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20-25 APRIL 2026 Book Tickets
The Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar Wilde, adapted by Ali and Liz Carroll
The Picture of Dorian Gray tells the story of a beautiful young man who makes a Faustian bargain: offering his soul for his portrait to age and bear the toll of his sins, while he remains eternally youthful.
In this inclusive production we witness Dorian’s descent into decadence, corruption and depravity. Yet he remains unblemished whilst his portrait manifests his age and degradation.
Our cast and crew are drawn from diverse parts of our community, adding richness and meaning to this vibrant adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s groundbreaking work and respecting and incorporating Wilde’s allusions to gay relationships within the work.
Next Jazz 
1 MAY 2026 Book Tickets
Jazz Samba!
- Nigel Price guitar
- Mark Crooks tenor sax
- John Cervantes piano
- Marianne Windham bass
- Demi Garcia percussion
Jazz Samba! takes its inspiration and name from Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd’s ground-breaking 1962 album, the first ever fully-fledged bossa nova album recorded by American jazz musicians which topped the LP charts on its release and produced its own pop hit single – ‘Desafinado’
Led by star soloist Mark Crooks on sax and clarinet and the award-winning guitarist Nigel Price, with John Cervantes (piano), Marianne Windham (double bass) and Demi Garcia Sabat (drums/percussion), this is a joyous celebration of the blending of Brazilian rhythms, jazz attitude and the majestic compositions of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Donato and Sergio Mendes alongside tributes to Stann Getz’s legendary “Latin thing”.
The band’s performance is described as exciting, intense, and satisfying, conveying both joy and the authentic spirit of Latin jazz and Bossa Nova.
Progress Youth 75th Anniversary Afternoon
2 MAY 2026 Reserve your spot
Progress Youth Theatre in Reading is proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone — 75 years of inspiring creativity, passion, and performance.
Since its founding in 1946, Progress Theatre has been a cornerstone of the local arts scene. Young members were involved from the very beginning, but 5 years in, and just after we had found our forever home on The Mount, a dedicated group was started to offer young people of all backgrounds the chance to explore the world of theatre and develop their skills. The Student Group, as it was called then, held its first meeting on Wednesday 2nd May 1951 in the Coffee Room (now the foyer).
This anniversary event honours the incredible journey of our youth theatre, showcasing the talent and dedication of its members past and present. Join us as we reflect on the rich history of Progress Youth Theatre, while looking forward to the exciting future of arts and performance in Reading.
The afternoon will include afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, and prosecco, alongside performances and memories from past and present members, and time to reconnect with old and new friends of Progress Youth Theatre.
Next Art Exhibition
Available for viewing during events throughout April 2026.
Mandy Dodd: A Multidisciplinary Artist
Mandy’s lifelong passion for the arts began in primary school, where the gentle guidance of her headmaster first taught her to capture the form of trees on paper. This early spark grew into a deep love for performance and design during her secondary years, nurtured by a transformative teacher who encouraged her creative potential.
Mandy progressed from foundational drawing and painting into the intricate world of 3D set design, prop making, and stage artistry. Her versatility further expanded into puppetry and pottery, crafts that have provided both creative fulfillment and a resilient anchor through significant life challenges.
Most recently, Mandy has become a creative force at Progress Theatre. She has dedicated months of intensive work to producing stage paintings and props for major productions, including Under Milk Wood, Tess of the d'Urbervilles,and a particularly demanding run of The Picture of Dorian Gray.
When not transforming the stage, she continues to create personal paintings for her own amusement, maintaining the same joy for art that first began under those primary school trees.
WriteFest 20 Submissions Now Open! 
We're thrilled to announce that submissions are officially open for WriteFest 20. You have until 31 May 2026 to submit your entry.
Next year is extra special as we celebrate Progress Theatre's 80th anniversary alongside 20 years of WriteFest showcasing incredible new writing from our local community.
We warmly invite playwrights — both new and experienced — to submit their work!
Get more information on what we're looking for and how to submit >