Thurtinkle is a much loved storyteller from the land of the Big Noses who lives in a tiny tardis-like house that can actually travel through time...On his intrepid time travelling adventures Thurtinkle has visited the Vikings, questioned Queen Victoria, shaken hands with Shakespeare, rapped with the Romans and taken tea with Tutankhamen.

Thurtinkle and his friend Rachel bring these magical tales skilfully to life using a blend of world class rod & shadow puppetry, gripping storytelling, live music, an original score and unique participatory style. This engaging well crafted show brings history to life, as we explore the past in this exciting context.

www.dynamicnewanimation.co.uk

When the witch Baba Yaga meets a sweet young girl in this magical pop musical it can only wind up with someone coming to a grotty, dotty and quite possibly snotty end!

The People's Theatre Company is proud to present its smash hit musical for adults and children. Based on the classic Russian tale of Baba Yaga the Witch, The Witch's Bogey is a funky fairytale about good versus evil and the magic of family guaranteed to delight absolutely anyone who's ever lived, loved or blown their nose!

"Hugely entertaining" - The Daily Express

Age guide: 5+

www.ptc.org.uk

In 1940 the East End of London is taking a terrible pounding from Hitler`s bombs. Life, however, goes on centring around Mrs Blitztein and her large family, especially her petty-criminal son Harry and her beautiful daughter Carol, They all fight their own particular battles with neighbours and authorities alike through many situations, many humorous, some tragic, and eventually find their own individual peace.

The show features many great songs, including; The day after Tomorrow, Far Away and Mums and Dads. This year looks like being better than ever with great sets, a strong cast of 50 local performers and an excellent pit orchestra drawn from local talent.

For the week the hall of the John O` Gaunt Community Technical College will be transformed into a theatre with comfortable tiered seating and much of the ambience you would expect from much larger venues.

Join the Cultivate network of maker and doers, thinker and talkers at these monthly informal events in which guest speakers present ideas, perform extracts or discuss existing work. This is a unique opportunity to play a part in the creative process and is always vibrant informative and horizon-expanding.

Ccomedy about a clown, who gives-in to society and gets a real job. Not knowing who he is anymore he gets a job in a lost property office to try and find himself. He attempts to run the office, though not without some difficulty, he fails to answer the constant ringing phone due to the wilful antics of the lost property, which seem to have lives of their own, and even his body rebels against him. What's meant to be a boring office job soon turns into a comic one man variety show.

Babes in the Wood, Revisited! features the larger-than-life Flora Dora, who runs a traditional toyshop on the edge of Spooky Wood. Along with her children, April May and Simon, and the eccentric Professor X Perry Mental, our intrepid friends set off into the Wood to rescue Robbie the Robot from Ruthless Ruth and her side-kicks Bert and Gert, ably assisted by Bob the Builder, Bratz Doll, Dipsy, Clockwork Panda and other assorted residents of the toyshop.

A modern panto for the modern kids!

The country's biggest comedy club is back, with another evening of sharp-witted stand-up. Look online nearer the event for details of the comics taking their turn.

Age guide: 15+

www.jongleurs.com

Barb's guest this month is Caroline Nin who has been described as the Marlene Dietrich of the 21st Century. She is as sultry and breathlessly devastating as Dietrich, she is as captivating and intriguing as Piaf. She is the epitome of style and class, she croons, she purrs and sings in perfect English, French and German. Her singing and theatrical presentation pushes both established torch songs and cabaret standards to a different level.

"Nin has a quintessentially French "je ne sais quoi!" The Sunday Telegraph, Sydney

www.carolinenin.com

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by George Furth
Direction and Musical Staging by John Doyle
Musical Supervisor and Musical Arrangements
by Cathy Jayes
Designed by Liz Ascroft
Sound Designed by Gary Dixon

On a roof top in West Side, Manhattan, three friends watch as Sputnik flashes across the sky heralding the dawn of a new era. With all the idealism and exuberance of youth, they look forward to a promising future - “Our Time”.

Twenty five years later life and frustrated ambition have taken their toll. In Bel Air, California, Charley, Frank and Mary reflect on their life journey and the changing face of friendship. As the cynicism of middle age is stripped away, they remember how things used to be: “Our dreams coming true, Me and you, pal, Me and you!”

"It is almost 2 years since Jill Fraser asked me if I would do one more musical at The Watermill. I promised I would. Much has changed, of course, but I wanted to keep my promise. I thought long and hard about a musical that would reflect all Jill may have wanted to say and how it could be said. So, with the blessing of writers Sondheim and Furth, this poignant and funny musical, is coming to The Watermill.”
Director, John Doyle