We have gathered the upcoming shows which could be on at the all-new Orchard West Theatre over the next three months.
Dartford Borough Council and Trafalgar Theatres previously confirmed they are constructing and opening a state-of-the art temporary theatre venue in Dartford.
This is due to concerns over the RAAC concrete in The Orchard Theatre’s roof, which forced closure of the venue in September.
Orchard West is scheduled to open in late November as a fully functional, temporary, enclosed performance space with 1,000 seats.
Complete with seating, heating and cooling systems, access provision and full backstage and front-of-house facilities including indoor toilets and bars.
The Orchard Theatre website has previously removed shows which were due to be on in October and early November.
Judging by the website, the first show which will be on at Orchard West will be Bring Your Own Baby on Monday, November 13 – this is subject to change.
As it stands, the following shows still appear on the website and look to be showing in the coming months.
Below are the upcoming shows at Orchard West Theatre from November until the end of January.
November
Bring Your Own Baby – Monday, November 13
Dining with the Arg Band – Friday, November 17
The West End Jerseys Dinner – Saturday, November 18
Gareth Malone Sing-along-A-Gareth-Two – Sunday, November 26
December
Beauty and The Beast – Saturday, December 9 – Sunday, December 31
January (2024)
Adult Panto Beauty and The Big Beast - Wednesday, January 3
Fastlove – Friday, January 5
Showaddywaddy – Saturday, January 6
A Beautiful Noise – Saturday, January 14
Swan Lake – Wednesday, January 17 – Thursday, January 18
80’s Tropicana – Friday, January 19
Mamma Mia Dinner Dance – Saturday, January 20
UK Pink Floyd Experience – Sunday, January 21
Cirque: The Greatest Show – Thursday, January 25 – Friday, January 26
Fascinating Aida: The 40TH Anniversary Show – Saturday, January 27
The Story of Guitar Heroes – Sunday, January 28
The Serial Killer Next Door with Emma Kenny – Tuesday, January 30
Located on the Westgate site just a stone’s throw from The Orchard Theatre, Orchard West is set to be a “unique and exciting setting” for audiences to continue to enjoy live performances.
The venue will also support the continuing employment of the theatre team, visiting artists and backstage crew - plus many local businesses in the surrounding area who rely on footfall from theatregoers.
Jeremy Kite, leader of Dartford Borough Council said: “Our theatre is such an important part of life for so many Dartford residents that when we were forced to close the venue, we were determined to find a way for the show to go on.
“The provision of Orchard West until we can re-open our much-loved venue means that not just our amazing pantomime, but a whole range of productions from local groups right through to the big names and West End performances can continue to light up the cultural life of our town.
“Dartford Borough Council prides itself on putting the needs of residents first and we are proud to have both the determination and the resources to have found a solution to this unforeseen problem.
“Stepping in like this is not the action every Council would take but we cherish arts and culture and urge our residents to support the theatre like never before.”
Helen Enright, CEO of Trafalgar Theatres and COO of Trafalgar Entertainment said: “The Orchard West will be a unique and exciting theatre-going experience for Dartford residents and visitors alike - and we can’t wait to welcome customers back in time for panto.
"We’re certain that audiences will be curious to find out more as details of the new venue and the shows to be presented are released over coming weeks.”
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