Central Croydon Area Guide

An English folk guitarist and singer, specialising in traditional and contemporary songs of the north-east of England and in particular, the coal mining communities thereof. He is noted for his collaborations with Tom McConville and Stu Luckley, and for solo performances since 1982. During the 1990s, together with Benny Graham he developed a multi-media show documenting the coal mining communities of Durham and Northumberland, which led to the CD "How Are You Off For Coals", featuring a selection of mining songs. In 2006 Fox, along with a range of other top UK folk artists, was involved in providing performances for the "2006 Radio Ballads" commissioned by BBC Radio, and in 2009 he performed in the part of "Songman" in the highly acclaimed West End production of War Horse which played in the West End for 18 months and was subsequently toured for another eighteen months around Britain, Ireland and South Africa. Scholar Anthony Ashbolt describes Fox as "possessing one of the best folk-singing voices in England and he evokes the world of the miners and, in general, the songs of the northeast, with power and clarity."

Inspired by the performances of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford, the UK stars are hitting the road (with Pasquale at the wheel of the tour bus). Packed with laughs and songs, backed by a 15-piece band, the show will let the audience in on the banter between some of television's best-loved stars - who are also very close friends. Bradley Walsh says: "People are starved of our type of entertainment - songs, stories, jokes - and banter! It's an homage to the Rat Pack but brought up to the modern day, and its a fantastic night. We are just thrilled. We all share the same dressing room - we're mates. We've known each other for so long now - and the show is about warmth and family - because we are. It's great, really great." Walsh was joined by his three mates and the Barry Robinson Big Band for a one-off show at the Palladium in London in March, and the idea was born for a full-on Prat Pack tour. Fans can expect an evening packed with jokes that can only come from the chemistry of such seasoned entertainers. Walsh, Conley and Richie were all Pontins Bluecoats earlier in their careers and Pasquale was a Warner's Greencoat, giving them all a grounding in variety before decades-long careers at the very top of entertainment.

Opera & Ballet International proudly presents an Ellen Kent production with international soloists, highly-praised chorus and full orchestra Winner of The Best Opera Award Liverpool Daily Post Theatre Awards Back by overwhelming public demand, this award winning Opera returns with exquisite sets including a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan. One of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly tells the heart-breaking story of the beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant – with dramatic results. Highlights include the melodic Humming Chorus, the moving aria One Fine Day and the unforgettable Love Duet. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

Experience the glory days of air travel when Croydon was London's principal international airport. Take a guided tour of the Grade 2 listed airport terminal and visit the control tower and museum rooms. Find out about the pioneers of flight who flew from Croydon, including Amy Johnson and her record-breaking flight to Australia. Guided tours take one hour plus an additional 30 mins to explore the Museum and Control Tower. Interactive displays, a children's quiz, a merchandise stall and a cafe are all available. Free parking is available onsite directly under the aeroplane outside the terminal building. Voluntary donation of 8 per adult over 16 years requested on entry. Seewww.historiccroydonairport.org.uk [//www.historiccroydonairport.org.uk] for more information. Please only book if you fully intend to attend as spaces are strictly limited. Please arrive promptly at ticket time. If your plans change, email us at info@historiccroydonairport.org.uk

Shakespeare in the Squares will be back this summer to celebrate their eighth anniversary with a new production of The Taming of the Shrew, a battle of wits, wills and wild romance complete with toe-tapping pop classics. Shakespeare in the Squares is a not-for-profit touring theatre company that stages a new Shakespeare play across London for one night in each venue every summer. This years programme features 34 performances across 28 beautiful London locations. The tour kicks off on Wednesday 4th June in Leinster Square, W2, and concludes over five weeks later in The Actors Church Garden, WC2. Press night is scheduled for Wednesday 11th June at Cleveland Square, W2. Shakespeare in the Squares is a cornerstone of Londons summer cultural calendar, renowned for tailoring each performance to the individual venue, providing the audience with a truly unique show every time.

The Browns are singer-songwriters who started singing together in 2019 after reconnecting in 2015. They met as teenagers at a school dance and lost touch after arrangements for their first date went awry, but the intervening years has given them plenty of material for their songs. Known for their rich and expressive blend of voices in harmony they have performed at festivals and folk club venues across East Anglia and beyond. As well as playing music from the rapidly expanding list of their own songs, The Browns bring their unique arrangements and harmonies to contemporary and traditional folk songs. With just two voices and one guitar, which Vernon plays upside down, they have developed an exceptional sound allowing their distinctive vocals to take centre stage and shine..