Hamilton. Six. Cats. All musicals based on historical events.

Four struggling ‘Theatre In Education’ actors decide to cash in on this trend and stage a musical retelling of histories weirdest phenomenon, “The Dance Plague of 1518”.

The only catch: they know nothing about “The Dance Plague of 1518".

Their ‘educational’ show tells the story of Princess Frau, who escapes the confines of her castle to Strasbourg—a depressing little village in need of a bath. She takes it upon herself to ignite a spark within the community, but unknowingly ignites the infamous ‘Dance Fever’—a deadly disco disease beyond anyone’s control.

Is a higher power at play? Will her father, King Francis, track her down? Is the Pope catholic?

All will be revealed in the first disastrous musical from Tickel & Trotman.

After sold-out performances at the 2025 Bath Jane Austen and Chawton Pride and Prejudice Festivals, the Cohen-Wingfield Duo — creators of the acclaimed Einstein's Violin — bring Pride and Prejudice in Words and Music to Upstairs at the Gatehouse for one night only.

Gill Hornby's witty and dynamic abridged version of Jane Austen's celebrated novel is combined with music for violin and piano, reworked by Carl Davis from his iconic score for the beloved 1995 BBC TV adaptation starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.

Age Guidelines :10+

Butterfly Eye Productions’ new totally absurd and slightly horrific Extravaganza comes to Upstairs at the Gatehouse for its premiere run this July. An imaginative, physical and text-led exploration of how illness is not only biological, but emotional, social and generational, asking what it takes to break cycles of inheritance—and whether healing is ever truly possible

Born out of lived experiences, darkly comedic play about generational trauma and transformation, Darling, I think I’m turning into a Chicken explores what happens when loss becomes the air a family breathes. Florence has everything she’s ever wanted: a fiancée, a thriving career, and a perfect home. But when she starts to grow feathers, her carefully constructed life begins to unravel. As the transformation worsens—and threatens to kill her—Florence discovers she’s not alone: her estranged family are changing too. To survive, she must confront the past she’s spent a lifetime avoiding.

Got the blues? Well, step right up, because The Jive Aces are bringing their "Feelin’ Happy" Tour to town, and it’s gonna flip your frown upside down! When these cats burst onto the stage in their signature yellow suits, you’ll be tapping your feet and grinning like a fool before you know it. This is more than just a show — it’s a proper good time that’ll leave you buzzing with joy.

For 30 years they've have been taking their infectious tunes to over 40 countries and continuously proving why they are the UK’s No.1 jive and swing band. They effortlessly transition from smooth-as-butter ballads to rip-roaring rhythm & blues, with a nod to the raw, foot-stomping roots of rock ‘n’ roll. They’ve played for the Queen, packed out the Royal Albert Hall, and made history as the first band to get to the Britain’s Got Talent finals.

You’ve probably caught their rendition of the Morecambe and Wise classic "Bring Me Sunshine" - a banger with nearly 4 million YouTube views that’s so upbeat a U.S. doctor prescribed it to chase away the blues. Recently comedian Miranda Hart even declared it one of her favourite songs, stating: "The Jive Aces will get me up off the floor and make me lose any self-consciousness and dance!"

Joining the party is the sensational Noelle Vaughn, a jazz siren who’s got the UK scene buzzing. With a voice like velvet and a stage presence that’ll stop you in your tracks, Noelle swings from sultry ballads to red-hot jazz standards with ladles of charm.

A look behind the scenes of the 50th Jubilee of the historic Helsinki Peace and Security Conference where plots to fight wars and import nukes threaten to steal the message despite the best efforts of the organisers.

This is our Canadian-Finnish troupe´s third visit to the Camden Fringe and hopefully will be as well received as in 2014 and 2024!

We have also performed drama based on current issues in Toronto, Winnipeg, Brighton, and Helsinki.

The play is by A.I. Tolvanen, author and journalist who has worked many years in Finland and Canada including Tomson-Reuters, Time and The Finnish News Bureau. Director Carita Drew has worked on stage and screen shows in Australia, England and Finland.

Comedy producer Mike Reiss won four Emmys during his thirty-six years writing movie scripts, American TV shows and countless episodes of The Simpsons. ‘Entertainment Weekly’ called Season 4 of The Simpsons “the greatest season of the greatest show in history”.

Mike Reiss lectures regularly throughout the USA and onboard cruise ships including Cunard’s QM2. This Summer Mike makes his UK debut visiting London, Stockport, Birmingham and Brighton. His talk also features ‘The Science of Jokes’ and a Q&A when Mike answers the fans favourite question “Just how do The Simpsons always manage to predict the future “

The year is 2049: A lone pirate sails the Straits of Melaka under a red sky, alone… until a storm throws seafarers from across time and space onto the same ship. 

The pirates struggle for power – and acceptance – make enemies – and friends. As the budding-bickering crew sail through ship graveyards and fight mutant deep-sea creatures, they look for a place to call home in this ravaged world, exploring what it means to be free, to resist and to grieve, and to stand in solidarity in the face of our future.

Drawing on the real histories of 14th century Muslim navigator Zheng He and 19th century pirate queen Sek Yeong, alongside the imagined futures of 21st century climate survivors and 23rd century space revolutionaries, Asian Pirate Musical is a new legend on the high seas.

This genre-devouring soundtrack brings together traditional instruments, 21st century Asian pop, and diasporic musical influences.

Love You to Amsemsam and Back is an intimate story about a father and daughter, told through memory, distance, and the strange geography of love.“Love you to Amsemsam and back,” Solene said to her father when she was three. At that age, Amsemsam was the furthest place imaginable. The phrase stayed with them for the rest of their lives.

As Solene grows older, Amsemsam changes from being the furthest place in the universe into a distance between remembering and forgetting. And yet, love remains. Even when you cannot see or hear it, it asks for patience, because it may simply be on its way back from Amsemsam.

Drawing from her relationship with her father, the writer and performer brings a deeply personal story to the stage in this intimate two-hander.

Running Time 50 mins
Content Warnings Degenerative illness, anticipatory grief, physical conflict, and strong language.
Age guidance 18+

A powerful new stage production is set to captivate audiences with a dark and atmospheric story inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Combining psychological tension, mystery, and emotional drama, the production follows a group of reluctant drama students as they attempt to stage the famous tragedy for their end-of-term project.

But as rehearsals unfold, hidden secrets begin to emerge and a shocking event changes everything. As grief turns to obsession, the boundaries between right and wrong begin to unravel — and the world of the play starts to blur with their own.

Exploring ambition, guilt, morality, and the destructive consequences of unchecked emotions, the play offers a modern and haunting reimagining of Shakespeare’s timeless themes.

With a talented young cast and a chilling narrative that keeps viewers guessing until the very end, this production promises to be an unforgettable night of theatre.

Run time 60 mins
Age guidance 14+

In this quirky company’s latest summer production, the city of Seville is transformed into a vibrant 1960s music hotspot bursting with bold colours, youthful energy, and changing social attitudes. Against this backdrop of reinvention and rebellion, a classic tale of romance, deception, and comedy takes centre stage.

Rosina dreams of embracing the freedom of modern life and spending the summer with her boyfriend, Almaviva. However, her plans are continually frustrated by her old-fashioned and overbearing guardian, Bartolo who desperately clings to control in a rapidly changing world.

Almaviva, our local Mod-styled popstar, has won the heart of Rosina through his music and charisma, but will the pair be able to outsmart Bartolo long enough to be together?

Figaro, the local man about town, thrives in this setting: a fast-talking, well-connected fixer—part barber, part stylist, part social hub—he knows everyone and everything and is delighted to help the young lovebirds, but will it be too close a shave?

Whether you're a devoted opera lover or a newcomer to the genre, join us for a night of music, mischief, and the joy or reinvention. With big hair, sharp suits and sublime singing, Figaro’s barbershop is the place to strut your stuff— and you’re invited to come along and twist!

We all know the names Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, and other male songwriters who shaped the growth of American popular song in the early 1900’s. But where are the women’s names? Here’s to the Ladies!” pays tribute to the talent, wit, and vision of the women who helped shape what has become known as The Great American Songbook. Kay Swift, Dorothy Fields and Ann Ronell are some of the most influential. These women brought a unique vision and heart to their music and helped an entire nation to endure years of war, depression, upheaval and change with music that is still loved around the world. With persistence, talent, and sheer love of the art, these women broke down countless barriers, opening doors for future women in the music industry. This is the UK premiere.

The Little Woman In My Head Must Die is a playful, absurdist comedy following an ambitious and pragmatic 30-something woman, Emmeline, who’s on a desperate mission to banish her unbelievably annoying, should-be-long-gone childhood imaginary friend.

Unfortunately for Emmeline, she won’t go without a fight. Her imaginary friend offers her a deal - she will leave, but only if Emmeline agrees to revisit her past. For fans of the sisterly mischievousness in Fleabag and the wacky theatricality of fringe shows like Weer; this is the Millennial’s Christmas Carol, with glitter.