As Salisbury Playhouse celebrates its 50th anniversary having originally opened in 1976 the venue continues to present some of its most ambitious productions to date. Artistic Director Gareth Machin and Executive Director Rosa Corbishley have confirmed the reopening of the Salberg Studio, which will once again host a vibrant programme of performances.

Gareth Machin said: “We know how much audiences have missed this fabulous space. After much hard work to re-open the studio, it’s a great pleasure to be sharing the next brilliant instalment of Matty Butler’s story Up Down Big Man, and it is also a joy to share the return of our Salberg Christmas offer for our youngest audiences.”

Following the success of Up Down Boy (2012) and Up Down Man (2016), Myrtle Theatre Company returns with the third instalment, Up Down Big Man. The production is directed by Helena Seneca and features Nathan Bessell, Heather Williams, Tom Brennan, Tom England, and Rieko Kijima.

The Salberg Studio will also celebrate the life of Alec Guinness, who opened the theatre in 1976, with Two Halves of Guinness, starring Zeb Soanes (Classic FM, BBC Radio 4), arriving in November.

Families can look forward to the return of the festive favourite The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter. This musical adaptation, written by Glyn Kerslake and Gareth Machin, promises seasonal magic for all ages.

The main house season opens with the world premiere of The Haunting of Hill House, adapted by Olivier and BAFTA award-winner Stef Smith and directed by Martin Constantine. The production runs at Salisbury Playhouse from 11 September to 3 October, before touring across the UK.

Stef Smith commented: “The Haunting of Hill House is one of the greatest supernatural novels of the last one hundred years… I believe there is something deeply theatrical at the heart of Hill House.”

Audiences can also enjoy a major revival of Ayub Khan-Din’s East is East, exploring themes of identity, family, and generational conflict with humour and heart.

This Christmas, the Playhouse will stage a new musical pantomime of Beauty and the Beast, written by Plested, Brown and Wilsher, with direction by Abigail Pickard Price. The production will also feature returning creative team members and popular adults-only performances.

The season also includes visiting productions such as The Anastasia File from Theatre Royal Windsor, starring Jenny Seagrove, Simon Shepherd, and Rosie Thompson, alongside the Olivier Award-winning comedy Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of).

Booking Information:
The autumn season is now open for Wiltshire Creative supporters, with general sale beginning on Thursday 23 April.

For more information and tickets, visit:
www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/whats-on