2026-27 Season of Plays

 

Cold Comfort Farm

by Paul Doust
adapted from the novel by Stella Gibbons
Directed by Jo Metcalf

In this classic comedy set in the early 1930s, orphaned Flora Poste "possesses every art and grace save that of earning her own living”, so decides to live with her eccentric relatives, the Starkadders, at Cold Comfort Farm. Forceful and organised, she decides to impose order on their chaotic lives. This is a story full of incident and larger-than-life characters, including a doddery old farm hand obsessed with his cows, a fire-and-brimstone preacher, and a forbidding matriarch who once saw something nasty in the woodshed.

A rollicking romp to kick off our 80th season at Progress.

Gala performance on Sunday, 6 September at 2.00 pm
Relaxed performance on Saturday, 12 September at 2.30 pm

This amateur production is presented in association with Concord Theatricals Ltd

 

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Dance Nation

by Clare Barron
Directed by Imogen Lilley

‘Dance Nation’ traverses the awkwardness of pre-teens on the brink of adolescence, the competitive dance world and the chaotic and messy ascension to womanhood.

Set in Ohio, a group of highly ambitious and competitive dancers are preparing for a National Dance competition led by their fearless leader Dance Teacher Pat. Their dance needs to be epic, needs to be out-of-the-ordinary, needs to be about Gandhi.

In the comical lead up to the reveal of who will be dancing the lead as Gandhi, the dancers grapple with their friendships, the demands of being a dancer and their growing curiosity around sexuality. ‘Pussy’ which was once a word of shame is reclaimed as a battle cry of empowerment and solidarity amongst the dancers.

This funny, tender show captures the angst and complexity of growing up.

 

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What's Wrong With Angry

by Patrick Wilde
Directed by Ali Carroll

A heartfelt, rebellious, and defiantly joyful story of young gay love in a world that isn’t ready for it.

The play is set in Basingstoke, Hampshire where, although only forty miles away from London, the political and cultural landscape is very different. It takes place in the early 90’s. Mobile phones and the internet don’t exist, and the age of consent for gay men is twenty-one. Section 28 is on the statute book, which specifically forbids local councils and schools from promoting homosexuality as a positive lifestyle.

There are no overt sex scenes - it is all implied. Steven and John will kiss and we will have an intimacy co-ordinator to ensure these scenes are handled sensitively. There are also themes of bullying and suicide.

The play is set in a private boys school- we are happy to have both male and female identifying teenagers to play the male school friends and playground bullies. We. Welcome interest from the LGBT+ community.

In addition to the cast named there will be additional chorus of cruising men, schoolkids, a priest, funeral relatives. These can also be played by members of the company. There are group bullying scenes and a surreal nightmare scene.

This is a joint adult group and Progress Youth Theatre production.

 

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