Pump House Theatre & Arts Centre

24/06/2026

🌟🌟ON TOMORROW - Alan Gresty's Ragtimers 🌟🌟

Alan Gresty's Ragtimers are performing at the Pump House Jazz Club tomorrow (25th) - bringing you gems from the golden Age of Dixieland and jazz.

The Pump House Jazz Club hosts traditional jazz every Thursday, boasting some of the best nationally and internationally recognised musicians.

No advanced booking needed, just buy tickets (£13) on the door - everyone welcome!
Starts 8pm.

23/06/2026

🤣🌟Robin Boot’s Rockomedy: Pun to the Hills🌟🤣

📅 Date: 19 July
⏰ Time: 6pm
📍 Venue: Watford Pump House, Watford Fringe Festival 2026

The harbinger of rock ‘n’ drole is storming into Watford to preview his 10th Edinburgh Fringe show, “Pun to the Hills”.

Jam-packed with guitar-wielding wordplay and silliness, this is musical comedy turned up to eleven!

‘Pick of the Fringe’ ★★★★★ (The Letty Rock Show)
“Highly Recommended” ★★★★★ (Whole Lotta Comedy)
“His Energy is Infectious” ★★★★ (Evening Post)
"A Must-See" NOW PRESS

“Clever, unpredictable puns... and the guitar is top notch” (Broadway Baby)

Edinburgh Fringe Sell-out show 2015-2025
Last Minute Comedy: New Comedian of the Year 2016 – Top 3

Book tickets via: https://watfringe.co.uk/events/robin-boots-rockomedy-pun-to-the-hills/

22/06/2026

🤣🌟Offgridland🌟🤣

📅 Date: 18 July
⏰ Time: 7.30pm
📍 Venue: Watford Pump House, Watford Fringe Festival 2026

Flight. Mode. The two most wonderful words...but even with his mobile blocking the outside world, can our desperate, overworked hero ever switch off? It's time to go to his favourite place: Offgridland. Just ignore the knocks on the door. And the constant ringing of his landline - a phone he can't even find because he hasn't used it since 2007. And that slightly worrying internal narrative that he's actually just living in a sitcom. And his fear that his car, which no longer has a handbrake, could come crashing through the walls at any moment. No, it's fine. It's all totally fine. Just give the guy a break, yeah? Just for an hour?

A frantic, claustrophobic comedy play that blends theatre and stand-up, told in real time by multi-award-winning writer/performer, Paul Richards, Offgridland is the true story of a man trying to switch off from the perils of technology and, you know, other people.

Reviews of Paul's previous work:
“Like an alternative Ferris Bueller... the escalating web of chaos is skilfully scripted in the vein of a classic film comedy. ****” - The Scotsman

"Paul Richards brings energy in abundance and charmingly, wittily tells his tale, but the tale is a cautionary one: ignore strains upon your mental health at your peril. It is most definitely a Fringe show for our times and is highly recommended." - FringeReview

Book tickets via: https://watfringe.co.uk/events/offgridland/

21/06/2026

🌟🌟The Amazing Adventures of a Girl called Red🌟🌟

📅 Date: 19 July
⏰ Time: 11am & 2pm
📍 Venue: Watford Pump House, Watford Fringe Festival 2026

“And it is written that she will be dressed... all in red”

In a time when Fairies rule over Humans with a cruel tyranny, a prophecy is written that a half human, half fairy child will bring peace and love back to the world... so the Queen of the Night hires a wolf to get rid of her. Featuring a Sheep that wants to leave the flock, a Grandmother trying to take stock, and chock full of songs from the award winning Ross & Williams, this fabulous retelling of the familiar Red Riding Hood tale was originally a smash hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Adapted from the original musical, now a one person storytelling, with a full cast of characters and Puppetry.

Book tickets via: https://watfringe.co.uk/events/the-amazing-adventures-of-a-girl-called-red/

21/06/2026

🤣🌟Mat Smith: The Middle (WIP)🌟🤣

📅 Date: 18 July
⏰ Time: 5.30pm
📍 Venue: Watford Pump House, Watford Fringe Festival 2026

After 15 years playing with smartphones, gadgets and video games and calling it a real job, Mat Smith (BBC Radio Scotland, Radio 4, The Guardian, Engadget) is throwing his savings at this show, instead of going on holiday. He was probably going to go to Japan solo. He would have loved that.

Is it that bad to go on holiday alone? Is it bold or just an expensive way to be lonely in a different time zone? The Middle is a dry, witty, and hopeful look at almost (?) middle-age, being a bad bisexual and why you shouldn't take your mum to Amsterdam.

As seen at The Bill Murray, Up The Creek, Backyard Comedy Club, and Hot Water Comedy Club. Komedia New Comedian Semi-finalist, West End New Act Semi-Finalist.

Come for the travel stories; stay for the WiFi password.

Book tickets via: https://watfringe.co.uk/events/mat-smith-the-middle-wip/

20/06/2026

🤣🌟Sisters Are Doing It (For Themselves)🌟🤣

📅 Date: 18 & 19 July
⏰ Time: 4pm
📍 Venue: Watford Pump House, Watford Fringe Festival 2026

Sally Firth is Passive Aggressive. Christine Gee is Growing Old Disgracefully.
Meet the identical twins leading very different lives. These surprising senior citizens have a century of knowledge and experience between them which they are eager to share with you. Laugh and learn with Sally and Christine.

Book tickets via: https://watfringe.co.uk/events/sisters-are-doing-it-for-themselves/

19/06/2026

Have you visited Bus Different, parked in the Pump House car park yet?

Bus Different, travelling book bus, offers a gorgeous space to meet and hang out.
Captain, Lindzi, and Steph are on hand to share mental health and wellbeing advice particularly with a focus around neurodivergence.

Come along to check it out, grab yourself a free book and say hello to the team.

On until 22 June as part of the Watford Fringe Festival.

18/06/2026

Check out the latest episode of the What's On Watford podcast which is a special all about the Watford Fringe Festival.

Includes interviews with performers and promos for loads of the shows so make this your one-stop listen to get you int he mood for this, our 10th festival - now less than a month away.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2216798/episodes/19303888-episode-25-watford-fringe-festival-2026-special

Watford Fringe Festival is back for the 10th time from 1st-31st July with more than 100 performances at 23 venues. In this special episode, as well snippets from 11 Fringe shows, there is an insightful round table in depth interview with Aaro...

18/06/2026

🌟 Stand Together: A Community March for Unity in Watford 🌟

Join us on Sunday 21 June 2026 for 'Stand Together', a powerful community march brought to you by Herts Together, One Vision and Watford Borough Council.

📍 Starting point: Watford Town Hall
🕑 Time: 2pm
🚶‍♀️ Route: Marching together to the Lebanon Tree in Cassiobury Park

This is more than a march, it’s a chance to come together as one community, celebrate what makes Watford special, and show that respect, kindness, and unity define who we are.

💙 A town where everyone belongs
🤝 A community built on respect
🌱 A place where unity helps us thrive

Bring your friends, family and neighbours, and be part of something positive and powerful. Let’s stand side by side and show that Watford is stronger together.

Be Bold. Be Kind. Stand Together.

17/06/2026

🌟🌟ON TOMORROW - Golden Eagle Jazz 🌟🌟

Golden Eagle Jazz are performing at the Pump House Jazz Club tomorrow (18th) - the band with that New Orleans bounce.

The Pump House Jazz Club hosts traditional jazz every Thursday, boasting some of the best nationally and internationally recognised musicians.

No advanced booking needed, just buy tickets (£13) on the door - everyone welcome!
Starts 8pm.