Herne Bay · est. 1948
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News

What's happening at Theatrecraft: events, announcements and highlights, plus our Spotlight newsletter.

Save the date! Theatrecraft Christmas Social, 19th December. A glittering poster with theatre curtains, a Christmas tree, a mirrorball and a pink boot. More details to follow soon.

Saturday 19 December 2026

Theatrecraft Christmas Social

Save the date. Our Christmas social is on Saturday 19 December. More details to follow soon.

Poster: a panto dame pointing at the viewer above the words 'Your local society needs you'. Do you have a few spare hours at the weekend, are you handy with a saw, do you enjoy painting? You don't have to be a pro, just have passion.

Ahead of our January pantomime

Your Local Society Needs You

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.

See What's Needed

The Spotlight Newsletter

Spotlight Issue 1, July 2026

Latest Issue

Spotlight

Issue 1 · July 2026

The return of the Theatrecraft newsletter! Inside this issue: All Shook Up at the Open-Air Theatre, our KDA Award nominations, a January pantomime, the 50s Jive Night, Directors Wanted, how to get involved, and all your dates for the diary.

Read Online Download PDF

Previously

Older news and events.

  • Beauty and the Beast, the pantomime. A lantern-lit woodland path leading to a distant castle at night, with an ivy-covered archway to one side.

    Auditions Tuesday 22nd and Friday 25th September 2026 · 7.30pm

    Auditions: Beauty and the Beast

    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.

  • Drag Bingo poster: a performer in a sequinned bodysuit and blonde wig crouching with a bingo ball, surrounded by glitterballs. Pettman House, Herne Bay. Tickets £10 per person, 6 pages, dabber and nibbles. Doors open at 7.10, 7.30 eyes down. Saturday 5 September 2026.

    Saturday 5 September 2026 · Doors 7.10pm, eyes down 7.30pm · Over 18s

    Drag Bingo

    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.

  • A colourful pantomime ensemble mid-routine with arms raised on a painted fairytale village set

    Tuesday 8 September 2026, from 7.30pm

    Directors, come and pitch to Theatrecraft!

    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.

  • The cast of All Shook Up on stage at the Open-Air Theatre, Strode Park House

    Open until end of Friday 31 July 2026

    All Shook Up: how was it for you?

    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.

  • Tip Trips and Chips poster: a seagull eating a chip perched on a skip full of old set pieces. Sunday 6th September, from 1–3.

    Sunday 6 September 2026 · 1–3pm

    Tip Trips and Chips

    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!

  • Lindy Hop: All Shook Up after-show social poster, Friday 24 July, 7 to 10pm, £5 entry

    Friday 24 July 2026 · 7–10pm

    Lindy Hop! The All Shook Up After-Show Social

    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.