The Courtyard Hereford Live Guide Jan- April 2023

WELCOME

On behalf of everyone at The Courtyard, I am delighted to welcome you to our latest programme and what promises to be another very exciting season and year for The Courtyard. The Courtyard has so much to offer and provides something for everyone, in both our building and throughout the community of Herefordshire. The Courtyard is a lot more than what we put on our stage or screen, but what we offer throughout the county for the people of Herefordshire. Browse through our website or pick up a leaflet to find out about our incredible programme of education, outreach, and participatory work.

Since 1998, when The Courtyard opened its doors to the public, we have had over 6 million visits, issued over 2.5 million tickets and over 7000 young people have attended our Youth Theatre. We work with 98% of schools in the county and the cultural demand on The Courtyard continues to thrive. The Courtyard returns £15 million a year back to the local economy. 94% of our income is earned income and only 6% of public funding is provided by Arts Council England which supports our work in the community. 2023 is a very special year for The Courtyard, as it marks 25 years since The Courtyard opened its doors to the public – a fantastic achievement which we’re extremely proud of. Although many things have changed over the years, our ethos remains the same; to put the community and partnerships at the heart of everything we do. We create artistic excellence locally and nationally and create opportunities for all through inclusion, participation, and diversity. Thank you for your continued support of The Courtyard. Without you, this ‘jewel in the crown’ for Herefordshire wouldn’t be able to continue.

Very best wishes, Ian Archer, Chief Executive and Artistic Director

what you decide

are delighted to be introducing Pay What You Decide at The Courtyard!

What You Decide allows you to book tickets to a show for free, and then decide what you would like to pay after you have watched the performance.

want to encourage more people to come and see shows at The Courtyard, more often. Pay What You Decide not only allows you to pay what you can afford, rather than a fixed ticket price, but also removes the financial risk of buying a ticket for a show in advance without knowing whether you are going to enjoy it or not. This season’s PWYD show is on page 17.

does it work?

are available to book in advance as usual, online or via Box Office, but there is no obligation for you to pay until after you have seen the performance. You can then decide on a price which you think is suitable based on your experience! At the end of the show, our Stewards will be on the door to take payments via cash or card.

money collected will help The Courtyard pay the artists who have performed, and we therefore hope you will give generously!

by Estelle

by Lyndsay Maples

curse.

Written by Nick Lane Directed by David Durant

The famous high-flying car is ready to land on stage and save the day in this Broadway Junior adaptation of the blockbuster musical and beloved classic film. Take a fantastic musical adventure with an out-of-this-world car that flies through the air and sails the seas. Featuring an unforgettable score by the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR. is one blockbuster that audiences will find Truly Scrumptious!

For the best part of 40 years, Hereford Big Band has been providing swing and dance band music for functions and concerts throughout the county. Hereford Big Band, directed by Pete Fletcher, present the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, The Sultan of Swing (Frank Sinatra), and The Queen of Jazz (Ella Fitzgerald), featuring vocalists Tim Brown and Nicole Warfield. Sit back and enjoy an evening of big band classics.

NELL GWYNNE STUDIO

The Writing room present

Fifteen writers, one word, a myriad of meaning... Our long-running group of resilient writers sink their teeth into the bones of one word in all its manifestations. These short rehearsed readings combine to be the first showcase of the year from the hugely popular writers’ group, delivered for The Courtyard by Feral Productions and Open Sky Theatre. Throw caution to the January winds and cosy up with us for an evening of unrestrained creative talent.

Courtyard joint fundraiser with Herefordshire Veterans Support Centre

Ranulph

Sir Ranulph offers a personal journey through his life, from his early years to the present day. Both light-hearted and strikingly poignant, Living Dangerously spans Sir Ranulph’s childhood and school misdemeanors, his army life and early expeditions, right through the Transglobe Expedition to his current Global Reach Challenge. Sir Ranulph will be selling and signing copies of his book ‘Shackleton’.

Thursday 19 January 7.30pm

HOUSE

A fundraising event in support of:

Frankie - The Concert is an unbelievably accurate and authentic celebration of legendary hall-of-famer’s Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. That famous Frankie-falsetto, along with those incredible four-part harmonies, are lovingly recreated with astonishing attention to detail and a genuine love for the music! Including hits from the sixties’ golden years; Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like A Man, Bye Bye Baby. Plus the resurgence in the seventies; December 63 (Oh What A Night), Who Loves You, The Night, Beggin’, and many more.

£26.50

EVENT CINEMA

Friday 20 January 7pm

MAIN HOUSE

Sing-a-long-a The Greatest Showman

Look out ‘cause here it comes…. From the producers of Singalonga Sound of Music and Singalonga Grease, the smash hit film musical with lyrics on screen that everyone can’t stop singing. Cheer on Hugh Jackman and lust after Zac Efron as you experience The Greatest Showman in the greatest way possible. The live host will teach you a unique set of dance moves that will truly make you come alive as they show you how to use the interactive prop bags. YOU the audience will rewrite the stars! Please note this is a screening of the movie not a live stage show.

£18, Under 16’s £14

Friday 27 January 7.45pm

STUDIO THEATRE Gerard Logan performs hAUNTINGS

Hauntings is an evening of three tales of the supernatural from two of the world’s greatest writers of ghost stories, E.F. Benson and M.R. James. From E.F. Benson, famed for his Mapp and Lucia comic novels, comes, Naboth’s Vineyard - in which just desserts are meted out to an unscrupulous lawyer, and The Hanging of Alfred Wadham - in which the forces of the devil test a man of faith to his limits. From the acknowledged master of the ghost story genre, M.R. James, comes, Oh, Whistle and I’ll Come to You, My Lad - in which a medieval spirit terrorizes an arrogant professor. Tickets Pay What You Decide! (see pg.4)

MUSIC Saturday 28 January 7.30pm

MAIN HOUSE back into hell

A Tribute to Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman

Let us take you Back Into Hell, where Rock and Roll dreams come true, with this 2 hour extravaganza celebrating the iconic music of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman. Join our world class musicians as they recreate such legendary anthems as Bat Out Of Hell, I’d do Anything For Love, Paradise By The Dashboard Light, Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth, Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, Dead Ringer For Love and many more.

Tickets £28.50

CIRCUS

Friday 3 February 7.30pm

MAIN HOUSE the circus of horrors

From Circus of Horrors comes a sensational new show, The Haunted Fairground. Set in a decrepit fairground on the edge of nowhere. Haunted by creatures of the unknown who had been plastinated as exhibits in The House of Wax & brought back to life by a Tesla Coil machine to run havoc. This FANGtastic new show is set to blow your mind with an amazing set, stellar lights, special effects & of course beautifully bizarre circus acts, a sinister story and the darkest of magic all performed to an original rock score!

Tickets £28 - £20

story

an

Jason Fox’s service, to a very

battle that

At The Limit’ is a breath-taking story of Special Forces

a

of

bravery,

CREATIVE AGEING EVENT

THEATRE

Luke is a Singer-Songwriter from Canterbury, Kent, who way back in 2013 was nominated in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for both the Horizon Award for Best Emerging Talent and The Young Folk Category. He was also winner of Fatea’s “Male Artist of the Year 2014” and 2016, his live album ‘Solo:Duo:Trio’ was voted 2018 Album of the Year by Laurel Canyon and in 2020 his last studio release ‘Journals’ was voted 2019

of the Year by Fatea Magazine.

and

Pernice

a journey to his homeland for his

2023

of ‘Made in Italy’.

of some of

from the Ballroom

to be a

But be

Thursday 2 March 11am & 1pm

MAIN HOUSE

Indefinite Articles present Pinocchio

Puppetry, shadows, illusion and specially composed music combine to create a show for all the family that’s visually inventive and verbally witty. Pinocchio is carved live on stage, brushes become a fox and the shadow of two saws transform into a giant shark as Geppetto uses objects from a carpenter’s workshop to tell the tale of the puppet that wants to be a real boy, and the puppet-maker who wants to be a real father. Ages 4+.

Tickets £10, Concessions £7.50, Schools £5

FAMILY MAIN HOUSE milkshake live!

Saturday 4 March 11.30am & 2.30pm Milkshake! Monkey is back and can’t wait to put on a spectacular NEW Show for you all, joined by some of his favourite Milkshake friends plus two Milkshake Presenters creating the most dazzling show you have ever seen!

MUSIC

Friday 3 March 7.30pm

MAIN HOUSE THE MAGIC OF THE BEE GEESYOU WIN AGAIN TOUR

Direct from London’s West End, now in their 9th spectacular year... Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother, when the feeling’s gone and you can’t go on, it’s time to put on your dancing shoes, for the night out of the year you have been waiting for, as we celebrate the songs of music royalty, The Bee Gees. Join us for this breath-taking concert spectacular, including all your favourite songs, including Night Fever, Stayin’ Alive, More Than a Woman and many more!

Tickets £30

Join Paddington, Daisy & Ollie, Milo, Noddy, Pip and Posy, Blue’s Clues & You! and of course Milkshake! Monkey for an unforgettable family time at Milkshake Monkey’s Musical!

Tickets £18.50, Under 16’s £17.50 Family of four £68

film festival

The abundantly popular Borderlines returns to over 20 venues across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Malvern and the Welsh Marches as an exclusively in-person, big screen film festival for its 21st edition in 2023.

Early each spring, Borderlines brings films and people together from near and far for a perennially fresh cinema experience. From a hand-picked array of previews and new releases from all corners of the world to locally produced gems, classic masterpieces and silent movies with vibrant live musical accompaniment, there’s something in the mix for everyone to get excited about.

The programme launches in January so make sure you don’t miss a note!

Join an all star Irish cast of the Emerald Isles most talented singers

performers accompanied by the fabulous Keltic Storm band and world champion Gael Force Irish dancers. The unmissable Ireland the Show

feature all the well known ballads and singalongs from

like The Fureys, The Pogues, The Dubliners and Makem and Clancy to name a few. Add to that a string of hilarious stories and jokes from the award winning Tyrone comedian Gary Gamble.

off with energetic reels and jigs from Derry maestro

Remo

the

Keltic voice of Donegal singer

Boyle. If it’s all things

this is the

that

Present Hansel and

By C.S. Lewis Dramatised by Adrian Mitchell Music by Shaun Davey

Aslan,

is

Tumnus

THEATRE

Emily Mae Winters

Emily Mae Winters has that rare quality in a singer that makes critics reach for the superlatives. Described as having a voice that “stops you in your tracks” and “arresting, enthralling, tantalising” by Americana UK, Emily combines straightto-the-heart bittersweetness with her own unique passion and drama in performance. Winters released her much awaited second album ‘High Romance’ in July 2019 which sits between the stormy seas of folk and country.

MUSIC

MAIN HOUSE the rocket man

This is the world’s favourite celebration to a musical icon. Join us as Jimmy and the amazing live band take you down the Yellow Brick Road with two hours of glorious Elton hits, including, Saturday Nights Alright, Crocodile Rock, I’m Still Standing, Philadelphia Freedom, and many, many more.

on a journey through Elton’s life and career, the highs and the lows with many a laugh brought to life, live on stage.

THEATRE

THEATRE vinland

Viking storytelling adventure for ages 8 and up. Vinland retells the incredible true(ish) tale of the Vikings last journey to North America, taking inspiration from the Viking sagas of Erik the Red and his family. Using lyrical storytelling, animation and live music, the show brings the audience into a world where myth and history collide. “Epic, totally brilliant” “A great evening for children & adults!” “If you like

and myths, you’ll

want to see this”

HOUSE

young: behind the lens

Paul Young broke into the big time when No Parlez went to number one and spawned iconic hits like Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home). Now, on the 40th anniversary of No Parlez, he’s releasing a remarkable new record and publishing his extraordinary memoir; both called Behind The Lens. He’s touring the UK, too, where he’ll meet fans, sing hits and tell stories about his incredible career. It’s time to revel in the classic hits and learn the stories behind them as Paul steps out from Behind The Lens.

£32, VIP £47, Super VIP £82

MUSIC

Bowie Experience

Bowie Experience is a spectacular concert celebrating the sound and vision of David Bowie. A must see for all Bowie fans, the latest production features all the hits from A to Ziggy. Bowie Experience continues to amaze audiences with an astounding attention to detail, bringing the golden years of David Bowie to theatres across the globe. So, put on your red shoes and Let’s Dance!

Tickets £30.50

COMEDYTHEATRE

Motherhood isn’t just paying a photographer to take a perfect photo of your bundle of joy curled up in a basket. Priscilla Queen of the Disaster is brutally honest about being a mum. With tears streaming down your face, laugh along with the sometimes savage experiences that can be motherhood and face up to letting go of what we all thought it would be. Who knows, if we share the s**t we might all feel better.

Saturday 22 April 11am

STUDIO THEATRE Sea legs puppet theatre present little bo peep

Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and doesn’t know where to find them. Her friend Little Boy Blue is doing his best to help find the woolly runaways but he keeps falling asleep. Meanwhile, The Nursery Rhyme Man is in his kitchen baking a surprise cake for Bo Peep’s birthday and a mischievous mouse keeps stealing the ingredients! Watch your favourite nursery rhymes come to life before your eyes! Featuring magnificent puppets, fantastic scenery and of course lots of music and singing. Ages 2-7.

£7.50

THEATRE

Saturday 22 April 4pm & 7.30pm

MAIN HOUSE

menopause the musical 2

Starring Mary Byrne (X Factor) and with more all-star cast to be announced, we present Menopause the Musical 2 - Cruising Through Menopause. In this hilarious sequel to our smashhit Menopause the Musical®, we fast forward five years to catch up with the same four characters for tales of their lives, loves and losses as they set off on the high seas. So, all aboard and we’ll have you laughing and singing along! Age advisory 16+

Tickets £32

COMEDY

Friday 28 April 8pm

MAIN HOUSE Marcus Brigstocke

Marcus began his comedy career in Bristol whilst studying drama at University and soon won the BBC New Comedian of 1996 at the Edinburgh Festival. He is now regarded as a major comedy, writing and acting talent, performing stand up nationally to sell out audiences both on tour and on the well trodden comedy circuit. The master of satirical comedy, Marcus has proved to be blisteringly funny over a wide range of topics. “If you haven’t seen him live, then you haven’t seen him at his very best” Daily Mirror

Tickets £17

Join

TV

A T U R E S

O S T Y O U R E V E N T A T

H E C O U R T Y A R D

Friday 13 January - Sunday

sue maud: into a wave

February

Sue Maud started her creative journey as a ceramicist before moving to Hereford where she was persuaded to try printmaking. Later still she focused on painting, incorporating a range of media into her work. The sea was a major inspiration and many of her works were produced on board so have a rare intimacy with the sea and all its moods.

ARTS

Friday 17 February - Sunday 19 March

Where the Red Kite Flies

The series Where the Red Kite Flies by photographer Amanda Jackson focuses on the young people who have grown up at the Lammas Tir Y Gafel eco village and surrounding community in Pembrokeshire, Wales. With a collaborative, sometimes playful approach, this window into a small world celebrates a less conventional way of life, where people have a strong connection to the land. Living in this community is described by one of the subjects as growing up in a state of bucolic wonderment. Funded by Arts Council England and The Elmley Foundation.

ARTS

Friday 24 March - Sunday 30 April

Richard Blacklaw-Jones beachcombing art

Richard Blacklaw-Jones is a Pembrokeshire based beach-combing artist. He frequents the beaches looking for what the sea chooses to bring him and makes art from recycled man made materials that he finds. “I like the chance nature of being on that paricular beach at that particular time when the wind, the weather and the tides have conspired to land some choice item for me to find. I believe that by opening myself to nature’s whims in this way I become the recipient of it’s gifts.”

SHOP

Big THINK SHOP Small

Unique shopping for unique shoppers

Courtyard's brand new shop is open and full of unique, independently made products from local makers and artists.

- 8pm

Street, Hereford, HR4 9JR

Pool Bikes

update!

Pedicargo

Solar

Bursaries

We offer bursaries for

holiday workshops.

more information contact: takepart@courtyard.org.uk

Weekly Youth Theatre sessions during term-time for ages 4-21. At The Courtyard, Bromyard Conquest, Phoenix Theatre Ross-on-Wye and now at Ledbury Market Theatre.

To find out more visit courtyard.org.uk/arts-award

youth groups, centred around mental health. Available both in-person and online.

Will you help to keep the curtain up?

Remember us in your will and pass on something wonderful

Leaving a legacy is something that almost everyone can do. Your last, most personal gift will help The Courtyard to thrive and grow. Think about it: what was your favourite show? The pantomime you laughed at with your family? The film you loved seeing? You can give all these experiences you’ve enjoyed during your lifetime to future generations and offer them a chance to make new memories of their own.

Legacies can support every aspect of our work, including looking after this fantastic venue, helping communities throughout Herefordshire to participate in the arts, or nurturing young people to become future creative talents. A legacy doesn’t need to be huge, even a small gift can make a difference. Gifts left to charity in your will are tax-free, and if you leave 10% or more of your estate to charity in your will then the overall amount of inheritance tax you have to pay reduces from 40% to 36%.

You needn’t tell us if you are leaving a legacy to The Courtyard, but if you do let us know, the information will be kept in strictest confidence and we will respect your preferences about future contact regarding your pledge.

courtyard.org.uk/gifts-and-legacies

Eyre

supporters & funders

Beauty & The Beast

Saturday 10 December 2pm

Saturday 7 January 2pm

Audio Description begins before the show, so please take your seats 15minutes before the advertised time.

Box Office is sponsored by

a £2 transaction fee where appropriate.

There is a £2 transaction fee on all orders purchased online, in-person and over the phone. Members are exempt. Excludes Film & Workshops.

This optional extra will protect you against cancellation resulting from accidents, travel disruption and unexpected illnesses, or other specified unforeseen circumstances.

MAIN HOUSE

The Black blues brothers

No one can resist the energy of The Black Blues Brothers in their acrobatic tribute to the legendary cult movie. Expect jaw-dropping balancing acts, acrobatics with fire and human pyramids as The Black Blues Brothers use every chair, table and coat rack as part of their breathtaking routines!

Set in a nightclub, reminiscent of the Cotton Club, a vintage radio blasts out all of your favourite hits from the film, including Gimme Some Lovin’, Sweet Home Chicago & Soul Man. Everybody needs someone to love, and The Black Blues Brothers need you, you and you to get up and get down with them!

THEATRE

STUDIO THEATRE

FLYING BRIDGE theatre present HORSE COUNTRY

Two clowns shoot the breeze, drinking bourbon and playing cards. While hunting the elusive nine of diamonds, they casually dissect capitalism, sea-lions, western culture, fishing, genocide, you know… stuff like that.

Sam and Bob are not so much waiting for Godot, nor are they waiting for the audience to keep up. Their window on the world is one of menace, hilarity, disappointment and improbability, all delivered with a magnificent high-octane comic brio.

“A really substantial piece of theatre: Sharp, brilliant, intense” – The Scotsman

Anarchic and surreal, this delightful and confusing satire surprises and provokes in spades…