Jerusalem

The Stables Theatre is putting on Jerusalem on Thursday 4 February 2027, with the curtain going up at 19:30. It's Jez Butterworth's award-winning play, directed by Gareth Brighton, and it's the kind of big, loud piece of writing that usually needs a West End stage to hold it. The production comes from the same company that brought The 39 Steps and Shakespeare in Love to the stage, so they're used to handling material that doesn't sit still.

The play is set deep in the English countryside on the edge of a sleepy village, and it centres on Johnny 'Rooster' Byron: a larger-than-life troublemaker, a storyteller, and a self-proclaimed local legend who refuses to be driven out when the authorities come knocking. It's a story about a man who thinks he's the last true Englishman left in a country that's forgotten how to be wild, and much of the play's energy comes from the way he holds court in his own chaotic world. The production describes it as funny, outrageous, provocative and deeply moving, and as a celebration of rebellion, freedom, folklore and the changing face of modern Britain. It's a long one, too: the performance runs about two hours and thirty minutes including the interval, so it's a proper night out rather than a quick trip to the theatre.

One thing to keep in mind before you book is the age guidance. The theatre advises an audience age of 15+ because of triggers in the play, so it's not one for the younger ones. If you're heading along, tickets are £15 for adults, £12 for under-18s, and £12 for members. Wheelchair-user and carer seats are handled through the box office only, so it's worth getting in touch with them directly if you'll need one. The Stables Theatre and Arts Centre is on The Bourne in Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3BD.