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Duckie
by Le Gateau Chocolat
Duckie is a reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, with a message of respect and self-acceptance at its core.
‘Totally engrossing… all are won over by the sheer magnetism of the performance’ ★★★★★ The Reviews Hub
Family-friendly glamour and glitz take centre stage as critically-acclaimed cabaret star Le Gateau Chocolat breaks out of his shell as Duckie, in his first work for children.
Set in an animal circus, we join him on his search to find a tribe and be accepted. Walking a little differently? Sounding a bit strange? Looking unlike the rest? Watch Duckie triumph by realising these are his strengths.
A classic tale of identity and belonging told through music, narration and dress-up, topped with Le Gateau Chocolat’s distinctive baritone vocals.
WHY? ‘A baritone voice that makes the earth shake’ Basement Jaxx
'Duckie is a beautiful, thoughtful show... Salvation isn’t going to be found by turning into a beautiful swan – it comes from accepting yourself and realising it’s ok to be different’ Circles and Stalls
'Duckie delivers a message of acceptance and tolerance that resonates with adults and sews a seed in young children that hopefully blossoms in every new generation’
Live Art Alive
‘A reinvention of family theatre’ ★★★★★ Critics Choice, The Reviews Hub
Le Gateau Chocolat: 2018 Total Theatre Significant Contribution Award, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Age guidance: 3+ years. For the young and young at heart.
40 minutes.
Studio
£11 (£9 under 16s)
Family and Friends (4 people) £36
Seats are not required for children under 18 months who are happy to sit on laps, but please book a free ticket for them.
Summer 2019 tour dates presented by house.
Supported by Arts Council England.
other events you may be interested in
Arts and Crafts Session
Craft activities to keep the little ones entertained this school holiday.
The crafts vary so you can create something new every day!
Sessions are 45 minutes.
Thur 1 Aug - Stained glass birds
Fri 2 Aug - Heart shaped picture frames
Sat 3 Aug - Rainbow door hangers
Tues 6 Aug - Wooden tool box
Wed 7 Aug - Jumbo people and costume drawings
Thur 8 Aug - Bug crowns and bead making
Fri 9 Aug - Mini picture frames and rainbow scratch pictures
Tues 13 Aug - Under the sea UV paintings
Wed 14 Aug - Dragons flyers and mobiles
Thur 15 Aug - Mini super hero’s
Fri 16 Aug - Stained glass candle holders
Age guidance: 5-8 years.
£5 per child
Storytelling
11am and 1.30pm.
Join our storytellers in the magical story den for interactive tales this summer holiday!
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Adult spaces must be booked.
Age guidance: 3-7 years.
£2 per person
Eggs on Legs
Presented by Garlic Theatre.
Once I found a little egg
To my surprise it grew a leg!
Where did it come from?
Where will it go?
To find out come and see the show...
A cracking family show full of wonder and surprise. Garlic Theatre bring you a Dr Seuss world filled with funny, crazy eggs that hatch in the most unexpected places.
WHY? Full of clowning, puppets and zany music to make you roll around with laughter
Ages guidance: 3-7 years.
Studio
£11 (£9 under 16s)
Family and Friends (4 people) £36
Clare Hollingworth & the Scoop of the Century
Presented by PaddleBoat Theatre Company.
29 August, 1939. Today it is reported that a young, intrepid journalist crossed over the border from Poland to Germany. There, she saw something that would change her life and history forever…
The tale of fearless journalist Clare Hollingworth. From the busy newspaper offices in London to the frontline during World War II, Clare’s adventures tell the remarkable true story of one of the most important writers of our time.
WHY? Go undercover in this highly interactive show bursting with storytelling, songs and the scoop of the century
Age guidance: 4+ years
50 minutes.
Studio
£11 (£9 under 16s)
Family and Friends (4 people) £36
The Bear
From the book by Raymond Briggs
Adapted by Pins and Needles Productions.
Ever wondered what it would be like to sit on a polar bear's lap? Or ride on its back? Have you ever tried to give a polar bear a bath, or clear up its poo?
One night when she's fast asleep, Tilly is visited by an enormous bear. It has a big black tongue and a yawn as big as your head. But Tilly's not scared.
The story of a little girl who befriends a mischievous polar bear, this playful, funny and heart-warming tale is one of imagination and growing up.
Featuring inventive design, original music, and magical puppetry.
'Move over War Horse, this polar puppet is magic' The Guardian
- 26 Nov
- 27 Nov
- 56 more dates...
Goan Chill Out
Relax and kick back in our peaceful Goan chill out space.
Lie back and enjoy projections in the fisherman’s hut or go fish in shiny waters and add your creations to the walls. Gentle rhythmic sounds in this colour filled space complete the total relaxation experience.
This gallery installation includes work made with local schools through Norden Farm’s Farm Out programme and with young people through our Young Creatives programme supported by the Spoore Merry and Rixman Foundation. Suitable for everyone, including children with SEND.
- 24 Jul FREE
- 25 Jul FREE
- 31 more dates...
The Maidenhead Beach at Norden Farm
The ever popular Maidenhead Beach is back, all summer long – inspired by the laid back tropical paradise that is Goa.
Join us for the Grand Opening on Wednesday 24 July from 10.30am
- Free 15 minute Bollywood Dance Taster Session in the Café Bar – led by Parveen Chana
- Enter our free prize draw for the chance to win a family ticket for one of our summer family shows or films
- Free tropical juice drink for children - available from the Café Bar between 10.30am - 11am (subject to availability)
- Featuring a special appearance from Harmony the Mermaid before she represents Berkshire in the finals of Miss Mermaid UK
- Take some snaps in our prop filled photo area in the foyer
- Free activity and colouring sheets
- Kite Making Workshops between 11.15am - 1.15pm (£3.50 per person)
The Beach has been designed and handmade by Norden Farm with the help of the community.
It’s free to play on every day with beachside tables available for snacks and lunch from the Cafe Bar (including children’s picnic bags).
For maximum chill out, explore the indoor chill out space in our Gallery. It is designed for children with SEND and features work from local schools. Lie back and enjoy projections in the fisherman’s hut or go fish in shiny waters and add your creations to the walls.
All of this and a full programme of family films and live events, the Goan Beach is the perfect place to pitch up this Summer.
Peel yourself off the beach and get creative with your little ones in our daily Beach Craft sessions:
Arts and Crafts (45 mins) | £5 per child Monday – Saturday 10.30am
Or sit back and relax with them in the story den for our Storytelling sessions:
Storytelling (20 mins) | £2 per person Monday – Saturday 1.30pm and 3.30pm
The Community Kite Festival and Workshops
The Community Kite Festival is a free event taking place in Boyn Grove Park (Punt Hill) on Sunday 1 September – everyone welcome! The festival runs from 1pm – 4pm.
The workshops are led by specialist kite makers, Community Kite Project.
In these drop-in sessions our practitioners will guide you through the process of making either the Patang Kite – the Indian Fighter Kite, or a classic Trapezoid Kite.
Make and decorate your kite to stand out in the sky at the Community Kite Festival which takes place in Boyn Grove Park on Sunday 1 September.
Kite Making Workshops
- Wednesday 24 July | 11.15am - 1.15pm
- Wednesday 7 August | 11.30am – 1pm and 2pm – 3.30pm
- Wednesday 14 August | 11.30am – 1pm and 2pm – 3.30pm
- Saturday 24 August | 11.30am – 1pm and 2pm – 3.30pm
Workshops are suitable for all the family and tickets are £3.50 per person.
Please note a space must be booked for every person attending the workshop, including supervising adults.
Click here to visit our drop in workshop booking page.
A photographer representing Norden Farm may be present throughout the summer holiday at The Maidenhead Beach.
These images may be published by Norden Farm in the press and on social media platforms. Images may also be used for external distribution and used in marketing materials including, but not limited to, brochures, flyers, adverts and banners.
If you are visiting The Maidenhead Beach and would rather not be in our photos, please speak to our Box Office team when you arrive.
- 24 Jul FREE
- 25 Jul FREE
- 31 more dates...
Kite Workshops
Get involved at Kite Making Workshops across the school holidays, then see your creation take to the sky!
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