2025-26 Season of Plays

Gagarin Way

by Gregory Burke

Scotland, Fife. In a factory after dark, two disenchanted workers attempt to make an anti-capitalist, socialist political statement by kidnapping a senior executive.

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Titus 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.

 

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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.

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Monologues and Bubbly, an elegant, theatrical fundraiser

Join us as we launch a series of vital fundraising campaigns to support the future of our theatre — including re-upholstering our well-loved seating, improving backstage facilities, and upgrading our foyer decor.

Be among the first to experience four brand-new monologues written by local writers, performed exclusively for this event by Progress members.

Your presence will help us continue to nurture creativity, community, and exceptional local theatre.

Formal Dress Encouraged — or go full theatrical glamour!

Whether you favour classic elegance or dramatic flair, tonight is your chance to shine.

You can expect:

• A Sparkling Welcome
• A complimentary glass of bubbly (or a delicious non-alcoholic alternative)
• Nibbles, courtesy of our charming volunteer “butlers” 
• Mingle & Celebrate
• Catch up with fellow members and supporters
• Original Entertainment

 

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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.

 

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The 19th Annual WriteFest

WriteFest returns for its 19th year with a sparkling line-up of brand-new short plays from a range of talented writers. Expect sharp comedy, bold characters and plenty of surprises, from mythological mishaps and small-town secrets to medical mayhem, menopausal fury and even the quietly irritating presence of zombies. By turns witty, surreal and laugh-out-loud funny, this year’s selection showcases original voices and inventive storytelling – a fast-paced celebration of new writing that promises something for everyone.

This year's plays are:

• Dead Annoying by Adam Wells
• Curious Incident of the Man in the Bowler Hat by Liz Carroll
• Indefinite Edibility by Dan Clark
• Ye Gods by Liz Carroll
• World of Pain by Peter Roan 
• Shambridge by Melanie Roan

 

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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.

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Home, I'm Darling

A modern comedy by Laura Wade

Judy wants to live like it’s the fifties, gender roles and all! After all, aren’t we all free to live the life we choose, no matter what that looks like?

She met Johnny at a retro convention and they’re both lovers of the era - her from watching 1950s films with her father, him for the cars. Wasn’t it all so lovely, so simple, so good? People knew what was expected of them, and if you did the right things, in the right order, everything worked. Besides, she loves the beauty of their perfect home and providing for her husband.

But as their friends, family and colleagues look on, what cracks will start to appear in the perfect relationship, with its traditional values and gender roles?

 

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Playhouse Creatures

by April de Angelis

The year is 1669, a bawdy and troublesome time. Theatres have just reopened after seventeen years of Puritan suppression. There is a huge surge in dramatic writing and the first English actresses appear on stage!

Playhouse Creatures focuses on five of these women - Nell Gwyn, Elizabeth Farley, Rebecca Marshall, Doll Common and Mary Betterton - to provide a moving and often comic account of the precarious lives of these pioneering actresses.

This is an incredible ensemble piece with 5 powerhouse female roles!

“With deliciously absurd extracts from the heroic repertory and frantic dressing-room scenes, the prevailing tone is comic but you are not allowed to forget the gutter waiting to reclaim these glittering figures." Independent on Sunday

 

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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!