Spring Brochure 2025

Bishop’s Stortford | Spring 2025
At Your Local Arts Venue
WHAT’S ON
Theatre | Cinema | Museum | southmillarts.co.uk

Welcome
to South Mill Arts
South Mill Arts is an arts and heritage venue serving
the local community, home to a 300-seat theatre, bar,
museum, meeting rooms, local classes and much more!
Tickets:
You can book tickets through our website at anytime, or call the Box
Office between 12pm – 4pm, Monday - Saturday.
www.southmillarts.co.uk | Box Office: 01279 710 200
1-3 South Road, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts, CM23 3JG.
Concessions:
Over 60s and under 16s (unless stated otherwise).
Family:
2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children. (Available on
specific shows only).
For wheelchair, babes in arms* or group bookings: Please call the
Box Office or email: enquiries@southmillarts.co.uk
*(under 18 months)
Please note changes to our car park!
• As of September 2024, customers using the car park will
have to enter their car registration upon arrival.
• We have limited parking spaces on site.
• Alternative parking is available at the train station, just
across the bridge, at CM23 3BL.

Introducing our Workshops
Develop your theatre skills by joining us as we
launch a series of regular workshops aimed
at 16–100-year-olds, under the banner of
South Mill Arts: Centre Stage. All sessions are
delivered by experienced professionals.
All sessions: 7pm | £15 | 16+
Season Pass: Buy a ticket for every workshop and receive £17.50 off!
Fri 31 st Jan: So You Think You Can’t Act?
Fri 28 th Feb: Physical Theatre.
Fri 28 th Mar: LAMDA Acting.
Fri 25 th Apr: Ute Hagen in 2 hours – an introduction to acting
techniques.
Retune is a Bishop’s Stortford based charity
that inspires its audience to improve their
mental health through creative outlets such
as music and the arts.
The charity runs mental wellbeing workshops that include
singing, writing, drawing, songwriting and plenty of participation.
The workshop is effective for all age groups and backgrounds and
has received glowing feedback from the thousands of people who
have benefitted so far.
Grab your ticket today - these sessions are not to be missed!
Fri 10 th Jan and Fri 7 th Mar | 7pm | £10
An Inclusive Easter Workshop with Herts
Inclusive Theatre
A bespoke workshop specifically for South Mill
Arts aimed at children and teenagers
(aged 7+) with additional learning needs.
Wed 16 th Apr | 3pm - 5pm | £7 | 7+
3

January
The Adult Panto:
Jack and his Giant Stalk
Tue 7 th Jan | 7.30pm
£22 | 18+
Taking the UK by storm since 2004, the Market
Theatre’s Adult Panto Company are back on tour
and out to corrupt another classic fairy tale beyond
recognition with their unique style of Adult Panto.
Get ready for an evening of slick, fast-moving,
farcical fun and bawdy sexual innuendo for adults
only.
La Voix from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
Sat 18 th Jan | 7.30pm
£28 | 14+
Direct from the West End come and see the UK’s
best drag queen. Britain’s Funniest Red Head is
swinging into town with her most ambitious show
yet! This brand-new show promises an evening like
no other, with huge live vocals, a live band and sidesplitting
comedy.
La Voix brings fans and first timers a unique evening
of entertainment in the company of a true legend,
guaranteed to bring audiences to their feet with
music and laughter.
SOLD OUT
Harry Hill:
Work in Progress
Fri 24 th Jan | 7.30pm
£22 | 9+
Join Harry Hill as he warms up for his brand new UK
and Ireland Tour.
Marvel, Guffaw with delight, and cough awkwardly -
with special guest appearances from Gary (my son
from my first marriage), Stouffer The Cat, The Knitted
Character and Abu Hamster!
Richard Herring:
Can I Have My Ball Back?
Fri 31 st Jan | 7.30pm
£17 | 14+
In 2021 Richard Herring went to his GP to find out
why his right ball seemed to be growing bigger. It
turned out that he had testicular cancer and one
month later he was lying in hospital waiting to have
his murderous gonad removed.
Would he survive? (No spoilers!)
SO GET ON BOARD THE LAUGHTER TRAIN!
4

February
An Evening with Laurel & Hardy:
Presented by Neil Brand
Sat 1 st Feb | 7.30pm
£21.50
Join Neil Brand, composer,
writer, broadcaster, and musician
with his all-new show about the
immortal comedy duo.
Neil is a world expert on music
for silent film with his original
improvised scores performed
live. Fully illustrated with stills &
clips, this show promises gales of
laughter throughout.
Anglia Comedy Co Presents:
The Best in Comedy
Fri 7 th Feb | 7.30pm
£22.50 | 18+
The Best in Comedy show returns
to South Mill Arts in February
with an amazing line-up featuring
the hilarious Sara Pascoe,
Stephen Bailey, Lily Phillips &
Philip Simon!
This show is not to be missed!
Strictly over 18s only.
Please note that the line-up
subject to change without notice.
Shape of You:
The Music of Ed Sheeran
Sat 8 th Feb | 7pm
£25 | £18 under 16s
Experience the sensational
live production, ‘Shape of You’,
showcasing the phenomenal
music of the world-renowned
singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran.
This show promises an
electrifying journey through
Sheeran’s iconic repertoire,
performed live to mesmerize
audiences.
SOLD OUT
Jason Donovan - Doin’ Fine 25
Warm Up Show
Wed 12 th Feb | 8pm
£37
Jason Donovan’s Doin’ Fine 25 tour, is a spectacular
celebration of his remarkable career in music,
theatre, film and TV. This exciting tour will take
fans on a journey through 35 years of hits on stage
and screen via Jason’s energetic and unique live
performance style.
This show promises to be a musical feast of a night of
unforgettable tunes, featuring a dynamic selection of
Jason’s most beloved songs from stage shows such
as ‘Joseph’, ‘Priscilla’, ‘Rocky Horror’ and ‘Grease’ to
nods to his TV work like Neighbours and Strictly and
of course his biggest pop hits like ‘Especially For You’,
“Too Many Broken Hearts’ ‘Any Dream Will Do’ and
‘Sealed with a Kiss’.
Jason said: “I am so excited about this tour. My
performing career has been an incredible ride, and I
can’t wait to celebrate it by performing the songs that
have been such an important part of my life. It’s going
to be a fantastic show, and I look forward to sharing
all those special moments with my fans.”
5

February
A Celebration of Father Ted
with Joe Rooney
Fri 14 th Feb | 7pm
£22 | 18+ (16–18 accompanied by an adult)
Join us in celebrating one of the greatest sitcoms
ever made, as we welcome renowned stand-up Joe
Rooney for a night of all things Father Ted!
A hosted screening of the classic episode, dancing
priests, an all-inclusive ‘Lovely Girls Competition’ –
and much more! Come and meet Joe and immerse
yourself in the very silly delights of Father Ted.
A Tribute to Sting & The Police
starring The Rozzers
Sat 15 th Feb | 7.30pm
£28
Fronted by Sting look and sound-a-like Owen James
and his band ‘The Rozzers’, ‘A Tribute to Sting & The
Police’ is the most authentic Sting tribute in Europe.
From Roxanne and Every Breath You Take to Fields
of Gold and Englishman in New York, all the hits are
reproduced with stunning authenticity and vocal
accuracy.
Ah, go on… you will!
The Irish House Party
Tue 18 th Feb | 7.30pm
£22
An evening of incredibly talented musicians and
dancers who simply want to bring you the sound and
fun of Ireland in an intimate and homely setting.
The live music, Irish dancing and banter is infectious
and enters the psyche in seconds. The show
itself features All Ireland champion musicians
and dancers who combine a unique blend of light
hearted audience interaction with fascinating stories
about the music and the instruments themselves.
6
A Big Egg
By Steven Lee
Wed 19 th Feb | 1pm
£12 | Ages 2 - 102!
Half
Term
From the new “Story Time” series of family musicals
by the creators of There Was An Old Lady Who
Swallowed A Fly. For Jack and his little sister Molly
Easter is all about eggs. But how big can an egg get?
And what wonderful surprises might there be inside?
Based on the picture book by Steven Lee and
performed with a magical mixture of live action,
animation and puppetry, this scrumptious, singalong
musical is guaranteed to delight egg lovers, chocolate
lovers and chocolate egg lovers alike!

February
The Magic of Science
Thu 20 th Feb | 2pm
£17 | £14 Concs.
IS IT MAGIC… OR IS IT SCIENCE?
Half
Term
Fusing the mystery of magic with wondrous and
miraculous feats of science. Hang on to your seats
and experience a non-stop action packed interactive
magical science show with experiments and magic
that will capture the imagination.
Fearlessly Taylor Swift
Fri 21 st Feb
1pm - £17.50 | 7pm - £22.50
1PM SHOW WITH BACKING TRACKS & DANCERS
£17.50
7PM SHOW WITH FULL BAND & DANCERS
£22.50
Come and sing along with International tribute
“Fearlessly Taylor” performed by the brilliant
Ashleigh Stevens.
Half
Term
Nick Stapleton:
How to Beat Scammers
Sat 22 nd Feb | 7:30pm
£28
As the presenter of BBC’s BAFTA and multi-awardwinning
Scam Interceptors, Nick has witnessed the
sheer scale of the scam industry. He’s seen behind
the curtain, and it’s clear, we can’t rely solely on
authorities or banks to protect us.
In this unique evening, audiences can expect a
revealing exploration of the murky world of scams and
fraud, as Nick shares some essential strategies to
make sure your money stays where it should, in your
pocket.
Worryingly, the authorities convicted only 0.1%
of fraud cases in Britain last year. With fraud
representing over 40% of all crime, it’s never been
more important to tool yourself up to fight back
against the scammers. This show isn’t just about
awareness, it’s about action. It’s about protecting
yourself and your family. Join, Nick Stapleton, on this
eye-opening live show that promises to empower and
help protect us all.
Don’t Miss Out. Together, we can stop the scammers.
7

February - March
Marty Wilde & The Wildcats - Live in ‘25
Fri 28 th Feb | 7.30pm
£31
One of the only performing original Rock’n’Roll
pioneers in the world today.
A British music legendary figure - officially recognised
for his 8 decades in music as a hit recording artist
and songwriter. Marty began his career in 1957 with
his first UK chart hit “Endless Sleep” and was one
of the first British singers to play a leading part in
the early formative and groundbreaking ‘Rock’n’Roll’
years’.
Today he celebrates 8 decades as a hit recording
artist and songwriter, (hits for Kim Wilde, Status Quo,
Tom Jones, Hot Chocolate, The Casuals, Lulu etc.) A
new recording “Two Eyes Streaming” was a number
one hit on the Heritage Charts during 2024. Marty
continues to tour, write, record and release new
material. A new single and album are due soon.
Marty’s hits include “Teenager In Love”, “Endless
Sleep”, ”Donna”, ”Sea Of Love”, “Bad Boy”, “Rubber
Ball” and “Jezebel” and others, plus a host of hit
songs from a golden era.
Made in Tennessee
Sat 1 st Mar | 7.30pm
£29 | £26 Conc.
With a band made up of some of UK’s finest country
musicians, Made in Tennessee takes you through
the decades of the nation’s fastest growing music
genre, from Country’s origin in the Southern States
of America to modern day Country heard around the
world.
Bishop’s Stortford Academy of
Performing Arts presents: Rent
Thu 6 th & Fri 7 th Mar | 7.30pm
Sat 8 th Mar | 2.30pm & 7.30pm
£19.50 | 15+
BSA Performing Arts Youth Group present the
legendary, multi-award winning & ground breaking
musical RENT. The thrilling story of a group of
impoverished young artists struggling to survive in
New York City’s East Village in the thriving days of
Bohemian excess. Including the much loved songs:
Seasons Of Love, Take Me Or Leave Me & La Vie
Boheme. This amateur production is presented by
arrangement with Music Theatre International.
8

Far
from the
madding
crowd
workshop
MACBETH: David Tennant
& Cush Jumbo
Tue 18 th Mar | 7pm
£18.50 | £14.50 Concs.
Live screening of the acclaimed
new production of Shakespeare’s
MACBETH, filmed live at the
Donmar Warehouse in London,
especially for the big screen.
Far from the Madding
Crowd - Workshop
Wed 19 th Mar | 3pm
£14 | £10 Schools | 14+
Join us for an engaging theatre
workshop exploring Far From the
Madding Crowd, presented by
the cast of the Con Artist Theatre
Company production.
Far from the Madding
Crowd
Wed 19 th Mar | 7pm | £22
£20 Conc. | £15 Schools
Thomas Hardy’s masterpiece is
thrillingly brought to life in a new
adaptation by the acclaimed
Conn Artists Theatre Company,
accompanied by music and
songs of the period.
There’s a Monster in Your
Show
Thu 20 th Mar | 2pm & 5pm
Fri 21 st Mar | 11am & 2pm
Schools £14 (Groups of 10+)
£17 | Child £15
Tom Fletcher’s interactive
adventures for big imaginations
are leaping from page to stage!
NT Live: The Importance
of Being Earnest
Fri 21 st Mar | 7pm
£18.50 | £14.50 Concs
Three-time Olivier Award-winner
Sharon D Clarke is joined by
Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education)
in this joyful reimagining
of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated
comedy.
Literature
& words
week 17th
- 23 rd
MARCH
Join us for
Bishop’s
Stortford
Creative
Words Week!
Celebrating creative
literature for all ages.
From a number-one
selling children’s book,
workshops, and modern
telling of classics,
there is something for
everyone at this year’s
festival.
9

March - April
Water Lane Theatre Company presents:
Secondary Cause of Death
Thu 27 th , Fri 28 th & Sat 29 th Mar | 7.30pm
(Mat. Sat 29 th | 3pm) From £17.50 - £19.50
It’s now 1939, and storm clouds are gathering over
Europe. Having inherited Bagshot House, Colonel
Charles Craddock has converted the property into a
hotel for the discerning visitor.
Soon Inspector Pratt arrives once again at Bagshot
House, bearing grim news for the Colonel. But that’s
just the beginning, it’s not long before Pratt’s visit
turns into a chaotic nightmare as the bodies pile
higher than ever!
Anglia Comedy Co Presents:
The Best in Comedy
Fri 4 th Apr | 7.30pm
£22.50 | 18+
The Best in Comedy show returns to South Mill
Arts in April with another great line-up featuring the
fantastic Seann Walsh, Glenn Moore, Thanyia Moore
& Ray Badran!
This show is not to be missed!
Strictly over 18s only.
Please note that the line-up subject to change
without notice.
Dreamcoat Stars
10
Wed 9 th Apr | 7.30pm
£28
Stars of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR
DREAMCOAT sing the biggest musical hits of a
generation. Dreamcoat Stars is back for their 3rd UK
tour.
With new songs and arrangements of everyone’s
favourite West End and Broadway classics; Les
Misérables, We Will Rock You, Dirty Dancing,
Hairspray, West Side Story, and the toe-tapping Jersey
Boys. Feel the spine-tingling vocal power of four
sensational singers from the global hit show Joseph
and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat coming
together for an unforgettable evening of musical
theatre.
A hand-picked selection of non-stop hits with
phenomenal vocal arrangements, incredible four-part
harmonies, slick choreography, and memorable
stories from the star’s time in Joseph. Grab your
coat of many colours and join us on your Dreamcoat
journey where Any Dream Will Do. This is a show that
will raise your spirits in a night of theatre you’ll never
forget. Go Go Go get your tickets now!

Woman Like Me:
The Little Mix Show
Thu 10 th Apr | 7pm
£18 | £66 Family
EASTER
BREAK
This show brings back-to-back chart-topping hits,
incredible voices, and the electrifying energy of Little
Mix to life on stage, captivating fans old and new in
an unmissable celebration of their phenomenal music
career. Woman Like Me features the ultimate playlist
of Little Mix’s greatest hits, including “Black Magic”,
“Secret Love Song”, “Power” and, of course, “Woman
Like Me”.
April
“Woman Like Me: The Little Mix Show” is an
immersive concert experience that captures
the essence of these huge pop icons and their
extraordinary legacy. “Mixers” and fans of all ages
will be singing along to their favourite anthems and
will leave the show feeling empowered, uplifted, and
ready to embrace their own uniqueness.
Get ready for a night of top-quality performances
and heartfelt moments in this tribute to the global
phenomenon that continues to inspire millions around
the world.
20 min interval
Singing Cinema:
Encanto
Sat 12 th Apr | 3.30pm
£15 | £12 (Under 16s) | U
EASTER
BREAK
We don’t talk about Bruno, no no no, but we DO talk
about Singing Cinema!
Sing along to all of your favourite songs from the
film in our special singing cinema! Don’t worry if
you forget the words, they will be right there on the
screen.
Bring the whole family for a wonderful sing-along!
Claytime
Tue 15 th Apr | 11am & 2pm
£14.50 | Ages 3 - 6
EASTER
BREAK
The award-winning Indefinite Articles present their
work for the very young: Claytime, a play with clay,
where the audience are invited to participate. Come
to a place where the earth’s natural material meets
with children’s imaginations: a world of fabulous
forms, amazing animals and morphing monsters.
Each Claytime is totally unique - creating its own
world, its own characters and its own stories drawn
directly from its young audience. Truly, interactive
theatre at its most engaging.
11

April
From No Parlez to The Secret Of Association -
An Intimate Evening With Paul Young
Thu 24 th Apr | 7.30pm - 10pm
Standard £32 | VIP £47 | Meet & Greet £87
Paul Young broke into the big time 40 years ago
when No Parlez went to number one and spawned
iconic hits like Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My
Home).
More success followed with the number one album
The Secret Of Association and the worldwide
hit Everytime You Go Away, not forgetting an
appearance at Live Aid and more.
Crazy Little Thing Called Queen
Fri 25 th Apr | 7.30pm
£32.50
An outstanding, exciting and dynamic tribute to one
of the world’s greatest and most iconic rock bands.
Yvan Silva’s incredible vocal power and
showmanship, along with some of the finest
dedicated Queen tribute musicians, deliver an
unforgettable show, guaranteed to get you rocking
out to Queen’s greatest hits.
Community listings
KBD Dance January Showcase &
Choreography Competition
Diverse Performing Arts
Showcase 2025
GSOD
BSAPA April Show
Sun 26 th Jan | 2pm & 5pm
Sun 9 th Feb | 12pm & 5pm
Sun 16 th Mar & Sun 23 rd Mar
Sat 26 th Apr & Sun 27 th Apr
HRC Showcase Wed 23 rd Apr | 7pm | £12
Regular Community Events
Please visit our website for all the latest community group listings.
Hummingbird Cancer Support
Unique Disco
Grove Cottage Adult Support Club
Mon | 10.30am - 1.30pm
Please see our website for dates
Wed | 10am - 1pm
12

The Acoustic Club | £7: A local community club supporting local bands and
offering first opportunities to young professionals seeking music careers.
Jan 9 th , Jan 23 rd , Feb 6 th Feb 20 th , Mar 6 th , Mar 20 th , Apr 3 rd & Apr 17 th .
Retune | £12: A Bishop’s Stortford based charity, offering opportunities to
young and old people alike, to share and experience live music as a creative
outlet to support mindfulness and wellbeing. Supporting the local music
scene by offering first opportunities and encouraging people of all ages and
backgrounds to share their passion for music.
Mar 14 th .
The Moon Jammers | Free: An established jam night held on the last Sunday
each month. This is a jam for players and fans of blues, soul, funk – and all
musical points in between.
Jan 26 th , Feb 23 rd , Mar 30 th & Apr 27 th .
South Mill Arts has been a platform for live music
for over 60 years and has seen the early careers
of some of the very best musicians and bands in
history (Elton John, David Bowie and Stevie Wonder
to name a few!)
The South Mill Arts Live Lounge | £8: A regular
evening of live music in The Maltings Bar from
7:30pm, where you can relax and listen to some of the
best from the local music scene. (Dates tbc)
13

Musicals on Screen
Presenting:
Musicals
on Screen
£18.50
£14.50 Concs. Girl From The North Country
Phantom of the Opera
Fri 10 th Jan | 7pm | PG
Fri 17 th Jan | 7pm | 15
Les Misérables: The Staged
Concert Live!
(40 th Anniversary)
Thu 27 th Feb | 7pm | 15
Jesus Christ Superstar Live
Thu 13 th Mar | 7pm | 12
Billy Elliot The Musical Live
(20 th Anniversary)
Tue 22 nd Apr | 7pm | 15
Cinema
Standard/Parent & Baby: £10
Family Screenings:
£10 Adults | £8 Children
Check our site for all of the
very latest listings & titles!
www.southmillarts.co.uk/movies
Family Cinema: 11am & 2pm
11 th Jan, 18 th Feb & 7 th Apr
Parent & Baby Screenings: 10am
13 th Jan & 10 th Mar
Second Chance Cinema: 2pm & 7pm
3 rd & 4 th Feb, 10 th & 11 th Mar,
28 th & 29 th Apr.
14
RBO:
The Tales of Hoffman
Wed 15 th Jan | 6.45pm
£18.50 | £14.50 Concs.
Through the haze of the years, a poet remembers
the women he loved. But when it comes to matters
of the heart, nothing is as it seems. Particularly
when the devil himself is involved…
Journeying back to his school days, Hoffmann
relives his childhood romance with Olympia, a
model student in every sense. Doomed love follows
him into adulthood, where the dancer, Antonia, is
taken from him too soon. Meanwhile, the sensual
courtesan Giulietta has her own secret agenda.

Cinema
MACBETH:
David Tennant & Cush Jumbo
Tue 18 th Mar | 7pm
£18.50 | £14.50 Concs.
David Tennant (Doctor Who, Broadchurch) and
Cush Jumbo (The Good Wife, Criminal Record) lead
a stellar cast in an ‘enthralling’ ( Daily
Telegraph) new production of Shakespeare’s
MACBETH, filmed live at the Donmar Warehouse in
London, especially for the big screen.
Unsettling intimacy and brutal action combine
at breakneck speed as Max Webster (Life of Pi,
Henry V) directs this tragic tale of love, murder, and
nature’s power of renewal.
NT Live:
The Importance of Being Earnest
Fri 21 st Mar | 7pm
£18.50 | £14.50 Concs.
The Importance of being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
directed by Max Webster. Three-time Olivier
Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti
Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful
reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated
comedy.
Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs this hilarious story
of identity, impersonation and romance, filmed live
from the National Theatre in London.
RBO:
Turandot
Tue 1 st Apr | 7.15pm
£18.50 | £14.50
The beautiful but icy Princess Turandot will only
marry a man who can correctly answer three riddles.
Those who fail are brutally beheaded. But when an
unknown prince arrives, the balance of power in
Turandot’s court is forever shaken, as the mysterious
stranger does what no other has been able to.
Running time: 205 minutes, two intervals.
Sung in Italian with subtitles.
EXHIBITION ON SCREEN - The Dawn of
Impressionism: Paris, 1874
Tue 8 th Apr | 2pm & 6pm
£18.50 | £14.50 Concs.
The Impressionists are the most popular group in
art history - millions flock every year to marvel at
their masterpieces. But, to begin with, they were
scorned, penniless outsiders. 1874 was the year
that changed everything; the first Impressionists,
“hungry for independence”, broke the mould by
holding their own exhibition outside official channels.
Impressionism was born and the art world was
changed forever. Made in close collaboration with
the Musee d’Orsay and National Gallery of Art,
Washington D.C.
15

Bishop’s Stortford
Museum
Join us at
the Museum
for some
fascinating
talks this
spring.
All of our Spring Museum
talks will be taking
place at South Mill Arts,
(including the Zoom lecture
on the 18 th Feb).
Please note that booking is
essential.
The Trade of the Inuit
by Steve Vincent
Tue 21 st Jan
12.30pm | £5
The Inuit of the Arctic have
traded with naval and whaling
ship crews and later on,
established trading outlets
since the 18 th c. Initially the Inuit
traded everyday utility items for
much needed goods and then
later handicrafts. These were
then sold on as curios. This talk
tells the story of this trade using
the objects themselves.
Miss Pye and Mr Barber
Zoom lecture by Helen Gibson
Tue 18 th Feb
12.30pm | £5
Ursula Pye 1902-1994 is
commemorated in a window in St
Michael’s church and in a display
in the South Mill Arts Museum.
She was interested in Dr Johnson
and in Johnson’s Black Servant,
Francis Barber, at school in
Bishop’s Stortford. Frank was like
a son to Johnson, was with him
when he died and received the
bulk of his assets in his will.
Short History of Bishop’s
Stortford by Tim Howard Smith
Tue 18 th Mar
12.30pm | £5
This talk will take you back to the
history of the town from earliest
times to the 19th c. Rather
than a “this happened and that
happened” type presentation,
it examines the reasons behind
and the impact of events that
shaped the town’s development.
16
Mr and Mrs Tresham
Gilbey by Chris Connell
Tue 15 th Apr
12.30pm | £5
Mr and Mrs Tresham Gilbey: one
of Stortford’s first power couples.
Mr and Mrs Tresham Gilbey were
both independently very active
in local society in the earlier part
of the last century, supporting
good causes and serving on, and
leading, many committees.
History of the River Stort
by Richard Thomas
Tue 20 th May
12:30pm | £5
The 13 3/4 winding miles of the
Stort Navigation are generally
acknowledged to be among the
prettiest in England. This talk
looks at the history of the river
and follows its story from 1766
up to the modern day. We travel
the whole waterway from the
source near Nuthampsted, to the
Lee Navigation at Hoddesdon.

We are delighted to have a new addition to the first floor gallery!
The painting ‘View of Bishop’s Stortford with St. Michael’s Church’ by unknown artist is
now hanging proudly above the fireplace in the Museum.
It depicts the town in about the early 1760s and we think it deserves wider public
attention. Can you recognise any landmarks? Send an email to the Museum team if you
spot any that you recognise: museum@southmillarts.co.uk
Head down to the museum for fun family activities!
Storytime
Every month (First Tuesdays)
10.30am | FREE
Ages 2.5 – 5
Taking place on the first Tuesday
of every month, are you sitting
comfortably? Wonderful! Then
we’ll begin!
Children’s Craft:
Fun with Fans!
Tue 18 th – Thu 20 th Feb
10am – 2pm | £1
Ages 3 - 11
Join our craft team as they share
with you how to make fabulous
paper fans!
Which shape and design will you
choose?
£1 donation on the day.
Half
Term
Children’s Crafts:
Create your own pet
8 th – 10 th & 15 th – 18 th Apr
10am – 2pm | £1
Ages 3 - 11
International Pet Day is taking
place in April – join us to make
the pet you wish you had. There
are multiple pets to make, so feel
free to come along and take part
more than once!
£1 donation on the day.
EASTER
BREAK
Guided tour of the Museum - Every first Saturday of the month | 11am
17

Art
Space
Calling all
artists
Welcome to the ArtSpace where you can see
our latest exhibitions.
We have several different artists and
exhibitions on rotation throughout the year.
In 2025 we will be launching an exciting callout
for artists to award periods of display space.
If you are interested in submitting your work
in response to our callout, please contact our
Museum team and keep an eye on our social
media for more information.
museum@southmillarts.co.uk
01279 710 204
Julie Leaming Carole Crosby
Richard King
Do you follow us on Facebook?
Give the Bishop’s Stortford Museum Facebook page a follow where
you will see videos of the team, objects of the month and new donated
artefacts! @Bishop’sStortfordMuseum
A big thank you to all who support the Museum and are willing to
donate the objects that ultimately form our collection.
18

Where does your money go
when you buy a ticket from South Mill Arts?
Did you know that when you buy a ticket,
very little of the ticket price is kept by the theatre?
As standard, touring companies and productions
take between 70-80% of all Box Office takings.
We pay VAT, credit card and Performing Rights
Society charges.
Costs such as utilities, insurance, wages and
maintenance all add up! After the Town Council
grant we still need £2,650 a day to keep us up and
running.
So, from a £20 ticket, South Mill Arts keeps
between £4-£6 of the ticket price... and as we are
not-for-profit, every penny goes straight back in!
That is why your support is so important to us!
There are many ways you can support South Mill Arts! Why not become a
SMArt Supporter, or donate via our website? You can also sponsor a seat in our
auditorium. For more information, contact marketing@southmillarts.co.uk
The Arts Society Bishop’s Stortford welcome you to attend their fascinating and
entertaining lectures. Guests are very welcome and we invite a donation of £7.
Coffee served from 10am | Lectures begin at 10.40am
For more info please visit: www.tasbs.org.uk or contact: info@tasbs.org.uk
Spanish Painter of
Sunlight:
Joaquin Sorolla
14 th Jan | Gail Turner
The Culture of the Elizabethan
Court in Four Aspects:
Poetry, Plays, Presents and
Portraits
11 th Mar| Alison Baker
The Grand Tour:
Travel and Collecting
in the 18 th Century
11 th Feb | Caroline Knight
The Art of Mesopotamia:
aesthetics and achievements
long before the Graeco-Roman
world
8 th Apr | Irving Finkel
19

Coming Soon
Miss Disco
Si Cranstoun
Fri 16 th May | 8.30pm
£22
Miss Disco return to South Mill Arts for another night
of joyous escapism on the dance floor!
Expect a breathless evening of feel-good dance
floor anthems by disco’s biggest icons, including
Chic, Sister Sledge, Chaka Khan, Bee Gees, Gloria
Gaynor and Earth Wind & Fire, alongside discoinspired
classics from the ‘90’s, ‘00s and beyond,
all performed 100% live by Miss Disco’s incredible
seven-piece band fronted by their truly extraordinary
disco diva lead vocalist Susan Pinky.
Fri 23 rd May | 7.30pm
£26.50
This amazing show is a highly charged toe –
tapping journey driven by retro dance rhythms and
spearheaded by Si Cranstoun’s remarkable voice
which echo that of Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke.
Si has an incredible stage presence and combined
with hit song after hit song from Swing, Rock n Roll,
R & B, Soul and Ska makes this a night you will not
want to miss.
With Si’s happy charisma and boundless energy
everyone is guaranteed a memorable show.
Graffiti Classics
Twist and Shout
Sat 24 th May | 7.30pm
£26.50
16 strings, 8 dancing feet and 4 voices in 1
electrifying and hilarious musical show! Graffiti
Classics, is a comedy string quartet that never sits
down, bursting the perceived elitist boundaries
of traditional classical music with its hilarious allsinging,
all-dancing musical comedy show. Wickedly
funny, the group energetically leaps and clowns its
way through an eclectic musical landscape from
Beethoven to Elvis, all virtuosically accompanied on
their own string instruments, this ground-breaking
group is on a mission: to make classical music fun!
Fri 27 th Jun | 7.30pm
£27
An all-star cast from the West End deliver a musical
powerhouse of a show that starts with the explosion
of Brit Pop in 1962 through to the era of Flower
Power and Free Love of the late Sixties.
Music lovers are invited to return to a time when
skirts got shorter and hair got longer as an
incredible cast revive the hits of The Beatles,
Herman’s Hermits, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The
Rolling Stones, Cilla Black, Manfred Mann, Dusty
Springfield, Lulu, Sandy Shaw and many more.