Zelly's picks: Five Ipswich events not to miss in November

As the nights draw in and winter approaches, Ipswich's cultural venues are offering plenty of reasons to venture out. This month's programme brings together internationally acclaimed artists, cinematic storytelling and performances exploring everything from human vulnerability to the connections that bring us together.

Here are my five arts highlights for November.

1.Lullaby | Jasmin Vardimon at DanceEast

Friday, 6th – Saturday, 7th November

Opening my November highlights is Lullaby, a new production from internationally acclaimed choreographer Jasmin Vardimon, returning to DanceEast.

Revisiting and expanding upon her award-winning 2003 work of the same name, Vardimon transports audiences into the clinical surroundings of a hospital, where the boundaries between sickness and wellbeing, vulnerability and resilience, joy and despair are explored through movement and theatrical storytelling.

Known for combining physical theatre with contemporary dance, Vardimon approaches challenging subjects with a distinctive blend of raw emotion, striking imagery and unexpected humour.

What particularly interests me is the decision to place care at the centre of the work. At a time when conversations around healthcare and human connection feel increasingly urgent, Lullaby promises an exploration of what it means to look after ourselves and one another.

• Where: Jerwood DanceHouse, DanceEast, Foundry Lane
• Tickets: From £18, concessions from £14. Friday sold out; limited availability for Saturday.

2.Inglourious Basterds + Jay Glennie in Conversation at King Street Cinema

Saturday, 14th November

Film enthusiasts are in for something special as King Street Cinema presents Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds in its original 35mm format, followed by a conversation with acclaimed film writer Jay Glennie.

Set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied France, Tarantino's audacious revisionist war film blends dark humour, suspense and revenge into a story that challenges history through the power of cinema itself. Christoph Waltz's Oscar winning performance as the chilling Colonel Hans Landa remains one of the film's defining attractions.

Following the screening, Glennie will share insights into the filmmaking process, drawing upon his extensive research for The Making of Inglourious Basterds, before signing copies of his book.

There's something particularly appealing about experiencing a film on 35mm in an age dominated by digital projection. Combined with the opportunity to explore the creative decisions behind the camera, this promises to be more than a conventional cinema outing.

• Where: King Street Cinema, Corn Exchange, King Street
• Tickets: See booking website

3.Candlelight: Fleetwood Mac and Hans Zimmer at St Peter's by the Waterfront

Friday, 20th November

For an evening of live music in atmospheric surroundings, St Peter's by the Waterfront hosts two Candlelight concerts celebrating very different musical legacies.

At 7pm, the spotlight falls on Fleetwood Mac, with Chaos Collective performing arrangements of favourites including Everywhere, Landslide, The Chain and Go Your Own Way. At 9pm, the focus shifts to the cinematic compositions of Hans Zimmer, with music from Inception, Interstellar, Gladiator and The Dark Knight.

While Fleetwood Mac's songwriting captures the complexities of relationships through memorable melodies, Zimmer's compositions have become inseparable from some of cinema's most emotionally powerful moments.

What appeals to me about these concerts is the opportunity to hear familiar music reinterpreted in an intimate setting. With the historic church illuminated by candlelight, the combination of architecture, atmosphere and live performance offers a different way to experience both musical worlds.

• Where: St Peter's by the Waterfront, College Street
• Tickets: From £14.70 per concert

4.Amélie the Musical at The Gallery Studio

Friday, 20th – Saturday, 28th November

The Gallery Players bring a little Parisian charm to Ipswich with Amélie the Musical, based on Jean-Pierre Jeunet's much-loved 2001 French film.

The story follows Amélie Poulain, an imaginative young woman who quietly transforms the lives of those around her through small, often mischievous acts of kindness. Yet when romance enters her own life, she must confront the vulnerability of stepping beyond her carefully constructed world.

Directed by Steve Taplin, the production features a cast of actor-musicians performing a score by Daniel Messé, with lyrics by Messé and Nathan Tysen.

What makes Amélie such an interesting theatrical proposition is the challenge of translating the film's distinctive visual imagination onto the stage. Beneath its whimsical exterior lies a story about loneliness, courage and our desire for human connection, themes that feel particularly suited to the intimacy of The Gallery Studio.

• Where: The Gallery Studio Theatre, St George's Street
• Tickets: From £14, plus booking fee

5.Walking Each Other Home | Stacy Makishi at SPILL

Saturday, 28th November

I'm ending November with something a little different. Presented by SPILL, Walking Each Other Home invites audiences into an interactive performance led by award-winning Hawaiian artist Stacy Makishi at St Clement's Arts Centre.

Blending autobiographical storytelling, playful games, movement and moments of reflection, Makishi explores the imperfect, awkward and vulnerable aspects of being human, and how embracing them might help us connect more meaningfully with one another.

Unlike conventional theatre, audiences are invited to participate as much or as little as they feel comfortable with, whether joining in, observing or simply taking time out.

I'm particularly drawn to the idea of a performance that removes the usual separation between artist and audience without demanding participation. There's something refreshing about an artistic experience that acknowledges our shared imperfections while encouraging curiosity, openness and connection.

• Where: St Clement's Arts Centre, Fore Street
• Tickets: £10 standard, £7 concession

From the theatrical possibilities of contemporary dance to the shared experience of live music, film and participatory performance, November demonstrates just how varied Ipswich's cultural offerings can be.

Which one will you be heading to?

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