THEATRE
Vienna Festival Ballet returns to town with their traditional, enchanting production of The Sleeping Beauty. Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, stunning choreography and beautiful costumes combine to portray the struggle between good and evil in this classic fairytale.
The wicked fairy Carabosse lays a curse on Princess Aurora, proclaiming that she will one day pierce her finger and die. But the Lilac Fairy intervenes, and on the fateful day the princess and the entire palace instead fall into a deep sleep. A century later, when Prince Florimund awakens the princess with a kiss, the palace awakes and a parade of fairytale characters attends the royal wedding.
- Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street, St Albans on Saturday, May 25 at 2.30pm. Details: 01727 844488, www.alban-arena.co.uk
Robin Hood and his Very Merry Men
Uncontained Arts returns with another exhilarating interpretation of much-loved children’s stories.
Join the legendary outlaw Robin Hood and his band of very merry men as they rob from the rich to save the poor in this laugh a minute adventure. With Maid Marian by his side, this tights-wearing bandit cannot be stopped as he defeats the nasty Sheriff of Nottingham time and time again!
Featuring live music, and puppetry, Little John, Friar Tuck, buckets of mud, and a host of colourful forest characters telling their tales along the way, this is a family show with lots of joining in. Suitable for ages four and above.
- UHArts, Weston Auditorium, de Havilland Campus, Hatfield on Sunday, June 2 at 1pm. Details: 01707 281127, www.herts.ac.uk/events
ARTS & CRAFTS
Apsley Paper Trail is holding paper crafting sessions to keep the kids entertained. There will be two untutored sessions a day and there is no need to book – just come along and join in the fun.
- Apsley Paper Trail, Apsley Mills Cottage, London Road, Hemel Hempstead from Sunday, May 26 to Friday, May 31 from 11am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Details: 01442 234600, www.thepapertrail.org.uk
Head to Mill Green Museum and Mill and Make Like an Egyptian this half term. On Tuesday the kids can make Egyptian collars, on Wednesday try their hand at some Egyptian writing, and on Thursday they’ll be making mummies. Suitable for children aged four and over.
- Mill Green Museum and Mill, Mill Green, Hatfield from Tuesday, May 28 to Thursday, May 30. The one-hour workshops are at 10am, 11.15am and 2.30pm. Details: 01707 357850, www.welhat.gov.uk
The Summer Craft and Food Fair returns to the Alban Arena – even if the summer doesn’t! Fun for the whole family, the fair promises beautiful craft gifts and mouth-watering food exhibitions. The fair takes place indoors so the weather can’t ruin your fun.
- Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street, St Albans on Sunday, June 2 from 11am to 4pm. Details: 01727 844488, www.alban-arena.co.uk
FILM
Saturday Morning Pictures at UHArts are family-friendly film screenings accompanied by optional arts and crafts workshops. This season’s theme is ‘films about little people in a big world’ and this half term’s film is The Indian in the Cupboard (PG).
On Omri’s ninth birthday his brother gives him an old cupboard and his best friend gives him a little Indian figure made of plastic. These two presents turn out to be much more magic than the rest. In the workshop, you can design and make a colourful headdress just like Little Bear’s.
- UHArts, Weston Auditorium, de Havilland Campus, Hatfield on Saturday, May 25 at 11am, with the workshop at 10am. Details: 01707 281127, www.herts.ac.uk/events
DAYS OUT
Animal actors at Warner Bros Studios
Meet Hedwig, Pigwidgeon and Crookshanks from the famous Harry Potter franchise. Learn how animals were trained for the movies, and maybe a quick photo opportunity with Hedwig.
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden from Saturday, May 25 to Sunday, June 2. Details: 08450 840 900, www.wbstudiotour.co.uk
Sheep shearing by farmer Andrew and horse and pony displays by Jema are the highlight of the full day’s Spring Special programme at Willows Farm Village, packed with acres of family fun.
The programme includes rabbit racers, animal handling, Tristan the Runaway Tractor, animal feeding time, Bird-o-Batics falconry display, sheepstakes sheep racing, a puppet show, farmyard ferret fun, storytime, a children’s disco and animal tea time.
- Willows Farm Village, Coursers Road, London Colney from Saturday, May 25 to Sunday, June 2 from 10am to 5.30pm. Details: 0870 129 9718, www.willowsfarmvillage.com
Steam engines, vintage vehicles, classic bikes, car and lorries – the St Albans Steam & Country Show steams in to St Albans again. Also on display will be tractors, stationary engines, bygones, a craft tent, a fairground and fair organs, working models, trade stalls, and when you’ve finished with all that lot there are much-needed refreshments and a bar.
- Oaklands College, Smallford Campus, Hatfield Road, St Albans on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 from 10am, with a steam engine parade at 2pm. Details: www.hertssteam.org
SPORT
Verulamium Park in St Albans is one of six successful venues to gain a new beach volleyball court after the Olympics, made with sand taken directly from Horse Guards Parade and the training courts in St James’ Park.
The courts are in the final stages of installation and will be officially launched in a weekend of free taster sessions, tournaments and coaching with local club coaches.
- Verulamium Park, St Albans on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26. Details: www.stalbans.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture
CULTURE
Go along and enjoy a themed Family Discovery Morning at St Albans Cathedral – Feathered Friends. Meet the many birds which decorate the building, and help to create a beautiful collage of birds.
- St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard, St Albans on Thursday, May 30 from 10am to 12.30pm, meet in the north transept. Details: 01727 860780, www.stalbanscathedral.org
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