The Diary for March
PUBLISHED: 00:16 16 March 2011 | UPDATED: 19:00 20 February 2013

The Diary for March
The top music and theatre events and lots more happening in Essex <br/><br/>this March. Compiled by Nikki Dickens
Music
Top 5 music
19th March
London Festival Opera present A Night at the Opera at Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, 8pm.
Admission: 19.50 to 23.50
01702 351135
25th March
The Searchers at the Towngate Theatre, Basildon, 7.30pm.
Admission: 18
01621 890153
25th March
Piccadilly Dance Orchestra featuring special guest Angela Rippon at the Harlow Playhouse, 7.30pm.
Admission: 18,
concessions 16
01279 431945
26th March
Alan Barnes with Digby Fairweather and Friends at Loughton Methodist Church, 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
Admission: 10
020 8502 0181
31st March
Essence of Ireland at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, 7.30pm.
Admission: 16.50 to 22.15
01206 573948
Theatre
Top 5theatre
19th March
Des OConner is live at Towngate Theatre, Basildon, 7.30pm.
Admission: 22.50
01621 890153
22nd to 26th March
The Dracula Spectacular weaves its creepy magic spell at Cramphorn Theatre, Chelmsford, 7.30pm, Saturday matinee 3pm.
Admission: 9 to 12
07765 772059
23rd March
Colin Fry The Peoples Medium, at Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, 8pm.
Admission: 20.50
01702 351135
23rd March
An Evening With Neil Morrissey. Harlow Playhouse, 7.30pm.
Admission: 16.50
01279 431945
29th & 30th March
Derren Brown: Svengali, at Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, 8pm.
Admission: 31, 28.50
01702 351135
General Interest
20th & 27th March
Visit the Colne Valley Railway, Castle Hedingham, as the Joem locomotive returns after 16 years.
Admission: Adults 10,
children 6
01787 461174
20th March
Ingatestone Hall Wedding Fayre, Ingatestone, offers the chance to peruse the grounds and speak to more than 30 suppliers.
Admission: 3
01277 353010
24th March
Famous football manager Tommy Docherty will be entertaining the audience with highlights, funny stories and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from his fantastic career with On The Ball at the Civic Theatre, Chelmsford, 7.45pm.
Admission: 18.50
01621 8920457
25th March
Guess whodunit over a delicious two-course dinner at the Hylands House Murder Mystery Evening, Chelmsford, 7pm to 11pm.
Admission: 36
01245 605555
25th & 26th March
The Count of Monte Cristo is the ultimate tale of vigilante justice. Presented by Myriad Productions Ltd at Ingatestone Hall, Ingatestone, 7.30pm.
Admission: 12, concessions 10
0844 8472454
26th March
A Live Bollywood Night at the Chelmsford County High School for Girls in aid of The Js Hospice.
Themed decor and authentic Indian cuisine, 7pm to 11pm.
Admission: 30
01245 351514
Walks, talks, gardens
19th March
Wave Goodbye to Winter at River Lee Country Park, 9.30 to 12pm.
Admission: Free
08456 770600
19th & 20th March
Bird watching, sail and walk with Top Sail Charters, 10.30am.
Admission: 27.50 including light lunch
01621 857567
20th March
Join artist-in-residence Sadia Ur-Rehman for Tea at Valentines Mansion, Ilford, 2pm to 3.30pm.
Admission: Free (please book)
020 8708 8100
22nd March
Drop in Guided Tour of Valentines Mansion, Ilford, 11am to 11.45am.
Admission: Free
020 8708 8100
26th March
The National Trust's Constable Country Ramble: Stour Valley Views, 10.30am to 1pm.
Admission: 6
01206 298260
March 25th to 27th
The Mersea Island Art Group holds its annual art exhibition in the Mersea Museum.
Admission: Open 10am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday
07949 132366
Family
16th to 19th March
The Tales of Beatrix Potter, presented by The Chelmsford Ballet Company at the Civic Theatre, Chelmsford, 7.30pm, Saturday matinee 3pm.
Admission: 11 to 13.75
01621 8920457
16th March
Londons Science Museum takes to the stage for a live show at Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, 7pm.
Admission: 13.50
01702 351135
17th March
The Way Back Home. Cramphorn Theatre, Chelmsford, 11.30am and 1.30pm.
Admission: 7.50
01621 8920457
24th March
Lambing Night Watch at Marsh Farm Country Park, near Chelmsford.Admission: Adults 7.50
0845 6037624
25th March
Friday Fives at Chelmsford Museum, 10.30am to 11.30pm
and 1.30pm to 2.30pm.
Admission: 2
01245 605700
26th March
The Elves and The Shoemaker at Colchester Arts Centre, 1.30pm.
Admission: 3.95
01621 890153
26th & 27th March
Barleylands Farm Park, Billericay, stage Barleylands Craft Adventure.
Admission: 8.50, children 7.50
01268 290229