SUMMER 2026
Tickets for all shows are now live
Caswell: In Bloom (Vinyl Release Show)
Presented by Caswell
Running time: 3 hours 30 minutes, including a 20 minute interval.
Suitable for 12+.
charity. comedy. family. live music. opera. play. poetry. storytelling.
Following the success of Caswell’s debut album Break/Bleed/Bloom launch shows, she now brings her most ambitious performance yet to Thorington Theatre.
Caswell: In Bloom celebrates the album’s themes of rebirth and renewal, unfolding in a setting where the music reflects the full vibrancy of spring.
The evening also marks the official vinyl release of Break/Bleed/Bloom, giving the record a physical life to match its cyclical journey.
With two special guest artists and a richly curated set, this is Caswell in full bloom - an immersive outdoor experience where nature and music meet.
A Summer Night at the Musicals (Friday)
Presented by Wise Owl Theatre
Running time: 1 hours 40 minutes, including a 20 minute interval.
Suitable for all.
charity. comedy. family. live music. opera. play. poetry. storytelling.
Featuring a talented cast of musical theatre performers, accompanied live on piano and percussion, this uplifting concert celebrates some of the most loved songs from the world of musicals.
Perfectly suited to a summer evening, this is an ideal choice for families to enjoy together.
Whether you’re a lifelong musical theatre fan or planning a special family night out, this is an evening to sit back, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy unforgettable music in a truly special setting.
A Summer Night at the Musicals (Saturday)
Presented by Wise Owl Theatre
Running time: 1 hours 40 minutes, including a 20 minute interval.
Suitable for all.
charity. comedy. family. live music. opera. play. poetry. storytelling.
Featuring a talented cast of musical theatre performers, accompanied live on piano and percussion, this uplifting concert celebrates some of the most loved songs from the world of musicals.
Perfectly suited to a summer evening, this is an ideal choice for families to enjoy together.
Whether you’re a lifelong musical theatre fan or planning a special family night out, this is an evening to sit back, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy unforgettable music in a truly special setting.
Recalling The Greats
Presented by Xplosion
Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes, including a 20 minute interval.
Suitable for 12+.
charity. comedy. family. live music. opera. play. poetry. storytelling.
Back by popular demand.
Introducing a powerhouse group that pays homage to the timeless sounds of soul and Motown! This talented ensemble has been captivating audiences for 15 years.
With an impressive vocal range that brings the greatest of the genre to life, they deliver unforgettable performances that resonate with fans of all ages.
Currently touring the UK, they bring their high-energy shows to venues across the country, creating an electric atmosphere that keeps people on their feet.
Their deep connection to music - as well as each other - shines through in every show, making them a must-see act.
Bowjangles
Presented by Bowjangles
Running time: 2 hours, including a 20 minute interval.
Suitable for 12+.
charity. comedy. family. live music. opera. play. poetry. storytelling.
Genre-defying string quartet Bowjangles bring their trademark irreverent mix of physical comedy, improbable dancing, soaring vocals and, of course, virtuosic string playing to their latest show: Classically Untamed.
A jam-packed celebration of their favourite routines from the last 18 years together that has taken them from The Royal Festival Hall to Glastonbury Festival, via Off-Broadway NYC, a tour of China, International Street Festivals and the Edinburgh Fringe.
Along the way they’ve appeared on the BBC, ITV and Sky News, picked up multiple awards (including Mervyn Stutter’s Spirit of the Fringe) and garnered plenty of 5 star reviews.
“It’s impossible not to have a great time” The British Theatre Guide
“Unfailingly entertaining for all” Chortle
Honey & The Bear
Presented by Honey & The Bear
Running time: 2.5 hours, including a 20 minute interval.
Suitable for 12+.
charity. comedy. family. live music. opera. play. poetry. storytelling.
Honey & The Bear are UK folk and roots multi-instrumentalists Lucy and Jon Hart. Formed in 2014, the duo have gone from strength to strength, releasing three critically acclaimed albums and gathering an enthusiastic following of loyal fans.
Recently shortlisted for the FATEA Band/Duo of the Year, their live performances are full of variation, from emotive and dramatic full-bodied ballads, to rip-roaring tales of adventure on the seas.
Weaving stories into song, with a strong focus on their Suffolk roots, community and family, they are able to bring a tear to your eye in one moment, and in the next, have you up on your feet.
With regular band guests Evan Carson (percussion) and Archie Churchill-Moss (diatonic button accordion), whose immense talents add extra drama and artistic flair, this is one band you won’t want to miss!
Guy Johnston: Cello Suites
Presented by Britten Pears Arts
Running time: 2 hours, including a 20 minute interval.
Suitable for all.
charity. comedy. family. live music. opera. play. poetry. storytelling.
The remarkable Guy Johnston performs Bach and Britten: elegant suites for cello, in a magical setting.
Bach’s Cello Suites stand as monuments in the cello repertoire, pieces every professional player feels they should tackle at least once. Pablo Casals, the first modern cellist to play the Suites in their entirety, once wrote of their “radiance of space and poetry” and that “they are the very essence of Bach, and Bach is the essence of music”. No.2 is scurrying and introverted in character, while No.4 – considered one of the hardest of the group – has an austere nobility.
Britten composed his three Cello Suites for Mstislav Rostropovich, but with Bach very much sitting on his shoulder. Equally inspired by his revered predecessor and the flamboyant talents of Slava, the Suites are structured into Baroque-style movements, filtered through Britten’s distinctive language. The First is anchored to a soulful, singing theme, emphasising the cello’s affinity with the human voice. His Third Suite is even more personal to his Russian friend: a gradual reveal of Russian folksongs, simple and almost unadorned by the end.
Guy Johnston always brings an expressive empathy to his performances. This recital in the atmospheric surroundings of Thorington will be special indeed.
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Gavin Fairhall Lever
Presented by James Gavin
Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes, including a 20 minute interval.
Suitable for all.
charity. comedy. family. live music. opera. play. poetry. storytelling.
Fresh from his tour of the ‘magnificent’ (Folk Radio UK) debut album Chewing The Fat, a saga of spoken word and folk steeped in the sounds and words of rural Ireland, James Gavin presents a compelling new project. Drawing together acclaimed experimental folk artist Adrian Lever and jazz composer/bassist Tim Fairhall, the trio sets out to explore pathways between tradition, creation and improvisation - weaving a fresh and dynamic sound from their diverse roots.
After releasing their debut EP ‘Live from the Welsh Chapel’ in 2020 with accompanying videos featured monthly on Folk Radio UK, the trio has been busy writing new material and touring around Europe and the UK - highlights of which being Caceras Irish Fleadh (Spain) and Broadstairs Folk Festival.
The Friendly Invasion Show
Presented by Vocally Vintage
Running time: 1 hour 15 minutes, no interval.
Suitable for all.
charity. comedy. family. live music. opera. play. poetry. storytelling.
The Friendly Invasion Show tells the spectacular true story, using words and songs of the time, of the United States Army Airforce in East Anglia during the Second World War.
For just a few short years in the 1940's, Suffolk resembled a Hollywood film set - Glenn Miller played just down the road, Joe Louis visited the area and Joseph P. Kennedy Jnr. died in an exploding plane in the Suffolk skies over Blythburgh.
Airfields sprung up all across the countryside, and sleepy villages were turned into 'Little Americas', dramatically altering the physical and cultural landscapes forever - in fact Thorington Theatre itself sits in a crater left by a falling WWII bomb!
This highly entertaining and informative production is the creation of one of Suffolk's best loved vocalists, Kelly Booth. In it, she also explores the history of ENSA and the Forces’ Sweethearts and the important roles that music and dance played in boosting morale, while alongside her, the wit of Suffolk raconteur Stephen Bayfield regales astonishing tales of hilarity, bravery, and adventure.
Timeless
Presented by Xplosion
Running time: 2 hours, including a 20 minute interval.
Suitable for 12+.
charity. comedy. family. live music. opera. play. poetry. storytelling.
Step back in time and turn it all the way up — TIMELESS: Recalling The Greats is your ultimate soundtrack to the songs that shaped generations.
From the soul-stirring ride of “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight & The Pips, to the smooth romance of “You To Me Are Everything” by The Real Thing, this is music that lives forever. Feel the freedom of Candi Staton’s “Young Hearts Run Free”, the unmistakable power and passion of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect”, and the irresistible joy of Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely.”
Experience the velvet romance of Barry White’s “My First, My Last, My Everything,” the raw emotion of David Ruffin’s “Walk Away From Love,” and the infectious energy of Jackie Wilson’s “Reet Petite.” Sing along to Billy Ocean’s “Love Really Hurts Without You,” and let the dancefloor come alive.
We’re celebrating legends and dancefloor anthems — Michael Jackson’s “Black or White,” Sam Cooke’s “Twistin’ the Night Away,” Freda Payne’s “Band of Gold,” and the anthem that changed everything, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.
Turn up the groove with Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove Tonight,” lose yourself in Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” and bring everyone together with Kool & The Gang’s “Celebration.”
Starboard Home: An Evening of Sea Shanties and Songs.
Presented by The Silver Darlings
Running time: 2 hours, including a 20 minute interval.
Suitable for all.
charity. comedy. family. live music. opera. play. poetry. storytelling.
The Silver Darlings are an acclaimed all-female shanty crew hailing from Southend, Essex. Making their return to Thorington Theatre for the second time, these girls have performed all around the UK, including some iconic venues such as the Cutty Sark and the Golden Hinde as well as at a number of international shanty festivals.
Their debut album Maiden Voyage was very well received, obtaining a four-star review in Folk Magazine, and the girls are working on their second album Whaling Women which will be released soon.
Lively and energetic, these girls will regale you with their beautiful harmonies, mixing traditional shanties with other songs of the sea and topped off with a heady dose of humour. You'll want to join in and sing along!
Supporting them are the FelixStowaways. The band formed in 2014 after ‘skipper’ Norman put an advert in the local free magazine seeking others who may be interested in starting a shanty band in Felixstowe. The rest, as they say, is history. The band sing shanties, sea songs and songs of the sea, a capella, as they would have been sung on board ship.
They perform at local events, charity gigs, festivals, carnivals and private functions. They are regulars at the prestigious Harwich International Shanty Festival, and made their ninth appearance there in October 2024. They have also travelled to Leeuwarden in the Netherlands on two occasions to perform at ShantyCafe events, and have hosted four of their own ShantyCafes in Felixstowe.
Sam Lee: Solstice Folk
Presented by Britten Pears Arts
Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes, no interval
Suitable for all.
charity. comedy. family. live music. opera. play. poetry. storytelling.
As the sun sets on the solstice weekend, the Mercury-nominated artist brings a special performance to the magical setting of the forested amphitheatre at Thorington.
There could be no more wonderful setting for an evening with Sam Lee – whose work and craft are so infused with nature and folklore – than the idyllic woodland theatre at Thorington. Events there proceed whatever the weather, and while the trees offer some protection from sun and rain, it is exhilarating to experience music in such close connection with the natural world.
Sam – a former Snape residency artist and a much-loved member of the Britten Pears Arts family – will be coming straight from his Summer Solstice gig at Stonehenge, the perfect prelude to this light late evening of heart-warming music.
The Music of Trees
Presented by Geoff Robb
Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes, including a 20 minute interval.
Suitable for all.
charity. comedy. family. live music. opera. play. poetry. storytelling.
Join Geoff Robb, winner of the Brighton Fringe Live Music Award, for an evening of magical storytelling and virtuoso guitar that promises to transport you out into the woods. If you love nature and enjoy beautiful acoustic guitar music then this is the show for you!
Inspired by the wonder of the natural world, 'The Music of Trees' weaves together storytelling, woodland folklore and mythology with a suite of original compositions featuring Geoff's signature blend of classical, jazz, Celtic and Spanish influences.
A master of the acoustic guitar with an intricate, richly harmonic style, Geoff has performed to audiences across the UK and Europe, at venues ranging from Buckingham Palace and The House of Commons to Glastonbury Festival. His show, 'The Music of Trees', earned him rave reviews at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe.
REVIEWS:
★★★★ Broadway Baby
★★★★ The Wee Review
★★★★ Arts Reviews Edinburgh
“A masterful fusion of classical and folk that soothes the soul” Brighton and Hove News
Dark Fairytales
presented by Viktor Wynd
Running time: 7pm to 8.50pm including interval
Suitable for ages 8+
charity. comedy. family. live music. opera. play. poetry. storytelling.
Join master storyteller Viktor Wynd in the heart of the fairytale world of our woodland theatre and listen to him telling tales at bedtime. Be warned these are not the Ladybird or Disney versions and may not be suitable for the most tender ears.
This evening Mr. Wynd will tell some of his favourite tales collected on expeditions around the world, from nasty Germans chopping up people and eating them, to disgusting, macabre and delightful tales from Borneo. Learn of the birth of the leeches, the reason mosquitos are always buzzing around human ears, why it is best not to suckle caterpillars – or indeed strange babies - and something about bedbugs that might give you nightmares.
Giant octopuses, man-eating pigs and a buried moon from Papua New Guinea, or possibly shapeshifting magical creatures from Wales, the Good People of Ireland, the Sea Merrow, a Scottish Selkie, Scandinavian trolls and an illicit love affair with an Ice Bear.
The tales will be accompanied by live music from local legends The Blackshore Collective
Viktor Wynd is proprietor of London’s eponymous (nay infamous) Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & UnNatural History, and Chancellor of the pataphysical Last Tuesday Society.
He has spent the last 25 years telling stories to audiences across the globe. Fascinated by traditional fairy tales, his repertoire includes tales from the Brothers Grimm, Arabian Nights, Scandinavia, Russia, Italy, France, Ireland, Africa, Papua New Guinea and North America – so far.
He is the author of The Cabinet of Wonders (Prestel 2014) and The UnNatural History Museum (Prestel 2020), and his next book Dark Fairy Tales will be published by Prestel/Random House in 2025.
In 2020 he was the subject of a major exhibition, Viktor Wynd's UnNatural History Museum at The National Maritime Museum. When not leading expeditions to New Guinea, West Africa and the Amazon, he lives with his family, ever-growing menagerie, overflowing botanical and other collections just outside Halesworth. www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org
Stories & Shanties
presented by The Silver Darlings and Mike Warner
Running time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm including interval
Suitable for all
charity. comedy. family. live music. opera. play. poetry. storytelling.
The Silver Darlings are an all-female sea shanty crew hailing from Southend-on-Sea in Essex. They sing shanties, songs of the sea and ditties nautical. They love the story-telling aspect to shanty-singing and are passionately committed to ensuring that these songs remain in the public domain and are not lost at sea. Having performed both nationally and internationally, these girls actively encourage audience participation and never fail to bring the shanty party.
Mike Warner is a consultant seafood writer, storyteller and artisan fishmonger. Mike grew up close to Felixstowe Ferry, on the Suffolk Heritage Coast where he developed a profound love of the sea, the fishing industry and a deep-seated passion and affinity for seafood.
In more recent years, Mike has embedded himself in the UK fishing industry, to learn from the coalface and connect the producer to the consumer via ’Net to Plate’ storytelling.
He is an active member of the Guild of Food Writers and his blog ‘A Passion for Seafood’ was twice shortlisted in the Guild’s prestigious yearly awards.
Mike also advises chefs, hospitality, consumers, industry and the media on British seafood sustainability.
