Southend Shakespeare Company
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Current Productions
Dixon Studio,
Palace Theatre,
Tue 28th Oct -Sat 1st Nov 2025
THE DRESSER
by Ronald Harwood
Based on the author's own experiences as dresser to Sir Donald Wolfit, this bracing, heartbreaking drama is an elegy to a by-gone era.
Backstage at a theatre in the provinces during World War Two, Sir, the last of a great breed of actor/managers, is in a bad way tonight, as his dresser Norman tries valiantly to prepare him to go on stage as King Lear. Unsure of his lines as well as who and where he is supposed to be, Sir is adamantly determined to roar his last.
Dixon Studio,
Palace Theatre,
Tue 25th - Sat 29th November 2025
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MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
by William Shakespeare
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Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s best loved comedies; full of humour, misunderstandings, love, deception and wonderful characters.
Leonata welcomes home her friend Don Pedro, along with soldiers Claudio and Benedick. Claudio immediately falls in love with Leonata's daughter, Hero; but their happiness is threatened by the scheming of Don John, Don Pedro's illegitimate brother. Leonata, Don Pedro and Claudio trick Benedick into believing Beatrice (Hero’s cousin) loves him and a similar trick is played on Beatrice. Add into this mix the inept local watch, headed by Dogberry and the possibilities are endless! Could there be a plot twist….will everything end happily?
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Production Photos - Twelfth Night 2025
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About the Company
Originally formed in 1951, the Southend Shakespeare Company is one of the few theatre groups in the south-east, professional or amateur, that dedicates itself to performing plays from a classical repertoire. In recent years our programme has included works both ancient and modern, by authors as diverse as Coward, Moliere, Wilde, Miller, Sophocles and of course, Shakespeare.
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We are also one of the most prolific drama groups around, producing an average of five productions each year. Our indoor shows are staged in the Dixon Studio at the famous Palace Theatre in Southend on Sea. Every July we also stage an open air summer production at various open air venues in Essex.
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We are always on the look out for new faces who may be interested in acting, or working backstage or any other aspect of the Company. As a Full or Associate Member of the SSC you can obtain discount tickets for certain shows. If you would like to contact us please use the "Get In Touch" button in the corner of our homepage.
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We hope to see you soon!
2026 Season
Coming Soon
The Last Ten Years
Dixon Studio Palace Theatre
2025
The Tempest
Antigone
The Miser
Twelfth Night
2024
The Homecoming
Lady Windermere's Fan
Death Of A Salesman
The Tempest
2023
You Can't Take It With You
Hedda Gabler
The Merry Wives of Windsor
2022
The Children
The Revenger's Tragedy
A Month in the Country
Romeo and Juliet
2021
The Vortex
Flare Path
2020
The Playboy of The Western World
2019
The Killing of Sister George
Henry IV Part Two
Private Lives
Richard III
2018
Journey's End
Dangerous Corner
The Learned Ladies
Henry IV Part One
2017
L'Occupation
Home
Macbeth
2016
Copenhagen
The Winter's Tale
Home and Beauty
Measure For Measure
2015
Broken Glass
The Merchant Of Venice
When We Are Married
2014
An Ideal Husband
King Lear
Hay Fever
Cowardy Custard
2013
Dancing at Lughnasa
Othello
Julius Caesar
Antony & Cleopatra
Antony & V
Open Air Summer Productions
Coming Soon
"We know what we are, but know not what we may be"