Jacksons Lane

Bored at home with nothing to do, Nora is sent out to play in the garden in search of a tiger. Have your imaginations at the ready as our story unfolds and we see Nora’s world grow around her. Following sold out, highly acclaimed tours, Flock Theatre Makers will be bringing their musical-theatre adaptation of Lizzy Stewart’s award-winning children’s book There’s a Tiger in the Garden to Jacksons Lane this autumn. Using puppetry, imaginative design and music – audiences are invited to join Nora as she discovers dragonflies as big as her head, plants that can eat you (and your toy giraffe) whole, a polar bear that likes fishing and maybe, just maybe, a tiger in the garden. Exploring the power of the imagination, we invite families to follow Nora as she discovers the wonders hidden beyond the shrubbery. Come and listen, play and enjoy the brilliance of this story brought to life. Working closely with the author, this much loved book has been turned into a theatre piece which promises fun for all the family.

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A fun interactive family concert of songs from hit musicals and films featuring West End singers. “Tip-top show tunes that worm their way into ears of all ages” Time Out London The whole family can sing and dance along to songs from shows like Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia, The Little Mermaid, Frozen and many more. Enjoy bubbles, puppets, actions and dance moves in a joyful 45-minute performance suitable for all ages. “Suitable (and immensely enjoyable!) for all ages; from babies, toddlers to pre-schoolers and, of course, their grateful parents seeking an indulgent break” Curious Mum Suitable for all ages (but especially ages 0-7)

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A journey of evolution, from birth to consciousness. Constrained to one square metre of space, Matt Pasquet struggles through a maze of shape shifting surroundings to the edge and beyond. With an immersive Foley soundscape, a dash of acrobatics, a sprinkle of clown and a fist full of Kung Fu. “Dust flies when the physics that creates and stops motion in a nanosecond reaches out to other dimensions” Helsinki Sanomat Matt is a martial artist and circus performer from the UK. He has worked in such circus companies as Les 7 Doigts de la Mains, Fauna and Right Way Down. Supported by The Finnish Institute in London, Jacksons Lane welcomes the ninth version of Kallo Collective and Thomas Monkton’s original work Only Bones, created and performed by Matt Pasquet, who was last seen at Jacksons Lane in the amazing Fauna as part of the London International Mime Festival.

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Craftsmanship confronting circus. In Sawdust Symphony Michael Zandl, David Eisele and Kolja Huneck combine their passion for crafting, fresh wood and object manipulation. Sawdust Symphony is about the human desire to create: the process from vision to construction, the tragedy of work and the relationship between tools and humans. On a custom-built stage, obsessed characters discover and transform their space and themselves as they take the audience into a unique DIY experience. Silly, surreal and completely captivating. Sawdust Symphony is an intense dialogue between satisfaction, frustration and the smell of gasoline.

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Welcome to the Museum of Marvellous Things, where the impossible can happen! Make stars in jars, catch moons like balloons, dance with Doo-Dahs in cages, sing with Noo-Nahs on stages, and marvel at the many wonders on display inside this amazing place. Because this is a museum like no other. It’s made from the magic of your imagination – and you get to bring it alive! Meet characters Norbert Norris and Tilly T Pott as they give you a sneak peek inside their extraordinary museum. Find out how to fill the special magic measuring machine with the power of your imagination! And make your own puppet during the show. With puppets, songs, movement, live music and craft, this is an interactive fun-filled family event based on the latest picture book by Kristina Stephenson. It’s all about empowering children with the belief that when it comes to imagination, anything is possible. Expect colourful, highly theatrical, hands-on fun! Suitable for ages 3+

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Victoria Melody has decided to quit her career in theatre, and turned to Plan B: the thing she’s always secretly known she’d be brilliant at… stand-up comedy. She embeds herself into the amateur stand-up scene, a world with its own rules, cultures and behaviours. Problem is, stand-up is much harder than it seems and Victoria has always struggled with communication and words. In her mind she sounds like a genius but what comes out of her mouth sounds like a baby, a baby woman. Driven by an ambition to become a better stand-up, she seeks out help from a speech and language specialist, leading to a string of diagnoses. At the grand old age of 40 she finds out that she’s neurodivergent. Using wearable technology and working with a neuroscientist, they make a revolutionary discovery that might be a natural cure for ADHD. Head Set is a theatre show that explores amateur stand-up comedy and how to make peace with our divergent and messy brains.

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Meet the unlikely duckling hero, and hear the story of a duck who was different! This much-loved classic tale has been adapted by Sandal Sticks Theatre into an interactive storytelling performance, featuring song and puppetry. A heart-warming tale for all the family. Join the ever popular Grethe Mangala Jensen for this fun adaptation of the H.C. Andersen classic. Book early to avoid disappointment. Suitable for ages 3+

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In this capricious game between two acrobats, nothing is fixed. Feel welcome to take a seat on one of the rolling stools and be an actor in this moving composition. Performed in our gorgeous vaulted Studio 1, 360 provides a range of playful proposals. This dynamic show takes place with and around the audience. With unexpected turns and new directional cues, the group dynamics and thus the script change. While the acrobats share their movement skills with bravura, you exert influence on proximity, and on the course of the play. The performance invites to make contact, to touch, to be part of and to influence. Or none of this, you can stay invisible in the group. 360 is directed by Benjamin Kuitenbrouwer and Hanneke Meijers and performed by Karin Brodén & Hedvig Brodén. This event is part of This is not a circus, a Dutch circus showcase.

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Black Arts production (BAP) Theatre Ltd was founded in 1992. At that time it was felt that there was a lack of opportunity for Black and Ethnic Minorities performing on TV and in Theatre. This, they feel, is still the case. BAP’s aims, therefore, are to educate those minorities who are interested in the arts; to train young people and adults in all aspects of theatre performance; and also to use drama as a catalyst to bring about awareness of social issues that affect minority communities. BAP offers extensive and stimulating drama training for those students interested in a career in acting. This course is structured to give students insight into the world of acting. Their students will be trained to a high level to develop a range of skills which will enable them to bring thought, energy and commitment to their acting, giving them the tools to succeed in a competitive industry. Students will not only work with BAP tutors but also with directors, professional actors, set designers, stage managers and writers working in the profession.

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It’s a sticky situation. Queen Bee & Worker Bee need to work together to rebuild their hive, but things never quite go to plan... A Bee Story is a uniquely Australian physical theatre show for children and families incorporating a kaleidoscope of circus, acrobatics, dance and live music. It tells the story of Queen Bee and Worker Bee who must work together to rebuild their hive after being destroyed by a bushfire. But things never quite go to plan… “The BEST kids show I have ever seen.” Parent Join the bees on their buzzy adventures and be enchanted by their pollen-collecting skills, honey-making abilities, and super-bee strength. A Bee Story has themes of environmentalism, sustainability, and community spirit, and was directed by performer Robbie Curtis (Circa, Cirque du Soleil, Circus Oz, Australian Ballet), and co-created with musician and performer Lizzie McRae. “A Bee Story is everything you would want in a children’s show. it is charming. it is lovely. It is magical.” Get your coats on Suitable for ages 3+ Photos: @Embellysh

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Join us on a journey filled with airplanes, juggling, an inflatable swimming pool and a wild train ride that will take you beyond the stage! A circus performance that explores the importance of playfulness, creativity and imagination. Shenanigans is an ode to the inner child.

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The Addams Family School Edition is a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, and every father’s nightmare: his daughter’s new boyfriend. Inspired by the black-and-white television show, rooms of cracked plaster and spider webs bring to life the spooky and kooky mansion of the Addams family. Suitable for ages 5+ Tickets for Under 12s available for £10 Please be aware that Jacksons Lane is hosting two different productions of The Addams Family this year. This is the performance by St Anthony’s School for Girls. The performance by Stage in the City is in September 2023.

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Join Grethe Mangala Jensen, aka Sandal Sticks Theatre, for a fun, interactive adaptation of the H.C. Andersen story The Emperor and the Nightingale. The Emperor of China loves to listen to the song of the nightingale which roams the palace gardens. He talks of nothing else and does not care for other music or presents, until one day he receives a gift from the Emperor of Japan… a shiny, bejewelled, mechanical bird, the only one in the world – will his feelings change about the real nightingale. Grethe returns to Jacksons Lane after her sell out performance of The Tinder Box & Other Nordic Tales in March 2021. She also brings another of her stories, The Snow Queen in January 2022. Suitable for the whole family, suggested age 3+

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Seven women in bridal gowns awaken in cocoons in the Palace of Survival. Watched over by the Death Bride they wait for a groom who never comes as we witness the four seasons of a woman’s life. “Disturbing, suggestive, powerful.” La Nazione, Italy The Brides is a riotous celebration of misbehaviour, tenderness and power, of love, greed, death and rebirth. Its influences include Pina Bausch, Mamma Mia, the Marx Brothers, Garcia Lorca and Frida Kahlo. The international cast of performers is directed by David Glass, a major figure in physical theatre for four decades. “A stunning expression of feminine power.” Il Cittadino, Siena, Italy “Born in our beautiful home of Siena Italy and made through personal experiences of our community of female artists, we see The Brides as a gift, a cultural movement, celebrating women around the world, in all their extraordinary expressions. The Brides is more than a show, it’s a necessary movement for our time.” Margherita Fusi and Silvia Bruni, co-founders of The Brides movement “It is hard to know what will become of the world in the next few years, but we can be sure that whatever is happening, vital and resourceful artists such as David Glass will be there at the frontline, challenging complacency and waving the flag for risk and experimentation.” Total Theatre After-show discussion Saturday 28 January (BSL interpreted) Suitable for ages 15+ Content warnings: nudity, flashing lights, smoke and swearing.

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Poised between dance, circus and performance art, Lighthouse is a multi-disciplinary piece by solo artist Hazel Lam. Hazel uses the idea of gentleness as a tool in the face of great adversity and change. She explores feminine movement, giving it centre stage, and reacts to modernity’s harsh realities and urban construction. Coils of PVC tubing are treated it as a companion. The duet of an organic body versus the inanimate tubes is playful yet antagonising. The tension between the two escalates throughout as she asks, is it there to hold her, entice her, keep her safe or restrain her? Plastic has become one of the major environmental concerns in recent years. This piece is a reflection of how our generation is born into a plastic overflowing world and our role within it. The title is a reference to Virginia Woolf’s novel To the Lighthouse.

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Meet two best friends. They love to play together. One day, one of them says “I can’t today”. Then a hole in the ground starts to appear. Not Today is a vibrant, daring and heartwarming circus theatre show about unlikely friendship. This performance will be the first work-in-progress sharing of Not Today. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated as it’ll inform the future creation and development of the show.

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Slapstick humour meets Beckett head on in a quest for life’s meaning and purpose. After an exciting few years making and touring shows all over the world, Mercè and Patricia have somehow lost momentum and hit rock bottom. They always knew that making theatre would be difficult, but when they have to dress up as flamingos in a shopping centre to make ends meet, they seriously consider giving up. Can their shared dream of staging Waiting for Godot get them back on track or will their long held ambition be strangled by red tape? A hilarious and sometimes moving exploration of companionship, co-dependency and what motivates us to keep going, even in the face of failure and bureaucratic brick walls. Suitable for ages 14+ Content warning: Contains strong language, occasional loud noises and some stylised/staged fighting. Some text in Spanish with projected surtitles.

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Pumping her sap through the root system to heal and protect her seedlings. A mysterious powerful entity that nurtures her kin and sustains her forest. If she breaks, they all break. The stage is a mess, just like the family home. There is an ever reaching pile of laundry that spans floor to ceiling and toys for all imaginable circumstances. Woven across the floor, reaching its tendrils into each inhabitable human space, is a tree root system. A symbol of our symbiosis with the forest, nature entering and thriving underneath every footprint. Out of the roots rises the aerial silk, taking the theatre from horizontal to vertical space. Mother Tree is a solo show about motherhood, nature and maternal mental health. A highly physical piece combining theatre, aerial silk and spoken word exploring our deep connections with the forest and its hub trees, Mother Trees.

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The Addams Family, a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and it’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family– a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before– keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s ‘normal’ boyfriend and his parents. Stage & the City’s Musical Theatre Troupe are proud to present their production of The Addams Family-A New Musical is presented through special arrangement with and all authorised performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), theatricalrights.co.uk Suitable for ages 6+

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Circus and classical music embrace in a captivating world premiere. Australian composer Chloé Charody has written a brand-new violin sonata specially for the unique acrobatic skill set of violin virtuoso Sonja Schebeck. Sonja plays this extraordinary new work while held aloft by acrobat Josh Frazer. Discover this mesmerising spectacle in the beautiful, vaulted studio of the 118-year-old converted church that is Jacksons Lane. Limbo is set at Melbourne Park Hotel in 2021, a time when many refugees were detained indefinitely, some having been incarcerated by the Australian Government for up to nine years. This poignant narrative is told through dynamic partner acrobatics and cyr wheel.

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So… is a new entertainment by winners of the Herald Archangel at Edinburgh in 2019, the legendary independent “masters of comic invention,” Ridiculusmus, in which two long-lost brothers overcome their polarized perception and come together to get something done while sorting through their late mother’s estate. Business, personal matters and the right connection for some vintage technology pepper a joyfully chaotic exchange that somehow embraces everything difficult and wrong in the world and proposes workable solutions that will definitely not “blow you away” but warm the cockles of your battered heart. Made in lockdown via zoom, it began as Brexit response, became a Covid response and then a lament on separation. Written and performed by David Woods and Jon Haynes, the co-artistic directors and founders of Ridiculusmus, a 30-year artistic partnership of international acclaim, avant-garde mess and polymathic pursuit of the ever-unattainable. Winner of the Jury Shark Award, FinFringe, 2022 “So… had the audience laughing, squirming and wanting more.” Lisa Wolfe, Fringe Review

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Prepare to be astonished and delighted by the Massive Violins. These seven singing cellists (one of whom is also in the chart-topping band Clean Bandit) have been warming the hearts of audiences all over London and beyond for some years but this is their very first appearance at Jacksons Lane. Come and hear their genius versions of the greatest pop songs ever written – from Elvis to Adele, taking in Queen, the Beach Boys, the Beatles and many more. They might even throw in the odd operatic aria or two. “Wherever the Massive Violins are, I’ll seek them out.” Alison Steadman “I like the Massive Violins – A LOT.” Simon Amstell “If it’s a unique bobby dazzler of an evening you’re looking for, then make sure you seek out the Massive Violins – seven cellists brimming over with great comic timing, charm, aplomb and a fantastic repertoire. Unmissable.” Neil Morrissey “The Massive Violins demonstrably have fiendish talents and, while producing the sound of angels vocally and instrumentally, are also diabolically entertaining… they have fun like a stampede of wild animals.” George Hinchliffe of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

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The coronation that goes wrong… When Agrippina hears of the death of her husband Claudio by shipwreck, she seizes the opportunity to place her son Nerone in power. After gaining the support of the toadying Narciso and Pallante, she is upset to find Claudio has been saved by the gallant Ottone, whom Claudio has rewarded with a promise of the crown. But Claudio, Nerone and Ottone are all obsessed with the cunning Poppea. As they pursue her, and Agrippina tries to steer Nerone back into the line of succession, we’re left to wonder whether any of these people should really be in charge. Everyone is hungry for power, but not all are worthy. Handel’s satirical opera is performed by HGO’s brilliant cast of young singers, tomorrow’s opera stars, accompanied by the HGOAntiqua Orchestra of period instruments, including theorbo. The performance will be sung in Italian with English surtitles. Suitable for ages 12+ NB: All ticket purchasers who provide consent to share details with Hampstead Garden Opera will receive free a flipbook programme by email.

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You are cordially invited to an eclectic double bill of juggling, acrobatics and aerial, threaded together with Circomedia’s trademark inventiveness and ingenuity. Join the freshest international talent, honed in the South West, as the 2023 graduating degree students burst out of the studio and onto professional stages across the country. Circomedia is the longest running provider of full-time circus-based education in the UK, offering informal classes from ages 5 upwards, as well as a BTec Diploma, Foundation and BA degrees, and an MA in Directing Circus. Suitable for ages 8+ Content warning: May contain swearing and adult themes

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Our pathways and possibilities intersect, one angle at a time. Join us in our own little world as we live, work and play together, even when it all goes wrong. This fun and exciting circus show is filled with acrobatics and aerial circus all centred around our custom built rig. Our little world is full of weird and wonderful characters, beautiful music and crazy scenery that makes up a delicate and balanced community. One wrong move, one ill intention and the balance is tipped. Can we fix this fractured ecosystem or is it really as fragile as it seems? Join the freshest international talent, honed in the South West, as the 2023 graduating degree students burst out of the studio and onto professional stages across the country. Circomedia is the longest running provider of full-time circus-based education in the UK, offering informal classes from ages 5 upwards, as well as a BTec Diploma, Foundation and BA degrees, and an MA in Directing Circus. Suitable for ages 8+ Content warning: May contain swearing and adult themes

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I know what you’re thinking is a circus show about the brain. Fusing scientific research with anecdotal evidence and too many bad puns, this show takes a deep dive into how the human brain works (or doesn’t), through the lens of 14 circus performers from National Centre for Circus Arts, London. From brain surgery to brain farts, cartesian dualism to catchphrase, I know what you’re thinking is a collage of circus, comedy and music that challenges what we think we know, and questions how we even know it anyway.

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Will Lily conquer her fears? Will she conquer her fright? Will she conquer the ghouls in the dead of the night? A thrilling, funny, and heart-warming story about an awesome girl called Lily who faces her fears and saves the day. From the creators of One Duck Down (“A perfect show for kids” ★★★★★ Families Edinburgh) with music by Cat Gisby (Elle & the Pocket Belles), this adaptation of Arthur McBain’s book is full of spooks, songs, silliness, and most of all – monsters! Faceplant Theatre is a family theatre company whose debut production One Duck Down won the Family Show of the Year 2018 award at that year’s VAULT Festival. It has since toured to venues including the Lyric Hammersmith, Pleasance Courtyard, New Wimbledon Theatre, Aylesbury Waterside, Greenwich Theatre, Turbine Theatre, GLive, Wardrobe Theatre, Canada Water Theatre, Streatham Space Project, and many more including schools and community venues.

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A one-woman interactive puppet show for the whole family brought to you by Sandal Sticks Theatre. A fun and interactive adaptation of Dicken’s famous story suitable for the whole family. Ebenezer Scrooge doesn’t like to share will he be able to change his ways after three ghosts come to visit him late at night? Join us for this much-loved Christmas adventure with song and puppetry. Grethe Mangala Jensen returns to Jacksons Lane after multiple sell-out storytelling sessions, with a special story for Christmas. Book early to avoid disappointment.

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Get yourself in the festive spirit, and enjoy a fun-filled evening at our fundraising singalong. Led by Laurence Morgan, you’ll sing wintery carols, festive hits, merry melodies and much more, with plenty of Christmas cheer. This event is raising funds for our Christmas Day work supporting isolated older adults as part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge. Tickets for the event itself are free but there will be an opportunity to make a donation on the day with our friendly front of house team. We will be processing all donations through the Big Give platform meaning that your donation will be doubled through match funding. For more information on the Big Give Christmas Challenge, click here (link goes live at midday on Tuesday 28 November). About Laurence Morgan An experienced choir leader and choir member, Laurence Morgan provides the energy, excitement and sense of community that all group singing sessions deserve. A Royal Academy of Music graduate, Laurence has sung in and led a wide variety of vocal ensembles, but the primary goal will always be to find joy, and to discover the power of voices coming together!

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QQF are a learning disabled and neurodiverse theatre company based in Camden. Their new production of Alice In Wonderland, featuring a 20-strong cast and imaginative props, is anarchic, funny and moving. Audience praise for their last show (Romeo & Juliet): “Beautiful, epic, moving and very well devised, presented and performed. A great company of talented performers and directors. Please do this show again.” “I’m absolutely blown away. I laughed, I cried (a lot), I cheered and clapped. Please do this again!” “So moving, beautifully choreographed… the imaginativeness brought tears to my eyes.” “Inspirational.” QQF (Quite Quite Fantastic) are a charitable theatre company and are sponsored by City Bridge Trust.

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Prince Baxter von Caramel Slice is very sad, very sad indeed! His biggest wish is to have a girlfriend, well not just a girlfriend but a wife… and she must be a Real Princess! But what does a real princess look like? After travelling the whole world looking for her without and luck – one day a strange looking girl arrives at the palace, claiming she is just that – A REAL PRINCESS! Join the ever popular Grethe Mangala Jensen for this fun adaptation of the H.C. Andersen classic. Book early to avoid disappointment.

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Scribble and Clipboard have a job to do: sort the recycling. But Scribble keeps finding new things to investigate. When she discovers a mysterious egg hidden in the rubbish, the pair need the audience’s help to rescue an unborn chick. Can we save a mysterious egg from a smashing? And what will we discover along the way? Curious Investigators is a cracking adventure created in collaboration with engineering experts from Lancaster University: a delightfully surprising, highly visual show for 3 to 7- year-olds and their grown-ups. This brand-new family show has been hatched by One Tenth Human, commissioned by Big Imaginations and supported by Backstage Trust. Suitable for ages 3-7

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Jacksons Lane’s short-form circus scratch night returns with solos and duets from both established and emerging artists. Be at the forefront of the newest, most exciting circus today in this mixed bill of newly devised works. More details to follow soon.

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Inspired by the Cosmos Archeology project at EPFL, Space Junk tells the story of a space suit pushed out into space on an ephemeral orbit of the earth with a radio transmitter, known as SuitSat. A friendship is formed between a life-sized puppeteered space suit and a human, embodied by a dance and aerial artist. With over 100 million pieces of space junk orbiting the planet, Space Junk is a tale of love, loss, new frontiers, the destructive power of human carelessness and our constructive capacity for hope and compassion. In partnership with Jacksons Lane, Norwich Theatre and Exeter Phoenix.

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Brainfools is back at Jacksons Lane with a series of three scratch nights, where circus artists showcase works-in-progress to curious and adventurous audiences. These nights provide a rare opportunity for performers to test new material, receive live feedback, and refine their pieces based on audience reactions. It’s a dynamic exchange between artists and spectators, fostering a collaborative and interactive atmosphere. Each themed night will feature six performers, unveiling a diverse range of talent and ideas. Lineups will be announced soon.

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A secret organisation known as the Ancient Guild of TaleTenders are on a mission to save stories – and they need your help… Join Terry Tibblestick from the ancient guild of TaleTenders and his assistant Brenda Bogg. We learn all about what taletending involves and how to look after stories. TaleTenders have existed since the beginning of time and their one job is to remember and recall all the words of their storyteller-but maybe Terry hasn’t been as diligent as he could have been? Follow Brenda’s journey as she reveals her discovery of the missing words, sparking danger that they are being eaten by the dreaded Wurblegobblers. Help her as she tries to convince Terry of the real and present danger the stories are in as she challenges him to see if he’s been protecting and preserving the stories, as she tries to restore the words to the books using imagination, play and a heart full of tenderness. Especially made for ages 5 and up, the show develops both creative and literacy skills through performance, games, and creative play, while exploring Roald Dahl’s extraordinary stories, including The BFG and The Twits along the way.

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Brain Fools return to Jacksons Lane after their sell out hit family show, Cabaret Enchanté. Brain Fools pride themselves on being an environmentally conscious, family-friendly circus show that you can enjoy as much as your kids do. They are also committed to highlighting issues surrounding homelessness and migration in London through their work — they want everyone to learn, and everyone to be part of the change they want to see in their communities. The show is called Lucky Pigeons because it’s about how hard it can be for people living on the street, but also because it’s about how much hope there can be for them too. Through physical performance and social commentary, they will take you on a journey through different aspects of life as a person on the outskirts of society—from the challenges they face just trying to fit in and be accepted, all the way through finding love and happiness despite everything else going on around them. Lucky Pigeons came to Jacksons Lane in October 2021 as a work-in-progress.

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An eclectic night of orchestra and circus fusion. The performances include: Quintet Meliora Collective and aerialist Tilly Lee-Kronick join forces to present a spectacular re-imagining of Prokofiev’s Quintet. Originally conceived as ballet music, Quintet will take flight through Lee-Kronick’s choreography. Lobo A bold dectet reaching new emotional and dynamic extremes, inspired by the howling proud wolf, written by LSO Panufnik Scheme appointed composer, Rafael Marino Arcaro. Sergeant McCauley Sergeant McCauley tracks Montgomery’s great-grandfather’s journey across the United States, during the Great Migration.

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Inspired by timeless Broadway musicals, the show is filled with sensational choreography and singing that will put you on the edge of your seat! A ballroom and Latin experience infused with musical theatre and jazz. Proceeds are going towards the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital Charity (Registered charity number: 1160024)

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Welcome to The Museum of Marvellous Things, where the impossible can happen! Discover stars in jars, catch moons like balloons, dance with Doo-Dahs in cages, sing with Noo-Nahs on stages. Because this is a museum like no other – it’s made from the magic of your imagination – and you get to bring it alive. With giant puppets, magical effects, interactive storytelling, live original music and a chance to make your own special puppet, this is a fun-filled family show based on the picture book by Kristina Stephenson (creator of Sir Charlie Stinky Socks).

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A night of fresh alternative comedy and circus theatre. Bristol-based emerging artists bring two new experimental shows with a surreal twist on spectacle with comedy at its core: Transcendental Using trapeze and a comical amount of existentialism, Transcendental is a fever dream journey through the absurdity of being alive. A satirical deep dive into grotesque aspects of the human experience. Hiding in Plain Sight Using physical comedy and object manipulation to explore surveillance culture, Hiding in Plain Sight tackles juggling our virtual identities and our authentic selves. Suitable for ages 12+

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When Belle is feeling down she slips into her grandfather’s basement and discovers his old dusty instruments. But far from being junk, the Instrumentals are pure funk, and they teach Belle to ‘get down’ in a whole new way. Bursting to life with brilliant puppetry and bold music, The Instrumentals is full of love and laughter, about the memories we hold and how we celebrate life. This is a show for all children with characters, story and inspiration from the African-Caribbean diaspora. It’s full of uplifting original music with soulful sounds and seventies grooves. Combined with innovative puppetry and lots of comedy, this fun musical journey will have audiences dancing in the aisles!

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In the award-winning Beautiful People, comedy duo Ridiculusmus – UK theatre’s most enduring double act – play Violet, Norman and Arthur, three crustaceous centenarians who move at the pace of turtles mating and discharge their bodily gases into conveniently placed receptacles. As this hopelessly endearing trio shuffle with relentless positivity through a slow-mo ballet punctured by fond fumbling and the manic popping of their pills, they attempt to navigate the murky memories of a ménage à trois, lumbering from drawing-room farce to the tragi-comedy of death and the inevitable bleak landscape of loss. Like all Ridiculusmus works, Beautiful People – the final part of a trilogy of plays looking at various aspects of mental health – is a conflation of painstaking research and lived experience, liberated by the apparatus of comedy and imagination. Informed by close relationships with inspirational elders, research into drug treatments for ‘complicated grief’ and the study of ancient mourning rituals, it began its life with acclaimed seasons in Melbourne, London and Edinburgh, where it was selected as part of the 2019 British Council Showcase, received the Herald Archangel Award and was described as “Dangerously funny, scatological, surreal, clever and ultimately powerfully humane” (The Sunday Herald).

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Ernie’s Journey is a magical circus theatre adventure for family audiences. The seamless integration of circus, physical theatre, stage magic, poetry and puppetry is a truly dazzling spectacle. An original live harp score takes the tale from the dreamy realms of distant shores to the most raucous sea shanties! It felt like nobody really believed in Ernie and sometimes he wondered whether he even believed in himself. He discovers that being himself and following his own dreams can lead to all kinds of wild adventures, but it is the people we love who make it all worth it. This show has been designed to connect audiences with the waterways around where they live and how they feed into national and international ocean systems. Ernie is a young boy from Haringey who finds an old pirate ship on the banks of the Thames. Our partnership with Somerset Wildlife trust has informed the content of the show and workshops. Suitable for ages 4-11

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It’s been a long year. The goats have empty bellies, and there is nothing left on their side of the valley. The only solution is to cross the bridge to the lush green grass on the other side. But hiding beneath the bridge lurks a troll just waiting for the trip trap of tiny hooves… will the goats ever make it? Join Jacksons Lane for a unique adaptation of the classic tale of the three very young hungry goats this Christmas! Created by Kaveh Rahnama, writer and director of last year’s brilliant adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk and 2021’s fantastic A Christmas Circus Fairy-tale. Expect wonderful storytelling, laughter, and acrobatics, as they venture to cross the rickety bridge. Guaranteed to get you in the mood for Christmas and be talked about long afterwards.

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Deep in the forest live Mammy, Daddy and Baby Bear. Each day the three bears head into the woods to collect interesting things to re-use in their home. Soon their cosy house is turned upside down by a colourful whirlwind that threatens to sit in their chairs, eat their porridge and sleep in their beds. It’s Goldilocks! Bring your bears for an adventure in the woods, with original music, puppets and a tale you thought you knew. Suitable for ages 6 and under With support from Northern Stage, ARC and Stockton

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Morgan & West are back with a massive magic show for kids (and their childish grown-ups), full of their trademark wit, whimsy, and wall-to-wall silliness. Expect gawps, gasps, and guffaws in this relentlessly funny and fantastical magic filled extravaganza, guaranteed to delight those aged 5 and 105, and indeed everyone in between.

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“Exquisitely beautiful, strangely moving hour of object theatre.” Three Weeks, Edinburgh We use it every day without a second thought, the most common form of plastic – polystyrene. In this remarkable piece of visual theatre, Andrea Salustri explores its possibilities to the point it becomes alive and protagonist of the events on stage. As an almost unseen animator he shows how we engage with objects, allowing them their own performing artistry, creating magic in front of our eyes. No narrative or weighty metaphors here, just extraordinary sensory evocations. You have to see it to believe. “Humankind’s dance with plastics will define our existence on this planet, and Salustri’s thoughtful object-choreography captures this tension with creativity and grace.” Scotsman Now based in Berlin, Italian born Andrea Salustri trained as a juggler in Rome before studying dance and choreography in Berlin. A Laureate of the circusnext European Circus Label, Materia was a hit at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. “As much as it can be said that objects can perform, these objects perform majestically. Coming out of the era where digital spaces and the internet were the only way to enjoy theatre, Materia reminds us how some sights and sounds need to be experienced in the flesh to work their magic.” Puppet Animation Scotland After-show discussion Friday 20 January (BSL interpreted) Suitable for ages 6+

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Jon, the chaotic student of Frank the Dog, breaks a precious artefact and must redeem himself through a series of bizarre, yet playful, challenges and games. Along the way Jon is hampered in his quest with set-backs, twists, turns, and the interference of the sinister Cyprian Londt. Buster Keaton meets Heath Robinson, Kung Fu Panda & the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Kickmouse Mysterium is a comedy fable about perseverance and achievement.

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Anything is possible when we come together with a common goal. Jaw-dropping acrobatics and thrilling physical feats showcase the incredible power of teamwork in Light Work. Combining contemporary circus and physical theatre to show the importance and power of the collective, the collaboration of individuals finds a way to rise out of difficulty. Light Work captures and conveys the importance of interdependence in our social structure. Accompanied by an original musical score performed live on stage, physical challenges provoke collective solutions by the building of human towers, throwing and catching one another with precision, acrobatic flare and a very human vulnerability.

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s.o.l.o, which stands for Situations of Ones Life’s Obsessions, is a multimedia, and multi-discipline, circus theatre performance which creates a moment which we all experience together. Australia-born and Belgium-based performer Simon-James Reynolds initially trained as a gymnast, working towards the Olympics. But in the run up to London 2012, a change in his family’s financial circumstances meant he had to set those dreams aside. Based on Simon-James’ personal experiences, s.o.l.o depicts a life, its struggles, losses and hopes that we must all face: solo. Sur Mesure is a collective of musicians, instrument makers, woodworkers and circus performers. Together they work on new creations. The collective consists of making performances, but they also have a wood workshop where all kinds of furniture are made.

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In the wake of a relationship, a woman sifts through other people’s stories. An attempt to contain her overflowing thoughts. Blending true stories with fiction, movement with text and live music, Deluge is a comedic piece of magical realism about the things we lose and how we grieve. Supported by Arts Council England. Suitable for ages 12+

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Monki’s 60% Banana In 60% Banana, Benjamin Monki Kuitenbrouwer provides an optimistic view on humanity in a brand-new format: a circus conference. An energetic acrobatic lecture, in which he uses his skills to tell the audience about the hopeful developments in the world. Using coloured elastic bands, he forms metres-high graphs between several poles. With data on extreme poverty, war victims and – among other things – population growth, Professor Monki swings, climbs and sways between his poles to make his point. He drags us along in his conviction that our view of mankind is in dire need of change. Hendrik Van Maele’s Ways of being ready Ways of being ready is a live encounter between two lifelong friends. One of them is trained as an acrobat, the other as a mime actor. One of them often comes too late, the other too early. One of them pulls off his nails, the other bites them. Both are looking for ways to be ready for the inevitable. In their joint play, these two friends no longer strive for completion. They practiced and still practice the art of being ready, even though it is not a place where anyone ever arrives. In this physical encounter, they know how to pre-load the moment with their practiced bodies. This moment is wonderfully directionless and full of possibilities. Hendrik Van Maele and Elliot Dehaspe are in a constant negotiation about distance and intimacy. For while they seek the unexpected in extremis, they make an honest attempt to recognize the potential of each moment.

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“Ali was home. Things were not as good as when they were children… Ali wanted to leave, but wasn’t sure where to go… Suddenly a white rabbit in a Union Jack appeared…” Ali arrives at the border of a strange land but entering isn’t as simple as it looks. Random questioning, people shouting ‘illegal alien!,’ and to make things worse Ali’s body keeps changing size. Will Ali ever be able to regain control? Fun, ironic, and poetic, Ali in Wonder(Eng)land is devised by participants in LegalAliens’ free weekly classes for migrants and refugees. The show uses the familiar Lewis Carroll frame but with an absurdist, contemporary twist, mixing characters inspired by Alice in Wonderland with original material and extracts from the notorious Life in the UK test. Performers take turns in playing Ali through a series of encounters with grotesque civil servants, mellifluous do-gooders, bigots with magic sunglasses that make foreigners disappear, two Home Secretaries and even… a Quing! The narration is from time to time interrupted by monologues sharing personal experiences of migration, some funny, some melancholic, some brutal. LegalAliens Theatre is a Haringey-based, woman-led international ensemble dedicated to platforming migrants and refugees as artists, creatives and audiences. LegalAliens Theatre is a Theatre of Sanctuary.

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Epic Minds is an engaging, often hilarious, and sometimes disturbing romp through the world of psychosis, mental health diagnosis and recovery. Created by director Nikki Kenward and performers Heather Parkin, Natalie Ward and Bee Kirkwood, Epic Minds is loosely based on Heather’s recovery from a car crash and traumatic brain injury. The surreal world illustrates strange and multi-sensory experiences that might arise from the overwhelmed brain of someone in psychosis. In a unique collaboration, Epic Minds has brought in performance artists and poets from Outside in, an organisation which mentors outsider artists. Expect to be immersed in a strange, ever-changing world that embraces aerial rope, a juggling psychiatrist, text, song, dance, physical theatre and will bring you laughter and maybe tears.

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I Got Soul presents Soul Asylum. This showcases amazingly talented dancers with a huge variety of ages and versatility. Crossing many genres of dance from contemporary, acro to breaking, through to commercial street. Soul Asylum is the perfect themed piece expressing unity, freedom and release from the mundane that can often trap our minds. Soul Asylum is a happy place where individuality is accepted, encouraged and is our version of a Soul Army.

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From the peaceful pleasures of Ratty’s beloved river bank to the fearful frights and wicked weasels of the Wild Wood, join Mole and Ratty on their marvellous adventures, along with gruff old Badger and magnificent Mr. Toad. “Their beautifully crafted micro-shows are like collector’s items.” The Stage A beautiful new adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved classic by award winning theatre company Box Tale Soup, featuring wonderful puppetry, innovative theatre and a charming original score. “They are wonderful.” The Times Suitable for ages 4+

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This powerful new show centres on the relationship between a mother and her transgender son who has questioned his gender identity for as long as he can remember, as they embark on a journey into the unknown. “It’s totally beautiful. I burst into tears right at the end… Loads of layers, nuances, delicacies, possibilities and opportunities here. I love to see a work that is creative and equitable, that really listens to both parent and young person perspectives, and honours the messiness and complexity of them.” Lindsey Dreyden, Trans In America An intimate and epic experience of the power of creativity to facilitate profound change, Emerging explores themes of gender identity and representation, and was created in consultation with young gender-diverse and trans people and their parents/carers. “An intimate and layered spectacle” Donald Hutera about Depths of my mind Emerging is an immersive multimedia performance featuring aerial dance, visual theatre, and excerpts from letters between mother and son. Artistic director Daniela Essart and collaborator Naissa use their art to better understand both themselves and each other as they navigate their relationship and a complex life-changing process. “Our transitions together have been for different lengths and paces. I feel ready for this, and I never want to hurt you. I love you so dearly, and I want you on my journey with me.” “Please take me by the hand and guide me through the appearing and disappearing of you, because this is what I fear the most; to lose you, my child.” Scarabeus Aerial Theatre has been creating visually arresting and thought-provoking performances for more than thirty years. “I love the relationship between mother and child. The hope that it brings, that my mother may also accompany me on my journey through life/gender/identity.” Young transgender person “It’s inspiring the way both sides are able to freely express themselves whilst showing so much love for each other.” Parent of transgender young person BSL interpreted performance Thursday 2 February After-show discussion Thursday 2 February (BSL interpreted) Suitable for ages 12+ Content warning: Contains themes around gender diversity which some people may find triggering

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Hampstead Garden Opera (HGO), north London’s award-winning opera company, presents a fully-staged production, with orchestra and fabulous young opera singers and children, of Humperdinck’s timeless and enchanting fairy tale opera. When Mother sends out the naughty Hänsel and Gretel to gather berries in the woods, the wicked Nibble-Witch somehow slips her mind. Fortunately, the care of the Sandman and the Dew Fairy, and the children’s own ingenuity, enable them to survive the woods, overthrow the Witch and free the children she has changed to gingerbread….. Sung in the original German, with full English surtitles. HGO is delighted to have as production director Jeanne Pansard-Besson, and as music director Thomas Payne. As always our casts are tomorrow’s opera stars, and we are thrilled to have local children as the chorus of Gingerbread Children. The production is suitable for all ages. Ticket holders can receive a free digital flipbook programme in advance of the performance by email, which can be downloaded and printed if desired. To receive this, please ensure when booking your tickets to grant us consent to pass your details to HGO directly.

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Rub-a-dub-dub, The Dummies are here with some splish splashing circus set to drown you in tears of laughter. The Splash Test Dummies are off on an exciting adventure of oceanic proportions! With a brilliant array of catch-your-breath stunt work, dazzling acrobatics, dexterous juggling and side-splitting, slapstick comedy, the Dummies are ready to roll out their beach towels and spring into an exciting hour of circus-filled hilarity for the whole family. Dummies Corp features world-class circus artists who “surprise and delight” (Edinburgh Festival for Kids). They are the Australian leaders in narrative driven circus comedy, recognised globally for creations of quality that are intelligent, theatrical and inventive. They have shared this epic adventure with audiences from the UK, Europe, New Zealand and Australia. This “hour of pure thrilling entertainment” (Sunday Mail Edinburgh) has wowed the critics and won coveted awards at the world’s largest arts festivals, Adelaide Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe. “Their circus, juggling and stunt work is sharp; their timing impeccable; and their core strength, frankly enviable!” (The Age). “This show has everything and is just plain joyous” (The List UK). Grab your flippers and snorkel and join the Dummies diving from bathtubs to beaches on this wild aquatic ride!

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Professor Slug’s House of Bugs is a show all about bugs. Professor Slug is an eccentric expert on invertebrates who helps bugs out with their buggy problems – and you can too! Get as strong as an ant! Teach a bee how to buzz! And help a dung beetle make a pooey perfume for its big date… The House of Bugs is fully booked with all sorts of bugs seeking help from Professor Slug and his fellow bug experts (that’s you, the audience!) But can all these buggy problems be solved before the Queen Bee arrives, or will a swarm of honey-hungry wasps wreak havoc? From the co-creator of the award winning One Duck Down, this interactive show is packed full of colourful puppets, catchy songs, and educational info about the wonderful world of bugs. The puppets are designed by Georgia Hill (CBeebies) with music written by Catriona Gisby (Elle & the Pocket Belles). Professor Slug’s House of Bugs is proud to be supported by charity partner Buglife. Suitable for ages 3+

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Gertie is great at being the littlest yak, with the curliest, whirliest wool and the grippiest of hooves for clip-clopping up cliffs. Only, Gertie doesn’t want to be the littlest. She’s in a rush to grow up and be just like the big yaks. But what if there are some things that only Gertie can do? A gorgeous story celebrating YOU being perfect… just the way you are! This musical adaptation of the award-winning children’s book will delight audiences young and old with beautiful puppets, catchy tunes and an uplifting tale of self-acceptance for the whole family. Join them for a dazzling adventure, into the heart of the Himalayas. Based on the book written by Lu Fraser and illustrated by Kate Hindley. Published by Simon & Schuster. Generously supported by Arts Council England, Backstage Trust, Kent County Council and Folkestone Town Council.

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Three generations recast their narrative. Intergenerational circus with lots to say: the personal is political, fury is fun and the acrobatics downright dangerous – especially when life gets in the way. Casting off stereotypes, these dynamic Australian women tumble, talk, fly, and balance precariously. A disarming, hilarious show about living on the edge and talking about it; and how it’s easier done than said. Circus that makes you laugh and cry simultaneously! Relaxed, personal and fantastically inappropriate. “A multi-faceted gem of a spectacle.” Edinburgh Festivals magazine Casting Off has won three fringe awards including The BankSA Best Circus & Physical Theatre Award – Adelaide 2019 The Total Theatre & Jacksons Lane Award for Best Circus at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2018, and Best Circus at Melbourne Fringe 2018. With their scheduled 2020 performances cancelled back in 2020, we are so delighted to welcome the company back for Autumn 2023. They find joy in each other’s strengths, challenges and weaknesses, and in support of new possibilities. “Casting Off is a joy: these three wonderful women have knitted together a truly extraordinary piece of feisty feminist circus that is fabulously funny to boot!” ​ Total Theatre

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It is the fine line between balance and off balance. It is the fine line between being sane and being insane. It is the fine line between grotesque and beautiful. Fineline is an exploration of physical balance while depicting a person’s mental and physical stability. This contemporary circus piece is created by three minds on stage, and relies on their collective sense of balance. The balance of life is questioned on the thin steel tightwire and through body movement on the floor. This contemporary circus piece is created by two Finnish tightwire artists Hanna Moisala and Anniina Peltovako, and a Latvian pianist Evalds Lazarevich.

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Circus Camp is back! Jacksons Lane’s sell-out programme for 8-14 year olds returns for February Half Term. Circus Camp has been specially designed to help young people develop personal skills alongside circus ones. Circus taps into a unique skill set separate to a lot of what we learn in school. It can help to alleviate anxiety, improve focus, spark confidence, and most importantly, is lots of fun! Professional circus artists will lead the sessions, working on teamwork, collaboration, patience and practice. Join us in our stunning Studio 1 at Jacksons Lane where we’ll be covering: • Diabolo, spinning plates and flower sticks • Balancing on a walking globe and a rolla bolla • Step-by-step juggling tutorials • Acrobatics and acro-balance group moves • Fun team bonding games • And lots more! The camp will end with a showcase for parents and guardians.

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Come and join us for a night of talks and conversations. This event celebrates the publication of the first book to provide a comprehensive history of mime and physical theatre in the UK during its heydays from 1970 to 2000. The talk will be chaired by Joseph Seelig and Helen Lannaghan (London International Mime Festival), and as well as the book authors, Mark Evans (Coventry University) and Simon Murray (University of Glasgow) it will include contributions from a number of important figures in mime and physical theatre during this period, including Peta Lily, Nola Rae, Susanne Burns and David Glass, amongst others. The event offers a great opportunity to discuss the impact of this distinctive and hugely influential approach to theatre making. Whether you are a mime artist, physical theatre practitioner, teacher, student, theatre historian or academic, this will be a wonderful chance to meet together and share thoughts, memories and impressions. There will be an informal gathering in the bar after the event. Image: ‘Dancing with an angel’ Lindsay Kemp and David Houghton in Flowers. c. 1979-81. Photo: Richard Houghton

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