What's On
27 OCT - 1 NOV 2025 BOOK TICKETSTitus Andronicus
by William Shakespeare
“Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand,
Blood and revenge are hammering in my head.”
The Bard's bloodiest play is about to get bloodier. Titus Andronicus is a gory revenge play, performed in the style of '80s horror, with a raunchy soundtrack, goths, PVC, twisted metal and fleeting but visceral gore. William Shakespeare meets slasher movie.
When Titus Andronicus returns from the war with his Goth prisoners, his brother Marcus wants him proclaimed emperor. Titus declines in favour of Saturninus, who takes Tamora, the Goth Queen as his bride. Tamora seeks revenge on Titus, and her daughters, encouraged by the evil Aaron, savagely assault Lavinia, Titus' daughter. From here, the violence escalates to a gruesome and tragic finale.
Full of fury, the bodies pile up in this unholy feast.
Depicts violent and graphic scenes which may upset some people – see our Content Warnings.
Please note there is no relaxed performance for this production.
31 OCTOBER 2025 at 6.45pm Book FREE tickets
Walk You Will
A talk by David Hatfull of Diem Photography about our foyer exhibition of photographs.
Sometime around 1586, William Shakespeare left Stratford-upon-Avon and headed for London. We don't know exactly when this happened, nor the route he took, or whether he travelled alone or in the company of others. He was in his early twenties was married with 3 young children; they probably stayed behind in the family home. To academics, this is known as the lost years. 400 years later, David and Ronan Hatfull walked the 146 miles from the Bard’s birthplace to the Globe Theatre in London. This exhibition is a response in photographs and poetry about the landscape and people that we encountered on our journey.
This free event will be a half hour talk in the theatre foyer before doors open for the evening performance of Titus Andronicus.
7 NOVEMBER 2025 Book Tickets
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.
24-29 NOVEMBER 2025 BOOK TICKETSTess 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.
12-14 FEBRUARY 2026
PROGRESS YOUTH THEATRE
75th Anniversary Production
The talented members of Progress Youth Theatre celebrate the group's 75th year!
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!
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.
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?
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!
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.
If you need assistance, please email: [email protected]
Note: We cannot offer refunds, but you can exchange your tickets for another show date.