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The Fir Tree
by Tove Jansson
From Tales in Moominvalley
The Moomin family was hibernating in the drawing room as they were wont to do. They had been sleeping for a few months already and were going to keep it up until spring… Now all at once a cold draught disturbed Moomintroll’s dreams. And someone was pulling at his quilt and shouting that he was tired and Christmas was coming.
'Fall under its spell' Maidenhead Advertiser
Featuring live puppetry and music, The Fir Tree is an adventure set in the idyllic and peaceful Moominvalley. It is a gloriously unselfish take on Christmas.
'A treat for the whole family that offers an ideal festive alternative to the pantomime' Families Magazine
Suitable for all audiences from 3 years and upwards.
Presented by Norden Farm, The Ding Foundation, Bernadette Russell and Steve Tiplady.
Click here to find out more about the cast and creative team behind The Fir Tree.
Tuesday 20 November – Sunday 30 December Performances twice daily (run time approx 55 mins)
£13.50 (£11.50 under 16s) £46 Family and Friends (4 people). Offer applied in basket.
Relaxed Performances
Performances on Sat 1 Dec at 11am and Sat 29 Dec at 11am are Relaxed - ideal for children with SEND. Everyone is welcome to join us for this friendly format. The house lights are kept on and audience members can come and go as they please.
Click here to download a Visual Story of your trip to The Fir Tree at Norden Farm.
Pre-show Touch Tours
For children with SEND and sensory impairments. Contact the Box Office on 01628 788997 for more details.
Reviews
'Fall under its spell’ Maidenhead Advertiser
‘A treat for the whole family that offers an ideal festive alternative to the pantomime’Families Magazine
'The young and the not so young alike will be enchanted by this magical and funny tale’The Wokingham Paper
'Working together in order to create an enjoyable Christmas for everyone is a key message the show impressively delivers' The Henley Standard
'It’s perfect for younger children, first time theatregoers or anyone who prefers the a more laidback experience’Muddy Stilettos
'The characters are loveable and very funny. I was surrounded by children belly-laughing at the slapstick comedy' Little Ankle Biters
'Humour, suspense and gorgeous puppets that all the children adored’ WycMum
'The set was very clever with a great use of props and a large interactive screen in the center of the set, which really helped add to the storytelling and bought another dimension' Berkshire Mummies
'The whole atmosphere was very relaxed and welcoming' Laura’s Lovely Blog
Click here to download a copy of The Fir Tree flyer.
other events you may be interested in
New Year's Eve Hoedown at The Farm 2018
Heck yeah, it’s a hoedown!
Our popular New Year’s Eve event returns to ring in 2019! Join ceilidh and barn dance band Cut a Shine for foot stomping, rip-roaring, thigh-slapping traditional music and a night of all types of barn dancing. A fun, lively and thrilling way to celebrate this New Year's Eve! Age guidance 12+ years.
WHY? Dust off your cowboy hats, gingham checks or general fancy dress for frolics on the Courtyard Theatre dance floor
Norden Farm
£25, Supporters £22
Dress Code
- Cowboys and Girls
- All kinds of Party
- Gingham and Checks
Games
Table top and floor games in the studio and barns including:- Skittle Alley
- Bar Skittles
- Giant Jenga
- Quoits
- Kerplunk
Running Order
Please note that times are subject to change on the night.
8pm: Doors open
8.30pm - 8.50pm: Music from The Twisty Turns in the Café Bar
8.50pm – 9.05pm: Interval
9.05pm – 9.15pm: Line Dancing in the Studio led by Julie Antonsen
9.15pm – 9.30pm: Interval
9.30pm – 10.10pm: 1st Hoedown set in the Courtyard Theatre with Cut A Shine
10.10pm – 10.25: Interval
10.25pm – 10.45pm: Music from The Squirrel Hunters in the Café Bar
10.45pm – 11.15pm: Interval
11.15pm – 11.55pm: 2nd Hoedown set in the Courtyard Theatre with Cut A Shine
11.55pm - 12.00am: Cowboy Countdown to midnight!
12.05am – 12.20am: Final dance of the night
12.20am – 1.00am: Final games and drink up time
1.00am: Carriages - Event finishes
- 31 Dec SOLD OUT
The Bear
From the book by Raymond Briggs
Adapted by Pins and Needles
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
- 26 Nov
- 27 Nov
- 56 more dates...
The Enormous Turnip
Living in their tiny shed amongst the garden tools, Mr and Mrs Chickweed’s prize-winning vegetables have taken over everything!
Before they retire, they can’t resist planting one last seed.
But no one knew that a vegetable could grow bigger than the cat, the dog and you and me put together! It’s gigantic, its roots are under the house and it’s taking over!
Unswerving energy, eccentric puppetry and live music in a re-potted version of this world-famous and much loved children’s story!
WHY? ‘Puppetry, live music and good old-fashioned charm sprout up left, right and centre’ The Stage
Age guidance: 3-10 years
Courtyard Theatre
£11 (£9 under 16s)
Family and Friends (4 people) £36
Tickets/seats are not required for children under 18 months who are happy to sit on laps.
Mary Poppins Returns (U)
Dir: Rob Marshall 2018 | 130 mins, US
Mary Poppins returns to the Banks’ household in a spectacular new story, to help the next generation of the family. Using her magical skills, she takes the Banks’ children on an adventure to help bring joy and wonder back to their lives.
WHY? Starring Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep, Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer
£10.50 (£9.50 conc)
Special 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.
Movie Mondays Offer
Monday film screening tickets are £7 and include a free cup of tea or filter coffee. Excludes School Holiday Family screenings and Event Cinema screenings.
Parent and Baby Screening
The screening on Wednesday 30 January at 11am is exclusively for parents with children under 2 years. Lights are kept on low level and you can move around if you need to. Tickets are £5.50 for adults (including a cup of tea/coffee); babies and infants are free of charge. Seating is unreserved and unaccompanied adults are not admitted.
Youth Dance
Norden Exposure led by Becky Hinton.
A lively fast paced class to a soundtrack of current music. This is contemporary dance smashed up and easy to learn!
All terms are 10 weeks long and suitable for all abilities.
Suitable for 9+ years.
Autumn
Tuesdays (from Tues 11 Sept exc 2 Oct, 23 Oct)
5.45pm – 7pm
£67 per 10 week term
Spring
Tuesdays (from Tues 15 Jan, exc 19 and 26 Feb)
5.45pm – 7pm
£67 per 10 week term
- 15 Jan from £67
- 22 Jan
- 8 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!
'Gave me the skills and confidence to get into drama school and pursue a career in acting' Lizzy Maillard
Our friendly theatre company lead the sessions, where you’ll have fun and meet new friends. Each term you'll create a show and perform in our studio or on the main stage, with lighting, sound and staging from Norden Farm's technical crew.
Plus receive discounted tickets to shows and gain opportunities to work alongside Troublemaker Theatre Company at our Summer Theatre Week.
‘I went on to get a degree in film and theatre, and now teach drama to children myself’ Ryan Tomlinson
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 a performance.
'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
Wednesdays
5.30pm
£67 per term
School Year 4, 5 & 6
Photography credit Luminous Photography.
Click here to visit the Troublemaker Theatre Company website
- 23 Jan from £67
- 30 Jan
- 8 more dates...
Bollywood Dance
Led by Parveen Chana
An energetic modern Indian dance style. These classes are a fusion of Indian and western styles with Latino and Arabic influences. All terms are 10 weeks long and suitable for all abilities.
Saturdays (from 26 Jan, exc 23 Feb)
10am - 11am
£67 per 10 week term
Suitable for 6+ years.
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