WHAT'S ON UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE
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That’s Why Mums Go to Switzerland
3 - 5 Jul 2026
Play
Production by:
Clothes Line Productions
THAT'S WHY MUMS GO TO SWITZERLAND
From the mind, and true lived experience, of Bonnie Oddie, That's Why Mums Go to Switzerland (Winner: Best Solo Show at Riverside Studios Bitesize Festival) is a blazing, darkly comic new play. This one-woman show steps into an exploration of assisted dying within modern family dynamics, with wit and disarming warmth.
Told through the eyes of a middle-aged woman stuck between the generation above her, her daughters below her, and a family in chaos. We follow a relationship breakdown, teenage upheaval, dependency, love (“whatever that is”), a mother openly preparing for the end, and the joys of becoming "a bad mother and a bad daughter at exactly the same time".
And of course, the dog. Who knew everything. Because dogs always know everything. As the UK grapples with some of its most important conversations about assisted dying, this play is willing to sit in the conflict.
Directed by Steve Medlin (Artistic Director of Collage Arts), Produced by Elsa Pahl (Paratroopers, You Me Bum Bum Train, The Lion the Witch and the Westway) and Executive Produced by Michelle Toth (founder of True Story London), this production is what conversation actually looks like - complex, messy, razor-sharp and heart-wrenching. It’s unmissable.
“Truly life - and death - affirming”
- Polly Vernon
11 Jul 2026
Musical
Production by:
Sam Mileberg
TOWNSFOLK
How long can one life last before it fades? Down a winding musical road, you’ll find the residents of a small town, each leading different lives and singing their separate stories
Let the Townsfolk community take you on a heartfelt musical journey of love, friendship and harmony.
Following on from its sold-out performance at the Chichester Fringe, Sam Mileberg’s debut composition ‘Townsfolk’ comes to Upstairs at the Gatehouse for its London premiere. Brought to life by a cast of fourteen Musical Theatre students from the University of Chichester, this wholehearted song cycle undoubtedly marks the beginning of many fulfilling careers within the industry. With a clear sense of unity within the company, the 60-minute piece asks questions about life’s future, about how we change and how we belong amongst one another.
Music & Lyrics: Sam Mileberg | Additional Lyrics: Bennie Hayfield
Choreography: Nicole Rowan-Putt
Pride and Prejudice in Words and Music
12 Jul 2026
Play with Music
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE IN WORDS AND MUSIC
After sold-out performances at the 2025 Bath Jane Austen and Chawton Pride and Prejudice Festivals, the Cohen-Wingfield Duo — creators of the acclaimed Einstein's Violin — bring Pride and Prejudice in Words and Music to Upstairs at the Gatehouse for one night only.
Gill Hornby's witty and dynamic abridged version of Jane Austen's celebrated novel is combined with music for violin and piano, reworked by Carl Davis from his iconic score for the beloved 1995 BBC TV adaptation starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.
"A delight from start to finish"
Darling, I Think I'm Turning Into A Chicken
14 - 26 Jul 2026
Play
Production by:
Butterfly Eye Productions
DARLING, I THINK I'M TURING INTO A CHICKEN
Butterfly Eye Productions’ new totally absurd and slightly horrific Extravaganza comes to Upstairs at the Gatehouse for its premiere run this July. An imaginative, physical and text-led exploration of how illness is not only biological, but emotional, social and generational, asking what it takes to break cycles of inheritance—and whether healing is ever truly possible
Born out of lived experiences, darkly comedic play about generational trauma and transformation, Darling, I think I’m turning into a Chicken explores what happens when loss becomes the air a family breathes. Florence has everything she’s ever wanted: a fiancée, a thriving career, and a perfect home. But when she starts to grow feathers, her carefully constructed life begins to unravel. As the transformation worsens—and threatens to kill her—Florence discovers she’s not alone: her estranged family are changing too. To survive, she must confront the past she’s spent a lifetime avoiding.
Writer and Director: India Rose Olsen
Music and Lyrics: Michael Fristot & Tess McLee
19 Jul 2026
Live Music
Production by:
The Jive Aces
THE JIVE ACES: FEELIN’ HAPPY TOUR
Featuring special guest Noelle Vaughn
★★★★★
"Hugely charismatic performers and consummate showmen"
Edinburgh Spotlight
Got the blues? Well, step right up, because The Jive Aces are bringing their "Feelin’ Happy" Tour to town, and it’s gonna flip your frown upside down! When these cats burst onto the stage in their signature yellow suits, you’ll be tapping your feet and grinning like a fool before you know it. This is more than just a show — it’s a proper good time that’ll leave you buzzing with joy.
For 30 years they've have been taking their infectious tunes to over 40 countries and continuously proving why they are the UK’s No.1 jive and swing band. They effortlessly transition from smooth-as-butter ballads to rip-roaring rhythm & blues, with a nod to the raw, foot-stomping roots of rock ‘n’ roll. They’ve played for the Queen, packed out the Royal Albert Hall, and made history as the first band to get to the Britain’s Got Talent finals.
You’ve probably caught their rendition of the Morecambe and Wise classic "Bring Me Sunshine" - a banger with nearly 4 million YouTube views that’s so upbeat a U.S. doctor prescribed it to chase away the blues. Recently comedian Miranda Hart even declared it one of her favourite songs, stating: "The Jive Aces will get me up off the floor and make me lose any self-consciousness and dance!"
Joining the party is the sensational Noelle Vaughn, a jazz siren who’s got the UK scene buzzing. With a voice like velvet and a stage presence that’ll stop you in your tracks, Noelle swings from sultry ballads to red-hot jazz standards with ladles of charm.
Starring: The Jive Aces
Special Guest: Noelle Vaughn
Grab your dancing shoes and get ready for a night of swing, jive, and pure, unfiltered entertainment.
"True Showmanship!"
Daily Telegraph
"Brilliantly Committed!"
Daily Mirror
"Brilliant musicianship combined with a madcap sense of fun"
The Stage
"Absolutely Brilliant! That really put me in a good mood"
Simon Cowell
"The best I’ve seen since Louis Prima"
Keely Smith
26 Jul - 3 August 2026
Talk
Production by:
Ovation
Secrets of The Simpsons - Stories and Scandals from Springfield
An Evening with Mike Reiss.
Comedy producer Mike Reiss won four Emmys during his thirty-six years writing movie scripts, American TV shows and countless episodes of The Simpsons. ‘Entertainment Weekly’ called Season 4 of The Simpsons “the greatest season of the greatest show in history”.
Mike Reiss lectures regularly throughout the USA and onboard cruise ships including Cunard’s QM2. This Summer Mike makes his UK debut visiting London, Stockport, Birmingham and Brighton. His talk also features ‘The Science of Jokes’ and a Q&A when Mike answers the fans favourite question “Just how do The Simpsons always manage to predict the future “
‘Secrets of The Simpsons’ is a two-hour presentation including interval and the Q&A.
Tour information (not tickets): www.ovationuk.com
CAMDEN FRINGE SHOWS
3 - 30 August
The Camden Fringe is a performing arts festival, established in 2006, which takes place in Camden during August. Anyone and everyone is welcome to apply. Previous fringe events have encompassed new writing, opera, musicals, stand-up, sketch comedy, dance, cabaret, poetry, opera, mentalism, improvisation and opera. Shows take place throughout the day and generally last one hour.
The Camden Fringe was set-up as an alternative to Edinburgh Festival, offering performers the chance to try out new material and different ideas in a supportive setting with less time and financial commitments than EdFringe did at the time. The Camden Fringe aims to give anyone the chance to perform and showcase their talents, from very experienced performers and companies, to ambitious newcomers. Since 2006 the Camden Fringe has gained a reputation for supporting acts, providing helpful information and guidance for the acts involved.
SEE FULL PROGRAMME OF SHOWS AT UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE HERE
OR pick up a brochure at the venue.
