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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
The Bear
From the book by Raymond Briggs
Adapted by Pins and Needles Productions.
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...
Storytelling
11am and 1.30pm.
Join our storytellers in the magical story den for interactive tales this summer holiday!
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Adult spaces must be booked.
Age guidance: 3-7 years.
£2 per person
Goan Chill Out
Relax and kick back in our peaceful Goan chill out space.
Lie back and enjoy projections in the fisherman’s hut or go fish in shiny waters and add your creations to the walls. Gentle rhythmic sounds in this colour filled space complete the total relaxation experience.
This gallery installation includes work made with local schools through Norden Farm’s Farm Out programme and with young people through our Young Creatives programme supported by the Spoore Merry and Rixman Foundation. Suitable for everyone, including children with SEND.
- 24 Jul FREE
- 25 Jul FREE
- 31 more dates...
The Maidenhead Beach at Norden Farm
The ever popular Maidenhead Beach is back, all summer long – inspired by the laid back tropical paradise that is Goa.
Join us for the Grand Opening on Wednesday 24 July from 10.30am
- Free 15 minute Bollywood Dance Taster Session in the Café Bar – led by Parveen Chana
- Enter our free prize draw for the chance to win a family ticket for one of our summer family shows or films
- Free tropical juice drink for children - available from the Café Bar between 10.30am - 11am (subject to availability)
- Featuring a special appearance from Harmony the Mermaid before she represents Berkshire in the finals of Miss Mermaid UK
- Take some snaps in our prop filled photo area in the foyer
- Free activity and colouring sheets
- Kite Making Workshops between 11.15am - 1.15pm (£3.50 per person)
The Beach has been designed and handmade by Norden Farm with the help of the community.
It’s free to play on every day with beachside tables available for snacks and lunch from the Cafe Bar (including children’s picnic bags).
For maximum chill out, explore the indoor chill out space in our Gallery. It is designed for children with SEND and features work from local schools. Lie back and enjoy projections in the fisherman’s hut or go fish in shiny waters and add your creations to the walls.
All of this and a full programme of family films and live events, the Goan Beach is the perfect place to pitch up this Summer.
Peel yourself off the beach and get creative with your little ones in our daily Beach Craft sessions:
Arts and Crafts (45 mins) | £5 per child Monday – Saturday 10.30am
Or sit back and relax with them in the story den for our Storytelling sessions:
Storytelling (20 mins) | £2 per person Monday – Saturday 1.30pm and 3.30pm
The Community Kite Festival and Workshops
The Community Kite Festival is a free event taking place in Boyn Grove Park (Punt Hill) on Sunday 1 September – everyone welcome! The festival runs from 1pm – 4pm.
The workshops are led by specialist kite makers, Community Kite Project.
In these drop-in sessions our practitioners will guide you through the process of making either the Patang Kite – the Indian Fighter Kite, or a classic Trapezoid Kite.
Make and decorate your kite to stand out in the sky at the Community Kite Festival which takes place in Boyn Grove Park on Sunday 1 September.
Kite Making Workshops
- Wednesday 24 July | 11.15am - 1.15pm
- Wednesday 7 August | 11.30am – 1pm and 2pm – 3.30pm
- Wednesday 14 August | 11.30am – 1pm and 2pm – 3.30pm
- Saturday 24 August | 11.30am – 1pm and 2pm – 3.30pm
Workshops are suitable for all the family and tickets are £3.50 per person.
Please note a space must be booked for every person attending the workshop, including supervising adults.
Click here to visit our drop in workshop booking page.
A photographer representing Norden Farm may be present throughout the summer holiday at The Maidenhead Beach.
These images may be published by Norden Farm in the press and on social media platforms. Images may also be used for external distribution and used in marketing materials including, but not limited to, brochures, flyers, adverts and banners.
If you are visiting The Maidenhead Beach and would rather not be in our photos, please speak to our Box Office team when you arrive.
- 24 Jul FREE
- 25 Jul FREE
- 31 more dates...
Arts and Crafts Session
Craft activities to keep the little ones entertained this school holiday.
The crafts vary so you can create something new every day!
Sessions are 45 minutes.
Age guidance: 5-8 years.
£5 per child
Kite Workshops
Get involved at Kite Making Workshops across the school holidays, then see your creation take to the sky!
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