THE UNFRIEND
2026-02-11 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-02-12 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-02-13 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-02-14 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Talisman Theatre and Arts Centre, Barrow Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1EG, United Kingdom
THE UNFRIEND
9th – 14th February 2026
Dying of manners?
Join us for an evening of uproarious comedy and cringeworthy farce in this new play by award-winning writer, Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Sherlock).
At the end of their holiday, Peter and Debbie reluctantly agree to stay in touch with their newly-met American cruise-friend, Elsa. However, when she later invites herself to stay they look her up online and discover the deadly truth surrounding this powerful, extravagant woman. Chaos and hysteria ensue as the couple attempt to protect their family and their comfortable lives without seeming rude.
Take a hilarious look at middle-class England’s perennial struggle to keep up appearances, all to avoid social embarrassment.
Age recommendation: 12+ or at parental discretion.
An amateur production by arrangement with Nick Hern Books.

WENDY AND PETER PAN
2026-03-12 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-03-13 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-03-14 19:30 - 22:00
WENDY AND PETER PAN
12th – 14th March 2026
An awfully big adventure!
Fly to Neverland and get ready for an awfully big adventure with the Talisman Youth Theatre!
When Peter Pan swoops through the window, Wendy is whisked away to the ultimate children’s playground — where Lost Boys play, pirates prowl, and a crocodile lurks in the shadows. She’ll face a feisty fairy called Tink, take on the mischievous Lost Boys, and go head-to-head with the dastardly Captain Hook. Along the way, Wendy will discover what it truly means to grow up…and maybe even help her family find happiness again.
A magical, action-packed adventure the whole family will love!
Age recommendation: 7+ or at parental discretion.
Production by arrangement with Nick Hern Books.
(This is a shortened version with permitted additions
from the original.)

BACKSTAIRS BILLY
2026-04-13 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-14 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-15 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-16 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-17 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-18 19:30 - 22:00
BACKSTAIRS BILLY
13th – 18th April 2026
Upstairs, downstairs…and in between!
Take a sneaky peek behind the scenes at Clarence House, the fabulous London home of the Queen Mother, in this irreverent comedy.
It’s 1979, receptions are in full swing, champagne is flowing and Billy Tallon, Page of the Backstairs, is on top of his own little world. Outside the palace walls, however, unemployment, inflation and industrial action threaten to bring the country to its knees. Cue Margaret Thatcher!
Backstairs Billy examines the fifty-year relationship between the Queen Mother and her most loyal, most outrageous servant, which is rocked when palace life and the outside world begin to collide.
Age recommendation: 15+ or at parental discretion. Suggested sexual content and some strong language.
An amateur production by arrangement with Nick Hern Books.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
2026-05-18 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-05-19 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-05-20 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-05-21 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-05-22 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-05-23 19:30 - 22:00
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
18th – 23rd May 2026
Passion. Desire. Madness. Survival.
Traditional values clash with modern realities in this timeless masterpiece.
Considered Tennessee Williams’s finest work, A Streetcar Named Desire follows Blanche Dubois, a fading Southern belle who is staying with her sister, Stella, in boisterous New Orleans. When she meets Stanley, Stella’s overtly masculine and working-class husband, tensions between the pair rapidly and violently come to a head in the claustrophobia of their cramped living quarters.
Join us for this powerful tale of desire and destruction as Blanche realises that the present holds no hope and the past is inescapable.
Age recommendation: 14 + or at parental discretion. Themes of sexual and domestic violence.
This amateur production of “A Streetcar Named Desire” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.

ROCK OF AGES
2026-06-22 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-06-23 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-06-24 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-06-25 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-06-26 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-06-27 19:30 - 22:00
ROCK OF AGES
22nd – 27th June 2026
Big dreams. Bigger hair. Blazing riffs.
Let your hair down and bring your dancing shoes for this larger-than-life blast from the past!
Set in the 1980s along the Sunset Strip, join us in following aspiring rocker Drew and small-town girl Sherrie as they chase their dreams at the legendary Bourbon Room, while trying to save the venue from being replaced by a strip mall.
Set to iconic anthems of the era, Rock of Ages is a high-energy, feel-good love letter to the ’80s — a jukebox romp with a soundtrack you’ll adore from start to finish. Live out your Hollywood dreams in this unmissable musical comedy!
Age recommendation: 12+ or at parental discretion. This show contains some adult language and themes.
An amateur production by arrangement with Nick Hern Books.

BLEAK EXPECTATIONS
2026-08-24 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-08-25 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-08-26 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-08-27 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-08-28 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-08-29 19:30 - 22:00
BLEAK EXPECTATIONS
24th – 28th August 2026
Mischief, mayhem and darkly comic chaos.
Prepare for a hilarious evening of joy and laughter as Dickens meets Monty Python in this chaotic comic caper.
Follow the story of Pip Bin and his family and friends as they scramble to escape the clutches of dastardly villains and find true love. Spot the Dickensian characters as they uphold their Victorian values in this non-stop comic farce that sees them send up Britishness with oodles of silliness as they race towards their (hopefully) happy ending.
Based on the award-winning BBC Radio 4 series, this Mark Evans play enjoyed a highly successful run in the West End. So take a trip back to Victorian England in this fast-paced and inventive production, featuring a host of instantly-familiar characters that will have you rolling in the aisles.
Age recommendation: 12+ or at parental discretion.
An amateur production by arrangement with Nick Hern Books.

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
2026-09-28 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-09-29 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-10-01 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-10-02 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-10-03 19:30 - 22:00
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
28th September – 3rd October 2026
A journey through mind and heart
A moving story of courage, curiosity, and connection. Step into the extraordinary world of Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
Adapted from Mark Haddon’s award-winning novel, this unforgettable story follows fifteen-year-old Christopher, a brilliant mind on a mission to solve the mystery of a neighbour’s dead dog. What begins as a detective adventure soon becomes a profound journey of self-discovery, family, and resilience.
Engaging and uplifting, this drama is perfect for families and students, with strong connections to GCSE and A-Level study. Join us for an unforgettable experience that touches both heart and mind.
Including a Relaxed Performance.
Age recommendation: Age 12+ or at parental discretion. Themes of family conflict, loss, and some adult language.
This amateur production of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME (RELAXED PERFORMANCE)
2026-09-30 19:30 - 22:00
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME (RELAXED PERFORMANCE)
30th September 2026
A journey through mind and heart
A moving story of courage, curiosity, and connection. Step into the extraordinary world of Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
Adapted from Mark Haddon’s award-winning novel, this unforgettable story follows fifteen-year-old Christopher, a brilliant mind on a mission to solve the mystery of a neighbour’s dead dog. What begins as a detective adventure soon becomes a profound journey of self-discovery, family, and resilience.
Engaging and uplifting, this drama is perfect for families and students, with strong connections to GCSE and A-Level study. Join us for an unforgettable experience that touches both heart and mind.
We are pleased to offer a Relaxed Performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, designed to create a welcoming and comfortable experience for anyone who may benefit from a more flexible theatre environment. This includes autistic audience members, those with sensory sensitivities, people who prefer a gentler atmosphere, families with additional needs to consider, and anyone who would feel more at ease with adjustments in place.
Age recommendation: Age 12+ or at parental discretion. Themes of family conflict, loss, and some adult language.
This amateur production of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.

GASLIGHT
2026-11-02 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-11-03 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-11-04 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-11-05 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-11-06 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-11-07 19:30 - 22:00
GASLIGHT
2nd – 7th November 2026
Deception burns behind closed doors.
The iconic Victorian thriller of manipulation, secrets and suspense. The Manninghams appear to be the perfect couple — at least from the outside. But behind the elegant façade of their London home, something far more sinister is at play.
Bella begins to doubt her sanity; Jack vanishes on mysterious errands; objects disappear, and strange footsteps echo from the attic. Is Bella truly losing her mind? Why does the light keep flickering? And what prompts the sudden arrival of a detective at their door? Gaslight is a gripping story of psychological control, deception and resilience — a chilling glimpse into the life of a woman fighting to reclaim her reality.
Rediscover Patrick Hamilton’s classic thriller in a new light — the play that gave us the term “gaslighting” — and experience a timeless drama that feels more unsettlingly relevant than ever. Step into the shadows and see it for yourself.
Age recommendation: 12+ or at parental discretion. Trigger warnings: manipulation, abusive relationships and themes of mental illness.
This amateur production of ‘Gaslight®’ is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.
