Titchfield Festival Theatre is proud to announce its centenary production of Arnold Ridley's classic thriller which performs in the Oak Theatre from 5 – 13 February This updated version promises audiences a night of suspense Six passengers find themselves stranded late at night in the waiting room of a rural Cornish railway station The Station Master strongly advises the passengers to find alternative accommodation for the night Warning them their fate would be certain death if they dared to set their eyes on The Ghost Train was not enough to deter the group They experience a night they will never forget with plenty of shocks along the way not to mention being witnesses to the unmasking of a clever plot by a criminal gang Jenny Rainbird is director of The Ghost Train: "I first watched an amateur production of The Ghost Train twenty years ago hoping they will survive the night whilst being terrorised by ghostly goings on around them This centenary year felt like the perfect time to bring this play to the Titchfield stage This revised version retains the original story while streamlining certain elements "While the core narrative remains unchanged this adaptation tightens the pacing and clarifies some of the language for a modern audience," explains Jenny The TFT production also addresses the evolving dynamics between the sexes "We’ve aimed to present the play’s original context while ensuring the language resonates with today's viewers." and the sounds of a storm to immerse the audience in the play's unsettling world And be prepared for the chilling roar of the ghost train!" Jenny hopes the audience will be fully immersed in the experience believing in the station's haunting and feeling the presence of the ghost train "We’re aiming for a Hitchcock-style atmosphere complete with a dramatic soundtrack inspired by Stravinsky This amateur production of “The Ghost Train (Revised)” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd Oddsocks bring their madcap magic to Titchfield Park with A Midsummer Night’s Dream—live music and outdoor theatre fun for all the family Presented by Mansfield Palace Theatre in Titchfield Park Oddsocks are hitting the road again in summer 2025 with another high-energy they’re bringing Shakespeare’s most magical and hilarious comedy: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Four lovers escape to the Athenian forest where mischievous woodland creatures play tricks on them with chaotic and comical results a group of amateur actors attempt to rehearse in a nearby glade—only to be swept into the fairies’ mischief in the most bizarre and brilliant ways Don’t miss out – Catch the Dream so please bring a chair or blanket to sit on who was among passengers in a taxi involved in a fatal crash last year that claimed the lives of two students from the institution has welcomed Monday’s launch of a school bus service in the parish which is a pilot programme for a wider rural school bus system will transport students of Titchfield and Port Antonio high schools “I am very relieved knowing that there is a safe transportation and we will be able to come to school,” Renika Silvera told journalists at the launch Silvera was among several students in a taxi that collided with a parked motor truck on the Blueberry Hill main road in Buff Bay All occupants of the vehicle received injuries and were taken to the Annotto Bay Hospital where two student passengers were pronounced dead stated that he was eagerly awaiting the bus system I came out with my VP [vice principal] to see firsthand our students coming off this bus,” Thompson said and then last year two of our students sadly passed in accidents I’m hoping that this will bring significant change.” He said this initiative represents safety not just for Titchfield students but for all the students in the parish Ann-Marie Vaz said she was determined to ensure that a school bus system to provide safe transport for students was introduced following a series of accidents in the parish “I want to say that this vision was something that I had from the accidents that we have had in the parish where we lost three or four students,” Ann-Marie Vaz said MP for Portland Western and Transport Minister Daryl Vaz will donate a total of four buses to students in the parish “One that you’re seeing now will go from Buff Bay into Port Antonio The other one will come from Hector’s River into Port Antonio and one will go into the Buff Bay valley and the other into the Rio Grande valley after which we will be receiving seven government buses so that across the entire parish our students will be safe and the results of that vision are what we are seeing here today,” she said She encouraged the students to take care of the buses and treat the buses as their own “I want to encourage our students to treat the bus as their own And one of the things I wanted was for the bus to have Wi-Fi because the truth is some students’ homes do not have Wi-Fi they will be able to do homework to do their research,” Ann-Marie Vaz said the parents of this child will be able to track her movements on the bus So they will know when the bus leaves school and what time the bus will get to their drop-off point This is to ensure the safety of our students and the peace of mind for the parents and I want to say that I congratulate the government seeing the impact of what this bus will do to our students in Portland and to be rolling out a national school bus service across the island.” Transport Minister Daryl Vaz noted that it will take some time for the buses to integrate into the shift system and “We realise that there are two campuses for the Port Antonio High and there are children that need to go to fellowship So that’s a good logistics exercise this morning because we now have to make tweaks to the schedule based on time,” Daryl Vaz said “The good thing is that Port Antonio High starts at 7 am and Titchfield starts at 8 am So we’ll be able to move earlier for the earlier shift and later for the later shift It’s going to take time for all the buses to get into the system,” he continued “So the fact is that I’m asking for patience from the parents and the students because not everybody is going to be able to benefit from the single bus that we have now but definitely for September morning and January morning we will have increased buses and we will go for the logistics Vaz noted that the aim of the bus system is not to compete with the local transport system but to provide a comfortable and safe means of transport for students “I want to make it clear again that we are not competing against the public transportation system my mandate from my government is that we must find a solution for a safe All of the transport operators have the opportunity to continue to participate because we’ll never be able to transport all the children to school,” the minister said “But there are enough adults for them to have a viable business rather than trying to squeeze children in trunks and all over the cars on top of one another like cargo We need to work together – private transportation the government and the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Transport are committed to that and you are going to see a rollout of the hundred school buses promised,” he added The transport minister said with the rollout of another 100 Jamaica Urban Transit Corporation (JUTC) buses both the children and adults in the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR) and rural Jamaica will see and benefit from an improved transport system If you believe you should have access to this site, you can email [email protected] or call 0300 555 1375 So that this matter can be investigated further please supply the Error details shown at the bottom of this screen Soak up the sounds of summer at Brass Bands in the Park anything you want really...) and relax with friends and family whilst enjoying the uplifting sounds of a local live brass music in beautiful surroundings A perfect way to spend a (hopefully!) sunny afternoon The Sound of Music follows the inspiring journey of Maria the spirited postulant who brings joy and music back into the lives of the von Trapp family Featuring timeless classics like “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favourite Things,” and “Climb Every Mountain,” this enchanting tale of love and the power of music is perfect for audiences of all ages "We always look for a family friendly joyful musical at this time of year and Sound of Music certainly fits that bill I remember watching the film in 1965 when I was just nine in Aberdeen This production also has a special significance potentially being the last performance in the Arden Theatre as the theatre awaits the outcome of its Planning Appeal creating a truly awe-inspiring depth and resonance to the sound," Kevin explains The production places a strong emphasis on the vitality and exuberance of the children "Both teams of children are rehearsed together breaking down scenes to make them accessible for the children and it's wonderful that our Liesl is also one of the TFT youth theatre teachers helping them to feel comfortable and enthusiastic; I always encourage them to get involved in our main productions Addressing the challenge of presenting a fresh perspective on such a well-known musical "I try not to follow the script's traditional directions This allows us to approach the show with a fresh perspective and bolstered our chorus with the TFT Festival Chorus we've utilised a revolve and a huge video wall to magically transform the scenery bringing the Austrian mountains to life." This hilarious and entertaining show is perfect for audiences of all ages Set once again in the small coastal town of Walmington-on-Sea the play follows the Home Guard platoon as they prepare to face a new threat from the Nazi regime With performances taking place during the 80th anniversary of VE Day this production is a fitting tribute to Britain’s enduring wartime spirit and humour in the face of its darkest hour Sam Crosby is director of Dad’s Army and he discussed preparations for the show with Simon Frost: what inspired you to choose to direct Dad's Army Sam: Dad's Army was at the forefront of my intrigue into 20th Century history I was introduced to Dad's Army in my primary years by my Granddad which served as a stepping-stone to better understand his involvement in World War 2 as I grew older.  The show has always stayed fresh with every rewatch of the TV series and when I joined Titchfield Festival Theatre I knew it was something I would want to bring to the stage a staple British comedy that feels timeless against its modern-day counterparts who worked with me on The Importance of Being Earnest last year has joined me again for this show as the Assistant Director Simon: Dad’s Army is celebrated for its wonderful mix of characters Simon: What are you hoping audiences will enjoy about this production of Dad's Army especially those who have yet to experience Dad's Army on-stage I hope this production is able to capture the charm of the original series where I hope the show provides newcomers an accurate representation to one of Britain's most beloved comedies Simon: How will you work with the cast to develop their characters and capture the spirit of the original series Simon: What do you think will be the most rewarding aspect of directing this play Sam: With the original BBC cast no longer with us it is a privilege to be able to prolong their legacy and introduce Dad's Army to a new generation That a person seeing or performing in this production may in the future put on their own production of Dad's Army would be incredibly rewarding Simon: The play will perform around VE80 day commemorations I knew of the significance of 2025 being the 80th year of the end of World War 2 and the performance would potentially land on Victory in Europe Day With performances taking place on and around VE80 Day I believe the show itself serves as a fitting commemoration - celebrating the spirit of the Home Guard and the humour that carried Britain through difficult times This iconic series is a perfect way for a younger audience to experience WW2 albeit through comedy.” See the classic fairy tale like you’ve never seen it before reimagined with a twist or two in a brand-new adaptation by director Sassy Harvey and the same team that brought you The Nutcracker Sassy Harvey was interviewed by Simon Frost: tell me - why do you love the panto season so much?  Sassy: Panto season is by far my favourite time of year Christmassy and brings the entire family together Nothing beats bringing together the pantomime formats of ‘it’s behind you’ and ‘oh no there isn’t’ moments to life with the big characters that we all know and love within pantomime Simon: What inspired you to choose "Hansel & Gretel" as the theme for this year's panto Sassy: TFT always performs original pantomimes – and this year is no different I decided that I would write my own version of this well-loved and recognised fairytale It has all the ingredients needed for a pantomime: the wicked witch our wonderful children who must try and defeat the witch Mix them all in with my own twists to the tale reviving Sugar Plum Fairy and our beloved Quality Sweets and introducing our new comedy duo Gingerbread men - it really is a wonderfully magical adventure that this story takes you through Tell me why this production will be "a classic fairy tale like you’ve never seen it before.” Sassy: Oooo… that would be giving it all away With the wicked witch casting a spell over some of our favourite characters we see the rise of some new heroes to our story Our story focuses on how the entire village led by Dame Chelsea Bun work together to rise up and defeat the wicked witch Simon: Can you tell us a bit about the new characters or plot twists that audiences can expect Sassy: This year we have the fabulous Daniel McCready as our Dame Chelsea Bun bringing a new energy to the show that will excite audiences who come back to us year on year Let’s not forget our beloved heroes; Double Decker (bus driver) Milkyway (Milkmaid) and Crunchie (PT instructor) all bring our village to life and add some wonderful characters to our story This really helps our fantastic child performers playing Hansel and Gretel to navigate through the story with the support of the adult cast well-known songs that all ages can enjoy from 'Reach for the Stars' to 'Sparkle and Shine' to 'Wish it could be Christmas' - you'll find the entire family singing along and smiling all the way through as they watch our Titchfield Festival youth theatre bring all these numbers to life with extra sparkle Simon: Why should people of all ages come along and watch Sassy: Pantomime is the one show each year that really does bring all ages together It is a true family adventure with so much laughter and booing and cheering; it creates the unforgettable moments on the stage that make theatre that magical place to visit we are affordable; Pantomime and theatre doesn't have to break the balance and we pride ourselves on being accessible to all So why wouldn't you want to join us this Christmas Simon: … and this year TFT’s panto has an extended run Sassy: This year we decided to continue the magic over the Christmas holiday to New Years Eve With so many of our wonderful youth performers taking part each year this allowed us the ability to include all 430 students It is incredible to be able to share what we do with our community and by extending the run; it means we have more performances and opportunities to show off our brilliant show the story introduces DS Martins’ troubled nephew explores Martins' sister and their complex relationship and offers intriguing glimpses into the enigmatic DI Alex as a figure from her past mysteriously weaves through the story Themes of betrayal and secrecy permeate the lives of all the characters as one major secret emerges and another comes to light pushing them to confront difficult moral dilemmas I wanted to explore the lives of the detectives beyond their professional roles and the ensemble and I worked closely together in rehearsals to bring these themes to life I hope audiences will enjoy piecing together the connections between these themes as they watch the play unfold." To continue reading this article you must be logged in Register or login below to unlock 3 free articles every month Or subscribe from just £7.99 and get unlimited access to thestage.co.uk Invest in The Stage today with a subscription starting at just £7.99 © Copyright The Stage Media Company Limited 2025 the Planning Inspectorate informed Titchfield Festival Theatre that its appeal against Fareham Borough Council’s enforcement notice on the Arden Theatre was unsuccessful The Oak and Acorn theatres are unaffected by this decision and will continue Artistic Director and Chair of Trustees said: “I am clearly broken hearted at the decision from the Planning Inspectorate The country will lose one of its greatest community arts assets and Shakespeare must be turning in his grave!  In light of this decision I will speak to our Trustees and fully evaluate the outcome before commenting further we’d love to see you at what will possibly be the last show in the Arden theatre – Made in Dagenham But remember we still have the Oak and Acorn theatres which will continue our great tradition of brilliant art and drama for our community ” The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a story which revolves around Christopher Boone a brilliant but socially challenged 15-year-old boy with a unique perspective on the world When he discovers his neighbour’s dog murdered he embarks on a journey to solve the mystery defying his own limitations and uncovering dark family secrets along the way The play delves into the mind of an extraordinary protagonist using innovative staging and visuals to convey his sensory experience and the power of human resilience in the face of adversity On stage at Titchfield Festival Theatre from Monday 28 October 2024 to Saturday 2 November 2024 Bradley: I was incredibly lucky to catch the original National Theatre production in 2012 with incredible actors like Nicola Walker Performed in the round with stunning physical theatre it's no exaggeration to say it completely changed the way I looked at how you could create theatre and it's had a direct impact in the work I've created since then I've since seen the play twice more in the West End and on tour and I feel incredibly honoured to have been asked by Titchfield Festival Theatre to take this play on - I really hope we can give our audience the same transformative and inspiring experience that I had Bradley: As a parent with neurodivergent children I know first-hand the misconceptions and challenges that this can bring as well as those of our neurodivergent cast members to make sure our portrayal of Christopher and the way he sees the world is not only accurate and respectful but also educates the audience that may only view the world through a neurotypical lens Bradley: For people who know the original productions of the play physical theatre and moments of sensory overload play a big part in representing the neurodiverse experience Frantic Assembly's original choreography and Marianne Elliott's direction are so iconic that as a director I'm given the great challenge of trying to meet those expectations while also exploring the text with fresh eyes something I think we've found the right balance of Bradley: The script is so brilliantly written that the compassion for Christopher just leaps off the page - he can be obstinate at times but seeing how he copes with a challenging world will hopefully endear him to audiences Bradley: I'd love the audience to come away feeling inspired and impressed by how we've represented people like Christopher and how they see the world I'd hope people will gain an understanding of how neurodiverse people see the world and maybe consider what changes they can make to accommodate them and be more accepting ‘Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest these are the haunting sounds of Jim Hawkins’ world being turned upside down as deadly pirates arrive: Treasure Island comes to Titchfield Festival Theatre from 22 to 30 November with fearsome swashbuckling pirates and the devilish Long John Silver Squire Trelawny and Doctor Livesey succeed in their voyage or will they end up marooned on Treasure Island TFT’s production is a new version faithfully adapted from RL Stevensons ' boys own' novel Tom Rawlings is director of Treasure Island and was interviewed by Simon Frost: why did you choose to direct Treasure Island for TFT In recent years through a number of productions I've had the opportunity to learn the art of stage combat and I developed a keen interest in sword work led me to want to adapt and direct the story for the stage Simon: Why do you feel that Treasure Island is perfect for the Titchfield stage Tom: TFT is well versed in tackling the classics From the regular productions of Shakespeare's works to Dickens' Oliver it felt like Treasure Island was a perfect fit Simon: How are you approaching the adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel for this production Tom: Any well-known story comes with expectations For me there is a great deal of nostalgia associated with the story and I wanted to capture that with this production We're telling the story from the eyes of a young teenager; the scary parts are terrifying; the heart-warming parts are joyous Treasure Island has often been made into a pantomime violent and swear like sailors which is a great contrast to our loveable if a bit dewy-eyed hero Jim Simon: What are your thoughts on casting the role of Long John Silver Tom: Long John Silver is a fantastically complex character and casting him was a real challenge Long John is the Devil Incarnate and represents the temptation Jim faces to become a pirate That being said he is incredibly charismatic and charming whilst also being a threatening and violent villain It was important to see the darkness of the character as well as the endearing side I was fortunate that every audition I saw for the character was exceptional the downside being this made the casting process that much harder Simon: How are you incorporating the island setting into the production's design we actually talked about using real water to create a beach we decided against that idea when we thought about the risks of running on a wet stage whilst sword fighting There are really three key locations for the story We are creating these separate environments using all the tools available we are taking some inspiration from the fantastic set design of TFT's recent production Simon: Why do you think people should come along and watch the show Tom: There are many reasons to come and see Treasure Island Not only do we have a phenomenally talented cast but there is also plenty of sword-swinging some fearsome and deadly villains and edge-of-the seat excitement throughout Broadway Off-Broadway Off-Off Broadway Cabaret Dance Opera Classical Music Nashville Minneapolis / St. Paul Connecticut Atlanta Chicago Los Angeles WEST END UK Regional Canada Australia / New Zealand Europe Asia Latin America Africa / Middle East TV/Movies Music The venue was declared illegal by a planning inspector in 2024 The £1.7 million development in the Hampshire village of Titchfield was built without planning permission. The theatre was declared illegal by a planning inspector in 2024, and Kevin Fraser, director of Titchfield Festival Theatre, launched an appeal. Titchfield Festival Theatre's Arden Theatre now has the order to be torn down. For 13 years, Titchfield Festival Theatre has been operating out of a converted barn, featuring two auditoriums seating 100 and 200 audience members. In 2022, the theatre failed to get permission to convert a storage space on the site, and Fraser agreed to the secret construction of a new venue.  Titchfield Festival Theatre stated: "The trustees are obviously disappointed with the ruling from the Judicial Review. "We are taking further legal advice on the potential outcomes. In the meantime the Arden Theatre continues to operate." The historic Saville Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue is set to return to live performance for the first time in over half a century, following planning approval from Camden Council. Super show that lightens a very dark subject (corecive control), but does not diminish it Check out photos from the Manchester Opera House gala night featruing a performance from the company of A KNIGHT'S TALE THE MUSICAL. Check out photos from the evening. Equity members have overwhelmingly re-elected Paul W Fleming to serve a second term as General Secretary of the performing arts and entertainment trade union.  function closestickysocial(){document.getElementById("foxsocial").style.display="none";}@media(max-width:1024px){.most-popular,.video-row{display:block;margin-top:25px}}Videos and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows © 2025 - Copyright Wisdom Digital Media, all rights reserved. Privacy Policy The Accrington Pals follows the story of the innocent and enthusiastic men who volunteered their services to their King and country after Kitchener's calls for a New Army, performing on stage at Titchfield Festival Theatre from 12 – 16 November 2024. Colin Martin is director of The Accrington Pals, and talks to Simon Frost: Simon: Why did you choose to direct this play? Have you always had an interest in military themed plays? Simon: I read a review which stated that The Accrington Pals is one of the best plays ever about the First World War. Why do you think this is? Colin: During this time I was studying at Chichester college and we were gearing up to present Accrington Pals where I played the part of Ralph which was a typical casting for me: boisterous, loud and a 'class clown'. Unlike other war time stories, the conflict of war isn't the centre point of the story. Rather the play speaks and refers to the 'pals' themselves and focuses on the women who were left at home. Simon: What other themes do you feel that the play explores? Colin: The Accrington Pals is a powerful play that challenges traditional gender roles and highlights the struggles faced by women during wartime. I aim to delve deeper into this aspect of the play, as I am passionate about promoting equality and challenging traditional gender roles. A wartime drama, often dominated by masculine figures, provides an ideal platform for exploring these themes. The play has a huge emphasis on the domestic sphere of family and friendship which can sometimes be overlooked in the genre. Grief isn't grief without love first making an impact. This is reflected in May's character and her relationship with Tom. Simon: Tell me a little about the casting of the different characters in the play. Simon: Why do you think people should come along and watch The Accrington Pals? Colin: I think The Accrington Pals script does a good job of adding the light-hearted and humorous moments to the story despite the tragic backdrop. I hope audiences can walk away with thanks and recognition of the characters' sacrifices and for the real young people who were their real counterparts during the war. Dead Leaves is a play written and directed by Bradley Barlow, performing on stage at Titchfield Festival Theatre from 2 – 12 October 2024. There are twists, cliffhangers and red herrings at every turn – not everything is as it seems….this is a murder mystery, but not in the traditional sense. Melissa French is dead. After the police discover her body in the dark woods and delve into her past, Melissa’s family and friends begin to realise how little they knew her. As secrets are discovered and lies are revealed Melissa’s life begins to be unravelled. Nothing stays buried forever. “Making the play about the murder of a young woman also allowed me to explore themes of male violence towards women and misogyny more generally. Sadly, in the ten years since 'Dead Leaves' was originally staged, we've seen the #MeToo movement and the murder of Sarah Everard and the police brutality at her memorial, meaning the themes I wrote about ten years ago are still just as relevant today. “In Dead Leaves, we're taking the audience on a journey as Melissa's cause of death is explored and the layers of her life are unravelled, asking them to think about how the past shapes the people we become today. In this play, you must expect the unexpected! There will be misleading clues around every corner… this isn't your ordinary murder mystery.” A 450 seater theatre in Hampshire must close its doors following a Public Inquiry Titchfield Festival Theatre's (TFT) Arden Theatre in Titchfield was built without the proper planning permission and was subjected to an enforcement notice by Fareham Borough Council The theatre appealed to the planning inspector citing that it had 'deemed consent' to build the facility inside its existing structure it was decided that Fareham Borough Council had acted correctly in its decision which means the Arden Theatre must be dismantled who has fought tirelessly to protect the £1.7million facility He told ITV Meridian that construction started because they genuinely believed they had permission to expand having operated out of the space for the past 10 years When asked why he proceeded to start building work before planning permission was granted it isn't quite as cut and dry as that "Mainly because this whole site was divided into three buildings Part B we had been using for 10 years as rehearsal space for making props and putting on small plays our legal advisors and our planning advisors believed that we would fall in that category as 'deemed use'." Kevin Fraser tells ITV Meridian why building work began before planning permission was sought The theatre's existing stages are unaffected by the ruling but it must now undertake expensive works to restore the Arden to a space for storage It has been ordered by the council to fill in the orchestra pit but he says he has no choice now but to comply another route of appeal to the highest levels of Government TFT is funded through business event's income and a significant amount has already been spent defending the theatre Fareham Borough Council told ITV Meridian it welcomes the decision by the Planning Inspector said the council acted in the interests of safety He said: "Planning permission is an essential requirement "Once you go down to planning permission and once you are looking at construction building regulations then need to be looked at to make sure the place is being built correctly and safely "Therefore our responsibility as a local authority is to make sure things are done safely people would then be criticising Fareham Borough Council if there was to be an injury or a loss of life and that is something that we take very very seriously." told ITV Meridian the council takes safety seriously What could be one of the last performances at the Arden is still scheduled to take place next month Actors will be putting on Made in Dagenham it what the theatre says will still be full of 'fun and laughter' Performances will continue at the smaller Oak and Acorn theatres and the theatre will continue to be a focal point for the local community Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know