Events 2017 For more information call +44 (0) 1458 832267 facebook.com/ GlastonburyAbbeySomerset @glastonburyabbe
Events Friday 24 March 2017 Glastonbury Abbey Musical Variety Night This Glastonbury Mayor s Charity event promises to be a rich medley of genres involving some of town s most established and popular acts plus some exciting new faces. There will be music from the likes of Vela, The Avalonian Free State Choir, Oska Zaky and more to be confirmed. A bar will also be available with a selection of local ales and cider. Compere will be the town s Mayor Jon Cousins. 7pm at Glastonbury Town Hall. Tickets are 7.50 with all proceeds going to the Rescue our Ruins Appeal. Saturday 1 April 2017 Nzingabeth NZINGABETH! is a musical show which challenges notions of nationality, race and gender. Brought to the abbey by The Bluebirds, it portrays a fictitious meeting between historical figures Queen Elizabeth I of England and Queen Ana Nzinga of modern-day Angola. The queens clash and bond over a discussion of politics,femininity, race, culture, make-up, men and song. The soundtrack for the show is a unique fusion of Tudor court music and awesome African drumming! Gates 6.30pm. Performance 7pm. Tickets: 14 Adult, 8.00 Child. For more information call +44 (0) 1458 832267 Saturday 15 Sunday 16 April 2017 Glastonbury Medieval Fayre The Glastonbury Medieval Fayre returns to the abbey this Easter for a fantastic weekend of fun for the whole family! This year s event will feature jousting, a battle, archery, living history, an abundance of entertainment and children s activities, to name just a few highlights; it really is an event for all the family and provides plenty to do over the Easter weekend. Open 10am 5pm. Tickets: 10 Adults, 5 Child and Members, 27.50 Family (2+2), 3 additional child. Friday 28 April 2017 Beetle Drive Glastonbury Town Hall Come and enjoy a night of fun, tension and laughter with our fund-raising Beetle Drive plus a Fish and Chip supper courtesy of Knights. Who will be the first to shout Beetle? This is a Glastonbury Mayor s Charity event supporting the abbey s Rescue Our Ruins Appeal at Glastonbury Town Hall. Vegetarian option available by emailing events@glastonburyabbey.com 7pm - Tickets 10. Saturday 13 May 2017 Richard III - One Woman Show All the world is a stage. What part will you play? Pushing the boundaries of Shakespearean Performance, Brite Theatre have re-imagined Richard III as a bold and engaging one-woman show. Taking place in the abbey s Abbot s Kitchen, the fourth wall has been utterly obliterated, as you the audience take on the roles of all the other characters at Richard s party in this intimate, exciting and moving production. Critically acclaimed with international success this is set to be a fantastic and compelling evening of theatre. Performance time 7pm. Tickets 12. Saturday 3 June 2017 Heads up to Glastonbury Abbey - Charity Spectacular A combined fundraising concert featuring Take on Take That, Paul Da Vinci, Paul Salvage, Old Dogs New Tricks and Oska Zaky. 5pm. Tickets: 20. Friday 9 June 2017 Glastonbury Fringe Grand Opening Glastonbury Fringe is celebrating its 6th year in 2017 by hosting its biggest launch event yet. Fringe 2017 will launch in spectacular style dancing into the night with the amazing 3 Daft Monkeys, Tankus The Henge, Swampgrass and Lazy Daze. Doors open at 5.30pm: tickets are 10 in advance or 15 on the door (subject to availability). Tickets can be purchased online from www.glastonbury-fringe.org.uk or. Tickets can be purchased in person from Glastonbury Abbey, Stephens Butchers and Hawthorns Hotel in Glastonbury. Saturday 10 June 2017 Glastonbury Abbey Summer Open Evening A fantastic opportunity to explore the abbey free of charge whilst enjoying music and refreshments. Free entry from 6pm. Wednesday 14 June 2017 Twelfth Night Rain or Shine Theatre Company returns no matter what the weather with Twelfth Night, a performance which is sure to prove a side-splitting and quirky rendition of one of Shakespeare s best loved comedies. Performance 7.30pm. Tickets: 13 Adult, 6 Child, 11 concessions, Family 32. Friday 30 June Saturday 1 July 2017 Legends of Arthur Miracles At Glastonbury return to present Legends of Arthur. Gates open 6pm, performance starts at 7pm. Tickets available soon. Saturday 8 Sunday 9 July 2017 Pilgrimage Weekend We are delighted to welcome the Glastonbury Pilgrimage Association Annual Pilgrimage on Saturday July 8th and the Clifton Diocese Annual Pilgrimage on July 9th. Wednesday 12 July 2017 A Midsummer Night s Dream One of Shakespeare s classic plays is brought to life at the abbey by the Castle Theatre Company. A top student theatre group from the University of Durham, Castle Theatre have become a regular favourite on our events calendar and this year return with A Midsummer Night s Dream. Performance 7pm. Tickets: 12 Adult, 10 Child. Turn the page for more fantastic events
Friday 14 Sunday 16 July 2017 Romeo and Juliet Promenade Theatre With Butterfly Theatre Company, experience the most tragic love story of all time, Shakespeare s Romeo & Juliet, where two star-crossed lovers find their worlds ripped apart by their families rival houses. Witness how their all-consuming passion tries to survive amongst violence and hatred. Amidst the abbey ruins, rediscover the depths of your hearts. Walk amongst the walls and grounds as the stories of the characters come to life all around you. This is a promenade performance which requires standing and walking throughout. Recommended aged 8+. Duration 75min, no interval. Performances 6.30pm & 8.30pm. Tickets are 15 per person. Saturday 22 July 2017 Henry Purcell s Dido and Aeneas and The Fairy Queen - Eboracum Baroque After their debut at the abbey with King Arthur, Eboracum Baroque will return to the Lady Chapel with more Purcell. The first half will be a reduced version of The Fairy Queen, Purcell s take on A Midsummer Night s Dream followed by Dido and Aeneas in the second half. Performance 7pm. Tickets 15 Adults, 5 Students and Children. Saturday 5 August 2017 Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza The 2017 Extravaganza will feature the Black Dyke Band with a top contemporary act to be announced soon. The Yorkshire-based brass band is the most recorded in the world with more than 350 recordings and has won the European Brass Band Championships 13 times, the British Open Brass Band Championships 30 times and the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain 23 times. The 2017 spectacular complete with traditional firework display will be the 21st Extravaganza to be held at Glastonbury Abbey. Gates open 5pm. Tickets 35 Adults, 20 Children (on the gate 40/ 25). Saturday 13 August 2017 Fun Dog Show Gate opens at 1pm with entry to the Abbot s Kitchen Field by donation. Class registration starts at 1.15pm with the competition starting at 2pm. All proceeds to the abbey s fund-raising appeal. Saturday 19 August 2017 Three Men in a Boat Specialists in light hearted fun, IK Productions are sure to amuse with their take on Jerome K Jerome s comic classic. Performance 7pm. Tickets 10 Adults, 8 concessions. Friday 25 August 2017 Merry Wives of Windsor The Festival Players traditional approach to Shakespeare always proves popular here at the abbey. This year represents a fantastic chance to catch one of the bard s lesser known works, The Merry Wives of Windsor. Performance 7:30pm. Tickets 14 Adults, 12 concessions. Friday 8 September 2017 Night at the Abbey 2017 Following being shortlisted for Small Event of the Year at the National Outdoor Event Association Awards, Night at the Abbey is set to return in a blaze of light and music, even better than ever. Gates open 6pm. Tickets 5 Adults, 3 Child/Concessions, 2 additional children, 12 family ticket (2 adults/3 children). Saturday 23 September 2017 Tudor Banquet The Abbot s Kitchen will play host to a sumptuous Tudor feast with music and entertainment. Three course meal and a glass of mead included on arrival. If you require a vegetarian option or have any other dietary requirements, please email shop@glastonburyabbey.com along with your booking by September 14th 2017. Tickets 50 per person. Saturday 30 September 2017 Gregorian Chant Workshop Join Opus Anglicanum for a day of chant - an entertaining, informative and enjoyable experience. Participants will be prepared to perform Vespers of St Dunstan, using at first simple recitation in English, and working towards more adventurous Latin chant. Workshop begins 10am. 10 per person, booking essential. Tickets available at Saturday 28 October 2017 The Story of the Reformation Working with the University of Plymouth and Strode college we are staging an all-day conference to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the revolution that changed the world. Speakers to include: Prof Michael Hicks (Winchester University) - Religion and Piety in Pre-Reformation England, Dr Sean McGlynn (Plymouth University at Strode College) - From Cathars to Lollards: Heresy and Inquisition Before the Reformation, Dr Elaine Fulton (University of Birmingham) - Luther and the European Reformation, Dr Tim Hopkinson-Ball (Glastonbury Antiquarian Society) - Glastonbury Abbey and the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Prof Sue Doran (University of Oxford) - The English Reformation, Dr Simon Johnson (Downside Abbey) - The Counter-Reformation, Andrew Pickering (Plymouth University at Strode College) - Luther and Witches in Reformation Europe, Dr Anthony Cross (University of Oxford) - Multiple Reformations: Dissent and Divergence in Protestant Europe. Glastonbury Town Hall. 25 per person. For some events you can Tickets available at also book a picnic - photo credit: Tony Arihanto
Wednesday 22 November 2017 Victorian Shopping Evening Come and do your Christmas shopping in the abbey shop during our Victorian style evening with festive refreshments and some historical characters too. Open from 5pm to 7pm. Family Workshops & Holiday Activities 7 and 14 April, 2 June, 28 July, 4, 11, 18 and 25 August, 1 September and 27 October in the School Holidays Every Friday in the school holidays from 11am until 1pm we will be holding fun story telling and craft sessions suitable for the whole family to enjoy. Saturdays 2, 9 & 16 Dec 2017 Christmas at the Abbey Come and meet Santa, feed his reindeer and follow a special festive trail around the abbey grounds. Normal admission applies plus 5.50 per child to see Father Christmas (includes gift) booking essential and this will open in early summer. 11am to 2pm. Sunday 10 December 2017 The Churchill Singers Join the Churchill Singers in the Abbot s Kitchen for some festive singing from 2pm to 3pm. Why not become a member and enjoy the abbey and all it has to offer 364 days of the year? photo credit: Somerset Reindeer Ranch Third Sunday of each month (21 May, 18 June, 16 July, 21 May, 18 June, 16 July, 20 August, 17 September, 15 October, 19 November and 17 December) Glastonbury Abbey Wildlife Team Abbey Wildlife Tours 2pm. Join our Wildlife Team in exploring the abbey grounds and discovering our wildlife. Normal admission applies Wednesday 29 March Experience Medieval Carpentry and Build a Bird Box This course is part of our project to recreate a medieval garden. The key points of this day will be experiencing first hand medieval carpentry, along with trying first hand to build a bird box using medieval techniques. To register interest call Marcelle Bacchus, the abbey s project manager, on 01458 832267. Courses are free for adults 19+ with a 10 refundable deposit. Discover more about the abbey s Medieval Garden Project at Tuesday 4 April Family drama workshop Join us for an interactive Living History Team. 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Firepit Cooking Demonstrations Taking place throughout the summer with full details to be listed on our website. Membership Plus offers two complimentary family tickets, free entry to a series of talks, invitations to exhibition openings, free Night at the Abbey ticket and discounted entry to some other events plus special offers in the shop and café - all for around 13p a day per adult. We also offer the chance to save s on admission tickets if you buy online up until 6pm the day before you want to visit and we ve teamed up with Visit Somerset to offer VIP trips. Find out more at
Friday 7 April 11am to 1pm create beautiful tissue paper flowers for Spring. Mon 10 to Mon 17 April Easter Fun at the abbey Join us for Easter celebrations at the abbey including our annual Easter Egg trail, a fun way to explore the fantastic history of the site with a chocolate prize at the end! Normal admission applies plus 2 for the trail. Tuesday 11 April Family drama workshop Join us for an interactive with Kay and Bill Wych, members of our Living History Team. 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Friday 14 April Get ready for Easter and join us to decorate the shell of an egg. 11am to 1pm. Normal admission applies. Wednesday 3 May Planting the Medieval Kitchen Garden This course is part of our project to recreate a medieval garden and will be using plants which have been chosen for their medieval heritage, grown by the Grounds team at the abbey to complete the first stage of the project. There will be a talk on the differences between medieval gardening and our contemporary equivalent. To register interest call Marcelle Bacchus, the abbey s project manager, on 01458 832267. Courses are free for adults 19+ with a 10 refundable deposit. Discover more about the abbey s Medieval Garden Project at Monday 29 May Decorate flower biscuits Spend the Bank Holiday in the museum. 11am to 1pm. Normal admission applies. Friday 2 June Make and paint a shield. 11am to 1pm. Sat 22 to Sat 29 July Hands on History Celebrate Festival of British Archaeology. There will be a drop in handling session in the museum. Artefacts from the abbey s collections will be on display. Visitors will get a chance to handle objects and learn what they can tell us about the abbey s past. 10am to 4pm daily. Tuesday 25 July Friday 28 July Hands on History for all the family plus draw an object from the collection. 11am to 1pm. Normal admission applies Tuesday 1 August Friday 4 August Enjoy the smell of lavender and create a Lavender Favour favours were often given as gifts. Will you give yours away or keep it to make your bedroom smell nice? 11am to 1pm. Tuesday 8 August Friday 11 August Have a go making clay tiles which you can air dry at home. 11am to 1pm. Normal admission applies. Tues 15 August Friday 18 August Enjoy a smelly couple of hours carving soap using the beautiful abbey ruins as inspiration. 11am to 1pm. Tuesday 22 August Friday 25 August Harvest is on its way this is your chance to make a corn dolly. 11am to 1pm. Normal admission applies. Tuesday 29 August Friday 1 September Write in the same way that the monks who lived at the abbey once did, a short lesson in calligraphy and illumination. 11am to 1pm. Monday 23 October Make a leaf crown It s autumn and with the colours changing, use fallen leaves in this craft session. 11am to 1pm. Monday 27 October Create a leaf owl Use the autumnal coloured leaves at this craft session. 11am to 1pm. Normal admission applies. Saturdays 2, 9, & 16 December Make a Christmas tree decoration It s Christmas time; join us for this Advent Activity in the museum. 11am- 1pm.
Living History Tours Abbey Exhibitions Every Monday in June, July and August early bird tours bringing history to life at 9.30am normal admission applies book online. Hourly tours with a Living History guide from 10am to 3pm in March, April, September and October free with admission price. Hourly tours from 10.30am to 5.30pm with a Living History guide in June, July and August normal admission applies. Watercolour by Jackie Henderson (Footprint of the Abbey exhibition) Dove Mosaic by Kate Rattray (Traces Revealed exhibition) 11 February 21 May Footprint of the Abbey A group of local artists have explored the abbey s footprint on its immediate setting and the wider locality to create personal responses to themes encompassing architectural geometry, herbalism, pilgrimage, relics and characters in the abbey s history. This exhibition has grown out of detailed research, exploration and spiritual journeying. Proceeds from sales are supporting the Final Chapter of the abbey s Rescue our Ruins appeal. Meet the Artist Sessions Members of Areté Visual Arts will be present to talk about their work on the following Wednesdays: 11am - 3pm. 19 April Hilary Arnold, Kate Cochrane and Caroline Wyndham 3 May Fay Hutchcroft, Hilary Arnold and Patricia Gould. 5 April Children s Art Workshops Led by Patricia Gould and Jane Paterson 10.00am-12.00pm and 2.30pm-4.00pm. Using the abbey ruins and grounds for inspiration, children will learn to draw shapes and make collages leading to a final picture or book. Suitable for 4-12 years. Normal admission applies and children must be accompanied. 27 May 24 September The Past in the Present Pottery by Elizabeth Raeburn and Rodney Lawrence The abbey ruins have provided the starting point for these acclaimed potters. Rodney brings the people and stories of the abbey into the imagined past and the present, employing wheel-thrown Raku plaque by Elizabeth Raeburn (The Past in the Present exhibition) stoneware to frame his quirky and often humorous illustrations. Elizabeth s work is raku fired and decorated with coloured slip. Her pieces represent the abbey in a changing landscape, using a delicate and painterly style. 1 July 1 October Summer Sculptures Open air trail through the abbey grounds of work by southwest sculptors This summer the abbey is hosting sculptures created by artists working in stone, metal, wood and willow. Works will be on display throughout the abbey s 36 acres of beautiful grounds for visitors to discover and enjoy. The exhibition is by popular demand following an earlier sculpture trail in the abbey s orchard. 30 Sept 2017 28 January 2018 Traces Revealed Artwork in cloth, tile and clay inspired by the Abbey - Alicia Merrett, Kate Rattray, and Hiro Takahashi Alicia has used the abbey s maps, archaeological plans and decorative details on artefacts to inspire her vibrant and dramatic quilts. Kate has created colourful mosaic sculptures to represent abbey tales and legends, including references to the ancient church, saintly relics and secret tunnels. Hiro s love of the abbey ruins and their natural surroundings is evident in the intricate patterns and textures of her ceramics.
Membership Talks FREE to all abbey Members, 5 Non Members Tuesday 22 August A Blast From the Past Medieval music talk with Jonathan Weeks 7pm start: Thursday 28 September Clothing and Sumptuary Laws of the Middle Ages Tamara Spring, Abbey Wardrobe Volunteer Wednesday 25 October Cider s Golden Age : From Medieval Monasteries to the Scientific Revolution Dr Richard Stone, University of Bristol Wednesday 15 November Glastonbury Abbey Members Evening Thursday 7 December Members Christmas Concert with mince pies and mulled cider to follow 2pm start: Badger Walks photo credit: Alison Hickman Most Thursdays from 7.30pm in June, July and August Online booking only Tickets 10 FREE to Glastonbury Abbey Membership Plus Holders 5 Glastonbury Abbey members and children 5-15 Registered Charity No: 1129263 For more information call +44 (0) 1458 832267 Glastonbury Abbey The Abbey Gatehouse, Magdalene Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9EL, UK