Stroud Short Stories
3rd November
Stroud Short Stories
£12
Stroud Short Stories
FAMILY AFFAIR - An evening of stories on the theme of Family written and read by Gloucestershire authors
Cotswold Playhouse Sunday 3 November at 7.30pm (doors 7.00pm)
£12
Now in its fourteenth year, Stroud Short Stories 28th event will be will an evening of extraordinary stories about family.
This is the opening event of the 2024 Stroud Book Festival.
As usual, ten stories will be selected - from the hundred or so usually submitted - to be read by their authors, who may be professional writers, skilled amateurs or even complete beginners, but all of whom are from Gloucestershire.
Proclaimed by the Cheltenham Literature Festival as ‘possibly the best short story event in the South West’, SSS’s considerable reputation is based on the unfailingly high quality of the stories read at its events.
Submissions will be judged this time by SSS organiser/editor John Holland, who was recently awarded the Stroud News & Journal Community Award for his Contribution to the Arts and award-winning short story author/novelist Joanna Campbell.
As usual, the demand for tickets will be high. The autumn SSS event always sells out.
More information is on the SSS website - stroudshortstories.blogspot.com
KEY DATES
Sunday 11 August - Open for submissions which are free as always
Sunday 22 September - Submissions close
Friday 4 October- Tickets go on sale from the Cotswold Playhouse website
Faustus - That Damned Woman
19th to 23rd Nov
Cotswold Players
£16
A revolutionary re-telling of the classic morality tale of Dr Faustus - who sold his immortal soul to the Devil in return for unlimited powers. The central character is re-imagined as a 17th century woman. It takes a painful series of attempts for her to make contact with the Devil. But when she does, she negotiates a price for her soul that not only gives her the services of the demon Mephistopheles but also allows her to fast forward in time. She encounters famous personalities, meets the seven deadly sins, unsettles the Devil with some of her cutting-edge scientific research, and fends off the horsemen of the Apocalypse, before finally landing in the fourth millennium!
Join us on a fast-paced journey through time, packed with action and surprises – and ask yourself what you would do if you had the power to do anything!
This production contains references to physical abuse, drowning, hanging and the occult. There is one instance of blood. Age guidance 12+This production contains references to physical abuse, drowning, hanging and the occult. There is one instance of blood. Age guidance 12+
An amateur production by arrangement with Nick Hern Books
HMS Pinafore
2.30/7.30 on 30th Nov and 7.30 on 1st Dec.
Forbear! Theatre
£22 (£18 concessions)
HMS Pinafore
by Gilbert and Sullivan
Presented by Forbear! Theatre
Saturday 30th Nov 2.30pm
Saturday 30th Nov 7.30pm
Sunday 1st Dec 7.30pm
In this comic operetta, captain's daughter Josephine and lowly sailor Ralph are in love. Standing between them are her father, her fiancé and the British class system. Can they overcome the odds?
Forbear! Theatre is a small group of professionals founded in 2015, described by Sir Arthur Sullivan Society Magazine as “precise and vivacious”.
£2 per ticket off if you book BOTH HMS Pinafore AND The Grand Duke at the same time!
(This discount will be automatically applied at checkout.)
The Grand Duke
2.30 on 1st Dec
Forbear! Theatre
£22 (£18 concessions)
The Grand Duke
By Gilbert and Sullivan
Presented by Forbear! Theatre
Sunday 1st Dec 2.30pm
A theatrical troupe plot to overthrow the miserly Grand Duke of a Bavarian town amongst in-fighting, love-triangles and an overconsumption of sausage rolls.
See Gilbert and Sullivan's lesser known but hilarious and avant-garde operetta, in a production praised by Mike Leigh for its “unique youthful freshness, sophisticated wit and impressive theatrical and musical professionalism."
£2 per ticket off if you book BOTH HMS Pinafore AND The Grand Duke at the same time!
(This discount will be automatically applied at checkout.)
Judy, Liza & Barbra
6th and 7th December
Glitter and Twisted
£16
Grace Hawker reinterprets the Garland, Minnelli & Streisand songbooks in this new revue devised by Simon & Suzanne Moss.
Gossipy anecdotes, some funny, some sad, illustrate the lives of three powerhouse women, promising an evening of sensational theatricality.
Whipping It Up
28th Jan to 1st Feb
Cotswold Players
£16
Steve Thompson
‘Whipping It Up’ is a biting parliamentary comedy.
There’s a Conservative government with a tiny majority and the Whips are deploying every trick in the book. They’re bribing and bullying to secure the votes the party needs. And in a world of double-crossing who knows what’s truth and what’s tactic?
Come along and enjoy this Westminster romp, exposing the macho politicking of our treasured democracy.
• Is there a leadership challenge afoot?
• Why is the vitriolic Chief Whip dressed as Santa?
• Who’s sending love tokens to the pretty government researcher?
• Whatever made the Scouts start pelting MPs with marshmallows?
• And, ultimately, will the Tory ‘chaps’ suffer the indignity of being outsmarted by a woman?
Please note: This play contains politicians – and thus a risk of provocative attitudes and plentiful swearing.
Children's Magic Show
3 pm and 7 pm on 16th Feb
The Great Baldini
£9.50 (Under 16 £7.50)
The Great Baldini is a magical legend, a relict of the music halls and a theatrical performer of the old school. Known the world over as ‘The Emperor of Illusion’, ‘The Prince of Prestidigitation’, and ‘The Maharajah of Mystery’, he is a hugely entertaining stage magician. Baldwin, the magical dog, is his faithful companion.
FAMILY MAGIC SHOW tells the story of their magical partnership, from their first trick to the height of their careers – attempting Houdini’s greatest and deadliest escape. The legendary magician the Great Baldini tells the story of his, and Baldwin the magical dog’s, life from their first tricks to the height of their careers – attempting Houdini’s greatest escape. The show is packed with magic, sweets, puppetry, sweets, water, sweets, eggs, sweets, and escapology. It’s hilariously silly…with sweets...it builds to the ultimate challenge – before your very eyes attempting a spectacular, death-defying piece of escape.
FAMILY MAGIC SHOW is a chance to see two magical superstars at the very pinnacle of their powers. A Joyously silly romp. Guaranteed to have children (and parents) screaming with laughter.
The Great Baldini is an award-winning member of the Magic Circle and the Bristol Stage Magic Champion.
“Incredible” Front Row, BBC Radio 4
“Wonderful, a joy” Pick of the Week, BBC Radio 4
“Charming, engaging, and charismatic. A pleasure.” FringeReview
“A seasoned professional, excellent command of the stage.” Broadway Baby
The History Boys
25th to 29th March
Cotswold Players
£16
Alan Bennett
An unruly bunch of bright, funny sixth-form boys in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university. A maverick English teacher at odds with the young and shrewd supply teacher. A headmaster obsessed with results; a history teacher who thinks he's a fool.
In Alan Bennett's classic play, staff room rivalry and the anarchy of adolescence provoke insistent questions about history and how you teach it; about education and its purpose.
Like Ripples on the Water
10th to 12th April
Hexagon Theatre Company
£16
Carolyn Spice
Bill is eighty four and having fun trying out new experiences. In the spirit of adventure he
has taken his family to a youth hostel near a river. Ian and Sarah are going through a 'bad
patch', Marion is her usual caustic self, and Lin is just trying to keep everyone happy.
Throw in a couple of strangers and watch the ripples.
April 2025 marks forty years since Hexagon's first production, Educating Rita and they
have continued to perform entertaining and thought-provoking plays in the Stroud area
ever since. Like 'Breaking the Ice' which was very well received in 2021, this brand new
play by the same writer, explores some personal and political issues of our time with gentle
comedy and sensitivity.
Dead on Cue
19th April
Giles Shenton Productions
£15
Mark Carey, writer of Into The Breach and What's Wrong with Benny Hill has teamed up with Giles Shenton, producer of Old Herbaceous, Three Men in a Boat, Fagin?, and My Dog's Got No Nose to bring you a spooky thriller set in a theatre dressing room, during the same play, at the same theatre, but 60 years apart.
During both time periods the theatre is hosting a performance of Hamlet where "time is out of joint."
What is the unearthly link between the two productions?
How can the same things be happening to different people 60 yrs apart?
What secrets have been buried in the old dressing room under the stage?
Why are the actors fascinated by the old dressing room mirror?
Just don't look into it......you might not like what you see!
Hannay Stands Fast
26th April
Our Star Theatre Company
£15 (Concessions £13)
A thrilling sequel to “The 39 Steps”, Hannay Stands Fast sees our dashing hero, Richard Hannay back in the fray on a mission to thwart a new and deadly threat to his beloved England. Engaged on this top-secret case by MI5, Hannay makes his way down to Cornwall to infiltrate a secretive organisation and learn their dastardly plans. Can he save the day to keep the nation safe for another day?
Hannay Stands Fast, like its predecessor, is taken on by four actors playing dozens of characters – 53 to be precise! Set in various locations created through quick and innovative uses of trunks, crates, suitcases, ladders, you name it!
A rip-roaring comedy for the whole family to enjoy – another of John Buchan’s classic Hannay stories re-told for the stage through laughs, daring-do and utter chaos!
Much Ado about Falstaff
9th May
Giles Shenton Productions
£15
In this new comedy by Simon Downing we find Falstaff, played by Giles Shenton (Old Herbaceous & Three Men in a Boat) in his bedroom in the Boars Head being nursed by Mistress Quickly.
The creditors arrive demanding payment. Will Falstaff resort to marrying Mistress Quickly in order to pay off his debts? Will he turn teetotal? Will he mellow in his old age?
Find out the answers to all these important questions that Shakespeare never bothered to answer and join Falstaff and Mistress Quickly for an evening of jollity, frivolity, a definite lack of coequality and more Shakespearean insults than ever previously heard on a theatrical stage!
It’s A Musical Thing
17th May
Coda
£15
CODA is an award-winning touring company celebrated for its exceptional performances of the most beloved songs from both the West End and Broadway stages. With a passion for musical theatre and a commitment to excellence, CODA has captivated audiences across the UK with its vibrant productions, bringing to life some of the greatest hits from iconic shows that have defined the genre for decades.
At the heart of CODA's success are two extraordinary vocalists: Soprano Gemma Ashley and Baritone Mark ‘#ManInTheHat’ James.
Gemma Ashley's soaring, crystalline vocals combined with Mark James' rich, commanding baritone create a powerful dynamic on stage. Their performances are filled with emotion, technical brilliance, and a deep connection to the music, ensuring audiences are swept away with every note. Together, they breathe new life into classic songs, offering an unforgettable musical experience.
CODA's repertoire spans the golden age of musical theatre to modern-day masterpieces, with show-stopping numbers from productions such as Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Little Shop of Horrors, My Fair Lady, Grease, and many more. Whether it's the heart-wrenching drama of Les Misérables or the upbeat nostalgia of Grease, CODA's performances evoke the magic, drama, and joy that have made these musicals enduring favorites.
With their award-winning talent and passion for storytelling, CODA is more than a performance—it's a celebration of the timeless beauty of musical theatre, expertly delivered by two of the finest vocalists in the industry.
Join them for an unforgettable journey through the songs that have touched hearts for generations.
The Sound of Music
2.30 on 14, 15 & 21
7.30 on 12,13 & 18 to 21 June
Cotswold Players
£18
The Sound of Music
Richard Rodgers (Music), Oscar Hammerstein II (Lyrics), Howard Lindsay & Russell Crouse (Book)
Set in 1938 Austria, The Sound of Music tells the story of Maria, a free-spirited young woman who becomes governess to the von Trapp family while deciding whether to join a convent. Maria quickly bonds with the seven children, using music and playfulness to bring joy back into their strict house-hold, overseen by their widowed father, Captain Georg von Trapp. Initially stern, the Captain sof-tens and falls in love with Maria, and she with him.
Based on the real von Trapp family singers, this timeless musical has captivated audiences since its 1959 Broadway debut, winning five Tony Awards. The 1965 film adaptation, starring Julie An-drews and Christopher Plummer, remains a beloved classic.
The Cotswold Players are thrilled to present this feel-good show on the 60th anniversary of the film, and we warmly welcome you to the Cotswold Playhouse!