What’s On
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Exhibitions
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.
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Free
Lucy Harwood: Bold Impressions
Saturday 02 December 2023 - Sunday 14 April 2024
Immerse yourself in the life and work of local artist Lucy Harwood (1893 – 1972).
Featuring over 100 bold and beautiful paintings – including landscapes, still live and portraiture – step into a world where colour and energy collide, as Harwood’s artworks command the space, their vibrancy and confidence.
Exhibitions
Free
David Lock: In-between Us
Saturday 23 March - Sunday 23 June 2024
Experience an exciting blend of existing work and never-before-seen paintings form London-based artist David Lock in his first solo public exhibition that delves into the portrayal and consumeristic reproduction of the male form, from antiquity to the present day.
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Capturing the Climate – Mixed Media Workshop
Friday 29 March 2024
10:30 am
More times available
Build your confidence in pastel and acrylic painting with local artist Claire Cansick in this workshop inspired by her current exhibition at Firstsite – You and I Are Earth, with a delicious light lunch included!
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Soul
Friday 29 March 2024
Soul introduces Joe Gardner voiced by Jamie Foxx, a school band teacher whose true passion is playing jazz.
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Robot Dreams
Friday 29 March 2024
1:15 pm
More times available
Based on the popular graphic novel by Sara Varon, Robot Dreams tells the adventures and misfortunes of Dog and Robot in NYC during the 1980s.
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Origin
Friday 29 March 2024
Written and directed by Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay, Origin chronicles the tragedy and triumph of Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson as she investigates a global phenomenon of epic proportions.
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Killers of the Flower Moon
Friday 29 March 2024
6:45 pm
A blistering adaptation of David Grann’s non-fiction bestseller, Killers of the Flower Moon tells the story of corruption, coercion and murder among the Oklahoma Osage Native American community which, for a brief spell in the 1920s, was the wealthiest in the US.
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Free
Colchester Record Fair
Saturday 30 March 2024
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
More times available
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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Robot Dreams (Relaxed)
Saturday 30 March 2024
Based on the popular graphic novel by Sara Varon, Robot Dreams tells the adventures and misfortunes of Dog and Robot in NYC during the 1980s.
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Do Unto Others (Japan Foundation Touring Film)
Saturday 30 March 2024
In Do Unto Others, a shocking discovery is made when the dead bodies of an elderly man and his care centre’s director are found early one morning.
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Driving Mum
Saturday 30 March 2024
5:00 pm
More times available
Driving Mum is a darkly comedic road movie of self-discovery and acceptance across the beautifully photographed landscapes of Iceland.
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Wicked Little Letters
Saturday 30 March 2024
7:30 pm
A 1920s English seaside town bears witness to a dark and absurd scandal in this riotous mystery comedy Wicked Little Letters.
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Robot Dreams (Captioned)
Sunday 31 March 2024
Based on the popular graphic novel by Sara Varon, Robot Dreams tells the adventures and misfortunes of Dog and Robot in NYC during the 1980s.
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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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Free
Holiday Fun: April 2024 – Make
Tuesday 02 April 2024
10:00 am - 2:30 pm
More times available
Get making during Holiday Fun with a variety of free creative activities.
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Free
Holiday Fun: April 2024 – Street Dance
Tuesday 02 April 2024
10:45 am
More times available
Children can show off their best moves this April with Street Dance at Firstsite Holiday Fun in Colchester! Most suitable for 4 – 11 years, but all ages welcome. Caregivers are required to stay on site throughout the activities. Activities…
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Free
Holiday Fun: April 2024 – Canteen
Tuesday 02 April 2024
11:45 am
More times available
Enjoy freshly made hot meals for all the family at Firstsite’s canteen in Colchester town centre.
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Free
Holiday Fun: April 2024 – Football
Tuesday 02 April 2024
12:00 pm
More times available
Run, jump and kick this spring with Holiday Fun: Football! Meet your local heroes from Colchester United and Colchester Villa.
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Dune: Part Two
Tuesday 02 April 2024
1:30 pm
More times available
Dune: Part Two will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.
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Free
Holiday Fun: April 2024 – Afro-Moves
Wednesday 03 April 2024
10:45 am
More times available
Children can show off their best moves this April with Afro-Moves at Firstsite Holiday Fun in Colchester! Most suitable for 4 – 11 years, but all ages welcome. Caregivers are required to stay on site throughout the activities. Activities take…
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Platform Asia: Germinate
Wednesday 03 April 2024
2:00 pm
More times available
Germinate is a touring programme featuring artists’ film and video works by seven filmmakers from West Asia, including artists from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye.
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Robot Dreams (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 04 April 2024
Based on the popular graphic novel by Sara Varon, Robot Dreams tells the adventures and misfortunes of Dog and Robot in NYC during the 1980s.
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Free
First Thursdays
Thursday 04 April 2024
6:00 pm
More times available
Come out and experience some of the fantastic local artistic talent which we have on offer! There is creativity around every corner on the first Thursday of every month.
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All of Us Strangers
Thursday 04 April 2024
8:30 pm
Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott are neighbours falling in love despite the presence of their pasts, in this intertwined fantasy romance All of Us Strangers by Andrew Haigh.
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Free
Holiday Fun: April 2024 – Drumming
Friday 05 April 2024
10:45 am
More times available
Children can let off steam and make some fantastic noise with drumming at Firstsite Holiday Fun in Colchester! Most suitable for 4 – 11 years, but all ages welcome. Caregivers are required to stay on site throughout the activities. Activities…
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Luca
Friday 05 April 2024
11:00 am
More times available
Set in a beautiful seaside town, Luca is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer.
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High & Low: John Galliano
Friday 05 April 2024
1:30 pm
More times available
High & Low :John Galliano is the gripping and thought-provoking new documentary from Academy Award winner Kevin Macdonald, charting the rise-and-fall story of fashion designer John Galliano.
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Drive-Away Dolls
Friday 05 April 2024
4:15 pm
More times available
Drive-Away Dolls follows Jamie, an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her demure friend Marian who desperately needs to loosen up.
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Late Lounge @ Firstsite
Friday 05 April 2024
8:00 pm
More times available
Join us for late cocktails and strange happenings in our late night lounge. Ambient DJ’s create a sonic backdrop to a bizarre, surreal and at times truly mystifying collection of performances.
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Luca (Relaxed)
Saturday 06 April 2024
Set in a beautiful seaside town, Luca is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer.
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Vindication Swim
Saturday 06 April 2024
Vindication Swim dives into the extraordinary life of Mercedes Gleitze, who in 1927 became the first British woman to swim the English Channel.
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High & Low: John Galliano (Captioned)
Saturday 06 April 2024
High & Low: John Galliano is the gripping and thought-provoking new documentary from Academy Award winner Kevin Macdonald, charting the rise-and-fall story of fashion designer John Galliano.
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Drag Life Drawing with Sirena Hart
Saturday 06 April 2024
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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Occupied City
Sunday 07 April 2024
Occupied City examines Amsterdam’s occupation by the Nazis during World War II, exploring the city’s sociological history.
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The Zone of Interest (Captioned)
Tuesday 09 April 2024
The Zone of Interest focuses on the commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, who strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.
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Vindication Swim (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 11 April 2024
Vindication Swim dives into the extraordinary life of Mercedes Gleitze, who in 1927 became the first British woman to swim the English Channel.
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Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus
Thursday 11 April 2024
5:00 pm
More times available
Ryuichi Sakamoto’s last performance, a concert film featuring just him and his piano playing for the last time before passing away.
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Little Eggs: A Frozen Rescue
Friday 12 April 2024
Little Eggs: A Frozen Rescue is an exciting adventure film about an orphaned Polar Bear cub who escapes a travelling circus.
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Monster
Friday 12 April 2024
2:00 pm
More times available
Monster: A timely tale of family, false impressions, and, ultimately, hope, Kore-eda’s typically sensitive work features powerful performances.
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The New Boy (Captioned)
Friday 12 April 2024
In The New Boy, a mysterious new arrival disturbs the delicate balance of a remote monastery run by renegade nun (Cate Blanchett- Tar, Carol) in this captivating story of spiritual struggle and the cost of survival.
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Late Night with the Devil
Friday 12 April 2024
8:00 pm
More times available
Late-night chat-show host Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) is desperate for a ratings bump as his show comes up for renewal. But his plans for an eerie Halloween line-up get a little too dark.
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Watercolour Saturdays with Justine Moss
Saturday 13 April 2024
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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Space Day – E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (Relaxed)
Saturday 13 April 2024
Join Elliot (Henry Thomas), Gertie (Drew Barrymore) and Michael (Robert MacNaughton) as they come together to help E.T. find his way back home.
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Life Drawing with Justine Moss – all levels
Saturday 13 April 2024
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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Space Day – WALL-E
Saturday 13 April 2024
Travel to a galaxy not so far away for this award-wining, classic cosmic comedy adventure about a determined robot named WALL-E.
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Space Day – E.T. The Extra Terrestrial
Saturday 13 April 2024
Join Elliot (Henry Thomas), Gertie (Drew Barrymore) and Michael (Robert MacNaughton) as they come together to help E.T. find his way back home.
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Space Day – Dune: Part Two
Saturday 13 April 2024
Dune: Part Two will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge.
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The New Boy (Relaxed)
Sunday 14 April 2024
In The New Boy, a mysterious new arrival disturbs the delicate balance of a remote monastery run by renegade nun (Cate Blanchett- Tar, Carol) in this captivating story of spiritual struggle and the cost of survival.
Find out moreCinema
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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Free
Art in the Community
Tuesday 16 April 2024
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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Exhibition on Screen: John Singer Sargent
Tuesday 16 April 2024
2:00 pm
More times available
Step into the glittering world of fashion, scandal and shameless self-promotion that made John Singer Sargent the painter who defined an era.
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The Delinquents
Wednesday 17 April 2024
2:00 pm
More times available
Beguiling and unpredictable, Cannes Un Certain Regard breakout The Delinquents reinvents the heist film as a free-flowing adventure.
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Free
MiniCLIP Colchester
Wednesday 17 April 2024
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
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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Mini Movers & Makers Toddler Group
Thursday 18 April 2024
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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Little Eggs: A Frozen Rescue (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 18 April 2024
Little Eggs: A Frozen Rescue focuses on an orphaned Polar Bear cub who escapes a travelling circus. Toto makes a promise to return him to its natural habitat. If only he knew that meant travelling to the South Pole!…
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Free
YAK | Young Art Kommunity
Thursday 18 April 2024
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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Dance and Movement for Well-being
Friday 19 April 2024
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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COPA 71
Friday 19 April 2024
11:00 am
More times available
COPA 71 tells the story of the 1971 Women’s World Cup, which saw soccer teams from all over the world gather in Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium to compete in front of more than 100,000 spectators.
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Baltimore
Friday 19 April 2024
2:00 pm
More times available
Based on a true story, Baltimore is a meditative portrayal of terrorist, disinherited heiress and expectant mother Rose Dugdale.
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The Persian Version
Friday 19 April 2024
4:20 pm
More times available
The Persian Version focuses on Iranian-American Leila (Layla Mohammadi), who coming from two countries at odds with each other, strives to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures.
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Boozy Brushes
Friday 19 April 2024
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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Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Relaxed)
Saturday 20 April 2024
In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the Spengler family returns to where it all started – the iconic New York City firehouse – to team up with the original Ghostbusters
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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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Baltimore (Captioned)
Sunday 21 April 2024
Based on a true story, Baltimore is a meditative portrayal of terrorist, disinherited heiress and expectant mother Rose Dugdale.
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The Persian Version (Captioned)
Tuesday 23 April 2024
The Persian Version focuses on Iranian-American Leila (Layla Mohammadi), who coming from two countries at odds with each other, strives to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures.
Find out moreCinema
An American in Paris – The Musical
Wednesday 24 April 2024
2:00 pm
More times available
The romantic story of a young American soldier, a beautiful French girl and an indomitable European city are at the heart of Broadway’s breathtakingly beautiful new musical, An American in Paris.
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Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 25 April 2024
In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the Spengler family returns to where it all started – the iconic New York City firehouse – to team up with the original Ghostbusters
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Discovering Art with Jevan Watkins Jones
Friday 26 April 2024
10:30 am
More times available
Each all-day session, discover a different art medium with local artist Jevan Watkins Jones, including Watercolour, Indian Ink, Acrylic and more!
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COPA 71 (Captioned)
Friday 26 April 2024
COPA 71 tells the story of the 1971 Women’s World Cup, which saw soccer teams from all over the world gather in Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium to compete in front of more than 100,000 spectators.
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Evil Does Not Exist
Friday 26 April 2024
1:30 pm
More times available
Urban ambitions clash with nature in a quiet village close to Tokyo in this new film Evil Does Not Exist from the director of Oscar® and BAFTA winner Drive My Car. Takumi and his daughter Hana live in Mizubiki…
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The Origin of Evil
Friday 26 April 2024
4:00 pm
More times available
The Origin of Evil is a new twisted satire from Sébastien Marnier about a woman who is sucked into a world of secrets and betrayal.
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Mothers’ Instinct
Friday 26 April 2024
7:00 pm
More times available
Starring Academy Award winners Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway, Mothers’ Instinct is an unnerving psychological thriller about two best friends and neighbours, Alice and Céline.
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Nature drawing workshop with Lisa Temple-Cox
Saturday 27 April 2024
10:30 am
More times available
Explore observational drawing and discover your favourite medium with this nature drawing workshop.
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Little Eggs: A Frozen Rescue (Relaxed)
Saturday 27 April 2024
Little Eggs: A Frozen Rescue focuses on an orphaned Polar Bear cub who escapes a travelling circus. Toto makes a promise to return him to its natural habitat. If only he knew that meant travelling to the South Pole!…
Find out moreCinema
Mothers’ Instinct (Captioned)
Saturday 27 April 2024
Starring Academy Award winners Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway, Mothers’ Instinct is an unnerving psychological thriller about two best friends and neighbours, Alice and Céline.
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Four Daughters
Sunday 28 April 2024
11:00 am
More times available
Oscar nominated this year for Best Documentary, Four Doughters follows the life of Olfa, a Tunisian woman and mother of 4 daughters, while oscillating between light and shadow.
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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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Perfect Days (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 02 May 2024
Perfect Days is a subtle, shimmering and ultimately life-affirming reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.
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Macbeth: Ralph Fiennes & Indira Varma
Thursday 02 May 2024
7:00 pm
More times available
Macbeth is coming. A couple corrupted by their relentless lust for power have blood on their hands. Witness the gripping tale of greed, murder, deception, and superstition. Once you cross the line, you can never turn back. Tony and…
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Free
Folk & Bespoke Artisan Craft Market
Saturday 04 May 2024
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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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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Glass Suncatcher Workshop
Thursday 09 May 2024
Join us for an enchanting evening of crafting where you’ll create your very own spring-inspired fused glass suncatcher
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National Theatre Live: Nye
Friday 10 May 2024
6:45 pm
More times available
Michael Sheen plays Nye Bevan in a surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state and created the NHS.
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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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Printmaking By Hand
Tuesday 14 May 2024
10:30 am
More times available
Explore low tech printing methods like dry point etching, Lino cutting, mono printing, impression printing and more.
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National Theatre Live: Nye (Captioned)
Tuesday 14 May 2024
Michael Sheen plays the titular Nye Bevan in this surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the creator of the NHS.
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Colchester Art Society Lecture Series – Freddie Robins
Thursday 16 May 2024
Freddie Robins, Professor of Textiles at the Royal College of Art, London presents her lecture “Who’s scared of the soft stuff?”.
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42nd Street – The Musical
Thursday 16 May 2024
7:00 pm
More times available
Telling the story of Peggy Sawyer, a talented young performer with stars in her eyes who gets her big break on Broadway, this is the largest ever staging of the Tony Award-winning musical.
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Introduction to Collage Workshop
Friday 24 May 2024
10:00 am
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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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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Exhibition on Screen: My National Gallery, London
Tuesday 04 June 2024
2:00 pm
More times available
In My National Gallery, London, devoted staff members, beloved celebrities and world class experts come together to paint a unique portrait of this iconic British institution for its 200th birthday.
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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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Free
Tim Noble & Sue Webster: Love and Hate at Firstsite
Saturday 09 November - Tuesday 31 December 2024
In this presentation, seven light sculptures by Noble & Webster illuminate areas of the Firstsite building with pops of glimmering colour.
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