The Nutcracker and the Mouse King Auditions
Jun
1
to 5 Jun

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King Auditions

  • The Discarded Nut Theatre Company (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

We are thrilled to announce that auditions are now open for our sixth Discarded Nut Youth Theatre’s Christmas production coming to The Nutshell in December 2025.

This year’s Christmas production is The Nutcracker and the Mouse King – and we’re looking for young people to be part of this magical production – from the first read-through to the final performances. Working alongside our professional creative team you will have the opportunity to meet new people whilst growing your performance skills in a dynamic, inspiring and joyful environment.

Auditions are free and open to young people aged 12–25. They are designed to be welcoming, fun and supportive – no preparation is needed, just come ready to throw yourself into the process.

If you’re passionate about theatre and ready to be part of something wonderful this Christmas, we’d love to see you at auditions.

AUDITION DATES

Sun 1st June
1.00 - 4.30pm
Thu 5th June
6.00 - 9.30pm

COST
Auditions are free to attend. The participation fee is £190.

Bursaries and flexible payment schemes are available on application.

REHEARSALS
T1: 9 Sep - 2 Dec 2025 (excl. half term)
Technical & Dress Rehearsals
Monday 8th & Tuesday 9th December
5-9.30pm @ The Nutshell

PERFORMANCE DATES
11th – 14th December 2025
18th – 21st December 2025
You must be available for all performance dates above.

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The Twits: Plays for Children
Jun
14
1:00 pm13:00

The Twits: Plays for Children

  • The Discarded Nut Theatre Company (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

"To pay Mrs Twit back for the worms in his spaghetti, Mr Twit thought up a really clever, nasty trick . . ."

Mr Twit is a foul and smelly man who always has bits of cornflake and sardine in his beard.

Mrs Twit is scheming and sly and always thinking of the next horrible trick to play on her husband.

The only joy the Twits get is from doing the dirty on each other, playing grotesque tricks including mixing worms into spaghetti, throwing frogs into the other’s bed, and lengthen their chair legs to make it appear as though one has shrunk.  In fact, the Twits are so ghastly and evil that they even keep Muggle-Wump the monkey and his family captive in their garden. But not for much longer! The monkeys are planning to trick the terrible Twits so that they can escape and put a stop to the frightful pair once and for all!

EVENT DETAILS

Saturday 14th June 2025
TIMES: 1PM + 3:30PM
PRICE: £10 / £12 / PWYC
RUNNING TIME: 1 hour (approx)

Please note, no lift access to performance studio. Tickets include all fees and levies.

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Beauty and the Beast Jr.
Jun
21
to 29 Jun

Beauty and the Beast Jr.

“True beauty is found within!”

Based on the original Broadway production and the Academy Award-winning motion picture, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. is a fantastic adaptation of the story of acceptance, redemption and true love.  Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. features some of the most popular songs ever written including Be Our Guest, Gaston and, of course, the title song Beauty and the Beast.

This “tale as old as time” tells the story of Belle, a young woman who lives for her books and eccentric old father, Gaston, the conceited, chauvinistic hunter who is determined to have Belle's hand in marriage, and the Beast, who is really a handsome young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will be broken and he and his whole household will be transformed back to their former selves. But time is running out and if the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and all his friends will be doomed for all eternity.

EVENT DETAILS

Sat 21st - Sun 22nd June and Sat 28th - Sun 29th June

TIMES: 10:30AM, 1PM, 3:30PM (all days)

PRICE: £10 / £12 / PWYC

RUNNING TIME: 1 hour (approx)

Please note, no lift access to performance studio. Tickets include all fees and levies.

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Animal Farm
Jul
10
to 12 Jul

Animal Farm

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

Explore the timeless themes of power, revolution and corruption as DNYT bring Orwell's chilling 'fairy story' to riotous and devastating life.

When the downtrodden animals of Manor Farm overthrow their master, Mr Jones, and take over the farm themselves, they imagine it is the beginning of a life of freedom and equality. But gradually a cunning, ruthless elite among them, masterminded by the pigs Napoleon and Snowball, starts to take control. Soon the other animals discover that they are not all as equal as they thought, and find themselves hopelessly ensnared as one form of tyranny is replaced with another.

EVENT DETAILS

Thu 10th - Sat 12th July

TIMES: 7pm & 2pm (Sat only)

PRICE: £12 / £14 / PWYC

Please note, no lift access to performance studio. Tickets include all fees and levies.

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Urinetown the Musical
Jul
17
to 19 Jul

Urinetown the Musical

  • The Discarded Nut Theatre Company (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

An exhilarating, not-to-be missed experience…the funniest, most tuneful musical in town.

Multi award-winning Urinetown is a hilarious musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theatre itself! Hilariously funny and touchingly honest, Urinetown provides a fresh perspective of one of our greatest art forms.

Urinetown is “a mythical place…a bad place” that exists not too far in the future, where a terrible water shortage caused by a 20 year drought has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The Citizens must use the public facilities controlled by a single malevolent company that profits by charging for the “privilege to pee”. From amongst the downtrodden and desperate people, a hero decides he’s had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom!

EVENT DETAILS

Thu 17th - Sat 19th July

TIMES 7pm + 2pm (Sat only)

PRICE £12 / £14 / PWYC

Please note, no lift access to performance studio. Tickets include all fees and levies.

Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis’s Urinetown is an irreverently darkly humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny. Celebrated for challenging the very notion of what a musical should be, Urinetown catapults the audience into a hilarious romp with its outrageous perspective, wicked wit and non-stop ability to produce gales of unbridled laughter.

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Show in a Week: Alice in Wonderland
Jul
28
to 1 Aug

Show in a Week: Alice in Wonderland

  • The Discarded Nut Theatre Company (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

“Curiouser and curiouser…”

Ever wondered what Alice in Wonderland would look like with a modern twist?  Now’s your chance to find out!

Join us for a thrilling week of acting, imagination, and magical mayhem as we transform Lewis Carroll’s classic into a bold and brave contemporary performance. Tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice as she meets talking animals, mischievous tricksters, bloodthirsty game-players and vanishing cats in a world where nothing is quite as it seems…

Academic Years 4 - 8 Take centre stage as we create a high-energy, wildly imaginative show, packed with unforgettable characters and epic storytelling.

Years R - 3 Leap into the world of Wonderland, creating some of the magical creatures that bring their own special type of mischief to Wonderland.

EVENT DETAILS

Monday 28th July – Friday 1st August 2025

@ The Nutshell, Winchester

TIME 9:30am - 4:00pm

FULL WEEK: £150 / £125 additional sibling/s

DAY RATE: £35 / £30 additional sibling/s

INCLUDES
Acting, dance and costume/set making

PERFORMANCE
Friday 1st August at 3:30pm

Staff have up-to-date Enhanced DBS checks and at least one staff member is First Aid trained.
Bursaries available. Membership fee includes: all levies, VAT and all production costs.

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Frankenstein
Mar
12
to 22 Mar

Frankenstein

Based on the novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley
Adapted & Directed by Noël Jones
Adapted by Doug Revolta
Original Score by Will Pickering

“I am on the brink of a discovery so great, so shocking that the very course of humanity may be altered by it – the moment that I, Victor Frankenstein, create life and destroy death forever.”

A young scientist, Victor Frankenstein, becomes obsessed with creating life. Consumed by his ambition, he creates a living being using body parts stolen from the graves of the dead, only to be horrified by its monstrous appearance. Rejected by society and its creator, the creature seeks revenge, leading to a heartbreaking series of devastating events.

Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece is brought to the stage in a haunting new adaptation that explores the blurred lines between creator and creation, humanity and monstrosity, and challenges the audience to question: who is the real monster?

INFORMATION

The Nutshell, Winchester

Wed, 19 Mar | 3pm & 7:30pm
Thu, 20 Mar | 3pm & 7:30pm
Fri, 21 Mar | 3pm & 7:30pm
Sat, 22 Mar | 3pm & 7:30pm

Wed, 12 Mar | 3pm & 7:30pm
Thu, 13 Mar | 3pm & 7:30pm
Fri 14, Mar | 3pm & 7:30pm
Sat, 15 Mar | 3pm & 7:30pm

TICKETS: £19, £22 & Pay What You Can

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Shrek Jr. The Musical
Jun
18
3:30 pm15:30

Shrek Jr. The Musical

TICKETS

•

TICKETS •

“It doesn’t matter where you come from; it matters who you choose to be.”

It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favourite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairy-tale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance.  Part romance and part twisted fairy tale; Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show, based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and hilarious Broadway musical, with a powerful message for the whole family.

Images from Matilda 2022/2023

SATURDAY 17th & SUNDAY 18th JUNE 2023
10:30; 13:00; 15:30
Tickets from £10
Pay What You Can available

Shrek the Musical JR. Audio Perusal © 2014 MTI Enterprises, Inc.
Title, Synopsis, Artwork & Photos Trademark © 2008 DreamWorks Theatricals LLC. All rights reserved.
Book by David Lindsay-Abaire © 2008 DreamWorks Theatricals LLC.
Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, Music by Jeanine Tesori © 2008 DWA Songs (ASCAP) and That’s Music To My Ears (ASCAP)
Worldwide rights for DWA Songs and That’s Music To My Ears administered by Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company, Inc. (ASCAP)
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
“I’m A Believer” (Neil Diamond) © 1966 Stonebridge Music, Foray Music. All rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (SESAC), on behalf of Stonebridge Music, and by Foray Music (SESAC).
Broadway Junior, The Broadway Junior Collection, Family Matters, and ShowKit are trademarks or registered trademarks of Music Theatre International.
All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited by law.

CREDITS

Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the Book by William Steig
Originally Produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions

View Event →
Shrek Jr. The Musical
Jun
18
1:00 pm13:00

Shrek Jr. The Musical

TICKETS

•

TICKETS •

“It doesn’t matter where you come from; it matters who you choose to be.”

It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favourite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairy-tale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance.  Part romance and part twisted fairy tale; Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show, based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and hilarious Broadway musical, with a powerful message for the whole family.

Images from Matilda 2022/2023

SATURDAY 17th & SUNDAY 18th JUNE 2023
10:30; 13:00; 15:30
Tickets from £10
Pay What You Can available

Shrek the Musical JR. Audio Perusal © 2014 MTI Enterprises, Inc.
Title, Synopsis, Artwork & Photos Trademark © 2008 DreamWorks Theatricals LLC. All rights reserved.
Book by David Lindsay-Abaire © 2008 DreamWorks Theatricals LLC.
Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, Music by Jeanine Tesori © 2008 DWA Songs (ASCAP) and That’s Music To My Ears (ASCAP)
Worldwide rights for DWA Songs and That’s Music To My Ears administered by Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company, Inc. (ASCAP)
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
“I’m A Believer” (Neil Diamond) © 1966 Stonebridge Music, Foray Music. All rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (SESAC), on behalf of Stonebridge Music, and by Foray Music (SESAC).
Broadway Junior, The Broadway Junior Collection, Family Matters, and ShowKit are trademarks or registered trademarks of Music Theatre International.
All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited by law.

CREDITS

Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the Book by William Steig
Originally Produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions

View Event →
Shrek Jr. The Musical
Jun
18
10:30 am10:30

Shrek Jr. The Musical

TICKETS

•

TICKETS •

“It doesn’t matter where you come from; it matters who you choose to be.”

It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favourite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairy-tale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance.  Part romance and part twisted fairy tale; Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show, based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and hilarious Broadway musical, with a powerful message for the whole family.

Images from Matilda 2022/2023

SATURDAY 17th & SUNDAY 18th JUNE 2023
10:30; 13:00; 15:30
Tickets from £10
Pay What You Can available

Shrek the Musical JR. Audio Perusal © 2014 MTI Enterprises, Inc.
Title, Synopsis, Artwork & Photos Trademark © 2008 DreamWorks Theatricals LLC. All rights reserved.
Book by David Lindsay-Abaire © 2008 DreamWorks Theatricals LLC.
Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, Music by Jeanine Tesori © 2008 DWA Songs (ASCAP) and That’s Music To My Ears (ASCAP)
Worldwide rights for DWA Songs and That’s Music To My Ears administered by Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company, Inc. (ASCAP)
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
“I’m A Believer” (Neil Diamond) © 1966 Stonebridge Music, Foray Music. All rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (SESAC), on behalf of Stonebridge Music, and by Foray Music (SESAC).
Broadway Junior, The Broadway Junior Collection, Family Matters, and ShowKit are trademarks or registered trademarks of Music Theatre International.
All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited by law.

CREDITS

Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the Book by William Steig
Originally Produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions

View Event →
Shrek Jr. The Musical
Jun
17
3:30 pm15:30

Shrek Jr. The Musical

TICKETS

•

TICKETS •

“It doesn’t matter where you come from; it matters who you choose to be.”

It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favourite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairy-tale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance.  Part romance and part twisted fairy tale; Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show, based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and hilarious Broadway musical, with a powerful message for the whole family.

Images from Matilda 2022/2023

SATURDAY 17th & SUNDAY 18th JUNE 2023
10:30; 13:00; 15:30
Tickets from £10
Pay What You Can available

Shrek the Musical JR. Audio Perusal © 2014 MTI Enterprises, Inc.
Title, Synopsis, Artwork & Photos Trademark © 2008 DreamWorks Theatricals LLC. All rights reserved.
Book by David Lindsay-Abaire © 2008 DreamWorks Theatricals LLC.
Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, Music by Jeanine Tesori © 2008 DWA Songs (ASCAP) and That’s Music To My Ears (ASCAP)
Worldwide rights for DWA Songs and That’s Music To My Ears administered by Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company, Inc. (ASCAP)
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
“I’m A Believer” (Neil Diamond) © 1966 Stonebridge Music, Foray Music. All rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (SESAC), on behalf of Stonebridge Music, and by Foray Music (SESAC).
Broadway Junior, The Broadway Junior Collection, Family Matters, and ShowKit are trademarks or registered trademarks of Music Theatre International.
All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited by law.

CREDITS

Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the Book by William Steig
Originally Produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions

View Event →
Shrek Jr. The Musical
Jun
17
1:00 pm13:00

Shrek Jr. The Musical

TICKETS

•

TICKETS •

“It doesn’t matter where you come from; it matters who you choose to be.”

It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favourite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairy-tale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance.  Part romance and part twisted fairy tale; Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show, based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and hilarious Broadway musical, with a powerful message for the whole family.

Images from Matilda 2022/2023

SATURDAY 17th & SUNDAY 18th JUNE 2023
10:30; 13:00; 15:30
Tickets from £10
Pay What You Can available

Shrek the Musical JR. Audio Perusal © 2014 MTI Enterprises, Inc.
Title, Synopsis, Artwork & Photos Trademark © 2008 DreamWorks Theatricals LLC. All rights reserved.
Book by David Lindsay-Abaire © 2008 DreamWorks Theatricals LLC.
Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, Music by Jeanine Tesori © 2008 DWA Songs (ASCAP) and That’s Music To My Ears (ASCAP)
Worldwide rights for DWA Songs and That’s Music To My Ears administered by Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company, Inc. (ASCAP)
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
“I’m A Believer” (Neil Diamond) © 1966 Stonebridge Music, Foray Music. All rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (SESAC), on behalf of Stonebridge Music, and by Foray Music (SESAC).
Broadway Junior, The Broadway Junior Collection, Family Matters, and ShowKit are trademarks or registered trademarks of Music Theatre International.
All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited by law.

CREDITS

Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the Book by William Steig
Originally Produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions

View Event →
Shrek Jr. The Musical
Jun
17
10:30 am10:30

Shrek Jr. The Musical

TICKETS

•

TICKETS •

“It doesn’t matter where you come from; it matters who you choose to be.”

It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favourite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairy-tale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance.  Part romance and part twisted fairy tale; Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show, based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and hilarious Broadway musical, with a powerful message for the whole family.

Images from Matilda 2022/2023

SATURDAY 17th & SUNDAY 18th JUNE 2023
10:30; 13:00; 15:30
Tickets from £10
Pay What You Can available

Shrek the Musical JR. Audio Perusal © 2014 MTI Enterprises, Inc.
Title, Synopsis, Artwork & Photos Trademark © 2008 DreamWorks Theatricals LLC. All rights reserved.
Book by David Lindsay-Abaire © 2008 DreamWorks Theatricals LLC.
Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, Music by Jeanine Tesori © 2008 DWA Songs (ASCAP) and That’s Music To My Ears (ASCAP)
Worldwide rights for DWA Songs and That’s Music To My Ears administered by Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company, Inc. (ASCAP)
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
“I’m A Believer” (Neil Diamond) © 1966 Stonebridge Music, Foray Music. All rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (SESAC), on behalf of Stonebridge Music, and by Foray Music (SESAC).
Broadway Junior, The Broadway Junior Collection, Family Matters, and ShowKit are trademarks or registered trademarks of Music Theatre International.
All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited by law.

CREDITS

Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the Book by William Steig
Originally Produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions

View Event →
Our House
Jul
14
to 16 Jul

Our House

  • The Discarded Nut Theatre Company (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Set in Camden Town during the 1980s, Our House tells the story of London lad Joe Casey, who, on the night of his sixteenth birthday, takes Sarah, the girl of his dreams, out on their first date.

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Holes
Jul
7
to 9 Jul

Holes

  • The Discarded Nut Theatre Company (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The brilliantly heart-warming, and inspiring stage show based on the multi-award-winning novel, by Louis Sachar, Holes is the story of Stanley Yelnats who is born into a family cursed with bad luck thanks to his “no-good, dirty-rotten, pig-stealing great-great-grandfather”.

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