A new theatre festival based in Sandbach, 'CAST' , is set to take centre stage this weekend and next weekend.

The festival is a partnership between Manchester based Wonderhouse Theatre Company and Sandbach's own Carney Academy Performing Arts School.

Local lovers of drama and performing arts will not have to travel beyond Sandbach for a night at the theatre this weekend and next weekend when CAST begins at Sandbach School in Crewe Road.

CAST, which features 'The Crucible', 'Constellations' and 'The Wasp' promises leading plays delivered by local talent for audiences in Sandbach.

'The Crucible' is being performed by CAST. (Image: CAST)

It takes place this Saturday (22 November) and next weekend (29 November and 30 Sunday).

Festival creative director David Gregan-Jones is based in Ettiley Heath, Sandbach and runs Carney Academy, in partnership with the academy's founder, Ruth Carney, a celebrated theatre and television director, who is also a Sandbach resident.

Festival creative director David Gregan-Jones is from Sandbach. (Photo: David Gregan-Jones)

He said: "I grew up in Sandbach and was living here when I began my own journey to become an actor.

"My family would routinely have to drive me to other towns and cities for training but also to experience a night at the theatre.

"I know there's a huge appetite in Sandbach for more culture and entertainment, and I also work with some exceptional, upcoming local talent with great promise.

"I am very proud to be bringing CAST festival and some of the most respected plays in the industry to my home town."

Performances of three headline productions will run between Saturday 22 and Saturday 29 November 2025. The festival will also launch its 'CastOff' initiative – the festival's commitment to supporting emerging artists across all areas in the live performance industries - writers, directors, producers, actors, choreographers, singers, musicians, designers, technicians and more.

Cast Festivals' first initiative is a search for new play writing with an opportunity for those shortlisted to see their scripts read, workshopped and staged in Spring 2026.

Acclaimed TV director Ruth Carney, Carney Academy founder and co-founder of CAST festival. (Photo: Ruth Carney)

Ruth Carney, Carney Academy founder and co-founder of CAST festival went on to say: "We want to make Sandbach a place people go to for theatre and culture.

"CAST festival brings industry-standard talent and production into dialogue with emerging local creativity, including those who might have experienced barriers to taking their performing arts careers further."

The programe features 'Constellations' by Nick Payne about a quantum physicist and a beekeeper who meet at a barbecue. They hit it off — or perhaps they don't. They fall in love — or maybe they walk away. In a universe where every choice creates infinite possibilities, their story unfolds in countless ways.

Constellations by Nick Payne. (Image: CAST)

It also feature 'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller - an iconic masterpiece of fear, hysteria, and betrayal brought to the stage by a young cast aged 16–18, from Sandbach. Specially abridged for teenage performers, this version captures the intensity and timeless relevance of Miller's drama — distilled, urgent, and electrifying.

The third production features 'The Wasp' by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm. This electric thriller asks how far beyond the playground we carry our childhood experiences and to what lengths some people are willing to go to in order to come to terms with them.

The Wasp by Morgan Lloyd-Malcolm. (Image: CAST)

Tickets and further information are available here  or follow @castfestuk on Instagram. This event is supported by Sandbach Town Council through a community event grant.

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