Event type: Theatre

Blackeyed Theatre in association with Theatre Royal Winchester and South Hill Park presents

Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty

Adapted by Nick Lane from the work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Composer – Tristan Parkes

“When you have one of the first brains of Europe up against you, and all the powers of darkness at his back, there are infinite possibilities”

London, 1901. As the British Empire wages war in the name of a Queen whose health is failing, a series of mysterious events reveals a crack in the high corridors of power. A crack that threatens to destabilise monarchy, government and Empire. And at its centre, controlling the flow of information and influence, a shadowy figure plans a final deadly move.

Drawn into the game and unsure who to trust, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson find themselves confronting figures from their past in a desperate race against time, aware that the most powerful person in the world could be in the pocket of one of the most corrupt. But just how much is Holmes willing to sacrifice as he faces ‘checkmate’?

A thrilling adventure based on the work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty is a world premiere combining powerful performances, a haunting soundscape and innovative design for an exhilarating theatrical experience.

“One of the most innovative, audacious companies working in contemporary English theatre” – The Stage

Suitable for age 11+

“I’m going out wi’ the tide, old wench,
I came in on the flood;
an’ the sea is streaked wi’ silver,
an’ the sun is red wi’ blood.”

The East Norfolk coast. 1770.

Man Billy, a solitary young fisherman, lives with his domineering mother, Widow Pruttock. Two things govern their life: the herring harvest and their devotion to God.

Into this cold and isolated life comes Sheldis, a singer with supernatural gifts. As Billy’s obsession with her grows, his mother –   believing her son bewitched – will do anything to break the spell.

Filled with sea shanties, dances, hymns and folk songs, SALT is a fierce tale of faith, jealousy and demonic passion.

This performance is set in the round and seating will be allocated on arrival.

Great Yarmouth’s Contemporary Ritual Theatre makes vital and arresting plays, creating a visceral new form of theatre which places ritual – ancient and modern – at the heart of their practice. Blending folklore, movement and mask work, and using only a rope on the ground for a stage, CRT unites audiences and performers in a single, unforgettable ritual.

Age 12+ – a scene of sexual assault.

Reviews

“Extraordinary… If Shakespeare, Ken Loach and Nick Cave went on a day trip to Great Yarmouth, SALT could be the result.” ★★★★ – The Reviews Hub

“An excellent debut…thoroughly enjoyable…The actors strived to create a jarring sense of dread and pulled it off wonderfully.” ★★★★ -Eastern Daily Press
“This enthralling tale is magically brought to life…Beau Hopkins’s writing and the wonderful performance from the cast will leave you breathless. Devilishly good!” – Harbour Radio

The Grunwick Factory Strike (1976–78) and the remarkable Jayaben Desai

In 1976, six workers walked out of the Grunwick Film Processing Laboratory & Factory in Willesden, North-West London, launching a strike against poor working conditions and demanding the right to join a union.

What began as a small act of resistance quickly grew into a landmark movement. Led by the formidable Jayaben Desai, the strike eventually drew 20,000 supporters in a historic fight for justice, dignity, and workers’ rights. Most of the strikers were Asian women, defying stereotypes, challenging the establishment, uniting communities, and transforming the face of British trade unionism.

Jayaben Desai became a symbol of resilience and eloquence. Even in the most difficult moments, she cut through hostility with her sharp wit and fearless words. To one of her managers, she declared:

“What you are running here is not a factory, it is a zoo. But in a zoo there are many types of animals. Some are monkeys who dance on your fingertips, others are lions who can bite your head off. We are the lions, Mr. Manager!”

Now, 50 years on, Townsend Theatre Productions honours this extraordinary legacy. We Are The Lions, Mr Manager! brings the powerful story of the Grunwick Strike to a new generation, celebrating the courage and determination of those who stood up and roared.

Age 11+.

This performance will be creatively captioned. Creative captions offer an opportunity for deaf and hard of hearing audiences to more fully immerse themselves as captions are designed to complement the set and the performance.

Reviews

‘[Townsend Productions is] a company making a name for delivering vivid, politically committed theatre’ – The Observer

Townsend Productions previous tours:

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists – ‘Tremendous’ ★★★★ – The Times

We Will Be Free! – ‘Show to see!’ – The Stage

United We Stand – ‘Excellent’ ★★★★ – The Observer

Dare Devil Rides To Jarama – ‘Outstanding’ ★★★★★ – London Theatre1

 

 

Murder Under the Spotlight! A Christmas Murder Mystery

DBY Interactive and The Atkinson proudly present a brand new crime solving show in Southport. Brush off your best suit and bring your feather boa!

It’s Christmas, 1928. You are exclusively invited to the star-studded festive celebration of one of Chicago’s prestigious film studios. No expense has been spared right down to the finest bootleg liquor around. But behind the studio’s reputable name are reports of connections to some of the city’s not so high standing. There is even links to the mob scandal sweeping the city. Word is that along with Chicago’s finest on the guest list both from screen and stage…there could be some uninvited guests.

But you can’t always believe what you read in the papers, right?

Dress to impress on the red carpet and join DBY Interactive to discover the source to the studio’s success and a dark secret, that if revealed publicly could shine a spotlight on some horrifying truths and even push someone to do something unthinkable…!

Show type and themes: Mature, period (1920s), glamourous, speakeasy, gangsters, prohibition, crime solving, murder mystery.

Audiences are encouraged to dress to impress.

Due to some references this performance is suitable for ages 12+.

Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians

We all want to meet people from history! The trouble is everyone is dead!

So it’s time to prepare for Horrible Histories live on stage with the acclaimed production of Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians!

Are you ready to swing with a Georgian king? Can you see eye to eye with Admiral Nelson? Does the Duke of Wellington get the boot? Dare you dance the Tyburn jig? Will you be saved by Florence Nightingale? Find out what a baby farmer did and move to the groove with party Queen Victoria!

Don’t miss this horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in!

Running time approx 65 minutes. Age 5+.

Five birthdays.  Two unhappy marriages.  One possessive mother.

It is 1976.  Dennis tinkers in his garage, cheerfully indifferent to wife Vera’s impending breakdown.  Marjorie hovers in the background, making tea and finding fault.  Neil has planned a birthday surprise for his wife, but Pam doesn’t share his enthusiasm, preoccupied by frustrations of her own.

Set in a suburban garage and garden over four successive birthdays beginning in February and ending the following January, playwright Alan Ayckbourn masterfully evokes a world of hidden tensions and suppressed hostility. In perhaps his most emotionally charged play, Ayckbourn skilfully navigates the tightrope between comedy and tragedy, guiding us towards a hilarious, yet chilling finale.

An Olivier and Tony Award winning playwright, Alan Ayckbourn’s ninety plays have been produced worldwide.  Notable successes include: The Norman Conquests, Relatively Speaking, Bedroom Farce, A Chorus of Disapproval and Communicating Doors.

Following successful tours of Absent Friends (2015) and Absurd Person Singular (2020-21), Alan Ayckbourn’s 1976 masterclass in suburban comedy and heartbreak will form the centrepiece of London Classic Theatre’s 25th Anniversary celebrations.

Age 14+