Split Mask Theatre Company

31/08/2026

🎭 Meet the Cast Monday 🎭

We’re so excited to welcome Josh Lay to the Split Mask family as Gabe in Next to Normal. 💜

Originally from the South West of England, Josh trained in Acting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and is delighted to be joining the company for Next to Normal.

We’re equally delighted to have him as part of our community and can’t wait to see him bring this complex and fascinating character to the Split Mask stage.

On playing Gabe, Josh says:

“Playing such a complex character such as Gabe, who is essentially the inner voice of control in his mother’s own mental health crisis, is a beautiful challenge. I hope it reflects back to people their own complex family ties.”

We can’t wait for you to meet Gabe! 🎭💜

21/08/2026

Amazing news for the future of our beloved theatre ♥️

We did it.

Last night, Cannock Chase District Council's Cabinet voted to retain and refurbish the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Honestly, we've typed and deleted that sentence a few times now, because two years of campaigning makes you a bit suspicious of good news. But it's real. Nearly two years ago we were told this building would close. Since then, this community has written letters, signed petitions, packed out public meetings, filled in surveys, given up evenings and weekends, and refused (politely, but relentlessly) to stop asking what happens to our theatre. Last night, we finally got the answer.

So what happens now? The honest answer: a lot of hard work. Cabinet's decision is huge, but it isn't the end. Detailed design work still has to happen. An operator has to be found and appointed. A full business case has to be built and approved before a single brick gets touched. Councillors, officers and this community, us included, still have plenty to do.

We'll be asking for an early meeting with council leaders to talk about how CCTT can help shape what comes next. After two years of this, we're not going anywhere, and as things move, we'll keep our community updated.

For now, though: thank you, Cannock Chase. Enjoy this one. You've earned it.

🎭 Cannock Chase Theatre Trust

16/08/2026

A little throwback to one of our favourite numbers from Footloose 🤠

Who’s excited for Next to Normal in November and Frozen in March? 💜❄️

08/08/2026

What a beautiful day it was! ☀️🎶

You may have spotted a few of our committee wandering around and handing out Next to Normal flyers. Our cast have been hard at work in the rehearsal studio today, getting ready to bring you something special in November.

You can find out more and get your tickets here: linktree.com/splitmasktheatre 💜

What an absolutely fantastic day! 💙

A huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped make this year's Hednesford Summer Festival so special. We hope you had an amazing time creating memories with family and friends.

Now it's your turn! 📸👇

We would love to see your favourite moments from the day, so share your photos in the comments!

🐶 Your Scrufts superstars (especially if they won a rosette!)
🎨 Those incredible face-painted masterpieces
🛍️ Fabulous finds from our amazing traders
🍔 Delicious food and tasty treats you couldn't resist
🎶 Your favourite entertainment or special moment
😊 Or simply your favourite photo from the festival!

And while you are here, tell us...

⭐ What was your favourite part of Hednesford Summer Festival 2026? ⭐

We can't wait to relive the day through your eyes. Thank you once again for making our wonderful community festival one to remember! 💙🎪☀️

04/08/2026

The countdown is on… only 16 weeks to go! Have you got your tickets yet? 💜🎶

- Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th November 2026
- 7:30pm start
- The Palace Theatre at Kingsmead School, Hednesford, WS12 1DH
- Tickets: £16 each via linktree.com/splitmasktheatre

How do you hold a family together when your mind is falling apart? It is a reality that suburban mother Diana must face every day, as her battle with bipolar disorder - and the grief that haunts her - threatens to destroy the life she has built. Her quest for stability pulls her husband Dan, and their teenaged children Gabe and Natalie, into a turbulent journey of grief, recovery and the search for connection.

With book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, Next to Normal won three Tony Awards in 2009 (including Best Musical Score), as well as the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

This powerful, moving and unforgettable rock musical has become one of the most acclaimed shows of the 21st century, and we can’t wait to bring it to the stage this November.

‼️ CONTENT WARNINGS: This show contains adult language and themes; depictions of mental health conditions and medical treatments, including electroshock therapy; drug use/abuse; discussions of death, su***de, and loss of a child. Age recommendation 14+. ‼️

03/08/2026

🎭 Meet the Cast Monday 🎭

We’re delighted to announce that Ian Pritchard will be taking on the role of Dan in Next to Normal. 💜

Ian is a hugely valued member of the Split Mask family. As well as the countless hours he dedicates behind the scenes, he made his on-stage Split Mask musical debut earlier this year as the flawed and grieving Reverend Moore in Footloose, delivering a powerful, gritty and deeply moving performance.

On what makes Next to Normal so special, Ian says:

“Next to Normal is a mould-breaking musical, filled to the brim with intricate, complex music that still manages to be instantly accessible and memorable. This is interwoven with a heart-breaking story of one family’s personal tragedy, written with a subtlety that artfully masks the fact that nothing is as it seems. The opportunity to be part of something so intense and groundbreaking needs no explanation from me. I hope you enjoy watching it as much as we’re enjoying bringing this story to the Split Mask stage.”

🎟️ TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW 🎟️
- Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th November 2026
- 7:30pm start
- The Palace Theatre at Kingsmead School, Hednesford, WS12 1DH
- Tickets: £16 each
- Book via the link in our bio! (linktree.com/splitmasktheatre)

‼️ CONTENT WARNINGS: This show contains adult language and themes; depictions of mental health conditions and medical treatments, including electroshock therapy; drug use/abuse; discussions of death, su***de, and loss of a child. Age recommendation 14+. ‼️

01/08/2026

☀️ Cannock! It’s the 1st August… which means we’re one month closer to Next to Normal! 💜

We still have plenty of fantastic seating options available in our little theatre - come and join us for a night of brilliant music, emotional performances and an intimate exploration of family connection and loss.

- Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th November 2026
- 7:30pm start
- The Palace Theatre at Kingsmead School, Hednesford, WS12 1DH
- Tickets £16 each
- Book via the link in our bio (linktree.com/splitmasktheatre)

‼️ CONTENT WARNINGS: This show contains adult language and themes; depictions of mental health conditions and medical treatments, including electroshock therapy; drug use/abuse; discussions of death, su***de, and loss of a child. Age recommendation 14+. ‼️

27/07/2026

🎭 Meet the Cast Monday 🎭

Please join us in welcoming Jenii Luperi to the Split Mask family as Diana in Next to Normal! 💜

Jenii trained in Musical Theatre at the Guildford School of Acting and has an incredible list of professional credits, including the original West End cast of Hairspray (Penny and understudy Amber), the international tour of My Fair Lady, and A Model Girl at the Greenwich Theatre. Her TV appearances include the Royal Variety Performance, Children in Need, This Morning, and The Alan Titchmarsh Show.

On taking on Diana, Jenii says:

“Roles like Diana don’t come around often, and Next to Normal is an incredibly special show.”

We can’t wait for you to see her bring this unforgettable character to life.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now and we’d love for you to join us! 🎟️

- Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th November 2026
- 7:30pm start
- The Palace Theatre at Kingsmead School, Hednesford, WS12 1DH
- Tickets: £16 each
- Book via the link in our bio! (linktree.com/splitmasktheatre)

‼️ CONTENT WARNINGS: This show contains adult language and themes; depictions of mental health conditions and medical treatments, including electroshock therapy; drug use/abuse; discussions of death, su***de, and loss of a child. Age recommendation 14+. ‼️

21/07/2026

👸🏼 Our first Frozen rehearsal photos! ❄️

Save the dates:
- Wednesday 24th to Saturday 27th March 2027
(6 shows in total during the Easter holidays, including Friday and Saturday matinées)
- The Palace Theatre at Kingsmead School, Hednesford, WS12 1DH
- Tickets on sale soon… watch this space 🎟️

Rehearsals are off to an energetic start! We’re going to be taking a much-needed break for the summer holidays and we’ll begin rehearsing again in September.

We’re also looking for a few more ensemble members! We are open to adults and teens aged 13+ and we rehearse on Sunday evenings in Hednesford - whether you’re an experienced performer or looking to try something new, we’d love to hear from you. Drop our page a message or email Tom at [email protected] ✨

Share this post with anybody who may be interested in joining us!

20/07/2026

💜 MEET THE CAST OF NEXT TO NORMAL! 💜

How do you hold a family together when your mind is falling apart? This November, Split Mask Theatre Company brings the groundbreaking, Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning rock musical Next to Normal to the stage.

Meet the incredible cast bringing this turbulent journey of grief, recovery and connection to life:

✨ Jenni Luperi as Diana - Making her Split Mask debut, Jenni brings West End and international touring experience. “Roles like Diana don’t come around often, and Next to Normal is an incredibly special show.”

✨ Ian Pritchard as Dan - Following a gritty and moving musical debut earlier this year, Ian returns to the stage. “This is a heart-breaking story of one family’s personal tragedy written with a subtlety that artfully masks the fact that nothing is as it seems.”

✨ Josh Lewindon as Gabe - Making his Split Mask debut, we can’t wait for audiences to see Josh bring this vital and complex role to life!

✨ Rhianna May as Natalie - Making her Split Mask debut after completing her masters at Leeds Conservatoire. “Next to Normal is such a unique show... it explores the effect mental illness can have on those around you as well as yourself.”

✨ Travis Goodhead as Henry - Six years after appearing in Split Mask’s first-ever musical production (Fame), Travis is back where he belongs. “I’ve grown such an attachment to the character and can’t wait to portray him to you all.”

✨ Katie Whinton as Dr. Madden / Dr. Fine - After a brilliant turn in Footloose, Katie returns to give her own unique spin to this dual role. “I’m excited to bring this seemingly caring character to the stage and slowly unfurl her ulterior motives...”

🎟️ TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW 🎟️
- Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th November 2026
- 7:30pm start
- The Palace Theatre at Kingsmead School, Hednesford, WS12 1DH
- Tickets: £16 each
- Book via the link in our bio! (linktree.com/splitmasktheatre)

‼️ CONTENT WARNINGS: This show contains adult language and themes; depictions of mental health conditions and medical treatments, including electroshock therapy; drug use/abuse; discussions of death, su***de, and loss of a child. Age recommendation 14+. ‼️