We are the Progressive Players

An amateur community drama club established in 1920, we are the resident company of the Little Theatre in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear. Whether you’re looking for serious dramas, hilarious comedies or tense thrillers, you can see them all with the Progressive Players!

Find out more about us

Home, I'm Darling

by Laura Wade
March 2026

We are the Progressive Players

An amateur community drama club established in 1920, we are the resident company of the Little Theatre in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear. Whether you’re looking for serious dramas, hilarious comedies or tense thrillers, you can see them all with the Progressive Players!

Find out more about us

Housebound

by Simon Mawdsley
February 2026

We are the Progressive Players

An amateur community drama club established in 1920, we are the resident company of the Little Theatre in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear. Whether you’re looking for serious dramas, hilarious comedies or tense thrillers, you can see them all with the Progressive Players!

Find out more about us

Upstairs at The Hotspur

by Dick Curran
February 2026

We are the Progressive Players

An amateur community drama club established in 1920, we are the resident company of the Little Theatre in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear. Whether you’re looking for serious dramas, hilarious comedies or tense thrillers, you can see them all with the Progressive Players!

Find out more about us

Vintage Hitchcock

by Joe Landry
January 2026

We are the Progressive Players

An amateur community drama club established in 1920, we are the resident company of the Little Theatre in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear. Whether you’re looking for serious dramas, hilarious comedies or tense thrillers, you can see them all with the Progressive Players!

Find out more about us

Rudolph Saves the Day

by Lorna Watson

December 2025

We are the Progressive Players

An amateur community drama club established in 1920, we are the resident company of the Little Theatre in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear. Whether you’re looking for serious dramas, hilarious comedies or tense thrillers, you can see them all with the Progressive Players!

Find out more about us

Skylight

by David Hare

November 2025

Future Productions by the Progressive Players

The Unfriend by Dr Who writer, Steven Moffat.

Steven Moffat

20 - 25 April 2026

The Unfriend is a comedy play by Steven Moffat about a middle-aged English couple, Peter and Debbie, who befriend a friendly American woman named Elsa on vacation. They promise to stay in touch out of politeness but are horrified when she unexpectedly shows up at their suburban home a few months later.

The synopsis revolves around their attempts to get rid of their unwanted, unsettling guest while struggling with the social obligation and politeness that prevents them from simply asking her to leave

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Murder Story

Ludovic Kennedy

8 - 13 June 2026

Murder Story by Ludovic Kennedy and based on true events.

The life of the Tanner family is turned upside down when their son, Jim, is sentenced to death for the murder of PC Albert Tomkins. And whilst in prison Jim is looked after by two kind officers and even learns to read.
Written by Ludovic Kennedy , who was very much against the death penalty. We see the torment Jim’s family goes through and the impact on a “simple lad” who is accused of a terrible crime.

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Become a Member of the Progressive Players

Would you like to get involved?

If you enjoy anything from reading plays, to setting lights, to serving drinks at the bar – we always welcome new members!

Come and find out more here

News & updates from the Progressive Players…

27 February 2026

Outward BOUND!

The Progressive Players are hitting the road again, with an entry in a prestigious drama competition.

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25 September 2024

You get by with a LOT of help from your friends

I’ve taken on roles within the Progressive Players before and always had an amazing time.

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28 June 2024

An Instant in Time

We take a look at the story behind the image on our poster for our July production.

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