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 gripping dramas, hilarious comedies or tense thrillers, you can see them all with the Progressive Players!

Find out more about us

Love From a Stranger

adapted by Frank Vosper
from a short story by Agatha Christie
October 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 gripping dramas, hilarious comedies or tense thrillers, you can see them all with the Progressive Players!

Find out more about us

Abigail's Party

by Mike Leigh
September 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 gripping dramas, hilarious comedies or tense thrillers, you can see them all with the Progressive Players!

Find out more about us

The Invincibles

by Amanda Whittington
July 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 gripping dramas, hilarious comedies or tense thrillers, you can see them all with the Progressive Players!

Find out more about us

Murder Story

by Ludovic Kennedy
June 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 gripping dramas, hilarious comedies or tense thrillers, you can see them all with the Progressive Players!

Find out more about us

The Unfriend

by Steven Moffat
April 2026

Future Productions by the Progressive Players

Arsenic & Old Lace

Joseph Kesselring

9 - 14 November 2026

The murderous comedy returns!

There’s something foul about the Brewster Family. Something in the blood that makes them rotten. Recently engaged Mortimer loves his Aunts and is excited to share his news - but is distressed to find they’ve developed a taste for murder!

Madness runs in his bones; one brother thinks he’s President Roosevelt, the other is an imprisoned killer - can Mortimer really live an honest life with such insanity buried deep? Witness the classic murderous
comedy - and, try the wine won’t you?

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Santa and the King of Lapland

Marian Walker

5 - 6 December 2026

It's Lapland's Winter Fair at the King's palace in two day's time. There will be games including skiing, snowboarding, skating, building snow people, and snowball throwing. Everyone is looking forward to it. There's just one problem .... there's no snow!! Join Santa and the elves to see how they can help the king and save the Winter Fair.

This delightful Christmas play is designed especially for children aged 3-8. It’s full of festive fun, singalong songs and no "baddies" to worry about, all in a relaxed atmosphere. Every child will meet Santa and receive a small memento of their visit.

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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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