The Progressive Players will bring a hit comedy play written by Steven Moffat to Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, in April 2026. The production of The Unfriend will run from 20 April to 25 April 2026 at the Little Theatre on Saltwell View. The show is a significant cultural event for the Tyne and Wear community, bringing a contemporary West End hit to a nearby stage.
The play is a dark comedy about a middle-aged English couple who meet a woman named Elsa while on holiday. Although they only intended to be polite, they are shocked when she travels from America to stay at their suburban home without being invited. The script was written by Steven Moffat, best known as the creator (with Mark Gatiss) of Sherlock and as a former showrunner and writer on the revived Doctor Who television series.
The Little Theatre Gateshead will host the performances in its auditorium, which has 187 fixed seats plus two wheelchair spaces (often listed as 188 seats). The theatre is located near the Shipley Art Gallery and Saltwell Park. The building has a unique legacy: it is believed to be the only theatre in Britain built and opened during the Second World War. It was originally funded by the Dodds sisters, who were early members and founders of the local drama society.
The venue is volunteer-led and serves as a social hub for residents, featuring a coffee lounge and bar for guests. The Progressive Players have been producing theatre in Gateshead since 1920 and typically stage around ten shows a year. This upcoming production of The Unfriend is the regional amateur premiere of the play in the area.
Tickets for the theatre’s productions have typically been priced between £10 and £12 and are generally made available closer to the performance dates. Residents interested in attending can book through the TicketSource portal, which handles the theatre’s reservations. The group continues to offer affordable and accessible performances to the people of Gateshead and surrounding areas.
