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National Theatre at Home to stream Olivier Award-winning Life of Pi from 10 April – an Easter treat for the whole family

National Theatre at Home, the National Theatre’s pioneering streaming platform, announces the release* of Life of Pi by Yann Martel, adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti. From 10 April, audiences can watch this ‘triumph’ (★★★★★ Sunday Times) which won the 2022 Olivier Awards for Best New Play, Best Actor for Hiran Abeysekera’s (The Father and the Assassin)performance as Pi, and a historic first for the seven performers who played the tiger, collectively winning Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

Puppetry, magic and storytelling combine in a unique stage adaptation of the best-selling novel, a production from the Simon Friend Entertainment and Sheffield Theatres.  After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, a 16-year-old boy named Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a Royal Bengal tiger. Filmed live in London’s West End and featuring state-of-the-art visuals, this ‘hit’ (★★★★★ The Times) production is the perfect Easter treat for the whole family.

Launched in 2020, National Theatre at Home offers access to over 100 productions, with new titles added monthly. Subscriptions are available for £9.99 a month or £99.99 annually.

All titles on National Theatre at Home include captions, and over 85% are available with Audio Description.

Bloomberg Philanthropies is Headline Sponsor of National Theatre at Home.  

National Theatre at Home is also supported by The Linbury Trust. 

For more information or to subscribe, visit ntathome.com.

STRATFORD EAST ANNOUNCES
FULL CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR
LOVESTUCK: A NEW COMEDY MUSICAL

Stratford East today announces full cast and creative team for LOVESTUCK: A NEW COMEDY MUSICAL, the unmissable new comedy musical inspired by true events.Conceived and written by James Cooper, with direction by Jamie Morton (co-creators of the hit podcast My Dad Wrote A Porno) and music by triple-platinum singer-songwriter Bryn Christopher with Martin Batchelar. The production runs at Stratford East from Friday 06 June – Saturday 12 July,with press night on Tuesday 17 June, 7pm.

Jamie Morton directs Bridgette Amofah (Cassandra/Miseraie), Marcus Ayton (Reece), Jessica Boshier (Lucy), Johan Munir (David), and Shane O’Riordan (Peter), joined by Ambra Caserotti (Ensemble), Callum Connolly (Ensemble), and Holly Liburd (Ensemble).

James Cooper (Writer), Bryn Christopher (Music & Lyrics) and Martin Batchelar (Music) said today: “This project has been years in the making and a real labour of love. We wanted to make a musical that felt modern whilst staying true to the traditional form so to be premiering at Stratford East, a theatre with such rich history and a contemporary spirit, feels like the ideal fit. Add to that, our incredibly talented cast and creative team and it’s the perfect match. We’re so excited to finally share this funny, feel-good show with audiences.”

Jamie Morton (Director) said today: “I am thrilled to be directing this bold, fresh new musical exploring the complicated, embarrassing, and frankly hilarious predicaments we get ourselves into on the quest to find love. As a champion of new work, it’s an even greater joy to bring a wholly original British musical to the stage – one with a killer score and riotously relatable book. I couldn’t be prouder of my impeccable cast and creative team and cannot wait for audiences to fall head over heels for the theatrical magic we’re creating at Stratford East.”

The creative team is completed by: Tom Rogers (Set & Costume Designer); Chi-San Howard (Choreographer); Adam King (Lighting Designer); Beth Duke (Sound Designer); Will Burton CDG for Grindrod Burton Casting (Casting Director); Jessica McKenna (Assistant Director); Rachel Ryan (Costume Supervisor) & Kate Golledge (Dramaturg).

When we first meet thirty-somethings Lucy and Peter, we find her stuck upside-down in his bathroom window at the end of their first date. How on earth did they get themselves into this awkward situation? And what happens next?

All will be revealed in this riotous romantic comedy with a catchy score as big as its heart. Tackling themes of online dating, toxic social media and crippling self-doubt, LOVESTUCK charts the hilarious, humiliating and all too relatable quest for our happy ever after…

Presented by Stratford East and Wildpark Entertainment.

Tickets on sale. For more information visit www.stratfordeast.com.

Theatre Royal Nottingham – until Friday 21 March 2025

Reviewed by Louise Ford

5*****

Music is magic

This production by Opera North was given its first outing in 2019, and is directed by James Brining. The sets which are grand and  imposing, are by Colin Richmond. They manage to convey the grandeur of the palaces and the intimacy of the forest, whilst moving effortlessly between scenes. Colin Richmond also designed the costumes which have a nod towards The Handmaid’s Tale for the women and a cultish scout troop for the men. The use of clever visuals for the trails by fire and water is by videos designed by Douglas O’Connell.

The story of The Magic Flute is a bit tricky to unpick, suffice to say it’s one of good and evil and the pursuit of love, with magical bells and, of course, a flute.

As the story is quite confusing and convoluted this production treats it all as a dream. The opening scene is one of a child going to bed whilst in the background a rowdy party is taking place. Then the nightmare begins. The monster is defeated by a handsome stranger but he needs reinforcements. The cavalry comes in the guise of three “nurses”, complete with bloodied aprons and, of course, light sabers. The trio of ladies are played by Hazel Croft, Charlie Drummond and Katie Sharpe The hero Tamino is played by the tenor Tristan Llŷr Griffiths.

From the palace we are then transported to the forest to meet Papageno brilliantly portrayed by Emyr Wyn Jones. He’s out collecting birds for the Queen of the Night and rather foolishly he claims to have defeated the monster for which he is duly punished. The two (Tamino and Papageno) are now bound on a journey to rescue Pamina ,the daughter of the Queen of the Night.

Pamina is beautifully portrayed by Soraya Mafi who has an incredible voice. The Queen of the Night in our production was played by Anna Dennis. She appeared on stage in true Maleficent style. She delivers the famous aria effortlessly, to a huge round of applause. It’s an amazing piece of Opera to see performed live.

In contrast to the dark queen we have Sarastro portrayed by Justin Hopkins. He has an amazing bass-baritone voice and he commands the forces of light.

The love interest for Papageno is Papagena (of course), she is portrayed by Pasquale Orchard she is lively and sparky.

The live orchestra of Opera North are a delight and really enhance the experience. In our performance they were conducted by Patrick Lange. Both he and the orchestra received a huge round of applause at the end.

Our production was sung in English and had subtitles on the screens at the side of the stage. But even more intriguingly was the announcement that the performance was to be signed, and that rather than standing to the side the signers would be an integral part of the production. There were two signers, sadly I could not see their names in the programme, one covering the women the other the men. They were outstanding and somehow enhanced the production, it was mesmerising to see them signing the music.

The other shout out was to the children in the chorus and in particular the three scouts who were on stage for most of the second half, their voices were particularly angelic.

The whole Company, Orchestra and Signers were given at standing ovation,which they richly deserved.

What an outstanding evening’s entertainment.

The Godfather of children’s standup comedy 

James Campbell 

announces tour dates for his new show Comedy 4 Kids: Reducks!

including Brighton Fringe & Edinburgh Festival Fringe dates

James Campbell, the internationally renowned and much-loved children’s comedian who pioneered the genre of comedy for kids, has announced his brand new live show, Comedy 4 Kids: Reducks!, which may include exploding penguins, seventeen ways to eat jam and songs to sing to the worms in your dog’s bottom.

Comedy 4 Kids: Reducks! will tour in 2025 to The Corn Hall in Diss (3 May), Komedia in Brighton, as part of the Brighton Fringe (4-5 May), Gilded Balloon Patter House, as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (11-17 August) and the Museum of Comedy in London (25-26 October). Further dates will be announced shortly. 

Since first starting to perform back in 2001, James has been travelling the world, bringing high-quality laughter to children in thousands of schools, libraries, theatres and festivals – as well as teaching kids’ comedy workshops, writing a series of much-loved funny books (including Boyface, the Funny Life books, Daphne and the Marmalade Cow) and parenting his own children. 

James Campbell says: “This show is twice as funny as anything you’ve seen before so cover yourself in glue, roll around in glitter for five minutes and then come to the show shouting, “I’m a massive disco maggot!” until someone asks you to leave”. 

Comedy 4 Kids: Reducks! is produced by Denise Silvey for Cahoots Theatre Company.

For further details and booking links, visit www.jamescampbellauthor.com/dates

2025 TOUR DATES

Saturday 3 May                                   The Corn Hall, Diss 
https://www.thecornhall.co.uk/shows/james-campbells-comedy-4-kids-redux/

Sunday 4 – Monday 5 May                  Komedia, Brighton Fringe 
https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/james-campbells-comedy-4-kids-redux/

Monday 11 – Sunday 17 August         Gilded Balloon Patter House, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Tickets on sale soon

Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 October       Museum of Comedy, London https://museumofcomedy.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873652563

Lyceum Theatre Sheffield – until 22 March 2025

Reviewed by K.Roberts

3***

Rock of Ages, rock or flop? Having not watched the film, I didn’t know what to expect, but I was reliably informed that it was worth watching and that the musical should be of a similar ilk.

Based on the Sunset Strip Boulevard, it revolves around the Bourbon club and two young wannabees with dreams of making it big in the world of music, amid their blossoming romance.

The story is pretty basic and its lack of depth is filled by the rousing and stirring rock ballads which fill every scene and lead us through the montage of comical sketches, to the touching moments between the lead characters. The two lead characters are Sherrie Christian and Drew Boley, played by Grace Hadabora and Adam Walker respectively. Throughout the story of Sherrie and Drew and mixed messages of love, via strip joints and boyband, they both excel in their roles. They literally hit every high note with aplomb, especially Grace, who I thought excelled in her role.

Along with their burgeoning relationship, in the background we have the secondary story of the corrupt German developers father and son Hertz Klinemann (Phil Brownhill) and Franz Klinemann (Matt Bevan).The characters are played with great comedic effect by Hertz as he goosesteps around the stage followed by his camp son. The developers are challenged throughout the show led by Regina (Tara Kulbatski) and her band of protestors trying to stop the strip from being torn down.

The first half was a difficult watch at times despite the fantastic efforts of the cast as there were several technical issues affecting the performance. The dialogue could not be heard at times over the music and there were a few microphone malfunctions. This did on occasion make it difficult to follow if you’re unfamiliar with the story.

Despite these issues it was all about the music and the band and cast didn’t disappoint and the audience were treat to some classic rock ballads, via some talented musicians, who also act as Stacie Jaxx (James Smith) stage band. Jaxx was another great lead and played with great front man attitude by Smith, who oozes charisma and has great stage presence, revelling in the adoration of the female cast.

The whole cast were superb and a mention must be given to Helen Green, playing the madame Justice Charlier who adds another female lead to her already long list of feisty ladies. The highest accolade must go (in my opinion) to Tom Fox-Owens and Mark Holmes who play Lonny Barnett who was the narrator of the show alongside club owner Dennis Dupree. Their performances were energetic, funny and they had great chemistry. Fox-Owens performance as Lonny had the audience in stitches and regularly seemed to go off-piste in his desire to entertain the audience. Their second half duet of can’t fight this feeling a particular high. They certainly carried the show and made the performance enjoyable.

My honest opinion is that it was a bit erratic in parts and not as smooth as I thought it might be for a well known show. Although the quality and talent on show is very good and worthy of a good review, the sound issues throughout prevent me from giving it higher than 3 out of 5, although as stated it was still enjoyable if hard to follow due to the issues. Despite this the show rocked…

PLAYHOUSE THEATRE, LIVERPOOL – UNTIL SATURDAY 22ND MARCH 2025

REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN

4****

Malorie Blackman OBE, best known for her bestselling Nought & Crosses series, also wrote Pig Heart Boy, published in 1997, which was inspired by an article discussing the potential for human heart transplants from pigs in the future. While her novel initially fell into the category of speculative fiction, the first actual transplant occurred in 2022!

Now, Unicorn Theatre, Sheffield Theatres, and the Children’s Theatre Partnership have collaborated to create a stage adaptation of Blackman’s impactful novel. The adaptation is crafted by Winsome Pinnock and directed by Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu. This heart-warming production explores profound themes such as loyalty, honesty, friendship, family, integrity, ethical dilemmas, and emotional resilience, all seen through the eyes of a young boy wrestling with life-altering decisions.

This production is undoubtedly a faithful adaptation of the novel, maintaining the pre-social media setting and featuring very few alterations. We are introduced to our protagonist, Cameron, portrayed by Immanuel Yeboah. Cameron is a 13-year-old boy with a passion for swimming, who finds himself grappling with the pressing need for a heart transplant. However, there is a complication: he must decide whether to accept a pig’s heart and contemplate the potential changes this decision may bring, both positive and negative.

The cast is exceptional, particularly Yeboah in the role of Cameron, along with Chia Phoenix as both Nan and Trudy the pig. Their performances are striking and leave a lasting impression on the audience. The ensemble works brilliantly together, with all members, except Yeboah, seamlessly switching between roles and portraying characters that add depth to the narrative. The banter among the teenage characters is not only engaging but also genuinely amusing.

The production showcases stunning set design by Paul Wills, complemented by Andrew Exeter’s lighting and dynamic movement sequences by DK Fashola. These elements work together to create an immersive theatrical experience. The action seamlessly transitions between various settings, while consistently reminding us that Cameron’s condition remains at the heart of the narrative.

The play addresses complex themes while remaining accessible and relatable to its target audience of 9 to 13-year-olds. It is beautifully crafted and evokes feelings of inner strength, bravery, and love through the characters’ experiences.

JEREMY DYSON AND ANDY NYMAN’S
LONG-RUNNING HIT
GHOST STORIES
RETURNS TO TERRIFY THE WEST END THIS AUTUMN

PLAYING THE PEACOCK THEATRE
FROM 30 SEPTEMBER TO 8 NOVEMBER 2025

   ghoststoriesplay.com

Simon Friend Entertainment is today delighted to announce the return of Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman’s supernatural sensation Ghost Stories to the West End. More spine-tingling and terrifying than ever, the Olivier Award-nominated show will return to London following it’s first ever full UK tour, playing a limited 6 week season at the Peacock Theatre from Tuesday 30 September to Saturday 8 November 2025. A gala performance is scheduled for Wednesday 8 October 2025. 

Tickets go on sale on general sale 10am Monday 24 March, with a presale to Sadler’s Wells members from 10am Friday 21 March.

Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman say of the return of theircelebrated terrifying tales to the West End:
“We are delighted that Ghost Stories will be returning to scare the hell out of West End audiences after its first ever UK tour. It’s an extraordinary thing for us that after fifteen years Ghost Stories is still going strong. It’s so exciting to be able to share the screams, the laughs, the scares and the leap-out-of-your seat sensory-experience of the ninety-minute thrill ride that Ghost Stories is.” 

****
‘An immaculately crafted evening of entertainment’ Time Out.

Ghost Stories has been making audiences across the country leap out of their seats on its first ever UK tour since January. It is currently playing Woking’s New Victoria Theatre, before visits to Edinburgh, Festival Theatre; Aberdeen, His Majesty’s Theatre; Glasgow, Theatre Royal; Norwich, Theatre Royal; Newcastle, Theatre Royal; Nottingham, Theatre Royal; Southend, Cliffs Pavilion; Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre; Belfast, Grand Opera House; Leicester, Curve Theatre; Wycombe, Swan Theatre; Southampton, Mayflower Theatre; Brighton, Theatre Royal; Shrewsbury, Theatre Severn; Malvern, Malvern Theatres and Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre.

Ghost Stories was last seen in the West End in 2019 at the Ambassadors’s Theatre, after a celebrated run at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.

When Professor Goodman, arch-sceptic out to debunk the paranormal, embarks on an investigation of three apparent hauntings – as recounted by a night-watchman, a teenage boy, and a businessman awaiting his first child – Goodman finds himself at the outer limits of rationality, and fast running out of explanations.

After exhilarating audiences across the world with record-breaking, sell-out productions and a smash hit film, Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s Ghost Stories is “Genuine scary fun” (Sunday Times), a worldwide phenomenon more spine-tingling and fantastically terrifying than ever.

Are you brave enough to book?

“I had to sleep with the lights on” (Metro).

WARNING

Please be advised that Ghost Stories contains moments of extreme shock and tension.The show is unsuitable for anyone under the age of 15. We strongly advise those of a nervous disposition to think very seriously before attending.

Andy Nyman is a multi-award-winning actor, director and writer who has earned acclaim from both critics and audiences for his work in theatre, film, and television. Andy has just been Olivier nominated for his role opposite Imelda Staunton at the London Palladium in Hello, Dolly! last summer. Other recent theatre work includes Max Bialystock in The Producers at the Menier Chocolate Factory; his Olivier nominated performance as Tevye in Trevor Nunn’s award-winning revival of Fiddler on the Roof, the West End and Broadway runs of Martin McDonagh’s Hangmen, the highly acclaimed revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Abigail’s Party in the West End, and in the original production of Ghost Stories which Andy starred in, co-wrote and co-directed with Jeremy Dyson. Andy’s extensive television credits include A Small Light, The Capture, Unforgotten, Wanderlust, Hanna, Campusand Dead Set as well as his highly acclaimed performance as Winston Churchill in Peaky Blinders. This year Andy will be appearing in Lockerbie.

Andy’s many film credits include Gov Thropp in the highly anticipated blockbuster film WICKED, Judy, Jungle Cruise, The Commuter, Death at a Funeral, Kick-Ass 2, Black Death, The Brother’s Bloom, Severance, and Shut Up & Shoot Me for which Andy won the ‘Best Actor’ award at the Cherbourg Film Festival in 2006.

2018 saw the release of the film version of Ghost Stories. Based on their own play, the film was written and directed by Andy & Jeremy Dyson. Andy stars alongside Martin Freeman, Alex Lawther & Paul Whitehouse. The film has been hailed as a ‘Modern Horror Classic’ and was voted number 16 in Empire magazines list ‘The Greatest 25 Horror films ever made’.

Andy collaborated with Derren Brown for over 20 years. As well as co-writing and co-creating much of Derren’s early TV work, Andy has also co-written and directed 8 of Derren Brown’s stage shows winning the ‘Best Entertainment’ Olivier Award for Derren Brown: Something Wicked This Way Comes and the New York Drama Desk Award for ‘Best Unique Theatrical Event 2017’ for Derren Brown: Secret.

Andy’s books The Golden Rules of Acting and More Golden Rules of Acting have become bestsellers within the acting world. In 2023 Andy and Jeremy Dyson came together again to write their first novel The Warlock Effect. Chosen as a ‘Sunday Times Thriller of the Month’ this highly entertaining and twisty adventure is now out in paperback and available on Audible, where it is read by Andy. Andy and Jeremy Dyson’s second play ‘The Psychic’ will have it’s world premier at the York Theatre Royal in March 2026.

Jeremy Dyson is best known as the co-creator and co-writer of the multi-award-winning comedy show The League of Gentlemen. Aside from The League he was co-creator/writer of the BAFTA-nominated comedy drama Funlandand the Rose-d’or winning all female sketch show Psychobitches. His play Ghost Stories, co-written with Andy Nyman was nominated for an Olivier award, and has enjoyed three separate West End runs since debuting in 2010, together with international productions in Toronto, Moscow, Sydney, Shanghai, Finland, Holland, and Peru. The film version of Ghost Stories, written and directed by Andy and Jeremy won the Fangoria Chainsaw Award for best debut feature in 2019.

In addition, Jeremy has worked as script editor on numerous award-winning TV comedies including The Armstrong and Miller Show, Grandma’s House, The Wrong Mans, Bad Education, Tracey Ullman’s Show, We are Ladyparts and The Curse. He has written for many other TV shows including Killing Eve and Good Omens.

Jeremy has published three collections of short stories, Never Trust a Rabbit, The Cranes that Build the Cranes (which won the Edge Hill award for short fiction), and The Haunted Book, together with a novel, What Happens Now. His latest book, The Warlock Effect co-written with Andy Nyman was published in 2023.

Ghost Stories is produced by Simon Friend Entertainment.

Casting is to be announced.

For more information visit:  www.ghoststoriesplay.com.

AWARD-WINNING MEAN GIRLS TO COMPLETE WEST END RUN ON 8 JUNE 2025 AHEAD OF UK TOUR IN 2026

The award-winning West End production of MEAN GIRLS will complete its run at the Savoy Theatre on Sunday 8 June at the end of the current booking period, ahead of a UK Tour in 2026. Tour details and casting will be announced at a later date.

MEAN GIRLS, the smash-hit musical comedy based on the Paramount Pictures film of the same name, which was released 21 years ago in April 2004, had its first West End performance at the Savoy Theatre on 5 June 2024, and opened to critical acclaim on 26 June 2024.

MEAN GIRLS recently took home the coveted ‘Best New Musical’ award at the 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards. Tom Xander, who plays Damian, has received an Olivier Award nomination for ‘Best Supporting Actor in a Musical’, while Elèna Gyasi won ‘Best Supporting Female Actor In A Musical’ at the 2024 Black British Theatre Awards. 

Tina Fey’s MEAN GIRLS, produced in London by Lorne Michaels, Sonia Friedman Productions, and David Ian for Crossroads Live,has been seen by over 350,000 people in the West End.

The MEAN GIRLS cast comprises Charlie Burn (Cady Heron), Georgina Castle (Regina George), Elèna Gyasi (Gretchen Wieners), Grace Mouat (Karen Smith), Elena Skye (Janis Sarkisian), Tom Xander (Damian Hubbard), Daniel Bravo (Aaron Samuels), Lucca Chadwick-Patel (Kevin Ganatra), Ako Mitchell (Mr Duvall), and Zoë Rainey (Ms Heron, Ms Norbury and Mrs George).

They are joined by Tia Antoine-Charles, Georgia Arron, Liam Buckland, Shonah Buwu, Baylie Carson, Freddie Clements, Siobhan Diffin, Clíona Flynn, Fergie Fraser, Angus Good, Jenny Huxley-Golden, Holly Liburd, Corey Mitchell, Mervin Noronha, Aharon Rayner, Trézel Sergeant, Josh Singleton, Annie Southall, Lillia Squires, Tommy Wade-Smith and Holly Willock.

‘THE MOST FUN YOU CAN HAVE IN THE WEST END’ – Metro

‘YOU SIMPLY. MUST. GO’ – Glamour

‘A WHOPPING WEST END HIT’ – i News

‘A CAST FULL OF STARS’ – Daily Telegraph

‘A PARTY FROM BEGINNING TO END’ – Digital Spy

The creative team for MEAN GIRLS in the West End comprises Tina Fey – Book, Jeff Richmond – Music, Nell Benjamin – Lyrics, Casey Nicholaw – Direction and Choreography, Scott Pask – Scenic Design, Katrina Lindsay – Costume Design, Kenneth Posner – Lighting Design, Brian Ronan – Sound Design, Finn Ross and Adam Young – Video Design, Josh Marquette – Hair Design, Mary-Mitchell Campbell – Musical Supervision, Vocal, Dance and Incidental Music Arrangements, and Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting – Casting.

MEAN GIRLS will continue its run until 8 June 2025 at the Savoy Theatre. Rush rate tickets at £25 are available for every MEAN GIRLS performance. The rush rate is available through the TodayTix app.

The remaining MEAN GIRLS access performance is a British Sign Language Performance on Saturday 10 May 2025 at 2.30pm. 

MEAN GIRLS had its world premiere in 2017 at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C and opened on Broadway in April 2018 at the August Wilson Theatre to ecstatic responses, where it played to packed houses. The show then went on a hugely successful US tour in 2019 and is currently on its second US tour. The MEAN GIRLS musical film adaptation from Paramount Pictures was released globally in cinemas in January 2024 and was the #1 film at the Box Office in multiple countries including the UK and US.

MEAN GIRLS has had a profound impact on pop culture for over 20 years. Tina Fey’s hilarious and relatable portrayal of high school life struck a chord with audiences across the globe and the film’s whip-smart satire, iconic catchphrases, and unforgettable characters made it a phenomenon that remains a cultural touchstone to this day.

Full cast announced for Ali Milles’ chilling thriller 

The Croft

starring Liza Goddard, Caroline Harker 

& Gray O’Brien

On tour from May – July 2025

Original Theatre, Joshua Beaumont & Huw Allen in association with Wiltshire Creative present Ali Milles’ critically acclaimed thriller The Croft on tour, opening at Salisbury Playhouse on 9 May 2025 before an eight-week tour.

The Croft will star Liza Goddard (Noises Off, Doctor Who, Bergerac) as Enid, Caroline Harker (A Touch of Frost, Steel Magnolias, The Railway Children) as Suzanne and Gray O’Brien (Coronation Street, Casualty, Rebus: A Game Called Malice) as David with Gracie Follows(Birdsong) as Laura, Russell Layton (ART) as Ronald, Simon Roberts(Witness for the Prosecution)as Tom and Judith Rae(The Mousetrap)as Understudy.

Directed by Original Theatre’s Artistic Director Alastair Whatley (Birdsong) with Associate Director Nadia Papachronopoulou, andwith Original Direction by Philip Franks (Murder in the Dark), The Croft’s Creative Team includes Designer Adrian Linford, Lighting Designer Chris Davey, Sound Designer and Composer Max Pappenheim,Casting by Ellie Collyer-Bristow and Production Manager Tammy Rose. 

The Croft is based on a true Highland story. In the remote Scottish Highlands, two women arrive at a former Crofters Hut in the deserted village of Coille Ghillie. Suddenly, the weekend getaway takes an unexpected turn. Cut off from the modern world, Laura and Suzanne find themselves drawn into the dark history of the Croft and the lives that passed before them. 

In this bold and haunting play the present interweaves with the past as ancient tales surface and the terrifying truth lurking in the Croft is revealed. The past won’t be silenced. 

The 2025 tour will play Salisbury Playhouse (9-17 May), Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (20-24 May), Malvern Theatres (27-31 May), Churchill Theatre Bromley (3-7 June), Birmingham Rep (9-14 June), Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (17-21 June), Festival Theatre, Edinburgh (25-28 June) and Liverpool Playhouse (1-5 July).

The Croft is produced by Original Theatre (Birdsong, ART, Murder in the Dark, Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d) as part of the award-winning theatre company’s 20th anniversary season. In 2020, Original Theatre released a filmed version of The Croft on its digital theatre platform Original Online, after a previous critically acclaimed tour was halted halfway through, due to the Covid lockdown.

For further tour details, visit https://www.thecrofttour.co.uk. 

2025 TOUR LISTINGS 

9 – 17 May       Salisbury Playhouse                            

https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/events/the-croft

20 – 24 May     Belgrade Theatre, Coventry 

27 – 31 May     Malvern Theatres

https://malvern-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/the-croft

3 – 7 June         Churchill Theatre Bromley

https://trafalgartickets.com/churchill-theatre-bromley/en-GB/event/play/the-croft-tickets

10-14 June      Birmingham Rep

https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/the-croft

17 – 21 June     Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

https://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/whats-on/croft

25 – 28 June     Festival Theatre, Edinburgh 

https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/all-shows/the-croft/2451

1 – 5 July          Liverpool Playhouse 

Running Time: 2 hrs 5 mins including interval

Age suitability: 13+

Insert Laughter Here announces Spring & Summer UK tour dates
for its legendary, chaotic & completely improvised comedy show

Spin-a-Play

including Brighton Fringe, Camden Fringe and East Anglian performances

Improvised Comedy Group Insert Laughter Here are delighted to announce 2025 tour dates for their chaotic long form format, Spin-a-Play. 

The show will kick off its tour with two preview performances in venues local to the group’s East Anglian roots: Norwich’s Maddermarket Theatre (Friday 4 April) and Bury St Edmunds’s Hunter Club Arts Centre (Friday 25 April), before landing at the Brighton Fringe for two pairs of consecutive dates inside the geodesic domes presented by Rotunda Theatre in Regency Square (Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 May and Friday 23 & Saturday 24 May). The show will then return to East Anglia for a night at King’s Lynn’s Westacre Theatre (Friday 20 June) before visiting the Camden Fringe for performances in The Hen & Chickens Theatre (Friday 1 August) and The Museum of Comedy (Saturday 16 August).

In this completely improvised comedy show, the audience will be invited to suggest genres for a “brand new” play to be made up on the spot by the performers. The genres go on a spinning wheel which is then used to determine which one will be performed. Guests also get to provide suggestions to start the play off with, and throughout the show will be offered opportunities to shape the action as it unfolds, decide whether it goes right or wrong and even choose how it ends! 

Will the action hero save the day and get the girl of his dreams, or will he fail and doom himself to a life of mockery? Will the charismatic thief successfully steal the diamond in the heist she has been planning for decades, or will it all go hilariously awry? The possibilities are literally endless when the audience has the power of choice.

Insert Laughter Here celebrated the fifth anniversary of their first public performance in June 2024, and in 2025, after bringing some new members into the team, have been working on bringing Spin-a-Play back in time for the summer fringe festivals. The group has members mostly centred around Suffolk and Norfolk, and have built a loyal audience following across the counties. 

More information and ticket links for the tour dates of Spin-A-Play can be found at www.insertlaughterhere.co.uk/book-now 

Age guidance is listed as 16+ because the performers never know what they’re going to do or say in advance and there is a high possibility of strong language and adult themes.

2025 TOUR LISTINGS

Friday 4 April (8pm)                                                                Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich

maddermarket.co.uk/event/insert-laughter-here-3

Friday 25 April (7:30pm)                                        Hunter Club Arts Centre, Bury St Edmunds 

www.insertlaughterhere.co.uk/book-now

Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 May (3:45pm)                           Brighton Fringe –  Rotunda Theatre

Rotunda Theatre Sales: https://www.rotundatheatre.com/tickets/spin-a-play-301869

Brighton Fringe Sales: https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/spin-a-play/

Friday 23 & Saturday 24 May (6:30pm)                             Brighton Fringe –  Rotunda Theatre

Rotunda Theatre Sales: https://www.rotundatheatre.com/tickets/spin-a-play-301872

Brighton Fringe Sales: https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/spin-a-play/

Friday 20 June (7:30pm)                                                           Westacre Theatre, King’s Lynn

www.westacretheatre.com/events/100642

Friday 1 August (4:30pm)                                       Camden Fringe – Hen & Chickens Theatre

Camden Fringe Sales: https://camdenfringe.com/events/spin-a-play/

Saturday 16 August  (4pm & 7pm)                         Camden Fringe – The Museum of Comedy

https://museumofcomedy.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873652780