It’s the summer of 2005, England prepare to win the Ashes and Ismail (Smiley to his friends), a British south Asian schoolboy, is about to become the youngest-ever player in his elite public school’s First XI cricket team.

He sets his sights on immortality, breaking the school batting record and getting his name into Wisden. But things are about to heat up.

From award-winning playwright maatin, Duck is about adolescence, the pressures of sporting competition and finding your identity in an environment that doesn’t cater for difference.

Performances are captioned with projected text and illustrations onto the set making it accessible to d/Deaf audiences.

Recipient of the Pleasance's Charlie Hartill Fund 2024.

'It could not feel more topical' ★★★★ Guardian

★★★★ Everything Theatre I ★★★★ Broadway World I ★★★★ Theatre Weekly I ★★★★ SpyintheStalls I ★★★★ First Night Magazine I ★★★★ AllThatDazzles I ★★★★ Asian Culture Vulture

Credits
Produced by Broccoli Arts
Writer - maatin
Director - Imy Wyatt-Corner
Original Design - Maariyah Shaarjil
Original Lighting Design - Jonathan Chan
Sound Design - Holly Khan
Caption Design - Rachel Sampley
Image design - Alice Gorman
Production photographs - Isha Shah

DUCK was originally produced by Two Magpies Productions.

Age guidance
12+ years

Content warning
 This show contains distressing or potentially triggering themes of racism and islamophobia.

Creative captioning
Performances are captioned with projected text and illustrations onto the set.

Studio
£16.50

Two Magpies Productions website

•   9 May from £1650

Presented by Norden Farm Jazz Club.

Freddie Gavita (Trumpet / Flugelhorn)

Winner of the British Jazz Awards Best Trumpeter of 2017, Freddie has cemented his place as a leading light on the British Jazz scene. With the release of his debut album Transient in April 2017, his star is certainly on the rise.

He is a member of the Ronnie Scott’s Club Quintet and jazz-rock outfit Fletch’s Brew as well as being a band leader in his own right. A fearless improviser, he solos with fluent authority, his tone ranging from the warmly conversational to the eloquently strident.

Recent career highlights include three Proms performances at the Royal Albert Hall, appearing as the featured soloist at Cadagon Hall playing the music of Miles Davis and Gil Evans, and stepping into Herb Alpert’s shoes for the recent BBC 2 broadcast from Ronnie Scott’s commemorating the music of Burt Bacharach. Freddie has played with, among others, Peter Erskine, Joe Locke, John Hendricks, Kenny Wheeler, Stan Sulzmann, Tim Garland, Jon Faddis, Gregory Porter, Curtis Stigers, Paloma Faith, Jess Glynne, Seth McFarlane and Dionne Warwick.

Studio
£17.50

Norden Farm Patrons, Bronze, Sliver and Gold Members can click here to login for Priority Booking.

Freddie's website

Fb FreddieGavitaMusic

•  18 Jul from £1750

Join your host, Jeff Lloyd, revisiting Marilyn Monroe's signature film starring Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon.

After a brief summary of what to expect and what to look out for we'll show the film in it's entirety together with an old school intermission!

Studio
£13.50

Norden Farm Patrons, Bronze, Sliver and Gold Members can click here to login for Priority Booking..

•  25 Jul from £1350

Led by Creative Eye

Norden Farm's Crafternoons are relaxed crafting sessions for older people.

Get crafty with a range of activities, or bring along your own projects to work on with support from tutor Kayleigh Robinson.

You can learn new skills, meet new people and try something new, a cup of tea is included with the ticket price. Come either Tuesday or Wednesday and join in that week's craft. If you are unable to attend in person you can log on from home to chat and join in the session.

Spring Season
Tues 11 Mar - Felt Keyring / Brooch
Tues 18 Mar - Woven Basket
Tues 25 Mar - Wool Hoop Art
Tues 1 Apr - Book Folded Sheep
Tues 8 Apr - Fabric Flower
Tues 15 Apr - Cube Bunny
Tues 22 Apr - Embossed Foil Decorations
Tues 29 Apr - Iris Paper Folding

Summer
Tues 6 May - Stencilled Hoop Art
Tues 13 May - Cupcake Case Flowers
Tues 20 May - No Session
Tues 27 May - Abstract Square Art
Tues 3 Jun - Glass Magnets
Tues 10 Jun - Mini Decoupage Sign
Tues 17 Jun - Quilling
Tues 24 Jun - Yarn Wrapped Vases / Jars
Tues 1 Jul - Dotty Tote Bags
Tues 8 Jul - Dried Flower Art
Tues 15 Jul - Wood Slice Nail Art
Tues 22 Jul - No Session
Tues 29 Jul - Bird Seed Ornaments
Tues 5 Aug - Yarn Canvas Art
Tues 12 Aug - Air Dry Clay Candle Holder

Social Arts Crafternoons is a partially funded project run by Norden Farm with support from The Berkshire Community Foundation.

Local transport can be provided as part of the ticket price for those attending on a Wednesday.

If you need transport to Norden Farm for the Wednesday sessions please contact Jess Thompson at jess.thompson@nordenfarm.org / 01628 682563 to talk through your requirements.

Suitable for ages 60+ years.

2pm - 3pm
£6.50 per session, including a cup of tea

•   6 May from £650
•  13 May from £650
• 11 more dates...

Led by Seann Wilkinson

A non-audition community choir open to all. Working on everything from Madonna to Les Mis, from gospel to pop - this is an opportunity to meet people, learn some harmonies and sing your hearts out. No experience required. Enthusiasm absolutely necessary!

Spring
Tues 14 Jan - 1 Apr (excl 18 Feb)
7.30pm – 9pm

Summer
Tues 22 Apr - 22 Jul (excl 27 May)
7.30pm – 9pm

£11 per session | £130 per 13 week term

•   6 May from £11
•  13 May from £11
• 9 more dates...

Led by Julie Potter

This class is particularly suited to beginners, those returning to yoga having had a break, those with specific injuries or conditions or even those that consider themselves to be of a certain age that might need a less challenging approach. We will cover general breathing practises, the basic and gentler postures, together with general information and possible discussion around movement and the potential difficulties we might come up against.

The aim will be to relax and enjoy.

The yoga I teach is an evolution of nearly 30 years of practice and study, with a broad experience of many styles and teachers. In recent years I have been moving away from ‘external’ evaluation of the postures and moving towards an internal sense of the postures, moving away from the more used traditional approach of systemised yoga to a more experiential and felt approach, influenced by teachers who have been inspired by the teachings of Vanda Scaravelli.

Please bring a blanket, a Yoga / Pilates mat, and wear loose comfortable clothing

Spring
Wed 19 Feb - 19 Mar (5 weeks)
Wed 26 Mar - 30 Apr (5 weeks)

Summer
Wed 7 May - 11 Jun (6 weeks)
Wed 18 Jun - 23 Jul (6 weeks)

Please note that Susan Bett will be covering the session on Wed 16 Apr. The sessions on Wed 11 and 18 Jun will also be covered by a different teacher.

11am - 12.15pm
£12 per session | £60 per 6 week course

This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.

You will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email.

•   7 May from £12
•  14 May from £12
• 10 more dates...

Led by Emma Duncan

In each session children take part in a series of drama games and activities that develop their confidence as well as teaching them drama skills. These include focus, communication, developing a character and voice projection.

As the weeks go on the group will each have a part with some lines to learn in a small-scale show. They will rehearse as a team and share what they have learnt during the last session, more details to follow on this after half term.

Suitable for school years 2 - 6.

'Norden Farm is my favourite after school club, it always keeps me moving and relaxed. It is a great place to go for drama and within a short time, I have become far more confident and expressive' Timothy, age 7

'We have sent both of our children to Youth Theatre at Norden Farm and have seen dramatic improvements in there ability, confidence, social awareness and expressiveness generally and specifically. The environment is safe and developmental in a broad and exciting sense' Alex - parent

Summer
Wed 30 Apr - Wed 23 Jul
5pm - 6.30pm

Junior Youth Theatre Booking Form

'The youth theatre is a nice place and I’ve only been here a short time and I Love it!' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'It is cool and welcoming' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'The youth theatre is one of the most professional classes I’ve enrolled in' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'The youth theatre is one of the best drama clubs, everyone is so friendly and we do amazing games' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'We have absolutely loved the drama classes, we have seen a tremendous improvement with our daughter's confidence, she enjoys the sessions as there is a mixture of techniques and games and has made friends along the way! Emma is great at adapting the lessons and I have only seen improvements, we Look forward to the end of summer show combined with the senior class!!! Love Norden Farm as the venue!' Junior Youth Theatre Parent

'This is my daughter’s first experience of a drama club - and it has been such a positive, confidence-boosting, creative experience for her. I particularly love that there is no pressure on the children - there is plenty of time and practice to get ready for the end of season Sharing Session, and the level of performance is just enough to stretch them, without making them worry. It’s pure joy and excitement! You can see how far the group has progressed from term to term - they are becoming a very confident and capable group of Thespians!' Junior Youth Theatre Parent

•   7 May
•  14 May
• 9 more dates...

Led by Emma Duncan

Each term we will be focusing on developing the participants confidence and well-being through a series of drama games and activities.

This term the Senior Youth Theatre group are focusing on developing drama skills. They’ll learn a deeper understanding of performance and managing their nerves as well as some more specialised techniques including comedy and physical theatre.

Suitable for school years 7 - 12.

'Drama has upped my confidence remarkably and I’m getting better every time, it’s my favourite club and I look forward to it each week' Youth Theatre Seniors Student

'The youth theatre is one of the best dramas clubs ever, we can express ourselves' Youth Theatre Seniors Student

'The instructor is very supportive and everyone is very respectful' Youth Theatre Seniors Student

'Norden Farm is my favourite after school club, it always keeps me moving and relaxed. It is a great place to go for drama and within a short time, I have become far more confident and expressive' Youth Theatre Student

'We have sent both of our children to Youth Theatre at Norden Farm and have seen dramatic improvements in there ability, confidence, social awareness and expressiveness generally and specifically. The environment is safe and developmental in a broad and exciting sense' Alex - parent

Spring
Wed 15 Jan - 2 Apr (12 weeks)
6.05pm - 7.30pm
£156

Summer
Wed 23 Apr - 23 Jul, exc 28 May (13 weeks)
6pm - 7.30pm
£169

Senior Youth Theatre Booking Form

'Drama has upped my confidence remarkably and I’m getting better every time, it’s my favourite club and I look forward to it each week' Senior Youth Theatre Student

'The youth theatre is one of the best dramas clubs ever, we can express ourselves' Senior Youth Theatre Student

'The instructor is very supportive and everyone is very respectful' Senior Youth Theatre Student

•   7 May
•  14 May
• 9 more dates...