A double header of comedy as two top comedians warm up ahead of the Edinburgh Festival.

Due to a unforeseen circumstances, Chloe Petts has been replaced by Bilal Zafar

Matt Forde

Matt Forde is one of the country’s most in demand satirists.

Described as 'our foremost satirical stand-up' by The Sunday Times, Matt Forde has toured critically acclaimed shows nationwide including most recently Clowns To The Left of Me, Jokers To The Right in 2022 and Inside No. 10 in 2023.

Matt Forde’s hit live podcast The Political Party transferred to the West End’s Duchess Theatre in 2021 after over 70 sold out shows at Westminster’s The Other Palace, for a twice extended fortnightly residency continuing in to 2024. Matt has brought Parliament to life with his stand-up and debate with some of politics’ most powerful figures including Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, Tony Blair, Eddie Izzard, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Angela Rayner, Michael Heseltine, Anthony Scaramucci, Alastair Campbell, Gordon Brown and Gary Neville. Matt has received numerous nominations from award bodies including the British Podcast Awards and Chortle Awards and the show is regularly highlighted as a top podcast pick in the press.

Matt wrote and voiced characters for Spitting Image (BritBox/ITV) including Boris Johnson, Keir Starmer and Donald Trump. Matt currently presents Absolute Radio’s weekly Rock ‘n’ Roll Football Show. He is also the co-host of Wondery’s flagship British Podcast Award winning British Scandal alongside Alice Levine.

In 2019 alone, Matt hosted the Alternative News Desk for Channel 4’s election night coverage, chaired the One Nation Conservative leadership hustings and debated Britain’s withdrawal from the EU with Tony Blair for the Institute of Global Change.

Matt hosted four series of Unspun with Matt Forde on Dave, receiving several nominations at the Broadcast Digital Awards, and has numerous other broadcast credits including: Have I Got News For You (BBC One), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV), Mock The Week (BBC Two), 8 out of 10 Cats (Channel 4), Hypothetical (Dave) Rory Bremner’s Coalition Report and Rory Bremner’s Election Report (BBC Two), Question Time (BBC One), This Week (BBC One), Newsnight (BBC Two) and Daily Politics (BBC Two).

Matt’s first book Politically Homeless was listed by The Sunday Times as one the Best Political Books of 2020.

Bilal Zafar

Bilal Zafar was nominated for the lastminute.com Best Newcomer Award for his debut show at the Edinburgh Fringe. Bilal also won the New Act of the Year award joining the company of previous winners such as Stewart Lee, Ardal O’Hanlon, Joe Wilkinson and Linda Smith.

He was the runner up at the Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year competition. He has appeared on BBC3, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Asian Network, and has written for The Independent.

An accomplished actor, he has appeared in Channel 4 sitcom Catastrophe, Sky sitcom Sick of It and the Paul Feig directed feature film Last Christmas.

He also runs a successful Twitch page which has racked up over 12.3K followers. He streams an interactive, improvised comedy show three times a week where he plays a football manager embroiled in scandal, featuring various special guests. The show is growing every day and has been picked up by multiple radio shows and newspapers.

Avalon Edinburgh Preview line ups are subject to change.

Studio
£12

Matt Forde
Matt's website

X MattForde

Bilal Zafar
X @Zafarcakes

•  15 May SOLD OUT

Led by Emma Duncan

In each session children take part in a series of drama games and activities that develop their confidence as well as teaching them drama skills. These include focus, communication, developing a character and voice projection.

As the weeks go on the group will each have a part with some lines to learn in a small-scale show. They will rehearse as a team and share what they have learnt during the last session, more details to follow on this after half term.

Suitable for school years 2 - 6.

'Norden Farm is my favourite after school club, it always keeps me moving and relaxed. It is a great place to go for drama and within a short time, I have become far more confident and expressive' Timothy, age 7

'We have sent both of our children to Youth Theatre at Norden Farm and have seen dramatic improvements in there ability, confidence, social awareness and expressiveness generally and specifically. The environment is safe and developmental in a broad and exciting sense' Alex - parent

Summer
Wed 30 Apr - Wed 23 Jul
5pm - 6.30pm

Junior Youth Theatre Booking Form

'The youth theatre is a nice place and I’ve only been here a short time and I Love it!' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'It is cool and welcoming' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'The youth theatre is one of the most professional classes I’ve enrolled in' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'The youth theatre is one of the best drama clubs, everyone is so friendly and we do amazing games' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'We have absolutely loved the drama classes, we have seen a tremendous improvement with our daughter's confidence, she enjoys the sessions as there is a mixture of techniques and games and has made friends along the way! Emma is great at adapting the lessons and I have only seen improvements, we Look forward to the end of summer show combined with the senior class!!! Love Norden Farm as the venue!' Junior Youth Theatre Parent

'This is my daughter’s first experience of a drama club - and it has been such a positive, confidence-boosting, creative experience for her. I particularly love that there is no pressure on the children - there is plenty of time and practice to get ready for the end of season Sharing Session, and the level of performance is just enough to stretch them, without making them worry. It’s pure joy and excitement! You can see how far the group has progressed from term to term - they are becoming a very confident and capable group of Thespians!' Junior Youth Theatre Parent

•  14 May
•  21 May
• 8 more dates...

Event cinema screening.

Sung in German with subtitles.

On a stormy night, fate brings two strangers together, unleashing a love with the power to end worlds. Meanwhile, in the realm of the gods, an epic battle ensues between their ruler Wotan and his rebellious daughter, Brünnhilde.

Gods and mortals battle in the second chapter of Wagner’s Ring cycle. Conductor Antonio Pappano and director Barrie Kosky reunite to continue the mythical adventure that began with Das Rheingold in 2023.

Please note that this production contains sequences of flashing lights which might affect audience members who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy.

Courtyard Theatre Cinema

Running time: 320 minutes, including two intervals.

Royal Opera & Ballet's website

Content warning - contains themes of incest and domestic violence. This production contains scenes of nudity and depictions of blood, violence, and death. Strobe lighting is used during Act I. Pyrotechnics are used during Act III.

•  14 May from £17

Led by Emma Duncan

Each term we will be focusing on developing the participants confidence and well-being through a series of drama games and activities.

This term the Senior Youth Theatre group are focusing on developing drama skills. They’ll learn a deeper understanding of performance and managing their nerves as well as some more specialised techniques including comedy and physical theatre.

Suitable for school years 7 - 12.

'Drama has upped my confidence remarkably and I’m getting better every time, it’s my favourite club and I look forward to it each week' Youth Theatre Seniors Student

'The youth theatre is one of the best dramas clubs ever, we can express ourselves' Youth Theatre Seniors Student

'The instructor is very supportive and everyone is very respectful' Youth Theatre Seniors Student

'Norden Farm is my favourite after school club, it always keeps me moving and relaxed. It is a great place to go for drama and within a short time, I have become far more confident and expressive' Youth Theatre Student

'We have sent both of our children to Youth Theatre at Norden Farm and have seen dramatic improvements in there ability, confidence, social awareness and expressiveness generally and specifically. The environment is safe and developmental in a broad and exciting sense' Alex - parent

Spring
Wed 15 Jan - 2 Apr (12 weeks)
6.05pm - 7.30pm
£156

Summer
Wed 23 Apr - 23 Jul, exc 28 May (13 weeks)
6pm - 7.30pm
£169

Senior Youth Theatre Booking Form

'Drama has upped my confidence remarkably and I’m getting better every time, it’s my favourite club and I look forward to it each week' Senior Youth Theatre Student

'The youth theatre is one of the best dramas clubs ever, we can express ourselves' Senior Youth Theatre Student

'The instructor is very supportive and everyone is very respectful' Senior Youth Theatre Student

•  14 May
•  21 May
• 8 more dates...

A new regular spot for lovers of live music who prefer their concerts in the daytime, alongside a little lunch, in a relaxed environment.

Performances take place in the Studio in a cabaret set up so you can come and go during the music if you want to.

The ticket price includes a pre-show two course lunch from our Café Bar.

Ysaye Sonata for solo violin No 2 in A minor, Op 27 No 2
H.I. Franz Von Biber Passacaglia in G minor, for Violin Solo
Kurtag Selection from Signs, Games and Messages
J.S. Bach Partita no 3 for Solo Violin in E Major, BWV 1006

Born in the Netherlands in 2000, Charlotte Spruit was a winner at the 2023 Young Classical Artists Trust international auditions, and has previously been a prize winner at numerous international competitions. She was also selected as one of Classic FM’s Rising Stars of 2024.

Charlotte is a keen chamber musician and soloist, having performed at prominent locations such as the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Wigmore Hall in London and the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg. She has performed chamber works with acclaimed musicians including Janine Jansen, Rachel Podger, Gidon Kremer, Tabea Zimmermann, Lawrence Power, and Christian Tetzlaff.

As a concerto soloist, Charlotte has played with numerous orchestras, including the Residentie Orkest The Hague, The Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pauliner Barockensemble, and Ensemble Esperanza.

She began her violin studies aged four with Coosje Wijzenbeek, culminating with her studying at the Guildhall School of Music in London with David Takeno, followed by the Royal Academy of Music with Ying Xue, where Charlotte recently completed her Master’s degree under Rachel Podger and Pavlo Beznosiuk.

Charlotte plays an 18th-century anonymous Italian violin, kindly on loan from the Dutch Musical Instruments Foundation.

Studio

£30 including a 2 course lunch

12.30pm - Lunch
2pm - Concert begins

Norden Farm Patrons, Bronze, Sliver and Gold Members can click here to login for Priority Booking.

•  15 May from £30

Led by Mairi Cowieson

Showstopper Tots Musical Theatre themed music and movement classes for ages 2 - 5yrs. Younger siblings are welcome. Under 6 months free.

Join us for our exciting Lion King themed term. I Just Can't Wait to be King! so, come and join other little lion cubs, as we get ready for our Morning Report and sing Hakuna Matata.

The classes take the children on an adventure, exploring the music and story of The Lion King. Learning a dance to help with their coordination, singing songs and playing drama games to help with their confidence. Each class ends with our mini theatre and story song, written especially for ShowstopperUk, by fabulous West End composers.

This story song is added to each week to enhance their engagement and concentration skills. It's also fun for the parents / carers who attend with their little ones.

Building confidence, musicality, coordination, concentration, all through the wonderful world of Musical Theatre.

Led by a professional West End performer and director.

Summer

Course 1: Lion King
Thur 24 Apr - 22 May (5 weeks)
2pm - 2.45pm

Whole course - £40 (5 weeks) (1 adult and 1 child)
Trial on 24 Apr - £9 (1 adult and 1 child) Siblings £5.40
£32 (1 adult and 1 child) if you would like to continue for the rest of the remaining 4 weeks please put remaining dates in the basket when re-booking and a discount will apply.

Drop-in sessions for the rest of the term £9 (1 adult and 1 child) I siblings £5.40.

Course 2:
Thur 5 Jun - 17 Jul (7 weeks)
2pm - 2.45pm

Whole course - £56 (7 weeks) (1 adult and 1 child)
Trial on 5 June - £9 (1 adult and 1 child) Siblings £5.40
£48 (1 adult and 1 child) if you would like to continue for the remaining 6 weeks please put remaining dates in the basket when re-booking and a discount will apply.

Drop-in sessions for the rest of the term £9 (1 adult and 1 child) I siblings £5.40.

Age guidance: 2 - 5 years

•  15 May from £540
•  22 May from £540
• 7 more dates...

Share your thoughts on contemporary fiction with other readers in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.

This season our Book Club will be reading:

Thursday 17 April
The Romantic by William Boyd

Thursday 15 May
Normal Rules Don’t Apply by Kate Atkinson

Thursday 19 June
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Thursday 17 July
Table for Two by Amor Towles

Thursday 14 August
TBC

Suitable for 18+ years.

Spaces are limited, early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

7.30pm – 9pm
£5 per session (includes a glass of wine or soft drink from the bar)

•  15 May from £5
•  19 Jun from £5
• 2 more dates...

An energetic and creative music and movement class for babies and children under 5.

This fun and funky session uses lights, puppets, parachute, instruments and music to get your little ones moving!

Suitable for ages 9 months - 5 years.

Summer
Fri 9 May - 25 Jul (excluding 28 May)

11am - 11.45am

£8.50 | Siblings (9 months +) £4 | £45 for 6 sessions a term (this offer doesn't include the sibling ticket)

If you would like to book the offer price for 6 sessions, please enter a ticket for each date you would like to attend into your basket and the offer will apply automatically.

•  16 May from £4
•  23 May from £4
• 9 more dates...