Essex

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-on-the-stage">On the stage</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="673" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/The-Bodyguard.jpg" alt="The Bodyguard" class="wp-image-26895" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/The-Bodyguard.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/The-Bodyguard-800x538.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/The-Bodyguard-768x517.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Bodyguard, Cliffs Pavilion</figcaption></figure>



We all know the story, but seeing it live on stage takes it to another level. <a href="https://trafalgartickets.com/cliffs-pavilion-southend/en-GB/event/musical/the-bodyguard-tickets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bodyguard</a>, starring Sidonie Smith and Adam Garcia, is on at <a href="https://trafalgartickets.com/cliffs-pavilion-southend/en-GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cliffs Pavilion</a>, Southend-on-Sea, from Tue 13 Jan &#8211; Sat 17 Jan. Expect to be belting out I Will Always Love You for days after!



At Colchester&#8217;s <a href="https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mercury Theatre</a>, Colchester Operatic Society is presenting another favourite, <a href="https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/cos-guys-and-dolls-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Guys &amp; Dolls</a>. You can sing along to Luck be a Lady in your best New York accent, from Thu 29 Jan &#8211; Sun 8 Feb.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1006" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Scummy-Mummies.png" alt="The Scummy Mummies: Hot Mess" class="wp-image-26897" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Scummy-Mummies.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Scummy-Mummies-795x800.png 795w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Scummy-Mummies-994x1000.png 994w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Scummy-Mummies-768x773.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scummy Mummies: Hot Mess</figcaption></figure>



Who said January was gloomy? There&#8217;s plenty to see on the comedy circuit this month to keep us feeling cheerful, starting At <a href="https://queens-theatre.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queens Theatre</a>, Hornchurch, on Fri 23 Jan, with the hilariously funny Scummy Mummies. They will make you laugh until you wee (their words, not ours), with the new show <a href="https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whatson/the-scummy-mummies-hot-mess/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hot Mess</a>. From menopause to mansplaining, teenager to Tinder, there&#8217;s nothing they won&#8217;t broach (you&#8217;ve been warned). 



On Fri 30 Jan you can see Dara Ó Briain&#8217;s new show,<a href="https://colchester-events.co.uk/event/dara-o-briain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Re:Creation</a>, at <a href="https://colchester-events.co.uk/venue/charter-hall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charter Hall</a>, Colchester. His last tour sold out in 173 venues across 20 countries, so get in there quick.



Finishing off the month is <a href="https://thameside-tickets.thamesidetheatre.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173666952" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chuckl. Comedy Club</a> at <a href="https://thameside-tickets.thamesidetheatre.com/ticketbooth/shows" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thameside Theatre</a>, Grays, on Sat 31 Jan. Russell Kane is headlining alongside some special guests. 







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-art-amp-culture">Art &amp; culture</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Hamlet-National-Theatre-2025-2000x1000-1.jpg" alt="Hamlet National Theatre Live" class="wp-image-26940" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Hamlet-National-Theatre-2025-2000x1000-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Hamlet-National-Theatre-2025-2000x1000-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Hamlet-National-Theatre-2025-2000x1000-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Hamlet-National-Theatre-2025-2000x1000-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hamlet, National Theatre Live</figcaption></figure>



Missed out on seeing the National Theatre&#8217;s performance of Hamlet last year? You can still catch it on the big screen across Essex with the <a href="https://hamlet.ntlive.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Theatre Live</a> showings, on select dates from 22 Jan, including at <a href="https://brentwood-theatre.co.uk/event/national-theatre-live-hamlet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brentwood Theatre</a>, Brentwood; <a href="https://www.everymancinema.com/film-listing/1000026570-national-theatre-live-hamlet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Everyman</a>, Chelmsford and<a href="https://www.lumiereromford.com/movies/national-theatre-live-hamlet?location=romford&amp;locationKey=4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Lumiere</a>, Romford, as well as <a href="https://www.myvue.com/cinema/thurrock/film/national-theatre-live-hamlet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vue</a>, Thurrock; <a href="https://www.odeon.co.uk/films/national-theatre-live-hamlet/HO00007400/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Odeon </a>at Chelmsford, Colchester and Southend, and <a href="https://www.cineworld.co.uk/films/national-theatre-live-hamlet-2026/ho00013303#/buy-tickets-by-film?in-cinema=100&amp;at=2026-01-22&amp;for-movie=ho00013303&amp;view-mode=list" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cineworld</a>, Basildon.



Poetry lovers can get in on the action at <a href="https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/the-ed-poets-society/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Eds Poets Society</a> at <a href="https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mercury Theatre</a>, Colchester, on Wed 21 Jan, 7-9pm. The event is free, hosted in Café Bar, you can sit and listen or share your own. Sign up on the evening if you wish to perform.



Maybe drawing is your creative outlet? At <a href="https://www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chelmsford Theatre</a>, Chelmsford, the <a href="https://www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk/event/life-drawing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Life Drawing workshop</a> on Tue 20 Jan is the place to learn a new skill, perhaps you&#8217;ve been meaning to start? Or to brush up on an existing hobby. Price is £25 for the session which starts at 6.30pm.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="997" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-17-at-11.42.28.png" alt="Boozy Brushes, Firstsite, Colchester" class="wp-image-26941" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-17-at-11.42.28.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-17-at-11.42.28-800x798.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-17-at-11.42.28-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-17-at-11.42.28-768x766.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-17-at-11.42.28-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Boozy Brushes, Firstsite, Colchester</figcaption></figure>



If you fancy dipping your brush into the art world, but prefer something more light hearted, start off with <a href="https://firstsite.uk/event/boozy-brushes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boozy Brushes</a> at Colchester&#8217;s <a href="https://firstsite.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Firstsite</a> on Fri 16 Jan. There&#8217;s nothing like a glass of wine to loosen your inhibitions, who know what you might create? Oh and there&#8217;s drag entertainment too, this one&#8217;s not for those who are actually serious about art!







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kids">Kids</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/lock-gallery7.jpg" alt="The Lock Climbing Wall, Essex Outdoors, Harlow" class="wp-image-26943" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/lock-gallery7.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/lock-gallery7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/lock-gallery7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/lock-gallery7-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Lock Climbing Wall, Essex Outdoors, Harlow</figcaption></figure>



<a href="https://essexoutdoors.cinolla.com/thelock/course/kids-fun-climb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lock Climbing Wall: Kids Fun Climb</a>, on Sat 24 &amp; Sat 31 Jan at <a href="https://www.essexoutdoors.com/the-lock-climbing-wall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Essex Outdoors</a>, Harlow, is a short session to give kids, aged 7-17 a taste for climbing. No previous experience is needed and instructors will be there to guide them every step of the way. Priced at £15 for 90 minutes.



We&#8217;re goin&#8217; up, up, up, it&#8217;s our moment! While parents will feel as though K-POP has been having it&#8217;s moment FOR EVER, your kids probably still haven&#8217;t had enough. Treat them to K-Pop Live at Cliff&#8217;s Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea, on Sun 25 Jan. Guaranteed ear worms from the likes of Huntrix, BTS, BLACKPINK and SEVENTEEN. 



Something much quieter for little ones is the <a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/news/winter-reading-challenge-2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Essex Libraries: Winter Reading Challenge</a>, perfect for under 5s, it&#8217;s running from 2 Jan &#8211; 27 Feb. Pop into your local library to complete&nbsp;six fun challenges&nbsp;from a choice of twelve and collect stickers of each of&nbsp;The&nbsp;Pawfessionals&nbsp;to add to your challenge sheet.



At Mercury Theatre, Colchester you can still catch a panto (just about) – <a href="https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/mother-goose/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mother Goose</a> is still on until Sun 18 Jan.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdoors">Outdoors </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/01/conner-baker-cbvBcRUFWKk-unsplash-1000x667.jpg" alt="Cooking over open fire" class="wp-image-27122" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/01/conner-baker-cbvBcRUFWKk-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/01/conner-baker-cbvBcRUFWKk-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/01/conner-baker-cbvBcRUFWKk-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/01/conner-baker-cbvBcRUFWKk-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Go back to basics with the <a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/events/2026-01-24-hanningfield-outdoor-cooking-and-bushcraft-adults" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Outdoor Cooking and Bushcraft for Adults </a>session on Sat 24 Jan at <a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/hanningfield" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hanningfield Reservoir</a>. Two hours of the great outdoors and no children to keep away from the fire. Relax, chat, cook over the fire, and ease yourself into the new year.



<a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Essex Wildlife Trust</a> have Stargazing events on Sat 24 Jan, at both <a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/events/2026-01-24-stargazing-abberton-reservoir" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abberton Reservoir</a> (6.30pm-9.30pm) and <a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/events/2026-01-24-langdon-stargazing-evening" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Langdon</a> (6.30pm-8.30pm). At Abberton the Tiptree Stargazers will be on hand to help your observe, while at Langdon it&#8217;s the Thurrock Astronomy Society who will be there to guide you through the night sky.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wellness">Wellness</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/cult-pilates-copy.jpg" alt="Cult Pilates Loughton" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cult Pilates, Loughton</figcaption></figure>



Tempted to try a new class this year? Why not start the year with the <a href="https://momence.com/CULT-PILATES/Infrared-Sweat-%26-Sculpt-Pilates/118212309?skipPreview=true" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Infrared Sweat &amp; Sculpt Pilates</a> class, £23.50, at <a href="https://www.cultpilates.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cult Pilates</a>, Loughton. or refine your yoga poses with the dedicated workshops at<a href="https://www.afinebalance.me" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> A Fine Balance</a>, Upminster. Starting with the <a href="https://www.afinebalance.me/workshops/backbends" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Backbends workshop</a> on Sat 17 Jan, prices are £35 for non-members. Buy a 4 workshop bundle for £100 and you have further reason to follow up with the <a href="https://www.afinebalance.me/workshops/2026/1/24/introduction-to-splits" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Introduction to Splits</a> on Sat 24 Jan.



Need some assistance returning your body to its parasympathetic state? Don&#8217;t we all after the the last few weeks? Help is at hand at <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/hatfield-forest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hatfield Forest</a>, Bishop&#8217;s Stortford. Join the<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/hatfield-forest/events/2179bae7-e688-417c-a286-e0f540433dd4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Breathwork in the Forest </a>session on Sun 18 Jan where you can learn how to use the power of breathwork to alleviate stress, while enjoying the calm of the forest (all for the bargain price of £10).







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">In the mood for more?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-whats-on-where-can-you-relax-repair-and-reconnect-in-essex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wellbeing what’s on: Where can you relax, repair and reconnect in Essex?</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/on-your-marks-races-to-train-for-in-essex-for-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On your marks: Races to train for in Essex for 2026</a></li>
</ul>

New year, new plans: What’s on near you for the rest of January

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