Progress Theatre

Progress Theatre Reading's premiere, community theatre company. New members always welcome, meet new friends, get involved as little or as much as you like! See website for more

Varied & challenging drama for all ages. We pride ourselves on our inclusivity & diversity. Progress has been creating excellent theatre in Reading since 1946. As a registered Charity we are committed to promoting education in the performing arts as well as producing a programme of varied, interesting and challenging drama to the highest standard. Progress is run and maintained by volunteers. We h

ave 8 productions in the 2023/24 season. In addition we host music and fringe events, jazz concerts (in partnership with Jazz in Reading) and a monthly comedy night on a Friday. We produce an Open Air production most years, previously at the Caversham Court Gardens and currently in the beautiful Reading Abbey ruins during July. Our intimate 96 seat auditorium has raked seating and includes a dedicated space for a wheelchair user and their carer. We are an accessible building and have one disabled parking bay in our carpark to the rear of the theatre. We have a fully licensed, well stocked bar. Progress has a thriving Youth Theatre, a Writers’ Group, the Friends of Progress and the Members themselves. We are members of the Little Theatre Guild (LTG) and the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) and we are registered in England as a charity (no. 1182798).

19/06/2026

You don't have to act on stage if you join Progress Theatre. Meet Bianca who shares her passion for the stage manager role. 'Smoke, fire and sword-fights!' All safe under Bianca's supervision back stage.

Join us for the drama next week:

https://progresstheatre.co.uk/whats-on

18/06/2026

Linda Bostock shares some insights into her character, 'guardian angel' Doll Common.

Join us next week for our final adult company production of this season inside the Progress Theatre Playhouse Creatures by April de Anglis, directed by Rachel Meyer - we are of course at the Open Air venue with Hamlet in July.

https://progresstheatre.co.uk/whats-on

Just the Abbey Ruins looking stunning, lit up at night. Join us for a magical night of theatre there next month?✨📅 15-25...
17/06/2026

Just the Abbey Ruins looking stunning, lit up at night. Join us for a magical night of theatre there next month?✨

📅 15-25 July inc. matinees
📍 Reading Abbey Ruins
🎟️ readingopenair.com

Award-winning Progress Theatre are bringing you Hamlet, William Shakespeare's most celebrated – and most quoted – play. Performed in the atmospheric setting of Reading's Abbey Ruins.

16/06/2026

Emma Sterry tackles the real-life Mrs Betterton in Playhouse Creatures by April de Angelis and directed by Rachel Meyer - it opens next week!

Check in with us this week for more viewpoint reels from the Playhouse Creatures team.

https://progresstheatre.co.uk/whats-on

How many volunteers does it take to stage an outdoor production of Hamlet in Reading’s Abbey Ruins???The answer: Our ope...
15/06/2026

How many volunteers does it take to stage an outdoor production of Hamlet in Reading’s Abbey Ruins???

The answer: Our open air productions are a huge team effort with more than 100 volunteers involved: actors, directors, stage managers, costume makers, set builders, technicians, front-of-house teams, and countless others working behind the scenes.

The huge talent, hard-work, and dedication of Progress' members makes it possible for us to create high-quality theatre made in and for our local community.

📅15-25 July inc. matinees
📍Reading Abbey Ruins
🎟️readingopenair.com

We can't wait to welcome audiences to the Abbey Ruins for Hamlet this summer.

To volunteer at Progress: progresstheatre.co.uk/get-involved

Happy 80th Anniversary to Progress Theatre! (our 2026/27 season is really special!)Bold drama. Sharp comedy. Big celebra...
14/06/2026

Happy 80th Anniversary to Progress Theatre! (our 2026/27 season is really special!)

Bold drama. Sharp comedy. Big celebrations.

The first half of our 80th anniversary season showcases the range, ambition and passion that have defined our theatre for eight decades. Cold Comfort Farm | Dance Nation | What's Wrong with Angry and the return of our sharp-dressed butlers for a festive fundraiser, all coming soon in Autumn 2026.

Make sure you're the first to hear when tickets go on sale for each of our 80th Anniversary productions, join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/dgA7er

If you're already on our mailing list, update your email preferences using the link so that you only hear about what you are interested in - we only want to email people who genuinely want to hear from us.

The season isn't over yet, if you have already booked for Playhouse Creatures or Hamlet in the Open Air - thank you!

If not, what are you waiting for? https://progresstheatre.co.uk/whats-on

Join us for the second day of the Whiteknights Studio Trail we're open 11-6pm, exhibiting the fantastic work of Liz Chad...
14/06/2026

Join us for the second day of the Whiteknights Studio Trail we're open 11-6pm, exhibiting the fantastic work of Liz Chaderton 🎨🖼️✨

✨ From first read-throughs to finding the rhythm of a scene, every rehearsal brings Playhouse Creatures one step closer ...
13/06/2026

✨ From first read-throughs to finding the rhythm of a scene, every rehearsal brings Playhouse Creatures one step closer to opening night.

There's already plenty of laughter, drama and discovery in the rehearsal room as our cast explore the lives of the women who helped transform English theatre.

We hope you'll join us soon to see the finished result!

📅 22–27 June 2026
🎭 Saturday 27 June includes a Matinee and Relaxed Performance
🎟 Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.com/progresstheatre/playhouse-creatures/e-oveyod

🎭 What happens when women are finally allowed to step onto the stage?Playhouse Creatures tells the story of the first ge...
12/06/2026

🎭 What happens when women are finally allowed to step onto the stage?

Playhouse Creatures tells the story of the first generation of actresses in Restoration England—a world full of opportunity, competition, glamour and uncertainty.

Our cast are discovering these remarkable characters in rehearsal, uncovering the humour, heart and humanity behind the history. Here's a look at the journey so far!

📅 22–27 June 2026
🎭 Saturday 27 June includes a Matinee and Relaxed Performance
🎟 Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.com/progresstheatre/playhouse-creatures/e-oveyod

Join us this weekend (13-14 June) for our exhibition of Liz Chaderton's beautiful artwork as part of the Whiteknights St...
12/06/2026

Join us this weekend (13-14 June) for our exhibition of Liz Chaderton's beautiful artwork as part of the Whiteknights Studio Trail 2026 (https://www.studiotrail.co.uk/).

We often take the beauty around us for granted and our sense of wonder dims a little. Liz paints to capture a moment of awe and bring it to you in a joyful watercolour. A common reaction when people see her work is, they smile. Her art can remind you to appreciate life no matter busy your day gets. She shares her love of watercolour through workshops, YouTube and has authored five practical watercolour books.

“I create art to remind us of the wonder in the world—the quiet resilience of nature, the deep connection we share with animals, and the endless possibilities for renewal.”

Address

The Mount, Christchurch Road
Reading
RG15HL

Opening Hours

Monday 7:15pm - 10:45pm
Tuesday 7:15pm - 10:45pm
Wednesday 7:15pm - 10:45pm
Thursday 7:15pm - 10:45pm
Friday 7:15pm - 10:45pm
Saturday 7:15pm - 10:45pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Progress Theatre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Progress Theatre:

Shortcuts

Share

Category