Soft or Spiky?
A new show for babies aged 6 - 18 months.
What question would you want your baby to answer? What would you like them to ask you? In a world full of astonishing unknowns and surprising possibilities, how do you find the right answers or questions?
This playful and interactive new show is full of shapes, sounds, textures and words exploring different ways to connect and understand each other.
Inspired by heartfelt conversations with new parents, this humorous production explores the multiple ways we communicate, ensuring that no one is left out.
At the end of the performance there is a stay and play session where audiences can enter the sensory landscape of the production.
Devised and directed by Daryl Beeton, Soft or Spiky? is a Polka Theatre and Half Moon co-production: an exciting collaboration by two of the UK’s leading children’s venues and touring companies.
This show has very limited language. This makes it accessible to a range of people, including d/Deaf, hard of hearing and non-English speakers.
Performances last 25 minutes (no interval) followed by a 10 minute play and stay session.
Presented by Half Moon and Polka Theatre.
Studio
£15 for 1 adult and 1 child | £12 additional adults
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Baby Signing
Led by Funky Monkeys
Have you ever wondered what your baby is thinking or feeling? Would it help if they could communicate those thoughts and feelings to you?
Sign and rhyme teaches parents / carers and their little ones, simple sign language that enables them to communicate before speech takes over. Just like waving and clapping, your baby can learn to tell you when they’re hungry, in pain or just that they’ve seen a dog! This is empowering to them and hugely rewarding for you! In most cases babies who sign learn to talk sooner than their non-signing peers.
Signs are used in class, like actions, to accompany songs and nursery rhymes and with an array of props, puppets, instruments and the use of disco lights, bubbles and parachutes to enhance the sensory experience and make learning more fun.
There's also:
* Free on-site parking
* Café (open all day)
* Baby changing facilities
Mums, Dads, Grandparents, Carers all welcome with their babies under 18 months
Autumn
Wed 15 Jan - 30 Apr
1.45pm - 2.30pm
£8.50 for 1 Adult and 1 Child | £4 Siblings (9 months +)
£45 for 6 sessions a term (this offer doesn't include the sibling ticket)
Bring Baby Choir
Singing is a great way to relieve stress and promote well-being.
Meet new people and take some time for you in this new acappella choir for mums, dads, grandparents, carers and their babies!
It is a baby friendly class, created especially so you can bring the baby you care for. Grown ups are in a semi circle (with room for your buggy next to you) and babies can sit, crawl or play on the blanket in front of you.
These uplifting classes are led by conductor/composer (and mum) Marta Radwan. There's no auditions, no singing experience is needed and you don't need to have a 'good voice' - just an openness to have a go! You'll be sure to know the songs and there will even be some which include your little one.
There's also:
* Free on-site parking
* Café (open all day)
* Baby changing facilities
Mums, Dads, Grandparents, Carers all welcome with their babies under 18 months
12.30pm - 1.30pm
Spring
Fri 10 Jan - 14 Feb (6 weeks)
Fri 21 Feb - 28 Mar (6 weeks)
£10 per session | £48 per 6 week course
Whipped Up!
Dottie is an eager to please 50s style diner server on their first day on the job – where the baby is the customer, and caregivers are along for the ride.
As the server waits on their demanding clientele (imagine babies doing what babies do best – creating adorable chaos!) the server grows increasingly frazzled – and more and more entertaining!
Stimulating for tiny audience members with sensory play served up throughout the show, and hilarious for parents / adults watching their loved ones take on roles in an unfolding comedy.
Age guidance
2 months to 2 years.
Run time
50 minutes without an interval.
Studio
£15 for one adult and one child I Additional adult £12
Produced by Watford Palace Theatre
Created by Jill Rogati
Directed by Eva Sampson
The Farmer and The Clown
Presented by Flibbertigibbet Theatre.
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The story is about an unlikely friendship between an old farmer living in the middle of nowhere, and a baby clown, who has fallen from the back of a passing circus train. What happens when someone from a different world, lands in the world of another? The story delicately explores themes of loneliness, friendship, and care, across the divisions of age and community.
The Farmer and The Clown is an adaptation of the picture book by the multiple award-winning author and illustrator, Marla Frazee, whose book, Boss Baby became an international animation hit for Dreamworks and 20th Century Fox.
The beautiful pictures from the book were our storyboard, and took inspiration from silent movies, such as Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid, which, despite being over 100 years old, can still make audiences laugh and cry.
Playing without words, the show is accessible to a wide range of audiences. Flibbertigibbet Theatre worked with a Visual Language consultant and Deaf Access Support consultant, to ensure that the physical language created for the storytelling is clear and accessible for all audiences, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Anyone who does not speak English can still enjoy the show as language is not an issue.
‘UTTERLY HEARTWARMING AND RELATABLE…. What Flibbertigibbet have created is a beautiful, simple, and charming piece of theatre, suitable for all' Bristol 24/7
'The Farmer and The Clown has been created with such care, skill, artistry and talent that like all very special pieces of theatre it stays with you long after the event, feeding your soul and reminding you of how magical an experience theatre can be. I absolutely loved every second of it' Sally Cookson, Theatre Director
'…absolutely beautiful. I LOVED it! Beautiful performance and gorgeous music. Touched and delighted' Emma Rice, Wise Children
Funded by Arts Council England and with support from House South East, Bristol Old Vic Theatre and Wyldwood Arts, the show that aims to bring audiences together. Bring your Granny, Grandpa, Uncles, Aunts and neighbours. Suitable for ages 3 – 100.
Studio
£12 | £10 under 16s | Family and Friends (4 people) £40
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Led by Deborah Le Vene-Page
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This class is designed to cultivate focus, stamina, strength, and flexibility. Leaving time at the end for a well-deserved relaxation.
Come prepared for an energising class that will also leave you feeling relaxed.
Age guidance: 18+ years
Spring
Sat 11 Jan - 22 Feb (7 weeks)
Sat 8 Mar - 26 Apr (8 weeks)
£12.50 per session | £73.50 per 7 week course | £84 per 8 week course
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- 18 Jan SOLD OUT
- 25 Jan from £1250
- 12 more dates...
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DJ Lady G will be on the decks playing all your favourite soul, funk and disco tunes. Dancer Lady Boo will be showing you the moves to everything from Car Wash (complete with shiny rags) and Hey Mickey, to the 1979 Gonzales hit, Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet, after which HSDY take their name.
If you fancy dressing up (it’s not obligatory, but lots do) there are prizes for the best retro outfits, and free sweets and ice pops too.
In the words of Shalamar, it’s going to be 'a night to remember!'
10% profits from HSDY nights go to Cancer Research UK
Party the night away until 12am - with our Café Bar also open serving drinks until then!
Courtyard Theatre
£18
This is a standing/dancing event with some unallocated seating
Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet! website
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Led by Creative Eye
Norden Farm's Crafternoons are relaxed crafting sessions for older people.
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You can learn new skills, meet new people and try something new, a cup of tea is included with the ticket price. Come either Tuesday or Wednesday and join in that week's craft. If you are unable to attend in person you can log on from home to chat and join in the session.
Spring Season
Tues 14 Jan - Charcoal Drawing
Tues 21 Jan - Embroidered Photos
Tues 28 Jan - Decoupage Log Slices
Tues 4 Feb - No Session
Tues 11 Feb - Polymer Clay Octopus
Tues 18 Feb - Pin Board
Tues 25 Feb - Willow Suncatcher
Tues 4 Mar - Wire Flowers
Tues 11 Mar - Felt Keyring / Brooch
Tues 18 Mar - Woven Basket
Tues 25 Mar - Wool Hoop Art
Tues 1 Apr - Book Folded Sheep
Tues 8 Apr - Fabric Flower
Tues 15 Apr - Cube Bunny
Tues 22 Apr - Embossed Foil Decorations
Tues 29 Apr - Iris Paper Folding
Social Arts Crafternoons is a partially funded project run by Norden Farm with support from The Berkshire Community Foundation.
Local transport can be provided as part of the ticket price for those attending on a Wednesday.
If you need transport to Norden Farm for the Wednesday sessions please contact Jess Thompson at [email protected] / 01628 682563 to talk through your requirements.
Suitable for ages 60+ years.
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£6.50 per session, including a cup of tea
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Bring water, a towel, wear dance sneakers or trainers.
Spring
Tues 14 Jan - Tues 29 Apr
3pm - 4pm
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