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

BACK BY HUGE DEMAND

England, 1953.

Renowned American parapsychologist Doctor Roy Earle, famous for discrediting hauntings and exposing fake mediums, is invited to attend a seance in England’s most haunted building, Blaine Manor.

But his arrival at the manor has awoken something horrific. As a raging storm closes off Blaine Manor from the outside world, Earle and the others find that what is waiting there is not nearly as horrific as what has entered with him…

‘A horror masterclass from one of our best and busiest writers.’ The Salford Star

‘O’Byrne has a knack for the classic ghost story.’  The Manchester Theatre Awards

Written & Directed by Joe O’Byrne

It’s another great Stafford Players production.

Judy and Johnny lead a 50s lifestyle, clothes, décor, appliances.

She stays at home while Johnny works as an estate agent. He hopes for a promotion. He realises they have financial problems; the house might be repossessed.

Three years earlier Judy had taken voluntary redundancy, but the money has run out.

He is underperforming at work and doesn’t earn as much commission.

He says he isn’t happy. They need to change. He gets a promotion, but it will involve a long commute. They agree to compromise.

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 to Stafford Gatehouse in 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.

Age guidance 12+

★★★★ West End Best Friend

‘A dazzling display of versatility … a must-see.’

★★★★ Reviews Hub
‘Frightening … Amias plays Nesbit brilliantly.’

★★★★ London Theatre 1
‘Deliciously creepy … Highly recommended.’

Following 4 and 5 star reviews in Edinburgh and at London’s Park Theatre, this enthralling and timely solo play is touring the UK in 2025.

Michigan. Present day. Jimmy Vandenburg, ex-Ford factory car worker, works alone in his garage servicing the classic American cars of his youth. He is the man ‘born down in a dead man’s town’, the antihero of the Bruce Springsteen anthem, trying to survive in the economic wasteland of the rust belt.

A decorated Vietnam war veteran, Jimmy felt his service for his country was ignored after he came home. Trump’s call to ‘Make America Great Again’ appeals to Jimmy’s disillusionment.

But his new-found politics drives a wedge between him and his wife and daughter until a chance visit by the son of a fallen comrade makes him doubt his convictions and leads to a profound emotional reconciliation.

This multi-layered, often humorous and intensely moving solo play by award-winning actor-playwright Richard Vergette is a timely exploration of what drives populist politics and how they seduce the disillusioned and the disaffected.

Edinburgh Fringe Review

‘Gripping piece of theatre that should be experienced by all generations…a compelling, heart-wrenching tale.’

★★★★★

One4Review

‘Beautifully written and acted play. I was moved to tears.’

Join Puzzles Productions for their musical debut!

A family of 5 from Indepence Missouri set off on the hilarious yet dangerous journey to Oregon.

After the father buys a wagon with a “floor window” and “octagon wheels” they set off rolling down the trail in all the wrong ways. That’s why you never trust a fast-talking general store guy!

Between the grandpa who won a war with lobsters, the daughter who gets on her mothers nerves constantly, a son who will eat anything, the overly enthusiastic father and the mother who has to deal with all of this.

They will face all sorts of challenges such as snakes, dysentery and worst of all…. The infamous Bandit King!

This funny, thought provoking and interactive musical was originally written by Starkid and will be performed by Puzzles Productions and friends!

Mark Carey, writer of Into The Breach and What’s Wrong with Benny Hill has teamed up with Giles Shenton, producer of Old Herbaceous, Three Men in a Boat, Fagin?, and My Dog’s Got No Nose to bring you a spooky thriller set in the same theatre dressing room, during the same play, at the same theatre, but 60 years apart.

During both time periods the theatre is hosting a performance of Hamlet where “time is out of joint.”

What is the unearthly link between the two productions?

How can the same things be happening to different people 60 yrs apart?

What secrets have been buried in the old dressing room under the stage?

Why are the actors fascinated by the old dressing room mirror?

Just don’t look into it……you might not like what you see!

The stunning effects will have you believing that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

The perfect show for Shakespeare lovers and sceptics alike!

Journey to medieval Scotland for this perfect introduction into Shakespeare for audiences young and old. Just Macbeth!i’s by far the stupidest version of Shakespeare’s great big gory tragedy you might ever see.

Our story follows school-aged Andy, Danny and Lisa as they prepare their homework presentation: an extract featuring the three witches.

On reciting their lines and concocting their potion, they are transported back to medieval Scotland!

Exploring the themes and story of Macbeth through the eyes of our three hapless heroes, this hilarious and irreverent take on Shakespeare’s classic tragedy will have the audience in stitches!

Joyce Grenfell was one of the greatest female entertainers of the twentieth century, loved the world over for her hilarious and beautifully observed monologues and songs, as well as numerous film, television and radio appearances.

Her legacy continued through the work of Victoria Wood, who cited her as being a great influence, as well as an array of female comedians including Miranda Hart.

First conceived in honour of her centenary year and playing to sell-out audiences at the Edinburgh Festival, this revue has been delighting audiences ever since.

In this gem of nostalgia, which recreates the setting of one of Joyce’s stage shows, Cheryl Knight ‘absolutely captures her spirit’ (Everything Theatre). Woven between the well-known songs and monologues are some of her more delicate and poignant pieces, as well as some rare and exclusive material.

Truly a labour of love, this show brings back to life an extraordinary entertainer.

Joanne Riley always knew there was something different about her son Jackson, he didn’t interact with other kids was very demanding and rarely spoke: Then came the bombshell, Jackson was diagnosed with autism.

Everyone tried to pull together but when Grandma moved in to “help out” things took a decided downward turn!!!

Living the Life of Riley is a heart-warming, heart-breaking and hilarious tale of a family, trying to negotiate their way through teenage tantrums, autism, and Grandma.

Starring:

Vicky Entwistle (Coronation Street)

Leah Bell (Dirty Dusting)

Paul Dunn (Vera, George Gently)

Alison Stanley (Writer & Producer)

‘Absolutely hilarious – five stars!’ 

Suria has lost her husband (she hasn’t misplaced him or anything – he’s dead.)

Join her & the kids in Turkey, on what will become “the worst holiday ever.” A trip fraught with new challenges: navigating bad advice, sympathetic head tilts… and the ‘W’ word.

Unfortunately, the turbulent dynamics of a newly fractured family aren’t the kind of baggage you can just stow away neatly in the overhead compartment…

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO WIDOWHOOD is a dark-but-uplifting one-woman show exploring the experiences of young widows, loss, and why it’s okay to talk about death.