Incoming: Self Esteem, Margate Film Festival, A Ghostly Evening

Self Esteem's latest stage role, the full Margate Film Festival programme, a night of ghosts stories and more. Get these dates in your diary now.

After a stellar run in Cabaret as Sally Bowles, Rebecca Lucy Taylor - aka Margate royalty/alumnus Self Esteem - returns to the West End as the lead role in David Hare’s play Teeth ‘n’ Smiles. The curtains rise for the show from March 13, 2026. On at The Duke of York’s Theatre, the play tells the story of singer Maggie Frisby, a voice of 60s counterculture and a bit of a wreck. Tickets from £25. 

Margate Film Festival has launched its programme. On November 26-30, there’s over 50 events that explore the theme Shifting Time and Place. Take a look at the programme and book tickets.

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Strange TouristAndy Malt

Bleak House in Broadstairs will be hosting A Ghostly Evening on Friday, November 21. Enter the striking clifftop building for a night of ghostly tales and music from pianist and modern mystic Thomas Wood. There will also be cocktails provided by Delilah’s. Tickets £20.

Cliftonville Dining Room is leaning into the cooler weather with a dinner and board games night on Thursday, October 30. From 5pm, head down for either a beef or vegan chilli con carne and if you’re lucky guess who or monopoly, or another vintage board game. £14 or £8 for kids. Games brought to you by new pop-up games cafe Flying Dice. DM to book.

Lowlife is putting on a Hexed Thanet pre-party and soiree on Friday, October 31. From 5pm, head to the newish joint on Northdown Road for scary films, metal, rock and goth on the stereo and a fridge stocked well with booze and boozy alternatives. Then, if you wake up feeling like you’ve gone all out - and even if you haven’t - head back to Lowlife on Saturday for Sarns subs, cocktails and strong coffee - this one’s on from 9am to 5pm. 

Amy Davies hosts a Women’s Singing Circle at Ramsgate’s Gather& on Wednesday, October 29, from 7.30pm to 9pm. Mark the ancient gaelic festival of Samhain with harmonies and candlelight. No experience necessary. Tickets £10.

Girl Hike and Giant Coffee have teamed up for a Broadstairs to Ramsgate walk and meditation session and an oracle card or two. On Saturday, November 8, the 2.5 mile walk starts at Giant Broadstairs at 2pm and will end at the coffee shop’s Ramsgate outpost at 4pm. The following Soul Session will wrap up at 5.30pm. Tickets £25. 

While it may be a long time before you need to polish your hand hook for Ramsgate Pirates Festival (in June 2026), you can still pull out your parrot and turn to Johnny Depp for fashion inspiration as the festival’s fundraiser is on Saturday, November 1 at The New Belgium Bar. If for nothing else, head to the pub from 4pm for the pirate dance troop. However, there will also be a best dressed competition, shanty singers and a special guest appearance by the Two Tone Pirates. Tickets £10.

Ramsgate writer Nicola Wren is offering a free creative life writing workshop. Held online on Sunday, November 9 from 10am to 11.30am, participants will have 90 minutes of writing exercises that aim to get you generating material from your own life. Suitable for all writers. Book your place.

Theatre maker Brigitte Aphrodite has launched an after school Rock n Roll Theatre Club. Starting from Thursday, November 6, at Crescendorious HQ in Margate and for children aged four to six, these sessions will look at making theatre, but also preach all good things like being kind, developing confidence, collaboration and making pals. Sessions run from 4pm to 5.30pm until December 11 (six sessions in total) It’s £90 per term, which is £15 per session. Email cresproducer@gmail.com for more information or to book. 

The last Babeslam of 2025 will take place at Where Else in Margate on Wednesday, November 5. The theme of the poetry, spoken word and comedy showdown is ‘You’re so vain (you probably think this song is about you.’ There will also be a headline set from Daisy Naisbitt. Tickets £6.

The next Is It Dirty? spoken word night takes place at the Roland Ross gallery in Cliftonville on Thursday, November 6. Performers include Lucy K Shaw, Kit Proudfoot, Guy Oliver, Fitz Noble and organiser Poppy Cockburn. Free entry and BYOB.

Dogshow are bringing their explosive live show to Where Else in Margate on Friday, November 28. Unhinged dance music performed live in the middle of the audience while wearing dog masks. Can’t quite picture that? This video might help. But you really have to be there. Tickets £15.

If it’s eccentric duos you like, then also take a look at another upcoming show at Where Else. Mermaid Chunky are set to play the venue on Saturday, February 28. They promise "milkmaid serenity and improvised chaos." No idea what that means? Buy a ticket. Tickets £15. 

Russell Kane has been announced as the headliner for the Chuckl comedy night at the Granville Theatre in Ramsgate on Saturday, January 31. The rest of the line up is still TBA, but I’m not sure you need anyone else. Tickets £29.15.