Stevenage Festival - 2023 - What was on

We planned a full Festival for 2023 to enable some of the groups to be able to perform on the Gordon Craig stage again.

In an effort to be a little kinder to to the environment we didn't print as many programmes this year so there will be some available at libraries and other places (soon) but we did provide a downloadble pdf version. See the button below.
Click to download pdf file of Festival Programme

Rock in the Park was been confirmed as part of Stevenage Day 2023 on Sunday 11 June.
STOP PRESS! -To view the programme of Bands/times etc that performed visit RITP23.

The Gordon Craig Theatre programme of events are listed below: (click on the links below to jump to the correct part of this webpage to view them)

Main festival ran from Monday 12th of June to Sunday 25th of June 2023 and we sadly lost one event this year, the Herts Music Service event on the 15th June

There are other events (not at GCT) that we support as part of the Fringe programme of events, to view these events click here.

Please note: All ticket prices shown are inclusive of a £1.00 Theatre Restoration Fee. So the ticket price below reflects the price per ticket you will pay ... with no other charges (in earlier Festival years the booking fees for tickets were not shown as part of the ticket price on the Festival website).

• Stevenage Secondary Schools         12 June
• Dance Extravaganza                          13 June
• Hertfordshire Music Service            15 June - EVENT CANCELLED
• Parnassus Poetry                               16 June
• Lytton Players - Lights Up                17 June
• Ad Lib - Musical Improvisations      17 June
• Yes, We Can                                        19 June
• Premiere - Out of the Darkness      20 June
• Primary Schools                                 21 June
• Finale Event                                        24 June
• Stagecoach - Early Stage                  25 June
• Stagecoach - Main Stage                  25 June

Stevenage Secondary Schools

For the opening night of the 2023 Festival, pupils from Stevenage Secondary Schools will come together to demonstrate their talent in the performing arts.

Tickets: £12.50, No Concessions

Dance Extravaganza

Our Dance Extravaganza is an enduring Festival Favourite. It brings together pupils from all ages from Stevenage Dance Schools for an exciting and coloueful evening displaying all styles of dance

Tickets: £14, No Concessions

Hertfordshire Music Service

Unfortunately HMS has had to cancel the HMS concert on the 15th June. Having tried to get various ensembles involved the date has proved difficult for both students (slap bang in the middle of GCSE and A level season) and for staff.

Parnassus Poetry -
"Now is the Summer of dis Content..."

(AUTHORS FOOTNOTE: " ... maybe dat Content")
Another informal evening of poetry, music and mayhem from Stevenage's longest standing poetry performance group. May cause offence, but this cannot be guaranteed. Bar available.

Tickets: £7.50, No Concessions

Lytton Players - Lights Up

The leading Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society in Stevenage, Lytton Players young and old present the best of their popular variety 'Lights Up' performances. Expect sketches, music and a great night's entertainment.

Tickets: £12.50, No Concessions

AdLibretto - Improvised Musical

What did you want to be when you grew up? Each cabaret style show from this talented team is a unique improvised musical created from the life and childhood dreams of a member of the audience.

The first half will feature games and comedic scenes and the second half will be the improvised musical.
Bar available

Tickets: £10.00, Concessions £8.00

Yes, We Can

A special event with creativity at its heart, celebrating the talent of performers of all abilities and those with special needs. This will be a relaxed, supportive performance for both those on stage and the audience.

Tickets: £12.50, No Concessions

Premiere School of Dance -
Out of the darkness

Premiere is a leading Stevenage dance school that has trained generations of dancers. Tonight's show brings back some of those who have gone on to successful professional careers for some inspiring performances.

Tickets: £14, No Concessions

Primary Schools

This heart-warming concert features hundreds of our youngest performers from primary schools across Stevenage, performing on stage in front of family and friends.

Tickets: £12.50, No Concessions

Finale Event

In a year of celebration, our finale concert showcases a variety of local talent and concludes with massed singers and instrumentalists. There's a number of solo performers in the first half whose details would take up too much space here. So, if you wish to know more about them, please visit the Festival Fringe page.

Pupils from the North Herts and Stevenage Music Centres will join together with Stevenage choirs to present a recreation for us of the sparkling 'Last Night of the Proms' atmosphere in the second half of the evening.

Tickets: £12.50, No Concessions

Stagecoach - Early Stage

Early Stage students from Stagecoach Stevenage present a fun filled afternoon with a show dedicated to traditional tales.

Tickets: £10.00, Concessions £8.00

Stagecoach - Main Stage

Students from Stagecoach Stevenage present a fun filled performance celebrating the last five years of musical theatre.

Tickets: £16.50, Concessions £14.50