Previous Productions – Peculiar Productions

Monstrous Regiment

A collaboration between Monstrous Productions Theatre Company and Peculiar Productions, under the co-direction of Amy Curson and Ed Thomas.

On the 11 year anniversary of the production originally performed with a university drama society and 10 years on from their first independent production Monstrous Productions were back for a maybe ‘one-off’ collaboration with Peculiar Productions.

A coming of age story, where a strategic pair of socks makes a surprisingly big difference to your place in the world. With patriotism, stupidity and camaraderie; a troop of ‘little lads’ pull together to rescue the men, find themselves, their big brother’s, fiancé’s, freedom and overhaul a fossil government.

We could not be prouder to be donating £1,200 each to Shelter Cymru and Gwent Children’s Diabetes Team. We hope you enjoyed and we’ll see you again soon.

Check out the review by Better Than a Poke in the Eye.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

You know the legends, but what’s the real story? Join Peculiar Productions for our family-friendly comedy-horror The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This faithful adaptation of Washington Irving’s classic brings the tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman to life like never before.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, performed at The Paget Rooms, Penarth 19th – 22nd January 2022.

Proceeds to Cardiff MIND.

Haunt.

Adapted and Directed by Alice Boswell

Broadcast 25th February 2021.

Charles Dickens has invited Sheridan Le Fanu, his wife Susanna Le Fanu and Charlotte Riddell to spend the weekend in a country house, where they will indulge in telling ghost stories in the old English tradition. The house is also occupied by servants, from whom we meet Smith, Dickens’ butler, and Mrs Canmore, the housekeeper, who have their own tales to tell.

Streamed Live on Twitch and Youtube, listen back to join us around the virtual fireplace, and hear tales brought to life by our incredible cast.

Watch Again on Youtube

Hound of the Baskervilles

Directed by Amy Curson

Broadcast 28th October 2020

Sherlock Holmes takes on a mysterious new case in which generations of a wealthy family are stalked by a monstrous hound.

Suspecting there may be more to the legend than first appears, Holmes sends Dr Watson to investigate. With a murderous convict on the loose and numerous strange happenings, the dramatic moors make an eerie setting for this tense tale.

This two-part, live broadcast took place over two evenings, bringing to a close Peculiar Productions ‘Spooky Season’!

Watch part 1 again on YouTube

Watch part 2 again on YouTube

Casting the Runes

Directed by Terrance-Marshman Edwards

Broadcast 22nd October 2020

Join us for our next event from the comfort of your own home, in whatever lockdown state you happen to be in!

Based on the classic ghost story by M.R. James, “Casting The Runes” tells the story of Edward Dunning, an academic researcher who reviews then declines a manuscript on the Truth of Alchemy…
and is then threatened by strange forces.

Could the enigmatic Mr. Karswell be behind these supernatural goings-on?

Did Karswell cause the death of another academic who criticised his work?

And can Edward work out how to put an end to this before his three months are up?

Watch again on youtube

The War Of The Worlds

Directed by Amy Curson.

Broadcast June 16th 2020, 8PM

Peculiar Productions’ first radio drama, The War of The Worlds tells a story of an alien invasion depicted through a series of radio broadcasts. When the world faces an interstellar threat, who will be there to ensure the survival of life on Earth?

WATCH AGAiN ON YOUTUBE

A Tomb With a View

“The standard of acting makes it hard to believe that this is an amateur production.” – Entertainment South Wales

By Norman Robbins. Directed by Terrance Marshman-Edwards.

February 25th-29th 2020, Llanover Hall Arts Centre, Cardiff.

A deliciously dark comedy thriller! When the Tomb family meet to discuss their late father’s will, it’s going to be murder…

When the reading of the late Septimus Tomb’s will reveals a secret bequest to a complete stranger, his family members – an insular collection of oddballs – are not happy. Threats are made, but someone decides to act on their impulses. Soon enough, the stranger ends up dead.

They are not the first victim. As the body count rises, the remaining family members must try and work out who’s responsible and stop the rest of them ending up in the family plot…

We’re delighted to announce that this production has raised £2,370 for SiMBA, Simpson’s Memory Box Appeal.

Terry Pratchett’s Men at Arms

‘Brilliant performance … characterisation was outstanding … emotional and passionate performances’ – Cardiff Times

Adapted by Stephen Briggs. Directed by Matthew Hitchman.

21st – 24th August 2019, The Gate Arts Centre, Cardiff

Peculiar Productions presents Terry Pratchett’s classic comedy-fantasy thriller, brought to life on stage!

The City Watch Needs Men! And women, of course. Not to mention dwarfs, trolls, gargoyles, and whatever Nobby Nobbs actually is.

It’s not as if Captain Vimes doesn’t have enough to deal with; warring factions of assassins and clowns, the anniversary of an ancient battle making the city just a tad tetchy, and a ruler who’s perfected the art of ‘benevolent tyranny’.

The last thing he and his Watch need is a big group of new recruits who won’t accept that ‘team spirit’ doesn’t include hitting each other with axes. But Vimes needs to make sure they can all get along, and fast – because no-one else can stop a deadly secret that stalks the streets…

We’de delighted to announce that Men at Arms raised £3,500 for Nerve Tumours UK.

Tom Stoppard’s ‘Arcadia’

“Excellent cast bringing great energy to a witty and engaging play” – Audience feedback

By Tom Stoppard. Directed by Hannah Bennett.

21st – 23rd February 2019, The Paget Rooms, Penarth.

Peculiar Productions presents Tom Stoppard’s fascinating and witty comedy, Arcadia. Winner of the 1993 Laurence Olivier Award, Stoppard’s script is a sparky, intellectual masterpiece from one of the UK’s most talented playwrights.

At Sidley Park in 1809, the house is rife with intrigue and happenings, as the infamous Lord Byron is staying with the Coverly family. Whilst the gardens are being redesigned – much to Lady Croom’s distress – the youngest daughter, Thomasina, is being tutored in the classics by Byron’s contemporary, Septimus. Two centuries later, a group of academics convene at the same location to discuss the events that followed: did Byron take part in a fatal duel? Is the story of the mysterious Sidley Park hermit really just a myth? And who was spied with Mrs. Chater in the gazebo?

We’re delighted to annouce that we’ve donated £1,000 to Arcadia‘s chosen charity, The Brain Tumour Charity!

Terry Pratchett’s ‘The Truth’

‘A triumph of a debut’ – Geeks in Wales

By Terry Pratchett. Adapted by Stephen Briggs. Directed by Ellen Warren.

22nd – 25th August 2018, The Gate Arts Centre, Cardiff.

Wiliam de Worde is one of life’s Observers.

He’s always been very good at it. So much so that he’s just managed to invent Ankh-Morpork’s first newspaper, and now his observations are everyone’s observations. This has the unfortunate side effect of People suddenly Observing him.

With a scandal causing chaos in the highest echelons of society, political uncertainty abounding and a lot of funny shaped vegetables, William finds himself right in the middle of the story for the first time and unsure of which way to turn. All he knows is that he has to find the Truth.

The Truth was Peculiar Production’s first show, and raised £5,000 for Cardiff Mind.