Latest news – Hall still closed but online and live events listed below
HALL LATEST
As the Covid rules are changing, we are able to add two films to be be screened in May (with social distancing and masks). We will continue adding live gigs for the autumn so keep checking here. Live gigs are, of course, going to be governed by Covid regulations at the time.
The Universal Hall Promotions Team, April 20th 2021
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April 2017
Moonbeam on a Cat’s Ear (family theatre) Sat 1st April, 2pm
In the middle of the night Rosie, Toby, the cat and the mouse sneak out to play in the shadow of the apple tree. When Toby steals the moon from the sky they go on an adventure across the stars and the sea. But, is it all just a dream? Based on the book by author and illustrator Marie-Louise Gay, Jabuti Theatre’s adaptation captures the beauty and detail of the book’s illustrations using puppetry, physical theatre and magical light boxes and brings it all to life with a mesmerising original musical soundscape and score. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival Duration: 38 mins for ages: 3 years +
“… a joy for anyone whose inner child still lurks near the surface.” Edinburgh Guide
£7/£6 concs/£5 U16’s
To buy online (10% booking fee) click here
Find out more »June 2017
MamaBabaMe (family theatre) Thurs 15th June, 11.30am and 2.30pm
PLEASE NOTE; THIS EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE PUBLISHED IN THE ‘GOOD GIG GUIDE’ AND WILL NOW BE HELD IN FORRES TOWN HALL (AND NOT AT THE UNIVERSAL HALL).
Presented by Starcatchers and Curious Seed, join us at the ringside of our mini arena for MamaBabaMe to witness this exciting new dance, theatre and live music experience made especially for infants and their grown ups. Through playful movement, dance and sound, MamaBabaMe explores profound new relationships and how eternal bonds evolve and grow. In this show everyone will recognise something of their own relationships, as parent or child. Age guidance: 18 months – 3 year olds and their adults Duration: 45 mins (The show will run twice on the same day)
£5/£4 concs/£3 children
To book online for the 11.30am show (10% booking fee) click here
To book online for the 2.30pm show (10% booking fee) click here
This event is supported by FINDHORN BAY ARTS
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April 2018
Little Light (family theatre at Forres Town Hall) Sun 1st April, 2pm
Little Light is a cross-cultural co-production between the wonderfully creative Vision Mechanics and Haya Cultural Centre, Jordan. The show will be staged in Forres Town Hall in a traditional Bedouin tent and uses puppetry, music and dance to tell this magical story of a small, energetic star, a lonely boy and a dog. Vision Mechanics create highly visual shows that captivate a young audience. Suitable for age 5+.
£7/£6 concs/£5 U16’s
To buy online tickets (10% booking fee) click here
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Red Riding Hood’s Magic Purse (family theatre) Sat 14th April, 2pm
Part of the Puppet Animation Festival and presented by Clydebuilt this is a classic story told with a difference. Favourite characters abound – an adventurous Red Riding Hood, an independent Granny (home at last from her trip round the world), and of course the wonderful Wicked Wolf, who plans to have Granny for lunch and Little Rosie for afternoon tea! Find out how Red Riding Hood’s Magic Purse saves the day in this gentle show for young audiences. Rod puppets and shadow theatre combine with original music and sounds bring this ever-popular story to life. Age Guidance:
3+ years runs for 45 mins
£7/£6 concs/£5 U16’s
To buy online tickets (10% booking fee) click here
Find out more »May 2018
Animals (family theatre) Sat 12th May, 2pm
Animals is a lovely family show about… animals. Big ones, little ones, wild ones, tame ones. It’s also a show about us, and our emotions. Big ones, little ones, wild ones, tame ones. From the joy of delivering a new lamb with your own hands, to the pain of losing your pet dog, and the confusion of discovering your favourite cow is in love with a tractor! Animals explores how animals help us figure stuff out. Using real and imagined stories collected from 6 year-olds, the show interweaves live music, dance and film into a celebration of our unique relationship with animals. Created by Greg Sinclair, this is a co-production with Perth Theatre. Age guidance 6+
£7/£6 concs/£5 U16’s
To buy online tickets (10% booking fee) click here
To see a video trailer click here
To go to the dedicated website click here
Find out more »October 2018
Willy Wonders Splendid Hotel (theatre) Mon 1st Oct, 1pm
This show is presented by the Eden Court CREATIVE Integrated Performance Group. Inspired by the pure imagination and characters of the Integrated Performance Group, and in homage to Roald Dahl, Willy Wonders Splendid Hotel is a journey of magic, mystery and wonder. Prepare yourself to travel through floors of trees and elves then underwater in a lift that moves sideways and backwards. You may even be one of the golden ticket holders; come and find out. Conceived by Ruby Worth who also co-directed with Amy Watt. (Show runs 1 hr) This event is part of the Findhorn Bay Festival.
£7/£5
Tickets from: www.findhornbayfestival.com T: 01309 675333
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March 2019
Pied Piper (Family Theatre) Sat 30th Mar, 2pm
When the Pied Piper plays his flute the rats run, the greedy mayor rubs his hands and the children dance… Presented by Norwich Puppet Theatre this new humorous and irresistible one-person show combines a skilful mix of puppetry, foot-tapping music and storytelling which will entrance audiences young and old. As one of England’s leading companies Norwich Puppet Theatre have been producing brilliant productions for the past 30 years. For children aged 3-7 years and their adults. Runs 45 minutes. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival 2019.
“Norwich Puppet Theatre’s Fantastic! An example of excellent touring puppet theatre.” The Guardian
£7/£6 concs/£5 child To buy tickets online (10% booking fee) click here
Find out more »April 2019
A Ladder to the Stars (family theatre) Sat 6th April, 2pm
Way up in the deep blue night sky, a twinkling star hears a little girl’s birthday wish . . . Presented by Visible Ficitons and told through a magical mix of puppetry, music, light and imagination, this is a heartfelt and humorous story of what can happen when the universe hears your dreams. For the past 25 years Visible Fictions has been creating innovative and dynamic theatrical productions for young people of all ages and their adults. For children aged 5 and under and their adults. Runs 50 mins. Part of the puppet Animation Festival 2019.
“A gift of a show for wee ones.” The Herald
£7/£6 concs/£5 child
To buy tickets online (10% booking fee) click here
To see a video trailer click here
Find out more »May 2019
Little Top at Forres Town Hall (family theatre), Sun 19th May, 2pm
Presented by Starcatchers and SUPERFAN, Little Top is a magical first circus experience for babies aged 0-18 months and their adults. At a time in their development when young children are discovering their own physicality, and the pleasures and perils of gravity, Little Top invites babies to experience all the fun of the circus. Roll up for a gently thrilling performance which includes spectacular balances, astonishing tumbles and inventive juggling. Little Top will transport you to a playful, joyous, upside down, topsy-turvy world where people can fly, patterns fill the air and anything is possible. Please note that this event will be held at Forres Town Hall.
£7/£6 concs/£5 child
To buy tickets online (10% booking fee) click here
Find out more »September 2019
Stick by Me (family theatre) Sun 29th Sept, 2.30pm
Produced by Red Bridge Arts this is a theatre show for children aged 3-6 years featuring a storyline about well – a stick, just a stick. But for one, all alone, this stick has something special. And soon the two are the best of friends. They run, play, hide and rest…and stick together when things get tough. Beautifully crafted, making treasure from everyday objects, Stick by Me is a joyful show about friendship and play, and the importance of treasuring little things. Originally commissioned by Gulbenkian
“a joyful and funny show” ★★★★ The Guardian
£7/£6 concs/£5 U16s
To buy online tickets (10% booking fee) click here
To see a video click here
Find out more »November 2019
Slug (family theatre) Sat 9th Nov, 2pm
Visible Fictions presents Slug – a comic clowning adventure with no words for all aged 7 and up. Slug is munching through your prize winning cabbages eating your roses and leaving slimy trails all over the lawn. Slug is taking over your thoughts and tormenting your dreams. Slug needs to be stopped. Slug doesn’t care! Join us for the battle of the century as gardener vs slimy foe fight to reclaim the garden. Devised and Directed by Dougie Irvine and Melanie Jordan. Running time 50 mins, no interval. The show is performed by two actors and a musician and is a wordless piece and suitable for deaf audiences.
£7/£6 concs/£5 U16s
To buy online tickets (10% booking fee) click here
Find out more »The BFG (film) Sat 23rd Nov, 7.30pm
A tale of a young girl and a benevolent giant known as the BFG, who set out on an adventure to capture the evil, man-eating giants who have been invading the human world. This 2016 remake minimises the darker elements of Roald Dahl’s classic in favour of a heart-warming and visually stunning family-friendly adventure. Directed by Steven Spielberg Rating PG Runtime 115 mins
Entry: donations accepted on the door
Charity Fundraiser: All proceeds to support Ecologia Youth Trust
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January 2020
A Minuscule Adventure – Valley of the Lost Ants (film matinee) Sat 4th Jan 2020, 3pm
In a peaceful little valley, the remains of a picnic hastily abandoned spark warfare between two tribes of ants. At stake – a box of sugar. A bold young ladybug finds himself caught in the middle of the battle. He befriends one of the black ants, and helps him to save the anthill from the assault of the red ant warriors. An epic journey at ground level… 89 mins Rating-U No words A lovely film suitable for children and adults alike.
£5 adults/£3 children pay on the door
Find out more »April 2020
The Selfish Giant (puppet theatre for families) Sun 5th April, 2.30pm
This event is now cancelled as a coronavirus prevention measure. See top of our home page.
Rapunzel (puppet theatre for families) Sun 19th April, 2.30pm
This event is now cancelled as a coronavirus prevention measure. See top of our home page.
May 2020
Learning to Fly (family show) Sun 3rd May, 1pm
This event is now cancelled as a coronavirus prevention measure. See top of our home page.
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April 2021
THE SELFISH GIANT Wed 7 April. Online show available for 24 hours.
Presented by TESSA BIDE PRODUCTIONS & SOAP SOUP THEATRE this show for children aged 3+ and their adults is inspired by the touching story The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde. Bristol’s two leading family theatre companies use powerful storytelling, captivating puppetry, beautiful design, enchanting music and a sprinkling of audience interaction to explore an unusual friendship and how even the grumpiest giant’s heart can melt when Spring finally comes. Tessa Bide Productions and Soap Soup Theatre make high quality theatrical experiences to inspire and excite children and their families. Duration 55 mins – watch online in your own home.To see a trailer click here:
To buy a ticket click here:
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