What's on in East London this weekend, 23rd and 24th March, 2019

The Take That Experience

As Take That celebrate over 25 years as the UK’s number one boy band, The Take That Experience mark over a decade together as the ultimate tribute act with their best show yet. Wowing audiences everywhere they go with their amazing vocals, replica costumes and electrifying dance routines, The Take That Experience brings you all the classic songs you know and love from the 90s through to the present, including Pray, Relight My Fire, Patience, Shine, and Giants.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Sunday, March 23, 7.30pm. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

Freedom Song

In 1871 a group of singers from Tennessee took to the road to raise money for their university. But this was no ordinary student choir. The Fisk Jubilee Singers were freed slaves. Their mission was not only to build the first black university after emancipation but to fight for the right of all African Americans to be educated. Facing down racial abuse and physical hardship, they introduced the world to plantation spirituals, “songs of sorrow” never before heard in public. They toured the USA and Europe, where, incredibly, they serenaded Queen Victoria and performed in concert halls and cathedrals across Britain. They remain beacons of the civil rights movement 150 years on. In Freedom Song, two local community choirs are joined by a professional band and soloists on a musical journey which celebrates the power of music to overcome oppression and bring people from all backgrounds together.

Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ, Sunday, March 24, 6pm. Details: 02089 852424 hackneyempire.co.uk

Felicitas Chamber Choir

Felicitas Chamber Choir presents a concert entitled: 'Herbert Howells and the Tudors'. Music includes Howells' early setting of the Mass in the Dorian mode; together with Take him, earth, for cherishing and Requiem I and II from Requiem. This will be contrasted with music by William Byrd (Ave verum Corpus & Quomodo cantabimus) and Thomas Tallis' (If ye love me & Sanctus from Missa Puer natus est).

St John's Church, Church Lane, Loughton, IG10 1PD, Saturday, March 23, 7.30pm. Details: Felicitas.org.uk

Gary Phelan

Wonderful singer, great performer playing a wide range of great covers with power and passion. Blew everyone away during previous performances with his blistering vocals and uncompromisingly passionate performance.

The Coppermill Pub, 205 Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, E17 7HF, Saturday, March 23, 8.30pm. Details: 020 8520 3709 coppermillpub.co.uk

The Giving Style

The band’s music is guitar-driven, occasionally electronic, with acoustic sensibilities. Drawing in equal parts from soul musicians like Stevie Wonder and Sly & The Family Stone to folk singers such as Donovan and Melanie, their lyrics lean heavily on themes such as love, loss, longing and focusing energy on the present moment.

Luna Lounge, 7 Church Lane, Leytonstone, E11 1HG, Saturday, March 23, 9.30pm. Details: 07904 525639 lunalounge.info

Baby Face

Welcome to a world of knee socks, bunches, lollipops, bubble gum and models adopting the childlike expressions of six-year-old girls. A daring exploration into the paradox of living in a society that continues to infantilise women. In this brave and outlandish performance a grown woman attempts to be your baby to discover if innocence really is as sexy as we're told it is. Winner of The Autopsy Award and Lustrum Award at the Edinburgh Fringe 2018.

Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow, CM20 1LS, Saturday, March 23, 8pm. Details: 01279 431945 playhouseharlow.com

Milkshake! Live: Monkey’s Musical

Milkshake Monkey can’t wait to put on his spectacular new musical! But when stage fright hits, his favourite Milkshake friends come to help, creating the most dazzling show you have ever seen. Starring Fireman Sam, Noddy, Shimmer & Shine, Digby Dragon, Wissper, Nella the Princess Knight and Floogals, alongside two Milkshake presenters, this new show has plenty of laughter and audience interaction.

Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow, CM20 1LS, Saturday, March 23, 12pm and 3.30pm. Details: 01279 431945 playhouseharlow.com

Legacy

Legacy follows a group of builders working on the 20th floor of a luxury apartment block in Stratford, overlooking the Olympic Stadium on ‘Super Saturday’ 2012. As the world is glued to Britain’s greatest sporting day, the builders watch on as the place they call home becomes unrecognisable. Part of Essex on Stage.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Saturday, March 23, 2.45pm. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

We Love Musicals

The Mayor of Chelmsford is hosting a one-off musical extravaganza to raise money for two wonderful local charities, Kids Inspire and The Broomfield Hospital Dementia Project. This unique event will see all five musicals societies in Chelmsford come together to perform. They will showcase many musical numbers from their repertoire.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Sunday, March 24, 2.30pm and 7pm. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

Chaos

A girl is locked in a room. A boy brings another boy flowers. A girl protests against injustice. A boy doesn’t know who he is. A girl worries about impending catastrophe. A woman jumps in front of a train. A boy’s heart falls out of his chest. A butterfly has a broken wing. Through this unique theatrical experience, QYC bring the characters alive in their search for meaning in a complicated and unstable world.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Saturday, March 23, 7pm and 8.30pm. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

Tammy

Set in Dagenham, Tammy is a play about female sexuality, family secrets and the fractured relationship between mother and daughter. Part of Essex on Stage, an ambitious new two-year programme led by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, championing positive notions of Essex, celebrating theatre made by working class people and raising aspirations for emerging artists from Essex and Outer East London.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Saturday, March 23, 11.30am. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

London Festival of Railway Modelling

The London Festival of Railway Modelling returns for its 20th year. A must for every railway enthusiast and a fantastic family day out for all. Visitors can enjoy over 40 hand-picked layouts from around the globe and in excess of 120 exhibitors to browse and purchase from. The vast selection of trade stands covers must-have items to specialist items in rarer scales and gauges. Don’t miss the expert demonstrations and meet the BRM magazine team.

Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY, Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24, from 10am. Details: 020 8365 2121 alexandrapalace.com