The List

Horse + Bamboo

What's On @ Horse + Bamboo

National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest
Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa ( Doctor Who; Sex Education ) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy. While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate. Max Webster ( Life of Pi ) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London.
National Theatre Live: Dr Strangelove
Seven-time BAFTA Award-winner Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge, The Trip) plays four roles in the world premiere stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s comedy masterpiece Dr. Strangelove.

 When a rogue U.S General triggers a nuclear attack, a surreal race takes place, seeing the Government and one eccentric scientist scramble to avert global destruction. This explosively funny satire is led by a world-renowned creative team including Emmy Award-winner Armando Iannucci (The Thick of It, Veep) and Olivier Award-winner Sean Foley (The Upstart Crow, The Play What I Wrote).
Baby Boo | SPECIAL SESSION

Baby Boo | SPECIAL SESSION

15 May 2025 - 15 May 2025

Baby Boo Special Session Come and explore our multisensory play world with a special visitor who will be bringing their beautiful instruments for you and your little ones to hear, experience and maybe even have a play yourselves! We will be embracing the musical possibilities of play with lots of sound making objects and will be making our own up-cycled instruments to take home! See you there!" Morning Session runs : 10am - 11.30am Afternoon Session runs : 1pm - 2:30pm Age: 0 - 4 years
Baby Boo

Baby Boo

29 May 2025 - 24 Jul 2025

Baby Boo is Horse + Bamboos early years programme of work, directed by Zoe Harty and Sue Auty. It runs fortnightly Thursdays. Come along to Baby Boo open ended play sessions where we will explore different ways to play with all sorts of sensory materials and objects chosen to encourage your little ones to use their imaginations and to create their own worlds! We play around with environments and themes and have fun designing surroundings to play in! There is no specific format, just come along and explore at your own speed! At Baby Boo we believe that babies and children should be given time and space to explore and play in their own way. Morning Session runs : 10am - 11.30am Afternoon Session runs : 1pm - 2:30pm Age: 0 - 4 years
The Wild Robot

The Wild Robot

6 May 2025 - 25 Jul 2025

After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island's animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.
Live Music : Lunatraktors

Live Music : Lunatraktors

14 Jun 2025 - 14 Jun 2025

Live Music byLunatraktors at Horse + Bamboo Lunatraktors are a collaboration between choreographer and percussionist Carli Jefferson (she/her) and vocalist and researcher Clair Le Couteur (they/them). Starting in 2017 with an apocalyptic question What's left when we've lost everything? the project strips down folk to the basics of rhythm and voice. Jeffersons hybrid of tap dance, flamenco and body percussion, developed after touring with STOMP (2001-2004), meets Le Couteurs self-taught overtone singing and 3+ octave range. Building on this foundation of somatic sound, their 'broken folk' style expands from harmonic singing and dance into eclectic acoustic beats, accordion, whistles and analogue synth basslines.Reimagining Anglo-Celtic folk music through a shared love of trip-hop, flamenco and post punk, Lunatraktors reveal that 1800s broadside ballads can feel just as personal and urgently political today. A double act in the old fashioned sense, Le Couteur channels the voices of multiple tragi-comic characters, matching Jeffersons hyper-expressive performance style. Jeffersons compulsion to dance while drumming prompted Lunatraktors custom percussion kit, providing both rhythmic and melodic elements to their sound.Lunatraktors are known for dance, costume, installation and film as much as their music. Since their debut in 2017, they have created hundreds of performances, workshops and commissions for a wide range of theatres, festivals, galleries and museums across the UK and Europe, including the V&A, the Turner Prize opening weekend, the British Museum, and Waterford Gallery. Their DIY debut album This Is Broken Folk drums and vocals recorded live in a viaduct arch made #9 on MOJO Magazine's Top Ten Folk Albums of the 2019. Their second album The Missing Star explored a fuller, more cinematic studio sound, reaching MOJOs #2 spot in 2021. Solstice Wyrd, a trippy yuletide folktronica release by festive alter-egos Yulatraktors, was selected for Tradfolk.coms top three Christmas folk albums of 2023.
Live Music :  Jennifer Reid

Live Music : Jennifer Reid

30 May 2025 - 30 May 2025

Live Music in the Theatre at Horse + Bamboo from Jennifer Reid Jennifer performs broadside ballads so audiences can reconnect with their heritage. Think rousing songs and passionate oratory. Folk music has lost its way, and people have lost track of their geographical heritage. The working classes made music as a provocation and this is a tradition Jennifer continues. She is a performer of nineteenth century Lancashire dialect and Victorian broadside ballads Her work has taken her to Venice, Croatia, New York and lately Bangladesh, where she tested the idea that the Industrial Revolution never stopped, it just moved to Dhaka. She spoke at the first ethnomusicography conference on the Indian sub-continent about her research into Bangladeshi and Mancunian weaving songs. Jennifer Reid : Website [https://www.jenniferballads.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jenniferballadss/#] |Twitter [https://x.com/jenniferballads] Time Bar open from 7pm | Music from 8pm Price General Admission : 10 Concessions : 8 PWYC Available Age Suitability 16+
Family Theatre :  Marcel Lucont: Les Enfants Terribles  A Gameshow for Awful Children
Marcel Lucont presents a wild family gameshow, in which kids get to be pests, politicians and ptomanes to be crowned the most awful child. See what happens when international insouciance meets infantile exuberance. A big hit at Edinburgh Fringe and many other festivals, Britains favourite French comedian channels his acerbic humour and quickfire wit into a series of tasks for the younger generation, which is every bit as entertaining for adults as it is for children. Winner: Best Kids Show - UK Kids Comedy Festival A real highlight of Edinburgh Fringe for the entire Horne family. Trs funny Alex Horne, Taskmaster Marcel Lucont:Website [https://marcellucont.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/marcel.lucont] |Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/MarcelLucont] Time Craft from 2pm Show 3pm Run Time 60 minutes Price General Admission : 8.50 Concessions : 6.50 PWYC Available Age Suitability 6 to 12 years
Family Theatre :  Great Big Tiny World
A collaboration between Oily Cart (UK)and Polyglot Theatre(AUS) "Profoundly moving... " The Conversation Were growing a new world... Welcome to this great, big, tiny world. It may be very old, but for us its brand new. Settle in amongst hundreds of real plants, to watch, hear and feel the world come to life all around you. Here were all a connected ecosystem, where the magic happens somewhere between us. Filled with beautiful sounds, scents, music, shadows and sensory objects, even the tiniest things play an important part. The world is different, now you are here. Created by internationally acclaimed sensory theatre company Oily Cart, especially for babies aged 0-12 months and their adults Oily Cart :Website [https://oilycart.org.uk/shows/great-big-tiny-world/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/oilycart/#] | [https://www.facebook.com/oilycart/]YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeF40SDNE033U4VNzQmOb3w] Polyglot Theatre :Website [https://polyglot.org.au/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/polyglottheatre/] |YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/PolyglotTheatre] Time Shows 9:15am, 10:30am & 1:30pm Run Time 45 minutes Price Adult and baby : 15 Additional Adult : 8.50 PWYC Available Age Suitability 0 - 12months Please note, this show is suitable for 0 to 12 months only.
Arts Award Discover : Marionette Making
A 6 weeksArts Award Discover After school club | Marionette Making Arts Award is a fun and practical course that complements the National Curriculum and is accredited by Trinity College London. It offers children and young people aged 5-25 the chance to get creative, discover new and inventive ways to explore the arts and find inspiration through imagination. Marionette Making Have you ever wanted to create your own walking marionette puppet? Now is your chance, come down to learn about marionette making & operating - and over 6 weeks, you'll create your very own puppet that will have the opportunity to walk with us in the Waterfoot Wakes parade! Dates Thursdays 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th June & 3rd, 10th July Parade Day : Sat 12th July, 12noon Time 5:30pm - 6:30pm Ages 9 - 13yrs Price 18 for the whole 6 weeks (3 per week) PWYC Available
Arts Award Discover : Animation

Arts Award Discover : Animation

5 Jun 2025 - 5 Jun 2025

A 6 weeksArts Award Discover After school club | Animation Arts Award is a fun and practical course that complements the National Curriculum and is accredited by Trinity College London. It offers children and young people aged 5-25 the chance to get creative, discover new and inventive ways to explore the arts and find inspiration through imagination. Animation Does your child love comics & cartoons? This is the workshop for them! Over 6 weeks, they'll learn about all things animation and have the opportunity to give some stop motion a go. There will also be the chance to walk with us in the Waterfoot Wakes parade, alongside your animation! Dates Thursdays 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th June & 3rd, 10th July Parade Day : Sat 12th July, 12noon Time 4pm - 5pm Ages 7 - 9yrs Price 18 for the whole 6 weeks (3 per week) PWYC Available
Lauren Housley & The Northern Cowboys

Lauren Housley & The Northern Cowboys

16 May 2025 - 30 May 2025

Housley is an award-winning singer and songwriter hailing from Yorkshire a young female artist and recent mother of two who has already made her mark with three independent albums and two BBC radio playlist hit singles. Housley's innate talent of writing beautiful, engaging songs, was born from the intuitive craft of earthy storytelling and delivered with an emotive knock out vocal performance at their core.
I Am Martin Parr

I Am Martin Parr

24 Jun 2025 - 9 Jul 2025

Since the 1970s, English photographer Martin Parr has held up a sometimes tender, sometimes critical and always mischievous mirror to our times, forcing us to take a hard look at how consumer society has shaped our lives. Discover the maverick behind some of the most iconic images of the past century on an intimate and exclusive road trip across England with the uncompromising Parr, whose subjects, frames and colours have revolutionised contemporary photography.
Live Music : Michael McGoldrick and Tim Edey
Live Music in the Theatre at Horse + Bamboo from Michael McGoldrick and Tim Edey Michael McGoldrick and Tim Edey are celebrated musicians in the realm of Celtic folk music, renowned for their exceptional skills and innovative approaches. Former BBC Folk Awards Musician of the Year Michael McGoldrick is a gifted multi-instrumentalist and composer. Born in Manchester to Irish parents, he is a master of the wooden flute, low whistles and uilleann pipes, making him a go-to contributor for many artists. Mike has collaborated withMark Knopfler since 2009 and been a core member of the Transatlantic Sessions since 2007. Steeped in Irish traditional music, he has, from his ground-breaking 2000 solo albumFusedonwards, assimilated a wide range of musical styles into his work including jazz ,funk, African and Indian rhythms. Mike has made an immense contribution to the Irish and UK folk scenes through his many solo and collaborative projects including being a founder member of the supergroup Lnasa and later through his work with Capercaillie. Recently nominated as Best Folk Instrumentalist at the2024 RT Radio 1 Folk Awards, Mikes reputation as one of the leading musicians of his generation is undeniable. Tim Edey is a guitarist & melodeon player, a BBC musician of the year & BBC Scotland best traditional musician winner. Having spent years touring with acts like The Chieftains, Seamus Begley, Brendan Power, Natalie MacMaster to name a few, Tim is now an accomplished soloartist and joins Mike, a huge musical influence, having first met him at Rochester Sweeps Festival in 1996. The duo is a special meeting of old friends bringing together virtuosity and sheer musical magic. Stream the new albumJamland [https://michaelmcgoldrick1.bandcamp.com/album/jamland] Tim Edey : Website [https://timedey.com/home] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/tim.edey/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/therealtimedey/] |Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN 4uUN ZQg&t=8s] Time Bar open from 7pm | Music from 8pm Price General Admission : 18 Concessions : 16 PWYC Available Age Suitability 16+
Arts Award Evening

Arts Award Evening

21 May 2025 - 21 May 2025

An evening of glitz and glamour for our young people and their families! Get dressed up, walk the red carpet and receive your well deserved Arts Award! Members of Cotton Shed do notneed a ticket! Tickets are limited to 2 grown ups only per member. Siblings allowed but please let us know beforehand if they will be attending. No under 5's. Evening Events 5.30pm - Doors open 6.15pm - First performances 6.30pm - Awards presentation 6.45pm - Second performances 7pm - DISCO TIME!! 8.30pm - Finish
Comedy : Marcel Lucont's Whine List

Comedy : Marcel Lucont's Whine List

20 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025

Comedy at Horse + Bamboo with Marcel Lucont The multi-award-deserving deadpan Frenchman serves up a unique Whine List of the audiences past gripes, moans and misdemeanors, while also dishing out some of his premier erotic poetry. Expect louche musings, dry wit and Gallic superiority. Winner: Best Comedy Show Fringe World Awards As seen on Live At The Comedy Store (Comedy Central), Set List (Sky Atlantic), The John Bishop Show (BBC1) and Live At The Electric (BBC3). Fresh, accessible and hilarious The Guardian His elegant, sardonic turns of phrase are an utter joy superb stuff Time Out Witty, intelligent and pitch-perfect - The List Marcel Lucont : Website [https://marcellucont.com/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MarcelLucont/timeline/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/marcel.lucont] Time Bar open from 7pm | Event 8pm Running Time 120 mins inc. 15 min interval Price General Admission : 10 Concessions : 8 PWYC Available Age Suitability 16+ only
National Theatre Live: Inter Alia

National Theatre Live: Inter Alia

4 Sept 2025 - 11 Dec 2025

Oscar-nominated Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Saltburn) is Jessica in the much-anticipated next play from the team behind Prima Facie. Jessica Parks is a smart Crown Court Judge at the top of her career. Behind the robe, she is a karaoke fiend, a loving wife and a supportive parent. When an event threatens to throw her life completely off balance, can she hold her family upright? Writer Suzie Miller, director Justin Martin, and composer Self Esteem, reunite following their global phenomenon Prima Facie, with this searing examination of modern motherhood and masculinity.

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