Our Theatre Family
What's happening at Theatrecraft: events, announcements and highlights, plus our Spotlight newsletter.
Read-through Wednesday 25 November, 7.30pm · Auditions Sunday 6 December, 10am and Wednesday 9 December, 7.30pm
They may have retired from the stage, but the drama is far from over!
Our next production takes us to The Mount Home for Retired Theatricals, where life is more like a country house hotel than a retirement home, and the residents are positively encouraged to keep performing.
Old Actors Never Die, They Simply Lose the Plot by Lynn Brittney is a wonderfully daft comedy-farce packed with eccentric luvvies, larger-than-life characters and some terrific comic roles for mature performers.
When Walter Neville, veteran of 212 films, arrives at The Mount, he’s delighted to find some of his old friends already in residence. But when the serial womaniser husband of three of the residents goes missing, apparently on the run from Russian gangsters, things take a decidedly ridiculous turn…
Whether you’re interested in auditioning or simply want to find out more about the production, come along to the read through and meet the team.
For more information or to request a show pack (available in the next week or two), email theatrecraft.hernebay@gmail.com
Pettman House, Hanover Square, Herne Bay CT6 5NY
Announced 2 October 2026
A huge thank you to everyone who auditioned, and congratulations to our newly announced cast. We’re delighted to welcome several new members to Theatrecraft alongside plenty of familiar faces.
With every role now confirmed and our first rehearsal taking place tonight, the adventure is officially beginning. We can’t wait to see this cast bring our magical January pantomime to life!
Take a look at our full cast list below!
Sunday 20 September 2026
We had a great day on Sunday with MSA First Aid Training Kent, learning and practising some really important first aid skills.
The workshop covered CPR, the recovery position, what to do if someone is choking, and how to treat burns and scalds. There was plenty of fun along the way, too!
We have a designated first aider at every rehearsal and throughout show week, so it’s important to know what to do if someone needs help. A big thank you to MSA for the workshop, and to everyone who came along. ❤️
Saturday 19 December 2026 · 7pm to 10.30pm
Join us for a festive get-together to celebrate the end of the year and the start of panto season!
We’re delighted to have some fellow thespians joining us with their touring panto, who will be putting on a special performance just for our Theatrecraft family and friends.
Expect festive fun, games, laughter and a chance to catch up with your Theatrecraft friends.
More details will be shared nearer the time. We’d love to see you there!
Herne Institute Hall
Ahead of our January pantomime
Beauty and the Beast needs a set built, painted and dressed before it can go anywhere near a stage, and that takes rather more hands than we currently have. If you've a few spare hours at a weekend, can hold a saw or a paintbrush, or fancy learning, we'd be glad of you. No experience required and no obligation to appear on stage, ever.
Latest Issue
Our autumn issue! Inside: meet the Beauty and the Beast cast, Drag Bingo, Old Actors Never Die, a Murder Mystery in the making, the Christmas Social and Panto Party, backstage heroes wanted, your feedback, meet your committee, and dates for your diary.
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Older news and events.
Auditions Tuesday 22nd and Friday 25th September 2026 · 7.30pm
Calling all beauties, beasts, enchanted objects and remarkably talented cows… it's time to join the adventure! We're now casting for Beauty and the Beast, Theatrecraft's January pantomime, and we'd love to see some new faces alongside our familiar favourites. While The King's Hall is closed for refurbishment, our cast will be bringing this magical story to life at The Bay Theatre, Herne Bay High School, on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 January 2027. Fancy joining them? Whether you're dreaming of playing the courageous Belle, the fearsome Beast or the outrageous Orangena, or fancy singing and dancing your socks off in the ensemble, we'd love to see you there. Show packs will be ready shortly. Email theatrecraft.hernebay@gmail.com to register your interest, and we'll send you the show pack as soon as it is available.
Saturday 5 September 2026 · Doors 7.10pm, eyes down 7.30pm · Over 18s
Eyes down! We're bringing a little extra sparkle to Pettman House for Theatrecraft's first Drag Bingo night! Hosted by our very own Callum and Jeff, there will be plenty of bingo, laughs and prizes up for grabs, all while raising funds for Theatrecraft. Tickets are £10 per person and include six bingo pages, a dabber and nibbles. Just bring your own drinks and get ready for a brilliantly cheeky night! Book your tickets with Heidi or email theatrecraft.hernebay@gmail.com.
Tuesday 8 September 2026, from 7.30pm
Got a production you'd love to direct? We'd love to hear from you. Whether you've directed for Theatrecraft before or have a production you'd love to bring to our stage, our doors are open.
Open until end of Friday 31 July 2026
Were you part of All Shook Up? Cast, band, backstage, sound and lighting, front of house, committee. Every one of you helped make show week happen. Before we move on to panto and other adventures, we'd love your honest thoughts while it's all fresh: what worked, what didn't, and what would make the next show even better, on stage, backstage, or in how the whole thing was run. It takes only a few minutes, and it's completely anonymous: just leave the name box blank. We'll gather everything and share back what we've learned and what we're changing for next time.
Sunday 6 September 2026 · 1–3pm
One person's set piece, another's treasure! Join us at the workshop for a big clear-out, sorting through the sets, props and scenery of shows gone by, deciding what's worth keeping and what's off to the tip. Come and lend a hand (and rescue anything that catches your eye before it goes). Many hands make light work, and we'll head down to the beach for chips afterwards. Come for the finds, stay for the chips!
Friday 24 July 2026 · 7–10pm
Celebrate show week 50s-style! Jive and lindy hop the night away with fun and games, a dance-off, a raffle and the All Shook Up awards. £5 entry, nibbles provided, so bring your own food and drink. Book your place with Heidi.
