At one of her lavish parties, celebrated Parisan courtesan Violetta is introduced to Alfredo Germont. The two fall madly in love, and though hesitant to leave behind her life of luxury and freedom, Violetta follows her heart. But the young couple’s happiness is short-lived, as the harsh realities of life soon come knocking.

As intimate as it is sumptuous, La traviata features some of opera’s most famous melodies, and is a star vehicle for its leading soprano role sung by Ermonela Jaho. In director Richard Eyre’s world of seductive grandeur, the tender and devastating beauty at the centre of Verdi’s opera shines bright.

Cast:  

Violetta Valéry ERMONELA JAHO

Alfredo Germont GIOVANNI SALA

Giorgio Germont ALEKSEI ISAEV

Annina VEENA AKAMA-MAKIA

Doctor Grenvil BARNABY REA

Flora Bervoix ELLEN PEARSON

Baron Douphol SAM HIRD

Gastone de Letorières GIORGI GULIASHVILI

Marquis d’Obigny OSSIAN HUSKINSON

Creatives:

Music GIUSEPPE VERDI

Conductor ANTONELLO MANACORDA

Director RICHARD EYRE

Designer BOB CROWLEY

Lighting Designer JEAN KALMAN

Director of Movement JANE GIBSON

The cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the center of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace.

The Crawleys must embrace change as the staff prepares for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future in this final film in the series.

With Avatar: Fire and Ash, visionary director James Cameron takes audiences back to Pandora for an immersive new adventure. Beginning just two weeks after Avatar: The Way Of Water’s conclusion, the third chapter in the epic sci-fi saga finds the Sully family still living among the atolls of Pandora. Jake (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), and their children are all struggling to come to terms with the loss of Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), killed in the brutal battle with the RDA.

AVATAR: FIRE & ASH contains several sequences of bright lights which may affect customers who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy or other photo sensitivities.

Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Dunkirk) is joined by Emmy and BAFTA-winner Martin Freeman (The Hobbit, The Responder) in the critically acclaimed and subversively funny new play by David Ireland.

After years in the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, James becomes a sponsor to newcomer Luka. The pair bond over black coffee, trade stories and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences. But as Luka approaches step five – the moment of confession – dangerous truths emerge, threatening the trust on which both of their recoveries depend.

Finn den Hertog directs the provocative and entertaining production filmed live from @sohoplace on London’s West End.

“There was one small problem - neither of us wanted to be Paul Simon. To make it work one of us was going to have to get a hair cut. And that simply wasn’t going to happen. The novel solution…we decided to call ourselves The Garfunkels.”

Not many 20-year-old lads think of starting a Simon & Garfunkel tribute act — but Suffolk-based musicians Tom Mumford and Angelo Littler did exactly that.

The Garfunkels’ set is a celebration of Simon & Garfunkel’s music and story. With rich harmonies and engaging storytelling you can expect to hear the most iconic songs over the years - from their first album Wednesday Morning 3AM through to the  bestselling, award winning Bridge Over Troubled Water.  

This January, The Garfunkels are very excited to bring their show to The Riverside stage in their hometown of Woodbridge.

Doors Open: 7pm

On Stage: 7:30pm

Interval: 8:15pm

On Stage: 8:30pm

Ends: 9:15pm

Acclaimed Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir’s most ambitious work to date is a powerful exploration of the events leading up to the Arab Revolt of 1936.

Palestine has been under British mandatory control since the 1920s, but tensions are flaring over the future of the territory. Chronicling the lives of local farmers, revolutionaries and business owners, Jacir’s drama is a gripping account of a critical moment in Palestinian history, conveyed by a stellar ensemble cast that includes Hiam Abbass, Jeremy Irons and Saleh Bakri.

Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) is Hamlet in this fearless, contemporary take on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy.

Trapped between duty and doubt, surrounded by power and privilege, young Prince Hamlet dares to ask the ultimate question – you know the one.

National Theatre Deputy Artistic Director, Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Operation Mincemeat) directs this sharp, stylish and darkly funny reimagining.

Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel features mesmerising performances by Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal.

Agnes, the wife of William Shakespeare, struggles to come to terms with the loss of their only son, Hamnet – the grief driving a wedge between the couple. Shakespeare channels the tragedy and his sorrow into his work, creating Hamlet. Zhao (Nomadland, The Rider) brings a rawness and honesty to this profound portrait of love, grief and the power of storytelling.

Victoria Wood remains one of Britain’s most cherished entertainers – a comic genius whose work reshaped the landscape of British humour.

But behind the joyous persona – the singer, the satirist, the sharp-witted writer – lay a young woman navigating insecurity, anger, and self-doubt.

Told in her own words and through the voices of those who knew her best, Becoming Victoria Wood uncovers the formative experiences and personal battles that powered Victoria’s unmatched ability to make the nation laugh.

With appearances from DAWN FRENCH, JENNIFER SAUNDERS, MAXINE PEAKE, MICHAEL BALL, JOAN ARMATRADING & JASPER CARROTT ? Readings by JESSICA BARDEN 

Please note that this is a private screening for members of Woodbridge Film Society and not open to the public. If you wish to join the Film Society then please visit their page here

Wind, Tide & Oar is a compelling exploration of engineless sailing, shot on 16mm film over three years. The film delves into the experiences of those who travel solely by harnessing the natural elements alone, following a diverse array of traditional boats and uncovering the unique rhythms and motivations of engineless navigation.

Journeying through rivers, coastlines, and open seas, spanning the UK, the Netherlands, and France, Wind, Tide & Oar creates a contemplative space, addressing themes of ecology, heritage, traditional skills, and maritime history. Using a 1960s hand-wound camera, Wahl offers a poetic and intimate perspective on a millennia-old craft, upended by the invention of mechanised power.

Through the film’s reveries, sailing becomes a means to explore our interaction with and responsibility to the environment. It invites deep reflection on our relationship with nature, our understanding of and commitment to sustainability, and our care for the world around us.

The film is shot around Suffolk, Cornwall and Essex.

A comedian, musician, actor and improviser, Rachel Parris is also an avid fan of Jane Austen. For 14 years she has been touring an improv comedy group called Austentatious and now she has written 'A Pride and Prejudice Novel'.

'Introducing Mrs Collins' imagines the life of Charlotte Lucas, the good friend of Elizabeth Bennet. In her marriage to Mr Collins, Charlotte chose stability over romance, but may she yet find her own happy ending?

This is a witty, warm, accomplished and entertaining novel and Rachel is a fabulous speaker whose enthusiasm for all things Austen is infectious!

A familiar face through her appearances on 'The Mash Report', 'Would I Lie to You?' and 'Mock the Week', Rachel is also a regular guest on BBC R4's 'The Now Show' and 'I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue'. She will be in conversation with Catherine Larner and signing copies of her book.

Tickets are £20 (including a copy of 'Introducing Mrs Collins' RRP £18.99) and one further ticket may be purchased for £12 (without the book).

Please book at The Riverside in person or on the website www.theriverside.co.uk and be sure to include your name with your booking so that we can allocate your book on the night.

Silents Synced pairs classic silent movies with epic rock music to bring audiences a unique big screen experience. Buster Keaton’s 1924 comedy classic is reimagined with R.E.M. 's alt-rock masterpieces Monster (1994) and New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996).

In this sublime comedy teetering between reality and illusion, Buster Keaton stars as a film projectionist who dreams of becoming a detective. He uses his limited skills when he is framed by a rival for stealing his girlfriend’s father’s pocket watch. Keaton reportedly broke his neck performing one of the many dangerous practical stunts in the film.

Whether you’re a movie lover or a rock music fan this is an experience you won’t want to miss!!

This event will now begin with a 22 minute Buster Keaton short, The Balloonatic (1923), which has music composed by renowned Brazilian electronic artist, Amon Tobin.

This will then be followed by a 3 minute intro by Josh Frank (creator of Silent Synced), before the R.E.M x Sherlock Jr. feature.

Join us for an afternoon of fast moving, hard hitting, toe tapping contemporary jazz from a spectacular 18 piece big band that features soloists and ensemble players from around East Anglia.

Horn Factory perform an impressive and extensive range of contemporary big band jazz by composers such as Buddy Rich, Bob Mintzer, Quincy Jones, Oliver Nelson, Maynard Ferguson, James Morrison, Bobby Shew, Sammy Nestico and Gordon Goodwin, plus arrangements of music normally associated with smaller groups, including Thelonious Monk, Joe Henderson, Chuck Mangione, Chick Corea and Horace Silver.

“There is nothing quite like the sound of a Big Band up close . Not to be missed!”

Virginia Woolf defied literary conventions to depict rich inner worlds – her heightened, startling and poignant reality. Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor leads a luminous artistic team to evoke Woolf’s signature stream of consciousness writing style in this immense work that rejects traditional narrative structures. Woolf Works is a collage of themes from Mrs Dalloway, Orlando, The Waves and Woolf’s other writings. Created in 2015 for The Royal Ballet, this Olivier-award winning ballet triptych captures the heart of Woolf’s uniquely artistic spirit.

Cast: 

To be confirmed

Creatives: 

Direction and Choreography WAYNE MCGREGOR

Music MAX RICHTER

Conductor KOEN KESSELS

Designer CIGUË, WE NOT I, WAYNE MCGREGOR

Costume Designer MORITZ JUNGE

Lighting Designer LUCY CARTER

Film Designer RAVI DEEPRES

Sound System Designer CHRIS EKERS

Make-up Designer KABUKI

Dramaturgy UZMA HAMEED