Celebrating Cheltenham’s theatres for World Theatre Day

Every year on March 27, the curtains rise on World Theatre Day. A day to celebrate the joy of all thing’s theatre, while championing the creative people and organisations that bring it to the stage. 

Here in Cheltenham, we are lucky to have not one, not two, but three fantastic theatre venues offering a year-round calendar of world-class entertainment.  

As such, in honour of World Theatre Day, we have decided to dive into some of the fantastic shows coming up at the Everyman, Bacon and Playhouse theatres. So, grab your tickets and get settled.

The Everyman Theatre

Having stood for over 130 years, an evening at the historic Everyman Theatre on Cheltenham's Regent Street is one to remember. The Grade II listed building was designed by the great Frank Matcham, who designed nearly 200 theatres in Great Britain, and is the oldest surviving working Matcham Auditorium. In 2011 the theatre saw a multi-million-pound refurbishment, bringing the venue back in line with Frank Matcham's original ornate style. 

These days, The Everyman presents a wide variety of productions, including ballet, opera, drama, dance, comedy, and their traditional family pantomime. Here's a select few to get in your diaries...

 

For the kids

Presented by Birmingham Stage Company, Awful Auntie sees David Walliams' beloved children's book come to life on the big stage. 

When Stella sets off to visit London with her parents, she has no idea her life is in danger! And when she wakes up three months later, only her Aunt Alberta can tell her what has happened. But not everything Alberta tells her seems to be true, and Stella quickly discovers she’s in for the fight of her life against her very own awful Auntie!

Expect lots of laughs, a dash of mystery, a humongous owl, and a very awful Auntie! 

Thursday 25 - Saturday 27 July, book your tickets here.  

 

For date night

Sir Peter Teazle believes his young wife is sleeping with someone else. She isn’t. But she’s starting to think she may as well give it a go! After all, if you’re going to cause a scandal, you might as well enjoy it.

Starring Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, RSC and Shakespeare’s Globe star Joseph Marcell, The School for Scandal is a masterclass in social satire and the art of gossip. 

Looking for a change of pace for your next date night? Join the Everyman for a lightning-paced evening of romance, revenge and rollicking fun that promises to leave you entertained, enamoured – and perhaps even a little scandalised!

Tuesday 14 - Saturday 18 May, book your tickets here. 

 

For a thrill 

For a thrilling whodunnit that's bound to keep you guessing, you can't get much better than Anthony Shaffer’s modern masterpiece, Sleuth.

A young man arrives at the impressive home of a famous mystery writer, only to be unwittingly drawn into a tangled web of intrigue and gamesmanship, where nothing is quite as it seems.

Starring Todd Boyce (Coronation Street’s notorious baddie, Stephen Reid) and Neil McDermott (EastEnders, The Royal), this dark psychological ‘thriller about thrillers’ makes for an intriguing study of human conflict, jealousy, and manipulation.

Tuesday 16 - Saturday 20 April, book your tickets here. 

Playhouse Theatre

The Cheltenham Playhouse is an intimate, independent community theatre based in the former Montpellier Baths at the centre of Cheltenham. With parts of the building dating back to 1806, the Grade II listed building is one of the two oldest surviving spa buildings in the town.   

Opening its doors in 1945 as the ‘Civic Playhouse’, the theatre became the home for local dramatics and performance and has since blossomed into a unique arts venue hosting a range of amateur and professional performances, cinema, stand-up comedy, and inspirational talks. Some shows to look forward to include...  

 

For the family

Promenade Productions celebrate their 40th Anniversary year with this amateur performance of the high-energy Disney classic - High School Musical!

Star athlete, Troy and academic beauty, Gabriella meet at a holiday karaoke party. Back at East High, they audition for the upcoming school musical and find themselves falling for one another. But will their existing school obligations get in the way of their newfound passions, and will the jealous Sharpay succeed in squashing their chances at stardom? 

Full of songs that will have you on your feet, High School Musical On Stage is the perfect midweek treat for kids and Disney-loving parents alike. 

Wednesday 17 - 21 July, book your tickets here. 

 

For history fan

Mixing real biographical detail with make-believe and invention, Polly Teale's Brontë presents a "...tantalising glimpse through the window of a uniquely haunted family." 

Weaving together characters, timelines, fact and fiction, this imaginative portrayal of the three Brontë sisters follows their turbulent stories from childhood to death. As they struggle to keep their household together amidst the chaos of an ailing father and alcoholic brother, all while penning some of the most famous pieces of literature ever created. Not to be missed. 

Wednesday 18 - Saturday 21 September, book your tickets here.

 

For mystery lovers 

Hailed as ‘extraordinary,’ ‘dazzling’ and ‘unmissable’ by Time Magazine, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, based on the 2003 mystery novel of the same name, became a theatrical phenomenon after its adaptation in 2012. This amateur production, in arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd., promises a night filled with intrigue, mystery and poignant storytelling.      

Fifteen-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain. He is exceptional at maths, while everyday life presents some barriers. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road; he detests being touched and he distrusts strangers. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbour’s dog, it takes him on a journey that upturns his world.

Wednesday 4 - Sunday 7 September, book your tickets here. 

Bacon Theatre

Opened in 1991 by the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, The Bacon Theatre sits on-site of the Victorian-aged Dean Close School. Owing its name to Mr Christopher Bacon, headmaster of Dean Close from 1979-1998, who spent years fundraising to build his dream venue. 

The Bacon Theatre plays host to the best in professional touring theatre, live music, dance, film, comedy, and celebrity speakers, as well as an extensive variety of productions by talented local youth and community groups. A few of their upcoming events are... 

For dance enthusiasts 

Bringing the classic children’s story to life, Goldilocks: The Ballet is the perfect opportunity for the whole family to enjoy the magic of live, professional ballet this summer.

Join Goldilocks, the girl with the lovely locks and her jar of magical honey, as she befriends a family of bears and teaches everyone the value of sharing. But watch out for Selfish Sid who, on hearing that the honey is magical, hatches a nasty plan to steal it from Goldilocks. With a 1940s vibe, a variety of dance styles and plenty of bowls of delicious porridge, this ballet is just right!

Saturday 13 April, get your tickets here. 

For Broadway performances

For the best of Broadway performances without the London prices, look no further than National Theatre Live. Featuring the best of British theatre on a cinema screen near you.

This month at the Bacon Theatre audiences can catch The Motive and the Cue, a fierce and funny new play from writer Jack Thorne (Skins, This is England '90) and director Sam Mendes (1917, Skyfall).

1964: Richard Burton, newly married to Elizabeth Taylor, is to play the title role in an experimental new Broadway production of Hamlet under John Gielgud’s exacting direction. But as rehearsals progress, two ages of theatre collide and the collaboration between actor and director soon threatens to unravel.

Thursday 21 March, book your tickets here.   

For theatre in the sunshine

As well as the indoor Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School is also home to the beautiful Greek-style Tuckwell Amphitheatre. Nestled in a secluded corner of the school grounds, the stone-built amphitheatre plays host to the magical Open-Air Theatre Festival during the summer months.  

This outdoor festival attracts the best in touring open-air theatre from across the UK. Presenting classic drama, inspiring Shakespeare, colourful family entertainment, local talent and the enchanting Cinema Under the Stars.

Currently, the Tuckwell Open-Air Theatre Festival 2024 dates are yet to be confirmed. However, the festival normally takes place in the first two weeks of August. Keep checking our website for the latest updates. 

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There’s no better way to step your night out at the theatre up a notch than with a pre or post-show bite to eat. Read our - Guide to the best pre-theatre dining in Cheltenham.