Step into an unforgettable evening at our historic Croft Hall, where lofty ceilings and timeworn wooden beams whisper stories of the past.
Beneath the warm glow candles, intimate jazz café tables invite you to settle in and soak up the atmosphere, from when the bar opens to the end of the show. The bar is fully stocked, offering a curated selection of drinks to suit every taste.
Whether it’s a soul-stirring musical, a night of side-splitting comedy, or a captivating piece of theatre, or a beautifully film on cinema night, this is a space where live performance comes to life—up close and electric.
Come for the show. Stay for the magic.
Early Bird tickets available until 3 August
New Group Ticket for 6 or more
Film – The Christophers
A once-celebrated artist’s children enlist a forger to access his unfinished canvases in a deceptive bid to secure an inheritance. The incomparable Ian McKellan plays Julian Sklar, a formerly celebrated painter now living in obscurity. Michaela Coel (creator and star of BBC One’s I May Destroy You) poses as his assistant to create fakes of Sklar’s unfinished series of paintings featuring a former lover, the titular Christopher. A sly caper carried off with director Steven Soderbergh’s characteristic panache, The Christophers is a superb two-hander featuring McKellen and Coel at their very best.
Doors and Bar Open 7.00pm
Screening 7.30pm
Acantha Lang and a French Quarter New Orleans Dinner
Grammy-nominated soul artist Acantha Lang brings her signature New Orleans
soul and funk to this special quartet performance at the Croft Hall. Expect an
intimate, soulful evening featuring a blend of Acantha’s original songs alongside
some of her favourite classic soul gems. This is a rare chance to experience
Acantha in a more stripped back setting.
“One of the most exciting soul singers in the world.” Soul Tracks
Dinner by the Funghi Club
Sat 17th October Dinner
Starters
Smoky Cajun Sweetcorn Chowder
Creamy sweetcorn with smoked paprika, celery, peppers and a whisper of cayenne, finished with spring onions and a squeeze of lime
Main Course
Cajun Chicken & Prawn Jambalaya
A hearty one‑pot of spiced chicken, large prawns, peppers, tomatoes and rice, cooked low and slow with Creole seasoning
Creole Vegetable & Bean Gumbo (v)
A rich, smoky stew of okra, peppers, tomatoes and red beans, served with fluffy rice
Dessert
Banana Foster Pots
Banana, rum caramel and whipped cream layered in small glasses
Doors and Bar Open 7.00pm
Band on Stage: 7.30 pm
Show Close (Approx) 10.00 pm
Film – No Other Choice
A desperate paper industry expert is made redundant, severely impacting his family’s lifestyle, and decides to kill off his job competition in this South Korean black comedy thriller co-written, produced, and directed by the impeccable Park Chan-Wook.
Directed with pristine precision, No Other Choice is a wickedly clever takedown of the corporate rat race that finds a perfect avatar in Lee Byung-Hun’s skilfully hapless central performance.
Nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. Don’t miss it.
Doors and Bar Open 7.00pm
Screening 7.30pm
Film – Midwinter Break
Based on the 2017 novel of the same name, Midwinter Break is a stirring meditation on faith, commitment, and the enduring power of love, as a longtime couple takes a life-changing trip to Amsterdam. A simple, quiet film, brilliantly performed by Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds, the plot follows an aging couple coming to terms with the emotional voids in their lives that were never fully addressed as a quiet weekend getaway turns into an emotional reckoning of their long marriage. The debut feature film of Olivier Award winning theatre director Polly Findlay.
Midwinter Break review – sad, spiky and brilliantly acted portrait of rupture and rapture Peter Bradshaw 5 * Guardian
Doors and Bar Open 7.00pm
Screening 7.30pm
Greg Coulson
MUSIC – Blues, Soul & Funk – 7.30pm
Croft hall – Tickets £23 incl all fees
Greg Coulson is a British musical powerhouse – an expressive singer-songwriter and dynamic performer who blends soul and classic rock with the groove of blues, funk and jazz. Known for his mesmerising stage presence and unique sound, Greg has quickly established himself as one of the UK’s most exciting and versatile musicians.
In 2018, Greg made waves with his debut album, What’s New?, which received widespread critical acclaim and sparked memorable performances at top UK festivals. His music captures both depth and energy, resonating with fans who crave authenticity and world-class musicianship. Audiences often remark Greg’s live performances are like watching musical magic happen in front of their very eyes!
Beyond his solo work, Greg has collaborated with some of the industry’s greatest legends such as the iconic Burt Bacharach. His impressive résumé also includes celebrated artists: Morcheeba, The Blockheads, The Selecter, Lilly Moore, Tom Grennan, and Sway. As a member of renowned rock band Spiritualized, he has graced stages across America, even opening for the legendary Queens of the Stone Age.
Currently pushing his original music to new limits, and crafting a brand new album due for release in 2025, Greg has performed at leading venues and events including Ronnie Scotts, Isle of Wight Festival, Coachella, Camp Bestival, PizzaExpress Live, Riot Fest, Upton Blues Festival and The Great British R&B Festival.
An experienced producer and noted talent on both keyboards and guitar, Greg’s artistry is inspired by the timeless work of Steely Dan, Randy Newman, Little Feat, Ray Charles, Booker T.
Doors and Bar Open 7.00pm
Band on Stage: 7.30 pm
Show Close (Approx) 10.00 pm
This Christmas crafting workshop will involve using recycled drinks cans to create a Christmas gift for you or someone else. During the 2-hour workshop you will learn how to use drink cans to create earrings, embossed Christmas cards & Christmas stars.
The workshop will be taught by Loucinda Nims, a designer, silversmith and jeweller based in the West Berkshire countryside. Using traditional techniques she creates contemporary silverware and jewellery, as well as teaching a range of workshops.
Suitable for beginners. All materials will be provided
Film – The Stranger
Written and directed by French film industry powerhouse François Ozon, The Stranger is based on the 1942 novel by Albert Camus – a landmark work of existentialism widely regarded as Camus’s masterpiece.
In French Algeria, Meursault (Benjamin Voisin) lives a life of indifference and detachment. Following the death of his mother, he stands accused of the murder of an Arab man. The ensuing trial investigates both the crime and his cool character. Positively reviewed, the film was a box office hit in France.
Doors and Bar Open 7.00pm
Screening 7.30pm
Hejira – A Celebration of Joni Mitchel
“The UK’s best and most convincing take on Joni Mitchell” ~ The Guardian
Hejira is a formidable, highly successful 7-piece touring band, set up in 2023 to celebrate the ‘greatest songs’ of Joni Mitchell. Since late 2025, they have been drawing from a pool of 3 outstanding singers/guitarists: Hattie Whitehead; Jana Varga; and Immy Churchill.
In particular, the band performs the masterpiece works that Mitchell recorded from ‘Court & Spark’ to ‘Wild Things Run Fast’; expect to hear such classics as ‘Amelia’, ‘Help Me’, ‘Hejira’, ‘Song For Sharon’, ‘A Case Of You, ‘Free Man In Paris’, ‘Coyote’ ‘Hissing of Summer Lawns’ etc..
The band has produced 12 high-quality videos for Youtube, amassing more than 1,000,000 views and garnering thousands of glowing comments.
They have, in their short history, played more than 120 shows in the UK and Ireland, including headline features at The EFG London Jazz Festival; Musicport World-Music Festival; Brecon Jazz Festival; Mosely Folk Festival; Lincoln Jazz Festival; Scarborough Jazz Festival; Oxford Festival of the Arts; Salisbury International Arts Festival; Buxton International Festival.
“I was mesmerized by this interpretation of the great music of the legendary Joni Mitchell with the sensational vocals of Hattie Whitehead and illustrious band led by Pete Oxley” – John Etheridge ( Soft Machine, Stephane Grappelli, Andy Summers etc.)
Doors and Bar Open 7.00pm
Band on Stage: 7.30 pm
Show Close (Approx) 10.00 pm
Create your own festive lino print Christmas designs in this fun, beginner- friendly workshop.
Learn how to design, carve, and print your own unique Christmas cards and gift tags. A creative and relaxing way to get into the festive spirit, this workshop is perfect for beginners and anyone looking to make something truly personal for Christmas.
Suitable for beginners. All materials provided
The Sting Operation
Building on the success of The Police Academy, The Sting Operation is the most authentic tribute to Sting & The Police. The same artistry and attention to detail, the same unmistakable voice, and the best of Sting’s eclectic solo catalogue—alongside all the Police hits you love so much.
With an expanded five-piece lineup, The Sting Operation recreate both the reggae-tinged pop-punk sound of The Police (‘Roxanne’, ‘Message in a Bottle’, ‘Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic’, ‘Every Breath You Take’) and the lush, varied soundscapes of Sting’s solo hits such as ‘Englishman in New York’, ‘Fields of Gold’, ‘Shape of My Heart’ and ‘Desert Rose’. Bringing the best of Sting together with the best of The Police, The Sting Operation provide a show of wall-to-wall hits with unmatched authenticity.
The Sting Operation takes you on a tour of Sting’s career that will have you singing along from the first note to the last.
Doors and Bar Open 7.00pm
Band on Stage: 7.30 pm
Show Close (Approx) 10.00 pm
The Isla String Quartet
You think you know how a string quartet will sound? Well, let yourselves be surprised! The young Isla String Quartet are showcasing the variety and breadth of musical experience that such an exciting group can offer. They won the Bad Tölz International String Quartet competition this year; were semi-finalists in Osaka, and runners-up in the Royal Overseas League Competition last year, while still studying at RAM and RCM. From Haydn and Ravel to Jessie Montgomery and the Danish String Quartet imaginative arrangements of native folksong – a style they love to play. Do come along and support our next generation of musical talent!
Mio Takahashi – violin
Kynan Walker – violin
Sofía Gómez Alberto – viola
Danushka Edirisinghe – cello
Programme – Do Not include in printed programme
Danish Qt arr – Polska from Dorotea/Now found is the fairest of roses/ Stædelil
Haydn op50 no1 Bb major – 3rd & 4th movements
Ravel Str Q – 1st movement
Jessie Montgomery – Strum
INTERVAL
Haydn op76 no3 Cmajor – 1st movement
Webern 5 pieces for Str Q op5 -1st & 3rd movements
Schumann no3 in Amajor op41 no3 1st movement : Andate espressivo – Allegro moderato
Glazunov no3 Finale/4th movment – une Fete Slave
Danish Q arr – Minuet no60/AE Romeser/intermezzo/Shine you no more
On Stage: 7.30 pm
Show Close (Approx) 9.30 pm
Film – The Odyssey
From widely acclaimed writer and director Christopher Nolan comes a modern retelling of Homer’s epic poem. Matt Damon plays Odysseus, King of Ithaca, making a decade-long and perilous journey home following the Trojan War.
The story chronicles his encounters with mythical beings such as the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and the nymph Calypso, as he attempts to reunite with his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and son (Tom Holland). Entirely shot on IMAX 70mm film cameras and with uniformly positive early reviews, the film’s cast also
includes Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, Elliot Page and Charlize Theron.
Doors and Bar Open 7.00pm
Screening 7.30pm