Book tickets
Our box office can be called on 07845 926295.
A pre-theatre menu is available at the Assheton Arms from £20 for ticket holders. See below for details.
A Heart Stopping Story of Forbidden Love
Probably best known as the 1945 film, Brief Encounter was originally written in 1936 as Coward’s one act play, Still Life, one of ten short plays in Coward’s Tonight at 8:30 series. This stage adaptation by Emma Rice, first performed in 2008 by the innovative Kneehigh Company is a richly theatrical and original treatment of a classic.
Set in the late 1930s, two highly respected and respectable middle class people with traditional settled lives, meet by chance and fall hopelessly in love. The production is a romantic, and comedic, tale of forbidden love. The struggle between desire and duty, sentiment and sense. A familiar theme.
Brief Encounter explores the very essence of this thrilling, desperate, whirlwind experience.
The setting, a railway station refreshment room, could not be more ordinary. Other alliances and dalliances are also playing out. The heartache - and the fun - of romantic encounters, the ease - and the difficulty - of the three contrasting relationships, are all explored. There is longing, shame, and silliness.
1930s British social conventions of class, duty and emotional repression are highlighted through the relationship of Laura and Alec. The working class characters find it far easier to express just how they feel. The parallel narrative of the station staff provides a lively and stark contrast with the fraught relationship of the middle class couple whose intense, inner feelings can never be fully realised.
We are captured by the stories of all three couples. The romantic antics provide a perfect foil for the high drama of Laura and Alec’s brief encounters.
Kneehigh Company’s production has toured widely, including New York in 2010. A production at The Watermill theatre in Newbury in 2021 was reviewed as “a must see show, offering a fresh take on a classic story that manages to be both moving and fun.” More recently, and closer to home, a review of the production at Manchester’s Royal Exchange in 2023 agreed; “a heart wrenching experience that cannot be missed. It will have you in fits of laughter one moment then emotionally invested in the gripping live story next.”
Starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard, David Lean’s film adaptation, with screenplay by Coward himself, is considered a cornerstone of British post-war cinema. At the 1952 Cannes Film Festival it was voted one of the ten best films of all time.
With Noel Coward’s inimitable music and lyrics too we think it’s not to be missed in Downham!
About Emma Rice
Emma Rice is one of British theatre’s most inventive and influential directors, celebrated for the vivid, emotionally charged storytelling that has defined her career. Rising to prominence through her long association with Cornwall’s Kneehigh Theatre, Rice helped shape the company’s distinctive blend of physical theatre, music, and mythic imagination. Her breakthrough production of The Red Shoes in 2001 established her as a major creative force and earned her the Barclays TMA Award for Best Director. Rice later brought her iconoclastic vision to Shakespeare’s Globe as Artistic Director, where her tenure sparked both admiration and debate for its fearless reinterpretations of classic texts.
In 2018, she founded Wise Children, continuing her commitment to joyful, generous, and defiantly theatrical storytelling that places humanity and imagination at its heart.
About Noël Coward
Noël Coward (1899 - 1973) remains one of the defining voices of twentieth-century British theatre, celebrated for his razor-sharp wit and elegance. A playwright, composer, actor, director, and all-round theatrical polymath, Coward rose to prominence in the 1920s with a string of sophisticated comedies that captured the rhythms, anxieties, and glamour of modern life. Works such as Private Lives, Hay Fever, and Blithe Spirit cemented his reputation as a master of sparkling dialogue and emotional precision.
Beyond the stage, Coward was a prolific songwriter and a charismatic performer, known for his clipped delivery and impeccable poise. His wartime contributions, including the patriotic film In Which We Serve, broadened his cultural impact and earned him national admiration. He even had the iconic supporting role of Mr Bridger in 1969s The Italian Job.
Knighted in 1970, Coward’s legacy endures in his unmatched blend of wit, theatricality, and humanity—qualities that continue to inspire directors, performers, and audiences around the world.
Cast
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Erica has always enjoyed performing and working with Stage Two Downham. Previous productions have included Arsenic and Old Lace and the radio play, Under Milk Wood. Erica met her husband, Tim, at Clitheroe amateur operatic society and the pair have enjoyed many shows together both at Clitheroe and Downham, a favourite being 2019’s Wait Until Dark where she got to slap him!
Having been away from the stage for 5 years and now with two little boys, Erica is excited to be returning for Brief Encounter for the role of Laura and acting alongside such a talented team.
Richard’s first show with Stage Two was 2014’s Confusions, and he has appeared in several since then, including Educating Rita, and most recently The Odd Couple.
As well as Stage Two, Richard has appeared on stage for Blackburn Musical Theatre Company, and Blackburn Drama Club, where he has had the privilege of bringing to life some iconic roles, such as Tevye in Fiddler On The Roof, and Perks in The Railway Children.
Jacqui has been with Stage Two Downham for 8 years and has been involved in some way with every Stage Two production in that time. Supporting backstage, from props to Production Manager, she has also appeared in a number of productions such as The Admirable Crichton, Pygmalion, Under Milk Wood and she particularly enjoyed the role of Tabby in We Are Three Sisters last autumn.
In 2021 Jacqui had her directing debut with The Winslow Boy, which took place in Hurst Green. Since then she has directed The Dresser in 2023 and co-directed last year’s Dial M for Murder.
Having recently appeared in a couple of Clitheroe Parish Church Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society’s productions, Alan is delighted to be back performing with Stage Two Downham. This is a great little play with a few dramatic twists that he knows the audience will enjoy. It’s also wonderful to be reunited onstage with some old mates from past productions.
He is also superexcited (apparently it’s what young people say) to be acting with his wife who “is a much better actor than what I am”.
Julie only recently came back to am dram after a 30 year break. Her first performance with Stage Two was playing Lydia Robinson in We Are Three Sisters.
Julie also performs in Blackburn, where she has played Jean in Sunshine on Leith with Blackburn Musical Theatre Company alongside Richard Hubbard, and the lead role of Barbara in Blackburn Drama Club’s production of Pack Of Lies, and Annie in their Calendar Girls.
Kate always wanted to try acting, following in her late mother’s amdram footsteps. She finally started with three lines in the Stage Two production of A Bunch Of Amateurs. Her first real role came in 2022 as Grace in The Winslow Boy. This was followed by another formidable character, Mrs Higgins in Pygmalion in early 2023, and then Her Ladyship in The Dresser. Last year’s Dial M For Murder was an exciting challenge, and one she enjoyed thoroughly.
Kate has always loved the film Brief Encounter and is thrilled to be playing the part of Dolly. Quite a character!
I have had a passion for acting for a while and have finally got the opportunity to partake in a performance, I am also in The Kings Speech in Clitheroe with a non-speaking role. I am passionate about musical theatre and am hoping to join a musical theatre group in September. I am honoured to be able to join in with the other talented actors of this group and can’t wait for future productions.
I’ve always loved theatre in any form, from watching any production, to actually acting on stage. My experience in drama mainly comes from secondary school at st Augustine’s, where I loved getting involved with performing art there. I have been in a wide variety of musicals, ranging from Little Shop Of Horrors to Addams family. I’m also in a production of We Will Rock You, with the Basics Theatre Group in Burnley, where I hope to further expand my skills in musical theatre. This is my first production with Stage Two Downham but I hope it won’t be my last, as they are clearly as passionate as me about this.
I’m delighted to direct a play for Stage Two Downham. I’m originally from Clitheroe and acted in and directed plays over this side of the hill in the 70s, including for Stage Two’s spiritual predecessor, Waddington Drama Group. Since moving to Barrowford and having a family, I have directed several plays for Nelson Civic Players, and Pendle Borderline. More recently for Burnley Garrick I was director for A Midsummer Night’s Dream (a sell out run), and assisant director on The Laramie Project.
I love this adaptation of an absolute classic film and am very much enjoying working with new ( to me) actors.
Interval Refreshments
There will be a bar selling glasses of prosecco (and equally nice non-alcoholic alternatives) before and during the interval of each performance.
Pre-Theatre Meal at The Assheton Arms
We are delighted that once again The Assheton Arms in Downham will be offering a pre-theatre meal exclusively for Stage Two Downham ticket holders.
They will provide a two course meal for just £20, and will also make sure your meal is complete in time for you to make short journey to Downham Village Hall. Once you have bought your theatre tickets, call The Assheton Arms on 01200 439699 to reserve your table.
Dates for your diary
Our future dates until the end of 2027 are available for your diary.
About Stage Two
Stage Two Downham is an amateur dramatics group based in the beautiful village of Downham, near Clitheroe in east Lancashire’s Ribble Valley. We stage an autumn and a spring production and are looking to stage a further event in early summer.
We try to be innovative in our choice of plays, ranging across the classics, modern plays, comedies, dramas and thrillers. Just a browse through our website will give you an idea of our versatility and originality. Our reputation locally is excellent, we have a loyal, regular audience, and with each new production new audience members are attracted. Our regular productions are the perfect choice for a night out at the theatre with friends or family.
Backstage and onstage, we are always welcoming to new members who are encouraged to become involved in whatever way they wish. So, please look through our web site for an idea of what we do and, if you are interested, get in touch with us! We will be really pleased to meet you!
Praise for Extraordinary Women
Our March 2026 production.
What an inspired production.
Brilliant show. You were all fabulous!
This evening had everything - inventive informative fun and an all round entertaining show.
A really interesting, captivating, inspirational true story and a very cleverly directed play. We had a thoroughly uplifting evening.
Very original, funny and kept me interested throughout.
We are sooooo proud of my grampy! Well done!
Under
Milk Wood
by Dylan Thomas