Venues in the South East and South

Croydon CR0

Father of Lies runs at Theatre Utopia from 8 to 10 December

Father of Lies has a short run at the last independent theatre left in Croydon, Theatre Utopia.

Set in 1973, the play tells the true story of a mysterious murder in Würzburg, West Germany, using photographs, confessions, police reports and re-enactments.

Canterbury

The Marlowe Studio, Canterbury

Alongside Dick Whittington (running until 8 January) in the main house, there is music, drama and comedy in the Marlowe's Studio:

  • Eclectic and high-energy eight-piece band, Police Dog Hogan – 1 December
  • Award-winning comedian Jo Caulfield – 2 December.
  • Chemotherapy cocktails and the perfect funeral playlist in this honest and fascinating story of a young man's experience of cancer, The Eulogy Of Toby Peach – 3 and 4 December
  • Music hall, Americana and more with The Green Rock River Band – 8 December
  • BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards nominee, Emily Portman – 9 December.
  • The Marlowe Friends Committee present Judy Garland bio show, Get Happy – 11 December
  • Comedy Club 4 Kids – 22 December

For Christmassy family audiences, The Snow Queen – 13 and 14 December, James Hyland’s award-winning Christmas Carol – As Told By Jacob Marley (Deceased) – 16 December, music and wry humour from Belshazzar’s Feast – 20 December, the CK Gospel Choir – 21 December and a child-friendly The Nutcracker – 23 – 28 December.

Sweet Dukebox, Hove

Hove's Sweet Dukebox has a range of entertainments lined up in the run up to you know what…

  • Santacorp – The final in a series of interactive theatre games – 3 December
  • Devised theatre on emotional and mental health The Crazy Wisdom of Taking Notice – 4 December
  • Resident drama group present Cast Iron Christmas Selection Box with no rehearsal – 9 December
  • Iron Clad Improv – Drop-in improv workshop – check web site for dates

Plus Ghost Stories at Christmas, interactive games with Firecat Masquerade and Music is the Answer dance event.

Kingston

The Wind In The Willows runs at Rose Theatre, Kingston from 6 December to 3 January

The Rose Youth Theatre is accompanied by professional actors in this adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic The Wind In The Willows.

The story has been adapted and directed by Ciaran McConville and the composer and lyricist is Eamonn O’Dwyer.

Southampton

Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox plays Nuffield Theatre until 8 January—world première

Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox has been dapted for the stage by Sam Holcroft and features songs with music by Arthur Darvill and lyrics by Darvill, Sam Holcroft, Al Muriel and Darren Clark.

Maria Aberg directs this co-production which will tour nationally from January to June, starting at Lyric Hammersmith.