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12-14 FEBRUARY 2026 BOOK TICKETS
PROGRESS YOUTH THEATRE
75th Anniversary Production
This year PYT is celebrating its 75th Birthday! Our first show of 2026 is a showcase of performances from our two older groups, the Floodlights and Blinders.
The Floodlights present a series of duologues tackling challenging themes and complex characters that have been selected to entertain, intrigue, and inspire. Turning their hand to improvisation, the Floodlights perform an extended, improvised ensemble scene that will explore self-hood, free will, and the difficulties of negotiating friendships.
The Blinders will journey from Ancient Greece, through Rome, Shakespeare’s Illyria, and Victorian London before landing in the present day…at a bus stop. Showcasing pieces from theatrical giants as well as exciting, new work written by a Progress youth member, we are proud to present this selection of monologues and duologues in addition to a new Gatsby-esque adaptation: Beautiful Fools.
Please note that various themes may be distressing to some audiences. See our list of Content Warnings.
Next Jazz 
20 FEBRUARY 2026 Book Tickets
Ben Crosland’s All Star Band Play the Ray Davies Song Book
- Theo Travis reeds
- Ben Crosland bass
- Steve Lodder keyboards
- John Etheridge guitar
- Buster Birch drums
"...a lot of affection, a lot of respect for those unforgettable melodies and a whole lotta damn fine playing…these well respected men have done Mr. Davies proud” Jazzwise
Those of us who were growing up at the time of the swinging 60s need no introduction to the music of The Kinks. However, for those not acquainted, the band’s website will tell you all you need to know. Not that the band and leader, composer Ray Davies, stopped developing and influencing rock and popular music in the 60s. Far from it.
Whether Ray ever thought that his tunes would one day be performed and rearranged as jazz band material is possibly unknown, but he has approved in writing Ben Crosland’s and his musician’s treatment of his compositions.
Ben was commissioned by Marsden jazz festival in 2014 to write arrangements of Ray Davies tunes, which duly done and performed, in 2015, resulted in an album “The Ray Davies Songbook” followed in 2018 by Volume 2.
Whilst the line up has changed from the albums, Ben, John Etheridge and Steve Lodder remain, and with the addition of Theo Travis form the since well-honed core of the band. They have performed many times over several years and never fail to hit the spot.
Next Art Exhibition
Available for viewing during events throughout January and February 2026.
Brambledown Designs
by Symon Leech
www.brambledowndesigns.com
[email protected]