Nearly Lear

 Performed by Susanna Hamnett
Written and adapted from Shakespeare by Susanna Hamnett & Edith Tankus 
Directed by Edith Tankus    Additional direction by Steve MacGregor

What if the great and tragic story of King Lear were told through the eyes of his closest companion? In this dynamic one-woman tour-de-force, Susanna Hamnett plays the Fool (and every other character) to tell a story that – with an exuberant blend of tragedy and humour – honours Shakespeare’s language while taking a bit of poetic licence. By turns poignant, mischievous, tragic, and hilarious, Nearly Lear is a very personal journey into the heart of Shakespeare’s play. 

This award-winning and internationally acclaimed ‘mighty theatrical force’ has enthralled audiences from Toronto to Aberdeen, and from Broadway and the Kennedy Center to the Sydney Opera House. It is the winner of the prestigious IPAY Victor Award for Outstanding Production, was named a 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Outstanding Production, and in 2024 won the Best Show Award at the Riverside Studios London Bitesize Festival.

CLOWNING WORKSHOP

To be a clown is to embrace the freedom and joy of your own glorious foolishness.

There is a clown that lives inside each of us. This clown is full of life - it is beautiful and hilarious.

This introductory workshop is a chance to invite your clown out to play. To jump into a space of presence, chaos and delight, and discover more of what makes each of us uniquely funny and loveable.

The clown reunites us with our innate curiosity and allows us to befriend parts of ourselves that we judge or stifle. It invites us to rediscover wonder.

Susanna Hamnett fell in love with the open-heartedness of the clown over thirty years ago when she began studying and working with master clowns John Turner and Michael Kennard in Toronto, and it has infused her theatre work and teaching ever since. 

This workshop is suitable for anyone 18 and up. No previous experience of clown or theatre needed. It is limited to 18 participants

Warning: this workshop carries a high risk of laughter and fun.

You can read more about Susanna’s work here: www.susannahamnett.com

Please note: if you sign up for the workshop, I will write to you towards the end of April with more information (what to wear, what to bring etc), so do look out for an email from this address: susannadayhamnett@gmail.com

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB: Out Front

A UK jazz super group, Out Front originally formed to play the music of two of jazz's greatest 'inside-outside' composers; Booker Little and Andrew Hill. With roots anchored in the the work of these two masters, they now present sets of entirely original music, composed by multiple members of the band. They are touring throughout 2026, showcasing music from their debut album, ‘Buried Webs’.

Featuring a rich line-up of three horns, drums and bass, the band draws on years of collective experience at the highest level of jazz and improvised music, exploring a full spectrum of possibilities, from joyous straight ahead time playing, to the most open of improvisation.

Nick Malcolm – Trumpet
Jason Yarde – Alto Saxophone
Jake McMurchie – Tenor Saxophone
Olie Brice – Double Bass
Dave Smith - Drums

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!

Stories in the Dust

Stories in the Dust
Anna Harriott and Iona Fleur Sheppard

The sun beats down on two travellers, journeying across a mysterious land in a contraption they've built themselves. They sing, play games, and tell stories inspired by a collection of precious things they've gathered from a time gone by.  

With live music and puppetry, Stories in the Dust is a funny, heartfelt and hopeful eco-fable that takes you to another world. A world where an ancient book guides your way, a drop of rain changes everything and a mighty lion holds its secrets in an old clay pot. 

Will our intrepid explorers make it? They're full of ideas and full of hope but dangerously low on baked beans.

Du Iz Tak?

Told through the language of insects, Du Iz Tak? is a story about the cycle of life and all its impermanence. Come and peer into a miniature world of little puppets to see a delightful group of friends exploring their ever-changing home. Adapted from the award-winning and beautiful book by Carson Ellis. ​

Du Iz Tak? is an enchanting, unusual and magical theatre show for young families.

Tiny Pickles are a Brighton-based theatre company, specialising in puppetry and making art you want to eat. Annie Brooks and Katherine Morton are people who are puppet makers, puppeteers and theatre makers.

Music and Dance in Support of Ukraine

Hydeout and WUCA invite you to: Music and Dance in support of Ukraine

Come and join Hydeout and the Winchester Ukraine Cultural Association (WUCA) for an evening of Music and Dance in aid of Ukraine.

The fabulous team from WUCA will present a sequence of vibrant Ukrainian dance, bringing centuries-old traditions to life at the Nutshell- with a chance for you to join in!

Hydeout are a 5 pieceWinchester based band covering an eclectic mix of sounds you know and love, songs you’ll want to listen, sing and dance to-all the way from Olivia Rodrigo and Miley Cyrus to Amy Winehouse, Stereophonics and U2.

The Nutshell bar will be open + feel free to bring your own supper to the Nutshell

All proceeds from tickets and donations* will go toConvoy4Ukraine(C4U).

C4U fundraise to buy 4x4s and ambulances, fill them with essential items such as medical equipment, food, and other humanitarian aid, and drive across Europe to deliver the supplies and vehicles to Ukrainian partners before returning home - see www.convoy4ukraine.com.

The WUCA is a non-profit community group formed with support from Winchester City Council and Community First which aims to support and give a voice to Ukrainians and host regular events in conjunction with the Ukrainian community.

*ticket donations via box office booking site go to Discarded Nut CIO
*charity donations made during the event go to Convoy4Ukraine