Christmas Gift Ideas 2023
Struggling for Christmas gift ideas? Well look no further and give your loved ones an experience this Christmas at The Courtyard! By supporting and visiting The Courtyard, you’re helping the charity to deliver a comprehensive programme of inclusive, accessible live and participatory events, for the whole community. Whether your friends and family love contemporary drama, stand up comedians, or a good old tribute act, there is something for everyone! Check out some of our ideas below…
For the music lovers…
Brother’s Gillespie | Wednesday 10 January, 7.45pm
Described by Folk Radio UK as ‘weaving an especially compelling magic’, and ‘showing British acoustic music in its best possible light’, Northumbrian duo The Brothers Gillespie make music that is animated by lyrical song writing, fine fingerstyle guitar playing & multi-instrumental musicianship
Opera Boys – A Night At The Musicals | Friday 2 February, 7.30pm
Whether you’re a fan of modern day smash hit musicals like Mamma Mia, Hairspray and Jersey Boys, prefer the classics from the likes of Gershwin and Rodgers & Hammerstein, or adore the definitive masterpieces like Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and West Side Story, this show has something for everyone and is perfect for musical theatre lovers both young and old.
The Hey Yahs | Saturday 9 March, 8pm
Following their exciting showcase for 2023, Hereford’s favourite party band The Hey Yahs are back for 2024 and ready to have a good time with you!
The Sounds of Rod Stewart | Thursday 25 April, 7.30pm
Taking you on a journey through five decades of music, from the early days with Jeff Beck, The Faces, The Great American Songbook era to the present day, The Sounds of Rod Stewart is a show not to be missed.
For the drama fans…
Confessions of Sweeney Todd | Thursday 18 January, 7.45pm
An original one-man performance featuring an audience with the infamous Demon Barber of Fleet Street himself, Sweeney Todd! The classic penny dreadful tale is performed with gusto and swagger by Jonathan Goodwin in a show directed by Gary Archer.
The Importance of being… Earnest? | Thursday 22 – Saturday 24 Februarynn
When a traditional production of Oscar Wilde’s classic play gets underway, everything seems to be going perfectly to plan… that is, until the lead actor fails to arrive on cue.
As She Likes It | Thursday 29 February, 7.45pm
As SHE Likes It is inspired by the story of #MeToo pioneer Patricia Douglas. It’s been nearly 100 years since Patricia Douglas was lured to a studio party under the guise of a casting call, in what was perhaps the biggest, best-suppressed scandal in Hollywood history.
Susan of Narnia | Wednesday 20 March, 7.45pm
A one-woman telling of what happens to Susan from the “Narnia Chronicles” after being left alone in the ‘real’ world… the trauma, the loneliness, and having no-one to confide in…
For the musical enthusiasts…
Les Misérables School Edition | Thursday 25 – Saturday 27 January
Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 65 million people worldwide, Les Misérables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. Now adapted for high school performers, Les Misérables School Edition features one of the most memorable scores of all time and some of the most memorable characters to ever grace the stage.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie: Teen Edition | Thursday 11 – Saturday 13 April
Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn’t quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation. Supported by his brilliant, loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies, and steps out of the darkness into the spotlight.
For the funny ones…
Ivo Graham | Thursday 29 February, 8pm
After dismantling a barge, doxxing himself in the Doubletree, and blanking on the 1992 Ipswich Town crest (Taskmaster, Off Menu, University Challenge), Ivo ropes his audience into more chaos against the clock.
Tim Vine: Breeeep! | Wednesday 6 & Thursday 7 March
It’s Tim Vine and he’s back with a brand new stand-up show! Come and enjoy a mountain of nonsense, daft one-liners, joyful songs, wobbly props and ridiculous humour. (Plus utter drivel.) Witness the stupidity. Then leave. Switched on the Christmas lights in Cheam two years on the run. All tickets non-repundable.
Reginald D Hunter – The Man Who Could See Through S**t | Friday 15 March 8pm
In these supercharged socio-political times the challenge is more and more becoming separating what’s true and what’s real. Join Reginald D. Hunter for an hour of exploring this phenomena in this progressive work in a pre next-variant world.
Chris McCausland: Yonks! | Wednesday 27 & Thursday 28 March
You might have seen him on Scared of the Dark, Would I Lie to You, Have I Got News for You, The Royal Variety, QI, Blankety Blank, The Last Leg, and tons more as well. He’s been called an “overnight success” – Even though he’s been doing this for bloody yonks!
For the ones that like something a little bit different…
An Evening with Krish Thapa | Thursday 18 January, 7.30pm
Krish is a world-class high-altitude mountaineer, SAS Mountain leader & professional guide.This is a joint fundraiser for The Courtyard and Herefordshire Veterans Support Centre.
Reverend Richard Coles: Borderline National Trinket | Saturday 20 January, 8pm
Reverend Richard Coles is the only British vicar to have had a number-one hit single and to have appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. An intimate evening with a unique national treasure embarking on a first full national tour because he’s done pretty much everything else a person can do.
Circus Spectacular | Wednesday 21 February, 8pm
The circus is coming to town! Circus Spectacular will have everyone laughing and cheering along in this fantastic circus style variety show.
For the foodies…
Supper Serenades | Tuesday 20 February (Fish & Game) 6.30pm
Join us for an intimate evening with delicious dining, accompanied by exquisite chamber music from our resident orchestra, Orchestra of the Swan. This time, we have a taste of the countryside with a Fish & Game themed evening.
Live On The Lounge | Friday 9 February & Friday 6 April, 7pm
Join us for an exclusive new music & dining event this spring. The Courtyard Lounge will be host to some fantastic live, local music, whilst you indulge in a delicious selection of bottomless small plates.
The Faulty Towers Dining Experience | Tuesday 30 July – Saturday 3 August, 7pm
Be part of the action as Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve up mayhem on a plate alongside a 3-course meal and two hours of non-stop laughter.
For the ones with kids…
The Witch & The Egg | Saturday 20 January, 11am
One performer and a flock of shadow puppets tell an engaging and heart-warming story about friendship, laughter and flying the nest.
The Owl & The Pussycat | Thursday 7 March, 9.30am, 11am & 2pm
Open your mind and step inside Edward Lear’s brilliantly anarchic world of nonsense rhymes and limericks. Embrace the silliness, dive into a sea of words, an absurd alphabet soup of poppycock and gobbledygook…
The Ultimate Bubbles Show with Ray Bubbles | Saturday 30 March, 11am, 1pm & 3pm
Join Ray, International Bubbleologist and Guinness World Record Holder, and help him in his quest to complete the bubble game and make the ultimate bubble.
Zog & The Flying Doctors | Tuesday 16 – Thursday 18 April
Zog, super keen student turned air-ambulance, still lands with a bang-crash-thump. Together with his Flying Doctor crew, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout, they tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a unicorn with one too many horns and a lion with the flu. Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling sequel, Freckle Productions (Zog, Stick Man, Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales) are back, with music and lyrics by Joe Stilgoe (Zog), for this truly modern take on the classic fairy tale.
The Courtyard Cinema screens hundreds of films every year from action thrillers to period romances and laugh-out-loud comedy to sombre art house films. Don’t forget, Borderlines Film Festival returns in March, bringing the best cinema has to offer, right here at The Courtyard!
Check out the vouchers information below to gift the big screen experience this Christmas.
For the ones that you don’t know what to get…
The Courtyard Gift Vouchers are the perfect present for all the theatre-goers in your life.
E-Vouchers can be purchased in any amount and redeemed in person at Box Office, over the phone or online as payment towards tickets to Shows, Films, Live Screenings or Memberships. (They cannot be used to purchase food or drink at the Café Bar, items from The Courtyard Shop or parking).
Alternative physical Gift Vouchers, that are also valid in our Café Bar and Shop, are available to purchase in person at our Box Office. Please note these cannot be used online.
You probably have seen the TV adverts to adopt a wild animal, but did you know you can adopt a seat at The Courtyard? Subject to availability, you can choose a seat in our Main House or Studio to gift someone this Christmas or in memoriam for someone special who loved the arts. You can create your own dedication for the plaque which makes it even more special.
The Courtyard shop shines the spotlight on locally made, sustainable products, putting them at the heart of our shopping community. We stock a variety of unique gifts, handmade crafts, and artisan creations. There is something for everybody including a host of locally made children’s gifts, candles, ceramics, textiles and jewellery.
If none of these quite work for your loved ones, take a look at our What’s On as there is lots coming up!