As evenings get shorter, and a new normality returns, live entertainment is also back. Here's our pick of forthcoming must-book events.

Thursday, October 7

Cold at The Courtyard

Online digital screening and premiere at The Courtyard

Cold is a thing of beauty born of pain. Open Sky is a Herefordshire based production company run by husband and wife team, Lisle Turner and Claire Coaché.

In 2012 and 2014 the couple lost two babies, the first due to a genetic condition fatal to the unborn child and the second in a miscarriage with near fatal blood loss for Claire. They would have no more children.

This heart-breaking experience led them to research the subject of baby loss and miscarriage. The realisation that 1 in 4 pregnancies do not reach full term prompted them to develop Cold, a story based on their own experience and that of 12 other bereaved parents.

Hereford Times: Cold premieres at The Courtyard next week

The resulting film Cold is dedicated to Claire and Lisle’s two baby sons, Bodhi and Brock, who came but could not stay. They hope the film will amplify conversation about this still taboo subject that affects so many families. The premiere anticipates Baby Loss Awareness Week 9-15th October 2021.

Cold is a dark fairy tale for adults. A couple attend an ante-natal hospital appointment before being mysteriously transported to a bleak frozen forest. Lost in the woods, freezing, unable to speak and hunted by a terrifying beast they must save themselves and their unborn child. In their desperation they stumble upon an abandoned cabin. So begins a struggle for survival in which they must face the hostile elements, malign magical forces and a truly terrible choice…

“To take pain and make something beautiful from it is extraordinary enough, but Cold goes even further than that. It is theatrically ingenious, bold and arresting, and unflinchingly addresses what might be the most defining and universal of all human experiences - loss.” - Gareth McLean, Journalist (Guardian, Radio Times).

Starring Janet Etuk and Jacob Meadows.

Courtyard.org.uk/01432 340555

Booking open now

Hay Festival Winter Weekend

Hay Festival Winter Weekend will return from Wednesday, November 24 to Saturday, November 28 with its first ticketed, in-person events in the UK for two years, bringing writers and readers with a programme to inspire, examine and entertain.

Over five days, more than 80 acclaimed writers and performers, will take part, launching the best new fiction and non-fiction, interrogating some of the biggest issues of our time, and spreading joy with conversations, candle-lit storytelling, comedy, music, and family workshops.

Hereford Times: Miriam Margolyes hits the Harrogate stage in October

Among the big names on this year’s line-up are Jeanette Winterson, Miriam Margolyes, Anita Rani and Phil Wang, as well as Fi Glover and Jane Garvie and Josh Widdecombe talking Watching Neighbours Twice a Day...How ’90s TV (Almost) Prepared me for Life.

Hayfestival.com

Saturday, October 9, 7.30pm

The Flight of Song

St Francis Xavier Church, Broad Street, Hereford

Hereford Chamber Choir's concert, The Flight of Song, features an eclectic a cappella programme, celebrating music and singing, weaving together sacred and secular music from the 16th century to the present day, including pieces by Byrd, Monteverdi, Lassus, Vaughan Williams and Finzi. Tickets are £10 in advance, £12 on the door, £9 for Friends of Hereford Chamber Choir, and £5 for students, available from herefordchamberchoir.org.uk or by contacting 01873 860 343

Sunday, October 3

Malvern Theatres

The Rocket Man: A tribute to Sir Elton John

A recreation of flamboyant megastar by Jimmy Love, who, with his live band, will take you down the Yellow Brick Road with two hours of glorious Elton hits, including, Saturday Night’s Alright, Crocodile Rock, I Guess that’s why they call it the Blues, Daniel, I’m still Standing, Philadelphia Freedom, Your Song and many many more.

With dazzling costumes, stunning vocals and sensational piano solos, we take you on a journey through Elton’s life and career, the highs and the lows with many a laugh brought to life, live on stage.

Malvern-theatres.co.uk/01684 892277

October 8, 4.30pm

Same Same But Different

Steiner Academy, Much Dewchurch

Brought to you in partnership with The Rural Touring Dance Initiative - playful, colourful dance theatre for families.

Hereford Times: Same Same but Different is perfect for audiences five years old and up

Three dancers take you on a funny, delightful and heart warming journey, exploring our curiosities and fears, the times we feel different, and when we belong. Inspired by the well-known Anglo-Asian phrase ‘same, same…but different’, meaning ‘Yes, something kind of similar, but not the exact same thing’, three dancers conjure a magical atmosphere where we celebrate our individuality, diversity and the bonds which connect us all. Mixing Kathak, Contemporary and Street dance, physical storytelling and hints of live music to create celebratory dance theatre for everyone.

Artsalive.co.uk

October 8, 7.30pm

Sam Carter

The Falcon, Bromyard

Midlands-born Sam Carter comes to Bromyard's Folk at the Falcon for what promises to be a stunning live concert, supported by favourite local band the foot-tapping Cherrystones.

Hereford Times: Sam Carter gives his recent album its first live outing

Sam comes to Bromyard as part of a month-long UK national tour, which gives the songs of Sam's self-penned album Home Waters their first live outing since release.

Sam Carter is a highly-regarded guitarist and songwriter, renowned by many as 'the finest English-style fingerpicking guitarist of his generation' (Jon Boden). Over the past 15 years, Sam has toured the world, won a BBC Folk Award and made appearances on national TV, including a spellbinding performance on Later… with Jools Holland. Sam has recorded and performed with some of folk’s leading lights, including Richard Thompson, Eliza Carthy, Martin Simpson and Nancy Kerr.

Tickets are £10 from the Falcon Hotel, or from Roger Pugh at pugh@live.co.uk / 01885 483425 / 07779 694615 . If any tickets are left unsold on the night, they'll be sold at the door.

folkatthefalcon.com