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 Ruth will be joining us on Sunday 27 October and reading The Smallest Pumpkin.

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)

•  27 Oct from £350

The surprises and delights of Abbey Road, the Beatles’ final album – 50 years on.

September 2019 is the golden anniversary of the Beatles’ multi-platinum album Abbey Road – the last work they recorded before their seismic breakup. It was both the end of the Sixties and the end of the greatest band of all time.

To hail this anniversary, world’s leading Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn is touring a theatre show of illumination, intrigue and surprises in a fast-moving and smart illustrated history of our forever national-heroes the Beatles, their brilliant album Abbey Road, and other major events of that extraordinary year 1969.

Mark Lewisohn has the world’s greatest archive of Beatles stuff, harvested over 40+ years of unrivalled deep access to archives and public and private collections. He will be showing audiences a stunning array of strong and relevant content, with rare music, photos, films and choice memorabilia. Audiences (even superfans) will see and hear things they didn’t know existed.

Why? Exploring the surprises and delights of Abbey Road, the Beatles' final album - 50 years on

Courtyard Theatre
£20

•   8 Nov LIMITED

Lexicographer - Best Selling Author – Queen of Dictionary Corner

Take a journey into the curious, unexpected, and downright surreal origins of the words we use every day. Susie will retell the adventures that lie hidden within such words as lasagne (involving a chamber pot) and bugbear (a terrorising monster), and explain such oddities as the silent h in ghost and the mysterious disappearance of kempt, gormful, and ruly (and yes, you really can be gruntled). She will look to the lexicon of the past to fill some of today’s linguistic gaps – such as the frenzied fit of tidying we all do just as guests are about to descend (that’s a scurryfunge).

Alongside such forgotten stories you will hear Susie’s selection of the funniest moments from her 25 years on Countdown and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, as well as some startling results from eavesdropping on a group of waiters.

Each evening will include some of Susie’s favourite words from the towns and regions she visits, and she’ll be asking the audience for theirs. In fact, she’ll be welcoming any questions about word origins, usage irritations, the dreaded impact of Americanization, and the very future of our language in her very own ‘word surgery’.

WHY? 'Funny, fact-filled and delightful' Jonathan Ross

'Wonderfully clever and funny... a national treasury from a national treasure Richard Osman

'Susie Dent is a one-off. She breathes life and fun into words' Pam Ayres

Disclaimer: Susie explores the many meanings and origins of everyday words including a short section on swearing. Some may view it as unsuitable for the younger ears.

Courtyard Theatre
£20

@susie_dent
@nordenfarm

•  13 Nov from £20

Brand new comedy from the stand-up who cooks on stage.

In this show he’s on the road! It’s time for Planes, Trains and Automob-meals.

George demonstrates how to cook with an engine, procure items from the train buffet trolley and turn unexpected roadworks into a picnic. Three plates of gourmet food cooked live in the most unconventional ways and with the opportunity to taste the results at the end, provided you can stop laughing.

WHY? 'Brilliantly funny' The Guardian

'Trust us, you won’t believe how good the food tastes' The Scotsman

Suitable for age 14+ years.

Studio
£14 (£12 conc )

@georgeegg
@nordenfarm

George Egg's website

•  23 Nov from £12

Multi award winning floral designer Mig Kimpton returns with a brand new unique show this winter.

Mig combines his theatrical past with his extensive experience of working with flowers, to provide an evening of flowers, fun and wintry excitement!

Join him as he takes you on a journey through a magical wood and meets some well-known characters. But will he get eaten by the wolf? Help the three little pigs to build a new home? Or let you win one of his exquisite designs to take home... you will just have to come and find out!

WHY? Watch him create from scratch, stunning floral designs fit for any and every home

Courtyard Theatre
£16 (£14 conc)

@migkim
@nordenfarm

Mig Kimpton's website

•  29 Nov from £14

Join us for a panel discussion, featuring special guests, followed by a screening of the film Nicky's Family.

Nicky's Family tells the remarkable true story of Maidenhead resident Sir Nicholas Winton, who rescued over 600 children at the outbreak of World War II.

•  27 Jan

Coming live to the theatre for the first time in over 60 years is The Navy Lark.

The Navy Lark sees a cast of three, bring to life three classic episodes from the much loved radio series which ran for 1959 - 1977. Originally featuring Leslie Phillips, Ronnie Barker and Jon Pertwee.

Starring James Hurn known for portraying such iconic characters as Tony Hancock, Sid James and Kenneth Williams from his hit one man show Hancock and Co. As well as Richard Usher and Mark Earby best known for The Goon Show Tour and The Lost Hancock’s Vacant Lot.

Presented in the style of a radio performance in front of a live audience. Bringing to life the classic days of radio comedy.

WHY? When HMS Troutbridge docks in Maidenhead it’s going to be “Ev’rybody Down!” For an evening of nostalgic belly laughs

Studio
£15 (£13 conc)

•   9 Feb from £13

Dom Joly is best known as the creator of Trigger Happy TV.

And now the writer and broadcaster is undertaking his first UK tour since 2011, giving fans a rare opportunity to see him live.

Dom will be talking about his exploits as a serial globe-trotting and seeker of dangerous travel spots. From North Korea though the Congo and Syria to Chernobyl, he's visited some of the most unusual places on the planet. Joly famously attended school with Osama Bin Laden and armed with a trusty Powerpoint, fans can expect his holiday snaps to provide comedy and a sense of danger.

Why? The best-selling author will meet fans after the show to sign copies of his latest book, The Hezbollah Hiking Club

Courtyard Theatre
£18

@domjoly
@nordenfarm

•  29 Mar from £18

Only Fools And Boycie – An intimate evening with Only Fools And Horses actor John Challis.

Enjoy an intimate evening with John Challis, one of the nation's greatest comedy actors, best known as Boycie in BBC1's Only Fools and Horses. In this one-off show the national treasure will reveal secrets from the set with stories and anecdotes from his dazzling career.

Having worked with some of the biggest names in show business, he'll be spilling the beans about Only Fools and Horses co-stars like Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst and friends and fellow performers like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Oliver Reed and George Best. He’ll also recall tales from his time in Dr Who, Coronation Street and other TV classics.

WHY? Mr Challis will also meet fans after the show to sign autographs and pose for pictures, while signing copies of his autobiography, Being Boycie, and novel, Reggie: A Stag At Bay

Courtyard Theatre
£19

•  17 Apr from £19