What’s On
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Exhibitions
Free
Tim Noble & Sue Webster: Love and Hate at Firstsite
Thursday 09 November 2023 - Tuesday 30 September 2025
In this presentation, seven light sculptures by Noble & Webster illuminate areas of the Firstsite building with pops of glimmering colour.
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Free
University Centre Colchester (UCC): Legacy
Saturday 08 March - Sunday 15 June 2025
In partnership with Colchester Institute, we’re proud to present the UCC: Legacy exhibition, featuring an exciting selection of multimedia works by second and third-year students from University Centre Colchester (UCC).
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Free
Elsa James: It Should Not Be Forgotten
Saturday 29 March - Sunday 06 July 2025
Join Essex artist Elsa James in examining the heart of Britain’s colonial past and its lasting impact on Black life today.
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Dance and Movement for Well-being
Friday 25 April 2025
10:30 am
More times available
A gentle session for over 60s to ease joint mobility, improve agility, balance and self-awareness in movement. Every Friday 10:30am during term times.
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Ernest Cole: Lost and Found
Friday 25 April 2025
11:00 am
More times available
Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, shows how a South African photographer was the first to expose the horrors of apartheid to a world audience.
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On Falling
Friday 25 April 2025
1:30 pm
More times available
On Falling explores the silent, vital struggle to find meaning and connection while working in an algorithm-driven gig economy.
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Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
Friday 25 April 2025
4:00 pm
Renée Zellweger returns in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy to the role that established a romantic-comedy heroine for the ages!
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Boozy Brushes – Paint in Pairs
Friday 25 April 2025
7:30 pm
Join Sirena Hart at Firstsite for Boozy Brushes a multi-art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza where you can paint in pairs!
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The Alto Knights
Friday 25 April 2025
7:45 pm
More times available
The Alto Knights follows two of New York’s most notorious organised crime bosses, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese.
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Free
Acorn Village: 50 Years
Saturday 26 April - Sunday 07 September 2025
Discover the inspiring 50-year journey of Acorn Village, told through a rich collection of artworks created by artists with learning disabilities.
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Colchester Record Fair
Saturday 26 April 2025
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
More times available
Browse the stalls and grab yourself a bargain – or perhaps something a little rarer at the Colchester Record Fair at Firstsite.
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The Sloth Lane (Relaxed)
Saturday 26 April 2025
11:00 am
Laura and her kooky sloth family move to the big city but will they adapt to life in the fast lane when they’re so used to The Sloth Lane?
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MET Opera Live: Le Nozze di Figaro
Saturday 26 April 2025
5:45 pm
Mozart’s timeless and profoundly humane comedy returns to Firstsite in MET Opera Live: Le Nozze di Figaro.
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Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII
Sunday 27 April 2025
3:00 pm
Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII, the 1972 film, features iconic songs, stunning visuals, and rare behind-the-scenes moments!
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Free
Art in the Community
Tuesday 29 April 2025
More times available
Art in the Community sessions are for people who use creativity to improve their well-being, and for recovery from mental and physical issues
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The Alto Knights (Captioned)
Tuesday 29 April 2025
2:00 pm
The Alto Knights follows two of New York’s most notorious organised crime bosses, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese.
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Free
Colchester Library Rhymetimes at Firstsite
Wednesday 30 April 2025
More times available
While Colchester Library is closed for refurbishment, weekly Baby & Toddler Rhymetimes are continuing at Firstsite.
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Free
MiniCLIP Colchester
Wednesday 30 April 2025
More times available
MiniCLIP – a free weekly music club for young people age 11 to 14 at Firstsite Colchester, on term time Wednesdays from 4 – 5pm.
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Free
YAK | Young Art Kommunity
Thursday 01 May 2025
More times available
Young Art Kommunity (YAK) is Firstsite’s young-people peer led group which organises events and activities within the gallery and in the wider community.
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BSFF25: The Rebrand
Thursday 01 May 2025
10:20 am
Nicole is hired by a lifestyle influencer couple after they’ve been publicly cancelled, but she discovers that they have nefarious motives.
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BSFF25: Bystanders
Thursday 01 May 2025
12:50 pm
A group of murderous frat boys get more than they bargained for when they cross paths with a couple coming home from a wedding in Bystanders.
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BSFF25: Krazy House
Thursday 01 May 2025
3:20 pm
Krazy House follows religious homemaker Bernie and his sitcom family. When criminals invade his home he has to save his imprisoned family.
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Colchester Art Society – Aden Hynes Larger than Life – Working as a Commercial Sculptor
Thursday 01 May 2025
6:30 pm
The Colchester Arts Society invites you to the Colchester Arts Society Lecture Series at Firstsite with Aden Hynes.
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Bonnie & Clyde The Musical
Thursday 01 May 2025
7:00 pm
More times available
Bonnie & Clyde The Musical is the story of two small-town kids from the middle of nowhere who became the biggest folk heroes in all America.
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BSFF25: Derelict
Friday 02 May 2025
10:20 am
Abigail grieves her father’s death, feeling isolated. Matt’s life is disrupted by his brother’s return. Their paths intersect In Derelict.
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BSFF25: What Happened to Dorothy Bell?
Friday 02 May 2025
12:50 pm
Ozzie Gray seeks to find out What Happened to Dorothy Bell? To do so she video documents her investigation into the traumatic events.
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BSFF25: 7 Keys
Friday 02 May 2025
3:20 pm
In 7 Keys Daniel and Lena embark on a risky tour through his previous homes which soon becomes a deadly threat.
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BSFF25: Sayara
Friday 02 May 2025
5:50 pm
Sayara, a quiet gym cleaner from Turkmenistan, begins to follow in her father’s footsteps, seeking a path of revenge.
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BSFF25: The Forest Hills
Friday 02 May 2025
8:05 pm
Haunted by nightmares, Rico descends into madness in the Catskill Mountains of director Scott Goldberg’s, The Forest Hills.
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Folk & Bespoke Artisan Craft Market
Saturday 03 May 2025
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
More times available
Have a handmade shopping day. The people in your life deserves something special and for a totally unique gift, you cannot beat handmade.
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BSFF25: Never Have I Ever
Saturday 03 May 2025
10:20 am
Sam, a struggling writer, faces pressure to repay an advance in Never Have I Ever. His day spirals complicating his predicament and deadline.
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BSFF25: Girl Internet Show
Saturday 03 May 2025
12:50 pm
Girl Internet Show is a documentary film that compiles the online video work of artist Kati Kelli, exploring themes of identity and loneliness
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BSFF25: Stream
Saturday 03 May 2025
3:20 pm
Craven, a streamer with thousands of followers on a live streaming platform, has prepared a very special Stream for Halloween.
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BSFF25: The Severed Sun
Saturday 03 May 2025
5:50 pm
The Severed Sun follows Magpie who lives in an isolated church community ruled over by her father, The Pastor.
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Drag Life Drawing with Sirena Hart
Saturday 03 May 2025
6:00 pm
More times available
A one-of-a-kind life drawing class, where your tutor and model will offer multiple poses in fantastical settings.
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BSFF25: Cult Film Secret Screening
Saturday 03 May 2025
8:05 pm
As is the Black Sunday tradition, we will be closing the 2025 festival with a stone-cold cult secret classic!
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Muriel’s Wedding (30th Anniversary)
Sunday 04 May 2025
11:00 am
More times available
Muriel, steals money from her parents to finance a vacation where she hopes to find happiness in Muriel’s Wedding.
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The Art Café
Wednesday 07 May 2025
10:30 am
More times available
The Art Café is our new unguided painting session! Come alone, with friends or that special someone for a fun and relaxing art activity.
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The End
Wednesday 07 May 2025
11:00 am
More times available
Twenty-five years after The End left the Earth uninhabitable, Mother, Father and Son are confined to their palatial bunker.
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Mini Movers & Makers Toddler Group
Thursday 08 May 2025
10:00 am
More times available
This brand new artist-led toddler group provides a safe and fun environment for children under 5 and parents/carers to be curious and explore interactive, sensory storytelling and experiment with a range of art activities and materials.
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Muriel’s Wedding (30th Anniversary) (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 08 May 2025
11:30 am
Muriel, steals money from her parents to finance a vacation where she hopes to find happiness in Muriel’s Wedding.
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Tall Tales
Thursday 08 May 2025
5:45 pm
Be one of the first to hear Thom Yorke’s newest album accompanied with ground-breaking visual artist Jonathan Zawada in Tall Tales.
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Life Drawing with Justine Moss – all levels
Thursday 08 May 2025
7:00 pm
More times available
Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, gain confidence in drawing the figure, with these tutored life drawing sessions.
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Two Strangers Trying Not To Kill Each Other
Friday 09 May 2025
11:00 am
More times available
Maggie and her husband become Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other after she breaks her femur and her husband becomes her caregiver.
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Santosh
Friday 09 May 2025
1:30 pm
More times available
In 2018, Santosh, aged 28, assumes her deceased husband’s role as a police officer in India following his tragic death.
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Mr. Burton
Friday 09 May 2025
4:30 pm
More times available
The true story of how Mr. Burton, became one of the greatest actors of his generation with the help of an unlikely mentor.
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Ocean With David Attenborough
Friday 09 May 2025
7:30 pm
More times available
After nearly 70 years of filming the natural world, Ocean With David Attenborough is Sir David’s most powerful and urgent message yet.
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Portfolio Surgery – Morning Sessions
Saturday 10 May 2025
10:00 am
More times available
Book a one-on-one session at our free Artist Portfolio Surgery, where an industry expert will provide professional guidance.
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The Firstsite Art Fair
Saturday 10 May 2025
10:00 am
More times available
The Firstsite Art Fair brings together a diverse range of artists, collectors, art lovers and all who are simply curios about art.
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The Firstsite Art Fair: Kite Making Workshop
Saturday 10 May 2025
10:00 am
More times available
At the first Firstsite Art Fair, whether you’re an art or kite flying lover, unleash your creativity in our hands-on Kite Making Workshop!
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The Firstsite Art Fair: Watercolour Workshop
Saturday 10 May 2025
10:00 am
More times available
At the first Firstsite Art Fair, discover the calming art of watercolour painting in this immersive Watercolour Workshop for all skill levels!
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Flow (Relaxed)
Saturday 10 May 2025
11:00 am
When a flood washes its home away, a solitary cat must seek refuge with a motley crew of animals, who gradually learn to go with the Flow.
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Portfolio Surgery – Afternoon Sessions
Saturday 10 May 2025
2:00 pm
More times available
Book a one-on-one session at our free Artist Portfolio Surgery, where an industry expert will provide professional guidance.
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National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest (Captioned)
Saturday 10 May 2025
4:00 pm
Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy-The Importance of Being Earnest.
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Björk’s Cornucopia
Saturday 10 May 2025
7:45 pm
Björk’s Cornucopia, the highly anticipated concert film live in Lisbon, captures the celebrated artist’s tour that mesmerised audiences.
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National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest
Sunday 11 May 2025
2:00 pm
Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy – The Importance of Being Earnest.
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Mr. Burton (Captioned)
Tuesday 13 May 2025
2:00 pm
The true story of how Mr. Burton, became one of the greatest actors of his generation with the help of an unlikely mentor.
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Mr. Burton (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 15 May 2025
11:00 am
The true story of how Mr. Burton, became one of the greatest actors of his generation with the help of an unlikely mentor.
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The Return
Friday 16 May 2025
11:00 am
More times available
The Return after 20 years sees Odysseus finding his wife held prisoner by suitors vying to be king and his son facing death at their hands.
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War Paint: Women At War
Friday 16 May 2025
2:00 pm
More times available
Shining a light on the trailblazing role of women, War Paint – Women At War champions the female perspective on conflict through art.
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Four Mothers
Friday 16 May 2025
5:30 pm
More times available
Four Mothers. That’s who a struggling novelist who is forced to take care of over the course of one chaotic weekend in Dublin.
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Origami Workshop
Friday 16 May 2025
7:00 pm
In our Origami Workshop, Lu Yu will guide you step by step through the creation of specific origami shapes in this ancient art form!
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EcoArt Collage and Craft
Friday 16 May 2025
7:00 pm
More times available
Join us for our EcoArt Collage and Craft workshop where creativity meets sustainability In this unique group experience!
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Firstsite Fabulous Fridays
Friday 16 May 2025
7:00 pm
More times available
Immerse yourself in a world of unlimited creativity at our monthly Fabulous Fridays with unique workshops, art, tasty treats and great films!
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Boozy Brushes
Friday 16 May 2025
7:30 pm
More times available
Join Sirena Hart for Boozy Brushes at Firstsite – our New Multi-Art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza!
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One To One: John & Yoko
Friday 16 May 2025
8:00 pm
More times available
This is One to One: John & Yoko, John Lennon’s only full-length show after leaving The Beatles, at Madison Square Garden and much more.
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Sylvanian Families (Relaxed)
Saturday 17 May 2025
11:00 am
The annual Star Festival arrives in Sylvanian Families again this year. While everyone is looking forward to it, Freya is worried.
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MET Opera Live: Salome
Saturday 17 May 2025
5:45 pm
Met Music Director Nézet-Séguin takes the podium to conduct Strauss’s one-act incendiary and powerful tragedy in MET Opera Live: Salome.
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Writing the Self – Creative Writing Workshop
Sunday 18 May 2025
10:30 am
Delve into the relationship between writing and yourself using your personal experiences to create literary works of art.
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The Royal Opera: Die Walküre
Sunday 18 May 2025
2:00 pm
Gods and mortals battle in the second chapter of Wagner’s Ring cycle in the Royal Ballet and Opera: Die Walküre.
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The Foreign Invention of British Art – Leslie Primo
Tuesday 20 May 2025
2:30 pm
Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful session by Leslie Primo in The Arts Society at Firstsite (TASAF) Lecture series!
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Exhibition on Screen: Michelangelo: Love and Death
Wednesday 21 May 2025
2:00 pm
More times available
Michelangelo’s spectacular works seem so familiar, but do we really know this renaissance genius? This is Michelangelo: Love and Death.
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Four Mothers (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 22 May 2025
11:30 am
Four Mothers. That’s who a struggling novelist who is forced to take care of over the course of one chaotic weekend in Dublin.
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The Penguin Lessons
Friday 23 May 2025
11:00 am
More times available
Starring Oscar nominee Steve Coogan, The Penguin Lessons follows an Englishman’s personal and political awakening after he adopts a penguin.
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Escape From Extinction: Rewilding
Friday 23 May 2025
2:00 pm
More times available
Can the world be saved? Narrated by Meryl Streep, follow experts as they seek to Escape from Extinction: Rewilding.
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A Minecraft Movie
Friday 23 May 2025
5:30 pm
More times available
Four misfits — Garrett “The Garbage Man”, Henry, Natalie and Dawn —find themselves struggling with ordinary problems in A Minecraft Movie.
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Boozy Brushes – Paint Your Pet
Friday 23 May 2025
7:30 pm
Join Sirena Hart at Firstsite for Boozy Brushes a multi-art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza where you can paint your pet!
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Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story
Friday 23 May 2025
8:00 pm
More times available
Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story recounts her controversial life, novels, love affairs, and stardom through personal journals.
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A Minecraft Movie (Relaxed)
Saturday 24 May 2025
11:00 am
Four misfits — Garrett “The Garbage Man”, Henry, Natalie and Dawn —find themselves struggling with ordinary problems in A Minecraft Movie.
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Getting Started with Drawing
Sunday 25 May 2025
10:00 am
More times available
Join us in Getting Started with Drawing, a relaxed drawing workshop, to explore different drawing techniques and materials.
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The Royal Ballet: Ballet to Broadway: Wheeldon Works
Sunday 25 May 2025
2:00 pm
The Royal Ballet: Ballet to Broadway: Wheeldon Works showcases the remarkable choreographic range of Christopher Wheeldon.
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A Minecraft Movie (Captioned)
Tuesday 27 May 2025
2:00 pm
Four misfits — Garrett “The Garbage Man”, Henry, Natalie and Dawn —find themselves struggling with ordinary problems in A Minecraft Movie.
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The Penguin Lessons (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 29 May 2025
11:30 am
Starring Oscar nominee Steve Coogan, The Penguin Lessons follows an Englishman’s personal and political awakening after he adopts a penguin.
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Bluey At The Cinema: Let’s Play Chef Collection
Friday 30 May 2025
11:00 am
More times available
Bluey at the Cinema: Let’s Play Chef Collection is a treat for fans of Bluey to enjoy, made up of eight episodes from the TV show.
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Sylvanian Families
Friday 30 May 2025
1:15 pm
The annual Star Festival arrives in Sylvanian Families again this year. While everyone is looking forward to it, Freya is worried.
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April
Friday 30 May 2025
4:00 pm
More times available
Nina is an OB-GYN in the only small hospital of a town. Abstaining from personal relationships, she is unconditionally devoted in April.
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National Theatre Live: Dr. Strangelove (Captioned)
Friday 30 May 2025
7:00 pm
Seven-time BAFTA Award-winner Steve Coogan plays four roles in the world premiere stage adaptation of Dr. Strangelove.
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Bluey At The Cinema: Let’s Play Chef Collection (Relaxed)
Saturday 31 May 2025
11:00 am
Bluey at the Cinema: Let’s Play Chef Collection is a treat for fans of Bluey to enjoy, made up of eight episodes from the TV show.
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Holy Cow
Saturday 31 May 2025
2:00 pm
More times available
Holy Cow! Totone’s carefree teenage life of drinking and dancing takes a turn when he must provide for his 7-year-old sister.
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MET Opera Live: Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Saturday 31 May 2025
5:45 pm
MET Opera Live 2024–25 season comes to a close with MET Opera Live: Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Rossini’s effervescent comedy.
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National Theatre Live: Dr. Strangelove
Sunday 01 June 2025
2:00 pm
Seven-time BAFTA Award-winner Steve Coogan plays four roles in the world premiere stage adaptation of Dr. Strangelove.
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Sylvanian Families (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 05 June 2025
11:30 am
The annual Star Festival arrives in Sylvanian Families again this year. While everyone is looking forward to it, Freya is worried.
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National Theatre Live: A Streetcar Named Desire
Friday 06 June 2025
7:00 pm
More times available
Gillian Anderson, Vanessa Kirby, and Ben Foster lead the cast in Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece, A Streetcar Named Desire
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Jesus Christ Superstar Live
Sunday 15 June 2025
2:00 pm
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock classic Jesus Christ Superstar Live returns to its roots with this sensational performance in the UK.
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TASAF Lecture Series: Visual Magic in the Musicals
Tuesday 17 June 2025
2:30 pm
Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful session by Christopher Budd in The Arts Society at Firstsite (TASAF) Lecture series!
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Watercolour and Wine
Friday 20 June 2025
7:00 pm
Celebrate watercolour with an evening of creativity, relaxation and wine at our Watercolour and Wine Workshop!
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Introduction to Collage
Friday 04 July 2025
10:00 am
More times available
Sociable, creative and fun Introduction to Collage Workshop where you’ll learn new techniques, unwind and have a delicious lunch together.
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André Rieu’s 2025 Maastricht Concert: Waltz the Night Away!
Saturday 30 August 2025
4:15 pm
More times available
Step into a night of music, romance, and celebration this summer from the stunning Vrijthof Square with André Rieu’s Waltz the Night Away!
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National Theatre Live: Inter Alia
Thursday 04 September 2025
7:00 pm
More times available
Oscar-nominated Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Saltburn) is Jessica in the much-anticipated, Inter Alia, from the team behind Prima Facie.
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