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Pinocchio
Visit the incredible world of Stuff and Nonsense as they bring Pinocchio to our stage for Christmas 2024.
This is the unique story of ‘when dad was made of wood’...
One cold night Pinocchio, Geppetto and Sonny go on a journey in search of a place to live. Little do they know the house they’re staying in is a playground for their imaginations...
Join the trio as they embark on adventures to the land of play, inside a whale and much more! Will Pinocchio ever turn back into a real boy?
Stuff and Nonsense are leaders in family theatre. Their adaptation of Pinocchio combines classic elements of the story – a poor woodcarver, the tell-tale growing nose, the dream of becoming a real boy – with their hallmark hilarity, skilled puppetry, original music, fantastic staging, outstanding performers and extraordinary physical tricks.
Invest in your children’s imaginations: join us in the theatre and take playfulness home with you!
★ Take a look at what the reviews are saying! ★
'This is a show for kids that has been influenced by kids, and that magical quality is evident from the first very scenes' Maidenhead Advertiser
‘A festive trip to Norden Farm is our favourite way to kick off the Christmas holidays!... The children found the performance very funny with lots of giggles’ Maidenhead Mum
'Oodles of festive fun, silliness, and joy, Norden Farm’s take on the classic tale is what every kid needs this Christmas' Muddy Stilettos
'The actors move seamlessly between the characters and the show is peppered with music. it’s also really funny! It really felt like a show that would ignite the imagination of children watching it' Red Kite Days
'A very clever and creative way to tell the story of Pinocchio and a definite must see this Christmas' Face2Face Maidenhead
'Pinocchio and his father Geppetto have many adventures on the way with the imagination of the young audience egging them on' Marlow FM
Age guidance
Suitable for all the family - age guidance 3 - 10 years.
Relaxed Performances
The performances on Saturday 30 November at 11am and Friday 27 December at 11am are Relaxed. Ideal for families with babies or toddlers and children with SEND. Everyone is welcome to join us for this friendly format.
Signed Performance
The performance on Saturday 21 December at 2pm will be signed.
Run time
Pinocchio is 70 minutes long without an interval.
Tickets
£16 | £14 Under 16s
£56 Family and Friends (4 people)
Tickets for children under 18 months
For this show, tickets/seats are not required for children under 18 months who are happy to sit on laps.
Creative Team
Directed by Niki McCretton
Music by Dom Coyote
With additional music by Tim Dalling
Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company's website
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Showstopper Tots
Led by Mairi Cowieson
Showstopper Tots Musical Theatre themed music and movement classes for ages 2-5yrs. Younger siblings are welcome. Under 6 months free.
Sing, Dance and drive with us on our wonderfully fun and exciting Chitty Chitty Bang Bang theme. A magic car? One that flies? Don't forget to say 'Please Chitty' as we play our 'Toot Sweets' and find out how the dogs have ruined Mr Potts's chances of buying that Car! We will dance to 'Me Ol' Bamboo' and succeed in our mission to trick the Vulgarians, as we sing 'Chu-chi Face' and use excellent 'Teamwork'!
A class like no other! Little ones, dance, sing and enjoy a drama adventure, ending each class with our unique story show, in our mini theatre.
Building confidence, musicality, coordination, concentration, all through the wonderful world of Musical Theatre. Led by a professional West End performer and director.
Spring
Course 1:
Thur 9 Jan - 13 Feb (6 weeks)
Course 2:
Thur 27 Feb - 3 Apr (6 weeks)
£48 for 6 week course (1 adult and 1 child)
£9 drop-in per session (1 adult and 1 child).
£5.40 drop-in per sibling per session
A story song is added to each week to enhance their engagement and concentration skills. It's also fun for the parents/carers who attend with their little ones.
Age guidance: 2-5 years
Norden Farm Youth Theatre (Junior)
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
Autumn - Improvisation Term
Wed 11 Sept - 18 Dec, exc 30 Oct (14 weeks)
5pm - 6pm
£145
Spring
Wed 15 Jan - 2 Apr (12 weeks)
5pm - 6pm
£126
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
- 15 Jan from £126
- 22 Jan
- 10 more dates...
Norden Farm Youth Theatre (Senior)
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
Autumn - Improvisation Term
Wed 11 Sept - 18 Dec, exc 30 Oct (14 weeks)
6.05pm - 7.30pm
£180
Spring
Wed 15 Jan - 2 Apr (12 weeks)
6.05pm - 7.30pm
£156
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
- 15 Jan from £156
- 22 Jan
- 10 more dates...
Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope
Mark Farrelly (Howerd's End, Jarman) brings his hugely-acclaimed solo play to Norden Farm for an up-close encounter with the original Englishman in New York.
From a conventional upbringing to global notoriety via The Naked Civil Servant, Quentin Crisp was one of the most memorable figures of the twentieth century. Openly gay as early as the 1930s, Quentin spent decades being beaten up on London’s streets for refusing to be anything less than himself. His courage, and the philosophy that evolved from those experiences, inspire to the present day.
Naked Hope depicts Quentin at two phases of his extraordinary life. Alone in his Chelsea flat in the 1960s, certain that life has passed him by, and thirty years later, performing An Evening with Quentin Crisp in New York.
Packed with witty gems on everything from cleaning (Don’t bother – after the first four years the dust won’t get any worse) to marriage (Is there life after marriage? The answer is no), Naked Hope is a glorious, uplifting celebration of the urgent necessity to be your true self.
A stunning piece of theatre, masterfully told' ★★★★★ Broadway Baby
'An acting masterclass' ★★★★★ Sardines Magazine
'A truly life-affirming play and an absolute triumph' ★★★★★ All That Dazzles
'An uncanny feat of resurrection. Farrelly’s mastery of his audience is total' ★★★★ Time Out
'A riveting and quite hysterically funny show' ★★★★ British Theatre Guide
'Reveals both the frailty and fearlessness of a trendsetter' ★★★★ Metro
Studio
£16 I £14 (Supporters)
Soft or Spiky?
Presented by Half Moon and Polka Theatre.
What question would you want your baby to answer? What would you like them to ask you? In a world full of astonishing unknowns and surprising possibilities, how do you find the right answers or questions?
This playful and interactive new show is full of shapes, sounds, textures and words exploring different ways to connect and understand each other.
Inspired by heartfelt conversations with new parents, this humorous production explores the multiple ways we communicate, ensuring that no one is left out.
At the end of the performance there is a stay and play session where audiences can enter the sensory landscape of the production.
Devised and directed by Daryl Beeton, Soft or Spiky? is a Polka Theatre and Half Moon co-production: an exciting collaboration by two of the UK’s leading children’s venues and touring companies.
This show has very limited language. This makes it accessible to a range of people, including d/Deaf, hard of hearing and non-English speakers.
Performances last 25 minutes (no interval) followed by a 10 minute play and stay session.
Studio
£15 for 1 adult and 1 child | £12 additional adults
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Macbeth: David Tennant and Cush Jumbo
Filmed live at the Donmar Warehouse in London, especially for the big screen.
David Tennant (Doctor Who, Broadchurch) and Cush Jumbo (The Good Wife, Criminal Record) lead a stellar cast in an ‘enthralling’ (★★★★★ Daily Telegraph) new production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Unsettling intimacy and brutal action combine at breakneck speed as Max Webster (Life of Pi, Henry V) directs this tragic tale of love, murder, and nature’s power of renewal. With staging ‘full of wolfish imagination and alarming surprise’ (★★★★★ The Guardian), the immersive 5.1 cinema surround sound places the audience inside the minds of the Macbeths, asking are we ever really responsible for our actions?
Courtyard Theatre Cinema
£16
It's the Economy, Stupid!
Based on a true story of a family caught up in the 90s recession, It's the Economy, Stupid! reveals the humanity behind economics.
Armed with bags, boxes and an old board game, Joe Sellman-Leava and Dylan Howells embark on a quest to uncover how the economy wins elections, and why the force that dominates our lives is so bloody complicated!
Developed with and directed by internationally acclaimed Katharina Reinthaller, and produced by Worklight Theatre, It's the Economy, Stupid! is a bold new play from the Fringe First winning creators of Labels and Fanboy. Touring the UK after its sold-out, critically acclaimed run at Edinburgh Fringe!
‘Smart, sharp writing...deftly blends the personal with the political’ ★★★★ Natasha Tripney, Stage
'This Show achieves the impossible' ★★★★ Playbill
'Promises to leave you both entertained and enlightened' ★★★★ Theatre Weekly
'Informative, poignant, very funny, expertly and charmingly delivered. Catch it while you can' ★★★★ Broadway Baby
'Insightful, informative and impactful' ★★★★ Edfringe Review
'To say I'd recommend it is an understatement!' ★★★★ DarkChat
'Intelligent, moving and compelling' ★★★★ ½ Arts Hub
'Highly recommended Show' FringeReview
★★★★ British Theatre Guide I ★★★★ List I ★★★★ Terri Paddock I ★★★★★ The Real Chrisparkle
Studio
£16
Joe
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Dylan
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The Frog and The Princess
Presented by Box Tale Soup.
What if wishes were granted? What if magic was real?
When a Storyteller appears everyone is enchanted… Beasts and breadcrumbs, wolves and witches, but all Froggy really wants is to hear a story starring someone like him. Head into the woods with Hansel and Gretel, help little elves make beautiful shoes, meet the princess who’s champion of hide-and-seek, and see if Froggy finally gets his wish!
Box Tale Soup present a stunning adaptation of Grimm’s most magical tales, featuring wonderful puppets and spellbinding original music… Now let’s have a story about a Frog!
'They are wonderful' The Times
Age guidance
3+ years
Studio
£12 | £10 under 16s
Family and Friends (4 people) £40
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Hold On To Your Butts
65 million years ago, dinosaurs ruled the Earth…
30 years ago, a movie about dinosaurs ruled the box office…
This season, you are invited to Hold On To Your Butts!
Hold On To Your Butts is a must see shot-for-shot parody of the greatest dinosaur film of all time. After selling out in New York and at the Edinburgh Festival, this wildly inventive tour-de-force of comedy, Foley sound and physical theatre is coming to Norden Farm.
Don’t walk, run to get your tickets!
'Painfully funny... made us cry actual tears of laughter... a pure joy from start to finish' Critics’ Pick - Time Out New York
Age guidance
8+ years.
Courtyard Theatre
£18 I £16 Supporters and Under 16s | Family & Friends (4 people) £56
National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest
Event cinema screening.
The Importance of being Earnest by Oscar Wilde directed by Max Webster.
Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy.
While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.
Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London.
Courtyard Theatre Cinema
£16
Romeo and Juliet
Presented by OVO.
Two households, both alike in dignity. In broken Belfast, where we lay our scene...
A brand new adaption set on the streets of Northern Ireland’s capital in 1998 - the year that the Good Friday agreement was signed.
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, a pair of star-crossed lovers take their lives.
Led with movement and a banging 90s soundtrack played by a live band, this is a high paced, modern take on a timeless classic.
OVO’s fresh take shows us that Shakespeare is as relevant today as it’s always been and that a fragile peace is only as durable as opposing sides permit.
'A gorgeous mix of storytelling and physical theatre with carefully chosen songs, all blending together to produce a heart-stopping show' ★★★★★ LondonTheatre1
'This pacy version of the classic breathes new life into this passionate tragedy' ★★★★ West End Best Friend
'A sparkling new interpretation of a well-loved play presented by multi-talented performers ' St Albans Times
Courtyard Theatre
£16 I £14 Supporters (applied to basked once logged in)
Black Is The Color Of My Voice
Inspired by the life of Nina Simone and featuring many of her most iconic songs performed live.
Apphia Campbell’s acclaimed play follows a successful singer and civil rights activist as she seeks redemption after the untimely death of her father. She reflects on the journey that took her from a young piano prodigy destined for a life in the service of the church, to a renowned jazz vocalist at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement.
The show has toured the UK to standing ovations and played sell-out seasons in Shanghai, New York, Edinburgh and the West End of London.
Winner of Best Theatre Award, Adelaide Fringe 2024.
‘Moving portrayal of determination and survival’ ★★★★ Times
‘Nothing short of sensational… will make you cheer for her, smile with her and then sting your eyes with tears’ ★★★★★ Broadway Baby
‘A compelling and heart breaking story, punctuated with bursts of song’ ★★★★ Edinburgh Festival Magazine
Age guidance
12+ years
Courtyard Theatre
£24
In Other Words
Presented by TBC Productions.
They call it the incident now. What happened when they first met. He always said it was part of his romantic plan, but they both know that’s rubbish.
Connected by the music of Frank Sinatra, this is an intimate, humorous and deeply moving love story. It explores the effects of Alzheimer's disease and the transformative power of music in our lives.
Matthew Seager’s five star, 4 times Moliere Award winning drama has now been seen by over 300,000 people in multiple languages across the globe.
‘Stunning’ ★★★★★ The Reviews Hub
‘Perfection’ ★★★★★ The Upcoming
‘Beautiful’ ★★★★★ Theatre Weekly
‘Outstanding’ ★★★★ The Scotsman
‘Powerful’ ★★★★The Sunday Times
'Heart-breaking’ ★★★★The Stage
‘Glorious’ ★★★★Broadway World
Join performer and writer, Matthew Seager from TBC productions after the show for a post show discussion.
Studio
£16 I £14 Supporters (applied to basked once logged in)
Content Warnings - Explores themes associated with advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. There will also be some flashing lights.
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The Society for New Cuisine
Presented by Fun Guy Productions.
What would you give to feel truly whole?
After a world-shattering break up, an isolated man with only questions discovers The Society for New Cuisine. It's a powerful organisation who seem to have all the answers.
This dark, Buddhist-inspired fable took Edinburgh Fringe by storm. In this all new version, it asks just one thing: What would you give for a taste of new understanding?
Presented by Fun Guy Theatre.
‘Fung’s masterful debut marks him out as one to watch. Dark, sharp and delicious. There is now absolutely an appetite for whatever he serves up next’ The Scotsman
‘Ambitious. Very, very impressive. The play’s many invoked images and its haunting ending continue to linger' Fringe Review
‘A powerful and clever work. This incredibly deep narrative enthralls the audience. We expect big things in the future’ Starburst Magazine
‘Clever, dark and fascinating. 5 stars’ Theatre and Arts Review
‘Poetic and profound' Henry Longstaff Reviews
Studio
£20 | £5 (Key-workers/Unwaged/Students/Emergency Services/Teachers)
Age guidance: 15+ years
Content warning: Self-harm, graphic descriptions of physical trauma, needles.
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The Farmer and The Clown
Presented by Flibbertigibbet Theatre.
Flibbertigibbet Theatre is delighted to announce that after a successful tour this year, The Farmer and The Clown, will be retouring nationally in Spring 2025. A wordless show for all ages, featuring dance, physical comedy and live music.
The story is about an unlikely friendship between an old farmer living in the middle of nowhere, and a baby clown, who has fallen from the back of a passing circus train. What happens when someone from a different world, lands in the world of another? The story delicately explores themes of loneliness, friendship, and care, across the divisions of age and community.
The Farmer and The Clown is an adaptation of the picture book by the multiple award-winning author and illustrator, Marla Frazee, whose book, Boss Baby became an international animation hit for Dreamworks and 20th Century Fox.
The beautiful pictures from the book were our storyboard, and took inspiration from silent movies, such as Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid, which, despite being over 100 years old, can still make audiences laugh and cry.
Playing without words, the show is accessible to a wide range of audiences. We worked with a Visual Language consultant and Deaf Access Support consultant, to ensure that the physical language created for the storytelling is clear and accessible for all audiences, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Anyone who does not speak English can still enjoy the show as language is not an issue.
‘UTTERLY HEARTWARMING AND RELATABLE…. What Flibbertigibbet have created is a beautiful, simple, and charming piece of theatre, suitable for all' Bristol 24/7
'The Farmer and The Clown has been created with such care, skill, artistry and talent that like all very special pieces of theatre it stays with you long after the event, feeding your soul and reminding you of how magical an experience theatre can be. I absolutely loved every second of it' Sally Cookson, Theatre Director
'…absolutely beautiful. I LOVED it! Beautiful performance and gorgeous music. Touched and delighted' Emma Rice, Wise Children
Funded by Arts Council England and with support from House South East, Bristol Old Vic Theatre and Wyldwood Arts, the show that aims to bring audiences together. Bring your Granny, Grandpa, Uncles, Aunts and neighbours. Suitable for ages 3 – 100.
Studio
£12 | £10 under 16s | Family and Friends (4 people) £40
How to Catch a Book Witch
Presented by Coppice Theatre.
Kira loves reading, visiting the library for a new book is her favourite thing. One day the words in the books start to disappear and the adults start to get grumpy. Graham Grey says the library will be knocked down to make way for a car park!
We her new friend the book worm, Kira has to uncover why words are vanishing and where these book monsters have come from! Could there be a Book Witch in the library?
An open hearted show exploring the importance of libraries, sharing stories and not judging people. The show features live music, puppetry and storytelling. Created with inclusion and accessibility in mind and including key word signing and integrated captions.
Coppice Theatre are a Cornish-based company that specialises in creating engaging, entertaining and educational productions for young people.
Winner of the Farnham Maltings Emerging Artist/Company Award at Brighton Fringe 2024.
This show was created thanks to kind support from The Arts Council England, Feast Cornwall and AMATA, Falmouth University.
Age guidance
3+ years
Courtyard Theatre
£12 | £10 under 16s
Family and Friends (4 people) £40
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Shadow Necropolis
A spooky fantasy adventure for the whole family.
A young girl named Minerva is a hero in her dreams but feels helpless in real life. When her friend is taken by Oizys, the Goddess of anxiety, Minerva must travel through a city full of skeletons to rescue her.
A touching tale for any child or adult who has ever struggled with the constant worry that they're not good enough.
Featuring award-winning cinematic shadow puppetry from Japan. Hundreds of puppets are projected on a large screen to create a live animated movie.
Age guidance
8+ years
Studio
£15 | £12 under 16s
Family and Friends (4 people) £48
The Museum of Marvellous Things
Welcome to The Museum of Marvellous Things, where the impossible can happen!
Discover stars in jars, catch moons like balloons, dance with Doo-Dahs in cages, sing with Noo-Nahs on stages. Because this is a museum like no other it’s made from the magic of your imagination and you get to bring it alive.
With giant puppets, songs, interactive storytelling, show stopping costumes, live original music and a chance to make your own special puppet. This is a fun-filled family show celebrating the magic of imagination and the power of creativity, based on the picture book by Kristina Stephenson, bestselling author and illustrator of Sir Charlie Stinky Socks. Meet sensible, serious Norbert Norris and wild, wonderful Tilly T. Pott, as they give you a sneak peek inside their amazing museum and ask YOU to fill it with magic!
So…come on in, let the magic begin!
Suitable for ages 3 - 8 years.
Courtyard Theatre
£12 | £10 under 16s
Family and Friends (4 people) £40
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Puffling Percy
Percy is a puffling who loves his burrow a little too much.
Map and Pap want him to venture outside and flap his wings, but Percy has other ideas. What the puffling doesn’t realise, however, is that his entire flock are about to migrate south for the winter. If he doesn’t learn to fly, he will be left behind and his life will be in mortal danger!
Along comes a fearless field-mouse called Shrimp, whose brimming self-confidence makes Percy feel braver. Together, the unlikely pals take off on a perilous adventure that requires every ounce of courage they’ve got. How will he find his way back home? Will Percy ever see his Map and Pap again?
An uplifting children’s show about friendship, overcoming self-doubt and trusting your own instincts. With original music and songs by Harriette Ashcroft (Mrs H and the Singalong Band), magical puppetry and a heart warming story, Puffling Percy is bound to shake you by your tail-feathers and lift you up, up & away!
Age guidance
4 - 11 years.
Studio
£12 | £10 under 16s | Family and Friends (4 people) £40