THEATRE PROGRAMME

The Railway Children by E. Nesbitt tells the story of three children who are forced to leave a comfortable home for a simpler life, after their father is arrested and accused of being a spy.

In this lively adaptation of an Edwardian classic, Warton Drama Group invite you to enter an exciting world of strange meetings and simple acts of joy, kindness and courage. All performed to a sound track of glorious steam trains!

A box of tissues might be handy! Oh..and waving is compulsory…

Directed by Marion Plowright.

'Meet Tommy Atkins' takes the audience not just through Tommy's war, but also his life back home in Britain post war. We learn of his experiences in the trenches - fighting on the Somme, at Passchendaele and Loos; and also of the boredom, the loss and indeed the comradeship. Returning to Britain, Tommy shows us how a generation of returning men were maltreated but how ultimately it was his generation that forced through the foundations of the Welfare State. From the beginning of the Great War to the end of the Second, Private Tommy Atkins was there. This is his story.  'Compelling, moving, insightful and believable....beautifully written and performed'  Stage Talk Magazine

I wrote this play in 2014 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of The First World War. The story is very close to my heart as I have a great interest in the war and also the social history of Britain that was directly affected by it. ‘Meet Tommy Atkins’ takes the audience through his war – a war that saw him fight at Ypres, Passendale, Loos and on the Somme and that took him to the depths of despair but also brought him unique comradeship that he would never find again. It also takes Tommy through the inter-war period when many of those that had fought in the war returned to a country that was definitely not a country fit for heroes, and then past a second world war and into an era when social benefits were introduced. – Peter Gill

Join us for a night of poetry and music that celebrates the beauty, complexity and richness of our planetary home. We'll range across seas, rivers, insects, plants and glaciers to illuminate the relationships we depend upon for survival and joy. Imaginary and familiar worlds will be shared through song and spoken word, to bring a spirit of harmony and wonder to the evening.

Maya Chowdhry, Sarah Hymas, Shamshad Khan and Deep Cabaret's Steve Lewis, offer poems, eco-acoustics, asemic songs, and stories to herald the lengthening of our days.

After the Sell-Out performance of Three Men in a Boat at the Heron last season, Giles Shenton returns with Old Herbaceous, described as “Downton Abbey with gardening tips”. It is the humorous love story of a single-minded yet gentle man with a passion for plants and is a charming one man play which has entranced audiences all around the country over the last six years.

An acute and sometimes hilarious observation of relationships between the classes in a simpler age, Old Herbaceous is sprinkled with witticisms and epithets. The evening blossoms into tender humour, much in the traditionally understated English style of the early 20th century.

As Old Herbaceous, renowned actor Giles Shenton truly lives the part of the legendary Head Gardener, Herbert Pinnegar, inviting you to feel included in a private chat from a bygone, comforting age. Keeping you engrossed, amused and emotionally engaged from start to finish, Old Herbaceous will leave you with a feeling that, perhaps, all’s right with the world.

‘Giles Shenton draws us into his world making the characters so real you feel you have known them forever’ - Edinburgh Fringe

‘Absolutely idylic’ - BBC Radio York

The award-winning Dyad Productions (Female Gothic, I, Elizabeth, Christmas Gothic, and Austen’s Women) return with Virginia Woolf’s celebrated exploration of the impact of poverty and sexual inequality on intellectual freedom and creativity.

Take a wry, amusing, and incisive trip through the history of literature, feminism, and gender.  Meet Charlotte Brontë, Jane Austen, Aphra Behn, and Shakespeare’s sister – Judith! Travel to the far-flung future of… 2028.  But whatever you do, Keep Off the Grass.

★★★★★ ‘Intelligently adapted, beautifully performed... entrancing’ (British Theatre Guide)

★★★★★ ’Richly re-imagined, exquisitely evocative' (Edinburgh Guide)

★★★★★ ‘Pure brilliant theatre.' (TV Bomb)

‘Perfection… Vaughan is simply sublime’ (Huffington Post)

Rebecca returns by popular demand after her triumph in her ‘ I. Elizabeth show’ last year at the Heron.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen was published anonymously in three volumes in 1811. The satirical, comic story offers a vivid depiction of 19th-century middle-class life as it follows the romantic relationships of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, personifications of good sense (common sense) and sensibility (emotionality), respectively. They become destitute upon the death of their father, who leaves his home, Norland Park, to their half brother, John. With live music, multiple characterisation, humour and inventiveness, yet another English classic novel is brought wonderfully to life—Hotbuckle style!

Fiona Leaning is a firm favourite of Heron audiences and delighted us in 2019 with Tess of the D’Urberville’s.

A Storytelling Extravaganza of European folk tales from David Dale and Dominic Kelly.

David Dale tells tales from his Austro-Hungarian background with a distinct flavour of Spring. David trained as an actor and segued into storytelling 10 years ago, bringing together his love of performance and love of folktales.

Dominic Kelly has captivated audiences across 15 countries and 3 continents. He has appeared at the Barbican, National Theatre and festivals up and down the country. He lives in the Lake District and Stockholm and his stories reflect Swedish Folk Legends.

An opportunity to meet four local authors. They will talk about their books and what inspired them to write. Is writing your own book an easy process which comes naturally or does it require training and self-discipline? Come and find out from authors who have had their writing published. There will also by an opportunity to meet Neil from Carnforth Bookshop who will give us an insight in to the highs and lows of running a bookshop. There will be the opportunity to purchase the books of the authors you will meet and to browse a range of non-fiction and fiction from authors from across the region.

A warm welcome is extended to our Members who are invited to attend this event free of charge, although to avoid disappointment, it is advised to book in advance as we anticipate tickets for the event will be in demand.

If you would like to become a member of the Heron and receive a 20% discount on all tickets please DOWNLOAD A FORM.