A double header of comedy as two top comedians warm up ahead of the Edinburgh Festival.

Matt Forde

Matt Forde is one of the country’s most in demand satirists.

Described as 'our foremost satirical stand-up' by The Sunday Times, Matt Forde has toured critically acclaimed shows nationwide including most recently Clowns To The Left of Me, Jokers To The Right in 2022 and Inside No. 10 in 2023.

Matt Forde’s hit live podcast The Political Party transferred to the West End’s Duchess Theatre in 2021 after over 70 sold out shows at Westminster’s The Other Palace, for a twice extended fortnightly residency continuing in to 2024. Matt has brought Parliament to life with his stand-up and debate with some of politics’ most powerful figures including Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, Tony Blair, Eddie Izzard, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Angela Rayner, Michael Heseltine, Anthony Scaramucci, Alastair Campbell, Gordon Brown and Gary Neville. Matt has received numerous nominations from award bodies including the British Podcast Awards and Chortle Awards and the show is regularly highlighted as a top podcast pick in the press.

Matt wrote and voiced characters for Spitting Image (BritBox/ITV) including Boris Johnson, Keir Starmer and Donald Trump. Matt currently presents Absolute Radio’s weekly Rock ‘n’ Roll Football Show. He is also the co-host of Wondery’s flagship British Podcast Award winning British Scandal alongside Alice Levine.

In 2019 alone, Matt hosted the Alternative News Desk for Channel 4’s election night coverage, chaired the One Nation Conservative leadership hustings and debated Britain’s withdrawal from the EU with Tony Blair for the Institute of Global Change.

Matt hosted four series of Unspun with Matt Forde on Dave, receiving several nominations at the Broadcast Digital Awards, and has numerous other broadcast credits including: Have I Got News For You (BBC One), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV), Mock The Week (BBC Two), 8 out of 10 Cats (Channel 4), Hypothetical (Dave) Rory Bremner’s Coalition Report and Rory Bremner’s Election Report (BBC Two), Question Time (BBC One), This Week (BBC One), Newsnight (BBC Two) and Daily Politics (BBC Two).

Matt’s first book Politically Homeless was listed by The Sunday Times as one the Best Political Books of 2020.

Chloe Petts

'One of the most compelling young comics' Brian Logan, The Guardian

'Clearly a rising star whose name will soon be in lights' Bruce Dessau, The Evening Standard

Chloe has established herself as one of the most exciting up and coming acts on the circuit.

Chloe is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer with her new show How You See Me, How You Don’t. This comes after a UK Tour of her show If You Can’t Say Anything Nice which sold-out in the first week of the Edinburgh Fringe last year, leading to 6 extra shows being added to the run. In 2022, she performed her debut show Transience to sold-out audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and for two five night runs at Soho Theatre, which led to a tour around the rest of the UK which ended with an extra date added at London’s Leicester Square Theatre. Receiving rave reviews from publications including The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Evening Standard.

On television and radio, Chloe recently appeared on Have I Got News For You (BBC One), and hosted her own segment every Saturday morning on Sky Sports News. She has also been a regular on The Frank Skinner Show (Absolute Radio), World Cup Breakfast (Sky Sports) for the Men’s Football World Cup 2022 and previously for Good Morning Euros (Sky Sports) for the UEFA Women’s Euros. Further appearances include MOTDx (BBC), Jonathan Ross’s Comedy Club (ITV), The Stand-Up Sketch Show (ITV2), Richard Osman’s House of Games (BBC Two), Random Acts (Channel 4), Hypothetical (Dave), Fighting Talk (BBC Radio 5 Live), BBC Three Quickies (BBC Three), as well as winning Pointless Celebrities (BBC One). In terms of podcasts, Chloe has appeared on Off Menu, Films to Buried With and co-hosted The Guilty Feminist.

An alumna of the prestigious Pleasance Comedy Reserve, shortlisted for the BBC Comedy Award, finalist of Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year Awards 2017 and runner-up in the Funny Women Awards 2017. As well as supporting Ed Gamble on current Hot Diggity Dog UK tour and previous tour Electric, Chloe has supported Frank Skinner during his West End run and performed at Melbourne International Comedy Festival this year and last year.

She is a co-founder of The Lol Word, a queer comedy collective that hosts sell-out monthly London nights, boasting the finest female and non-binary queer acts on the circuit. Their most recent Edinburgh run was a sell-out. Diva Magazine has described it as a space that is demographically queer, inclusive, and safe, and on top of all of that – the comedic talent is smart, insightful, hilarious, and completely relatable.

Studio
£12

Matt Forde
Matt's website

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Chloe Petts
Chloe's website

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Insta chloepetts

•  15 May from £12

The critically acclaimed comedian is back on the road with a brand new tour show.

Expect Jamali's trademark brutally honest and unflinching perspectives on the world at large.

His last tours have sold out shows across the globe, playing the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. He is a regular on Sky's Nevermind the Buzzcocks and was one of the most anarchic Taskmaster contestants the show has ever seen. Alongside this he was a regular contributor for BBC2's Frankie Boyle's New World Order and has been seen on BBC2's Live at the Apollo, More4's 8 Out of 10 Cats, CBS's The Late Late Show with James Corden as well as many others.

Courtyard Theatre
£22

This event goes on sale to Members on Thursday 29 August and on general sale on Friday 30 August. Find out more about becoming a Member by clicking here. Members can click here to login for priority booking.

Jamali's website

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Insta jamalimaddix
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Tiktok jamalimaddix

•  24 May LIMITED

Joe and his wife are having a baby. He's autistic so statistically it's quite likely the baby will be too.

In this new show, critically acclaimed comedian Joe Wells explores fatherhood through the lens of neurodiversity. Plus, there’s a really good joke about a parrot.

As seen on Rosie Jones’ Disability Comedy Extravaganza, BBC Two’s Ouch Storytelling Live and Channel 4’s Jokes Only a Neurodivergent Can Tell.

Over 20 million online views.

'Some of the most surprising and thought-provoking material coming from any comedian' Guardian

'One of my favourite comics' Frankie Boyle

★★★★★ NeurodiverseReview.co.uk

★★★★ Chortle.co.uk

Studio
£16.50

Additional accessibility information about this show

- Audience members can use phones during the show (as long as they don’t record the performance)
- Audience members are allowed to step outside during the show for any reason
- Audience members are allowed to stim (move about) during the show
- There is no unwanted audience interaction in this show
- The show does not have any flashing lights but there are some loud noises
- There are very small amounts of visual humour in the show (written text and pictures on a screen). If you attend with someone who is visually impaired, then you are welcome to explain those elements of the show
- The show is an adult stand up show with swearing and inappropriate jokes, this is not a relaxed performance for children. The style of comedy may not be accessible to everyone so check it out online if you are unsure (www.joewells.org.uk)
- If there is anything else we can do to make the show accessible for you please either phone 01628 788997 or email boxoffice@nordenfarm.org

Joe's website

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•   3 Oct from £1650

Presented by Little Wander.

Following her killer debut tour, Riawakening ('Top Ten Best Stand-up Shows of 2024' Telegraph), the wickedly funny Ria Lina realised she wasn’t just awake, she was ready to rebel. Expect a relentless stream of hilarity as Ria explores the state of the world, the eternal battle of the sexes, and the delight of throwing life up in the air after years of following the rules.

Much loved in the industry, this multi-award winner commands the stage with a whirlwind of energy and leaves audiences breathless with laughter. Her extensive list of credits includes Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You?, Mock the Week, cohosting Pointless, Lovestruck High, Richard Osman’s House of Games, The Last Leg and Celebrity Mastermind.

Ria Lina is a highly accomplished comedian, writer and actor. After a critically acclaimed stand-out debut on Mock The Week (BBC), Ria has quickly become a household name. A hugely admired act on the UK comedy circuit, this multi-award-winning artist commands respect from the moment she walks onstage and delivers with natural ease, energy and fierceness. Ria is the most prominent Filipina comedian in British stand-up.

She has a BSc in Experimental Pathology, an MSc in Forensic Science and a PhD in Virology under her belt, so it’s not only Ria’s comedy that’s highly intelligent.

'There isn’t a comedy venue in the country that shouldn’t be fighting for her' The Scotsman

'Ridiculously gifted' The Evening Standard

'Engaging, endearing and eye-opening' Time Out

'I have no doubt she will hold her own so easily that she’ll have a hand free to hold someone else’s too' The Guardian

Photo credit: Rachel Berkowitz

Age guidance
16+ years

Courtyard Theatre
£19

Ria's website
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Little Wander website
Insta littlewanderevents
Fb littlewandercomedy

•  30 Oct from £19

Led by Creative Eye

Norden Farm's Crafternoons are relaxed crafting sessions for older people.

Get crafty with a range of activities, or bring along your own projects to work on with support from tutor Kayleigh Robinson.

You can learn new skills, meet new people and try something new, a cup of tea is included with the ticket price. Come either Tuesday or Wednesday and join in that week's craft. If you are unable to attend in person you can log on from home to chat and join in the session.

Spring Season
Tues 11 Mar - Felt Keyring / Brooch
Tues 18 Mar - Woven Basket
Tues 25 Mar - Wool Hoop Art
Tues 1 Apr - Book Folded Sheep
Tues 8 Apr - Fabric Flower
Tues 15 Apr - Cube Bunny
Tues 22 Apr - Embossed Foil Decorations
Tues 29 Apr - Iris Paper Folding

Summer
Tues 6 May - Stencilled Hoop Art
Tues 13 May - Cupcake Case Flowers
Tues 20 May - No Session
Tues 27 May - Abstract Square Art
Tues 3 Jun - Glass Magnets
Tues 10 Jun - Mini Decoupage Sign
Tues 17 Jun - Quilling
Tues 24 Jun - Yarn Wrapped Vases / Jars
Tues 1 Jul - Dotty Tote Bags
Tues 8 Jul - Dried Flower Art
Tues 15 Jul - Wood Slice Nail Art
Tues 22 Jul - No Session
Tues 29 Jul - Bird Seed Ornaments
Tues 5 Aug - Yarn Canvas Art
Tues 12 Aug - Air Dry Clay Candle Holder

Social Arts Crafternoons is a partially funded project run by Norden Farm with support from The Berkshire Community Foundation.

Local transport can be provided as part of the ticket price for those attending on a Wednesday.

If you need transport to Norden Farm for the Wednesday sessions please contact Jess Thompson at jess.thompson@nordenfarm.org / 01628 682563 to talk through your requirements.

Suitable for ages 60+ years.

2pm - 3pm
£6.50 per session, including a cup of tea

•  25 Mar from £650
•   1 Apr from £650
• 4 more dates...

Led by Seann Wilkinson

A non-audition community choir open to all. Working on everything from Madonna to Les Mis, from gospel to pop - this is an opportunity to meet people, learn some harmonies and sing your hearts out. No experience required. Enthusiasm absolutely necessary!

Spring
Tues 14 Jan - Tues 1 Apr (exc 18 Feb)
7.30pm – 9pm

£11 per session | £110 per 11 week term

•  25 Mar from £11
•   1 Apr from £11
• 13 more dates...

Dir: Mohammad Rasoulof 2024 | 167 mins

Farsi with English subtitles

Shot entirely in secret, Mohammad Rasoulof’s searing, award-winning thriller speaks to the dividing lines in Iranian society.

When Iman is appointed a judge in Tehran, his family is thrust into the public eye. As political unrest erupts in the streets, Iman realises his job is even more dangerous than expected. Becoming increasingly paranoid and distrustful, even of his own wife Najmeh and daughters Sana and Rezvan. His divided loyalties are exposed when his government-issued gun goes missing and suspicion falls on the women in his home.

Combining an electrifying generational battle with real-life footage of Iran’s protest movement, The Seed of the Sacred Fig has a lightning-in-a-bottle urgency that’s hard to capture in fiction or documentary alone.

A mesmerising drama about the courage it takes to resist toxic regimes.

Nominated for Best International Feature at this year’s Academy Awards and BAFTAs.

'Mohammad Rasoulof’s arresting tale of violence and paranoia in Iran' ★★★★ The Guardian

'Mohammad Rasoulof’s domestic thriller is an elegant warning to the Iranian regime' BFI Sight and Sound

£10.50 | £9.50 conc

Neon Members - Free membership for ages 16 - 25
£5 (offer applied in basket once logged in). Find out more about Neon Membership here.

Three Films Ticket Offer
£9 | £8 conc tickets when you book for three films at the same time. Offer excludes event cinema screenings. Offer applied in basket.

•  25 Mar from £950
•  26 Mar from £950

Led by Julie Potter

This class is particularly suited to beginners, those returning to yoga having had a break, those with specific injuries or conditions or even those that consider themselves to be of a certain age that might need a less challenging approach. We will cover general breathing practises, the basic and gentler postures, together with general information and possible discussion around movement and the potential difficulties we might come up against.

The aim will be to relax and enjoy.

The yoga I teach is an evolution of nearly 30 years of practice and study, with a broad experience of many styles and teachers. In recent years I have been moving away from ‘external’ evaluation of the postures and moving towards an internal sense of the postures, moving away from the more used traditional approach of systemised yoga to a more experiential and felt approach, influenced by teachers who have been inspired by the teachings of Vanda Scaravelli.

Please bring a blanket, a Yoga / Pilates mat, and wear loose comfortable clothing

Spring
Wed 19 Feb - 19 Mar (5 weeks)
Wed 26 Mar - 30 Apr (5 weeks)

Please note that Susan Bett will be covering the session on Wed 16 Apr.

11am - 12.15pm
£12 per session | £50 per 5 week course

This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.

You will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email.

•  26 Mar from £12
•   2 Apr from £12
• 15 more dates...