Norden Farm Recommends Thursday 16 April

Dear Friends – hope you’re doing ok and finding ways to secure some joy everyday. Here is my second blog, coming to you direct from my shed, in week 3 of lockdown from Norden Farm with a some ideas to share…

Jane Corry x

Chief Executive and Artistic Director

Imagine you wake up one morning, and absolutely everything in your world has changed. Sound familiar? Kafka’s classic tale of a man turning into an insect overnight is brilliantly transposed into a thrilling piece of dance theatre by Arthur Pita. Check out The Metamorphosis, part of #OurHouseToYourHouse from the Royal Opera House on Friday 17 April at 7pm.

On Friday at 5pm me and my girls will be tuning up our oboes, flutes and guitars to take part in the National Youth Orchestra’s project, to play Ode to Joy on our doorstep (apologies to our neighbours, but it’s for a good cause) – hopefully with hundreds of other people… The music’s available here where there are easier and harder parts available - you can also donate to the orchestra.

Keeping with the Beethoven theme, got a piano in the room gathering dust? Get inspired by Pianist Boris Giltburg who’s started an ambitious project to learn, record, and comment on all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas. Learn more about the works from his excellent written commentaries here, then head to your keyboard for a little Moonlight…

Comedy, one of Norden Farm’s favourite genres, has taken on a whole new importance, helping us cope with this strange new world. Get your shot in real-time on Sunday 19 April 8pm at the Your Place Comedy event - a brilliant initiative to raise funds for venues in the north of England. Guests this week are Mark Watson and Lucy Beaumont, who perform direct from their living rooms.

Why not use some of this downtime to explore galleries further afield and escape into art. Take a virtual tour around the Uffizi in Florence and see The Easter Story exhibition and enjoy blissfully with zero other tourists blocking your view.

And lastly, if you’re looking for a feel-good film to watch over the weekend Paddington 2 is available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer. The cast is packed with familiar faces giving exceptional (and sometimes unexpected) comic performances – with Ben Whishaw lending his voice to the marmalade loving bear. The perfect way to round off this slightly surreal school holiday.