Here’s your month-by-month guide of what’s coming up—from mini breaks and musicals to day trips and Christmas lights!

Theatre Trips Essex – Events 2025–2026

ROUTE 1: Walnut Tree, Palace, Elms, Thames Drive, Hadleigh, Kents Hill Lights, Sadlers, Five Bells, Grays
ROUTE 2: Canvey The Paddocks, Jones Corner, Benfleet Station, South Benfleet JR School, Sadlers, Basildon, Grays
(Input your pick-up point on booking under the note section.)

Website: www.theatretripsessex.co.uk
Email: nicolahaynes@yahoo.co.uk

February 2026


Sun 22 – Shen Yun – £140.00 (£50 deposit / £90 balance)
Wed 25 – Shadowlands (Hugh Bonneville– from £89.50 (Matinee)

March 2026
Thu 5 – Dracula (Cynthia Erivo) / Les Misérables / Oliver (Evening) – from £79.50
Thu 12 – I’m Every Woman / Hercules – from £69.50
Sat 14 – Gin Factory Visit, Chiswick – £55.00
Thu 19 – Moulin Rouge / Hadestown – from £79.50
Sat 21 – Thriplow Daffodil Weekend – £39.50
Sun 22 – Starlight Express – £69.50 (Early Evening)
Sat 28 – Barnum (Matinee) – £89.50

April 2026
Wed 1 – The Kinks Musical (Sunny Afternoon) – £79.50 (Matinee)
Thu 9 – Miss Saigon (Matinee) – £105.00
Sat 25 – Oxford Free Time – £37.00

May 2026
Thu 14 – Witness for the Prosecution / The Producers / Les Misérables / Avenue Q (Matinee, Canvey route) – £69.50–£79.50
Sat 16 – Blood Brothers (Matinee) – £85.00
Fri 22 – Kinky Boots (Evening) – £85.00
Sat 23 – Windsor Boat Trip + Afternoon Tea – £77.50
Sun 24 – Columbia Road Flower Market & Covent Garden – £25.50
Fri 29 – Highgate Cemetery & Village Tour – £57.50

June 2026
Wed 10 –The Lion King – from £79.50 (Canvey route)
Fri 12 – ABBA Voyage – £99.50
Thu 11 – Kinky Boots / Les Misérables (Matinees) – from £85.00
Sat 13 – Cambridge Free Time – £29.00
Sat 20 – Ascot (Queen Anne Enclosure) – £120.00
Fri 26 – Beetlejuice (Matinee) – £75.00
Sun 28 – Mamma Mia! The Party (O2 London) – £165.00

July 2026
Thu 2 – Avenue Q (Matinee) – £75.00
Sat 4 – Wroxham, Norfolk & Broads Boat Trip – £46.50
Mon 6–Wed 8 – Bath & Bristol Mini Break – £299.00 (£99 deposit)
Sat 11 – Brighton Free Time – £29.50
Sun 12 – Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth Her Life in Style Exhibition – £65
Thu 16 – Miss Saigon (Matinee) – £95.00
Sat 18 – Brighton Free Time (Alt. Route) – £29.50
Sun 19 – Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) – £66.50
Sun 26 – Annie the Musical (Matinee) – £85.00

August 2026
Mon 10 – Cats – £69.50
Sat 15 – Eastbourne Airshow or Free Time – £42.50
Sat 29 – Dirty Dancing – £49.50 deposit / £50 balance due end of Jan 2026 (Matinee)

September 2026
Mon 7–Thu 10 – York with Tours (4 days, 3 nights HB) – £459.00
Fri 18 – André Rieu – £180 (£90 deposit, £90 balance due end of Feb)
Sun 20 – The Lion King (Matinee) – £89.50
Wed 30 – Paddington / Lion King – £79.50 (Evening 7pm)

October 2026
Fri 2 – Phantom of the Opera (Evening) – £85.00
Fri 9–Sun 11 – Disneyland Paris – On sale soon
Sun 11 – Westlife (O2 London) – £80 deposit / £80 balance due end of Jan

December 2026

Sun 6 Thursford £99.50
Fri 11 – Mamma Mia the Party (O2 London) – £165.00

Fri 18 Thursford £99.50

May 2027
Wed 12 – Jersey Boys (tickets only), Cliffs Pavilion – £49.50

by Nicola Haynes

The coach, admin, diet requests, delays due to traffic issues, bookings - GENERAL ADMIN UPDATE

Sometimes a message needs to be relayed to me or to the  driver - please pass a message down the coach and then I can act upon the request rather than dangerously walking up and down the coach.

Diets requests - Anything you need to tell me at all must be completed in the notes section when you book via the website - allergies, vegetarian, vegan etc. Without this information I will assume you do not have any requests and submit same to the venue.

If you give me an incorrect email then I can not advise you with the coach times as the email will bounce. Please may I request you input all the correct details. I need a mobile number and not a landline as I may need to contact you when we are on an event and a landline would not suffice as you would be with me.

Sadly sometimes the coach is delayed due to traffic - of course this is completely out of my control and refunds are not available should your time be shorter than the estimated time of the event.

by Nicola Haynes

What is theatre etiquette?

Seeing a West End show is always something to look forward to, whether you've seen one show or hundreds.

Theatre etiquette is extremely important to ensuring everyone in the auditorium has a pleasant experience. Many people in the theatre invest a great deal of time and money into creating a fabulous theatregoing experience. So to have it taken away by members of the public that behave in an offensive manner can disrupt the entire show.

It's best to not speak during a show, or keep speaking to a bare minimum, as the noise can distract others and potentially the performers. If you need to say something important during a performance, do it during the applause, or whisper quietly. We advise refraining from talking about anyone's performance, especially if you have a negative opinion. Anyone could be listening.

Can I eat and drink in the theatre?

You are allowed to eat and drink in West End theatres. Many theatres sell light refreshments, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages before the performance begins and during the interval. There is no limit to how many refreshments you can purchase at the theatre.

There are no restrictions on what you can eat and drink in the auditorium. However, there are some foods which you should avoid. If possible, avoid eating smelly foods which will waft around the auditorium. Also it's best not to bring foods with noisy packaging, like crisp packets and sweet wrappers. If you're going to open a packet or wrapper during a performance, wait until a moment of applause so that the sound isn't quite as obvious. Nobody wants to hear food packets rustling during a silent moment on stage.

Many London theatres allow you to bring your own food and drink into the auditorium. Before going to see a show, we recommend checking the venue's individual policies. You don't want to throw any food into the waste bin.

Can I smoke in the theatre?

Smoking in the theatre is not permitted. Most theatres are indoor spaces, and smoking is prohibited in indoor venues. If you need to smoke during the show, then wait for the interval, where you can head outside and light up. There are some productions which use smoke, and actors may use cigarettes during the show. But that doesn't give you an excuse to smoke!

Can I use my mobile phone in the theatre?

During the show, you are not allowed to use your mobile phone in the theatre. Don't text, make calls, or answer calls during a live performance: It's extremely distracting for theatregoers around you, and can be offensive to the actors performing on stage. We recommend turning off your phone, or at least putting it on airplane mode, before a performance. If your phone does go off, decline the calls immediately and put your phone in your bag. If you are caught using your phone throughout a performance, your phone may be consficated.

Can I take pictures during a performance?

You cannot take pictures during a performance. If you are caught taking pictures, a front of house member will tell you to stop, and if you are caught doing so multiple times, you may be asked to leave the theatre. There are a few West End shows which invite audiences to take pictures in the curtain call. If that's the case, then make sure your phone does not obstruct anyone else's view, and turn off your flash.

Can I film during a performance? 

You are not allowed to film during a performance.

After a performance, any member of the public can wait at the stage door to hopefully catch a glimpse of their favourite actors after a show. It's important to note that seeing performers at the stage door is not included in the ticket price — it is down to an actor's individual discretion whether they greet people at the stage door.

Treat performers with the same respect that you would give to friends, family, and colleagues. If you do get to meet actors at the stage door, then show your appreciation for the actor and make sure to say thank you! Be kind and considerate of other fans around you too. If you give everyone a fair opportunity to say hello to their favourite performers, it'll make for a pleasant stage door experience for everyone.

by Nicola Haynes

Mamma Mia the Party, seating plan update please read before booking.

So, we all love Mamma Mia the Party at the 02 London ... I am always very happy to hear the delightful comments customers have at the venue... This is an update about how it all works for the party as I'm often asked.

There aren't any tickets! . I advise the name of the Lead Booker and the numbers in their party along with diet requests as you have advised me upon booking ' notes section ' on the website.

The venue will organise the tables up to 5  max on the table - the venue organise the tables a few days before the event - I do not organise the tables.

Mamma Mia! The Party doesn't have a kids menu, but it's a great place for families with children ages 5 and up. 

What's included i- Travel, A four-course Greek meal, A welcome drink and appetizers, and Access to an ABBA disco.  

Travel, food, one drink and entertainment is included in the price. If you're attending an evening performance we usually arrive around 5pm.. the venue opens at 6.30pm = = the coach departs around 11pm (usually 10.50pm).

We park in the 02 coach car park. This is an approximate 10-12 minute walk to the party entrance. Wheelchairs can be hired at the 02.

We no longer have multiple tables of 6 inTier B  but I can keep the groups together by changing the table sizes.

The venue organise the tables.. They can be either in Tier A or B and not C. Here's an extract from the Party online about their bands of seating. 

WHAT’S THE VIEW FROM MY SEAT?

So ---- we may be seated in these tables they are Band A or  B - the venue would seat you, not me and they will not seat you in Band C.

Finally - I really do want you to have the best time but do please be mindful the coach (for an evening performance) will depart on time at 11pm - it's not fair on others to wait. 

The driver will not allow you on board if you are deemed intoxicated.  (Drunk or under the influence of drugs).

The venue is located at the 02 London and we always park at the 02 Coach park so, if you leave a little early you can head back to the coach and board in good time for our departure.

by Nicola Haynes