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There are no scheduled instances of Octopus.

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Octopus

There are no scheduled instances of Octopus. You can view similar events below.

Three women have been called in for assessment. Sara looks sort of Asian. Scheherazade sort of Middle Eastern. And Sarah is sort of white. But how British are they?

A post-Brexit satire that explores what it’s like to be treated as a foreigner in your own land… and the power of punk. Fresh from a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe and a sell-out transfer to London’s Theatre503.

WHY? ‘Raises the hairs on the back of your neck … laugh-out-loud funny’ The Times

The show will be followed by a panel discussion around the question 'How should we define Britishness in 2017?'

Joining us on the panel are Zia Mahiudin, Trustee of Maidenhead Mosque; Conservative Councillor Hashim Bhatti; and the plays writer Afsaneh Gray. Author William Kherbek will be chairing the discussion.

Studio
£14, Supporters £12

@OctopusThePlay
@nordenfarm

Paper Tiger's website

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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.

'The show was extremely clever and I was very impressed by the fantastic use of staging, which is definitely one of the key elements, along with the lively music, that kept my little boy transfixed throughout' coastalmum.co.uk

Invest in your children’s imaginations: join us in the theatre and take playfulness home with you!

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 60 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.

Pre-School Term Time Ticket Offer
Book one Standard and one Under 5 ticket for term time performances of Pinocchio for the special price of £25. Valid on Tuesday - Friday performances until Fri 20 Dec. Offer applied in basket once logged into your account.

Creative Team
Directed by Niki McCretton
Music by Dom Coyote
With additional music by Tim Dalling

Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company's website

X Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company
Insta loadofstuff
Fb Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company
Tiktok loadofstuff

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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

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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


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

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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

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

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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
£12 | £10 under 16s


Half Moon's website

X Half Moon Theatre


Polka Theatre's website

X Polka Theatre
Insta polkatheatre
Fb Polka Theatre
Tiktok polkatheatre

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Kiss Me, Kate: The Musical

Kiss Me, Kate is a simple love story... about two people who just can't stand each other!

Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty, Ridley) and Broadway royalty Stephanie J Block (Into The Woods, The Cher Show) lead a stellar cast in a sizzling new 5-star production of Kiss Me, Kate, filmed live at the Barbican in London especially for the big screen.

‘A glorious Golden Age spectacular’ (★★★★★ The Telegraph), Cole Porter’s legendary musical comedy has backstage shenanigans, Shakespearean sonnets and singing gangsters – not to mention a romance that’s just too darn hot – and a full-scale orchestra performing the show tune classics Brush Up Your Shakespeare, Too Darn Hot, Always True To You (In my Fashion) and Tom, Dick or Harry.

A simple love story about two people who just can’t stand each other, Kiss Me Kate is unmissable all-zinging entertainment with ‘great songs, hot dancing, smart gags and glorious characters.’ (★★★★★ The Daily Mail)

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by Sam and Bella Spewack
Directed by Bartlett Sher

Encore screenings.
Run time: 160 mins including one interval

Courtyard Theatre Cinema
£16

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