunday.
Celtic Fiddle Festival Band
The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 8pm, February 19
Featuring Kevin Burke, Christian Lemaître and Charlie McKerron; assisted by guitarist Nicolas Quemener. Each plays a solo set, showcasing their individual musical styles and cultural heritage followed by a collaborative set.
Richard Herring: The Best
Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, 8pm, February 19
The king of the Edinburgh Fringe’s latest stand-up routine combines his favourites from his previous 12 one-man shows.
Half-term fun
Wyevale Garden Centres, to February 19
A range of activities for youngsters including a birdy bakery where you can make seeded flapjacks,chocolate nests and a squirmy mini worm garden plus the chance to turn a terracotta pot into an owl and plant seeds ready to grow this spring.
Frankenstein
Civic Theatre, Chelmsford, 7.45pm, February 21
Blackeyed Theatre, In association with South Hill Park, presents John Ginman’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s landmark gothic horror.
Fusing ensemble storytelling, live music and puppetry, nothing can prepare Victor Frankenstein for what he creates while in obsessive pursuit of the elixir of life itself.
Matt Forde
Colchester Arts Centre, 7.30pm, February 21
The former Labour party advisor turned political comic performs his sold out 2016 Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, It’s My Political Party (and I’ll Cry if I Want to). He elebrates why it’s great/awful that we’re in/out of the EU/UK/NATO/whatever the hell happens next.
• For the latest entertainment news and interviews follow @WhatsonWayne on Twitter and check out our bumper What’s On event guide and arts and culture section in the paper every Thursday.
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