WHAT'S ON UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE
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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.
