Soft or Spiky?
Presented by Half Moon and Polka Theatre.
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.
Studio
£12 | £10 under 16s
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Pinocchio
Visit the incredible world of Stuff and Nonsense as they bring Pinocchio to our stage for Christmas 2024.
This is the unique story of ‘when dad was made of wood’...
One cold night Pinocchio, Gepetto and Sonny go on a journey in search of a place to live. Little do they know the house they’re staying in is a playground for their imaginations...
Join the trio as they embark on adventures to the land of play, inside a whale and much more!
Will Pinocchio ever turn back into a real boy?
Stuff and Nonsense are leaders in family theatre. Their adaptation of Pinocchio combines classic elements of the story – a poor woodcarver, the tell-tale growing nose, the dream of becoming a real boy – with their hallmark hilarity, skilled puppetry, original music, fantastic staging, outstanding performers and extraordinary physical tricks.
'The show was extremely clever and I was very impressed by the fantastic use of staging, which is definitely one of the key elements, along with the lively music, that kept my little boy transfixed throughout' coastalmum.co.uk
Invest in your children’s imaginations: join us in the theatre and take playfulness home with you!
Age guidance
Suitable for all the family - age guidance 3 - 10 years.
Relaxed Performances
The performances on Saturday 30 November at 11am and Friday 27 December at 11am are Relaxed. Ideal for families with babies or toddlers and children with SEND. Everyone is welcome to join us for this friendly format.
Signed Performance
The performance on Saturday 21 December at 2pm will be signed.
Run time
Pinocchio is 60 minutes long without an interval.
Tickets
£16 | £14 Under 16s
£56 Family and Friends (4 people)
Tickets for children under 18 months
For this show, tickets/seats are not required for children under 18 months who are happy to sit on laps.
Pre-School Term Time Ticket Offer
Book one Standard and one Under 5 ticket for term time performances of Pinocchio for the special price of £25. Valid on Tuesday - Friday performances until Fri 20 Dec. Offer applied in basket once logged into your account.
Creative Team
Directed by Niki McCretton
Music by Dom Coyote
With additional music by Tim Dalling
Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company's website
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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 & 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 11 Sept - 18 Dec, exc 30 Oct
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)
Funky Monkeys
An energetic and creative music and movement class for babies and children under 5.
This fun and funky session uses lights, puppets, parachute, instruments and music to get your little ones moving!
Suitable for ages 9 months - 5 years.
Autumn
Fri 6 Sept - 13 Dec, exc 1 Nov and 8 Nov
11am - 11.45am
£8.50 | Siblings (9 months +) £4 | £45 for 6 sessions a term (this offer doesn't include the sibling ticket)
If you would like to book the offer price for 6 sessions, please enter a ticket for each date you would like to attend into your basket and the offer will apply automatically.
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
Autumn
Fri 6 Sept - 11 Oct (6 weeks)
Fri 18 Oct - 22 Nov, exc 1 Nov (5 weeks)
Fri 29 Nov - 13 Dec (3 weeks)
£10 per session | £48 per 6 week course | £40 per 5 week course | £24 per 3 week course
Lantern Making Workshops
Led by Same Sky
Get set for the Carnival of the Animals Lantern Parade! Join us across November and December for Lantern Making Workshops ahead of this year's parade in Maidenhead Town Centre on Saturday 7 December from 4.30pm.
There are opportunities for all ages to get involved at Norden Farm and in Maidenhead Town Centre - find out more below.
Lantern Making Workshops at Norden Farm
Across 2 hours weave an intricate animal-inspired willow frame before covering and decorating your creation. Pre-booking essential. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Sat 2 Nov | 10.30am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm | Suitable for 6+ years | £7 per person
Sat 30 Nov | 10.30am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm | Suitable for 6+ years | £7 per person
Drop In Lantern Making Workshop at Norden Farm's Festive Market
Join our Drop In Lantern Making Workshop at the Norden Farm Festive Night Market on Fri 6 Dec. Get parade ready in 20 mins! Drop in to make and decorate a simple willow and tissue lantern ready to illuminate on parade night. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Fri 6 Dec | 6pm - 8pm | Festive Market | Suitable for 3+ years | £5 per lantern
Drop In Lantern Making Workshops in Maidenhead Town Centre
There are also Drop In Lantern Making Workshops in the town centre. Get parade ready in 20 mins! Drop in to make and decorate a simple willow and tissue lantern ready to illuminate on parade night. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Sun 1 Dec | 10.30am - 4pm | Nicholsons Centre | Suitable for 6+ years | £5 per lantern
Sat 7 Dec | 10.30am - 2pm | Maidenhead Library | Suitable for 3+ years | £5 per lantern
Lantern Making Workshop (for Adults)
Sat 16 Nov | 10.30am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm | Ages 17+ years | £10 per person
Tickets for this workshop can be booked online here.
Find out more about this year's Lantern Parade here.
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