What’s On
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Exhibitions
Free
Sculpture at Firstsite
Saturday 20 November 2021 - Sunday 26 November 2023
See artworks by artists Ryan Gander, and Bharti Kher in our new sculpture park.
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Free
@background_bob and his amazing friends…back again!
Saturday 01 April - Sunday 08 October 2023
Essex artist @background_bob returns to Firstsite for his third energetic and uplifting exhibition. ‘Back again!’ features over 270 collaborative artworks created by @background_bob with leading international street and graffiti artists including Mr Doodle, Shepard Fairey and Wrdsmith, other big…
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Free
EVEWRIGHT: Libation
Saturday 08 July - Sunday 29 October 2023
‘Libation’ marks EVEWRIGHT’s first solo exhibition in a public gallery, showcasing a collection of new and seminal works spanning 20 years. The exhibition’s title, ‘Libation’, refers to the ceremonial pouring of a liquid to pay homage to ancestors or…
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A Little Life
Saturday 30 September 2023
2:00 pm
A Little Life follows four college friends in New York City: aspiring actor Willem, successful architect Malcolm, struggling artist JB, and prodigious lawyer Jude.
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Theater Camp
Saturday 30 September 2023
6:15 pm
More times available
Amos and Rebecca-Diane – lifelong best friends and drama instructors at a rundown camp in upstate New York, band together to keep their beloved summer camp afloat.
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Past Lives
Saturday 30 September 2023
8:10 pm
More times available
Past Lives showing now! Join two childhood friends for one fateful week in New York as they confront notions of destiny and love.
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Madama Butterfly on the Lake
Sunday 01 October 2023
11:00 am
Prepare to be taken away by this Puccini’s opera performed outdoors on a spectacular water stage on Lake Constance, Austria.
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Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
Sunday 01 October 2023
2:15 pm
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake returns to cinemas and is ‘as bold and beautiful as ever’ (★★★★★ Telegraph).
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Sketch, Etch and Scones with Karen Densham
Tuesday 03 October 2023
10:30 am
More times available
An accessible and fun approach to printmaking where we will be exploring low tech printing methods like dry point etching, Lino cutting, mono printing, impression printing and more.
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Past Lives (Captioned)
Tuesday 03 October 2023
Past Lives showing now! Join two childhood friends for one fateful week in New York as they confront notions of destiny and love.
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Free
Art in the Community
Tuesday 03 October 2023
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
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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My Name is Alfred Hitchcock
Tuesday 03 October 2023
1:30 pm
As Hitchcock rewatches his films, we are taken on an odyssey through his vast career – his vivid silent films, the legendary films of the 1950s and 60s and his later work.
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Limitless Street Dance
Tuesday 03 October 2023
4:00 pm
More times available
Breakdance skills for 8 – 14 year olds. Join the Limitless dancers Andi Mill and Isaac James to try out the basics of street dancing in a cool, fun and energetic environment.
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Free
CLiP Club Colchester
Wednesday 04 October 2023
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
More times available
CLIP is a weekly meet up for anyone 11 years old and up interested in music and sound. Play with synths, microphones and musical technology.
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Parent and Toddler
Thursday 05 October 2023
10:00 am
More times available
These artist-led sessions provide a safe and fun environment for children under 5 and parents/carers to use their imagination and curiosity to explore, test and experiment with a range of art activities and materials.
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Weekly Watercolour for Beginners with Justine Moss
Thursday 05 October 2023
10:30 am
More times available
Join our weekly group for watercolourists of all levels where you will be introduced to the materials, techniques and colour
theory to develop your paintings.
Cinema
Theater Camp (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 05 October 2023
Amos and Rebecca-Diane – lifelong best friends and drama instructors at a rundown camp in upstate New York, band together to keep their beloved summer camp afloat.
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Weekly Watercolour for Intermediates – with Justine Moss
Thursday 05 October 2023
1:30 pm
More times available
Develop your watercolour technique under the guidance of artist Justine Moss. Explore materials, techniques and colour theory to develop your practice and create more advanced paintings.
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Drumming Workshop
Thursday 05 October 2023
4:00 pm
More times available
Learn the basics of African Drumming with drumming tutor Hassan who is experienced in teaching people of all levels.
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Free
YAK | Young Art Kommunity
Thursday 05 October 2023
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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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Barbie
Thursday 05 October 2023
5:20 pm
Eccentric and individualistic, Barbie is exiled from Barbieland because of her imperfections. When her home world is in peril, Barbie returns.
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Free
Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK Viewing Party
Thursday 05 October 2023
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
More times available
Time to warm up your inner drag and start your engines! This year’s drag race viewing party is back with a bang at Firstsite!
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Dance and Movement for Well-being
Friday 06 October 2023
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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Nature drawing workshop with Lisa Temple-Cox
Friday 06 October 2023
10:30 am
More times available
Explore observational drawing and discover your favourite medium with this nature drawing workshop.
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Love Life
Friday 06 October 2023
11:00 am
More times available
The richly painful and quietly comic human drama Love Life tells the story of a family shaken up by a sudden tragedy.
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Fremont
Friday 06 October 2023
2:00 pm
More times available
Formerly a translator for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, Donya struggles to rebuild her life in Fremont and works for a Chinese fortune cookie factory.
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The Lesson
Friday 06 October 2023
4:45 pm
More times available
The Lesson tells a story of an aspiring writer Liam who accepts a tutoring position at the family estate of his idol author J.M. Sinclair.
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AngelHeaded Hipster + Recorded Q&A
Friday 06 October 2023
AngelHeaded Hipster celebrates the life and work of glam rock pioneer Marc Bolan, combined with a behind-the-scenes look at the tribute album.
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Free
Folk & Bespoke Artisan Craft Market
Saturday 07 October 2023
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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Fremont (Relaxed)
Saturday 07 October 2023
Formerly a translator for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, Donya struggles to rebuild her life in Fremont and works for a Chinese fortune cookie factory.
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The Nettle Dress
Saturday 07 October 2023
2:00 pm
More times available
A husband’s grief becomes a thing of beauty as he painstakingly weaves a dress from nettles in this lyrical documentary The Nettle Dress. After the death of his beloved wife, textile artist Allan Brown embarks on a seven-year endeavour…
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Drag Life Drawing with Sirena Hart
Saturday 07 October 2023
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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Once Upon a Time in Uganda
Sunday 08 October 2023
11:00 am
More times available
Once upon a time in Uganda two unlikely friends from opposite sides of the world unite over their shared love of Chuck Norris.
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The Royal Opera House: L’Elisir d’Amour
Sunday 08 October 2023
Expect sun, fun and vocal acrobatics in Laurent Pelly’s much-loved staging of Donizetti’s intoxicating and witty comedy.
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Fremont (Captioned)
Tuesday 10 October 2023
Formerly a translator for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, Donya struggles to rebuild her life in Fremont and works for a Chinese fortune cookie factory.
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Bobi Wine: The People’s President
Wednesday 11 October 2023
2:00 pm
Follows Ugandan opposition leader, activist and musical star Bobi Wine. He used his music to fight the regime led by Yoweri Museveni.
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The Lesson (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 12 October 2023
The Lesson tells a story of an aspiring writer Liam who accepts a tutoring position at the family estate of his idol author J.M. Sinclair.
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Mark-making workshop with Lucy Scott
Friday 13 October 2023
10:30 am
More times available
Try something spontaneous, immediate and mindful with this meditative workshop
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A Haunting in Venice
Friday 13 October 2023
11:00 am
More times available
A Haunting in Venice follows yet another detective Poirot adventure, as he stumbles upon a murder while reluctantly attending a seance.
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R.M.N.
Friday 13 October 2023
2:00 pm
More times available
R.M.N. portrays a gripping portrait of ethnic and economic resentments tearing at the fabric of a small mountain town.
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Free
Claire Cansick: You and I Are Earth
Saturday 14 October 2023 - Sunday 14 April 2024
What effect do we have on the landscapes around us? You and I Are Earth charts the devastating effects of climate change and the human impact on the environment across the world. Featuring over 40 paintings by Norfolk-based artist…
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Watercolour Saturdays with Justine Moss
Saturday 14 October 2023
10:30 am
More times available
A monthly meet up for watercolour painters and enthusiasts – open for all levels. Explore the materials, techniques and colour theory to develop your work
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A Haunting in Venice (Relaxed)
Saturday 14 October 2023
A Haunting in Venice follows yet another detective Poirot adventure, as he stumbles upon a murder while reluctantly attending a seance.
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Life Drawing with Justine Moss – all levels
Saturday 14 October 2023
1:30 pm
More times available
Learn how to draw from the live model or practice your life drawing skills at Firstsite.
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The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Saturday 14 October 2023
2:00 pm
More times available
Concerned by his friend Jekyll’s recent behaviour, Gabriel Utterson is driven to uncover the identity of the mysterious Mr. Hyde, to whom Jekyll is enthralled.
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Everyone Can Draw Supper
Saturday 14 October 2023
6:00 pm
More times available
Join artist Samantha Barnes for Drawing Art Suppers – our new light-hearted, confidence-inducing workshop including delicious food and drawing.
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An Evening with Jonas Kaufmann
Saturday 14 October 2023
In the magical setting of the Arena di Verona, Jonas Kaufmann will take you on an unforgettable musical journey for a special evening at Firstsite Cinema.
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A Haunting in Venice (Captioned)
Sunday 15 October 2023
A Haunting in Venice follows yet another detective Poirot adventure, as he stumbles upon a murder while reluctantly attending a seance.
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A Haunting in Venice (Parent & Baby)
Wednesday 18 October 2023
A Haunting in Venice follows yet another detective Poirot adventure, as he stumbles upon a murder while reluctantly attending a seance.
Find out moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Landscape Drawing – A Discovery Day with Simon Carter
Friday 20 October 2023
10:30 am
More times available
Join Simon for a day of intensive study into landscapes, working in the grounds of Firstsite (weather permitting) with a delicious lunch included.
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Golda
Friday 20 October 2023
Golda follows Meir, Israel’s first female prime minister, in an existential Yom Kippur War fighting for Israel’s continued nationhood.
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Stop Making Sense (Remastered)
Friday 20 October 2023
Experience once again the newly restored Stop Making Sense now in 4K, a 1984 film, considered as the greatest concert film of all time.
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The Old Oak
Friday 20 October 2023
Follow the story around the last remaining pub, The Old Oak in the Northeast England, where people are leaving the land as the mines are closed.
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The Prince of Egypt – The Musical
Friday 20 October 2023
7:00 pm
More times available
Journey through the wonders of Ancient Egypt as two young men, raised together as brothers, find themselves suddenly divided by a secret past.
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Boozy Brushes
Friday 20 October 2023
7:30 pm
More times available
Join Sirena Hart at Firstsite for Boozy Brushes – our New Multi-Art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza!
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The Canterville Ghost (Relaxed)
Saturday 21 October 2023
In this adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic children’s story, the ghost of Sir Simon Canterville has been roaming his castle for centuries.
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The Creator
Saturday 21 October 2023
1:30 pm
More times available
From director Gareth Edwards comes an epic sci-fi action thriller The Creator set amidst a future war between humans and the forces of AI.
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MET Opera Live: Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking
Saturday 21 October 2023
Jake Heggie’s powerful work has its highly anticipated Met premiere in a new production by Ivo van Hove. Based on Sister Helen Prejean’s memoir.
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Knitting for Newbies with Clare Sams
Sunday 22 October 2023
10:30 am
More times available
Yarn artist Clare Sams introduces you to the wonders of wool using knitting and crochet.
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The Canterville Ghost
Sunday 22 October 2023
11:00 am
More times available
In this adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic children’s story, the ghost of Sir Simon Canterville has been roaming his castle for centuries.
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Knitting for Improvers
Sunday 22 October 2023
1:30 pm
More times available
Improve your knitting skills under the guidance of artist Clare Sams. Expand your horizons, learn more advanced techniques and explore knitting with chunky yarns.
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The Creator (Captioned)
Sunday 22 October 2023
From director Gareth Edwards comes an epic sci-fi action thriller The Creator set amidst a future war between humans and the forces of AI.
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Hocus Pocus (30th Anniversary)
Tuesday 24 October 2023
11:00 am
More times available
The Sanderson Sisters are making their way back to the big screen in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Hocus Pocus first release back in 1993!
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The Old Oak (Captioned)
Wednesday 25 October 2023
Follow the story of the last remaining pub, The Old Oak in the Northeast England, where people are leaving the land as the mines are closed.
Find out moreCinema
The Canterville Ghost (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 26 October 2023
In this adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic children’s story, the ghost of Sir Simon Canterville has been roaming his castle for centuries.
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Colchester Art Society – Lecture with Andy Friend
Thursday 26 October 2023
Join this Autumn Lecture with Andy Friend who will speak on his biography John Nash – The Landscape of Love and Solace.
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Friday the 13th
Friday 27 October 2023
Join us for a spooky screening of Friday the 13th and return to the camp at Crystal Lake where one-by-one teenage counsellors are horribly murdered in this film that launched a modern horror genre.
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Libations & Conversations – A celebration of Black history, creativity and culture
Friday 27 October 2023
Join us for an evening celebrating Black history, art, and culture, featuring the artists and performers EVEWRIGHT, Elsa James, Harold Offeh and Dr ‘H’ Patten.
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Louisa Buck in conversation with Elsa James and Harold Offeh – Livestream
Friday 27 October 2023
Join us for an exclusive livestream of our talk with artists Elsa James, Harold Offeh and art critic Louisa Buck. Don’t miss this fascinating discussion about the role of art can play in challenging stereotypes, highlighting and addressing social…
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Talk To Me
Friday 27 October 2023
8:00 pm
More times available
Talk To Me is a spine chilling story about a group of friend who discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand.
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Hocus Pocus (30th Anniversary) (Relaxed)
Saturday 28 October 2023
The Sanderson Sisters are making their way back to the big screen in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Hocus Pocus!
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The Exorcist (50th Anniversary)
Saturday 28 October 2023
4:30 pm
More times available
Widely considered the greatest horror film ever made, The Exorcist comes back to the big screen to celebrate its 50th anniversary!
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S&B Sunday Sessions
Sunday 29 October 2023
10:30 am
More times available
Join the S&B ladies for a fun and relaxed Sunday as we host 2 different seasonal themed creative sessions for people aged 14+ of all abilities.
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Talk To Me (Captioned)
Sunday 29 October 2023
Talk To Me is a spine chilling story about a group of friend who discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand.
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Free
S&B Colchester
Thursday 09 November 2023
7:00 pm
More times available
S&B Colchester is back for 2023 and ready to introduce you to a whole load of crafts! Join your hosts, local artists Amy & Meg to try out a different textile based technique each month in these fun,…
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Free
Colchester Record Fair
Saturday 18 November 2023
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Colchester’s Record Fair returns to Firstsite, a treat for both enthusiasts and casual collectors alike. Come browse through stall holders’ collections of vinyl and CDs from a vast range of genres. Grab yourself a bargain – or perhaps something a little rarer.
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Fused Glass Workshop – Festive Tree Decorations
Thursday 23 November 2023
Join us for an evening of crafting and create your own fused glass Christmas Tree decorations for your tree!
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Adult 2 Day Air Dry Clay Workshop – Winter Decorations
Sunday 26 November 2023
10:30 am
Become a potter for two days and create a one-of-a-kind piece of art that you can treasure forever in this festive adult air dry clay workshop!
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Air Dry Clay Workshop – Winter Decorations Ages 8-16
Sunday 03 December 2023
This is a fun and exciting opportunity to get your children into the festive spirit and create special and unique clay winter decorations to be treasured.
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Candle Making Festive Workshop
Friday 08 December 2023
4:00 pm
More times available
A fun, relaxing two-hour workshop to guide you through the process of making your own hand-poured scented candle to take home.
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MET Opera Live: Daniel Catan’s Florencia en el Amazonas
Saturday 09 December 2023
Sung in Spanish and inspired by the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez, Mexican composer Daniel Catán’s 1996 opera focuses on an opera diva, Florencia Grimaldi.
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Everyone Can Draw Festive Lunch
Sunday 17 December 2023
11:30 am
Join artist Samantha Barnes for Drawing Art Festive Lunch – a light-hearted, confidence-inducing workshop including delicious food and drawing.
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The Royal Opera House: The Nutcracker
Sunday 17 December 2023
Discover the enchantment of ballet with this sparkling festive treat for the whole family.
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Recorded Talk: Dame Zandra Rhodes & Jon Lys Turner in conversation
Sunday 31 December 2023
Recorded live at Firstsite Rhodes and Turner will be discussing and celebrating the never-to-be-repeated lives of Dicky Chopping and Denis Wirth-Miller, their literary and artistic output and their complex relationship with Francis Bacon.
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Recorded Talk: Rachel Joyce in Conversation with Professor Susan Oliver
Sunday 31 December 2023
Recorded live at Firstsite in November 2022, award-winning author Rachel Joyce discusses how landscapes play an inspirational and important role in her writing, with Professor Susan Oliver.
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Recorded Talk: Louisa Buck in conversation with Andrew Wilson & James Birch
Sunday 31 December 2023
Recorded live at Firstsite, art critic Louisa Buck discusses the life of artist Denis Wirth-Miller with James Birch and Andrew Wilson.
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MET Opera Live: Verdi’s Nabucco
Saturday 06 January 2024
Ancient Babylon comes to life in a classic Met staging of biblical proportions. Baritone George Gagnidze makes his Met role debut as the imperious king Nabucco.
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The Royal Opera House: Rusalka
Wednesday 24 January 2024
This poetic, contemporary new staging of Dvořák’s lyric fairy tale reveals our uneasy relationship with the natural world and humanity’s attempts to own and tame it.
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MET Opera Live: Bizet’s Carmen
Saturday 27 January 2024
Acclaimed English director Carrie Cracknell makes her Met debut, reinvigorating the classic story of deadly passion with a staging that moves the action to the present.
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The Royal Opera House: Manon
Sunday 11 February 2024
Torn between her desire of a life of splendour and riches and her devotion to her true love Des Grieux, the feckless and capricious Manon pays the ultimate price.
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MET Opera Live: Verdi’s La Forza del Destino
Saturday 09 March 2024
Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Verdi’s La Forza del Destino, with stellar soprano Lise Davidsen, following a string of recent Met triumphs, in her role debut.
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MET Opera Live: Romeo et Juliette
Saturday 23 March 2024
Two singers at the height of their powers—soprano Nadine Sierra and tenor Benjamin Bernheim—come together as the star-crossed lovers in Gounod’s Shakespeare adaptation.
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The Royal Opera House: Madama Butterfly
Sunday 31 March 2024
Puccini’s devastating tragedy about a young geisha who falls in love with an American naval officer.
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The Royal Opera House: MacMillan Celebrated – Danses Concertantes/ Different Drummer/ Requiem
Sunday 14 April 2024
The Royal Ballet celebrates the breadth of Principal Choreographer Kenneth MacMillan’s one-act ballets.
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MET Opera Live: La Rondine
Saturday 20 April 2024
Puccini’s bittersweet love story makes a rare Met appearance, with soprano Angel Blue starring as the sophisticated French courtesan Magda, opposite tenor Jonathan Tetelm.
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The Royal Opera House: Swan Lake
Sunday 28 April 2024
Classical ballet’s most powerful tale of love, treachery and forgiveness returns to the Royal Opera House stage.
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The Royal Opera House: Carmen
Sunday 05 May 2024
Aigul Akmetshina performs the title role in Damiano Michieletto’s sizzling new production of Bizet’s ever-popular opera.
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MET Opera Live: Puccini’s Madama Butterfly
Saturday 11 May 2024
In her Met debut, Asmik Grigorian tackles the demanding role of Cio-Cio-San, the trusting geisha at the heart of Puccini’s tragedy.
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The Royal Opera House: The Winter’s Tale
Sunday 26 May 2024
Shakespeare’s profound story of love and loss, artfully adapted into a contemporary three- act narrative ballet by Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon.
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The Royal Opera House: Message in a Bottle
Sunday 02 June 2024
The iconic songs of Sting. The electrifying choreography of Kate Prince. This is a tale of hope.
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The Royal Opera House: Andrea Chenier
Sunday 16 June 2024
Jonas Kaufmann headlines David McVicar’s spectacular staging of Giordano’s epic historical drama, conducted by long-time collaborator Antonio Pappano.
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