Studio Theatre
Sea Legs Puppet Theatre Present
Henry Clutterbuck and The Musicians of Bremen
Saturday 21 September 11am
Step inside Clutterbuck’s Curiosities, join Henry and The Musicians of Bremen on an exciting new adventure: A ukulele, tambourine, microphone and an old toy saxophone are transformed into Brothers Grimm’s famous characters; Donkey, Dog, Cat and Cockerel as they run away to Bremen Town to become musicians. But beware –a pair of dangerous robbers are on the loose. Can the four animal friends make it to Bremen without running into trouble? Suitable for children age 3-10 and their families. Tickets £8.50 Free pre-activity from 10.30am!
LIVE SHOW
Main House
A Little Angel Theatre, The Lowry and Rose Theatre co-production
Charlie Cook's Favourite Book
Monday 23 September 4.30pm
Tuesday 24 September 10.30am, 1.30pm & 4.30pm Charlie loves reading. Especially books about pirates. But his sister hates it - it’s boring! Can Charlie convince her that reading is fun? Perhaps if she read a book about a pirate, who is reading a book about Goldilocks, who is reading a book about a knight… Come and delve into a range of books with Charlie Cook, brought to life with puppetry and enchanting songs, and perhaps you will be able to help his sister discover the wonderful world inside a book… Tickets £18, Children £16, Schools & Nurseries £13
A musical adaptation of the best-selling book by
15% off for CY Club members
Studio Theatre
Enter Edem Present
Fafunia Snoozy stories
Saturday 5 October 11am
from 10.30am!
As creatures and the Great Oak go to sleep, the Autumn brings in all kinds of magical changes! There is lots of Snoozy magic and mischief fun as the leaves fall and friends of Fafunia prepare for harvests. Come explore and play in this forest of fairies and become part of a Snoozy Story! Families can have heaps of fun in an interactive puppetry and storytelling experience, based in the sensory fairy kingdom Fafunia! Ages 4-13 years, or early years with parental guidance.
Tickets £8.50
HeREFORDSHIRE's FAMILY FESTIVAL
Roll Up, Roll Up! Calling all jugglers, acrobats, clowns and lion tamers, 2024’s Herefordshire Family Festival is back and this year, it’s going to be a big top full of Circus fun!
What is Herefordshire's Family Festival?
A week of half-term family fun at The Courtyard
Family Festival Day on Wednesday 30 October
Free or low cost performances, workshops, activities and more!
Family Festival Day
Half-Term Fun
This year’s Circus themed Family Festival (as voted for by last years children), will be full of family-friendly activities, creative workshops, memorable experiences & entertaining performances! Some events need to be booked in advance, but there will also be lots of drop in events on the day.
The fun continues beyond the main event! Look out for special fringe activities throughout October half-term to keep the whole family entertained. All events are included in this handy booklet. Come along and make some wonderful memories together!
Check online for up to date events: courtyard.org.uk/familyfestival
Studio Theatre
Will Pickvance Presents
DO NOT PLAY THIS PIANO
Monday 28 October 11am
10am
William’s school report is not good. But his piano tricks are so impressive, his teachers have picked him to play at the prestigious concert for Mozart’s birthday celebrations. Trouble is, he only does tricks. Mozart, via the blues, tango and rock’n’roll (and a roll of gaffer tape). A chase through Salzburg. A moonlit haunted house. Enter Mozart, to swap genius wisdom for a glimpse of the future. Ages 6+.
Tickets £8.50
“Wonderfully engaging storytelling, lovely piano playing and delightful animations” - The National
Visual impairment accessible performance, including Touch Tour with delivery of live pre-show notes.
“An absolute delight, a multisensory show for littleuns!”
Maddie
Moate, CBeebies
LIVE SHOW
Nell Gwynne Studio
The Egg Presents midnight mole
Tuesday 29 - Thursday 31 October 11am, 1pm & 3pm
A heart-warming, moon-dancing adventure from the creative team behind Snow Mouse. Midnight Mole is the perfect first-time theatre experience for your littlest ones. Under the light of the silvery moon, Madame Ranevsky is playing with her night-time friends beneath her cherry trees for the very last time before she moves house, when up from his mound jumps Midnight Mole! With a nose for mysterious knick-knacks, Mole leads her on an adventure of discovery - above and below ground – opening her eyes to the wonders of the world and starting Madame Ranevsky on her new journey. Ages 6 months - 4 years.
Tickets £5, Concessions £3 (under 18months lap seats free)
SHOW
Main House
Orchestra of the Swan Family Concert:
Carnival of the Animals with Poems by Michael Morpurgo
Wednesday 30 October 2pm
Join us for an enchanting family-friendly concert featuring the acclaimed Orchestra of the Swan, our Orchestra in Residence. This magical event will showcase Carnival of the Animals by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns.
From the majestic lion to the graceful swan, this suite is a beloved classic that delights listeners with its vivid orchestration and playful themes. Adding to the magic, the performance will be accompanied by a collection of charming poems written by the best-selling author Michael Morpurgo, known for his captivating storytelling that resonates with audiences of all ages.
Tickets
£7, Children
£5
LIVE SHOW
Main House
Dinosaur Adventure Live!
Friday 1 November 11.30am & 2pm
Join the intrepid rangers on a quest to recover the data crystal, restore power to the island and save the Dinosaurs! Stomp, Roar and Swish your tail as you’re introduced to some of the most incredible species ever to have lived on planet Earth. An unforgettable jurassic experience for all the family to enjoy. This awe-inspiring interactive stage show captivates both young and young at heart, immersing audiences in the enthralling & realistic world of Dinosaurs. You won’t want to miss this adventure of a lifetime!
Tickets £18, Family Ticket £66
Herefordshire's FAMILY FESTIVAL FUN DAY
WHERE
BOOKABLE EVENTS
Jewellery Making (Ages 14+) 2.5hr Alloy Workshop
Little Play World (All ages) 1hr Garrick Room
Sewing Fun (Ages 3+) 1hr Meeting Room 2
Circus Family Rave (All ages) 1hr Studio Theatre
DROP IN EVENTS
Face Painting 1st Floor
Party Plaits Clip in Braids 1st Floor
Biscuit Decorating Gallery
Circus Skills with Citrus Arts Outside
Dress Up Corner Foyer
Sensory Room Dream Your Future Families Meeting Room 1
Balloon Modelling with Mr Bamboozle Around Building
PERFORMANCES & Shows
Midnight Mole (6m - 4yrs) 40m Nell Gwynne Studio
Mr Bamboozle’s Magic Show (All ages) 45m Studio Theatre
Carnival Of The Animals (All ages) 1hr Main House
Plus, join us throughout the day on The Courtyard Lounge (First Floor) for incredible free performances from: The Courtyard Youth Theatre, Jigsaw Inclusive Dance, HCA, Starlight, Ludwig Theatre Arts, Laura Gale Dance & Drama and more!
wEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER 2024
WHEN COST
10am, & 1.30pm £6 per participant
10am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3pm £2 per participant (adult free)
10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 3pm £2 per participant (adult free)
3.30pm
Tickets £6
10am - 4.30pm £2 per face
10am - 4.30pm £3 per person
10am - 4pm Free
10am - 4pm Free
10am - 4.30pm Free
10am - 4.30pm Free
Intervals throughout the day Free
Tickets £5, Concessions £3
Tickets £2
Tickets £7, Children £5
Sign up to our mailing list to let us know how much fun you’ve had at the Family Festival!
Come in Fancy Dress!
House
X-Entricity Present
Footloose the musical
Tuesday 22 - Saturday 26 October 7.30pm
Saturday Matinee 2.30pm
Based on the 1980s screen sensation which took the world by storm, Footloose sizzles with spirit, fun, outstanding musical talent and incredible choreography. The rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated Top 40 score includes classic 80s hits, including Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let’s Hear It For The Boy and of course the unforgettable title track Footloose. Everybody cut loose, and grab your tickets now for this phenomenal show!
Tickets £22, Concessions £20
Main House
Crown Ballet Presents A Double Bill: swan lake
Monday 28 October 7.30pm
The Nutcracker
Tuesday 29 October 7.30pm
Swan Lake is one of Tchaikovsky’s best works, featuring some of ballet’s most memorable music. It is the compelling legend of a tragic romance in which a princess, Odette, is turned into a swan by an evil curse.
The Nutcracker is a charming fairy tale and 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.
Both wonderful evenings out creating memories you will cherish long after the final curtain falls!
Tickets £31, Concessions £28, Under 16’s £25
Main House
Laura Gale Dance & Drama Present
Annie Jr
Friday 8 & Saturday 9 November 7.30pm
Saturday Matinee 2.30pm
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
Tickets £19, Concessions £17
Studio Theatre
Really Big Pants Theatre Present
Saturday 9 November 11am
Tickets £8.50 Free
from 10.30am!
Join Really Big Pants on their return to The Courtyard for a glorious story of sharing, exploring, and daring, written entirely in rhyme. This interactive show encourages children to not only share their belongings and enjoy a great story, but also to explore the natural world so close to home. Can you help Clare and Cory find the class bear?! For ages 3-7.
The Stage (Dick Whittington)
Wed 27 Nov 2024 - Sat 4 Jan 2025
Directed by Estelle van Warmelo
Written by Lyndsay Maples
Sat 7 - Tue 24 Dec 2024
Written
Directed by David Durant
by Nick Lane
LIVE EVENT
Nell Gwynne Studio
FAMILY RAVES
Saturday 28 December 2024 11am & 3pm
Saturday 12 April 2025 11am & 2pm
Saturday 2 August 2025 11am & 2pm
Our popular Family Raves are back! Full of bubbles, balloons and all of your favourite tunes, bring your crew and dance the day away. 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!
Tickets £6
House
The Gruffalo
Tuesday 4 & Wednesday 5 March 2025
Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.Searching for hazelnuts, Mouse meets the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl and the high-spirited Snake. Will the story of the terrifying Gruffalo save Mouse from ending up as dinner for these hungry woodland creatures? After all, there’s no such thing as a Gruffalo – is there? Songs, laughs and monstrous fun for children aged 3 and up and their grown-ups, in the much-loved show that’s toured Britain and the world!
Tickets £16, Concessions £14
The Sunday Times
Scotsman
The Gruffalo © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 1999Macmillan Children’s Books
Wed 23 - Sat 26 April 2025
Family workshops
PERFORMING ARTS FOR LITTLE PICKLES
Mondays, 10am - 12pm, Donations welcome
A fun, sensory session for 0-5 year olds where they can play, learn and explore big feelings and everyday challenges through role-play and storytelling.
PLAYING TOGETHER
Tuesdays, 10.30am - 12pm, Refreshments from 10.30am
£6.50 per session
An interactive play session for older adults and pre-school children along with companions & parents.
BOOGIE WITH BABY
Thursdays, 2pm - 3pm
£6.50 per adult
Energising movement and dance class for parents/ caregivers with their babies and toddlers in soft structured slings and baby carriers or wraps.
DANCING TOTS
Fridays, 11.30am - 12.15pm
£6.50 per session, CY Club member £4, Under 1’s free
A beginner experience for tots to learn easy and fun dance techniques whilst building confidence.
TWINKLING STARS
Saturdays, 10am - 10.45am
£6.50 per session, £3 siblings
A family fun dancing session incorporating Makaton sign, musical movement, sensory play and fun!
