The Mikado

There are no strings attached in this puppet‑powered version of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic! Mikado explodes onto the stage with felt, foam, and absolutely no shame.

Expect a marketplace of mischief where cookie‑addicted creatures flirt outrageously, bargains turn into battles, and every puppet has something to hide. It’s bold, bonkers, a little bit saucy, and gloriously unhinged. A comedy for grown‑ups and children who like their theatre wild, witty, and just the right amount of wrong.

JUNGLE BOOK

Rudyard Kipling’s timeless tale comes alive on stage! Follow Mowgli, a young boy raised by a family of wolves deep in the jungle. When Shere Khan, the fierce tiger, vows to hunt him down, loyal friends Baloo and Bagheera set out to protect him and take him to the safety of the man village. But the jungle is full of dangers and surprises, and Mowgli’s incredible adventure is only just beginning.

Filled with thrilling battles, heartwarming friendships, and moments of laughter and courage, The Jungle Book is a classic family show that brings the magic and mystery of the wild to life. Will Mowgli find where he truly belongs?

Join us for an unforgettable journey through the jungle, perfect for all ages!

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB: James Owston Quartet

With a technical fluidity on his instrument, and strong connection to various forms of improvised music, James has built a reputation as one of the most in demand bassists in the country, drawing on his many influences to develop a sound that is stylish, virtuosic and captivating. “His tone big and resonant, his time keeping immaculate and his solos highly dexterous and consistently engaging” (The Jazz Mann). His extensive performance CV shows collaborations with notable artists such as Paul Dunmall, Jay Phelps, Mark Lockett, Neil Yates, Roger Manins, Xhosa Cole, Alex Clarke, Greg Abate, and many more.

With firm roots in bebop and the jazz tradition, James is heavily influenced by Ray Brown, Charles Mingus, Oscar Pettiford, Charlie Haden, and other pioneering bassists, as well as current greats including Larry Grenadier and Robert Landferman. He draws inspiration from modern and contemporary music, as well as his experience on the free improv scene, in his approach to improvising and writing music. In 2018, James was a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician Award, performing at the Queen-Elizabeth Hall with Gwilym Simcock and Asaf Sirkis.

The past 2-3 years have seen James step forward as a band leader, composing for a variety of ensembles. After touring with his trio in Autumn 2023, he started focusing on his quartet for which he wrote the suite of music ‘Songs from an Imaginary Childhood’. This music was a commission from the Jazz Central Mentorship Programme and features Alex Western-King (Saxophone), Nick Manz (Piano) and Matthew Holmes (Drums). The compositions took inspiration from the juxtaposition of seeing the world from a child’s perspective and that of an adult’s, focusing on specific examples personal to James. This music was recorded in 2024 and is set to be released as James’s first record as a leader in 2026.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!