What's On

The Freddie Gavita Quartet in Homage to Freddie Hubbard

• Freddie Gavita trumpet
• Tom Cawley keys
• Daniel Casimir bass
• Mez Clough drums

Quite a line up to perform music of one of the finest trumpeters in jazz, Freddie Hubbard. He came of age as a soloist in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers from 1961 to 1965. Ten albums for Blue Note and featured on several classic recorded albums with Oliver Nelson, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, to name but a few! Hubbard died in 2008 and deserves to be remembered as being among the jazz greats.

We are therefore delighted to host this gig with wonderful musicians led by 2017 British Jazz Award “Best Trumpeter” Freddie Gavita, who has long been an admirer of Hubbard and will add to our knowledge of his legacy.

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Tess of the D'Urbervilles

by Thomas Hardy, adapted by David Calcutt

Tess's life changes when her alcoholic father learns they're descended from aristocracy. It's the Victorian era, yet could this mean opportunity and love, or is the world too cruel?

Based on the Thomas Hardy novel and adapted for stage by David Calcutt, with live musical accompaniment, Tess of the d'Urbervilles tells the story of Tess - a woman wronged and abandoned by her lover. 

The world in which Tess lives is almost entirely dependent on the land. It is bound up with the yearly cycles of birth, growth, decay and rebirth. For Tess and her people, their way of life is rooted in the earth. Her tragic fate mirrors that of the earth and the inevitable turning of the seasons from spring to winter, life to death.

Inclusive performances:

• Tuesday 25 November will be a Relaxed Performance​.
• Wednesday 26 November will include British Sign Language interpretation.

Please note that various themes may be distressing to some audiences. See our list of Content Warnings.

 

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Janette Mason – ReWired

• Janette Mason keyboard
• Tom Mason bass
• Eric Ford drums

Janette Mason is a jazz pianist, a composer for film and TV, an arranger and producer of all genres from jazz to soul to pop, and a dedicated and heartfelt musical communicator.

Over the course of a thirty-year career she has quietly but emphatically made her presence felt, delighting audiences with her skills in all kinds of settings, from tiny jazz clubs to international film and TV projects.

Whether leading her own trio, playing sessions with Oasis, Pulp, or Seal, working with legendary producer Tony Visconti, launching her latest project AYRA in collaboration with vocal legend Juliet Roberts, teaching jazz at Bradfield College or fulfilling her role as Artist in Residence at Twickenham Theatre, Janette always stays true to her core values – a commitment to musical excellence, combined with a generous, giving sensibility that reaches out to audiences and ensures that the message in the music is always there to be heard.

‘A substantial triumph for Janette Mason as she breathes new jazz life into this well chosen selection of tunes. Her arrangements are intelligent, imaginative and sophisticated.’ Ian Mann (The Jazzmann)

 

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12-14 FEBRUARY 2026
PROGRESS YOUTH THEATRE

75th Anniversary Production

The talented members of Progress Youth Theatre celebrate the group's 75th year!

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18-21 MARCH 2026

The 19th Annual WriteFest

Six Short Plays

Our highly popular annual new writing festival, showcasing six winning, never-before seen, short shows in one evening!

 

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20-25 APRIL 2026

The Picture of Dorian Gray

By Oscar Wilde, adapted by Ali and Liz Carroll

Dorian bargains his soul to stay forever young, whilst his portrait gets old and hideous - a true reflection of his hedonism. An inclusive production that will actively involved those of diverse background, ability, age, identity and race.

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25-30 MAY 2026

Home, I'm Darling

by Laura Wade

A modern-day couple decide to live life like it's the '50s gender roles and all. In this timely comedy, will a vision of chivalry, dance, afternoon cocktails and home-cooked dinners bring them their own happily ever after?

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22-27 JUNE 2026

Playhouse Creatures

by April de Angelis

1669 and in a former bear pit turned theatre, the first English actresses tread the boards. In this bawdy comic drama, five powerhouse women's friendships, careers and reputations are built and broken as theatrics refuse to be confined to the stage!

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15-25 JULY 2026

HAMLET – Open Air at Reading Abbey Ruins

by William Shakespeare

Progress brings Shakespeare's most celebrated and most quoted play to Reading Abbey Ruins for the very first time!

Following his father's death, Prince Hamlet of Denmark is plunged into a crisis of grief and existence. His world is a suffocating web of deceit, where his uncle has not only stolen the throne but also married his mother. As madness threatens to consume both him and his beloved Ophelia, Hamlet must navigate a court of spies and betrayals, using wit and humour to outsmart the forces against him. This compelling tragedy – perhaps the greatest play ever written – is a journey into the heart of vengeance.

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Note: We cannot offer refunds, but you can exchange your tickets for another show date.