<img src='' title='Event Category: Drama' alt='' id='templ_icon_' width='' height='' /> Event Category: Drama

A funny, touching and at times savage portrait of a family full of longing that’s losing its grip – The Last of the Haussmans examines the fate of the revolutionary generation.

Anarchic, feisty but growing old, high-society drop-out Judy Haussman remains in spirit with the ashrams of the 1960s, while holding court in her dilapidated art deco house on the Devon coast.

After an operation, she’s joined by her wayward offspring, her sharp-eyed granddaughter, a local doctor and a troubled teenager who makes use of the family’s crumbling swimming pool. Over a few sweltering months they alternately cling to and flee a chaotic world of all-day drinking, infatuations, long-held resentments, free love and failure.

Stephen Beresford’s play The Last of the Haussmans was first staged at the National Theatre, London, in 2012, in a production starring Julie Walters and Rory Kinnear.

Now, don’t miss this much-anticipated Stafford Players production.

The inspirational and heart-warming Christmas classic receives The Lost Boys treatment.

Join The Lost Boys as they attempt to produce a live audio-play recording of the 1946 Christmas favourite, It’s a Wonderful Life, whilst exploring how the movie journeyed from Hollywood failure to feel-good, festive film success in this new theatrical adaptation. Based on the original screenplay by Frank Capra and source material “The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren.

Starring you as the live studio audience, a small cast, a few microphones, and an array of objects for live sound effects. Expect a tickling of the funny bones and a tugging of the heartstrings in this new Christmas production.

NIGHTMARES invites its audience to experience a trio of classic ghost stories, told with an eerie, atmospheric soundscape. Featuring some of the best-known and most loved ghost stories in history, this intimate storytelling experience is ideal for the crisp, wintery months and will appeal to everyone who enjoys a great story, well told.

The Book of Darkness & Light’s previous work includes a number of Adam’s original stories, including SHIVERS (“A must-see production” – Northern Soul) and the BSL-integrated show UPON THE STAIR, which was touring just as lockdown hit (“One of the best shows I have ever seen” – audience member).

His production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL has toured internationally, and most recently he’s been out on the road with HAUNTED, which audiences praised as “A spine-tingling, awesome experience”, with “incomparable acting”. Adam’s work has been called “delightfully sinister fun” (British Theatre Guide), “an unmissable evening of creepiness” (Weekend Notes) and “a uniquely terrifying experience” (The Spooky Isles).

14+ age guidance

The case of the Enfield Poltergeist in 1977 has long captured the public’s imagination. Arriving at the Partington Theatre as part of their Spring 2024 tour, The Enfield Poltergeist is a dramatisation of those events focusing on the very human stories behind the lurid press headlines.

After the tragic death of his daughter, Maurice Grosse joins the Society for Psychical Research in London. But while investigating the Enfield Poltergeist in 1977, he is haunted by coincidences surrounding paranormal activity that appears to be centred around one particular girl.

Based on the true events of the infamous Enfield Poltergeist case, this is a journey of redemption, and the chance to lay old ghosts to rest.

Kiera Rhodes and Paul Voodini portray troubled characters, thrown together within the walls of a supposedly haunted council house in Enfield, who must not only solve the mystery of the poltergeist, but also find peace with their own tragic pasts.

Age guidance: This performance is recommended for ages 15+

Content warning: This performance contains strong language; themes surrounding death and the loss of a child; one instance of strobe lighting and several loud noises.

Duration: This performance is 50 minutes long with no interval.

“Could you get away with murder?”

Following the success of Crime Viral’s sell out UK serial killer tour – research psychologist and psychopathy expert Cheish Merryweather will be bringing to the stage for the very first time – MURDER: STAGED.

Did you know that 90% of people believe they can get away with murder – are you one of them? There will be a live psychopath test on the night to find out.

The ‘CSI effect’ has created a new type of killer – one that is forensically aware and is out to mislead an investigation.

This evening will explore the lies embedded in crime scenes and share the expertise from those who dig deep for the truth. You will investigate the five types of stagers: The Planner, The Creator, The Cleaner, The Concealer, The Inflictor.

Featuring forensics, reconstructed real-life crime scene walk-throughs and a deep dive into cases that have not been seen on stage live before. This is an unmissable evening for any true crime fan.

‘Singin’ I’m No A Billy, He’s A Tim’ is a phenomenon in Scotland where it has sold out countless nationwide tours, a sensation at the Edinburgh Festival and now touring internationally.

Written by Des Dillon an Directed by Stephen Cafferty. With Scott Kyle (Outlander, Angels Share, Kajaki and Winner of Stage Award for Acting Excellence), Colin Little (River City, Fried, Gasping, The Secret Agent) and James Miller.

Israeli vs Palestinian, Catholic vs Protestant, Celtic vs Rangers…When tribal factions clash can reason ever prevail?

What happens when on the day of the Old Firm Match, you lock up a Celtic and Rangers fan in a cell together?

Fireworks! And a weird kind of unity.

AGE 16+ : Show contains strong language.

Philip Markham, a publisher of children’s books, is asked by his business partner, Henry Lodge, if he can borrow the flat for the evening to gallivant with his latest girlfriend. As Philip and his wife will be out, he reluctantly agrees.

At the same time, Joanna Markham is being persuaded by Linda Lodge to let her borrow the empty flat in order to entertain her lover. With some misgivings, Joanna agrees. What nobody knows is that the interior designer who has been decorating the flat for the past three months has decided that this is the night that he and the au pair girl will try out the new oval bed.

When the Markhams’ evening out is cancelled, it is too late to let any of the parties know and three sets of hopeful lovers all converge on the bedroom at the same time. The situation is further complicated by the arrival of Olive Harriet Smythe, a straightlaced authoress of children’s books.

The frantic efforts of the Markhams to hide the amorous goings-on and, at the same time sign up Miss Smythe, lead to a hectic and hilarious evening.

JANE AUSTEN created some of literature’s most celebrated characters, defining her era, sex and class. Two hundred years on, her works continue to speak for the yearning heart as much as they did when they were written – so just how much has really changed for women since then?

In a solo performance of extraordinary virtuosity – using only Austen’s words – Rebecca Vaughan boldy revisits the most rewarding moments from the ‘two inches of ivory’. In scenes of high comedy and profound pathos, she deconstructs the souls of Emma Woodhouse, Lizzy Bennet, Mrs Norris, Miss Bates and nine other beautifully observed women.

Divorced from their historical context (and in the absence of their men), these women present a glorious distillation of 19th century feminism and speak volumes about love, friendship, and notorious improprieties.

Austen lovers and the uninitiated alike will revel in this brilliant and illuminating evocation of Austen’s Women.

Elemental Theatre Company Presents ‘WaitingRoom’, written and performed by Thomas Levi, Rebecca Morris and Chris Stevenson.
Following from the success of their previous sell out production ‘Normal’, Elemental Theatre Company is thrilled to announce their latest show “Waiting Room.” Set in the Accident and Emergency department of an NHS hospital this brand new comedy promises to deliver a dose of laughter. Audiences will be transported to the medical mayhem of a waiting room by a trio of actors performing multiple rolls and peer into the lives of the eccentric staff and the peculiar patients.

This two-act comedy is the show you’ve been waiting for, the injection of light entertainment which is needed in the current struggles of the NHS, whilst also dealing with some of the social and political issues that are hard to avoid in this industry. The show’s exceptional blend of humour and heart ensure that ‘Waiting Room’ appeals to a diverse range of theatre-goers. Sections of the show were developed verbatim through interviews and discussions with
junior doctors and paramedic staff, which helps to see deeper into the day-to-day lives of our beloved key workers; and the often difficult patients they encounter. If laughter is the best medicine then Waiting Room is the perfect prescription, and can be seen on tour throughout the UK in Spring 2024, starting at the Gatehouse on the 6th of March.

The play runs for approximately 2 hours with an interval and contains some adult content. More information can be found at www.elementaltheatre.co.uk

The story:

A Saturday night shift in a hospital A&E department takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious woman enters the waiting room and disrupts the routine. Dr Green is suspicious of the new nurse on the ward, David, as a complaint finds its way into his pigeon hole. The receptionist, Rachel, looks on as the chaos ensues unaware that the nights events would ultimately unsettle her just as much.

As the medical trio try to fight their way through the night, they are constantly interrupted by a sea of whimsical and extraordinary patients visiting accident and emergency with the most petty ailments. By the time the shift is over they have dealt with inky infections, unpredicted pregnancy and hostile hen parties.

NOW TWO-FOR-ONE WITH CODE: KAFKA241

‘As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a monstrous insect.’

The Metamorphosis is a new adaptation of Franz Kafka’s classic story of a man whose society causes him to feel so isolated and worthless that he physically transforms into a giant insect. Kafka’s Prague in 1915 was full of confusing bureaucracy, indecipherable rules and regulations and a host of reasons why Gregor should grow to consider himself utterly worthless.

The busy, successful and popular inhabitants of this world serve only to show Gregor just how far removed he is from their status.

Franz Kafka’s story of a misfit trying to adapt to his busy world is as relevant now as it ever was.

This new adaptation explores the many aspects of modern life which conspire to isolate us from each other, and what it is about being human which brings us closer together.

Download the Metamorphosis Education Resource pack here