Looking for something to do in the coming weeks? Well, look no further!
Here are three fantastic events taking place in and near Herefordshire.
The Elves and The Shoemaker at The Courtyard
If you're looking for the perfect family day out, with some enthusiastic theatre involved, this event could be the one for you.
This year, the theatre will be welcoming the production of The Elves and The Shoemaker, which will see the audience following the elves as they tell the tale of how they tried to restore the fortune of a poor shoemaker and try to make a Christmas miracle come to life.
Performances at 11 am on Saturdays will be preceded by a free activity for children to get involved with in the foyer from 10.30 am.
The Elves and The Shoemaker is described as being an interactive and inclusive experience featuring puppetry, original songs and plenty of family fun. The Courtyard has said that this festive event is the perfect introduction to theatre for children under 7.
The Elves and The Shoemaker will be in The Courtyard’s Studio Theatre from Saturday 7 – Tuesday 24 December.
Birdsong at Malvern Theatres
The critically acclaimed show is returning for a brand new 2024 product and will be telling the story of one man’s journey through an all-consuming love affair and into the horror of the First World War.
Birdsong, which tells the story of one man’s journey through an all-consuming love affair and into the horror of the First World War, is adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and directed by Original Theatre’s Artistic Director, Alastair Whatley.
The story follows a young Englishman in pre-war France, as he embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their world upside down.
As the war breaks out over the idyll of his former life, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground. Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war, Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle as his world explodes around him.
The cast for the anniversary production includes Eastenders Max Bowden who will play Jack Firebrace, and James Esler (Litvinenko) will play Stephen Wraysford alongside Charlie Russell (The Goes Wrong Show, And Then There Were None) as Isabelle Azaire. They are joined by Joseph Benjamin Baker as Evans/Levi, Raif Clarke as Tipper, James Findlay as Brennan, Dave Fishley as Turner, Gracie Follows as Lisette, Sulin Hasso as Marguerite, Tama Phethean as Shaw/LeBrun, Natalie Radmall-Quirke as Jeanne, Roger Ringrose as Bérard/Barclay and Sargon Yelda as René Azaire/Gray.
A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol was the first public reading Dickens gave of his own work. He enacted it over 150 times and the effect it had on the public was phenomenal. This Christmas, audiences can experience what it would have been like to be there as actor John O’Connor recreates Charles Dickens’ famous performance of his best-loved ghost story.
John O’Connor is an actor, director, writer and producer. He is well known for his portrayal of a young King Charles in the Netflix hit, The Crown. O'Connor studied Drama at the University of Manchester before living and working in Japan. In 2002, he founded European Arts Company and has been touring across the UK and Europe with pieces including The Trials of Oscar Wilde, which John co-wrote and produced, The Importance of Being Earnest, Lady Windermere’s Fan and The Picture of Dorian Gray.
A Christmas Carol will be in The Courtyard’s Studio Theatre on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 December at 7.45 pm.
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