<img src='' title='Event Category: Theatre' alt='' id='templ_icon_' width='' height='' /> Event Category: Theatre

We cannot believe that this year marks 25 years since Flying High Expressive Arts was established. From being based at Kingswell Junior School in 1999, moving to Arnold Hill Academy, then St. Mark’s Church Hall & Christ the King Academy to finally, our current venue, Pondhills Lane Community Centre & the Bonington Theatre.

On our journey we have produced 13 National Theatre Connections plays and performed at Sheffield Crucible, Nottingham Playhouse, Derby Theatre & the Royal National Theatre, taken 17 shows to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, performed 4 Christmas shows at the Bonington Theatre, been selected for County & Regional Youth Dance platforms and a dance exchange to Berlin, participated in Mansfield Junior Showtime, Inspire Youth Arts Showcases, Mansfield Drama festivals, Arnold Christmas Lights, Carnivals, Summer Fairs and created our own Christmas and Summer Showcases annually. In addition, we have achieved 100% pass rate for around 200 young people taking GCSEs and A Levels in Dance and Drama & Theatre outside school and presently, 88 Lamda exams taken from Grade 2 – 8 with 100% pass rate and 82% Distinctions.

We are proud of our inclusive CIC (Community Interest Company) status and in our 25^th Year, we aim to move towards becoming a registered charity so that we can continue to provide for all members of our community and share our love of theatre arts and how they can inspire us all to ‘Fly High’.

This is an open invitation to anyone who has ever been part of Flying High Expressive Arts in any way to join us so get dressed up and let’s celebrate.

Flying High Children’s Tea Party 2.00pm – 5.00pm

Tickets: £10 adults/£7 children/£30 family of four

We invite parents/carers together with our younger members and alumni with children to an afternoon of party food, games, dancing, entertainment and drinks available to purchase from the bar. N.B. There must be at least one adult on each booking.

Flying High Past & Present Reunion Party 7pm – 11pm

Tickets: £15 all tickets/£10 (Early bird before 20^th August using promo code FHEB )

Calling all parents, alumni and current members aged 14+ to join us for a past and present reunion celebration filled with music, dancing, memories, photos, videos, a grazing table of food and drinks available to purchase from the bar.

Watson. An old soldier with a few bruises and a cracking story to tell.

1894. Watson is alone. His beloved wife Mary and the great Sherlock Holmes are both gone. But London seethes with false reports and rumour. It is time to set the record straight.

So Watson tells his tale… a tale of long buried secrets, betrayal and death. For there is a shadow in the gutters of London. A spider’s web of poisonous intrigue lies across the city. Someone is playing a long game and Holmes and Watson face their greatest ever challenge. But as Watson unravels the story, is the game really over?

Presented by Live & Local

Flying High Expressive Arts CIC invite you to join us for our annual Summer Showcase where we share with you, our wonderful young people’s talents and creativity in a series of scenes, dances and songs. We have a short version of Peter Pan from our Junior Drama group, a song from ‘Annie’ from our young singers, creative dance pieces from our Youth Dance group, and a mixture of original drama pieces from our senior groups including an informative portrayal of how the teenage brain is wired very differently from adults!

We also have our Young Company sharing at least two of the songs from preparations of their 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, an original version of The Wizard of Oz which, in addition to the Fringe will be performed at the Bonington Theatre on 22nd & 23rd December – a Christmas family show.

The showcase will last approx. 2hrs 20mins including an interval.

Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all of your favourite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in Seussical JR., a fantastical musical extravaganza from Tony-winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.

Performed by children from New Youth Theatre.

Presented by New Youth Theatre.

Embark on this thrilling production of Into The Woods performed by a cast of 30 talented young performers that has rehearsed in just under a week.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and the book by James Lapine, this magical tale follows a Baker and his Wife as they attempt to undo a spell. Their journey intertwines with many classic fairy-tale stories, creating a dramatic, yet comedic narrative which reminds us that not all fairy-tales have happy endings.

This show is perfect for those wanting to escape into a storybook world of princes, princesses, wolves and giants and be transported to a place where wishes do come true – albeit with unforeseen consequences.

Creative Team:
Directed by Abigail Pidgeon
Choreography by Megan Hindley
Musical Direction by Harry Hindley

*This amateur production is performed in arrangement with Musical Theatre International–

The Bonington Players are pleased to announce that, following sold-out seasons at the National Theatre and in the West End, and a national tour, we are proud to bring Laura Wade’s Olivier Award-winning comedy to the Bonington Theatre.

How happily married are the happily married?

Every couple needs a little fantasy to keep their marriage sparkling. But behind the gingham curtains, things start to unravel, and being a domestic goddess is not as easy as it seems!

One Singular Sensation!🎩

A love letter to theatre, A Chorus Line will be directed/choreographed by Megan Hindley, with musical direction by Harry Hindley. With a book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban, A Chorus Line features iconic songs including ‘One’, ‘I Hope I Get It’, ‘Nothing’ and the hit ballad ‘What I Did For Love’.

Flying High Youth Theatre and Drama groups perform extracts from past NT Connections plays, followed by Flying High Young Company’s 2023 production of Wind/Rush Generation(s) by Mojisola Adebayo. This play is about the British Isles, its past and its present written for all young people to perform regardless of their cultural background, skin colour, ability or gender.

Tickets: £8.00 each (£5.00 under 25s)
Age recommendation: 14+
Warning: Some strong language and references to disturbing events in the past

*Please note, this performance will start at 7.30pm, not 7pm as previously stated

A gatecrashed party. A chance meeting. Love at first sight.

When Romeo meets Juliet, the world around them melts away. But then reality kicks in; their families are enemies, and they will never be allowed to stay together. With the world against them, they hatch a plan to escape the lives they were born into. But fate has other ideas.

Following the success of last year’s sell out Twelfth Night, the latest in our series of First Encounters productions makes Shakespeare’s star cross’d lovers relevant for a new generation of theatregoers.

This 90-minute version of Romeo and Juliet uses an edited version of the original language to create the perfect first introduction for young people aged 7-13 and their families.

The tour of First Encounters: Romeo and Juliet is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

The ever-popular Mayor’s Panto returns to the Bonington for a performance of the classic fairy-tale involving magic beans and more! Book early to avoid disappointment, as this will sell-out!

All in aid of the Mayor’s chosen charity!