Thu. Dec 19th, 2024

 

Matthew Bourne’s new adventure 9th July 2017

 From learning the choreography from some of  most loved ballets, to playing 100 African drums, to helping a musical superhero save the day, Take part in one of the UK’s most unusual quizzes, there’s fun for all the family at Henley Festival’s Family Sunday this July.

An array of world-class performers, children’s entertainers, musicians, comedians, storytellers and more will be at Henley Festival this year to give children the time of their lives. Younger visitors can enjoy edge-of-their-seat performances, engaging workshops, immersive storytelling and mind-boggling quizzes, while parents can join in the fun or relax in the stunning festival grounds on the bank of the River Thames.

EXPERIENCE THE UK’S BEST ACTIVITIES & WORKSHOPS

Children of all ages will have the opportunity to learn choreography from Matthew Bourne’s world-renowned Swan Lake and Cinderella ballets, and create a little something of their own, in Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures workshop. One of the great success stories of British theatre, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures has notched up numerous international awards and a staggering ten Olivier Award nominations.

Families looking to learn something new can also try their hands at Inta Africa’s drum workshop in the Bedouin Tent, with 100 African drums to be played. Fast moving, educational and, above all, fun, Inta Africa’s workshop is suitable for all levels of experience.

Acoustic @ Magoos will run a musical masterclass led by industry professionals, and a Pub Quiz for Kids will introduce families to a quiz unlike anything they’ve seen. Hosted by one of the UK’s favourite stand-ups, Patrick Monahan, this quiz will go where no quiz has gone before, promising fierce competition, lots of laughs, and maybe a few prizes.

Henley Festival’s youngest visitors will adore Baby Loves Disco, the original family dance party for parents, babies, toddlers and young children featuring nostalgic pop classics and feel-good chart floor-fillers. Baby Loves Disco has toured the globe for over ten years, including six sell-out seasons at Edinburgh Fringe.

ENJOY SOME OF THE UK’S FINEST STORYTELLERS & PERFORMERS

Families will have the chance to enjoy some of the UK’s finest musicians, entertainers and storytellers throughout Family Sunday, with a packed performance programme, including:

Tommy Foggo Superhero, will take audiences on epic adventures with him and his cello, overcoming impossible odds, and recruiting a gang of young helpers to travel with him through time and space. Brought to Henley Festival by award-winning composer Stephen Deazley, writer Martin Riley and international cellist, singer and actor, Matthew Sharp, this is a show as much for adults as for children.

Two storytellers will go head to head in a feast of silliness and magical storytelling in Storyteller Storyteller, from the winners of the Primary Times Children’s Choice Award 2014 and the Three Weeks Editors’ Choice Award at Edinburgh Fringe 2015.

Britain’s Got Talent contestant and entertainer, Bruce Airhead, will bring his unique show to Henley Festival, featuring the metamorphosis of a man and a six-foot balloon, complete with costumes, dancing, tricks and incredible feats.

 The Smallest Theatre in the World

Telling a Sherlock Holmes tale unlike any that’s been told before.

Sure to put a smile on everyone’s face, The Busquitos will perform a catchy mix of brilliantly played music, sung with an impressive Louis Armstrong-like hoarse voice, and dazzling, funny entertainment. The Busquitos have toured the UK, Holland, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland and Turkey, performing a wide variety of music from the ‘roaring twenties’, to Disney, jazz, rock & roll and more.

Henley Music School and Henley Youth Choir will return to Henley Festival, with a wide range of music, from Bruno Mars to Mozart.

Families have a wealth of dining options at the Festival, including pop-ups from the legendary Crooked Billet and Spice Merchant, as well as a huge number of concessions, including Pizza Express, the BBQ Club and Audacious Crispy Squid.

TICKET INFORMATION

Family Sunday tickets start from £5 for under 16s, with under 3s entering free. http://www.henley-festival.co.uk/ For the latest Henley news, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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