What's On

Saturday 16 December 2023, 7.30pm

Tenebrae: A Christmas Conversation

Tenebrae: A Christmas Conversation

Presented by Saffron Hall

Tenebrae performing in a Cathedral

Award-winning choir Tenebrae present a theatrical sequence of music and words for the festive season.

Our narrator leads us through a lifetime of Christmas experiences, ranging from the simple childhood joy of singing in a church choir to poignant family moments in later years. The words are enhanced by a wide variety of music for Advent and Christmas including favourite carols and the finest seasonal choral works from over five centuries, sung by a choir renowned for their rich, warm sound and pinpoint precision. This concert is a wonderful collaboration between script writer Garth Bardsley, actor Clive Mantle, and Tenebrae Choir.

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Supporters

Supported by Jane & David Richardson

Performance information

Running time

1 hour 15 minutes

Content warnings

Age Guidance 7+

This event is not recommended for children under 7 years old

Booking information

Seating style

This event has tiered stalls and balcony seating

Discounts

Under 25s can purchase half price tickets for this show.

Ten for £10

This event is part of our Ten for £10 scheme. We will release ten £10 tickets for sale at 10am on the morning of this performance.

Transport

Shuttle bus

Pre-show shuttle bus will be operating from Audley End Station to Saffron Hall. This service is free to use, with no need to book in advance

More info

Programme and performers

Programme

  • Programme to include
  • Trad. arr. Robert Pearsall In dulci jubilo
  • Trad. arr. Charles Wood Ding Dong! merrily on high
  • arr. Ben Parry Jingle Bells
  • Herbert Howells Sing Lullaby
  • Henry Gauntlett arr. David Willcocks Once In Royal David’s City
  • Ben Parry Aldeburgh Carol
  • Gustav Holst In the Bleak Midwinter
  • June Collins The Quiet Heart
  • Franz Gruber arr. Jonathan Rathbone Silent Night
  • Trad arr. Ian Humphris Twelve Days of Christmas
  • Ben Parry Flame
  • Ben Parry Christmas Cards
  • arr. Jan Sandström Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
  • Bob Chilcott The Shepherd’s Carol
  • arr. Nigel Short We Wish You a Merry Christmas
  • Jonathan Rathbone The Oxen

Performers

  • Tenebrae
  • Nigel Short conductor
  • Clive Mantle actor
  • Garth Bardsley writer

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Courtney Pine and Jane Richardson

Information for your visit

Saturday 16 December 2023, 7.30pm

Schedule

All timings are approximate and will be updated closer to the show date. Please check the website on the day of the performance for up-to-date information.

Latecomers can usually be admitted at a suitable gap within the performance.

Pre-show shuttle bus

6.30pm - 7.30pm
Operating from Audley End Station to Saffron Hall. This service is free to use, with no need to book in advance.

When to arrive

6.30pm - 7.15pm
We have over 400 free parking spots for anyone driving.

Foyer opens

6.30pm
Enjoy a drink at the bar before the auditorium opens.

Auditorium opens

7pm
Get your tickets ready for checking, find your seats, sit back and relax.

Show starts

7.30pm
This performance will run through without an interval.

Show ends

8.45pm (approx)

Post-show shuttle bus

8.45pm – 9.45pm
Operating from Saffron Hall to Audley End Station

Content warnings

Age Guidance 7+

This event is not recommended for children under 7 years old

Location

Saffron Hall

Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4UH

Transport

Shuttle bus

Operating from Audley End Station to Saffron Hall. This service is free to use, with no need to book in advance.
More info

Additional information

Drinks

For this event, you're welcome to bring drinks purchased from our bar into the event with you.

Cloakroom

We are unable to allow any bags into the performance space which are larger than a hand bag or small backpack. Unfortunately our cloakroom will not be in operation.

Can't find your e-tickets?

Log in here to download your e-ticket from our website

Exterior of Saffron Hall showing the Saffron Walden County High School and Saffron Hall signs next to each other

Plan Your Visit

Everything you need to know about visiting Saffron Hall including getting here, parking, the shuttle bus and more
Light floods through the windows of the auditorium on to the blue theatre seats

Accessibility

Find out about our accessible seating and how to book either online, via email or over the phone
Saffron Hall car park full of cars

Parking

We have over 400 free parking spaces on site for our visitors

Make a donation

You may not know that Saffron Hall Trust is a registered charity. In order to sustain our work we really need your support.

A woman dressed in a harlequin style costume in red, white and black gestures towards the camera animatedly