Watch Video trailers for Performances on the Menu for Autumn 2025
Choose up to 6 performances from: Music, Poetry, Puppetry, Dance, Circus, Magic Theatre and Storytelling (sections below in the order listed).
In each section events are listed in order of age suitability from Family events to Adult events.
Music
Event 1: Captain Godfrey and the Last Shanty
Armed with guitar, vocals and accordion, the Boondog Balladeers invite you to join them on a fearless adventure across treacherous waters as Captain Godfrey and his motley crew battle bewitching sirens, navigate the endless sea and learn the art of yodelling to catch fish. A playful and hopeful, family show, with music and storytelling.
Suitable for Families 8+yrs
Event 2: The Bookshop Band
The award-winning Bookshop Band came to life as an artistic collaboration with Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights. They write and perform songs inspired by books and have released 14 book-inspired albums. No previous knowledge of the books is required as the band guides the audience through each song’s inspiration.
Suitable for Adults and Families 8+yrs
Event 3: Charlie Hooper-Williams
A pianist and composer redefining classical music with modern technology. Using Otto, his custom-built algorithmic machine, Charlie transforms his music into stunning real-time visuals, creating an immersive experience where sound and visuals merge. Don’t miss this unique journey pushing the boundaries of performance.
Suitable for Adults and Families 8+yrs
Event 4: Rich Quarterman presents Elizabeth Davidson-Blythe & Daniel Quayle
Combining the rich traditions of the Isle of Man with the varied sounds of synth pop and Eurofolk, Elizabeth Davidson-Blythe & Daniel Quayle have forged a sound that is both dramatic and compelling. Since the release of their debut album, the duo has been invigorating audiences, bringing their distinctive sound to festivals across Europe.
Suitable for Adults and young people 11+ yrs
Event 5: Lantivet Duo’s Uplift
‘Uplift’ is a show designed to support wellbeing. Using just a violin and piano, the Lantivet Duo creates space for you to slow down and get lost in your thoughts. Then we gradually bring you back to the moment to embrace the joy of more lively music, leaving you feeling refreshed with a mini Scottish Ceilidh at the end.
Suitable for Adults and young people 12+ yrs www.lantivetduo.com
Event 6: Klezmer Foygl
'Klezmer Foygl', meaning 'Klezmer Songbird' is an exciting ensemble playing both traditional and original Klezmer repertoire. Led by Clarinettist John Macnaughton, featuring some of the UK's leading Klezmer musicians, the group is deeply grounded in traditional Yiddish music, with a contemporary twist.
Suitable for Adults and young people 14+yrs
Event 7: The Pocket Choral Society
Laughter and close harmony singing in the company of The Pocket Choral Society. Touring nationally the show features four experienced singers unamplified and unaccompanied, and blending beautifully. The quartet bring lots of their own songs and new arrangements of some more well known numbers.
Suitable for Adults and young people 14+yrs
Event 8: Geoff Robb, The Music of Trees
Join Geoff Robb, for an evening of magical storytelling and virtuoso guitar. Inspired by the wonder of the natural world, 'The Music of Trees' weaves together storytelling, woodland folklore and mythology with a suite of compositions featuring a blend of classical, jazz, Celtic and Spanish influences.
Suitable for Adults
Event 9: Touki’s Plastic Man
Plastic Man focuses on climate activism and spiritual matters—weaving together West African fables, personal stories and questions facing our world. The musicians joyously switch between West African harp, banjos, guitars, percussion, deploying powerful beats, driving grooves, and silky voices that leap from East to West Africa and America.
Suitable for Adults
Event 10: Paprika
Experience the vibrant energy of Paprika, the UK’s leading Balkan band, in an unforgettable musical journey. With accordion, violin, guitar, and percussion, Paprika fuses Eastern European, Balkan, Gypsy, and Classical music into electrifying performances full of fiery melodies, foot-tapping rhythms, and heartfelt laments.
Suitable for Adults
Event 11: Dreamcast Productions, ‘Non, Je ne Regrette Rien’
Dreamcast Productions present ‘Non, Je ne Regrette Rien’. Marking the 60th anniversary of the death of France’s greatest star Edith Piaf, this show is a celebration and revue of the music and life of this extraordinary woman. Sung in French and English the performance tells the heartrending tale of her life and her greatest songs.
Suitable for Adults
Poetry
Event 12: A Noise Annoys
A poetry show for all the senses! It features
rhymes, noises, songs, surprises and lots of audience interaction. Bursting with warm-hearted humour and witty wordplay, Jude takes the audience on a mind-bending journey through the sounds of language and the language of sounds.
Suitable for Families 6+ yrs
Puppetry
Event 13: Hello Birds
Join Bran the Gardener and their friend Tor as they greet the birds that visit the Garden. A sensory story show with puppets, key-word signing and baby safe props. The story follows a day in the life of the birds in our gardens, using sound, colour, texture and small puppets. The children can help feed the birds and sing the songs.
Suitable for Families (0-3yrs)
Event 14: Oldilocks and the 3 Bears
One winter, Oldilocks finds a teddy bear in the park and remembers a delicious bowl of porridge she tasted years ago in the woods… so she sets off for the forest. A wonderfully funny and warmhearted celebration of the classic story starring a naughty old lady who looks very familiar, presented by Garlic Theatre.
Suitable for Families (3-8yrs)
Event 15: Under the Frozen Moon
The moon has frozen! A greedy dragon has gobbled every fire and every light, leaving only the glow of the moon. Award-winning Half a String presents a tender folk story of love, friendship, and adventure. Beautiful songs, poetry and astonishing puppets come together to create a stunning performance for all the family.
Suitable for Families 3+yrs
Event 16: The Goose and Mrs Frost
Luminous Tales presents a gentle story told with a giant pop-up book and beautiful puppets where kindness is rewarded, the unhelpful get their comeuppance and the Goose helps out! From crisp white paper pages to bright colourful pop-up scenes this show is about the changes in the seasons, overcoming adversity and kindness.
Suitable for Families 3+ yrs
Dance
Event 17: Early Weaves
A heart-warming tale of friendship, curiosity and play. Two friends on a journey of companionship using fabulously flexible willow, diving deep into their sense of imagination, magic, laughter and play. A wonderful, non-verbal introduction to dance theatre for early years children by Ascension Dance Company.
Suitable For Families (1-4yrs)
Event 18: Jump In!
What happens when we open a book? Where can imagination take us? This playful performance for young children is packed with exploration and joy. Journey with Springs Dance Company as they lead you on an adventure to make you giggle and gasp with surprise at the dancers’ gravity defying leaps.
Suitable for Families (3-6yrs)
Event 19: The Rainbow Butterfly
The Rainbow Butterfly is an immersive experience blending traditional storytelling with aerial circus, graceful contortion, and dynamic contemporary and Hip Hop dance. The joy is contagious as they embark on a transformational journey exploring the world and outer space as a Rainbow Butterfly!
Suitable for Families (3-7yrs)
Event 20: The Old Green Time Machine
The Old Green Time Machine follows the journey of two quirky time travellers who are in a race to save the world. In a future where all living things have been destroyed and all that is left is plastic, our two adventurers find themselves on an urgent mission. It’s a shame their time machine bicycle has seen better days!
Suitable for Families (3-9yrs)
Event 21: Olive Branch
A family-friendly acrobatic extravaganza! Join us for a funny and feel-good tale of friendship and the wonder of the natural world, told through a captivating mixture of physical theatre and martial arts. Two strangers meet in a forest and must learn to overcome their differences to help protect mother nature.
Suitable for Families 5+ yrs
Event 22:Soothe
Dive into the pre-frontal cortex with Soothe, a thought
-provoking dance show for the whole family; combining emotive athleticism and cutting-edge science from award
-winning company Infusion Physical Theatre. Five contemporary dancers with digital projection and music examine the physical and emotional effects of the molecules that make us move.
Suitable for Families 5+ yrs
Circus
Event 23: One man. One ball.
Access: Relaxed Event.
Truan Jay Mathias and his magical crystal ball are on a mission to spread astonishment and wonder. A mix of circus tricks, juggling, and electric unicycle, dance and comedy. An enthralling show that combines gentle humour, beauty and human struggle. The show will be followed by a circus workshop.
Suitable for Families with children aged 5+ yrs
Magic
Event 24: Billy Kidd Show
Using every day objects, female magician Billy Kidd can teach you skills to wow your friends and family. Bottles appear and disappear, Teeth come out of eyes, bells ring on their own even the sense of touch becomes confusing. Magic is one of the oldest art forms where secrets have been passed down from generation to generation.
Suitable for Adults and young people 12+ yrs
Comedy
Event 25: The Cabaret Geek
Access: Hearing Loop.
Featuring the star of BBC1's 'All Together Now', Paulus The Cabaret Geek with Michael Roulston (Fascinating Aïda) on piano. An evening of pure joy filled with Victoria's best-loved songs. This show is for fans of Victoria and for those yet to discover her, to come together and relish in her wizardry with words.
Suitable for Adults and young people 12+ yrs
Event 26: Victor & Albert
Spend an unforgettable evening in the company of Identical Twins Professor Victor and Dr Albert who guarantee a night of hilarity, music, magic and interactive comic mayhem.
Think of a traditional double act brought kicking and screaming into the 21st Century!
Suitable for Adults and young people 14+ yrs
Theatre and Storytelling
Event 27: Waiting for… Snow
An interactive and magical show for Early Years and their families. A space to play, explore, and discover the delights of Winter. Combining performance and creative play. Travelled Companions will guide you through this enchanting and joyful journey of waiting using physical theatre, clowning, puppetry & live music.
Suitable for Families (0-4yrs)
Instagram @travelledcompanions
Event 28: The Night Before Christmas (No Video)
Oh No! Something's gone terribly wrong on Christmas Eve! The magical present machine, which makes all the Christmas gifts, has suddenly come to a screeching halt! Join Flick, the brave little elf as she journeys through the snowy night to solve the problem. A warm-hearted, magical festive family theatre show.
Suitable for Families (4-8yrs)
Event 29: Winds of the West
An interactive storytelling experience for the family. The Cloud Kingdom has fallen under a dark spell. Harmony has vanished, and with the Heart Keepers fading fast, there’s little goodness left to protect our worlds. Through music, movement, games, story, and song, we will restore harmony, spreading love across the galaxies.
Suitable for Families 5+yrs (younger siblings welcome)
Event 30: Headphone Story (No Video)
A unique Sound, Storytelling, Musical, and Listening Event. Headphone Story invites you to take part in a Sound and Storytelling Workshop as you create instant headphone-based artwork. Sit back and listen to ‘Escape Room’ a headphone musical with live music, about two friends, one who has a panic attack somewhere tricky.
Suitable for Families 7+yrs
Event 31: All For Your Delight (no Video)
Meet The Brightcoats: Danny, Jo-Jo and Yaz.On a mission to give you the best darn night out you’ve had in years. Comedy, music, magic and games, these legendary performers can do the lot! Expect glitter, gags and a sprinkling of ‘good times’ sparkle. A play celebrating the world of variety acts and Saturday night entertainment.
Suitable for Families 7+ yrs
Event 32: Myth Monster (no video)
A playful and uplifting performance about time, stories... and monsters! A journey through time, from the deep time in which our planet evolved, to the future, which will be shaped by the stories we tell. Part performance, part headphone experience, Myth Monster features amazing sound, original music, movement and dance.
Suitable for Families 7+ yrs
Event 33: Devilled Eggs
Welcome to the Dakota Guest House! The most glamorous B&B this side of Great yarmouth!
The Dakota is the true spirit of Variety; comedy, music and mystery. Let your hosts, Roman and Prudence flip through their guest book and regale you with showbiz stories and anecdotes.
Suitable for Adults and young people 12+ yrs
Event 34: Ghost of a smile!
Adapted/directed by Gavin Robertson and performed by Nicholas Collett. Two of Charles Dickens’ creepy tales – with a comic twist. Two yarns to chill and charm! A traveller encounters a ghostly chair, and in a deserted Edinburgh carriageworks, a tipsy reveller is spirited away by...well...spirits!
Suitable for Adults and young people 12+ yrs
Event 35: Bog Standard (Video on artists website only)
Award-winning storyteller Rachel Pugh and prize-winning harpist Lucy Nolan present Bog Standard, a gripping true story of a tip off which led a rookie journalist to one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century. It’s a story about a magical bogland, two murders 1500 years apart, and how an ancient bog man became a eco warrior.
Suitable for Adults and young people 12+ yrs
Event 36: Mumsplaining
Puddle of Fools Presents: MUMSPLAINING explores grief through the lens of autism and ADHD, blending humour with chaos. Amy needs your help as she misdials the afterlife. After her mother's passing, Amy receives guidance meant to help her cope, but following it seems to ruin her life. Expect laughter, tears, and one dead cat, this unique perspective creates a special brand of comedy.
Suitable for Adults and young people 16+ yrs