What's On
18th ANNUAL WRITEFEST
16-19 October 2024
Writefest comes of age and we have six new plays to show. This celebration of new writing from local authors never fails to entertain, with tales that examine every aspect of the human condition, through humour, horror, farce and tragedy, giving voice to our worries, fears, joys and celebrations.
The matinee performance on Saturday will be a relaxed performance.
SIMON MAYOR AND HILARY JAMES
20 October 2024
‘One of the world’s great mandolinists’, Simon Mayor is also very funny! He’s had a song on the iconic American TV series, The Simpsons, played swing fiddle on the CD of the West End stage show FiveGuys named Mo and appeared twice at Wembley Arena as soloist with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Hilary James, possessed of “one of Britain’s finest voices’ (BBC Radio 4), also plays the amazing giant mandobass, and adds guitar to anything from blues to Vivaldi. Together they’ve appeared across BBC National TV and radio from Newsnight to Play School (Simon went through the square window). They’ve also just finished a short film featuring Hilary’s beautiful iPad animations which may open the show.
'Just fantastic to go and see live’ BBC Radio 3. 'Sheer Musical Brilliance’ BBC World Service. ‘Deliciously uncool’ Daily Telegraph. 'Lovely stuff...left you feelin lik you wer floatin' on a peerie cloud somewhar' Shetland Times
NOTE: Tickets for this event are available through Simon and Hilary's website and not through the Progress Theatre box office
Perfect Stranger "Unfinished Business" Album Tour
Jazz in Reading
Friday 25th October 2024
7:30PM - 10:00PM
Always on the look out to offer something unique to put before our jazz-loving audience, we were approached by Chris Sansom with the concept a ten piece band performing his compositions, first incubated in the creative juices by Chris in the 1970s, using ‘classical’ principles, incorporating the musical vocabulary and sounds of jazz and rock.
Comedy: Rachel Fairburn, Sam Fletcher & Jamie Finn
1 November 2024
Headliner: Rachel Fairburn
'Wonderfully acerbic standup' - The Guardian
'Huge presence in a pint-sized frame' ★★★★ - Chortle
'Gag-heavy, opinionated and smart' ★★★★ - Funny Women
Supporting Acts:
Sam Fletcher
'A lovely, lovingly wrought show from the Best Newcomer nominee. Put simply, no other show has made me smile so much this year.' - Independent.
'It’s impossible not to like Sam Fletcher. His small stature, gawkish style and natural charm are incredibly endearing....Will certainly produce a chuckle.' - Broadway Baby
Jamie D'Souza
'Jamie Finn will make you feel better... fresh and funny' -Michael Palin.
BBC Comedy Awards Regional Finalist 2021.
Best Fringe Debut, Theatre Weekly 2023.
Hosted by regular MC Iszi Lawrence
‘See her before she hits the big time.’ ★★★★ - Three Weeks‘
Energetic, endearing, thoughtful and highly recommended' ★★★★ - Broadway Baby
Comedian line-ups are subject to last-minute change. 18+ only
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
by Mark Haddon. Adapted by Simon Stephens
21-30 November 2024
Experience the gripping mystery of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," where 15-year-old Chris Boone, a brilliant but misunderstood teen, embarks on a thrilling quest to solve the murder of the neighbour's dog. Adapted from Mark Haddon's best-selling novel, this Tony Award-winning play delves into Chris's unique perspective, uncovering hidden truths and celebrating the power of determination and self-discovery. Don't miss your chance to witness this extraordinary journey.
Directed by Paul Haigh
Soultime! Play the Music of Bobby Timmons
Jazz in Reading
Friday 13th December 2024
7:30PM - 10:00PM
SoulTime! Is a new and exciting jazz quartet co-led by renowned pianist Leon Greening and exceptional trumpeter Steve Fishwick. Rounding out the top-flight rhythm section is Matt Home on drums and Matyas Hofecker on double bass.
SCREWED: A Midlife Christmas Crisis
adapted by Lara Collins from Charles Dickens
18-21 December 2024
A new adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The annual production by the talented members of Progress Youth Theatre.
NIGHT WATCH
by Terry Pratchett. Adapted by Stephen Briggs
6-15 February 2025
Sam Vimes finds himself cast back in time to the Ankh-Morpork of his youth. With a psychopath from his own time complicating things. Vimes has to ensure that history takes its course so that he will have the right future to go back to. Progress Theatre's productions of Terry Pratchett are ever popular, drawing audiences from far afield.
LOVESONG
by Abi Morgan
21-29 March 2025
The story of one couple told from two different points in their lives – as young lovers in their twenties and as worldly companions looking back. Their past and present lives collide in this haunting and beautiful tale of togetherness.
THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN
by Martin McDonagh
2-10 May 2025
Within a claustrophobic island community, crippled orphan Billy Claven dreams of an escape. When a Hollywood film crew arrives on a nearby island to film Man of Aran, Billy sees his chance... if only Babbybobby will row him across
PARADE
Lyrics and Music by Jason Robert Brown
Book by Alfred Uhry
12-21 June 2025
A true story set in 1913, Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-raised Jew living in Georgia, is put on trial for the murder of Mary Phagan, a factory worker in his employ. A heart-wrenching story, offering a moral lesson about the dangers of prejudice and ignorance that should not be forgotten.
Progress Youth Theatre Presents
The annual showcase of all the talented members from each of Youth Theatre's age groups. Format and theatrical choices made by our youth leaders and the young people themselves.