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Theatres and Arts Centres
Don’t Go Into The Cellar! have performed several shows here at The Albany Theatre in Coventry including Dracula and Jekyll & Hyde. The companys engaging work lights up our studio theatre and our audiences love the intimate and dark feel of their shows. We look forward to The Confessions of Sweeney Todd visiting us in Autumn 2024. The Albany Theatre, Coventry Don’t Go Into The Cellar theatre company is an absolute highlight of our season. Transporting our audiences to a captivating world of suspense and mystique. With meticulous attention to detail, the company consistently delivers spine-tingling performances, making each show an eagerly anticipated, can't-miss event at our venue. People are already asking for the next one. The Gwyn Hall, Neath Don’t Go Into the Cellar are masters of their trade… bringing Victorian classics and traditional ghost stories to life with ghoulish panache. We have had the pleasure of welcoming Jonathan and Gary over twenty times in the past decade; their flair for producing spine-tingling drama is matched by their professionalism, market knowledge and technical expertise in creating a chilling atmosphere in any performance space. Floral Pavilion Theatre, Wirral We have worked for many years with Don’t Go Into The Cellar Theatre Company. They are very professional to deal with, their work is of the highest standard and their performances are very popular with our audience. The Brindley Theatre, Runcorn We have been working with Don’t Go Into the Cellar for a number of years, their innate sense of storytelling , suspense and depth of knowledge around their given subjects has created a loyal following from our theatre going public. Highly professional and entertaining! Churchill Theatre, Bromley Don’t go into the Cellar never disappoint. Over the last few years they have brought a range of productions to our theatre and all have been well received. Jonathan always throws his heart and soul in to the show. He is a wonderful actor and storyteller and is able to bring every character alive. The Heron Theatre, Cumbria Don't Go Into The Cellar Theatre Company are always a popular choice at the Headgate Theatre. Their shows are fun to watch and enjoyed by our audiences - nothing else quite like it around! Headgate Theatre, Colchester For many years, Don't Go Into The Cellar! Theatre Company has been an integral part of our monthly events at Tea House Theatre, delivering unparalleled Victorian Theatre experiences. Their performances never fail to captivate our audience, leaving them utterly delighted. Jonathan Goodwin's exceptional talent shines through in every production, drawing patrons back time and time again. The seamless blend of entertainment and historical immersion crafted by Don't Go Into The Cellar! is a testament to their dedication and skill. We are honoured to host such a remarkable theatre company and eagerly anticipate each performance they grace our stage with. Tea House Theatre, London Don’t Go Into The Cellar Theatre Company have been performing at Guide Bridge Theatre for many years. Their unique blend of historical drama and atmospheric storytelling creates an immersive experience like no other. From Victorian mysteries to spine-chilling tales, they deliver captivating performances that transport the audience to another time and place. Our season wouldn’t be complete without Don’t Go Into The Cellar. Guide Bridge Theatre, Manchester From the first visit to us with “Truly, Jack the Ripper”, the company has been a firm favourite. Whether it’s a complicated Sherlock Holmes tale, John Buchan’s “The Thirty-Nine Steps”, or a gothic thriller, Jonathan Goodwin presents gripping and atmospheric story-telling which delights our audiences. Simple and effective staging, too. The company be coming back to Leek again, for sure. Our only question – which is to be next from their extensive repertoire? Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek
Museums, Libraries and Art Galleries
We were looking to expand the events we held at the museum and liked the idea of telling stories. Don’t Go Into The Cellar! Approached us at the right time and our venue proved the perfect place for their darker and spookier stories. The team are great to work with and make the event that much easier to run and they always prove popular with the visitors. West Midlands Police Museum, Birmingham Don’t Go Into the Cellar have brought several chilling and atmospheric performances to Tamworth Castle over the past few years, which always leave our audiences wanting more. They have become a regular fixture in our calendar with their extensive catalogue of Classic Horror tales and we hope to continue the partnership for many years to come! Tamworth Arts and Events The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery has been working with Don’t go into the Cellar for many years and have never been disappointed in any of the shows. All the shows are highly atmospheric with stage lighting and minimal highly effective props. Jonathan immediately captures the audience and creates a sense of anticipation. These shows are a staple of our Friday Twilight programme with audiences eager to book onto the next one. The variety of short plays are immense as Jonathan continues to write new ones and I am always spoilt for choice! Stoke Potteries Museum and Art Gallery Don't Go Into The Cellar performed three of their theatre shows at the museum last autumn - Devil Dolls, The Hound of Baskervilles and Ghouls Gallery. Jonathan Goodwin's acting and storytelling, along with technical director Gary Archer's sound effects and lighting, provided an atmospheric setting and had viewers immersed in the stories from the beginning. The gothic themes of the shows really suited the Edwardian setting of the museum and we are excited to have them return soon. Lapworth Museum, University of Birmingham We have invited Don't Go Into The Cellar to perform at Finchingfield Guildhall several times. They have had the audience spellbound. Jonathan's portrayal of Moriaty was so intense that more than one person has vowed never to sit in the front row again! Finchingfield Guildhall It’s always a pleasure to work with Don’t Go into the Cellar. Their innovative, compelling performances always sell out and delight our audiences. They are also easy to work with, consummate professionals who think of everything and make organising an event with them hassle-free and enjoyable. The Leeds Library Don't Go Into the Cellar is a first-class entertainment group providing bespoke performances by literary greats. The Thomas Hardy Society invited them to perform as M.R. James on two occasions, each of which were brilliant and enjoyed by all who attended. A fantastic and mesmerising experience! Dr Tracy Hayes Researcher in Thomas Hardy, Victorian Literature and History, Masculinities, and the Gothic. Jurassic Coast Tutors: English Language and Literature Tutor Don’t Go Into The Cellar captures the essence of Victorian macabre theatre brilliantly. Having only had them at Speke Hall for the first-time winter 2023, Jonathon and Gary have brought a new style of indoor theatre experience that has left guests wanting more. After the first event, Victorian Gothic, visitors left asking ‘when is Don’t Go Into the Cellar returning?’ The second event, A Christmas Carol, one couple said, ‘We’ve been to see Charles Dickens’ Great Great Grandson perform this, and we actually preferred the adaptation performed by Jonathon’. They are a pleasure to work with and it has become one of the highlights of the programming calendar at Speke Hall and I’m looking forward to many more exciting performances. Lorraine Lett, Programming & Partnerships Officer for the National Trust
Festivals
Black Country Touring are pleased to support 'Don't Go Into The Cellar' and have booked their shows several times. They always bring a spooky theatricality and are very accommodating in providing an experience that suits the event. Black Country Touring Don't Go Into The Cellar Theatre Company has been a cornerstone of our offerings at Glamis Castle, enchanting our guests with their punctuality and extraordinary talent. Each performance has been met with overwhelming praise, solidifying their reputation as top-notch entertainers. The success of their sold-out shows in 2023 has led us to expand our collaboration in 2024, eagerly anticipating more unforgettable experiences crafted by their skilled hands. Glamis Castle I had the pleasure of working with Jonathan on an original project centered around the so-called 'curse' of Tutankhamun, one of the most culturally indelible modern myths in the history of archaeology. Jonathan's creativity, versatility, and appetite for all things macabre perfectly brought to life the story of Howard Carter's canary, purportedly penned by him (though in all likelihood masterminded by his friend, the novelist Percy White). I can't recommend 'Don't Go Into The Cellar!' more highly! Dr Eleanor Dobson, University of Birmingham As soon as I saw Don't Go Into the Cellar perform I knew they were a perfect fit for my event portfolio. Bringing the wonderfully dark and Gothic with some heart pumping tales of terror. Sherlock was a masterpiece! My next outing with them is Scotland Yard Investigates which I have no doubt will have my audience on the edge of their seats. Pandora Events
Since we were established in 2010, Don't Go Into The Cellar have worked with over 100 organisations. These include theatres, art galleries, museums, libraries, manor houses and castles. Regular clients include National Trust, University of Birmingham, Hampshire Libraries and several city and borough councils. We also perform at festivals and private functions. Since 2020, we have presented well-received live performances broadcast on our Facebook page as part of our regular Sunday Down The Cellar seasons. These have brought us to a worldwide audience.
For availability, booking and other information, please email us at thebestcellar@gmail.com