New play by BAFTA-winning playwright leads spring theatre season

Wiltshire Creative has announced its Spring 2027 theatre season, bringing humour, heart and high drama to Salisbury Playhouse and Salisbury Arts Centre.

From stagings of true stories that will move and inspire to evenings of riotous entertainment, there’s something for everyone.

Expect famous faces from stage and screen, plus a family treat for February half term.

The season opens with a brand-new play that reveals the true story of a comedy icon: Larry, a Wiltshire Creative and New Wolsey Theatre production by BAFTA and Olivier Award-winning playwright Tim Whitnall.

Charting Larry Grayson’s showbiz odyssey from trailblazing drag artiste to host of the BBC’s The Generation Game, Larry is a hilarious yet poignant tale of subterranean lows and stratospheric highs, reflecting on the beauty of dreams and the power of determination.

Behind the glitter lies a rich and moving story of enduring bonds, and the painful scars of being gay in a time of criminalisation and stigma.

Produced and developed in Salisbury and directed by Wiltshire Creative Artistic Director Gareth Machin, Larry will premiere at Salisbury Playhouse on 11 February.

The main house will also welcome a wide variety of visiting shows:

• The Other Side of Murder, from the producers of audience favourites Murder at Midnight and Murder in the Dark - featuring Rufus Hound (One Man, Two Guv’nors, Wind in the Willows), national treasure Susie Blake (Coronation Street) and Carla Mendonça (Coronation Street);
• Oh Zeus!, an all-out hilarious ride through Greek mythology from kings of comedy La Navet Bete;
• Albert’s Boy, a funny and achingly moving play shining light on one of history’s most enduring figures - starring actor, comedian and two-time Olivier Award winner Griff Rhys Jones as Albert Einstein;
• King Lear, Shakespeare’s enduring tragedy starring national treasure Matthew Kelly (Bleak House, Casualty);
• The King’s Speech, an exciting new production adapted from the Oscar-winning film;
• And Housemates, an exhilarating celebration of courage, community and ordinary people who changed history, performed by a cast of neurodivergent and neurotypical actor-musicians.

Three shows have been confirmed for the more intimate Salberg Studio this season, with more to be announced:

• The Small Office for Eternal Optimism, a new, stripped-back, stand-up storytelling show from “Legend of the Edinburgh Festival” (The Stage) Shôn Dale-Jones;
• Madonna on the Rocks, a darkly funny, fiercely honest techno musical about motherhood by Marie Hamilton;
• and Ode to Joyce, a love letter to the songs and monologues of the extraordinary, influential entertainer Joyce Grenfell.

Family audiences can enjoy a theatrical treat in the Salberg for February half term. Step into the world of Sir Charlie Stinky Socks with Charlie Stinky Socks and the Really Big Adventure, an interactive, inventive and fast-paced show with glorious puppets, live music, and more laughs than you can waft away with a stinky sock.

Gareth Machin, Artistic Director at Wiltshire Creative, said: “This spring, theatre will be centre stage at Salisbury Playhouse as our Main House and Salberg Studio provide a rich array of home-produced and visiting work. Providing comedy, drama and a great night out, the Playhouse will be alive with laughter and energy over the coming months.”

The spring theatre season opens for booking to Wiltshire Creative Supporters on Tuesday 8 September and on general sale Thursday 10 September.

For more information and to book tickets, visit wiltshirecreative.co.uk/whats-on or pick up a season brochure.