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ALL THE VERY BEST THEATRE, ARTS AND FILM NEAR YOU

TOYBOX!

AT THE COURTYARD

26th October

The Courtyard

www.courtyard.org.uk 26 October TOYBOX! – HALF-TERM FAMILY CONCERT A half-term interactive family concert celebrating all things toys, hosted by Alasdair Malloy. Guaranteed fun for all the family; young or old. Take part in Alasdair’s Tuneful Toybox Quiz. Trained as a percussionist at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Alasdair Malloy has been Principal Percussion with the BBC Concert Orchestra for over twenty years. Tickets £5

28 October THE THREE BILLY PIGS Once upon a time there were three little pigs....and now it is time for them to leave home. They set off to build their dream houses in the green field on the other side of the river. But then these homes are put to the test by a misunderstood wolf who has a little bit of a problem. And who is the grumpy person who lives under the bridge? The Three Billy Pigs is the new show from Noisy Oyster for children of 3 years and over. The show blends two classic fairy tales The Three Little Pigs and The Three Billy Goats Gruff with beautifully crafted puppets, light hearted story telling, live music and a little bit of eco-awareness in a pig stylie. £7.50 11 - 12 November LAURA GALE – DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID JR Laura Gale Drama’s fabulous cast return to our stage and transport you to a magical kingdom fathoms below in Disney’s classic The Little Mermaid Jr. A show packed with wonderful songs, magnificent dance numbers and a heart warming story that is sure to uplift us all! Suitable for all ages. Tickets from £16

25 November - 7 January 2023 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Be our guest at Hereford’s biggest family pantomime… The Courtyard is back with a BEAST of a show! The stage is set for magic and monstrous fun, as this famous fairy tale is brought to life. After Beauty finds herself imprisoned by a mysterious beast in an enchanted castle, there is little hope that our heroine will ever be reunited with her devoted father. But unbeknown to her, the beast is secretly a handsome prince under an evil curse. Only by changing his selfish ways and finding true love can he ever hope to break the spell. Will the Beast learn his lesson before the last rose petal falls? Will Beauty ever get back home? There’s only one way to find out! Packed with colourful characters, glittering costumes, magnificent musical numbers and plenty of panto humour, Beauty and the Beast is the traditional family pantomime that will leave you spellbound! Tickets from £11

26 November TOUCAN THEATRE: THE NAUGHTY FOX The Naughty Fox Produced by Toucan Theatre. Supported by Arts Council England and Stage One. Snuggle up in a magical den with comfy creatures – Honk, Splash and TaWit TaWoo – as they teach The Naughty Fox a very important lesson: it’s better to share. Set in the magical forest, Fox goes on an adventure to learn from the Aurora that sharing is caring. Feel your way through the immersive, multisensory journey of friendship and play for little ones and their grown-ups. Fully accessible and relaxed. £7.50

3 - 31 December SNOW WHITE “Mirror Mirror on the wall… who is the fairest of them all…?” Find out in this enchanting retelling of the classic fairy tale as Snow White discovers that with friendship and a song in your heart, you can overcome all obstacles. Written by Nick Lane and Directed by David Durant, the beloved story of Snow White is brought to life with a few fun twists, full of creative storytelling, original songs, interactive puppetry and lots of humour! So join us for another enchanting Family Christmas show and get to know Snow White in this reworking of a classic story, created especially for little ones. A magical and accessible Christmas show full of family fun, perfect for children aged 7 & under and their grown ups. Tickets from £9

4 December CHRISTMAS FAMILY RAVE It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to get into the Christmas spirit than with our festive family rave! Full of bubbles, balloons and all of your favourite tunes, crimbo classics included – bring your crew and dance your way into the festive season. Dressing up is encouraged from everyone! Suitable for all ages, ear defenders for tiny people are recommended. Remember the family that raves together, stays together! £6

Malvern Theatre

www.malvern-theatres.co.uk 22 October CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF HARRY POTTER MAGIC WITH JONNY DUDDLE – GREAT MALVERN FESTIVAL OF STORIES FOR CHILDREN Meet the illustrator (John Duddle) of the silver anniversary edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Find out how

he creates the unique Harry Potter covers and watch him bring your favourite Harry Potter characters to life. Don’t forget your pencil to draw along with Jonny! 12.15pm1:15pm. Suitable for: Age 7+. Adults: £6.72, Children: £3.36

SEEDHEART BY INDIGO MOON THEATRE – GREAT MALVERN FESTIVAL OF STORIES FOR CHILDREN A small puppet show about big things for all ages. Meet Grey. Our journey begins as Grey finds them-self trapped inside a jar. They try to remember how they got there and how they could be free… Indigo Moon Theatre’s latest show tells the important tale of human impact on the environment and questions what we can do to restore our once green planet, with interactive chaos in the laboratory along the way! Watch as our story unfolds (literally) from a single suitcase and follow Grey’s journey to a better future with magical pop-ups, puppetry and interactive scenes. 11:45am – 12:30pm 1:15pm – 2pm Adults: £6.72, Children: £3.36

SHERLOCK BONES PUZZLE ADVENTURE WITH TIM COLLINS – GREAT MALVERN FESTIVAL OF STORIES FOR CHILDREN Sherlock Bones, the world’s greatest dog detective, and Dr Catson are BACK for another adventure! And author Tim Collins is here to lead you in a Detective Workshop so you can start sniffing out suspects and find the culprit! While visiting the tombs of the ancient feline kings in Egypt, the duo discover that a precious mask has been stolen… the start of a new, thrilling adventure. A fiction series that features over 30 puzzles woven into the action, brought to life by master puzzler, Tim. 12:30pm-1:30pm Suitable for: Ages 7-10. Adults: £6.72, Children: £3.36

23 October EDWARD LEAR’S DREAM BY SEA LEGS PUPPET THEATRE – GREAT MALVERN FESTIVAL OF STORIES FOR CHILDREN In Sea Legs Puppet Theatre’s 21st anniversary production Edward falls asleep at his desk whilst writing his Book of Nonsense. As he dreams, he journeys through magical lands meeting a host of fantastical creatures along the way… Meet celebrated Lear characters; the Quangle Wangle, the Jumblies and the legendary Owl and the Pussycat in the greatest literary love story since the Dish ran away with the Spoon. Told with a cast of fabulous puppets, an innovative stage set and a brilliant new musical soundtrack featuring six new songs to Lear’s famous poems and limericks. 2:15pm-3pm Suitable for all ages. Adults: £6.72, Children: £3.36

2 - 3 November PEPPA PIG’S BEST DAY EVER Peppa Pig is excited to be going on a special day out with George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig – it’s going to be her best day ever! Get ready for a road-trip full of fun adventures. From castles to caves, dragons to dinosaurs and ice-creams to muddy puddles – there is something for all of the family and their friends to enjoy, including Miss Rabbit, Mr Bull, Suzy Sheep, Gerald Giraffe and more! Prepare for the brand new Peppa Pig live show packed full of songs, games and laughter, it really is the best day ever for Peppa Pig fans! Running Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (including interval) www.peppapiglive. com. Price: £24.64 (Premium), £21.28 & £19.04 Family of 4: £76.16 (£21.28 tickets only)

8 December – 1 January 2023 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST A sparkling fairy tale pantomime for 2022-23, starring Melanie Walters (Gavin and Stacey) as Fairy Bon Bon, Malvern’s Favourite Funny Man Mark James as Louis La Plonk, Olivia Birchenough from Channel 5’s Milkshake! as Belle and Leon Craig as Polly La Plonk. Join Belle, The Beast, Fairy Bon Bon, larger than life Polly La Plonk and her cheeky chappy son Louis La Plonk as they are transported to a cursed castle, under the spell of an evil enchantress. Can the wicked Hugo be defeated, can Belle see beyond the Beast and fall in love with her captor, will the Beasts heart be melted by Belles beauty? With an unmissable transformation moment, slide splitting comedy, stunning sets and costumes, and an award winning script (Best Script – Great British Pantomime Awards 2019), join us for a must see, magnificent adventure. Tickets from £15.12.

14 – 17 December THE COACH HOUSE THEATRE AND DRAMA STUDIO LONDON PRESENT NUTCRACKER A treat for the youngest ones. Dress up as the Sugar Plum Fairy, King Rat or the heroic Nutcracker. £10 (Including 12% booking fee)

14 – 17 December THE COACH HOUSE THEATRE AND DRAMA STUDIO LONDON PRESENT ALADDIN A fun-packed pantomime adventure for all the family. £10 (Including 12% booking fee)

20 – 30 December A CHRISTMAS CAROL On a snowy Christmas Eve, the meanspirited Ebeneezer Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his business partner Jacob Marley, who is weighed down by the accumulated chains of a lifetime of greed. Marley tells Scrooge he will be visited by three further spirits, each of whom will offer Scrooge an unsettling vision of himself, as well as an opportunity to change his ways … before it’s too late. Dickens’s most famous short story sold out in five days following its publication in 1843. It has never been out of print since and has been the subject of many film, stage and television adaptations. As succinct as it is timeless, Dickens’s portrait of the meaning of Christmas remains one of enduring resonance. A Seasonal treat for all the family, A Christmas Carol is adapted by Nic Lloyd, who also directs this inaugural production by the Malvern Theatres Stage Company. £16.80

Market Theatre

themarkettheate.com 19 – 29 January 2023 SNOW WHITE Especially written for LADS by Richard McIlwaine. “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of us all?” asks Serpentina, the wicked queen. Well, the mirror says it’s not the queen or her horrible daughters, Violet and Nastutia, so who could it be? Come and see this brand new version of Snow White, written especially for LADS, to see if good really can triumph over evil and if Snow White really will live happily ever after. Performance dates and times will be: Thursday to Saturday 19th to 21st and 26th to 28th January at 7:30pm. Matinées Saturday and Sunday 21st, 22nd, 28th and 29th January at 2:30pm. There will be no evening performances on Sundays 22nd and 29th January. Standard: £11, Child: £6, Family: £37

Norbury Theatre

www.norburytheatre.co.uk 12 November DISNEY’S ALADDIN JR Disney’s Aladdin JR. is based on the 1992 Academy-Award®-winning film and the 2014 hit Broadway and West End show about the “diamond in the rough” street rat who learns that his true worth lies deep within. The story you know, and love has been given the royal treatment! Aladdin and his three friends, Babkak, Omar, and Kassim, are down on their luck until Aladdin discovers a magic lamp and the Genie who has the power to grant three wishes. Wanting to earn the respect of the princess, Jasmine, Aladdin embarks on an adventure that will test his will and his moral character. With expanded characters, new songs, and more thrills, this new adaptation of the beloved story will open “A Whole New World” for our young performers as well as you, our audience. Tickets from £8

19 November A short pantomime-style play produced by adults for children. Title to be confirmed. £2

13 – 28 January CINDERELLA Times are tough for the Hardup family, they have had to sell off the grounds of Hardup Hall as a theme park. Just when Cinderella and the family’s faithful servant Buttons (Cinderella’s greatest admirer) thought things could not get any worse her father the Baron arrives home with a new bride and her daughters, the horrendous Ugly Sisters. It is not long before the Broker’s Men are knocking on the door chasing more debts. A meeting in the forest with a handsome young man, secretly overheard by a stranger, brings love for Cinderella but when her step sisters make sure she does not receive an invitation to Prince Charming’s ball it seems she may never see him again. Thanks to the Fairy Godmother she does attend but takes off as midnight strikes leaving the Prince distraught. This sets in motion a kingdom wide search by the Prince when the happy pair are reunited and, of course, live happily ever after. Tickets from £14

Number 8

www.number8.org 22 October MORGAN & WEST: UNBELIEVABLE SCIENCE Science and silliness abound for ages seven to 107! Morgan & West present captivating chemistry, phenomenal physics, and bonkers biology in this fun for all the family science extravaganza! Magicians, time travellers and all-round spiffing chaps Morgan & West have a secret past – they are genuine, bona fide, legitimately qualified scientists, and now are bring their love of enlightenment to the stage! Expect explosive thrills, chemical spills and a risk assessment that gives their stage manager chills, all backed up by the daring duo’s trademark wit, charm and detailed knowledge of the scientific method. Leave your lab coats at the door it’s time for Unbelievable Science! Tickets: £13, 16 & under £10

Palace Theatre

www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk 20 October NUTCRACKER - CROWN BALLET Crown Ballet comes to the UK to enchant you with the delightful production of The Nutcracker. Crown Ballet comes to the UK to enchant you with the delightful production of The Nutcracker. After a very long break we are proud to present to you the UK Premier of this ballet company from Moldova. The Nutcracker - a charming and kindly fairy tale is one of the jewels of Tchaikovsky’s repertoire. Prepare to enter a magical new world – the nutcracker in this ballet may be a handsome prince in disguise. The original Christmas story is based on The Nutcracker and the Mouse King written by E.T.A. Hoffmann. It tells the story of Marie, a sad little girl, whose godfather, Drosselmeier, gives her a Nutcracker doll as a present on Christmas Eve. In her lively imagination it turns into a prince and the magic starts… The ballet is the ultimate fairy-tale where goodness and beauty triumph. This eternal seasonal favourite will be an unforgettable journey in the run-up to Christmas and an ideal introduction to audiences of any age to the magic that is classical ballet. A wonderful treat full of glitter for the whole family! £25.00 £23.00 (concs)

For more What’s On visit primarytimes.co.uk

27 October DON’T MISS THIS!

GIRLZ WORLD Join the Girlz World for a non-stop DIVA extravaganza celebrating some of todays sensational pop stars... Join the Girlz World for a non-stop DIVA extravaganza celebrating some of todays sensational pop stars: Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Pink, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, Katy Perry and not forgetting the amazing Little Mix. Three fantastic singers, along with their talented dancers take you on a modern-day musical journey not to be missed. So come on all you little divas, grab your hairbrush, and your friends and family of course, and come and join the fun! Suitable for all ages, this show has something for everyone. So don’t miss this ultimate tribute show and a fantastic night out for all! Full Price: £18.50 Child (under 16): £17.00 28 October CARTOON CIRCUS LIVE All the fun of the circus comes to the Palace Theatre in Redditch when the laughter-packed stage show ‘Cartoon Circus Live’ combines the comedy of pantomime with the thrill of the circus. The one hour family show features some of Britain’s funniest clowns, traditional slapstick comedy, magic, illusions, the amazing girl in the spinning bottle, a huge giant dancing bear, high flying diabolos, cartoon characters, plate spinning, an acrobatic human slinky, puppets, prizes and surprises. There is even a performing piranha. Full Price: £13.50 Child/OAP: £10.50 Family: £44.00 Worcester Theatres 10 - 31 December BEAUTY & THE BEAST PANTO Don’t miss Beauty and the Beast which promises to be the most stunning and enchanting of productions packed with magic and fun for all the family over the festive season! Spellbinding adventure awaits when the beautiful Belle is imprisoned in an enchanted castle with a hideous beast. Can Belle see beyond the monster and fall in love with her jailer before the last petal falls from the enchanted rose? Or will the Beast’s arrogance and selfishness cost him the world he once knew and the hand of the girl who has stolen his heart. As time passes and the rose petals begin to fall the Beast becomes convinced that Beauty will never see beyond his monstrous features to the man behind the mask. Will true love prevail? Meanwhile the boorish Gaston, a local huntsman, who has set his sights on marrying Beauty whether she wants to or not, decides to rescue her from the Beast’s Castle and force her to be his wife. With plenty of audience participation and loads of laughter, combined with spectacular sets, beautiful costumes and magical special effects, Beauty and the Beast serves up a traditional family pantomime that will make your Christmas complete! It would be ‘BEASTLY’ to miss out, so get your tickets now to this most beloved family tale! This enchanting pantomime based on the children’s classic tale, will delight audiences of all ages. Brought to you by Paul Holman Associates producers of last year’s smash hit Jack and the Beanstalk, Beauty and the Beast has everything you have come to expect from a Palace pantomime. Stunning sets, spectacular transformations and dazzling costumes will guarantee your festive season will go with a swing. From £18.00* - £28.50

www.worcestertheatres.co.uk 25 October A FRIGHT IN THE MUSEUM Danny, Mick and their dad Clive have decided they don’t make enough money from their circus - so to make ends meet they get part time jobs at the museum as night watchmen. But things don’t go according to plan when they disturb the ‘Ancient Custard Pie’ and release the ‘Phantom of Slapstick’. They quickly realize they are not alone when the museum comes to life at the stroke of midnight and chaos breaks out! Starring CBBC’s newest comedy stars DANNY & MICK recently nominated for the TV Comedy Awards “Best New Sitcom”, A Fright in the Museum is coming to Swan Theatre. This years show is packed full of hilarious comedy routines, magic, mayhem, slapstick and specialty acts, making it a laugh out aloud show not to be missed for the whole family! 2:00 pm £19.50 - 15.50 - £58 (Family Ticket)

1 – 2 November THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW FOUR TIMELESS STORIES BROUGHT TO LIFE IN ONE DELIGHTFUL SHOW. Dive into Eric Carle’s bright and colourful world as his beloved stories are transformed from page to stage using a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets and charming music. Featuring your favourite titles: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Lonely Firefly and of course, the star of the show, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, the critically acclaimed The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is a vibrant celebration of Eric Carle’s adored classics and the perfect introduction to live theatre. Will the Hungry Caterpillar ever be full? Brown Bear, Brown Bear what do you see? Where will the Little Rubber Ducks drift to in the big wide sea? Will the Lonely Firefly find his friends?

5 November RENT A GUY Can you make friends with a guy that’s been abandoned for causing too much mayhem wherever he goes? Can you help find him something useful to do so that he doesn’t get into any more trouble? And do you know the difference between an onion and a daffodil bulb? Go on a Journey this winter and find out! £3.00

29 November - 2 January 2023 CINDERELLA You shall go to the ball this Christmas! Join Cinderella, her best friend buttons and the ugliest sisters in town in the classic rags to riches fairy tale that enchants all ages! The Worcester Repertory Company proudly presents the most magical pantomime of all, packed full of all your favourite traditional pantomime comedy moments. Join us for this well–loved tale and cheer, boo, hiss, laugh, and sing along to your favourite songs in what promises to be Worcester’s most spectacular family pantomime yet! £10 - £21

19 - 29 January 2023 ALICE IN WONDERLAND BY KAYS THEATRE GROUP Alice discovers that by using her imagination, anything is possible in Wonderland. Join Alice and your favourite characters, including the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts in this family pantomime from Kays. Use your imagination to experience Wonderland tea parties and delight in the Bake-Off tent. Can you help Alice find her way home? £13.50

Regal Tenbury

www.regaltenbury.co.uk 27-29 October THE RAILWAY CHILDREN - LIVE ON STAGE - THE REGAL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE REGAL COMMUNITY THEATRE The story is told through the recollections of the children, now grown up, of their time as ‘railway children’, with all their adventures, trials and triumphs brought to life on stage. Famously filmed in 1970, the much loved book by E. Nesbit is adapted for the stage by Mike Kenny and presented jointly by the Regal and its Community Theatre group. ‘Mike Kenny’s adaptation shows his mastery of playwriting for children and families... adults and children alike are enthralled by the clever mix of imagination and reality’ Financial Times This amateur production of E. Nesbit’s ‘The Railway Children’, adapted by Mike Kenny, is by arrangement with Nick Hern Books. £14.00 Under 16’s £8

27 November THE WIZARD OF OZ - REGAL SCHOOL OF CREATIVE ARTS The Regal School of Creative Arts is proud to present a brand new production of the classic tale - The Wizard of Oz The script is written by our school principle Dr Mia Gordon and performed by our students aged between 4 and 18. Come and enjoy live on stage theatre, supported by our costume and technical teams showcasing the future stars of Tenbury. 6:30pm.

14 - 31 December ROBIN HOOD (PANTO) Tenbury’s Very Own Professional Pantomime. Tickets from £15

The Henrician

www.henrician.org 18-22 January JACK AND THE BEANSTALK It’s Panto time... .oh yes it is! Join Phoenix Theatre Group for their 33rd Traditional family pantomime full of song and dance, fun and slapstick comedy that will get you rolling in the aisles. Will Jack find the pot of gold at the top of the Beanstalk? Marvel at our magical giant and special effects. Suitable for everyone aged 3+. (Please note special effects, pyrotechnics and loud bangs throughout this production