Old Friends return for festive reunion at Garrick

Lichfield 's Garrick Theatre is re-acquainting itself with some old friends - in the shape of the New Old Friends theatre company.

New Old Friends are returning to the Staffordshire arts venue for two shows later this year, including a three-week residency in the Garrick Studio over the Christmas season.

A Christmas Getaway sees just four actors playing countless roles as they take us on a special Christmas Eve getaway with the Jameson family at their soon-to-be sold country home.

And ahead of the festive production, there 's an intriguing tennis whodunnit mystery with Crimes on Centre Court.

Lord Knows, the chair of The Whombledun International Invitational Tennis Tournament has died and his son, Hugh, is suspicious. The police won 't take the case so Hugh calls in Perry & Penny Pink, private investigators.

Emile Clarke, Kirsty Cox (who previously performed in the sell-out Crimes on the Nile in 2019), and #GarrickPanto legend Ben Thornton will be performing in Crimes on Centre Court. Further casting announcements will be made later this year. The cast for A Christmas Getaway has yet to be announced.

Feargus Woods Dunlop, co-founder of New Old Friends, said: “We are utterly over the moon to be returning to Lichfield Garrick. It is a theatre very close to our hearts and the birthplace of the 'Crimes� ' series. To be coming back with Crimes on Centre Court and seeing how far the company and the shows have grown is amazing. Then, to top that off with another festive season in the studio with A Christmas Getaway is just magical. ”

Daniel Buckroyd, artistic director & chief executive of the Garrick, said: “New Old Friends have lit up the Garrick 's Studio Theatre over previous Christmases, with sell-out shows such as Crimes on the Christmas Express and Crimes of the Christmas Pudding, so we 're delighted to be welcoming them back to Lichfield with their unique blend of madcap comedy. ”

Theatrelovers can catch Crimes on Centre Court in the Lichfield Garrick 's Main Auditorium from Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st October. A Christmas Getaway will be performed in the Lichfield Garrick Studio from Friday 8th to Sunday 31st December. There is a BSL performance on Thu 14th December and a Dementia Friendly Performance on Thu 21st December. More information can be found on the theatre 's website.

Tickets for both shows are now on sale. These can be booked online via www.lichfieldgarrick.com or through the box office, which opens at 10am for in-person and phone bookings.