After the run of our March main stage show – Strangers on a Train – we closed our theatre in response to the Coronavirus health emergency and suspended all performances. At the time of writing (October 2021) we have started rescheduling postponed shows. See 2021 and 2022 Seasons for further information
Main House
January 10- 18 (not Sunday 12th) >> PREVIEW, REVIEW
Round & Round The Garden
By Alan Ayckbourn. Directed by Pauline and Dan Armour
Norman wants to make all the women in his life happy. So he tries to seduce his sister-in-law Annie, charm Sarah – his brother-in-law Reg’s wife – and woo his own wife Ruth, embroiling everyone, including Tom the local Vet in the action. Very funny and touchingly poignant this wonderful comedy will have you laughing out loud as you recognise the secrets and deceptions that bubble beneath the surface of most family relationships. Ayckbourn at his hilarious best!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In The Bar
January 22nd – 26th
On the Verge, or “The Geography of Yearning” >> PREVIEW , REVIEW
By Eric Overmeyer. Directed by Jane Buckland.
Three Victorian lady travellers attempt to unravel the mystery of things as they set out for Terra Incognita and discover the future. A comedic safari that spins into time travel, this remarkable play is among the most imaginative works of the 20th century, captivating audiences with its sheer invention.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Main House >> PREVIEW >> REVIEW
February 7-15 (not Sunday 9th)
The Lion in Winter
By James Goldman. Directed by Stevie Hughes
Last performed at BLT in 1973 this a welcome return for a highly entertaining modern classic. Set at Christmas 1183 in the Plantagenet Court of King Henry II there is rivalry, adultery and dungeons – comedic in tone and dramatic in action. As Queen Eleanor says: ‘Every family has its ups and downs’ and this royal family is no exception. ‘Marvellously articulate language with humour that bristles and burns’ – The Los Angeles Times
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In the bar >> PREVIEW >>REVIEW
February 19 -23
Scary Bikers
By John Godber. Directed Roxana Graves
Hot off the press and possibly an amateur premiere this new comedy against the back drop of Brexit is about life, love and staying on your bike. When retired Yorkshire miner Don meets Carol a former teacher, both suffering loss, their relationship is tested by a bike ride through Europe. Join them on this hilarious, heartfelt and often saddle sore journey. ‘Plenty of mileage in a nifty Brexit comedy’ The Stage
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Main House>> PREVIEW >> REVIEW
March 6 -14 (not Sunday 8th)
Strangers on a Train
By Craig Warner adapted from the book by Patricia Highsmith. Directed by Andrew Newbon
This gripping thriller on which Alfred Hitchcock’s famous film was based comes to the BLT stage. Two men meet on a train, because they are strangers they think they can say anything whilst chatting even if the subject is murder. Full of tension, intrigue and psychological trauma – expect an evening of chills and thrills. ‘Skilfully adapted. A gripping play’ – Daily Telegraph
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
POSTPONED – COVID
Main House>> PREVIEW
April 3 -11 (not Sunday 5th)
The Wind in the Willows
By Alan Bennett adapted from the book by Kenneth Grahame. Directed by Jessica Ann Jenner
A National Theatre hit in 1990, Grahame’s much-loved woodland characters combine with the drollness of Bennett. Join Mole, Ratty and Badger as they try to control the high-spirited and madcap escapades of Toad. Given a modern twist this promises to be a quirky production breathing fresh life into a classic tale. ‘Bennett is even able to inject the odd sly joke for the adult without bewildering the tots… the result is a delightful evening, a treat for anyone.’ The Times
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
POSTPONED – COVID
In the bar>> PREVIEW
April 15 – 19
Girl in The Machine
By Stef Smith. Directed by Rob Widdicombe
Successful and wildly in love, Polly and Owen seem to have it all. But when a mysterious new technology enters their lives, the digital becomes confused with the physical, and they are forced to re-evaluate their concepts of freedom and reality.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
POSTPONED – COVID
Main House >> PREVIEW
May 8 -16 (not Sunday 10th)
Taken at Midnight
By Mark Hayhurst. Directed by Gillian Gissing
This gripping new play about the Nazi regime premiered to great acclaim at Chichester during 2014. Set in 30s Germany where the celebrated young lawyer Hans Litten disappears into the Nazi system and his indominatable mother Irmgard confronts his captors at enormous personal risk as she fights to secure his release. ‘Informative, deeply engrossing play about the high price paid for resisting tyranny’ The Guardian
Booking advice
This will be the BLT entry into the Bromley and Kent Drama Festivals. There will be an adjudicator in the audience on Saturday 9th May and Tuesday 12th May. Please be aware that they will be positioned in the middle of Row D and will have a small light to aid their note taking.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
POSTPONED – COVID
Main House >>PREVIEW
June 5-13 (not Sunday 7th)
The Prisoner of Second Avenue
By Neil Simon. Directed by Andy Solts
Mel Edison has definitely had better days. The summer heat is unbearable, the air-con is on the blink, the noisy neighbours are driving him crazy, his high-stress job is about to vanish and the television news is getting weirder by the second. Luckily Edna, his loving and supportive wife, is a beacon of hope and sanity. But not for long…
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
POSTPONED – COVID
In the bar >> PREVIEW
June 17 -21
A Walk in the Woods
By Lee Blessing. Directed by Nikki Packham
Set in pleasant woods on the outskirts of Geneva in the late 1980’s two arms limitation negotiators , one Russian and one American, take a stroll. Away from the glare of the negotiating table they develop a relationship even though their personalities are very different. Both a Tony Award nominee and Pulitzer Prize finalist Blessing has created an intriguing and thought provoking drama as relevant today as it was in 1988.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
POSTPONED – COVID
Main House
July 3 -11 (not Sunday 5th)
Breaking the Code
By Hugh Whitemore. Directed by Tony Jenner
Last performed at BLT in 1991 this compassionate play is the story of Alan Turing, mathematician and father of computer science. Turing ‘broke the code’ in two ways: he cracked the German Enigma code during World War 11 and also shattered the English code of sexual discretion with his homosexuality. A compelling piece of modern theatre that has certainly stood the test of time. ‘Breaking the Code is a terrifically well-made tribute to Alan Turing’ The Telegraph
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
POSTPONED – COVID
Main House
September 11 -19 (not Sunday 13th)
Hobson’s Choice
By Stanley Houghton. Directed by Colleen Batson
A well loved classic comedy last seen at BLT in 1988. Written in 1915 – a comedy from the cobbles of Lancashire. Take one bombastic shop owner, a ‘plain’ daughter, a long suffering boot-maker, a couple more flighty daughters and their suitors – a recipe for a very unlikely love story as newfound fortitude deals a resolution that is Hobson’s Choice. ‘ Harold Brighouse’s play is both hilarious and thoughtful combining both gusto and grit’ London Theatre
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
POSTPONED – COVID
In the bar
September 23 -27
Bette and Joan
By Anton Burge. Directed by Scott James
Once grande dames of Hollywood by 1962 Bette Davies and Joan Crawford were in danger of becoming has-beens. Then
an opportunity came along: to appear together in a new movie – ‘Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?’ Was their violent hatred of each other as rival sisters in the movie just an act? Come and see the story of these duelling divas in a play which is poignant , tragic and deliciously hilarious. ‘Absolutely hilarious – touching, funny and sad ’Audience feedback from UK Tour
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
POSTPONED – COVID
Main house
October 9-17 (not Sunday 11th)
Things I know to be True
By Andrew Bovell. Directed by Patrick Neylan
Following a hugely successful tour of both Australia and the UK in 2018 we bring this beautiful, bold and touching family drama to the BLT stage. It tells the story of a family and marriage through the eyes of four grown siblings struggling to define themselves beyond their parents’ love and expectations. An intense study of a family both poetic and brutally frank. ‘Genuinely haunting and fervently recommended’ The Independent
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
POSTPONED – COVID
Main House
November 6 -14 (not Sunday 8th)
Hedda Gabler
By Henrik Ibsen. Directed by Jane Buckland
Last performed at BLT in 1992 Ibsen’s classic masterpiece is played out swiftly over 24 hours. This startlingly resonant play is a thrilling portrayal of a free spirited woman. Railing against a life of crippling convention Hedda cuts through the lives of everyone in her orbit. ‘Ibsen’s masterpiece forces us to recognise that even in this age of instant divorce there are still modern Heddas helplessly trapped in loveless bondage’ The Guardian
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
POSTPONED – COVID
In the bar
November 18 -22
The Herd
By Rory Kinnear. Directed by Michael Darbon
This is the first play by the multi-talented actor Rory Kinnear. A family get together – a 21st birthday, three generations, two surprise guests and one unexpected evening. A witty and heartfelt look at family life when it doesn’t turn out quite the way you imagined.
‘A vivid and unsentimental portrait of domestic life, flecked with wry humour’ The Evening Standard
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
POSTPONED – COVID
Main House >>PREVIEW
It’s a Wonderful Life
December 4 -12 (not Sunday 6th)
Adapted for radio-on-stage from the Frank Capra film by Tony Palermo
Directed by Pauline Armour
Our December production will be this most iconic of Christmas stories. Set in a 1940’s radio studio, the audience will delight in being participants in this uplifting tale of the real meaning of Christmas! Much more at PREVIEW