This extraordinary, multiple award-winning Irish folk singer is joined by acclaimed musician and producer Sam Lakeman.

They captivate with their exquisite and enthralling live performance. Every note and word is sung with a passion and confidence earned through a life of experience singing traditional songs.

Their enviable career has seen them explore opportunities to tread many different paths – from releasing folk crossover albums on indie label Rough Trade, recording on Disney soundtracks to collaborations with orchestras and even leading dance DJs.

Cara has continuously chosen to firmly plant herself within the landscape of her Irish cultural heritage and that’s something to celebrate.

The pair's enduring partnership has ensured they have remained at the very pinnacle of the folk genre for well over two decades. This performance will feature a selection of acoustic songs from previous releases and may also include material from Cara's latest release Coming Home.

An intimate evening full of exceptional music and the genuine warmth they bring to the stage.

Courtyard Theatre
£27.50

Cara Dillon's website

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•  26 Feb from £2750

With Sam Kelly and Toby Shaer.

Mix Heather Small and Julie Fowlis and you've got singer songwriter Ainsley Hamill.

One of the UK’s leading and most diverse singers, Ainsley has a long list of nods including the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Finalist and Gaelic Singer of the Year Finalist at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.

She represented Scotland at Eurovision in Gothenburg and has appeared at folk festivals the world over, including The Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Celtic Connections and du Bout du Monde for the last 10 years. Hamill has recently been included in The List’s 2024 Hot 100, of the most influential Scottish cultural contributors.

Hailing from the West Coast of Scotland, Ainsley specialises in song writing and songs in Scottish Gaelic and English. Her love of Gaelic song was nurtured whilst studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Trad roots are close to her heart. With this new album however, Ainsley is exploring new sounds and ideas as she pushes out from these roots to create personal material that encompasses big topics close to her heart, including feminism and equality, while unearthing forgotten stories and places that deserve a voice.

For many years Ainsley performed and toured with folk bands Barluath and made appearances with The Unusual Suspects. During this time, her accomplished song writing skills were evident in Barluath’s two studio albums; Source and At Dawn of Day as well as various singles including Touch the Gate and At the Fair.

Ainsley is a current member of folk band Fourth Moon, performing Gaelic, English and her own material, as well as step dancing.

‘Her voice thick with velvet and mirk…hovering between the comforting warmth of The Breath and the whip-smart forlorness of early Adele…Hamill has a big intriguing voice, it’s Scottishness ever present’ The Guardian

‘One of the best of her generation’ RnR Magazine

Studio
£16 I £14 (Supporters)

Ainsley's website

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Insta ainsleyhamill
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•   6 Mar from £16

Rich music with intertwining harmony, sensitive accomplished musicianship and a creative song-writing style that is both delicate and moving.

Christina Alden and Alex Patterson are multi-instrumentalists and songwriters from Norwich.

Deeply inspired by the world around them, they have a keen environmental eye to craft stories with the natural world at its heart, reflecting on the relationship between humans and the wild.

They have enjoyed touring extensively in the UK and Europe; including a twenty three date concert hall tour with Show of Hands (including Union Chapel and St David’s Hall Cardiff). A show at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for Celtic Connections, headline and main stage performances at some of the UK’s most prestigious folk festivals and performances in Norway, Belgium, France and Ireland.

They have written and self-released four albums, composed music for a BBC Radio 4 documentary series and have had over a million streams on Spotify.

‘A milestone for contemporary folk song writing’ Bright Young Folk

'A bright, lively collection of songs that plays so sweetly it evokes the sensation of
a summer folk festival' The Guardian

‘Perfectly matched harmonies...at times it’s hard to tell them apart, you could be
listening to a single voice’ Folk Radio UK

'Gorgeous harmonies and lush melodies...a beautiful album that transports the
listener to wild landscapes and wild lives' BBC Countryfile

'Alden’s voice is hauntingly beautiful' Folk London

‘Alex would give even the great Swarbrick himself a run for his money in terms of
sheer feeling and passion' At The Barrier

Studio
£16

Christina and Alex's website

Insta christinaaldenalexpatterson
Fb Christina Alden & Alex Patterson

•  27 Mar from £16

This is old-fashioned glamour in the company of two, modern-day musical greats.

A Couple of Swells is the inspired pairing of two unique entertainers.

Liza Pulman, songstress, comedienne and one-third of the iconic Fascinating Aida, and virtuoso pianist, songwriter and singer Joe Stilgoe. Together they combine humour and musicianship at the very highest level, making old songs sound new and new songs feel like you’ve known them all your life.

Both born in the proverbial trunk, their style has been fine-tuned from cradle to stage. Together they have the musical and theatrical chemistry of Dudley Moore and Julie Andrews, or Barbara Cook and Wally Harper.

Prepare to be swept away by Joe’s dazzling piano playing, Liza’s exquisite vocals and their beautiful, tight harmonies as they dig into the true classics and hidden gems of Irving Berlin, Paul McCartney, Jerome Kern, Billy Joel and Leonard Bernstein, mixed with a few new songs specially written for the show.

Liza Pulman
Pulman’s career began at Glyndebourne Opera and has encompassed music, theatre and over twenty years as one-third of Britain’s best-selling satirical comedy trio, Fascinating Aida. This much-loved satirical comedy group has just completed 100 sell-out shows across the UK including three nights at the London Palladium and are set to return for a run of shows at the Royal Festival Hall in January 2025.

Liza’s solo career as a concert performer and recording artist has showcased a talent for rediscovering, reinventing and reimagining timeless classics and lost gems. Most recently, Liza Pulman - Streisand played West End runs to packed houses and five-star reviews, and a new show, The Heart Of It, started its 2023 tour at The Other Palace in London.

Joe Stilgoe
Stilgoe is an internationally acclaimed singer, pianist and songwriter, known for writing songs that feel like classics, and adapting classics so they sound like they’ve just been written. Most recently, Joe arranged and accompanied Hannah Waddingham’s performance of Time After Time at the BAFTA Film Awards and opened this year’s Olivier Awards with his arrangement of Anything Goes.

Growing up surrounded by music, Joe’s career extends across theatre, TV and radio. He’s a regular on Radio 4 on shows including Loose Ends and The Horne Section and he has worked with some of the finest orchestras and bands in the world. Joe has released eight albums, five of which topped the UK Jazz chart.

'Oooo…it’s SO good' Dawn French 

'Joe Stilgoe and Liza Pulman are showbusiness royalty…' ★★★★ LondonTheatre1

'The chemistry Pulman and Stilgoe have together is second to none … together they are unstoppable' ★★★★All That Dazzles

'… a wonderful night of proper showbiz from two extraordinary artists right at the top of their game…' Damian Thantrey, Festival Director, Lichfield Festival

'Two supreme entertainers on the stage together… what’s not to love!' Stewart Collins, Artistic Director, Petworth Festival

Courtyard Theatre
£22

Highfield Productions website

Liza
Liza's website

Insta pulmanliza
Fb Liza Pulman

Joe
Joe's website

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Insta thejoestilgoe
Fb Joe Stilgoe

•   4 Apr from £22

Led by Julie Potter

This class is particularly suited to beginners, those returning to yoga having had a break, those with specific injuries or conditions or even those that consider themselves to be of a certain age that might need a less challenging approach. We will cover general breathing practises, the basic and gentler postures, together with general information and possible discussion around movement and the potential difficulties we might come up against.

The aim will be to relax and enjoy.

The yoga I teach is an evolution of nearly 30 years of practice and study, with a broad experience of many styles and teachers. In recent years I have been moving away from ‘external’ evaluation of the postures and moving towards an internal sense of the postures, moving away from the more used traditional approach of systemised yoga to a more experiential and felt approach, influenced by teachers who have been inspired by the teachings of Vanda Scaravelli.

Please bring a blanket, a Yoga / Pilates mat, and wear loose comfortable clothing

Spring
Wed 15 Jan - 12 Feb (5 weeks)
Wed 19 Feb - 19 Mar (5 weeks)
Wed 26 Mar - 30 Apr (5 weeks)

11am - 12.15pm
£12 per session | £50 per 5 week course

This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.

You will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email.

•  22 Jan from £12
•  29 Jan from £12
• 12 more dates...

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

Spring
Wed 15 Jan - 2 Apr (12 weeks)
5pm - 6pm
£126

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

•  22 Jan
•  29 Jan
• 9 more dates...

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

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

•  22 Jan
•  29 Jan
• 9 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.

Chopin 24 Preludes, Op.28
Chopin Ballade No.2 in F, Op.38
Chopin Mazurkas Op 33

Jacky Zhang is a young composer, pianist, songwriter, and producer. Jacky was a finalist in the 2024 BBC Young Musician of the Year competition, where he performed with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

He is a year fourth undergraduate student currently studying piano and composition at the Royal College of Music. He has won the first prize of the UK Piano Open International Competition in 2020, Premio Alkan International Piano Competition in 2022 and both Classical and Romantic sections at the Cantù International Piano and Orchestra Competition in 2023.

His broad musical interests include conducting, historical performance and music for screen as well.

Studio
£30 including a 2 course lunch
12.30pm 2 course lunch
2pm Concert starts

Our next event in the series is a concert lecture of the history of music on Thursday 27 February. Find out more here

•  23 Jan LIMITED