1. THEATRE Blue Remembered Hills, Headgate Theatre, Chapel Street North, Colchester

When: Until tomorrow, 7.45pm. 

How much: £10, £8 concessions.

Contact: 01206 366000.

DENNIS Potter's deceptively simple tale about the activities of seven English children played by adults on a summer afternoon during World War II.

Director Steve Dunt has once again assembled a great cast for this Colchester Theatre Group production with, among others, Peter Schofield, Kevin Topple, Paul Read and Joanna Armitage 'not' acting their age.

2. HISTORY Swinging Sixties Living History Day, East Anglian Railway Museum, Chappel Station, Wakes Colne

When: Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm.

How much: Adults £9, seniors £8, children £4.50.

Step back in time and experience the railway and life as it once was in the 1960s with fun for all the family.

The day will feature unlimited train rides on a period diesel railcar. Families can ride on the Chappel Miniature Railway and on the 7¼" trains.

Visitors can stop for a pint at the Viaduct Public House, sponsored by Colchester Brewery, and take a walk down the vintage street to mingle with shop owners and locals.

3. THEATRE Private Lives, Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester

When: 7.30pm and 2.30pm (Thursdays and Saturdays).

How much: Today until June 4 £25 to £10 plus concessions.

Contact: 01206 573948.

THE Mercury's latest in-house production promises a new look at Noel Coward's classic comedy of love, deceit and manners. Directed by Esther Richardson and designed by the brilliant Sara Perks expect something sumptuous.

4. GARDENS Wivenhoe Open Gardens, Wivenhoe, Colchester Road, Wivenhoe,

When: Tomorrow and Sunday, 11am to 5pm.

How much: £4 per person, available in local shops, children free.

Contact: 07708 020842.

THE first open gardens of the season surely means summer is only a cream tea away.

My home town has around 24 gardens on offer which range from woodland to waterside, with several new gardens opening up to the public this year.

As well as the flora, teas, other refreshments and displays of arts and crafts will be on offer.

5. KIDS Krazy Kat Theatre Company Presents The Very Magic Flute, Colchester Arts Centre, Church Street, Colchester

When: Tomorrow, 2pm.

How much: £4.95.

Contact: 01206 500900.

ONE of the most popular children's theatre companies returns with a show loosely based on Mozart’s opera.

Meet a lost Prince chased by a dragon, a mysterious Queen of the Night, a kidnapped Princess, a lonely Bird-Man, and don’t forget the Magic Flute and Bells.

Sounds like a sure-fire recipe for a new Krazy Kat extravaganza!

6. MUSIC Spring Swing Spectacular, Colchester Arts Centre, Church Street, Colchester

When: 7.30pm.

How much: £12.50.

Contact: 01206 500900.

A FUNDRAISER to help local jazz singer Lydia Bell take up her place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, jam packed with retro sights and sounds courtesy of the sublimely talented Lydia and the Sweeting Swing Band.

7. ART Fashion Design and Collage Day, Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester

When: Tomorrow, 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.

How much: Free.

Fashion design and collage day with artist Nicola Naismith. Using Andy Warhol's images from popular culture, cut, fold and glue onto 'fashion' figures to design garments and to play around with scale.

8. MUSIC Rura, Colchester Arts Centre, Church Street, Colchester,

When: Monday, 7.45pm.

How much: £12, £10 concessions.

Contact: 01206 500900.

ONE of the most exciting bands on the Scottish folk scene, Rura are another new name to watch out for on the national folk circuit.

Whilst rooted in tradition this five-piece is very much a contemporary act with anthemic and punch-packing tunes.

9. KIDS Bear Fair, Castle Park, Colchester

When: Tomorrow, 8.30am to 11.30am.

How much: Free.

In conjunction with World MS Day, this fundraising event will immediately follow the park run and will be a 5k fancy dress run followed by a cake competition and picnic at the band stand.

10. MUSICAL Green Day's American Idiot: The Musical, Colchester Institute, Sheepen Road, Colchester. Presented by BA Honours Musical Theatre Year 3 students.

When: Today 2.30pm and 7.30pm, tomorrow 7.30pm.

How much: £12, £8 concessions.

This high-octane show includes songs from Green Day’s album American Idiot, as well as several songs from follow-up release, 21st Century Breakdown. 

Contains drug and sex references. Recommended age 16+.