Lynn Cox

Lynn Cox gives an intensely enthusiastic review of The Choir of Man at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre, praising its immersive pub setting, audience participation, comic moments, skilled nine-man cast and musical arrangements of songs by artists including Queen, Adele and Avicii. The production is described as an uplifting celebration of friendship and community, with drinks, live music and interaction extending into the interval. Created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay after originating at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017, the show runs at the theatre until August 1.

Genevieve Vatesse, a Margate woman with a knee injury affecting her mobility, was reported missing from her home on the evening of June 26, 2026. Police issued a welfare appeal and confirmed at about 9:40 a.m. the following morning that she had been safely located, thanking members of the public who shared the appeal.

2:22 A Ghost Story, starring James Bye, Shvorne Marks, Natalie Casey and Grant Kilburn, is praised for keeping audiences in suspense through supernatural horror, relationship drama, sharp comedy, jump scares and effective sound design. The review highlights strong ensemble performances, particularly Marks as the play’s anchor, while noting that some characters can feel unlikable. The production runs at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre until June 20, 2026, as part of its UK tour.

The 30th anniversary UK touring production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is reviewed positively during its run at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre. The production stars Kevin Clifton, Adèle Anderson, Peter Duncan and Nick Hayes, combining familiar jukebox hits, flamboyant costumes, high-energy choreography and updated jokes with the story’s themes of homophobia, transphobia, family reconciliation and friendship. The reviewer describes the show as joyful, funny, emotionally resonant and more fabulous than previous versions.

Reviewer Lynn Cox praises Derren Brown’s Only Human at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre as an ambitious and highly theatrical exploration of fate, free will, human connection and personal choice. The production combines psychological illusion, storytelling, comedy, audience participation and cinematic staging, shifting from a playful first half to a darker second act. Cox avoids revealing the tricks but says the show left her questioning her perception of reality. The production runs at the theatre until April 11, 2026.

Two people suffered smoke inhalation after a house fire in Victoria Hill Road, Swanley, on March 14. Kent Fire and Rescue Service crews used breathing apparatus to enter the property and extinguished the blaze, while South East Coast Ambulance Service paramedics treated the occupants. The fire is believed to have started in a lithium-ion battery left charging.

Six fire engines and a height vehicle attended a flat fire in Ebbsfleet Walk, Northfleet, shortly before 7:30pm. Crews wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the blaze with hose reels, while one person received medical attention for slight smoke inhalation. Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s volunteer response team supported affected residents. The cause of the fire remained unknown, and crews left at about 10:10pm.

A fallen tree blocked the railway line near Selling on the evening of 20 September 2025, stopping services between Faversham and Dover Priory. Southeastern sent a specialist team to remove the obstruction and requested replacement buses, but was still awaiting an estimated arrival time for those services.

Madness drew a capacity crowd of fez-wearing fans to Dreamland in Margate as part of the 2025 Summer Series. The band delivered well-known hits including “Our House,” “It Must Be Love,” “Baggy Trousers” and “Night Boat to Cairo,” with frontman Suggs adding comic moments and an impromptu performance of Chas & Dave’s “Margate.” The Zutons supported with their own songs, including “Valerie,” and a tribute to Amy Winehouse.

An amber Met Office warning covers Kent and parts of southeast England and London until 11am on 19 July 2025, with thunderstorms expected to bring torrential rain. Downpours could produce 20–40mm of rain in an hour and locally 70–100mm over several hours, causing rapid surface-water flooding, dangerous floodwater, lightning, hail and strong winds. Homes, businesses and roads may be affected, while a wider yellow thunderstorm warning remains in force across much of England until 9pm.】【。

The touring production of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show is praised for its energetic cast, raunchy humour, audience participation and celebration of individuality. Adam Strong plays Dr Frank-N-Furter, while Nathan Caton earns particular acclaim as the sharp-tongued Narrator. The production is running at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre until July 12, 2025.

A highly favorable review praises Giovanna Fletcher’s performance as Rachel Watson in the touring stage adaptation of Paula Hawkins’s The Girl on the Train at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre. The production is commended for its suspenseful mystery, minimal set, lighting, sound effects and acting. Fletcher will perform the role through March before Louisa Lytton and Laura Whitmore take over later in the year.

Firefighters extinguished approximately three tonnes of burning wheat and household waste near Malmaynes Hall Road in Upper Stoke, Hoo. Crews were called at about 9:15 a.m. on November 24 and continued controlled firefighting until the wheat stopped burning. Residents were temporarily advised to keep windows and doors closed because of heavy smoke; the warning was later lifted and crews left the scene.

Paloma Faith delivered an energetic performance at Dreamland in Margate as part of the Margate Summer Series, mixing hits such as “Only Love Can Hurt,” “Picking Up the Pieces” and “Changing” with songs from her album The Glorification of Sadness. Her rendition of Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” was a notable highlight. Despite early technical difficulties, Faith maintained strong audience engagement through her charisma, conversation and distinctive style. The concert lasted around 90 minutes, with Gok Wan providing an upbeat DJ set beforehand; attendees enjoyed the show, although some felt large screens were needed for better visibility from the VIP area.

Lynn Cox gives an overwhelmingly enthusiastic review of the production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Bromley's Churchill Theatre. She praises the faithful staging, music, set design and magical flying car, as well as performances by Adam Garcia, Charlie Brooks, Jenny Gayner and Liam Fox. The production runs through June 30, 2024, and is recommended for fans of the original film and family musical theatre.

A reviewer visits Leeds Castle’s A Narnia Christmas at the Castle experience with a 12-year-old and a great-aunt, praising its immersive wardrobe entrance, snowy woodland, character displays, Christmas decorations and close attention to details from C. S. Lewis’s story. The castle also offers illuminated grounds, festive food and a vintage carousel, with admission including the Narnia experience and unlimited visits for a year. The event runs until January 1, 2024.

A 15-year-old girl reported missing from Tunbridge Wells over the weekend was found safe and well after police issued an appeal expressing concern for her welfare.

Natalie Wallace, 37, was reported missing from the Bath Street area of Gravesend at about 3:30 a.m. on Saturday. Police appealed for information because of concerns for her welfare, then confirmed on 27 August that she had been found safely.

Gabrielle headlined the Back 2 Soul concert at Dreamland in Margate, performing hits including “Dreams,” “Give Me a Little More Time” and “Out of Reach.” CeCe Peniston opened the evening with “Finally,” while Soul II Soul performed “Back to Life” and “Keep On Movin’,” as well as a tribute to Sinéad O’Connor by covering “Nothing Compares 2 U.” The review praises the artists, the enthusiastic audience and Dreamland’s festival-like atmosphere and facilities, noting that the venue plans to host more concerts.

Tom Jones delivered an enthusiastic, nearly two-hour performance at Margate’s Dreamland as part of his Ages and Stages tour. The 83-year-old singer performed major hits including “It’s Not Unusual,” “What’s New Pussycat?” and “Delilah,” alongside covers by Prince, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. The concert was briefly interrupted when an audience member required first aid, but the reviewer praised Jones’s pitch-perfect voice, stage presence and the venue’s atmosphere.