The Theatre Shop is thrilled to unveil its captivating Autumn/Winter Programme, an eclectic mix of performances that cater to all tastes and promise to entertain, inspire, and ignite your imagination.
Storytelling and Poetry: Embark on a journey through the seasons with Somerset Storyfest, where wordsmiths and musicians weave tales of the autumn equinox and midwinter solstice.
Comedy and Drama: Experience the laughter and thought-provoking themes of Chickpeas, a play that challenges lesbian stereotypes; Nudgement Day, a comedy about a seaside town facing change; Burnout, a humorous look at balancing a busy life; a feast of festive foolery with Living Spit’s Christmas Carol, a funny and touching solo performance from Shôn Dale-Jones’ in Cracking and a comedic improvised performance where the actors create a new Shakespearean play, filled with wit, romance, and double-crossing from Impromptu Theatre.
Family Fun: Delight in interactive theatre adventures with Playtime and A Winter’s Tail, designed for young children and their families.
Thrilling Performances: Be captivated by the gothic extravaganza There’s Something About Typhoid Mary, the comedic retelling of Dracula! One Bloody Fang After Another, and the modern twist on the classic fairy tale in Little Red Riding Could.
Festive Cheer: Celebrate the holiday season with Santa & Sven, an enchanting interactive show for all ages, and Mother Christmas, a unique take on the Christmas story.
It will be an unforgettable Autumn Winter season filled with laughter, reflection, and the magic of live performance. Book your tickets now and experience the best theatre at The Theatre Shop.
THE FOUR REASONS: SOMERSET STORYFEST
Doors open at 7.00 p.m. start at 7.30 p.m. Thursday 21st March 2024 and Thursday 19th December 2024 £15
Clevedon Literary Festival’s Spring and Summer evenings were a resounding success, filled with spoken word, music, and the unique charm of each season. As we transition into the crisp air of autumn and the anticipation of winter, the festival continues with two more captivating evenings.
Somerset Storyfest, led by storyteller Michael Loader and poet Isabel White, will guide us through the remaining seasons, exploring the mysteries and magic of the autumn equinox and the midwinter solstice. Each event promises a diverse lineup of wordsmiths, musicians, and singer/songwriters who will share stories, poems, and songs, both traditional and contemporary, local and global.
Look forward to a rich tapestry of spoken word, poetry, and music, celebrating the beauty and power of the changing seasons. Book here.
HAGSEED THEATRE: CHICKPEAS
Doors open at 7.00 p.m. start at 7.30 p.m. Wednesday 25th September 2024 £15
Written and directed by Georgia Casimir and Milly Mitchell and performed by Ellen Healy and Lotte Pearl. Tickets are £15.
Why do lesbians never survive a love story?
Defying the corseted, steamy play they’re rehearsing, Stacy and Adrienne attempt to fall in love authentically, stupidly, and without dying.
Having somehow landed back in the rural village where they grew up, Stacy and Adrienne find themselves starring in this year’s community hall production: The Forbidden Fruit. It’s a Regency-era lesbian melodrama, a catastrophe of clichés and male fantasies of hot lesbians ripping off each other’s corsets. They’re pretty sure it’s a crime against gay people, and they’re not even sure they still like each other. But they need the work – and the company.
By laughing in the face of patriarchal storytelling, Chickpeas aims to expose, ridicule and defy the damaging clichés of lesbian media. It’s a story about how queer women fall in love: the risk, the bravery and the joy. How do we perform the performance of falling in love? How do we reclaim the queer love story? Book here.
“A brilliant comic duo, their comic timing and intense chemistry… had the audience in fits of laughter” Inter: Mission Bristol
THE LAST BAGUETTE: PLAYTIME
There will be two sessions: 10.00 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. Each session lasts one hour and is for children ages 2-6 and their grown-ups. Younger and older siblings are welcome. Tickets are £8.
Play-along theatre adventures for 2–6-year-olds and their grownups!
Come along for a fun, relaxed participatory theatre session with The Last Baguette theatre company. There’ll be silliness, play-acting, games and music… Expect to play, move, watch and laugh.
Join Ratty and her friends for a fun and gentle introduction to theatre with play-along storytelling, original music, puppetry, theatre games, movement, and lots of imaginative play. Ratty has a lot of ideas but sometimes things don’t go according to plan…. can you help her by playing along and working together?
LIVING SPIT: THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT TYPHOID MARY
Doors open at 7.00 p.m. start at 7.30 p.m. Monday 30th September 2024 – Saturday 12th October 2024 (Excluding Sunday) £15
Irish immigrant. Cook. Amiable host. Killer?
1906. New York City. Talented cook Mary Mallon takes a job preparing delicious meals for yet another high society family, and yet again, they begin to fall ill and die.
Coincidence? Mary thinks so.
And now she’s put all that nonsense behind her. She’s cooking three courses for a very special guest tonight. YOU! That is unless Health Inspector and sanitation expert George Soper can stop her before it’s too late…
Prepare for a toe-tapping, germ-spreading extravaganza where the laughter is as infectious as Mary’s meals. Featuring live cooking on stage from Stu Mcloughlin as the much-maligned Mary Mallon and Lucy Tuck as the germophobic George Soper.
There’s Something about Typhoid Mary is a contagiously entertaining journey through the dark and sinister world of the killer cook, Typhoid Mary, told with Living Spit’s trademark wit, song and silliness.
With live original music, deliciously tempting food which you can eat (if you dare), gory deaths a-plenty, puerile puppetry and sackfuls of cross-dressing crassness, this promises to be a feverishly funny feast of fun for some of the family.
Just don’t mention the T-word. Book here.
If you’d like to know more about Typhoid Mary, aka Mary Mallon, read this BBC article.
If you’re new to Living Spit, then check out these reviews of past shows:
“Pure chaos and hilarity…the audience were in fits of giggles and cheered their approval throughout.” Bristol 24/7 on The Passion Of Living Spit
“The humour is madcap, honest and clever and the music genius.” British Theatre Guide on Living Spit’s Elizabeth I: Virgin on the Ridiculous
“What a glorious show it is … you will not find a funnier show this year.” Stage Talk Magazine on Living Spit’s Adolf & Winston
HAMBLEDON PRODUCTIONS: DRACULA! ONE BLOODY FANG AFTER ANOTHER
Doors open at 7.00 p.m. start at 7.30 p.m. Saturday 26th October 2024 £15
Written and performed by John Hewer and directed by Bruce Knight
One man. Eighteen roles. Plenty at stake…
Whitby, England, 1897.
A haunting, paranormal force has gripped the town. The young Lucy Westenra is taken ill, and psychiatrist Dr Seward calls on his mentor, Professor Van Helsing, for his advice. The Professor has a perplexing diagnosis–Lucy carries all the symptoms of a vampire’s latest victim.
So begins a frenzied stab at trying to uncloak Count Dracula as the vampire in their midst. Will Dracula see the light of day? Or will he forever be a pain in the neck? Bram Stoker’s immortal horror story is given an affectionate lampooning in this physical, riotous comedy. Now, it is truly horrific. Book here.
“A master of silliness” Review Culture
“Astounding” British Comedy Guide
ROUSTABOUT THEATRE: LITTLE RED RIDING COULD
11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. Sunday, 27th October 2024 £8
Written and directed by Toby Hulse. Music by Robin Hemmings
Nothing’s quite what you’d expect in the deep, dark woods.
Little Red Riding Hood is no longer little; she no longer wears a hood and wants to be called by her real name. She’s questioning everything. And so are Mother, the Woodcutter and even the Wolf!
A playful and mischievous retelling of the familiar fairy tale, with original songs and signature Roustabout silliness, that dares you to step off the path and write your own story. Suitable for everyone aged 4+. Book here.
Commissioned by ARC Stockton Arts Centre and Barnsley Civic. Supported by Arts Council England
“Part theatre, part brilliant gig… will put a big smile on your children’s faces!” ★ ★ ★ ★ Theatre Weekly
SHON DALE-JONE: CRACKING
Doors open at 7.00 p.m. for a start at 7.30 p.m. Friday 1st November 2024 £15. Age recommendation 14+ Running Time 75 minutes, no interval.
When the world goes mad, do we inevitably go mad too?
When Shôn playfully cracks an egg on his mother’s head, he has no idea that real-life internet trolls will appear on his doorstep. CRACKING takes on the battle between love and hate, asking what’s funny and where we draw the line. Part stand-up, part theatre, CRACKING is a funny, touching and thought-provoking solo performance that combines fact and fiction into one seamless whole, making us wonder what’s real, what’s not and what’s gone wrong.
This award-winning play about love and hatred celebrates how searching for connection beats disconnecting. CRACKING is a heartwarming and uplifting comic story about loving in the face of hatred.
Winner of the Tinniswood Award at the 2024 BBC Audio Awards. Book here.
“On a blank stage floor save for a table, a laptop, a chair and two mic stands, Dale-Jones is a captivating presence. Commissioned by the BBC and co-produced by Theatre Royal Plymouth, his Cracking leaves its audience with much to ponder.” Stage Talk Magazine
“The most generous of hosts…a mesmerising personality…a gifted storyteller…a natural comic”
The Guardian
“Cracking is a funny and absurd new play by “the great Welsh storyteller” (Lyn Gardner) about polarised perspectives, lying like you’re telling the truth and how stories can help us get in and out of trouble.” Theatre Clwyd.
ME MONSTER: NUDGEMENT DAY
Doors open at 7.00 p.m. for a start at 7.30 p.m. Saturday 9th November 2024 £15
ATTENTION SEASIDE TOWNS.
Look at the cities. Full of hopes, dreams, and shops. Now look at your town. Rundown. Deserted. Not like the good old days. It needs a good pep.
That’s why we at the ministry are preparing to give you and your seaside town a loving “nudge” in the right direction — the sea.
That’s right. Ten days from now, we’ll rev up the engines on our brand-new giant bulldozer and plunge everything and everyone you love into the waves. And what will fill this newly-flattened paradise? Hopes, dreams, and lots and lots of shops.
From Weston-super-Mare-based company Me Monster comes a brand-new comedy show about a town standing up to levelling down. Buckle up for a tale of chaos, revolution, and the final days of the seaside… before a giant bulldozer pushes it into the sea.
How far can a town be pushed before it’s nudged? Book here.
IMPROMPTU SHAKESPEARE
Doors open at 7.00 p.m. for a start at 7.30 p.m. Thursday 21st November 2024 £15
Hold onto your doublets, ruffs and trunk hose. The Bard is back! With story and verse improvised in the moment, enjoy a riotous new Shakespeare play every time – performed by Impromptu Shakespeare’s whip smart cast.
Packed with priceless wit, lyrical smarts, romance, and a dash of double-crossing, this leading ensemble do the Bard proud with a brand new one-act hit every time, inspired by audience suggestions. Impromptu Shakespeare have been a smash hit at the Edinburgh Fringe, Bristol Shakespeare Festival, and appeared on BBC Shakespeare Live.
WINNER: Best Comedy Event, Buxton Fringe 2021. Book here.
“Shakespeare from the hip. Ingenious and very funny” – Will Gompertz, BBC Arts Editor
★★★★★ “Simply sublime… side-splittingly hilarious improvised comedy almost worthy of the bard himself” – BroadwayBaby
★★★★★ “It’s all of the adjectives for brilliant.” Pocket-Size Theatre
BECKY WALSH: BURNOUT
Doors open at 7.00 p.m. for a start at 7.30 p.m. Friday 23rd November 2024 £15
Becky Walsh takes you into her comedy kitchen to cook up some vibrant life force. She explains how you can create spoonfuls of energy, avoid the stress juice cocktail, and know when the spinning plates need smashing.
Burn-out is a humorous and insightful exploration of burnout and the challenges of balancing a busy lifestyle. Becky’s engaging storytelling and relatable observations make the audience reflect on their lives and consider strategies for maintaining balance and avoiding burnout.
Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to We Are Aware, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company based in North Somerset which raises awareness for mental health, suicide prevention and well-being and directly supports over 100 individuals with long-term mental health conditions. Book here.
“Becky Walsh has been turning the world of self-development on its head for years with her fabulous, down-to-earth, and uniquely funny style. Becky’s writing effortlessly blends her unique humour with groundbreaking, smack-on-the-forehead insights that put YOU in control of your own life.” Huffington Post
LIVING SPIT: A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Doors open at 7.00 p.m. for a start at 7.30 p.m. Monday 25th November to Saturday 27th November 2024 (Not Thurs or Sun) £15
Hard-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge hates the season of goodwill until a visit from three spirits one Christmas Eve makes him rethink his… blah blah blah. We all know the story. We’ve all seen the film(s). But who’s the best Scrooge of all time? Albert Finney? Alistair Sim? Patrick Stewart? Well, hold your horses there! Because you’ve yet to witness Bristol actor Craig Edwards’ take on Dickens’ mean miserabilist. Like a coiled spring, he waits to bring his unique brand of Midlands malcontentment to the role. And he’s brought Clevedon’s finest, Stu Mcloughlin, along for the ride to play (almost literally) all the other parts!
Hilarious, tender, idiotic and musically virtuosic by turns, Living Spit’s two-man adaptation of A
Christmas Carol promises a feast of festive foolery that’ll have you splitting your sprouts with laughter or your money back!*
*only joking about the “money back” bit Book here.
“Christmas tradition laced with amusing social comment, saucy lyrics and really, really well-constructed comedy.” Bristol Post
“The jokes are brilliantly bad; the songs are wonderful, and all in all, the whole performance is hilarious. It’s proper fun for all the family, which is exactly what you want at Christmas. “Bristol 24/7
STEWART WRIGHT WITH BEN KIRBY: SANTA & SVEN
Doors open at 2.30 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. Sunday 1st December 2024 £15. Suitable for ages 2+ (under 2s on laps do not need a ticket) 50min, no interval.
COME AND SEE SANTA & SVEN IN THIS ENCHANTING, INTERACTIVE SHOW. PERFECT CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL THE FAMILY.
In its staggering 5th year, British comic actor Stewart Wright returns once more to bring the Father of Christmas to life. Experienced at entertaining all ages with his brand of improvisation and audience interaction, it’s where theatre meets ‘An audience with’ Father Christmas. He’s reunited once again with the actor and circus artist Ben Kirby as Sven the Reindeer Handler. Guaranteed to bring a sense of fun, laughter and anticipation to all. There’ll be music, sleigh bells, new surprises and bucketloads of Christmas spirit.
They can only bring the gift of laughter, joy, and bedtime-ruining excitement. However, they will do their best to deliver your children’s wishes on Christmas Eve….with your assistance. Book here.
“Stewart is a rare comic talent. He wins hearts and minds wherever he performs, has the rare skills to make audiences laugh and cry at will.” Tom Morris, Artistic Director, Bristol Old Vic 2009-2022
‘“t was totally magical. We had such great feedback from our members and kiddies. The set and costumes are incredible. We loved it!” Soho House.
STEPPING OUT THEATRE: MOTHER CHRISTMAS
Doors open at 7.00 p.m. for a start at 7.30 p.m. Friday 13th December 2024 £15
Written by Mark Breckon
Christmas Eve, and Santa’s 149th wife, Claudia Claus, despairs of him. He’s hooked on video games and hasn’t delivered a present in person for thirteen years, meaning kids now stop believing in him aged three and a half.
When Claudia and her semi-competent elves take over Santa’s long night of deliveries, an encounter with an entitled 9-year-old leads them to rob the rich to give to the poor. Trouble ensues until divine intervention leads to an unexpected conclusion.
Founded inside a Bristol psychiatric hospital on All Fools’ Day 1997 and still going strong, Stepping Out Theatre occupy a unique place in the UK’s history of theatre and mental health. It has produced a huge range of work on mental health themes and is open to people who have used mental health services and their allies. Book here.
A WINTER’S TAIL WITH THE LAST BAGUETTE
There will be three sessions: 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. Each session lasts one hour for children ages 2-6 and their grown-ups. Younger and older siblings are welcome. Tickets are £8.
A play-along theatre adventure with The Last Baguette
The snow is falling, and the solstice is approaching. Ratty is getting ready. She wants everything to be really rat-tastic! But will her friends make it through the snow to the winter woodland revels?
Can you help them on their journey? There will be excitement, adventure, play-acting, games, music, a splattering of silliness, and lots of snow!
Led by The Last Baguette theatre company, A Winter’s Tail is a fun, relaxed play-along theatre adventure. Expect to play, move, watch and laugh.
The show lasts one hour, including a stay-and-play session, and is created for children ages 2 and up and their grown-ups. Younger and older siblings are welcome!
The Last Baguette makes entertaining, accessible and eccentric work for family audiences. Please note that space is limited, and children and their accompanying grown-ups will need a ticket. Book here.
“Magical afternoon with The Last Baguette at Bridport Arts Centre. Loved every minute” Claire Tudge, Director of Bridport Arts Centre
“A wonderful interactive, inclusive, entertaining and enjoyable experience – thank you!”
Natalie Kidman, Black Country Touring
ABOUT THE THEATRE SHOP
The Theatre Shop, Clevedon, is a unique and vibrant community-focused performance venue nestled in the heart of Clevedon. Housed in a repurposed shop unit in Queens Square, this intimate 86-seat theatre has been captivating audiences since 2015 with its diverse and engaging program of professional theatre, comedy, music, and poetry performances. The Theatre Shop has a collaborative relationship with Living Spit, a comedic theatre company. While Living Spit is not based at The Theatre Shop, the venue frequently hosts Living Spit’s productions as part of its diverse programming.
A Community-Driven Initiative:
Run primarily by dedicated volunteers and supported by the Clevedon community, The Theatre Shop is a not-for-profit organization passionate about bringing high-quality performing arts to the local area. It operates two seasons a year, typically from Easter to June and October to December, showcasing an eclectic mix of productions that cater to diverse tastes and ages.
A Platform for Emerging and Established Talent:
The Theatre Shop collaborates with professional touring companies, providing a platform for both emerging and established artists to share their work with Clevedon audiences. It also serves as a creative hub for local arts organisations, offering rehearsal space and hosting workshops and events that enrich the cultural landscape of the town.
A Unique and Intimate Setting:
The Theatre Shop’s cosy and inviting atmosphere creates an intimate connection between performers and audience members, enhancing the overall theatrical experience. The venue also boasts a bar stocked with locally produced drinks, adding to the convivial ambiance.
Getting Involved:
The Theatre Shop welcomes new volunteers who are passionate about the arts and eager to contribute to the vibrant cultural life of Clevedon. Whether you’re interested in front-of-house duties, technical support, running the bar or marketing and publicity, there are various ways to get involved and support this valuable community asset.
FIND THE THEATRE SHOP AT:
Unit 5 Queens Square, Clevedon, BS21 6HX. Theatre Shop is in the pedestrianised square behind B&M Bargains, tucked between Superdrug and Boots.
It is recommended to park in B&M Bargains car park which is unrestricted after 5.00 p.m. and walking across Queens Square where you’ll find Theatre Shop.