Spotlight on Open House at Saffron Hall

A day of free activities, performances and workshops for all ages – find out what’s in store...

Open House at Saffron Hall on Sunday 1 December is the closing event of our long weekend of Opening Celebrations. It’s a day packed with free performances, workshops and activities and we’re excited to reveal what’s in store.

The day kicks off at 10.30am when we throw open the doors and invite you to look around the Hall's foyer and auditorium. Ten of the town’s leading performing arts organisations will be there with information stands, so if you’ve ever thought about getting involved, or perhaps getting your children involved, this is a great opportunity to find out more.

At 10.45am the first workshop begins with Children’s Storytime, supported by Harts-Words in Walden. We’re thrilled to welcome children’s author and illustrator Rebecca Patterson to the Hall reading from her book My Big Shouting Day, winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2012. This workshop is suitable for ages 3-7 years and must be reserved in advance.

Following Children’s Storytime, Richard Hull and the musicians of Uttlesforde Orchestra get ready for the Introduction to Instruments Workshop at 12.15. Learn all about strings, winds and lots more, to find out what it’s like to be part of an orchestra. This workshop is suitable for ages 6-12 years and must be reserved in advance.

Budding singers will love the Children and Parents' Singing Workshop at 1pm with Janet Wheeler and SignuptoSing - Saffron Walden Youth Choir. Participants will be able to experiment with their voices and sing together a variety of songs, chants and rounds. This workshop is suitable for ages 6-12 years and must be reserved in advance.

After lunch, it’s time for the main stage performances. Take your seats and enjoy Pure Rhythm performing arts students rehearsing with Sue Raven at 1.40pm, followed by SignuptoSing, Saffron Walden Musical Theatre Youth Group and Hyperfusion performing extracts from their recent programmes at 2. 20pm.

Our fabulous finale at 4.30pm features musicians and singers from Granta Chorale, Uttlesforde Orchestra and Saffron Walden Choral Society performing a wide range of music from their repertoires, a taster of their shows coming up at Saffron Hall during 2014.

Open House at Saffron Hall is free, but a day pass is needed if you wish to attend and workshop places must be reserved in advance.

Workshop spaces are limited and can be reserved in advance by emailing info@saffronhall.com. Workshop attendees must also hold a day pass.

A free day pass can be booked through the Box Office 0845 548 7650, at Saffron Walden Tourist Information Centre, or online here (where you can also see the full running order).