An insight behind the scenes at the routines and rituals that make Highclere Castle the most magical place to be throughout the festive season. Lady Carnarvon will guide you through Advent, Christmas preparations and Christmas Eve all the way through to the day itself, and beyond. Learn how the castle and grounds are transformed by decorations, including the raising of a twenty-foot tree in the saloon, the gathering of holly and mistletoe from the grounds. All the intricacies of the perfect traditional Christmas are here: from crackers and carol singers. The festive feeling is carried through to Highclere's Boxing Day traditions, the restorative middle days and the New Year's Eve celebrations.

Lady Carnarvon also tells the story of historic Christmases at Highclere - of distinguished guests warming themselves by the fire after a long journeys home through the snow, unexpected knocks on the door, and, always, the joy of bringing family - and staff - together after a busy year.

Illustrated talk with book signing. Highclere gin and books will be available to purchase

 

Living Spit are delighted to bring you 'the alternative' Christmas show this festive season!

Hard hearted Ebenezer Scrooge hates the season of goodwill until a visit from three spirits one Christmas Eve makes him rethink his... blah blah blah.

We all know the story. We’ve all seen the film(s). But who’s the best Scrooge of all time? Albert Finney? Alistair Sim? Patrick Stewart? Well, just hold your horses there! Because you’ve yet to witness Bristol actor Craig Edwards’ take on Dickens’ mean miserabilist.

He waits, like a coiled spring, ready to bring his unique brand of Midlands malcontentment to the role. And he’s brought Clevedon’s finest, Stu Mcloughlin, along for the ride to play (almost literally) all the other parts!

Hilarious, tender, idiotic and musically virtuosic by turns, Living Spit’s two-man adaptation of A Christmas Carol promises a feast of festive foolery that’ll have you splitting your sprouts with laughter, or your money back!*

*only joking about the “money back” bit!!

"Christmas tradition laced with really, really good comedy."

Bristol Post

 

“The jokes are brilliantly bad, the songs are wonderful and all in all the whole performance is hilarious. Its proper fun for all the family, which is exactly what you want at Christmas.“

Bristol 24/7

Parental Guidance; Suitable for ages 10 years + due to occasional bad language and regular terrible puns!

Legends of Motown is a high energy tribute show jam packed with all of Motown’s biggest hits, with stunning vocals and amazing live band, celebrating the music of the iconic and timeless Motown era. Undoubtedly the golden era of music, the show pays tribute to the legendary artists that appeared on the Motown label at that time. Get ready to be wowed with a song list that won’t fail to have you up and out of your seats and dancing in the aisles. Make it a night to remember with the music authentic to the Motown label from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, The Temptations, Jackie Wilson and many more!

Expect mega hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “You Can’t Hurry Love”, “My Girl”, “This Old Heart of Mine” and a few Christmas classics like “Santa Claus is Coming To Town”, and “Sleigh Ride” for a special Christmas show!

www.legendsofmotown.uk 

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https://twitter.com/motownband_uk 

“Legends of Motown delivered a powerful performance with stellar musicianship and contagious energy. Superb vocals, pitch - perfect harmonies, classic tunes and undeniable musical talent ensured an enjoyable atmosphere and experience forall in attendance.” ***** backseatmafia.com

“The show is well executed with a fiery setlist - not a single seat was down by the end of the night as they had everyone dancing in the aisles.” *****

“They had so much energy that flowed through to the audience, with amazing vocals that are perfectly accompanied by an extremely high quality band. *****

‘A Christmas Night at the Opera’

Featuring the great operas of Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Bizet, Puccini, Offenbach, Gilbert & Sullivan and more. The distinguished cast appears in sumptuous period evening dress, recreating the grandeur and glamour of past times.  

Join in the Christmas spirit with a singalong carol!

London Festival Opera brings together international artists from the major companies including the Royal Opera, ENO and Glyndebourne with exceptional young singers.   Past performances have been throughout the UK and Europe, including in one of the world’s greatest opera houses La Fenice in Venice, and as far afield as Hong Kong, Africa and India.

Operatic masterpieces, fabulous singing, spoken introductions and elegant costumes combine to make this a performance not to be missed for all opera lovers and newcomers alike.  A programme of passion, drama and humour accompanied by superb orchestral backing tracks.  

 

‘Outstanding singers’                                                

THE SUNDAY TIMES

‘Opera at its very best’

OXFORD TIMES

BSO Curious Creatures

An ensemble of fourteen musicians from across the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra invite you to join them on a musical journey through the natural world, in a programme presented especially for families.

 

Travel with us on this symphonic venture through verdant forests and across the open ocean. Embrace the wild with a catchy Mancini tune and Elgar’s spirited The Wild Bears. Explore the elements with Williams’ ode to the sea and de Falla’s frenzied Ritual Fire Dance, and enjoy an orchestral adaptation of a popular work by Björk with music that delves into emotions of the heart through the crystallisation of minerals and rocks. The sing-a-long favourite from the blockbuster Moana and Vaughan Williams’ musical flight of the lark completes the programme. Proudly presented in partnership with Artsreach, this adventurous afternoon is an escapade fit for all to join in with!

Supported by The Pitt-Rivers Charitable Trust

Neil Sands and his wonderful cast are back with the new 2024 production of their hit show, a spectacular spirit lifting, heartwarming, afternoon of festive nostalgia. filled with over 60 of your all-time favourite Christmas songs and Carols that will have you singing along from start to finish and bringing back so many wonderful memories of Christmases past.

Mad Dog Mcrea blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your ass’ music. From self-penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life, to traditional songs of gypsies, fairies, legless pirates and black flies – Mad Dog never fail to capture their audience with their infectious songs. In constant demand and having played just about every festival and two-bit, jibe-arsed dive in Christendom, Mad Dog Mcrea are, in every sense of the word, a live, band.

Matched with the unshakable dedication of their massive and “loyal-to-the-hilt”, fan base – Mad Dog Mcrea are more than just a very popular, festival act – with five albums under their belts, they are serious and acclaimed recording artists too. December 2019 saw Mad Dog Mcrea released a 5-track EP titled ‘It’s a Sign’.

The famous purple happy bus is fired up and ready for action, and there’s room for you – jump aboard!

PLEASE NOTE: The raked seating, which seats 151, will be out for those who wish to sit. The seating is unreserved and unfortunately cannot be prebooked. floor will be open for dancing and for those who prefer to stand at this show.