Written by Lin Coghlan & Shaun McKenna
Co-Created and Directed by Josh Roche
Based on the original novel by Elizabeth Gaskell
I won’t listen to reason. Reason always means what someone else has to say.
Welcome to Cranford: a small town where gossip travels fast and traditions run deep. But in the 1840s, change is coming – whether anyone likes it or not.
Tamsin Greig (Black Books, Green Wing, Friday Night Dinner, Episodes) leads an ensemble cast as Matty Jenkyns, who lives at the centre of a close-knit community of formidable women. Their lives are governed by a web of peculiar customs and unspoken rules. But as the outside world rushes in, the residents of Cranford must navigate troubled friendships, lost love, and the challenge of holding on to what matters most.
Elizabeth Gaskell’s 1853 novel celebrates the complexities of everyday life with humour, heart, and extraordinary insight. It stands alongside her North and South and Wives and Daughters as a masterpiece of Victorian fiction. Director Josh Roche reunites with writers Lin Coghlan and Shaun McKenna following their ‘masterpiece’ adaptation of The Forsyte Saga at the RSC.
“Wonderfully funny … Profound ideas and strong values sleep beneath everyday tales of bonnets and cakes.”
The Guardian on Elizabeth Gaskell’s Cranford
“Masterful, gripping, a must-see.”
The Times on The Forsyte Saga
Cast
Tamsin Greig
Matty Jenkyns
Sara Crowe
Mrs Forester
Abigail Cruttenden
Deborah Jenkyns/Lady Glenmire
Saffron Dey
Martha/Young Matty
Alexandra Gilbreath
Miss Pole
Jonny Glynn
Older Peter/Signor Brunoni/Mr Johnson/Rev Jenkyns/Mulliner
Michael Lumsden
Tom Holbrook/Dr Hoggins/Dobson
Robert Merriam
Jem Hearn/Young Peter
Sara Powell
Mrs Jamieson
Phoebe Pryce
Eliza Cleghorn
Creative Team
Lin Coghlan
Co-Creator & Writer
Shaun McKenna
Co-Creator & Writer
Elizabeth Gaskell
Writer
Josh Roche
Co-Creator & Director
Natalie Johnson
Set & Costume Designer
Jamie Platt
Lighting Designer
Max Pappenheim
Sound Designer & Composer
Jacob Sparrow
Casting Consultant
Charlotte Rogers
Assistant Director
Evelien Van Camp
Associate Costume Designer
Relaxed & Distanced Performance
Tue 5 Jan 2027 • 8pm
Captioned Performance
Tue 12 Jan 2027 • 8pm
Audio Described Performance
Wed 6 Jan 2027 • 8pm
OT Under 30 Night
Fri 4 Dec 2026 • 8pm
Members & Patrons Night
Mon 16 Nov 2026
Saturday Seminar
Sat 9 Jan 2027 • 11am
Half Price Previews
Enjoy 50% off every seat in the house for the first three performances. Members enjoy regular discounts on top of half price preview tickets!
Under 30s
Under 30s enjoy £20 tickets for every performance*.
Plus, join us on our exclusive Under 30 Nights where all tickets are £20, where your ticket will also get you a free drink, post-show talk, and discounts at the bar!
*Discounts not applicable on top-price tickets.
Theatre Unions & Guilds
Work in the theatre? If you belong to a theatre union or guild, you can get half price tickets to any performance*. Get in touch with our box office to unlock your discount.
*Excluding half price preview performances.
£1 Tickets
We want everyone to be able to enjoy a show at the Orange Tree Theatre.
That’s why £1 tickets for shows at the Orange Tree Theatre are available to anyone in receipt of the following:
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
You can claim £1 tickets for up to two people.
Sold Out Performances
Performances regularly sell out at the Orange Tree. For sold out performances, Members and Patrons can access our waiting list, where we are regularly able to offer returns before making them generally available. Find out more here.
We also offer a Friday Rush scheme whereby tickets are released on the Friday before a show’s run, where additional tickets may be released, subject to availability.
Our content warnings are updated as a production evolves through rehearsals and previews, so please note they may change between booking a ticket and seeing the production.
We operate an Access List to make your booking process as smooth as possible. If you have any access needs, please sign up to the Access List by calling the Box Office on 020 8940 3633 or by clicking here.
£20 access tickets are available to every performance (subject to availability) for audiences with access requirements, with a discounted option also available for companion tickets where necessary.
If you’re on our Access List, you can log in and book online.
Relaxed & Distanced Performance
Suitable for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment. Lighting and sound will be adjusted, the house lights will remain on throughout the performance, audiences are free to leave and return to the auditorium. There is slightly more space available around seats and a designated quiet space front of house.
Captioned Performance
For each main season show, we offer a captioned performance, and we reserve seats specifically in a position to be able to best view the captions. Please call the Box Office to book these seats on 020 8940 3633.
Audio Described Performance
These performances have a live audio description of what is happening onstage that can be heard through headphones.
Touch tours are available before the performance, with timings and information available nearer to the performance date.
Level Access
Simply let us know when making your booking if you require assistance entering and leaving the building. We’re always happy to help. We have a ramp and rail, handrails on both sides of staircases, a lift and an accessible toilet. Level access is available to the lower level of seating.
Sennheiser Infrared Hearing Facility
For those without a hearing aid who would benefit from amplified sound, we have a Sennheiser infrared system that can be accessed using Sennheiser headsets from certain seats in the auditorium. Please speak to our box office team at the time of booking to confirm availability.
Hearing Loop
Hearing Loops, also known as induction loop systems, are sound systems used by those who wear hearing aids. Audience members can switch their hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting (or the loop programme); this helps to cut out the background noise and focus on only the sounds being picked up by the loop. Supported by Theatre’s Trust Small Grants Programme.