thebestcellar@gmail.com
Please email us at thebestcellar@gmail.com for details
Our rates are competitive and affordable, providing value for money with high end entertainment value.
Upon contractual agreement, we will provide all safety and appropriate insurance as standard practice.
Contracts and Fees
©’Don’t Go Into The Cellar!’ 2024 All rights reserved
Don't Go Into The Cellar! perform at venues across the United Kingdom, from theatres to
manor houses and festivals. Our shows offer an original take on traditional Victorian and
Edwardian literature - perfect for people seeking good, old-fashioned theatrical entertainment!
Ideal if your glass of abinsthe involves a spot of Yuletide Ghoulishness. Bookings now being taken for 2024!
‘The Thirty-Nine Steps’
This new adaptation of the
perennial favourite features
Jonathan Goodwin as
Richard Hannay. A gripping
one-man thriller based on the
classic John Buchan tale. Can
Hannay solve the riddle of
The Black Stone in time to
avert a global conflict?
‘Wilde About Oscar’
Join Oscar Wilde for a sparkling and
sprightly one-man show, in which stories
will be told, laughter will be raised and,
perhaps, a few tears shall be shed.
Award-winning actor Jonathan Goodwin
performs in a show scripted and adapted
by himself.
Space and technical requirements
We are able to provide full technical equipment for our shows, all of which is PAT tested as standard practice.
For venues with in-house sound and lighting systems, we provide our own technician who will operate the venues equipment
during performance and liaise with your technical staff.
We are able to fit our shows in most spaces, but for specific requirements please CONTACT US
‘Toad of Toad Hall’
Poop-poop! The incorrigible Toad rides
again in this high-energy one-man show.
There's lots of fun to be had as the Mole,
the Rat and the Badger attempt to rein in
their friend's natural zest for life. But
will they be able to thwart the Handsome
Toad of Toad Hall? Jonathan Goodwin
plays author Kenneth Grahame, Mr Toad
and a host of others.
‘Sherlock Holmes Strikes Back!’
Award-winning actor Jonathan Goodwin
returns as super sleuth Sherlock Holmes. Be
puzzled by the mysterious Red-Headed
League, then join Holmes as he matches wits
with the nefarious Professor Moriarty and
Colonel Moran! This original stage adaptation
is based on the great Conan Doyle classics,
and is scripted by Jonathan Goodwin.
‘ Ghost Stories of M.R. James’
An evening of classic ghost stories where
you, the audience, chooses which tales
are performed! No two performances will
be the same, guaranteed! Jonathan
Goodwin plays Montague Rhodes James
in a show scripted by himself.
‘Raffles’
Written by E.W. Hornung (Arthur
Conan Doyle's brother-in-law),
A.J. Raffles is the Edwardian era's
most celebrated gentleman thief.
In a series of highly entertaining
tales, the suave cat-burglar thrills
and charms you in equal measure.
‘Truly, Jack the Ripper’
Atmospheric one-man show adapted
from classic stories based around the
Ripper theme. Was the Ripper a mad
doctor, an escaped lunatic, a
deranged barrister - or someone just
like you or me?
‘Jekyll and Hyde’
Journey with us to Victorian London, and
experience the unbridled horror of this
perennial favourite. The City is paralyzed
with fear when the repugnant and wicked
Mr Hyde embarks upon his criminal
spree. But what is his shocking secret,
and what possible connection can he have
with the dour and respectable Dr Jekyll?
‘Scotland Yard Investigates’ From the
files of Scotland Yard come these startling
stage adaptations of infamous true-life
nineteenth century crimes. Faithful to the
source material but employing a theatrical
flourish, expect to be entertained and
horrified in equal measure. Featuring
dramatizations of the Thames Torso
Murders, the Whitechapel Murderer and the
Lambeth Poisoner, Dr Thomas Neill Cream!
‘Dracula, or The Undead’
We present an original one-man show
adapted from the great Bram Stoker Gothic
novel. Jonathan Goodwin plays Count
Dracula, Lord of the Undead, and a host of
others in this classic tale of late-Victorian
vampirism! Prepare to learn the bloody truth
that lies beyond the legend!
‘Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of the
Four’ In this original one-man show,
Jonathan Goodwin plays Sherlock Holmes
and a miscellany of other larger-than-life
characters. What connects a father's
disappearance with an audacious robbery
committed in the dead of night? What has
become of the great Agra Treasure? And who
is the mysterious Jonathan Small? Classic
Victorian detective action at its finest.
‘The War of the Worlds’ The
classic tale is restored to its authentic
Victorian setting in this original one-
man performance, scripted and
performed by Jonathan Goodwin. The
chances of anything coming from Mars
are a million to one. And yet, mankind
finds itself on the brink of extinction
when aggressive creatures from that
remote planet land on Earth.
‘A Christmas Carol’
Join the great Victorian novelist
Charles Dickens as he brings to life
one of the most famous ghost stories
of all time. A tale of revenants and
redemption, hauntings and humbug,
seasonal spooks and sentiment.
Jonathan Goodwin performs as
Dickens in this one-man
performance, co-directed by
Goodwin and Gary Archer.
‘Ghouls’ Gallery’ An anthology stage
show based on a choice selection of great
tales of terror by Bram Stoker and other
masters of gothic horror!. Authentically
gripping dramatic storytelling performed
and scripted by award-winning actor
Jonathan Goodwin.
In association with MX Publishing, we now have an online store. MP4 recordings
of many classic chillers and thrillers are available, with more being added on a
regular basis. Also available is our book, "Don't Go Into The Cellar, Mr Holmes!"
written by Jonathan Goodwin.
‘Dorian Gray’ Oscar Wilde's only
novel is adapted for the stage in this
atmospheric one-man show. What awful
secret is stored inside the attic? Only the
eternally youthful and charming Dorian
Gray knows. But as his appetite for sin
leads to ever greater acts of wickedness,
Gray will stop at nothing to make sure
no one discovers the dreadful truth!
‘What Ho Wodehouse’
Jonathan Goodwin performs in a brand new
comedy, adapted from some of the early
writings of P.G. Wodehouse. A light-hearted
romp guaranteed to lift the spirits and make
one forget about one's cares and worries.
Join affable raconteur Everard "Stinkey"
Crumpleton-Psmith as he regales you with
tales of fellow Club members' scrapes with
irritable secretaries, formidable aunts and
bumbling butlers galore!
‘Night of the Vampires’ A theatrical
anthology of classic tales of the undead,
including adaptations of E.F. Benson and
others. A bloody good way to while away
an evening! Performed and scripted by
actor Jonathan Goodwin.
‘Confessions of Sweeney Todd’
An original one-man performance
featuring an audience with the infamous
Demon Barber of Fleet Street himself,
Sweeney Todd! The classic penny
dreadful tale is performed with gusto
and swagger by Jonathan Goodwin in a
show directed by Gary Archer.
‘The Canterville Ghost’
Enjoy comedy and chills in this original
adaptation of the charming Oscar Wilde
tale, written especially for children and
young families. This one-man show,
featuring much audience participation, is
guaranteed to raise more than just a
ghost of a smile! Philip Jennings stars in
a show that's written by Jonathan
Goodwin, and directed by Gary Archer.
‘A Pandemonium of Poe’
Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Poe... A show in
which the audience gets to choose which
Edgar Allan Poe tales are performed! No
two performances will ever be the same!
Full-blooded gothic melodrama brought to
life by Jonathan Goodwin and directed by
Gary Archer.
‘Science Fiction by Gaslight’
An original show that explores the
literary origins of Steampunk, with
dramatic retellings of the finest classic
Victorian science fiction, including tales
by Arthur Conan Doyle and H.G. Wells.
‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’
Mr Holmes, they were the footprints of
a gigantic hound! In this original one-
man stage adaptation, award-winning
actor Jonathan Goodwin plays Sherlock
Holmes and a host of other characters.
Based on the world-famous novel by
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, expect
atmospheric drama at its very best with
this superb Victorian gothic thriller!
‘Haunted Dolls’ True-life encounters
abound of eerie encounters with apparently
possessed or cursed objects that bedevil
their unfortunate owners. In this original
one-man show, we present an unsettling
theatre piece that will demonstrate it isn't
always just your imagination playing tricks
on you in the dead of night. Your childhood
doll really is watching you! Jonathan
Goodwin performs in a show scripted by
himself and co-directed with Gary Archer.
‘London After Midnight’
Let us wander through the streets and
thoroughfares of nighttime London, as
we explore the myths and urban
legends of the great city. We shall
encounter grisly tales of malignant
spirits and cold-hearted killers,
Spring-Heeled Jack and the Peckham
Ghost, eccentrics and scoundrels
along the way. Written and performed
by Jonathan Goodwin.
‘Sherlock Holmes’ Christmas Casebook’
Take a trip to Baker Street and spend Christmas
with Sherlock Holmes in this engaging stage
show starring award-winning actor Jonathan
Goodwin as the famed detective. Features an
original theatrical adaptation of the Conan
Doyle classic, "The Adventure of the Blue
Carbuncle" and other festive delights!
For your ease of reference, our shows have been categorised according to genre.
This will enable audiences and venues alike to choose the Cellar production that is right for them.
As a general rule, all of our shows are suitable for people aged eleven and over. The exception is
"The Canterville Ghost", which is aimed at young families with children aged five and above.
‘Frankenstein’
In this original and faithful adaptation
of Mary Shelley's perennial Gothic
horror, award-winning actor and writer
Jonathan Goodwin plays a host of
characters, including both Victor
Frankenstein and his monstrous
creation. Dramatic macabre storytelling
at its atmospheric best!
‘Uncle Holly’
An original ghost story for Christmas,
written in the Victorian vein, featuring
the malevolent spectre of Synderford,
Uncle Holly. Jonathan Goodwin performs
this one-man show. Written by Jonathan
Goodwin and co-directed by Goodwin
and Gary Archer.
‘1901 A Space Odyssey’
An original adaptation of the H. G.
Wells classic, The First Men in the
Moon. A high spirited and rollicking
scientific romance that sees our two
protagonists go boldly where no
Victorians have gone before. To the
moon! Though the surface of the strange
celestial body is challenging enough,
what untold horrors may lurk beneath?
‘Three Men in a Boat’
A fresh adaptation of the classic comic
tale. Join Walsall's very own Jerome K
Jerome as he recounts his quixotic
journey with friends Harris and George,
not forgetting Montmorency the dog
along the River Thames. As funny now
as it was all those years ago!
‘Greyfriars Bobby’
A heart-warming one-man adaptation
of the classic tale based on the true
story of a Highland terrier and his
unwavering loyalty to his master, Jock.
A sentimental caper for animal lovers
young and old alike.
‘Charles Dickens Telling Tales’
An original and authentic recreation
of the great author's dramatic
performances adapted from several of
his shorter tales, including ghost
classic "The Signal-man" and comic
selection taken from "The Pickwick
Papers". Dickens is for life, not just
for Christmas!