“Sometimes we get sad about things and we don’t like to tell other people that we are sad about them.  We like to keep it a secret.  Or, sometimes, we are sad, but we don’t really know why we are sad, so we say we aren’t sad, but we really are.”

Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy from Swindon, not only discovers his neighbour’s dog Wellington murdered with a garden fork, he also becomes the prime suspect.  Christopher decides to investigate the murder to clear his name, chronicling his discoveries in a book.

Christopher has an extraordinary brain and is exceptional at maths, but he is ill-equipped to interpret everyday life.  He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and he distrusts strangers.  But Christopher’s detective work takes him on a frightening journey that turns his world upside-down, revealing secrets about his family as well as requiring him to confront all his fears at once.

The Archway Theatre sets the stage for Dingbats Improv, delivering another great evening of unscripted theatrical delights! Witness games, scenes, and stories crafted in the moment.This month's improv night features two brilliant showcases from our latest courses: Narrative Improv and Beginners. Expect untapped joy from our Beginners who will be showcasing your favourite short-form games and scenes, followed by bold fully improvised stories from our advanced Narrative cast created live on stage in the moment!

"Pure genius and pure stupidity! Loved every moment of it!" ★★★★★

"The Dingbats Improv Shows are the highlight of my month." ★★★★★

"Hilarious" - Dame Judi

The bar in the function room will be open.

Suitable for ages 16+Tickets: £10. 

Online ticket sales only. 

Ticket sales close 1 hour before the start.

10th April 2026 / 8pm (doors 7.40pm) / The Archway Theatre Studio

The Archway Theatre Young Adults Group, which features members aged 16-21 and is led by Ella Sowton, invites you to observe an open rehearsal showcase where they will develop ideas, exploring and discussing how to create performance from a theme. In honour of The Horley Arts Festival, their chosen theme, to reflect that of the festival’s motif ‘Community’, is ‘Stages of Life’.

Come and watch, engage and ask questions about how our young adults use drama to enhance mindfulness, connection, creativity, playfulness and confidence. We feel strongly that theatre is available for everyone and a brilliant outlet for young people to evolve their creative skills and socialise.

Talking of socialising, our Studio Bar will be open from 7pm, so come along and have a drink and a chat with our members beforehand.

Suitable for all ages; under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

This event is free, but please ‘buy’ a ticket to secure your space.

The Archway Theatre puts on over 11 shows a year including 10 Main House productions, an open-air theatre production at Tilgate Park and a wide array of various art forms in the STUDIO space including dance, comedy, improv, music, sing along musicals, quizzes, karaoke, cabaret, adult workshops, children’s workshops and original writing, as well as well-known (and less well-known) published plays.

Our Archway members would like to invite you to a community showcase, where they will throw a show together in a few hours and bring you a one-time-only production that features dance, musicals, magic, excerpts from plays & stage fighting.

If you want to see how rehearsals progress into performance, why not come along 1pm-3pm in the day and watch the open rehearsals? 

And to make it a full night out, we recommend watching the ‘Dingbats’ Improv Show at Horley Library first (7pm), then head on over to the Archway at 8pm for refreshments before the show begins. It’s only a 3 min walk.

This event is free, but please ‘buy’ a ticket to secure your space.

Suitable for all ages; under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Keraunothnetophobia is the fear of being struck by man-made satellites falling back to earth.  Jacqui and Robin live just a few streets apart but are both prisoners of their fear of falling things.  Robin was struck on the head as a seven-year-old and has since then sought sanctuary at home, Jacqui’s fear began during the 7/7 bombings when she was trapped on the Tube.

Technology has its uses and for Robin and Jacqui it enables them to work from home. The internet is where they meet and strike up a friendship, but as their relationship develops both are forced to confront the fear that keeps them inside and explore what is real in their lives and what really matters; could they possibly meet?

James Graham is the author of acclaimed plays such as Dear England, Ink, Quiz and Best of Enemies. A History of Falling Things premiered in 2009 and is a 21st century love story that is fearful, funny and moving.

Medea is a barbarian sorceress who fell in love with the Greek hero Jason and aided him in his quest for the famed Golden Fleece. Without her intervention, he would likely have failed and died. Now returned to Greece with their two sons, Jason seeks to take a new bride in the daughter of Creon, the Corinthian king, and tries to cast Medea aside.

Rejected and betrayed, the play concerns Medea’s bloody and terrible vengeance on her unfaithful husband and all those around him. It is a story of passionate love turned to hate, of justice and injustice confused with pride and rage, and the shocking and murderous consequences thereof.

Summer 1940. After an aerial dog fight, Pilot Officer Jack Absolute flies home to rejoin his squadron and is shocked to find old flame, Lydia, on the base. Setting his sights on winning her heart (though with turbulence and hilarity never far away) Jack’s advances quickly turn to anarchy when the young heiress demands to be loved on her own terms.

The pursuit of love is also on the minds of other squadron members, their general and the formidable owner of their country house base, the infamous Mrs Malaprop.

Sheridan’s classic comedy of manners, The Rivals, is given an uproarious update by Oliver Chris and Richard Bean, the award-winning writer of One Man, Two Guvnors.

Hilarious mix-ups, crazy word play, heartwarming and heart-wrenching fun - all peppered with swinging songs of the 1940s - this is one you really don’t want to miss!

When their teacher mysteriously disappears and strange things begin to happen, the pupils at Ennville decide to investigate and find themselves in a different dimension, a parallel world.

The Wrong Way Round is a hilarious musical mystery adventure with memorable, spine-tingling songs. Who is the Sticky Shadow? Why does Miss Sharman have a Slimeometer and why is the sign of the Zinnistar Research Facility the wrong way round?

With so many memorable characters and opportunities for our workshoppers to shine, 'The Wrong Way Round' is not to be missed!

All Maria and Callum want is the perfect Marvel meets Disney wedding…or do they? While the bride and groom each have their own serious doubts about getting married, a rabble of friends and family gather for the big day. The wedding guests have too much to drink, place bets, bicker and nearly die of starvation.

Grandma Pat is getting fed up with waiting. The groom's brother unwittingly becomes the victim of a strange game of cat and mouse. Uncle Chris accidentally spills wine on his sister's girlfriend. Janine and Cillian are divorced and can't stand to be near each other, and maid of honour Anneli is trying not to lose her mind, or get distracted by the best man.

And they said your wedding should be one of the best days of your life.

'I Do Not' is a snappy yet curiously thoughtful comedy, taking a modern look at what it means to be in love, and if marriage is really worth more than the paper it’s written on. Ridiculous in places, and touching in others, 'I Do Not' offers an updated view on what commitment really means.