Join Lydia Gerrard for a selection of musical theatre, and classical favourites from Les Misérables and The Phantom of The Opera, to Wicked and Puccini. Lydia has just returned from covering and playing Grizabella & Jellylorum/Griddlebone in CATS The Musical. She previously covered Christine Daaé in the UK Tour of The Phantom of The Opera … Continue reading "Theatre classics and more, with Lydia Gerrard"

Returning from a recent tour of New Zealand, the brilliant Sajeela Kershi headlines the final comedy night of Wanstead Fringe 2023. “The woman is a treasure, magnetic, loveable and extremely witty” – The Spectator. Sajeela can be seen and heard on BBC Radio/TV, Comedy Central, GBN’s Headliners, Free Speech Nation, and TalkTV. Winner of the … Continue reading "Wanstead Comedy Night feat. Sajeela Kershi"

Wanstead Theatre are back with a sparky and engaging comedy set on that glorious morning 20 years ago when England won the Rugby World Cup for the first and only time. Dave’s position as chairman of his local rugby club is being challenged by an extremely loud Australian. Why does Jake, the club’s best player, … Continue reading "Breakfast with Jonny Wilkinson"

NB. Please note new venue Eddie and Victor will discuss their experiences on their respective career journeys, current affairs and local issues before taking questions from the audience. It promises to be an entertaining and informative evening with two local prominent voices. Eddie is an actor, radio broadcaster (with a regular show on BBC Radio … Continue reading "In conversation: Eddie Nestor MBE and Lord Victor Adebowale"

Forensic psychiatrist Sohom Das has spent 15 years trying to understand, treat and rehabilitate dangerous people. His work takes him to high-security prisons and securely locked hospital wards across the country, as well as to courtrooms where he gives evidence as an expert witness. ‘The vast majority of psychiatric patients are not violent,’ he says. … Continue reading "Wanstead Book Festival: Sohom Das"

Wanstead Theatre are back with a sparky and engaging comedy set on that glorious morning 20 years ago when England won the Rugby World Cup for the first and only time. Dave’s position as chairman of his local rugby club is being challenged by an extremely loud Australian. Why does Jake, the club’s best player, … Continue reading "Breakfast with Jonny Wilkinson"

You may have seen Russell Boyce’s pictures of Wanstead High Street business owners last year. You might have seen his post Covid exhibition ‘Overheard in Lockdown’ in Wanstead Park this year. In the 1980’s Russell started photographing his local community in Hull and Peterborough. Between these dates he travelled the World working for Reuters as … Continue reading "Documentary Photography – Why Bother? Who Cares?"

Back for its third year, the Fringe’s Evening of Spoken Word has become a ‘must do’ on the schedule. City Place Coffee, at the heart of the High Street, transforms into a cabaret-style venue, including a bar, for an intimate evening of poetry, spoken word and music from eight diverse artists. This event is a … Continue reading "An Evening of Spoken Word"

Guided tour of the crypt – come and gaze into Wanstead’s past, and hear about the people who lived here in Georgian times in the many mansions that existed then, and of course Wanstead House. Tours leave promptly on the hour, and take 45-50 minutes; the beautiful church will also be open, visitors are advised … Continue reading "Crypt Tours at St Mary’s Parish Church"

Ladybird Books are instantly recognisable. As well as helping generations of children to learn to read, they represented a vision of how people perceived their lives as things were changing around them. Helen Day is the unofficial – but unchallenged – historian of the role the books played in our lives. She will be celebrating … Continue reading "Wanstead Book Festival presents: Helen Day – Visions of our future"

Guided tour of the crypt – come and gaze into Wanstead’s past, and hear about the people who lived here in Georgian times in the many mansions that existed then, and of course Wanstead House. Tours leave promptly on the hour, and take 45-50 minutes; the beautiful church will also be open, visitors are advised … Continue reading "Crypt Tours at St Mary’s Parish Church"

The Fringe is delighted to host the next chapter for the Just Checking In podcast as it host its very first live show. Hosted by founder Freddie Cocker, below, the Just Checking In podcast has a mission to give people a voice, change the conversation around mental health and provide an outlet where everyone – … Continue reading "The Just Checking In podcast – Live!"

Join award-winning composer - and Wanstead resident - Simone Spagnolo for a unique blend of chamber music and mystery drama soundtracks. This concert will present Low Strings Drama, a musical drama for viola and violoncello in eleven variations that alternates tense and turbid moments to frantic passages and dreamy melodies. Recently release on all music platforms, this … Continue reading "Concert: Simone Spagnolo’s Low Strings Drama"

Until 1965, Wanstead was truly a part of Essex, and even now there are tell-tale signs all around us of a time before it became part of a London borough. In the 1980s, though, Essex became the stuff of tabloid headlines, supposed stereotypes and populist politics. Author Tim Burrows, in his book The Invention of … Continue reading "Wanstead Book Festival presents: Tim Burrows"

Suitable for adults and kids (11+) Taster sessions are the perfect way to introduce yourself to pottery. In this introductory class you will be guided through the basics of throwing clay on the potter’s wheel. These classes feature a maximum of three students. You will be taught how to prepare your clay, how to centre … Continue reading "Pottery: Throwing Taster Session"

Guided tour of the crypt – come and gaze into Wanstead’s past, and hear about the people who lived here in Georgian times in the many mansions that existed then, and of course Wanstead House. Tours leave promptly on the hour, and take 45-50 minutes; the beautiful church will also be open, visitors are advised … Continue reading "Crypt Tours at St Mary’s Parish Church"

Four outstanding MUST Wine tastings with four great wines every Saturday throughout the Fringe… it’s a MUST! Saturday September 30th at 2pm: To finish the Fringe in style…Champagne Tasting (Rosé, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, Demi Sec) Future tasting: Saturday September 30th at 4pm: We will have competitions and raffles at each event so … Continue reading "MUST Wine Bar Wanstead: Champagne Tasting I"

Four outstanding MUST Wine tastings with four great wines every Saturday throughout the Fringe… it’s a MUST! Saturday September 30th at 4pm: To finish the Fringe in style…Champagne Tasting (extra tasting due to demand) We will have competitions and raffles at each event so be prepared for an afternoon of fun! (P.S. if you wish … Continue reading "MUST Wine Bar Wanstead: Champagne Tasting II"