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Christmas Storytelling
Join our storytellers in the magical Gallery story den for interactive tales this festive season!
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Adult spaces must be booked.
Sat 30 Nov - One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth
Sun 1 Dec - Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
Sat 7 Dec - The Smartest Giant on a Winter’s Day by Julia Donaldson
Sat 14 Dec - A Home Full of Friends by Peter Bently
Sun 15 Dec - Whatever Next by Jill Murphy
Age guidance: 3-7 years.
Sun 24 Nov - Mon 23 Dec
11am and 1.30pm
£2 per person
The Carnival of the Animals - Lantern Parade
The Carnival of the Animals Lantern Parade returns to illuminate Maidenhead on Saturday 7 December!
Featuring live music and entertainment from The Brass Funkeys who bring pumping brass driven funk to lead you on the route!
Plus street food, licensed bar and hot drinks. Free to attend and open to all! And you don't need a lantern to take part - just come down and celebrate with the community.
Please note that the bar is cash only
Get involved at our Lantern Making workshops, running throughout November and December.
Create an animal inspired lantern by weaving and decorating willow. Our expert lantern makers will guide you through the process and you will have a lantern ready to illuminate at the parade.
4.30pm - Live music and entertainment
5pm - Parade departs from Maidenhead Town Hall
5.45pm – 6.15pm - Live music and entertainment continues
6.30pm - 9pm - Lanterns Live Gig featuring The Brass Funkeys taking place in the Desborough Theatre
Not taken part in the Lantern Parade before? or have a questions about what it's all about? Download our handy FAQs here
If you can't find the answer you are looking for, give our team a call on 01628 682563
Lantern Making Workshops
Town Centre Saturday Drop In Workshops
Short and sweet lantern making - get parade ready in just 20 minutes! Drop in to make and decorate a simple willow and tissue lantern ready to illuminate on parade night
Last chance drop-in workshops Sat 7 Dec | Maidenhead Library 10am - 2pm | £4 per person
Lantern’s Live: The Brass Funkeys plus support
Saturday 7 December 6.30pm – 9pm
Tickets £3 | Desborough Theatre, Maidenhead Town Hall
Fresh from leading Norden Farm’s Lantern Parade, The Brass Funkeys headline our Lantern Parade Live gig with pumping brass driven funk to get you dancing!
The Brass Funkeys bring together some of the most talented musicians in London in an eclectic live show bursting at the seams with ideas and infectious energy.
The night features a line up of local live talent ahead of the headline act. Plus street food from Yourz to Eat, a licensed bar and hot drinks
Find out more here.
- 7 Dec FREE
Youth Theatre (H)
Led by Troublemaker Theatre Company
Your chance to be on stage and in the spotlight!
Join the only youth drama group in Maidenhead which rehearses in a professional theatre!
Our friendly theatre company lead the sessions, where you’ll have fun and meet new friends.
Pick up performance skills from stage combat to acting for camera and physical theatre to accents, while working with scripts from famous playwrights or made up by you.
Terms 10 weeks long, no auditions, suitable for all abilities and end with a sharing or showcase.
This Autumn term, Youth Theatre Group H will be working towards a performance of The Adventures of Jason and the Argonauts, adapted from the ancient myths by Phil Willmott.
Climb aboard the mighty ship Argo to join heroic Prince Jason, plucky Princess Medea, Hercules and all the gang for a lively retelling of the greatest adventure story ever told!
Performance date: Sunday 8 December
Sundays
4pm
£97 per term
School Year 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11
'Gave me the skills and confidence to get into drama school and pursue a career in acting' Lizzy Maillard
‘I went on to get a degree in film and theatre, and now teach drama to children myself’ Ryan Tomlinson
'Film-making at 15, scripting at 16, and crying that it had to end at 18. 5yrs later, I'm working full-time in television' Kat Mace
Photography credit Luminous Photography.
Click here to visit the Troublemaker Theatre Company website
- 8 Dec
- 12 Jan
- 9 more dates...
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
Age guidance 3+ years.
Click here to read the full review.
Youth Theatre (C)
Led by Troublemaker Theatre Company.
Your chance to be on stage and in the spotlight!
Join the only youth drama group in Maidenhead which rehearses in a professional theatre!
Our friendly theatre company lead the sessions, where you’ll have fun and meet new friends.
Pick up performance skills from stage combat to acting for camera and physical theatre to accents, while working with scripts from famous playwrights or made up by you.
Terms 10 weeks long, no auditions, suitable for all abilities and end with a sharing or showcase.
This Autumn term, Youth Theatre Group C will be working towards a performance of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, adapted by Richard R. George.
Who hasn’t wanted to join James as he escapes from his fearful aunts and sets off inside the peach on his wonderful adventures?
Performance date: Thursday 12 December
Thursdays
4.40pm
£97 per term
School Year 7, 8 and 9
'Gave me the skills and confidence to get into drama school and pursue a career in acting' Lizzy Maillard
‘I went on to get a degree in film and theatre, and now teach drama to children myself’ Ryan Tomlinson
'Film-making at 15, scripting at 16, and crying that it had to end at 18. 5yrs later, I'm working full-time in television' Kat Mace
Photography credit Luminous Photography.
Click here to visit the Troublemaker Theatre Company website
- 12 Dec
- 16 Jan
- 9 more dates...
Youth Theatre (F)
Led by Troublemaker Theatre Company
Your chance to be on stage and in the spotlight!
Join the only youth drama group in Maidenhead which rehearses in a professional theatre!
Our friendly theatre company lead the sessions, where you’ll have fun and meet new friends.
Pick up performance skills from stage combat to acting for camera and physical theatre to accents, while working with scripts from famous playwrights or made up by you.
Terms 10 weeks long, no auditions, suitable for all abilities and end with a sharing or showcase.
This Autumn term, Youth Theatre Group F will be working towards a performance of The Adventures of Jason and the Argonauts, adapted from the ancient myths by Phil Willmott.
Climb aboard the mighty ship Argo to join heroic Prince Jason, plucky Princess Medea, Hercules and all the gang for a lively retelling of the greatest adventure story ever told!
Performance date: Thursday 12 December
Thursdays
6.45pm
£97 per term
School Year 8, 9, 10 and 11
'Gave me the skills and confidence to get into drama school and pursue a career in acting' Lizzy Maillard
‘I went on to get a degree in film and theatre, and now teach drama to children myself’ Ryan Tomlinson
'Film-making at 15, scripting at 16, and crying that it had to end at 18. 5yrs later, I'm working full-time in television' Kat Mace
Photography credit Luminous Photography.
Click here to visit the Troublemaker Theatre Company website
- 12 Dec
- 16 Jan
- 9 more dates...
Big Dog Little Dog: Parent & Child Yoga
Led by Carly Brown
A class for parents/carers and their children. Connect and bond through movement and breath. Learn yoga postures, a gentle bedtime yoga sequence, meditations based on popular fairy tales and relaxation techniques. No previous yoga experience needed.
Bring one yoga mat (per pair) and one blanket each.
Suitable for ages 4 – 8 years, must be accompanied by an adult.
Autumn
Sun 8 Sept, 20 and 27 Oct, 17 Nov, 15 Dec
10am – 11am
£15 per pair (1 adult and 1 child) or £55 for 4 sessions
Spring
Sun 19 Jan, 16 Feb, 15 Mar, 26 Apr
10am – 11am
£15 per pair (1 adult and 1 child) or £55 for 4 sessions
Youth Theatre (A)
Norden Lights led by Troublemaker Theatre Company.
Your chance to be on stage and in the spotlight!
Join the only youth drama group in Maidenhead which rehearses in a professional theatre!
Our friendly theatre company lead the sessions, where you’ll have fun and meet new friends.
Pick up performance skills from stage combat to acting for camera and physical theatre to accents, while working with scripts from famous playwrights or made up by you.
Terms 10 weeks long, no auditions, suitable for all abilities and end with a sharing or showcase.
Wednesdays
4.15pm
£67 per term
School Years 2, 3 and 4
This Autumn term, Youth Theatre - Group A will take part in specialist sessions on a range of theatre skills including devising, vocal techniques, stage presence, characterisation and much more.
There will be a sharing of the skills and techniques learned for parents on Wednesday 11 December.
Autumn skills workshops:
Week 1: Devising - creating your own stories from scratch
Week 2: Vocal techniques - how to improve your volume and diction
Week 3: Stage presence - how to own the stage and be the centre of attention
Week 4: Characterisation - how to turn your ideas into physical reality
Week 5: Animal characters - including examples from Roald Dahl, AA Milne and Kenneth Grahame
Week 6: Mime skills - performing without using your voice and still being understood
Week 7: Improvisation with props - take inspiration from the objects around you
Week 8: Slapstick comedy – slips, trips and falls without doing actual damage
Week 9: Silly voices - entertain your friends and family with comedy character voices
Week 10: Theatre quiz - a team based practical and mental test of all you have learnt this term
'Gave me the skills and confidence to get into drama school and pursue a career in acting' Lizzy Maillard
‘I went on to get a degree in film and theatre, and now teach drama to children myself’ Ryan Tomlinson
'Film-making at 15, scripting at 16, and crying that it had to end at 18. 5yrs later, I'm working full-time in television' Kat Mace
Photography credit Luminous Photography.
Click here to visit the Troublemaker Theatre Company website
- 11 Dec
- 18 Dec
- 10 more dates...
Youth Theatre (B)
Led by Troublemaker Theatre Company.
Your chance to be on stage and in the spotlight!
Join the only youth drama group in Maidenhead which rehearses in a professional theatre!
Our friendly theatre company lead the sessions, where you’ll have fun and meet new friends.
Pick up performance skills from stage combat to acting for camera and physical theatre to accents, while working with scripts from famous playwrights or made up by you.
Terms 10 weeks long, no auditions, suitable for all abilities and end with a sharing or showcase.
Wednesdays
5.30pm
£67 per term
School Year 5 and 6
This Autumn term, Youth Theatre - Group B will take part in specialist sessions on a range of theatre skills including devising, vocal techniques, stage presence, characterisation and much more.
There will be a sharing of the skills and techniques learned for parents on Wednesday 11 December.
Autumn skills workshops:
Week 1: Devising - creating your own stories from scratch
Week 2: Vocal techniques - how to improve your volume and diction
Week 3: Stage presence - how to own the stage and be the centre of attention
Week 4: Characterisation - how to turn your ideas into physical reality
Week 5: Animal characters - including examples from Roald Dahl, AA Milne and Kenneth Grahame
Week 6: Mime skills - performing without using your voice and still being understood
Week 7: Improvisation with props - take inspiration from the objects around you
Week 8: Slapstick comedy – slips, trips and falls without doing actual damage
Week 9: Silly voices - entertain your friends and family with comedy character voices
Week 10: Theatre quiz - a team based practical and mental test of all you have learnt this term
'Gave me the skills and confidence to get into drama school and pursue a career in acting' Lizzy Maillard
‘I went on to get a degree in film and theatre, and now teach drama to children myself’ Ryan Tomlinson
'Film-making at 15, scripting at 16, and crying that it had to end at 18. 5yrs later, I'm working full-time in television' Kat Mace
Photography credit Luminous Photography.
Click here to visit the Troublemaker Theatre Company website
- 11 Dec
- 18 Dec
- 10 more dates...
Youth Theatre (Academy)
Led by Troublemaker Theatre Company.
Your chance to be on stage and in the spotlight!
Join the only youth drama group in Maidenhead which rehearses in a professional theatre!
Our friendly theatre company lead the sessions, where you’ll have fun and meet new friends.
Terms 10 weeks long, no auditions, suitable for all abilities and end with a sharing or showcase.
This Autumn term, the Youth Theatre Academy will be working towards a performance of A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.
Performance date: Wednesday 11 December
We are excited to announce that the Academy will also take part in a workshop with the renowned theatre company Paines Plough and will see a performance as part of their term.
Wednesdays
6.45pm
£97 per term
School Years 12 and 13
'The Troublemaker gang had me film-making at 15, scripting at 16, and crying that it had to end at 18. 5yrs later, I'm working full-time in television' Kat Mace
'Troublemaker helped foster the creativity I use every day in my animation and video work' James Willis
'Troublemaker gave me the skills and confidence to get into drama school and pursue a career in acting' Lizzy Maillard
Photography credit Luminous Photography.
Click here to visit the Troublemaker Theatre Company website
- 11 Dec
- 18 Dec
- 10 more dates...
New Year's Concertini with the Brass Funkeys
Sizzling saxes, screaming trumpets and soulful trombones!
Expect to hear everything from soulful jazz marches, reggae, gypsy and swing to pumping brass driven funk.
Suitable for ages 4+ years.
The 11.30am show is a Relaxed performance – ideal for families with babies and toddlers or children with SEND
WHY? Stay on afterwards for the chance to try the instruments courtesy of Dawkes Music
Courtyard Theatre
£11 (£9 under 16s), Family & Friends (4 people) £36
Sunday Stories
Interactive storytelling in the magical story den.
Join in or unwind in the Café Bar with a latte and the Sunday papers, while your little ones get involved in telling stories from all over the world.
Our storyteller Hayley will be joining us on Sunday 27 October and reading Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas and The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson.
Age guidance 4 – 7 years.
WHY? A sociable, creative and entirely relaxed way to do Sundays for families with young children
The Story Den
£3.50 per person (45 mins)
Kaleidoscope
Blink. Blink again. What do you see?
Day by day your world is filling up with colour, little one. Reds and blues, yellows and greens. Twinkling lights that glisten and gleam. Discover the multicoloured world of Kaleidoscope in this gentle, playful performance.
WHY? Theatre for babies aged 6 - 18 months inspired by research into how a baby's sense of sight develops and how they instinctively categorise colour.
Studio
£12 for one adult and one baby (additional babies/infants £8)
Little Grimm Tales
What if the wishes were granted?
What if the magic were real? Beasts and breadcrumbs, wolves and witches, frogs and fairies all join the fun in a stunning new adaptation of Grimm’s most magical tales.
Suitable for ages 3+ years.
WHY? ‘Their beautifully crafted micro-shows are like collector’s items’ The Stage
Courtyard Theatre
£11 (£9 under 16s), Family & Friends (4 people) £36
Presented by Box Tale Soup in association with the Everyman Theatre
Chloe and the Colour Catcher
Chloe lives in a world with only one colour, a world that is completely grey.
But at night, when she’s wrapped up tight, her dreams are colourful and bright. Join Chloe on her courageous journey to unleash all seven shades of the rainbow.
Suitable for ages 4+ years.
WHY? ‘This show glitters even when its world is grey’ ★★★★ The Stage
Courtyard Theatre
£11 (£9 under 16s), Family & Friends (4 people) £36
Presented by A Bristol Old Vic and Ad Infinitum Co-production
Strings Concertini with String Fever
Four brothers combine electric instruments with a talent for engaging audiences of all ages.
Be inspired whilst the kids dance, sing or just chill out on our bean bags!
Suitable for all ages.
The 11.30am show is a Relaxed performance – ideal for families with babies and toddlers or children with SEND
WHY? Expect a little bit of classical, a little bit of rock and roll, and a lot of fun!
Studio
£11 (£9 under 16s), Family & Friends (4 people) £36
Spies in Disguise (cert tbc)
Dir: Troy Quane, Nick Bruno 2019 | 102 mins, US
Super spy Lance Sterling (Will Smith) and scientist Walter Beckett (Tom Holland) are almost exact opposites. Lance is smooth, suave and debonair. Walter is… not. But when events take an unexpected turn, this unlikely duo are forced to team up for the ultimate mission.
WHY? Can Lance and Walter work as a team to save the world?
Histories of the Unexpected: The Tudors!
From the critically-acclaimed Histories of the Unexpected team comes a brand new show on the TUDORS!
A fast-paced show for all the family that shows how everything has a history, even the most unexpected of subjects and how everything links together in unexpected ways. You’ll never think about the Tudors in the same way ever again… GUARANTEED!
Why is the history of shrinking all about the Spanish Armada?
Why is the history of oranges all about Tudor spies?
What links Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn to windows, bells and fire?
Sam Willis is one of the country’s best-known historians and has made more than ten TV series for the BBC and National Geographic including The Silk Road and Invasion!
James Daybell is Professor of Early Modern British History at Plymouth University and is one of the country’s finest historical thinkers.
WHY? 'Fun, witty and fast-paced…an innovative approach to telling history' BBC History Weekend
Courtyard Theatre
£11 (£9 under 16s)
Family and Friends (4 people) £32
Mother's Day Singalong with Mairi Cowieson & Friends
An uplifting family concert by West End singer Mairi Cowieson.
Enjoy singing along to songs from stage and screen, including Mary Poppins, the Lion King and Frozen. Suitable for all ages.
The 11.30am show is a Relaxed performance – ideal for families with babies and toddlers or children with SEND
WHY? Come dressed up or grab something from our dressing up box!
Studio
£11 (£9 under 16s), Family & Friends (4 people) £36
Concertini with YolanDa Brown
The star of Cbeebies YolanDa’s Band Jam is a world renowned saxophonist and multi MOBO award winner.
Stay on afterwards for the chance to try the instruments courtesy of Dawkes Music. Suitable for ages 4+ years.
The 11.30am show is a Relaxed performance – ideal for families with babies and toddlers or children with SEND
WHY? Expect a fusion of reggae, jazz and soul
Courtyard Theatre
£11 (£9 under 16s), Family & Friends (4 people) £36
Quest: Digital Zone
An interactive digital arts space; part of Quest Family Fest, the Norden Farm Family Arts Festival.
Keep your eye on the website for updates on events and workshops.
- 7 Apr FREE
- 8 Apr FREE
- 11 more dates...
Hansel and Gretel
An interactive treat for families, and anyone who would enjoy a relaxed, inclusive theatre experience.
Join Hansel and Gretel as they venture into the woods, trailing breadcrumbs and sharing their story as they go. The mischievous siblings are searching for the magical market at the heart of the forest – but if they’re not careful they’ll find more than just sweets waiting for them in the deep dark woods...
This inclusive version of Hansel & Gretel is a sensory story full of magic, gentle interaction and integrated signing.
WHY? With an enchanting woodland set, playful characters and poetic storytelling, it is a perfect first theatre experience for little ones
Age guidance: 3+ years
Run time 50 mins
Studio
£11 (£9 under 16s)
Family and Friends (4 people) £36
Presented by Exeter Northcott Theatre and PaddleBoat Theatre
Amazing Bubble Man
Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences worldwide with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles.
He combines comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerised.
WHY? From fog-filled, helium-propelled rocket bubbles, to tornado bubbles, the Bubble Man conjures shrieks of laughter and gasps of amazement from all ages
Suitable for ages 5+ years.
Courtyard Theatre
£11 (£9 under 16s), Family & Friends (4 people) £36
The Gingerbread Man
Imagine being born in an oven and the first person you meet wants to dunk you in his tea!
Join the adventure of the deliciously smelling Gingerbread Man and meet the bravest biscuit of all times! A mix of puppetry, live action, music and stunning staging!
WHY? Run, run, as fast as you can, you need to get tickets to catch this Gingerbread Man!
Suitable for ages 3+ years.
Courtyard Theatre
£11 (£9 under 16s), Family & Friends (4 people) £36