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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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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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!