APRIL 2026 – MARCH 2027
Post-Show Talk
Pre-Show Talk Audio Described
Relaxed Performance
BSL Interpreted
Education Linked Performance
Cover Image: Songs of the Bulbul, photo by Angela Grabowska
Opposite page: photo by Martin Bond, A Cambridge Diary
Back cover image: Photo by Philip Vile
It has been incredibly busy since our re-opening – we have been nominated for awards for our work both on stage and for Phase One of our re-development and we couldn’t be more thrilled.
Our production of Easy Virtue – our first homegrown professional drama in many years – was a delight to make and was a great opportunity to create and share our own work once again.
Our summer season continues that momentum, offering a vibrant and varied programme, including the return of the fabulous BalletBoyz and London City Ballet, and the triannual Cambridge University Greek Play. We are looking forward to seeing Tracy-Ann Oberman in Noël Coward’s Present Laughter, and producing more Pop-Up Adventures, where we bring great children’s theatre directly into the community.
We are thrilled to introduce new companies and exciting work to Cambridge including a brandnew staging of the celebrated novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and South Asian dance company Aakash Odedra Company. We are also delighted to be collaborating with Cambridge Literary Festival for the first time. There is something to entertain and inspire all audiences over the coming months.
Alongside our on-stage programme, our Creative Learning work is expanding, offering new opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to take part, develop skills and connect with theatre in meaningful ways.
The Arts Theatre Cambridge
6 St Edward’s Passage, Cambridge CB2 3PJ Administration: 01223 578933
With the first phase of our redevelopment now complete, our ambitions continue. We are actively planning and fundraising to build our brand new studio on the rooftop. This will enable us to produce more new work, support artists and deepen our role in the community. We will keep you posted as our plans progress. There is a real sense of energy, purpose and possibility across the Theatre, and we are excited to welcome you as we celebrate this landmark year and shape the next chapter together.
Rachel Tackley MBE Interim Creative Director & Co-CEO
Victoria Beechey Executive Director & Interim Co-CEO
The Arts Theatre Cambridge is a registered charity in England no. 1212452. Registered in England no. 16134718. 6 St Edward’s Passage, Cambridge, CB2 3PJ.
Cambridge Arts Theatre Trust Limited is a registered charity in England no. 1069912. Registered in England no. 03536370.
Murder comes to the countryside…
When spinster Emily Simpson is found dead in the picturesque village of Badger’s Drift, her friend Lucy refuses to accept it was an accident. DCI Tom Barnaby and Sergeant Gavin Troy are called in to investigate, uncovering hidden passions, longburied secrets and deadly rivalries.
With eccentric villagers and shocking twists, Midsomer Murders brings to life the charm and chilling suspense of the beloved TV series, in a gripping show set to delight audiences.
Starring Daniel Casey as Inspector Tom Barnaby, who created the original television role of Sergeant Troy.
Written and directed by Guy Unsworth
TUE 21 – SAT 25 APR
Tue – Sat 7.30pm Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £23.50
A retelling of H.G. Wells’s novel by imitating the dog
Four performers construct an epic road movie before our eyes.
In an apocalyptic tale of alien invasion and the destruction of the world as we know it, lines of Brits scrabble to flee across the channel while their cities and towns lie in smouldering ruins.
Using miniature environments and projection, imitating the dog create a thrilling, audacious and timely retelling of H.G. Wells’s classic novel.
Following their acclaimed adaptations of literary classics
Heart of Darkness (2018), Dracula (2021), Macbeth (2023) and Frankenstein (2024), ‘multimedia daredevils’ (The Times) imitating the dog push their inventive storytelling to new heights.
WED 29 APR – SAT 2 MAY
Wed – Sat 7.30pm
Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £22.50
Age guidance 14+
Captioned
Thu 30 April, 7.30pm Sat 2 May, 2.30pm
Written & Directed by Pete Brooks & Andrew Quick
Projection & Video Designs by Simon Wainwright
Set & Costume Design by Abby Clarke
Lighting Design by Andrew Crofts
Original Music & Sound Design by James Hamilton
Audio Described Sat 2 May, 2.30pm
Post-Show Talk Wed 29 Apr, 7.30pm
From the moment his tall, red and whitestriped hat appears, Sally and her brother know that the cat in the hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and craziest of ideas, he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure.
The Cat in the Hat is a lively and engaging first theatre experience for children aged 3+, based on the best-selling book.
Meet the Cat in the Hat after the show and continue the mayhem – for free!
‘Charming…playful’ THE STAGE
MON 4 – TUE 5 MAY
Mon 3.30pm | Tue 10.30am & 1.30pm | All tickets £20 Age Guidance 3+
THE GONDOLIERS AND PAGLIACCI
Presented by English Touring Opera
packs passion, melodrama and revenge into an intense 90 minutes of drama. When Canio, leader of a theatre troupe, sees his life reflected in rehearsals for a new show, he becomes convinced that his wife is having an affair. Can Canio temper his spiralling emotions, or will his jealousy get the better of him?
Two charming gondoliers discover that one is the long-lost heir to the throne of Barataria - but which one? The Gondoliers, Gilbert and Sullivan’s last great success, is a fizzing comedy of mistaken identity that marries joy and chaos with a sharp satire of monarchy and class.
THU 7 – SAT 9 MAY
Thu & Sat 7.30pm The Gondoliers Fri 7.30pm Pagliacci | Tickets from £27.50
Audio Described Thu 7 May 7.30pm
Bitter rivals. Buried secrets. A love to die for.
On board a luxurious cruise under the Egyptian sun, a couple’s honeymoon is cut short by a brutal murder. As secrets resurface, can the world-famous detective, Hercule Poirot, untangle the web of lies and solve another crime?
Following the sell-out tour of Murder on the Orient Express, the European premiere of this thrilling production reunites writer Ken Ludwig, director Lucy Bailey (Witness for the Prosecution) and Fiery Angel.
Starring Mark Hadfield (Belfast; Outlander; Wallander), Glynis Barber (Dempsey and Makepeace; EastEnders) and Bob Barrett (Murder on the Orient Express; Holby City).
Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig
Directed by Lucy Bailey
‘Gorgeously
staged’ DAILY MAIL
TUE 12 – SAT 16 MAY
Tue – Sat 7.30pm Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £27.50
Audio Described Sat 16 May, 2.30pm
MAIL ON SUNDAY
From the BAFTA Award-winning co-creator of Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister, Jonathan Lynn, comes the long-awaited final chapter of British political satire - and it is as cunning, cutting, and catastrophically funny as ever.
Jim Hacker is back, older - but perhaps not wiser, faces with a modern challenge: cancelled by the college committee. Can Sir Humphrey Appleby save him from the meddling students, or is it finally time to say “I’m Sorry, Prime Minister!”
Brimming with razor-sharp wit, nostalgic brilliance, and more double-speak than a press briefing, this is political comedy at its most timeless - and timely.
Book now for a night of laughter, legacy, and one last glorious round of red tape, I’m Sorry, Prime Minister.
TUE 19 – SAT 23 MAY
Tue – Sat 7.30pm Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £25
Written and directed by Jonathan Lynn
Co-directed by Michael Gyngell
Starring
Clive Francis and Simon Rouse
‘Nostalgic and poignant. It brings the house down!’
THE TELEGRAPH
Celebrating a quarter of a century on stage. This is the best of BalletBoyz.
With their signature irreverence and eye for beautiful dance, BalletBoyz return with a brand-new production Still Pointless, marking the 25th Anniversary of their critically acclaimed debut, Pointless (yes, it’s really been that long!).
10 world-class dancers explore some of BalletBoyz’ best moments. Incorporating live dance and film, the evening opens with an excerpt from Russell Maliphant’s seminal work Critical Mass, from their 2001 debut and showcases the world-premiere of a brand-new work by Seirian Griffiths. Come and experience an evening of dance that could only be BalletBoyz.
‘It’s impossible to look away’ THE GUARDIAN on Deluxe
‘It doesn’t matter what they dance. The result is always the same – fantastic’ THE TIMES on Them/Us
SUN 24 – TUE 26 MAY
Sun – Tue 7.30pm
Tickets from £25
Post-Show Talk Mon 25 May 7.30pm
Presented by Little Angel Theatre and Lowry
Step into the magical world of A Squash and a Squeeze live on stage for the first time!
Once upon a time, a little old lady lived all by herself in her cosy cottage, but she wasn’t happy – her house felt just too small. Whatever could she do? Will the wise old man’s solution of bringing in a flappy, scratchy, greedy, noisy crowd of farmyard animals work?
Join us for this heartwarming and hilarious adventure, full of beautiful puppets and enchanting songs. Written and illustrated by the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler and adapted for the stage by Olivier-nominated duo Barb Jungr and Samantha Lane.
A Squash and a Squeeze © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 1993, 2003 - Macmillan Children’s Books
Wed 3.30pm | Thu-Sun 10.30am & 1.30pm
All tickets £20 | Age guidance 3-8
Relaxed Performance Sat 30 May, 10.30am WED 27 – SUN 31 MAY
Former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and renowned Shakespearean, Greg Doran, revives his celebrated production of Venus and Adonis, Shakespeare’s great narrative poem.
Narrated live by Simon Russell Beale and animated by a team of world-class puppeteers with live musical accompaniment, this unique production blends comedy, tragedy and Shakespeare’s incredible poetry to bring the famous story of Venus and her obsession with the handsome Adonis thrillingly to life in a rich, captivating theatrical experience.
Drawing inspiration from the bewitching artistry of Japanese Bunraku puppets, this spellbinding production tells the story using marionettes, rod and table-top puppets.
Originally
TUE 9 – WED 10 JUN
Tue & Wed 2.30pm & 7.30pm | Tickets from £23 Age guidance 14+ (contains mature themes and imagery)
Spontaneous musical comedy at its absolute finest, heading back to The Arts Theatre!
With sixteen years as an Edinburgh Fringe must-see phenomenon, a BBC Radio 4 series, a critically acclaimed West End run and an Olivier Award to their name, The Showstoppers have delighted audiences across the globe with their ingenious blend of comedy, musical theatre and spontaneity.
A brand new musical comedy is created from scratch at each performance as audience suggestions are transformed on the spot into all-singing, all dancing productions with hilarious results.
‘Achingly funny’ TIMEOUT
FRI 12 – SAT 13 JUN
Fri – Sat 7.30pm | Tickets from £22 Age guidance 12+
Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler - celebrating 25 years on stage.
Searching for hazelnuts, Mouse meets the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl and the highspirited Snake. Will the story of the terrifying Gruffalo save Mouse from ending up as dinner for these hungry woodland creatures? After all, there’s no such thing as a Gruffalo – is there?
Songs, laughs and monstrous fun in the muchloved show that’s toured Britain and the world!
The Gruffalo © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 1999 – Macmillan Children’s Books
WED 17 – SUN 21 JUN
Wed 3pm | Thu-Sun 10.30am & 1.30pm | All tickets £20 Age guidance 3+
Co-produced by Emma Rice Company, Alexandra Palace Theatre, Belgrade Theatre, HOME Manchester and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse
It’s back by popular demand! Emma Rice Company’s ‘magic’ Malory Towers (Guardian) is touring the UK again. Get ready for high jinks, high drama and high spirits, all set to sensational live music.
Darrell Rivers is starting school with an eager mind and fierce heart. Unfortunately she also has a quick temper! Can she learn to tolerate the infuriating Gwendoline Lacey, or value the kindhearted Sally Hope? Can she save the school play and rescue terrified Mary Lou from the grip of a raging storm? If she can do these things anywhere, she will do them at Malory Towers!
Nostalgic, naughty, and perfect for now, Malory Towers is the original ‘Girl Power’ story. This is a show for girls, boys and all grown-up children who still dream of midnight feasts and Cornish clifftops.
TUE 23 – SAT 27 JUN
Tue – Sat 7.30pm Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £25
Age guidance 8+
BSL Interpreted Thu 25 Jun 7.30pm
Adapted and directed by Emma Rice
‘Revels in the power and potential of young women, and that makes you want to cheer!’ THE TIMES
Audio Described Sat 27 Jun 2.30pm
Noël Coward’s witty romantic comedy gets a vibrant 1930s twist!
When a widowed count tries to marry off his daughter to the son of his best friend, it seems like a perfectly sensible plan. But with both young lovers secretly pining for others, their entangled affections cause chaos.
Just as their scheme to break free begins the Countess, Raoul’s former love, the spirited Marquise Eloise de Kestournel, bursts back into their lives. Wielding her wit and charm, she turns their carefully laid plans upside down, reminding everyone that love truly can conquer all.
This is a sparkling and sophisticated tale of old secrets, impulsive passion, and eternal youth.
Juliet Aubrey, Simon Shepherd & Tristan Gemmill
TUE 30 JUN – SAT 4 JUL
Tue – Sat 7.30pm Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £25
Dear Zoo, the timeless children’s classic book returns to the stage!
See our characters write to the Zoo. Who will be delivered? A cheeky monkey, a jumpy frog and of course a perfect puppy.
Help your children learn as the book leaps onto the stage and share a magical experience as the story unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction.
Join us and see what the zoo has sent: the perfect pet – in the end!
Songs of the Bulbul is inspired by the ancient Sufi myth of a bulbul captured and held in captivity, choreographed by Rani Khanam with music by Rushil Ranjan.
The bird was bound ever closer and slowly perished through despair, singing more sweetly as its end drew nearer, until it uttered one final, heartbreaking and piercingly beautiful song just before it departed the mortal world.
Rooted in the expansive music, dance, and poetry traditions of Sufism, this new work emerges as a sensitive dialogue between the ferocious physicality of Kathak and the spiritual journey of Sufism, a path seeking unity with the Divine.
FRI 17 – SUN 19 JUL
Fri 1.30pm | Sat – Sun 11am & 1.30pm All tickets £20 | Age guidance 1+
TUE 21 JUL
Tue 7.30pm | All tickets £30
We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead!
So it’s time to prepare yourselves for two amazing shows with Horrible Histories live on stage, the perfect summer holiday treat!
Using actors and eye-popping 3D effects, these two astounding shows are guaranteed to thrill you and your children, as historical figures come alive and hover at your fingertips!
TERRIBLE TUDORS
From the horrible Henries to the end of evil Elizabeth, hear the legends (and lies!) about the torturing Tudors!
AWFUL EGYPTIANS
From the fascinating Pharaohs to the power of the pyramids, discover the foul facts of death and decay with Egypt’s meanest mummies!
THU 23 – SUN 26 JUL
Terrible Tudors
Thu & Sat 2pm
Fri 6.30pm Sun 3pm
Awful Egyptians Thu & Sat 6.30pm Fri 2pm Sun 11am
‘An explosion of joy and excitement’ THE TIMES
‘Wholly accessible, educating, entertaining and enjoyable – a tour de force!’ BBC.CO.UK
Tickets from £20.50
Age guidance 5+
Second Half Productions and The Ink Factory present The Chichester Festival Theatre production
For the first time ever, a novel by John le Carré — the undisputed master of the modern spy genre — is brought to life.
Starring Ralf Little (The Royle Family, Death in Paradise), The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is a riveting journey through the fog-shrouded terrain of Cold War espionage, deception, and moral compromise.
Following a sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre and direct from the West End, this gripping new play written by David Eldridge (Beginning, Middle, End) and directed by Jeremy Herrin (Grace Pervades, People, Places & Things) comes to Cambridge for one week only.
Tue – Sat 7.30pm
Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £25.50
Age guidance 12+
Captioned Wed 29 Jul 7.30pm
Adapted by David Eldridge
Directed by Jeremy Herrin
Starring Ralf Little
‘A tense, gripping adaptation with moody flair’ THE SUNDAY TIMES
Theatre Royal Bath Productions presents the Stratford East production
Tamzin Outhwaite stars as one of the most iconic characters in British theatre – the unforgettable Beverly in Mike Leigh’s ferocious black comedy of suburban life in the 1970s.
Essex, 1977. Beverly is hosting, the alcohol is flowing, Demis Roussos is on the record player. Queen of the castle in her suburban semi, Beverly and husband Laurence welcome new neighbours Angela and Tony round for drinks. Sue from next door is invited too but the real party is happening back at her place, as Sue’s teenage daughter Abigail can’t seem to keep the racket down. Awkward small talk quickly descends into inappropriate flirtation and marital disputes: a soiree from hell, but it’d be rude to leave…
Mike Leigh’s razor-sharp portrait of social class, materialism and sexual tension in 1970s England is an unmissable modern classic.
MON 3 – SAT 8 AUG
Mon – Sat 7.30pm Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £25.50
Age guidance 14+
‘Mesmerising’ THE TIMES
‘Superb’ TIMEOUT
‘Stellar’ WHATSONSTAGE
Step right up and enter the dazzling world of P.T. Barnum, where imagination and ambition know no bounds. Hand in hand with wife Charity, Barnum’s life and career twists and turns as he schemes and dreams his way to headier heights.
Matt Rawle (Cabaret, Evita, Les Misérables) will take centre stage as the legendary 19th century showman P.T. Barnum. This spectacular production, directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and choreographed by Oti Mabuse, will feature an extraordinary ensemble cast of over 20 actor-musicians, acrobats and amazing circus acts. Audiences are certain to delight at every sight, wonder and miracle that the name Barnum stands for!
Come follow the band with the glorious music of multi-awardwinner Cy Coleman, Michael Stewart’s lyrics and Mark Bramble’s book. Barnum features a whole host of classic show tunes including Join the Circus, Colours of My Life, Come Follow the Band and Love Makes Such Fools of Us All.
TUE 18 – SAT 22 AUG
Tue – Sat 7.30pm
Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £27.50
Age guidance 8+
Audio Described Sat 22 Aug 2.30pm
‘A dazzling all-singing, all-juggling musical’ THE OBSERVER
‘A glorious circusinfused spectacle. Unmissable’ WHATSONSTAGE
Presented by Little Angel Theatre, Mercury Theatre, Colchester and Mayflower Southampton
Meet Toto. She might look like an ordinary cat, but she’s no ordinary feline. Almost completely blind, Toto has incredible ninja skills, a big heart, and a nose for adventure. By day, she naps like any other pet… but by night, she’s out on daring missions with her cheeky brother, Silver.
In their very first adventure, a deadly King Cobra has escaped onto the streets of London, and it’s up to Toto to use every ounce of her courage and cunning to save the day.
This purr-fectly thrilling tale is filled with original music, laughout-loud fun, and extraordinary puppetry, promising fun for the whole family.
TUE 25 – SAT 29 AUG
Tue 4.30pm Wed - Sat 10:30am & 2pm
All tickets £20
Age guidance 5+
Relaxed Performance Fri 28 Aug 10.30am
Our Man in Havana, adapted by Clive Francis from Graham Greene’s novel, follows the hilarious exploits of James Wormold, a British vacuum cleaner salesman in pre-revolutionary Havana, Cuba.
Struggling financially to support his spoiled daughter, Wormold is recruited by MI6 agent Hawthorne to be a spy. Lacking any actual spy skills or intentions, Wormold fabricates an entire network of fictional agents and reports, using his imagination and local bar conversations.
His absurd reports, claiming to depict secret weapons, are taken seriously by MI6, leading to real-world consequences as the Cuban government grows suspicious.
A cast of four, including Jack Ashton (Call The Midwife), Leon Ockenden (Waterloo Road) and Jodie Steele (Heathers the Musical – New York & London), play over 30 characters to bring 1950s Havana vividly to life in this wonderfully funny and fastmoving romp!
TUE 1 – SAT 5 SEP
Tue – Sat 7.30pm Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £22
BSL Interpreted Thu 3 Sep 7.30pm
Starring Jack Ashton, Leon Ockenden and Jodie Steele
‘Clive Francis’s ingenious stage version... highlights the comedic and absurd aspects of Greene’s story’
THE SCOTSMAN
‘Tremendous fun’
THE HERALD
Presented by Theatre Royal Bath Productions
Tracy-Ann Oberman stars as Geri Essendine in this new production of Noël Coward’s celebrated and hilarious portrayal of the temptations and pitfalls of theatrical celebrity.
Geri Essendine is a hugely successful actress (who has been 39 for the best part of a decade). Her personality, wit and charm have earned her a legion of devoted fans, young and old, and a coterie of friends, acquaintances and hangers-on.
Just as she is about to depart for a tour of Africa, Geri finds herself besieged by a bevvy of would-be lovers, not to mention her long-suffering secretary, estranged husband and an obsessed young playwright. Will she ever disentangle herself from their tightening clutches and incessant demands? And deep down, does she really want to…?
TUE 8 – SAT 12 SEP
Tue – Sat 7.30pm Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £25.50
Starring Tracy-Ann Oberman
Written by Willy Russell, the legendary Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences.
Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as the multiaward-winning Blood Brothers. The production ran for more than 10,000 performances in London’s West End and has been affectionately christened the ‘Standing Ovation Musical’ as inevitably it ‘brings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approval’ (The Daily Mail).
The superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True
Written by Willy Russell
‘One of the best musicals ever’ THE SUNDAY TIMES
‘Unmissable and unbeatable’ THE SPECTATOR
TUE 15 – SAT 19 SEP
Tue – Sat 7.30pm Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £27
Age guidance 12+
Co-produced by The Arts Theatre Cambridge
Queen Elizabeth II was famous for her discretion. But she had one way of expressing her thoughts – through her wardrobe.
By Royal Appointment is a funny, poignant and celebratory new play about the kind of power that only a Queen can wield – she charms the world through coats and admonishes her family through a carefully chosen hat.
But the Queen herself is uninterested in fashion. Her look is managed by her Designer, Milliner and Dresser, a working-class girl who goes from advising the Queen on the colour of her lipsticks to the real power behind the throne. But the Dresser, like all royal favourites is living on borrowed time.
Starring national treasure Jane Asher as The Queen, this smash hit play is written by Daisy Goodwin who created the hit ITV series Victoria
THU 24 SEP – SAT 3 OCT
Thu 24 – Sat 3 Oct 7.30pm Sat 26 Sep, Wed 30 Sep, Thu 1 Oct & Sat 3 Oct 2.30pm
No performances
Sun 27 & Mon 28 Sep
Tickets from £30
‘Goodwin’s dialogue crackles with wit – a natural storyteller’ THE TIMES
Marking their third successful season, the award-winning London City Ballet, former resident company of Sadler’s Wells, return with a unique offering of heritage works all danced in the UK for the very first time.
In this centenary year of American choreographer Glen Tetley, London City Ballet pay homage by reviving the gothic retelling of Firebird
Celebrated international choreographer, John Neumeier, creates a new version of his 2020 creation, Ghost Light.
Dog Man: The Musical is the hilarious new musical based on the worldwide bestselling book series from Dav Pilkey.
Best friends George and Harold have been creating comics for years, but now that they’re ten, they figure it’s time to level up and write a musical based on their favourite character, Dog Man, the crime-biting sensation who is part dog, part man and ALL HERO! How hard could it be?
But while trying his best to be a good boy, can he save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings? Can he catch Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who has cloned himself to exact revenge on the doggy do-gooder? And will George and Harold finish their show before lunchtime?
‘ London City Ballet are fully flourishing’ EVENING STANDARD
TUE 6 – WED 7 OCT
Tue – Wed 7.30pm | Tickets from £20.50 Post-Show Talk Tue 6 Oct 7.30pm
THU 8 – SAT 10 OCT
Thu – Fri 6pm | Sat 11am, 2.30pm & 6pm Tickets from £25 | Age guidance 5+
The triennial Cambridge Greek Play returns to The Arts Theatre Cambridge.
Following the success of the Persians and Cyclops double bill in 2022, a new creative team led by director Rosalind Parker presents an exciting modern production of the classic Euripides’ play, Ion
We open with the backstory of mortal woman Creusa’s rape by Apollo, and her abandonment of their child. Years have passed. Ion, raised an orphan at Apollo’s Temple in Delphi, is now coming of age. Creusa and her husband have journeyed there in order to ask Apollo for assistance in conceiving a child.
The tradition of performing a play in Greek every three years at Cambridge University extends back to 1882. Don’t miss a unique opportunity to see this rarely staged, timely production.
WED 14 – SAT 17 OCT
Wed – Sat 2pm & 7.30pm
Tickets from £20
Age guidance 11+ (themes of violence and rape)
Pre-Show Talks Wed – Sat 1pm
Directed by Rosalind Parker
Designed by Leanne Vandenbussche
Composed by Richard Causton and Apostolis Kousogiannis
‘A privilege
to see…
A theatrical
triumph’ WORLDSTAGE UK on Persians and Cyclops 2022
Post-Show Talk Thu 15 Oct 7.30pm
Operation Mincemeat is the 2024 Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical and a 2025 Tony Award®-winning musical on Broadway. It’s London’s biggest hit with 113 five-star reviews making it the best-reviewed show in West End history, hailed by Peter Marks in The Washington Post as “the year’s funniest musical”.
The year is 1943 and we’re losing the war. Luckily, we’re about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse.
Singin’ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train, Operation Mincemeat is the fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us World War II.
Bursting at the seams with the kind of chaos you couldn’t invent, the question is: how did a dead body, a fake love letter, and - of all people - Ian Fleming come together to wrong-foot Hitler?
‘The best musical I’ve ever seen’
Taffy Brodesser-Akner, THE NEW YORK TIMES
‘Before curtain I talked to a fan seeing this for the seventh time. I wondered why anyone would see the same show seven times. Now I know’
Neil Norman, THE DAILY MIRROR
MON 19 – SAT 24 OCT
Mon – Sat 7.30pm
Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £40.50
Presented by Theatre Royal Bath Productions
The greatest, most powerful and dangerous figures who shaped English history are brought vividly to life in Robert Bolt’s awardwinning play.
Martin Shaw stars as Sir Thomas More – scholar, ambassador, lord chancellor and friend to King Henry VIII. Above all, he is a man of integrity, loved by the common people and his own family.
When Henry demands a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, clearing the way for him to marry Anne Boleyn, the staunchly catholic Thomas is forced to choose between his loyalty and his own conscience, committing an incredible act of defiance for which he eventually pays the ultimate price…
Starring Martin Shaw
‘The story is a gripping one… Martin Shaw is superb, playing More with both gravitas and a lightness of touch’
DAILY TELEGRAPH
MAIL ON SUNDAY THE OBSERBER
DAILY MAIL
TUE 27 – SAT 31 OCT
Tue – Sat 7.30pm Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £25.50
In the heat of economic crisis, the Labour Party’s Roy Jenkins, Denis Healey and Tony Crosland clash over the soul of British socialism. Sharp, witty and gripping, the play captures towering intellects, fierce rivalries and the private tensions behind public power.
Following a sell-out smash hit run in London, Robert Khan and Tom Salinksy’s five-star electrifying political drama returns for a national tour this autumn, revisiting the high-stakes battle for the Labour Party’s future.
Smart, provocative and fiercely entertaining — this is political theatre at its most compelling.
‘Terrific play, great cast and script. If you can grab a ticket, go!’ FINANCIAL TIMES
THE GUARDIAN
THE STAGE
TUE 3 – SAT 7 NOV
Tue – Sat 7.30pm Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £22
Captioned performance Wed 4 Nov 7.30pm
After its triumph in the West End, where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy and the Evening Standard Award, Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) returns to Cambridge by popular demand and is a unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s most iconic love story.
Men, money and microphones will be fought over in this irreverent but affectionate adaptation where the stakes couldn’t be higher when it comes to romance. This multi-award-winning production features a string of pop classics including Young Hearts Run Free, Will You Love Me Tomorrow and You’re So Vain
It’s the 1880s.
It’s party time.
Let the ruthless matchmaking begin.
MON 9 – SAT 14 NOV
Mon – Sat 7.30pm Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £20.50
‘Totally deserves the standing ovations’ THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
‘Riotously funny… gloriously entertaining… frankly sensational’ VARIETY
From best-selling novel to major hit Netflix series, The Haunting of Hill House now takes to the stage in this gripping new production that blurs the line between heart-thumping suspense and the supernatural.
This bold new stage adaptation is tense, unsettling and darkly playful. Where shadows whisper, walls remember and nothing is as it seems…
When a group of daring investigators take on the mystery of Hill House, curiosity quickly descends into fear. Experiments plunge into darkness. Strange disturbances ripple through twisting corridors. As the house tightens its grip, it will leave you on the edge of your seat… and questioning what is real long after the curtain falls.
TUE 17 – SAT 21 NOV
Tue – Sat 7.30pm Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £25.50
‘The definitive haunted house story’ THE GUARDIAN
Presented by The Arts Theatre Cambridge
Fee-fi-fo-fum… Prepare to embark on a gigantic adventure with Jack and the Beanstalk, The Arts Theatre Cambridge’s LARGER-THAN-LIFE pantomime for 2026!
Book ahead to avoid disappointment, as The Arts Theatre returns with another ‘uproariously funny’ (Velvet Magazine, Sleeping Beauty) pantomime for Cambridgeshire and beyond.
Christmas in Cambridge just isn’t complete without The Arts Theatre pantomime, and with tickets starting from just £10 you can enjoy a fun-filled journey of music, comedy, magic and festive fun… Oh yes you will!
FRI 27 NOV 2026 – SUN 3 JAN 2027
Tickets from £10
Visit our website for performance times and ticket prices
Performance Sat 5 Dec 11am & Sat 2 Jan 11am BSL Interpreted Sat 5 Dec 11am
Captioned Sat 12 Dec 2pm
Audio Described Sun 13 Dec 3pm
Jung Chang’s Wild Swans defined a generation: an epic personal history of Jung, her mother and grandmother.
Jung returns to the Cambridge Literary Festival with her sequel Fly, Wild Swans, which brings the story of Jung’s family –along with that of China – up to date. Join Jung for a deeply moving and unforgettable account of life under a communist dictatorship and the threat modern China poses to the world.
Explore the books that have inspired the life and works of Festival Honorary Patron Elif Shafak and discover which books have influenced one of our greatest international writers. A British-Turkish novelist and storyteller, Elif is also an advocate for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and freedom of expression. Her latest novel There Are Rivers in the Sky was shortlisted for the 2025 Orwell Prize for Political Fiction.
Zadie Smith returns with her newest exhilarating essay collection Dead and Alive. From literary memorials for writers we’ve lost, to trips to the movies, Glastonbury and Kilburn High Road, this is a collection about everything that makes life fizz – love, loss, culture and politics. Come and share in Zadie’s insightful and compassionate view of the world.
Tim Key (Alan Partridge, The Ballad of Wallis Island, Tim Key’s Late Night Poetry Programme) pops his suit on, plods about, in a brand-new show.
Bit gutted he’s old. Guzzling continental lager. Magnetic lol. Decent reviews for previous shows. Played a pigeon in Bong Joon Ho’s latest movie. Been on Richard Herring’s podcast. Book out: “L.A. Baby!”. Met Steffi Graf in 1998/9.
This show has poems in, and he’ll stamp and howl. Won the Perrier Award in 2009!
In this brand-new show, Lee shares his stage with a tough-talking werewolf comedian from the dark forests of the subconscious who hates humanity. The Man-Wulf lays down a ferocious comedy challenge to the culturally irrelevant and physically enfeebled Lee. Can the beast inside us all be silenced with the silver bullet of Lee’s unprecedentedly critically acclaimed style of stand-up?
Stewart Lee is in danger of being left behind and his once BAFTA award-winning style of stand-up seems obsolete. But can he unleash his inner Man-Wulf to position himself alongside comedy legends like Dave Chappelle, Ricky Gervais and Jordan Peterson at the forefront of side-splitting stadiumstuffing sh*t-posting?
SUN 10 MAY
Sun 7.30pm | All tickets £26.50 | Age guidance 14+
SUN 14 – TUE 16 JUN
Sun - Tue 7.30pm | All tickets £35 Age guidance 14+
Primetime Emmy Nominee Michelle Wolf has established herself as one of the most influential voices in the comedy landscape. Her stand-up specials across HBO and Netflix have garnered critical acclaim and top viewing figures.
Wolf has headlined across the world, including her infamous appearance at the White House Correspondents Dinner. She has had two sold-out Edinburgh Fringe runs and scored a prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination. Wolf is also known for her appearances on The Daily Show (Comedy Central) and The Break with Michelle Wolf (Netflix).
Whale sings his heart out into the deep blue, but no one sings back. Just as he’s about to give up, a mysterious voice calls through the waves.
Determined to find the singer, Whale dives into an unforgettable adventure - through glowing coral caves, past wobbly jellyfish and daring sea monsters!
The Tale of the Loneliest Whale is a magical, interactive puppetry show filled with music, laughter, and ocean wonders. Packed with original songs, playful creatures, and audience fun, it’s a heartwarming celebration of friendship, difference and the joy of being yourself.
SUN 28 JUN
Sun 7.30pm | All tickets £33.50 | Age guidance 14+
FRI 14 – SAT 15 AUG
Fri – Sat 11am & 2pm | All tickets £10
Venue The Atrium Theatre, Chesterton Community College | Age guidance 4+
An evening of sensational improvised comedy hosted by two of the UK’s masters of improvisation with their old friend, improv virtuoso, Mike McShane and a host of very special guests. Fast, fabulously funny improvised games, scenes, stories and laugh out loud surrealism.
When time’s ripe, let all the good things overflow. A woman longing for her lover; a wronged wife plotting her revenge; a squaddie traumatized by war. Love, laughter, tears, and treachery. And just a little murder, too. Whatever life brings us, the ancient Greeks have the right words for it. As they navigate through youthful high jinks, adult chaos, and the preoccupations of old age, their wit and wisdom are a road map for our modern age.
Directed by writer-translator David Stuttard, multi-award winners Dame Siân Phillips and Robert Powell give voice to stories, scenes, and poems from ancient Greece, which – profound or poignant, fast moving, funny, or at times downright preposterous – help make sense of our lives today.
SUN 6 SEP
Sun 7.30pm | All tickets £33.50
SUN 4 OCT
Sun 2.30pm | All Tickets £30
UH OH. Phil Wang’s back with a new stand-up show, and he’s older than ever before.
He’s got a moustache now. It bristles with wisdom. His eyes shine with good humour. His shoulders groan under the weight of being the only cool millennial left. Everyone’s an idiot but him. Nice is out. Right is in. The vibe shift is real. Old Wang’s riding it.
You know him from one series of Taskmaster, one episode of Would I Lie to You, and one minute of Wonka
Following on from her hit show The Secret Life of Words, Susie Dent is back with a brandnew collection of facts and stories from the wonderful world of words.
Have you ever wondered whether there’s a word for going to the fridge for the umpteenth time in search of something new? Or puzzled over the reason why a group of crows is called a ‘murder’, while owls form a ‘parliament’? And just how many words do we need for being drunk?
With the help of funny, insightful, and headscratching examples, Susie will entertain and educate us with her pick of language’s greatest hits. Word Perfect will remind us just how unpredictable, wayward, and utterly magical our mother tongue can be.
SUN 8 NOV
Sun 5pm & 8pm | Tickets from £28.50 Age guidance 14+
SUN 15 NOV
Sun 2.30pm | All tickets £35
Our Creative Learning work aims to widen access and support future voices. In February, our Youth Forum’s short film gave a behindthe-scenes look at how to get into the creative sector, and we can’t wait to meet the next generation of theatre-makers at Work Experience this summer! Across the Theatre, we are committed to creating a welcoming space for sanctuary-seeking communities through shared cultural experiences. We are also expanding our provision of teacher training and schools’ workshops and look forward to strengthening pathways into the arts.
Based on the hit film and the incredible true story, Catch Me If You Can: The Musical flies into the Arts Theatre in a dazzling, high-energy production brought to you by Cambridge’s own Cambridge Operatic Society.
This stylish musical follows the extraordinary adventures of Frank Abagnale Jr., a young con artist who successfully poses as a pilot, doctor and lawyer while staying one step ahead of the determined FBI agent, Hanratty, on his trail. Set against the jet-setting glamour of the 1960s, the show combines a swinging big-band score, spectacular choreography and a fast-paced story of ambition, identity and belonging.
Packed with unforgettable songs, sharp humour and cinematic staging, Catch Me If You Can promises a thrilling night at the theatre; a large scale production built in Cambridge, by Cambridge talent.
WED 13 – SAT 16 JAN ‘27
Wed – Sat 7.30pm | Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £20.50
The internationally celebrated novel that captivated 10 million readers is coming in a brand-new staging more thrilling than ever.
Christopher Boone is gifted with a brilliant mind for numbers but unsettled by the unpredictability of people and everyday life. When a neighbour’s dog is discovered killed, he finds himself under suspicion. Determined to prove his innocence, Christopher becomes both detective and suspect, drawn into a mystery that grows darker and more complex with every clue he uncovers.
Inventive, gripping, and moving, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time combines the intrigue of a whodunnit with a powerful coming-of-age story in an unforgettable theatrical event.
TUE 9 – SAT 13 FEB ‘27
Tue – Sat 7.30pm | Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £25.50
Audio Described Sat 13 Feb 2.30pm
The crowning glory of Broadway, the West End and beyond, the international smash hit musical Six makes its royal return to Cambridge following its previous sell out success!
From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power. These Queens may have green sleeves but their lipstick is rebellious red.
Think you know the rhyme, think again... Divorced. Beheaded. LIVE!
The Olivier Award-nominated, sell-out West End and international phenomenon.
James and Lou move from Chicago to London to escape their past, but they soon discover that places aren’t haunted, people are...
This thrilling West End hit is inspired by the iconic, hugely popular film series, Paranormal Activity, with a brand-new story live on stage. Now embarking on its first ever UK and Ireland tour after a sell-out, extended run in London, this chilling production promises to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Hold your nerve…
‘Exhilarating entertainment from six killer Queens. They will, they will rock you!’
DAILY EXPRESS
TUE 16 – SAT 27 FEB ‘27
Visit our website for performance times
Tickets from £25 | Captioned & Audio Described
Performances see page 41
‘A night that leaves you spellbound. Jaw-clenchingly, arm-clutchingly thrilling’ THE GUARDIAN
TUE 23 – SAT 27 MAR ‘27
Tue – Sat 7.30pm | Thu - Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £35 | Age guidance 15+
Audio Described Sat 27 Mar 2.30pm
Online: www.artstheatre.co.uk
In person: Our Box Office is newly located at our Peas Hill entrance.
By phone: 01223 503333
Box Office opening hours: Mon – Sat, 12pm – 8pm.
On Sunday & Bank Holiday performance days we open one hour before the start time. Please check online for seasonal opening times.
For full information and T&Cs, including discounts, booking fees, exchanges and refunds, our bag policy and other tips for your visit, please go to our website or call the box office.
The
Arts
Theatre’s aim is to ensure that everyone is welcome as they enter our doors.
Captioned Performance Thu 30 Apr 7.30pm & Sat 2 May 2.30pm
Audio Described Sat 2 May 2.30pm ENGLISH TOURING OPERA: THE GONDOLIERS
Audio Described Thu 7 May 7.30pm DEATH ON THE NILE
Audio Described Sat 16 May 2.30pm A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE
Relaxed Performance Sat 30 May 10.30am MALORY TOWERS
BSL Interpreted Thu 25 Jun 7.30pm
Audio Described Sat 27 Jun 2.30pm THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD
Captioned Performance Wed 29 Jul 7.30pm BARNUM
Audio Described Sat 22 Aug 2.30pm TOTO THE NINJA CAT AND THE GREAT SNAKE ESCAPE
Relaxed Performance Fri 28 Aug 10.30am OUR MAN IN HAVANA
BSL Interpreted Thu 3 Sep 7.30pm
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Relaxed Performance Sat 5 Dec 11am & Sat 2 Jan 11am
BSL Interpreted Sat 5 Dec 11am
Captioned Performance Sat 12 Dec 2pm
Audio Described Sun 13 Dec 3pm
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
Audio Described Sat 12 Feb 2.30pm
Captioned Performance Thu 18 Feb 7.30pm
Audio Described Sat 20 Feb 4pm PARANORMAL ACTIVITY
Audio Described Sat 27 Mar 2.30pm
If you have mobility requirements, please advise the Box Office when booking tickets so we can allocate you the appropriate space. Mobility scooters cannot be accommodated. We have a number of house wheelchairs (including one electric) available, subject to availability.
We have an Auracast assisted listening system. Visit our website for more information.
We offer the following types of Assisted Performances. Please visit our website for more information.
British Sign Language Interpreted Performances
Captioned Performances
RP
Relaxed Performances
Audio Described Performances
Producer: Baroness Cohen & Mr Jim Cohen; Adam Glinsman; John & Jenny Robson
Director: Phil & Ruth Blundell; Mark Bush; Ian & Anne Carter; Tom Howat & Tom Amraoui; David J H Jones; Darren Jones-Molyneux; Menelas & Kelly Pangalos; Gregory & Rachel Sinfield; Andy Swarbrick; and those who wish to remain anonymous
Principal: Matti Aijala; Lord Archer & Dame Mary Archer; Sir Geoffrey & Lady Olwen Cass; Charles & Angela Chadwyck-Healey; John & Charlotte Chambers; David Charters & Penny Morris; Michael Colantuono; Tim Cribb; John & Jennifer Crompton; Sir Richard Dearlove; Shaun & Pauline Grady; Margaret Grass; Dr Anthony Harris & Mrs Karen Young; Tim Jones; Peter & Irena Milloy; Rory Morrison-Smith; Matthew & Sally Punshon; David & Susan Rapley; Alan & Barbara Richardson; Brian Shaffer; John & Cate Shields; and those who wish to remain anonymous
Actor: Simon & Jennie Aldridge; Marie Allan; Steve Alsop; Ann Austen; Peter Baker; Marilyn & Roger Ballisat; Mr & Mrs Bates; Martin Bedwell; John & Hazel Belchamber; Mrs Penny Belcher; Sue & Simon Boniface; Paul & Amanda Brooker; Francis & Jo Burkitt; Mrs Dorothy Calder; Christine Carpenter; Ursula Cheyne; Isabel Clare & Philippe Harari; Geoffrey Cook; Geoff Cooper; Fiona Cornish; Richard & Caroline Crane; Lindsay Davies; Peter & Viv Dee; F Dickinson; Ilaria Falciatori; Mr J & Mrs S Farmer; Amanda Farnsworth; Bernard Farrant; James & Katie Fountaine; Glen & Julie Gadsby; Gyles Glover; Victoria Goodbody; Pamela Harris; Linda Hawksworth; Fran Hester; Joanna Hulme; John & Maureen Hunter; Hanadi Jabado DL; The Jamiesons; Ceri Jenkins; Victoria & Colin Jones; David & Michelle King; Christiane Krueger; Francesca & Gareth Lane; Patrick Lavelle; Brandi Leach; Ian & Annette Lines; Gillian Littlewood; Janet Luck; RJM; Anna & Caleb Marchent; Lord Colin Moffat; Julia Money; Lorna Morgan; Charlotte & Will Mott; Mark Newstead; John Pell; Helen Pemberton; Chris Potter; John Prestage; Nancy Preston-Saunders; Abi Reddy; Susan Richards; Anthony Roberts; Anne Sam; Christine Schwick; Angela Shine; John Short; Pippa Simou; Christopher & Cherrill Skey; Brian Sloan; Philip Stott; Martin Taylor; Mr Steve Thompson; Michael Topham & Iris Chang; Paul & Eileen Treadwell; Gerry Tucker; Samantha Tucker; Greg Watson & Elfreda Tealby-Watson; Astrid Whiskin; Eva Whitton; Peter Wilbourn & Brenda Morphet; David & Jennifer Wilby; Tim Wingfield; and those who wish to remain anonymous
Ann D Foundation; The Atkin Foundation; The Britford Bridge Trust; Cambridge City Council Community and Resettlement Grants; Cambridgeshire Community Foundation; Chapman Charitable Trust; Clare King Charitable Trust; Frank Litchfield Charitable Trust; Starling Family Charitable Trust; The Strangward Trust; The Wixamtree Trust; In Memory of David Michael Richardson
Cambridge Arts Theatre Trust’s Redevelopment
The first phase of our transformation is complete, and now we look ahead to what comes next.
When our doors closed in January last year, we knew we weren’t just upgrading a building; we were revitalising a theatre that had carried nearly ninety years of laughter, tears and standing ovations.
Now, our beautifully transformed auditorium has re-opened – and already making a remarkable impact.
The refurbishment has breathed new life into the much-loved space, enhancing comfort, acoustics, and accessibility while preserving the intimacy and character that have always made it special.
But this is only the beginning.
As we look ahead to the next ninety years of our story, we need your help to build a new space for the next generation.
Phase Two will see the creation of a new, two-tier, 200-seat rooftop studio theatre incorporating a multi-configurable stage and flexible seating, replacing the existing offices and former Roof Garden Restaurant.
The studio includes a green roof with solar panels, energy efficient lighting and heating, and will have its own bar and front of house spaces. Acoustic separation between the studio and our main auditorium will allow performances to run at the same time.
The studio is designed for fresh voices, daring new work and deeper community reach. It will be a home for emerging artists and an incubator for bold ideas which will open-up more cultural opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds.
This is more than an architectural project – it’s a creative promise. The transformation of the Theatre reflects our deepened commitment to the production and presentation of new work, and enriching community engagement.
To make it happen, we need your help. Every donation, every named seat, every word of encouragement brings us closer to completing the Studio in 2028.
Our deepest thanks go to Lord David Sainsbury through the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and Dame Susie Sainsbury through Backstage Trust whose vision and support made the first phase possible. Our gratitude also goes to Mark Pigott KBE who recently made a £1 million gift to our campaign, turbo-charging our fundraising for the Studio. And to the many trusts, foundations, families and friends who are helping us to reach our goal – thank you.
As we look to the next chapter, we’re reminded why all this matters: the creativity, the generosity, and the community it inspires.
Gatsby Charitable Foundation Backstage Trust
Mark Pigott KBE KStJ
Lindy and Mark O’Hare
The Mackintosh Foundation
Christina Smith Foundation
The David and Claudia Harding Foundation
The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust
The Betty Lawes Foundation
The Polonsky Foundation
The Thompson Family Charitable Trust
Baroness Cohen and Mr Jim Cohen
In memory of David Michael Richardson
Nicholas Hytner
The Patricia Routledge Foundation
Alex van Someren and Carol Atack
Sir Geoffrey and Lady Olwen Cass
And to everyone who has dedicated a seat and made a donation to our campaign.
Project Ambassadors
Hugh Bonneville, Judi Dench, Richard Eyre, Nicholas Hytner, Derek Jacobi, Christopher Luscombe, Ian McKellen, Sam Mendes, Trevor Nunn, Tom Piper, Eddie Redmayne, Emma Thompson, Nicola Walker
“It’s brand spanking new and it’s completely beautiful.”