In the midst of civil war, hunger and incurable sickness - something worse haunts the streets of the City, something the locals cannot lock their doors from... witchcraft. With the infamous Witch Hunts ripping through Europe, desperation conjures paranoid reaction amongst the towns folk and they have taken matters into their own hands. Join the secret trial held outside the safety of the city where a Witch; accused of sorcery, seduction and murder must prove her innocence. But with rumours spreading like the plague – is everyone telling the truth? Inspired by the historical ‘Witch Hunt Craze’ dark history you are invited to be the jury in this interactive and site specific Murder Mystery Show.

Step into a world of nostalgia and bluesy rock wonder as The Classic Double Band celebrate the unparalleled artistry of some of the greatest bands of all time.

Your Round. Your Say. A bighearted and funny new play. With Kit Esuruoso (Tina The Musical), Chaya Gupta (EastEnders), Gabriella Leon (Casualty), Lauren Moakes (Romeo and Juliet), Fergus O Donnell (Downtown Abbey, Holby City) and Bharti Patel (Doctors, EastEnders). When an entire community spoils their ballots and refuses to vote, a local pub on the brink of closure becomes the only place left to talk. As a storm rages outside, landlady Sanjana, a family in mourning, familiar regulars and unexpected guests are thrown together for a night of debate, confession and open mic. In a town divided by politics, secrets spill. Songs rise. People fall in love. Something shifts. Inspired by the real words of over 600 people nationwide, Our Public House transforms the state of the nation into a play with original live music, about community, connection and what might change if everyone had their say. Where drama and voices like yours take centre stage. At every show, a local community ensemble will be part of the action onstage, performing alongside the cast and highlighting the issues they feel are most important locally – no two performances will be the same! From award-winning playwright Barney Norris and director Josephine Burton. Told through spoken English, British Sign Language (BSL), Sign Supported English (SSE), creative captioning and music, Our Public House brings together a cast of hearing and deaf performers.

Comedy, chaos, quick changes and confusion. The Festival Players are back bringing farce, fast paced story telling and original music to William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors. One of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, The Comedy of Errors tells the story of twin sons and their twin servants, separated in a shipwreck. The play explores themes of identity, mistaken identity, and family as we find out what happens when the twins find themselves in the same town on the same day. Confusion and mishap ensue as no one can tell the twins apart, husbands appear to be in love with the wrong person, debts refused to be paid and servants lock masters out of their own homes. The Festival Players bring an all male cast, live original music, comedic chaos, fast-paced story telling, traditional costume and more to Shakespeare’s most farcical play, in their 2026 open-air summer theatre tour. The Festival Players: The Festival players are an all male theatre company who have been touring open-air Shakespeare shows for over 40 years. They tour UK wide and Internationally lead by Ross Cooper and Mark Spriggs with original music composed by the acclaimed Johnny Coppin and traditional dress. The Festival Players’s patron is Dame Judi Dench, and the company is committed to presenting the very best in touring theatre, providing an accessible and fun filled enjoyable evening for all types of audiences.

Think Brookside meets The League Of Gentlemen. Gingerlee Does It presents its latest ingenious production, Out The Woodwork. Following his five-star dystopian satirical comedy National Killing Day, which saw a successful run at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe and 2016 Manchester Fringe Festivals, writer and director Lee Clotworthy brings this new piece of writing, which reflects his Scouse humour and working-class roots. After sell out performances at the Hope Street Theatre in November 2023 and Shakespeare North Playhouse in July 2025, we are delighted to be back for 2026 as part of the Prescot Festival. Out the Woodwork follows the story of divorcee Pat who lives on a council estate in Huyton. She wins £30million on the lottery whilst having a girly night in with her mate — only for the news to spread, resulting in her life getting turned upside down. With plenty of Scouse wit and humour, you can expect riotous scenes and lots of twists! Expect an emotional rollercoaster of laughter, tears and farcical drama. Out The Woodwork hits you with Scouse comedy drama at its finest with an array of homegrown scouse talent. Prescot based Lee Clotworthy has many years of experience on the Liverpool and Northern theatre scene championing working-class stories and actors. He is also an actor/model, currently featuring in commercials in the UK, worldwide, TV and online along with his US TV debut in AMC show Talamasca: The Secret Order.

A searing, unsettling exploration of girlhood, power, and survival at the dawn of the smartphone age. Set in a Catholic girls’ school in Merseyside in 2013, the play follows sixth-formers Chloe and Jade, and their increasingly blurred relationship with their English teacher, Mr Barrett. In the absence of parental supervision and under the influence of social media—personified by the vitriolic, anonymous Twitter account @OurLadyProbz—the girls navigate a world failing to care for them with razor-sharp wit that masks a growing desperation.

A family fued divides the community! Violence stalks the streets. Who can see beyond the hate and dare to follow their heart? A pair of star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet! Oddsocks return with their new take on this well-loved classic, finding laughs and pathos in the most dramatic of tragedies. Will Romeo pull himself together to escape with Juliet? Will the Nurse think of a better plan than the Friar? Will the audience help the lovers elope? All will be revealed as Oddsocks create uplifting comedy from the depths of despair in a show that’s the perfect antidote to prejudice.

Join us for a glorious celebration of some of opera’s most beloved music at Afternoon Opera: Classic Arias, a captivating 60-minute recital and part of the 22nd Prescot Festival of Music & the Arts. This special afternoon showcases the extraordinary talents of Prescot-born soprano Laura Hudson, whose acclaimed career has seen her perform leading dramatic roles across the UK, including Wagner’s Götterdämmerung (The Twilight of the Gods). A regular presence on the operatic stage, Laura will also be performing this summer with Opera Holland Park. Her powerful voice and expressive artistry bring the passion and drama of the operatic stage vividly to life. Joining her is rising star Sonny Fielding (baritone), another proud Prescotian. Sonny has trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the Royal Academy of Music, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama Opera School. His growing professional career includes appearances with Hampstead Garden Opera, and this summer he joins the internationally renowned Glyndebourne Festival Opera. At the piano is the accomplished accompanist and repetiteur Jonathan Ellis, whose technical brilliance and musical sensitivity provide the perfect partnership for this programme of operatic favourites. Set in the beautifully atmospheric surroundings of the Shakespeare North Playhouse Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden, this elegant recital promises an hour of soaring melodies, dramatic musical storytelling, and world-class musicianship. Whether you are a lifelong opera lover or simply curious to experience the thrill of great voices up close, Classic Arias offers an unforgettable afternoon of music and celebration.

Take Flight is a stunning aerial theatre show for 0-2 year olds and their grown ups. The story follows a musical mother bird as their baby hatches, grows and explores, navigating the challenges of hunger, sleep and play. Culminating in a beautiful aerial moment, the mother bird supports her baby to leave the nest & take flight. This multi-sensory, interactive show ignites the imagination and curiosity of babies who are then invited into the space with the performers to explore the baby safe set and props, including having a swing in the silks. We worked with development psychologist Dr Valentina Sclafani from Lincoln University to ensure the content is positive for babies in terms of neurological & motor skills development & encourages a strong bond between babies and their grown ups. “Our 10 month old was just mesmerized and her attention was held the whole way through (which is a miracle in itself)”

Adapted by James Nicholas, Blue Orange Arts presents: A brand new adaptation of one of Charles Dickens’ most haunting ghost stories! “She comes towards me on the floor; always
approaching; never coming nearer; always visible as if by moonlight whether the moon shines or not”. A writer struggling to reignite his creative vision. A real-life crime. And a visit to a supposedly haunted inn. As darkness descends, a ghostly tale is played out. But what is real and what is not? A tale of passion, deceit, and the ethereal dance between the realms of life and death as the Hanged Man’s Bride beckons from the shadows of the past. Adapted by and featuring James Nicholas.

London, 1660. The theatres are alive, the monarchy’s restored, and women are finally allowed on stage. One woman is about to take it by storm. Orange-seller, wit, trailblazer, Nell Gwynn is a woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. From the chaotic pit of Drury Lane to the polished halls of Charles II’s court, Nell’s rise to fame as one of Britain’s first actresses is equal parts hilarious and defiant. She can dance, she can sing, she can hurl a one-liner sharper than any sword and yes, she might just steal the King’s heart along the way. Packed with mischief, music and plenty of flair, Nell Gwynn is a riotous celebration of performance and women who won’t behave. With a fierce female-led ensemble at its heart, this rollicking comedy dances to its own beat and keeps the gents on their toes. Join us for a night of song, satire, and stage-crashing brilliance in this gloriously funny, feminist comedy that asks: why play by the rules when you can write your own?

Immerse yourselves in two timeless tales from the Godfather of Gothic Horror, Edgar Allan Poe. Arguably Poe’s darkest tale, The Black Cat depicts an alcoholic’s last confession on the eve of his death. Then, the poem that made Poe famous: The Raven. In the midnight hour, an elderly man laments the loss of his love, when an ominous visitor is heard tapping on his chamber door… One Man Poe returns to Shakespeare North Playhouse for their Heading North Festival with this thrilling double-bill, after presenting The Tell-Tale Heart and The Pit and the Pendulum in July last year. The show then went on to sell-out it’s run at Edinburgh Fringe and won The Derek Award for BEST OVERALL SHOW at Edinburgh Fringe 2025.

Expect fun, fish (for some reason), and conversations about life and love. Rowan is desperately trying to finish the musical she has been writing for six years when the lights go out. A knock on the door brings her new chaotic upstairs neighbour Charlie into her life, in a search for matches. Charlie and Rowan are opposites in many ways, but somewhere between the dark of the flat, and the peculiar perspective on love Rowan portrays when she plays parts of her musical, there is a spark. Never having seen each other, this spark turns into something that might be love. But can the connection survive when the safety of the shadows gives way to bright light. In this intimate new musical by Mairead Dunsmore with music and lyrics by Samuel Macdonald, expect fun, fish (for some reason), and conversations about life and love, asking if love is truly blind, and whether opposites really do attract.

In a world where everyone believes their own version of the truth, how can we ever be objective? Six employees. An ordinary Tuesday in the office. One of them stole £60,000. To solve the mystery, the boss asks his employees to retrace their steps, leading to absurd recreations and ridiculous revelations. “It Happened on a Tuesday” is a new comedy play that merges the workplace sitcom with a whodunnit mystery, in the structure of Rashomon.

Step into the world of Hamlet, Shakespeare’s masterpiece of revenge, betrayal, and ambition. Now in a brand-new 70-minute outdoor version from multi award winning A Place for Us Theatre Company, at Shakespeare North Ken Dodd Performance Garden this July. Shakespeare’s classic tale of revenge, betrayal, madness, and ambition is distilled into a high-energy performance that captures all the drama, emotion and language of the original play. Under the open sky, audiences will be drawn into Hamlet’s gripping journey and tragic demise as he confronts family betrayal, moral dilemmas, and the weight of destiny. Perfect for both newcomers and seasoned Shakespeare fans, this fast-paced adaptation brings the iconic characters and timeless story to life in a way that is thrilling, fresh and unforgettable.

A Jazz Tribute to The Beatles Experience the timeless tunes of The Beatles with a Cool Cat Twist and join us for an unforgettable evening, as top-notch jazz musicians breathe new life into your favourite Beatles classics! The Beatles Get Blue comes to Shakespeare North on Thursday 16th July and promises to be a highlight in the calendar of live music events. Imagine “Hey Jude” with a sultry saxaphone solo or “Yesterday” transformed into a smoky jazz ballad, along with deep cuts from the band’s career-spanning albums featuring the finest songs by the world’s finest songwriters, prepare for a night of toe-tapping grooves and reimagined melodies that will leave you wanting more! Sound good? Book now as capacity is limited and this is a night that has everyone talking! Meet the band Matt Lawton: an accomplished bassist, arranger, and music educator currently touring with the electrifying Lusaint. Adee Lifshitz: captivating vocalist who recently graced the stages of Glastonbury, and tours with the legendary pop/rock band James. Colin Lamont: incredible, in-demand drummer who has recorded and toured with the likes of Mark Lanegan, Connie Lush and performs in jazz trio, The Alchemy Trio. Barry Dallman: session player and piano teacher, and a stalwart on the jazz music scene, he has numerous credits to his name and also performs in The Alchemy Trio.

Get in a fight. Cross-dress. Throw on some yellow stockings. Love can make you do the funniest things…! The critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company present their own brand of Shakespearean mayhem. Separated at sea, twins Viola and Sebastian wash up on the island of Illyria, both fearing the other lost forever. Plied pranksters, puritanical pillocks and perhaps even true love await them as they forge their own paths through this new world of fools, jewels, duels and dual-identities. Family-friendly fun with live music and audience participation!

Since embarking on their musical journey back in 2012, Cloudbusting have been touring theatres and music venues across the UK and Europe, exploring the intricacies and nuance of Kate’s stunning albums. Along the way, many of those complex and at times powerful arrangements have demanded every ounce of musicality and virtuosity that the band could muster – but at more reflective moments, the true essence of Kate’s imaginative concepts have come to life with simply the voice and piano. It’s these jewels of the song-writing craft that the ‘Kate Bush Song Book’ ensemble now performs – with Matthew Bowers at the piano and Dave Roberts on bass backing the hauntingly beautiful vocals of Mandy Watson. The Song Book repertoire features stunning arrangements of some lesser-known tracks as well as many of the hits – including Wuthering Heights, Babooshka, Hounds of Love and Cloudbusting. But it’s perhaps the clarity of those piano-based tracks such as This Woman’s Work, Moments of Pleasure and The Man With The Child In His Eyes that dazzle most with their sheer complexity and pure lyrical invention. Many of Kate’s original collaborators have been inspired to join Cloudbusting for stage performances: drummer Preston Heyman; dancer and choreographer Stewart Avon Arnold; and of course the late Del Palmer – Kate’s bass player and sound engineer – who was always an avid supporter of the Kate Bush Song Book and guest performed with them across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. With material from across Kate’s repertoire, interspersed with personal reflections and insights to many of the songs from Mandy, Matt and Dave – don’t miss your chance to join them once again for a magical evening in appreciation of ‘this woman’s work’.

Join The Fabularium as they tell the tale of Reynard the Fox, the woodland’s most infamous scoundrel who plays one too many tricks and finds himself answering to the King! The tale of Reynard the Fox follows the woodland’s most infamous scoundrel who prides himself on being the trickster of the forest. But when the Woodland Court announces the theft of the King’s Crown Jewels, the animal kingdom immediately blame the fox. Reynard must do everything he can to prove his innocence and avoid certain death, as well as maintaining his devious persona. Will the gift of his silver tongue be a shade too bright against his roguish red fur to save his own tail? Reynard the Fox is an engaging theatre show for family audiences of all ages, using The Fabularium’s unique aesthetic, strong imagery and all performed upon their traditional wooden cart, featuring storytelling, puppetry, original live music and their bespoke animal headpieces.

Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK. Join the troupe at Shakespeare North Playhouse for a fantastically funny bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’. What’s the play about? Well – Rosalind and her cousin Celia flee to the Forest of Arden, where they bump into Rosalind’s love interest Orlando. However, Rosalind is disguised as a young man. Cue some local Shepherds getting involved and the stage is set for a wild ride of wooing, hilarious mistaken identity and the odd wrestling match. This is an outdoor production, so please bring a chair or blanket to sit on, a picnic to dig into, and dress for the weather!

"Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people." - Henry VIII, Act I, Scene IV Indulge in the perfect pairing: Wine Tasting at Shakespeare North Playhouse! Raise your glass and immerse yourself in a world of flavours, as we sample an array of delicious wines with wine expert John Budd from Boutinot Wines. You’ll be treated to velvety reds, crisp whites and tempting roses, each sip unveiling a story of its own. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or simply curious to explore the world of wine, this event promises to be an evening of taste and culture. Each Wine Tasting evening follows a different theme and features six beautiful wines that are complimented by a selection of nibbles and snacks prepared by our Head Chef Roland. Please be aware: You may be asked to show proof of age. Each tasting glass is approximately 100ml.

Puccini’s Tosca comes to the Ken Dodd Theatre, Knowsley: a gripping tale of love, power and sacrifice, reimagined in a dystopian future where tyranny and defiance collide.

When a king meets a princess, keeps his kingdom but loses his heart – but he, and his friends are all courting some very witty, wily ladies… Will they all labour in vain for love? Shake-Scene are bringing their distinctive cue-based performance back to Shakespeare North – let the love & chaos commence! The cast prepare from their own lines & cues only – not the whole play Why? Because that’s how the original players played it! Book your place in the Garden for a wild rollercoaster ride through love and relationships – there’s plots, there’s joy, there’s misunderstandings galore…

Oasiz are one of the UK’s most authentic tribute bands, a point proved in 2023 when a short clip of front man Steve, performing as Liam, went viral on social media with over half a million views. Many fans were convinced the clip was actually of Liam Gallagher himself, which led to the story being covered in the national press, as well as a high profile TV appearance later that year. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of (What’s the story) Morning Glory, Oasiz are embarking on a 2025 UK tour and this is your chance to see them in top form. The setlist will pay homage to the most memorable parts of Oasis’ record breaking 2nd album and will also include all the big hitting career spanning anthems that you would associate with a greatest hits tour.

Delighting audiences with their enormous repertoire of own songwriting and arrangements, The Easy Rollers are a septet who embody the famed spirit and consummate virtuosity of today’s booming British jazz scene and bring it straight back to the music’s roots: 1920s and ’30s Harlem, Kansas City and New Orleans. Released in 2025, their critically acclaimed album ‘… And Another Thing’ – spun on BBC Radio 3 and praised internationally for its “craft, strong ensemble work, and a clear passion” (Jazz In Europe) – was launched in London at a sold-out PizzaExpress Live. In 2026, The Easy Rollers celebrate their 10th anniversary, embarking on their most high-profile UK tour yet. Fronted by the captivating Dani Sicari, whose time-machine of a voice is evocative of early greats like Helen Kane and Ruth Etting, The Easy Rollers have long established a reputation for delivering performances that channel the in-the-moment dynamism of the Jazz Age at the height of its cultural grandeur. Arising from their love of the tradition, they take pride in marrying a conscientious approach to authenticity with their mission of ensuring this effervescent era of jazz is never presented merely as a nostalgic museum piece.

Warring lovers, lovers at war, revenge and reconciliation – Much Ado brings a war of words (& a happy ending) this August. Shake-Scene are bringing their distinctive cue-based performance back to Shakespeare North – let the love & chaos commence! The cast prepare from their own lines & cues only – not the whole play Why? Because that’s how the original players played it! Book your place in the Garden for a wild rollercoaster ride through love and relationships – there’s plots, there’s joy, there’s misunderstandings galore… August 6-8th, two chances to catch each play – book now!

Love, laughter, and a little bit of lunacy — enter a world where fairies meddle, lovers quarrel, and magic runs wild! This summer, join us for a breathtaking open-air performance of William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In the heart of an enchanted forest, four young lovers flee the constraints of society and stumble into a realm ruled by mischievous fairies, feuding royalty, and a troupe of would-be actors with more enthusiasm than talent. What follows is a wild night of mistaken identities, magical transformations, and love gone deliciously wrong — enjoy Shakespeare’s dazzling verse and Folksy’s twist of live music, audience interaction and impressive multi-rolling!

He's a legend and an icon, a revolutionary and an immortal. John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten changed the face of music and sparked a cultural revolution. The frontman and lyricist of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd (PiL) caused a political earthquake and transformed music for good. In his spoken word show, I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right, Lydon is touring the UK. He will talk about how he sees life, along with his unique and extraordinary career, and take audience questions during a pyrotechnic tour. Lydon will be sharing his thoughts with audiences. He Could Be Wrong. He Could Be Right.

From his time in the building trade to becoming a TV legend & a freeman of Liverpool, Ricky Tomlinson tells all to writer of successful theatre show Irish Annies, Asa Murphy.

A 9-week series for anyone interested in developing their acting skills. Whether you’ve dipped your toe into performing or you’re a complete beginner, join us for an exciting dive into performing with expert Margaret Connell. Each week you’ll work with your class to explore principals of acting, collaborating as creatives and refining your talents.

Edith Smith, born in Oxton, was Britain’s first female police constable given the powers of arrest. Serving in Grantham during WWI, she redefined women’s roles in policing and community care. She is laid to rest in Runcorn.

A Portrait to Die For In a society obsessed with youth and beauty, Dorian Gray is offered the ultimate prize: eternal perfection. But perfection comes at a price, one that must be paid in blood. “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?” This bold new adaptation of the classic novel celebrates Wilde’s dazzling wit and dark imagination. Stylish and unsettlingly thrilling, The Picture of Dorian Gray plunges you into a world where charm is currency and the truth always exacts its price.

Come and spend a happy hour. The debut fringe hour from Chortle Hotshot 2025, Alex Stringer. Alex got sober in 2017 when she was 23. This is a show about what it’s like once you get sober, discovering who you really are without substances, and what if who you really are is actually also a dickhead? Ish Comedy Award Shortlisted for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2025. Voted one of the 12 Rising Stars of Comedy by Rolling Stone. “Best Show” nomination at Women in Comedy Awards 2024.

Mud, blood and stiff upper-lips! Join the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company on a breathless race through the centuries in this delightfully inventive show that tells the entire story of Britain in under 2 hours. Have you ever wanted to see the life of Henry VIII told as a romantic comedy or the tale of the Spanish Armada reimagined as a light operetta? Probably not. But that won’t stop The Pantaloons retelling great moments from the country’s past in a variety of surprising genres! Featuring live music, audience interaction and wild historical inaccuracy.

The Hammer and Helena is the true story of the most evil book ever written and its horrifying legacy. Helena Scheuberin finds herself the unwitting muse of a religious zealot – the self-proclaimed Hammer of Witches. Her witch trial would raise the ire of the Hammer, its outcome dooming women for centuries after. Now, Helena confronts her accuser one final time with her soul on the line. Written and directed by David Griffiths, creator of ArtsGroupie CIC’s chilling adaption of The Signalman and starring Samantha Alton (‘Kitty Queen of the Washhouse’) as Helena Scheuberin and John Maguire (‘A Portrait of William Roscoe’) as Heinrich Kramer. ArtsGroupie CIC blends its acclaimed portrayal of historical events with a dramatic and frightening narrative worthy of their annual sell out performances of Ghost Stories for Christmas, which have been featured in the New York Times.

Imagine being dragged into a wild camping trip with your politically outspoken uncle out of social awkwardness. No technology allowed. Just beer, fishing rods and jerky. A new comedy show by Sam Danson, looking at the painful reality of being between the generation that had no internet growing up, and the one that had all the internet… Fusing together theatre & stand up comedy, Off Grid explores generational divide, binary politics and how the online world is rapidly changing our society.

How on earth have we all survived the past decade of modern living without Victoria Wood's observational wit and wisdom? What would she make of an Air Fryer? The Repair Shop? K-Pop Demon Hunters? Paulus The Cabaret Geek is on hand to help us find answers. From the creators behind the critically acclaimed Looking For Me Friend comes What Wood Victoria Do? A brand new show, that takes an even deeper dive into the world of Wood. It is a celebration of those women who don’t mince their words but make everything better with a cuppa and a mutual distaste for next door’s extension: navigating friendship and loss amongst tea towels and village halls. Sit back and enjoy a fresh batch of brilliant tunes from The Victoria Wood Songbook. Directed by the multi-award-winning Sarah-Louise Young (An Evening Without Kate Bush) this is a show not to be missed. Though Vic may be gone, she has left behind so many nuggets of advice to help us build community based upon camaraderie, gossip and Custard Creams. So come and get your second helping of music, mirth and macaroons!

What would you destroy to get what you want? A dagger. A crown. The original text. One musician. Ten storytellers. Fifty candles. Ninety breathless minutes. Step into the shadows. Let the scorpions in your mind strike. Watch a world turn inside-out beneath a tyrant’s rule. Ben Crystal returns to Shakespeare North with a fast, spooky, blood-spattered staging of one of William Shakespeare’s most famous works: The Tragedie of Macbeth—ambition-driven, greed-flecked, grief-filled, revenge-fuelled, ghost-haunted… and absolutely cursed. Something very wicked this way comes.

A salt and pepper pot for the king and queen. A ruler for the prince. A spoon for the servant. A water bottle for the messenger. Two performers create condensed versions of some of Shakespeare’s most iconic plays, creating lovingly made miniatures played out on a one metre table-top. In Selected Works the dynamic force of storytelling is explored in a unique and highly accessible way. Each work re-tells the story of a Shakespeare play using ordinary everyday language and bric-a-brac objects as stand-ins for the characters, creating worlds as vivid as they are strange.

In its anniversary year, Ghost Stories of Christmas past meet chilling tales of Christmas present. The show that revived a time-honoured tradition, according to the New York Times.

Eve loves calm, tidy, quiet...but Christmas is the opposite! When a mysterious box arrives, festive chaos escapes—but it may be exactly what she needs. With clowning, music and magic, this interactive sensory show is perfect for your little ones.

Tinsel is the tale of one magical little boy who dreams of being the fairy on top of the Christmas tree! He can sing, dance, and wear a sparkly tiara as well as anyone else can. But to get to the top, he’ll have to convince a whole tree of doubting baubles, naughty elves, and a naysaying nutcracker that anyone can shine if they’re just given the chance! From Wrongsemble (A Town Called Christmas) and Gala Durham this brand new festive production is perfect for ages 3+ packed full of original live music, puppetry and raucous storytelling.

“Sometimes our night time imaginings merely hint at the real horrors…” An expert at chilling the spine and curdling the blood, Edith Nesbit relates three of her best Gothic tales while recalling her own childhood terrors. In The Shadow, a repressed housekeeper encounters an abominable entity, while in The Pavilion the shadow of a long-dead necromancer envelops a social gathering. Finally, a deranged young woman harbours a deadly secret in a rediscovered story called A Strange Experience. Following the success of The Masks of Aphra Behn, Claire Louise Amias returns with this gripping insight into the darker side of Edith Nesbit, author of The Railway Children. Renowned horror expert Jonathan Rigby directs this chilling one-woman show.

Her provocative, abrasive, incomparable style was - just about - kept in check by lifelong friend and A-list producer, Clive Tulloh. Together live on stage they review clips from the extraordinary shows, tell scandalous stories never before heard - and take the audience along for the ride. Featuring Ruby Wax & Clive Tulloh.