What’s On
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Exhibitions
Free
Tim Noble & Sue Webster: Love and Hate at Firstsite
Thursday 09 November 2023 - Saturday 01 February 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
Nicola Burrell: Concrete Dreams
Saturday 20 April 2024 - Sunday 20 April 2025
Discover Colchester-based artist Nicola Burrell’s vibrant three-dimensional artworks and sculptures inspired by New Towns in Essex.
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Free
Jane Ostler: Finding the Hand of Kindness
Saturday 12 October 2024 - Sunday 02 March 2025
“Finding The Hand of Kindness” is inspired by Jane’s own life, reflecting on her roles as a caregiver, the impact of patriarchal expectations, and the everyday moments of kindness. Through her art, Jane invites us to see how creativity can be a source of comfort and connection.
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Free
Leonora Carrington: Avatars & Alliances
Saturday 26 October 2024 - Sunday 23 February 2025
Step into the magical and mystical world of Leonora Carrington, the British-Mexican painter and novelist, in her debut exhibition in the East of England.
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Free
Halla Groves-Raines: Life in Patterns
Saturday 16 November 2024 - Sunday 20 April 2025
Discover fresh perspectives from modern Essex and Suffolk through the faces and stories of its residents in an intimate portrait exhibition by Essex-based artist Halla Groves-Raines.
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Free
MiniCLIP Colchester
Wednesday 18 December 2024
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
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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Paddington In Peru (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 19 December 2024
11:00 am
Paddington In Peru takes Paddington home to the Peruvian jungle to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, now a resident at the Home for Retired Bears.
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Blitz
Thursday 19 December 2024
2:00 pm
Sir Steve McQueen’s Blitz follows the epic journey of a 9-year-old boy and his mother (Saoirse Ronan) in World War II London.
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Free
YAK | Young Art Kommunity
Thursday 19 December 2024
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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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The Piano Lesson
Thursday 19 December 2024
7:30 pm
A family in The Piano Lesson clash over an heirloom piano explodes. The battle between brother and sister unleashes haunting truths
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It’s A Wonderful Life (Captioned)
Friday 20 December 2024
10:30 am
It’s a Wonderful Life shows how George Bailey finds his previously happy life falling apart around him on Christmas Eve.
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Piece By Piece
Friday 20 December 2024
1:00 pm
More times available
Piece By Piece is an unparalleled experience that captures the magic of Pharrell Williams’ creative genius, one LEGO® brick at a time.
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Wicked
Friday 20 December 2024
3:30 pm
More times available
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her unusual green skin.
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The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker
Friday 20 December 2024
7:00 pm
More times available
Discover the enchantment of ballet with The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker, a sparkling festive treat for the whole family.
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Wicked (Relaxed)
Saturday 21 December 2024
11:00 am
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her unusual green skin.
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Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (Captioned)
Saturday 21 December 2024
2:15 pm
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story tells the rise of an unknown actor to a iconic movie star who set one of the greatest benchmarks.
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Die Hard
Saturday 21 December 2024
7:30 pm
On Christmas Eve, tough New York detective John McClane arrives in Los Angeles with the aim of reconciling with his estranged wife, Holly in Die Hard.
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It’s A Wonderful Life
Sunday 22 December 2024
11:00 am
It’s a Wonderful Life shows how George Bailey finds his previously happy life falling apart around him on Christmas Eve.
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Piece By Piece (Captioned)
Tuesday 24 December 2024
11:00 am
Piece By Piece is an unparalleled experience that captures the magic of Pharrell Williams’ creative genius, one LEGO® brick at a time.
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Wicked (Captioned)
Tuesday 24 December 2024
2:00 pm
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her unusual green skin.
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Free
Holiday Fun: December 2024 – Make
Friday 27 December 2024
10:00 am - 2:30 pm
More times available
Get making during our Holiday Fun: Make session with a variety of free creative activities at Firstsite this December.
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Free
Holiday Fun: December 2024 – Gardening
Friday 27 December 2024
10:45 am
Join us for these hands-on sessions where you will learn how to care for plants through nature inspired arts, crafts and planting.
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Moana 2 (Parent and Baby)
Friday 27 December 2024
11:30 am
After receiving a call from her wayfinding ancestors in Moana 2, our leading lady must journey to the far dangerous seas of Oceania.
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Free
Holiday Fun: December 2024 – Canteen
Friday 27 December 2024
11:45 am
More times available
Enjoy freshly made hot meals for all the family at Firstsite’s Holiday Fun Canteen in Colchester town centre.
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Free
Holiday Fun: December 2024 – Football
Friday 27 December 2024
12:00 pm
Run, jump and kick this autumn with Holiday Fun: Football! Meet your local heroes from Colchester Villa and teams in Colchester!
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Free
Holiday Fun: December 2024 – Drumming
Saturday 28 December 2024
10:45 am
Children can participate in this fun and relaxed session this winter holiday with Drumming at Firstsite Holiday Fun in Colchester!
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Moana 2 (Relaxed)
Saturday 28 December 2024
11:00 am
More times available
After receiving a call from her wayfinding ancestors in Moana 2, our leading lady must journey to the far dangerous seas of Oceania.
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Free
Holiday Fun: December 2024 -Afro-moves
Saturday 28 December 2024
12:00 pm
More times available
Dance your way into the winter holiday with fun and energetic Afro-Moves at Firstsite Holiday Fun in Colchester!
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Paddington In Peru
Saturday 28 December 2024
5:00 pm
More times available
Paddington In Peru takes Paddington home to the Peruvian jungle to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, now a resident at the Home for Retired Bears.
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Gladiator II
Saturday 28 December 2024
7:30 pm
More times available
After witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum in Gladiator II.
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Moana 2
Sunday 29 December 2024
11:00 am
More times available
After receiving a call from her wayfinding ancestors in Moana 2, our leading lady must journey to the far dangerous seas of Oceania.
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Moana 2 (Captioned)
Tuesday 31 December 2024
2:00 pm
After receiving a call from her wayfinding ancestors in Moana 2, our leading lady must journey to the far dangerous seas of Oceania.
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Free
Holiday Fun: December 2024 – Breakdancing
Friday 03 January 2025
10:45 am
Children can show off their best moves this December with Breakdance at Firstsite Holiday Fun in Colchester!
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Free
Holiday Fun: December 2024 – Rugby
Friday 03 January 2025
12:00 pm
Children can get active and release some steam this December with Rugby at Firstsite Holiday Fun in Colchester!
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Conclave
Friday 03 January 2025
8:30 pm
More times available
Conclave follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting the new Pope and cardinal Lawrence is tasked with this…
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Free
Holiday Fun: December 2024 – Circus
Saturday 04 January 2025
10:45 am
Step right up, step right up, for this December Holiday Fun session to learn some circus skills with Beef Wright!
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Conclave (Captioned)
Saturday 04 January 2025
2:00 pm
Conclave follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting the new Pope and cardinal Lawrence is tasked with this…
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All We Imagine as Light
Saturday 04 January 2025
4:15 pm
More times available
All We Imagine as Light is a beautiful and emotional film exploring the complexities of friendship and the vibrant Mumbai atmosphere.
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Drag Life Drawing with Sirena Hart
Saturday 04 January 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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Wicked (Parent & Baby)
Tuesday 07 January 2025
11:30 am
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her unusual green skin.
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Layla
Tuesday 07 January 2025
3:00 pm
More times available
When Layla, a struggling Arab drag queen, falls in love, they lose and find themselves in a transformative relationship that tests them.
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Dance and Movement for Well-being
Friday 10 January 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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The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
Friday 10 January 2025
11:00 am
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is the untold story behind Helm’s Deep, hundreds of years before the fateful war.
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The Universal Theory
Friday 10 January 2025
2:30 pm
More times available
Timm Kröger’s outstanding film, The Universal Theory is a stunning cinematic mystery that blends in a mind-bending metaphysical narrative…
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Rumours (Captioned)
Friday 10 January 2025
5:15 pm
Rumours follows the seven leaders of the world’s wealthiest liberal democracies after they become lost in the woods.
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Nightbitch
Friday 10 January 2025
7:45 pm
More times available
In Nightbitch, a woman pauses her career to be a stay-at-home mom, but soon her domesticity takes a surreal turn.
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The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (Relaxed)
Saturday 11 January 2025
11:00 am
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is the untold story behind Helm’s Deep, hundreds of years before the fateful war.
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Rumours
Saturday 11 January 2025
7:00 pm
More times available
Rumours follows the seven leaders of the world’s wealthiest liberal democracies after they become lost in the woods.
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Merchant Ivory
Sunday 12 January 2025
11:00 am
More times available
Merchant Ivory is a feature documentary film produced and directed by Soucy in collaboration with Director and Screenwriter, James Ivory.
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Mini Movers & Makers Toddler Group
Thursday 16 January 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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Nightbitch (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 16 January 2025
11:30 am
In Nightbitch, a woman pauses her career to be a stay-at-home mom, but soon her domesticity takes a surreal turn.
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A Sudden Glimpse Into Deeper Things
Thursday 16 January 2025
8:00 pm
More times available
A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things explores the pivotal 1949 experience that reshaped Wilhelmina Barns-Graham’s artistic perspective.
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Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Friday 17 January 2025
11:00 am
Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful and mysterious new adversary, Shadow, in Sonic the Hedgehog 3
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Bird
Friday 17 January 2025
2:00 pm
More times available
Bird is a tender, striking and extraordinarily surprising coming-of-age fable about marginalised life in the fringes of contemporary society.
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On Becoming A Guinea Fowl
Friday 17 January 2025
5:15 pm
More times available
A new film from BAFTA-winning director Rungano Nyon, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl is a compelling drama about community and sisterhood.
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Boozy Brushes
Friday 17 January 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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Queer
Friday 17 January 2025
7:40 pm
More times available
Queer is set in 1950s Mexico City where William Lee, an American ex-pat in his late forties leads a solitary life.
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Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (Relaxed)
Saturday 18 January 2025
11:00 am
Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful and mysterious new adversary, Shadow, in Sonic the Hedgehog 3
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Queer (Captioned)
Saturday 18 January 2025
1:00 pm
Queer is set in 1950s Mexico City where William Lee, an American ex-pat in his late forties leads a solitary life.
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Life Drawing with Justine Moss – all levels
Saturday 18 January 2025
1:30 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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Soundtrack To A Coup D’Etat
Saturday 18 January 2025
4:00 pm
More times available
Jazz and decolonisation fuse in Soundtrack to a Coup d’État, an upbeat historical rollercoaster, set through four voices.
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Nature drawing workshop with Lisa Temple-Cox
Sunday 19 January 2025
10:30 am
More times available
Explore observational drawing and discover your favourite medium with this nature drawing workshop.
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The Royal Opera: The Tales of Hoffmann
Sunday 19 January 2025
2:00 pm
Four women: four curious love stories. Juan Diego Flórez leads a fantastic cast in the Royal Ballet and Opera: The Tales of Hoffman.
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TASAF Lecture Series: Arts Hidden Secrets
Tuesday 21 January 2025
2:30 pm
Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful session by Tony Rawlins in The Arts Society at Firstsite (TASAF) Lecture series!
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Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 23 January 2025
11:30 am
Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful and mysterious new adversary, Shadow, in Sonic the Hedgehog 3
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Introduction to Collage
Friday 24 January 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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How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
Friday 24 January 2025
10:30 am
More times available
A man quits work to care for dying grandmother, motivated by her fortune. He schemes to show us How to Make Millions before Grandma Dies.
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The Contestant
Friday 24 January 2025
1:15 pm
More times available
The Contestant is the incredible true story of a man trapped inside a small room completely unaware that he was being broadcasted on TV.
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MET Opera Live: Aida
Saturday 25 January 2025
5:15 pm
American soprano Angel Blue headlines in MET Opera Live: Aida as the Ethiopian princess torn between love and country.
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The Flight of Bryan
Sunday 26 January 2025
11:00 am
More times available
The Flight of Bryan is a genre-busting tale of unemployed amateur cyclist, Bryan Allen, and heavily in debt father of three, Paul MacCready.
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The Contestant + Q&A
Thursday 30 January 2025
8:00 pm
The Contestant is the incredible true story of a man trapped inside a small room completely unaware that he was being broadcasted on TV.
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Spirited Away (Subtitled)
Friday 31 January 2025
2:00 pm
While exploring an abandoned village in Spirited Away, Chihiro’s parents undergo a mysterious transformation.
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Spirited Away (Relaxed)
Saturday 01 February 2025
11:00 am
While exploring an abandoned village in Spirited Away, Chihiro’s parents undergo a mysterious transformation.
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Les Misérables: The Staged Concert (40th Anniversary celebration)
Sunday 02 February 2025
1:00 pm
More times available
Les Misérables is one of the world’s most popular musicals. Experience this unique encore of the show to celebrate its 40th Anniversary.
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The Art Café
Tuesday 04 February 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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Spirited Away (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 06 February 2025
11:30 am
While exploring an abandoned village in Spirited Away, Chihiro’s parents undergo a mysterious transformation.
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Macbeth: David Tennant & Cush Jumbo
Thursday 06 February 2025
7:00 pm
More times available
Witness this gripping tale in a brand-new production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth staring David Tennant & Cush Jumbo.
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TASAF Lecture Series: A History of World Art in 5 Symbols
Tuesday 18 February 2025
2:30 pm
Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful session by Matthew Wilson in The Arts Society at Firstsite (TASAF) Lecture series!
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National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest
Thursday 20 February 2025
7:00 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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The Royal Ballet: Swan Lake
Thursday 27 February 2025
7:15 pm
More times available
The Royal Ballet: Swan Lake combines Tchaikovsky’s score with incredibly creative choreography and designs.
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Jesus Christ Superstar Live
Tuesday 04 March 2025
2:00 pm
More times available
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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Inspirational Women Talk and Portrait Workshop
Saturday 08 March 2025
10:00 am
Spend your International Women’s Day with illustrator Lily Hammond in a fun, empowering workshop celebrating iconic leaders and trailblazers.
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A Night With Janis Joplin The Musical
Thursday 13 March 2025
5:00 pm
More times available
A Night with Janis Joplin, The Musical is a multi award-winning extraordinary musical journey paying homage to Janis Joplin.
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MET Opera Live: Fidelio
Saturday 15 March 2025
4:45 pm
Following a string of awe-inspiring performances, Norwegian soprano Lise Davidsen returns as Leonore in MET Opera Live: Fidelio.
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TASAF Lecture Series: Mirror Mirror on the Wall
Tuesday 18 March 2025
2:30 pm
Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful session by Arantxa Sardina in The Arts Society at Firstsite (TASAF) Lecture series!
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The Royal Ballet: Romeo & Juliet
Thursday 20 March 2025
7:15 pm
More times available
In The Royal Ballet: Romeo & Juliet, love flourishes in Verona despite the shadow of an ancient family feud.
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Exhibition on Screen: Dawn of Impressionism: Paris 1874
Tuesday 25 March 2025
2:00 pm
More times available
Impressionists are the most famous in art history but they were once penniless outsiders, until the Dawn of Impressionism: Paris 1874.
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National Theatre Live: Dr. Strangelove
Thursday 27 March 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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Billy Elliot The Musical Live (20th Anniversary)
Sunday 30 March 2025
2:00 pm
More times available
Billy Elliot The Musical shows Billy’s journey from the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance.
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The Royal Opera: Turandot
Sunday 06 April 2025
2:00 pm
The Royal Ballet and Opera: Turandot is puccini’s captivating opera of a cold-hearted princess and her mysterious suitor.
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André Rieu’s 75th Birthday Celebration: The Dream Continues
Saturday 12 April 2025
4:00 pm
More times available
André Rieu celebrates his 75th Birthday! The King of the Waltz invites you to a boat party with him and his beloved Johann Strauss Orchestra.
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TASAF Lecture Series: Roots of Jazz
Tuesday 15 April 2025
2:30 pm
Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful session by Emma Johnson in The Arts Society at Firstsite (TASAF) Lecture series!
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Free
Colchester Library Rhymetimes at Firstsite
Wednesday 16 July 2025
While Colchester Library is closed for refurbishment, weekly Baby & Toddler Rhymetimes are continuing at Firstsite.
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