Studio Theatre

MIDDLESBROUGH Little Theatre Company has a space for the performing arts - The Studio Theatre.

 

The Studio is a rehearsal room and performance space which can be used by both MLT itself and other theatre companies, directors and performers.

Middlesbrough Little Theatre hopes The Studio will help support and encourage even more live theatre in the region.

 

For details of booking the Studio Theatre, please see our Room Booking page.

 

“The gig last night reminded me of why I do what I do. An attentive audience who is up for a laugh. It has re-affirmed my faith in performing. I've done three gigs in Boro now and all three have been ace. I therefore crown Boro as the best place to gig in the UK.” Johnny Campbell post on Facebook after his last gig in the Studio.

 

 

All events 7pm (doors) 7.30pm (start)

 

Tickets and more information: www.fatsoma.com/p/toft-house

 

Saturday 16th November - Joe Solo and Jess Silk £10

Joe needs no introduction here. He is a Toft House favourite and we are very proud to welcome him back in the year that he released his best ever album, “Sledgehammer Songs”

Jess, on the other hand, we have been trying to book for a few years. She is a talented guitarist, singer, and songwriter hailing from the Black Country. Her music blends elementsof folk and punk, resulting in a shouty yet melodic sound that has drawn comparisons to artists like Frank Turner and Billy Bragg. Armed with her sticker-covered acoustic guitar and a distinctive, gravelly voice, Jess captivates audiences across the country. She has shared stages with well-known names in the folk/punk scene and continues to make her mark in the music world.

An amazing double bill!

 

Saturday 23rd November - The Coal Porters £12

THE COAL PORTERS were shining lights of the UK Americana and Bluegrass circuit for 17 years before hanging up their instruments within moments of England’s defeat by Croatia in the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup (true, though possibly unrelated). Led by AMA Award winner Sid Griffin (Long Ryders) and featuring on fiddle Grammy winner and Adele string section leader Kerenza Peacock. 

They are reuniting for five days only in 2024 – including this one! They have featured on NPR's Morning Edition in the USA, live sessions for Bob Harris on BBC Radio 2 and Marc Riley for Radio 6 Music, and appearances at Glastonbury, SXSW and MerleFest.

“Not your average fish & chips bluegrass, the Coal Porters have expanded their music with broad strokes and fearless execution” ~ Chris Hillman (Byrds/Flying Burrito Bros)

“The Coal Porters whisk together a hugely listenable cocktail of bluegrass, folk and country” ~ Uncut

 

Saturday 30th November - Robb Johnson and The Acoustic Irregulars £12

Robb Johnson is the UK’s best and most genuine political songwriter and mixes political satire with a human warmth and wit. He is incredibly prolific and has released over 40 albums since 1985.

2022’s beautiful LP “The Mystery Gets Your Number & The Poetry Makes The Call” and 2023’s “Murder at the Grange” were pressed here in Middlesbrough at PRESS ON VINYL. Robb was blown away by the quality of the pressing and, as a result, we managed to book him for two consecutive gigs in December last year. The first was with the Irregulars performing the “Murder” play and the second was pure songs, played solo.

He loved Toft House so much and he wanted to come back. This time it will be mainly songs with the amazing Irregulars.

Back in March 2012, Robb was only the second performer to appear at Toft House. We have him to thank for the encouragement and help he offered at the time, without which we might not have gone on to put on over 170 gigs. Robb and his Irregulars are coming all the way from Brighton to provide us with this pre-Christmas treat.

 

Saturday 14th December - The Jack Dash Christmas Bash with Majuba/Doug Verrill/Chris Allon

Our annual Xmas Bash where anything could happen. Featuring regulars Doug Verrill and Chris Allon plus special guests MAJUBA.
Tickets: https://fatso.ma/0FVn

 

Saturday 28th December – We Shall Overcome featuring GEORGE BOOMSMA, OLD MUGGINS, CHERYL BAINES, BETH BURROWS, RODDY GORDON BAND, ALISTAIR JAMES, JOHN DRAKES, RON & PAT KEEDY.
Are we still in the Christmas spirit? Or are we looking forward to New Year? Or perhaps we just fancy a quiet evening with some fabulous music. Either way, we won’t forget those in our community who struggle at this time of year.
This will be a fundraiser for the local foodbank and other charities. You can support our efforts by buying a ticket in advance for £10 or feel free to dip into the evening for a while and throw some cash in the collection bucket. Whichever way you decide to support the occasion, we will be happy to see you.
Musically, the evening will vary between blues, folk and original songs, with a little whimsy thrown in to finish.
5pm start, 9.30pm finish
Tickets: https://fatso.ma/0M03

 

Saturday 11th January – McCORMICK / TOKYO ROSE featuring LINZI HUNTER
This is a special “Evening with Steve McCormick” with Steve’s own invited guests.  Steve must be the most under-rated song writer in Teesside. He has been a massive supporter of Toft House over the years and we love his music. We decided it was time for him to have his own headline gig, focussing on his career in music to date. And we are in for a treat!
Here’s a little bit of history from Steve himself:
“Tokyo Rose formed when Steve McCormick and Mike Fox were looking for a new lead singer and were introduced to Linzi Hunter (who had previously worked with The Rock Follies and George McCrae). The band consisted of Linzi on vocals, Mike on bass, Steve on guitar and Hugh McGouran on drums. Within a few months we were regularly performing at The Fiesta and within six months were touring Zambia with Sweet Sensation (who had the Number One hit, “Sad Sweet Dreamer”). In the few years we were together we performed all over the UK, did French TV and a residency in Tenerife. The band also played extensively across Ireland with Racey and Linda Nolan from the Nolan Sisters. After the band parted ways, Linzi went on to work with the likes of Bill Wyman. In the early 1990’s Hugh and Steve, along with Mick Kraus, Pete Gifford and Yussef Nimer formed the ever-popular Stalebread Charlie.”    
Tickets (£10) from: https://fatso.ma/0OSO

 

Saturday 18th January – PETE DAVIES / HARRY GALLAGHER / ALISTAIR RUSSELL
Of course, Pete Davies needs no introduction to Toft House regulars or anyone on the local folk season. However, I will let him introduce this gig in his own words.
“When Leigh asked me if I would like to do a night at Toft House entitled, “An Evening with Pete Davies and Special Guests”, giving me carte blanche on who I could choose, I jumped at the chance. Having been performing for over 50 years I wanted one of the guests to be someone who I’ve known and respected from way back in the 70s. Alistair Russell and I first met in 1972/73 when we were both students in Bradford. My other guest is poet extraordinary, and occasional gig partner, Harry Gallagher.
Alistair Russell
Alistair Russell is a singer and acoustic guitarist from North-East England of Scottish parentage - his formative years in music were spent in the thriving Stockton and Middlesbrough folk club scene. For over 50 years he has been playing chiefly Scottish and Irish music and his own songs, including 13 years of world touring with Scotland's legendary Battlefield Band - a band whose last live performance in Teesside was, coincidentally, at Middlesbrough Little Theatre over 30 years ago!
Harry Gallagher
"Harry Gallagher has performed the length and breadth of the UK. He has written for the BBC and the Stockton & Darlington Railway 200 Project among others and is a poetry editor for a UK national newspaper. He's been endorsed by John Hegley ("There are gems here"), Henry Normal ("Dry Northern wit") and the Northern Poetry Library ("a filthy Trot!").
Tickets (£10) from: https://fatso.ma/0OS1

 

Saturday 8th February – GAELFORCE
Yorkshire’s finest Celtic Folk Rock band – now with added bagpipes!. GAELFORCE were winners of Great British Folk Festival introducing stage in January 2023 by public vote. Now with Highland bagpipes, fiddle, electric guitar, bass & drums.
Tickets £10 (adv) from: https://fatso.ma/0OTH and £12 (door)
 

Saturday 22nd February – THE JOSHUA BURNELL BAND
  Joshua Burnell makes retro pop-rock for the modern world. His latest album, Glass Knight – which according to The Financial Times “plays like a lost out-take from Spiders-From-Mars-era Bowie” – won over a lot of new fans upon its release in 2023. Expect hooky melodies drenched in warm, retro-synth textures, reverbing guitars, lush harmonies and words that make you think.
Joshua and his band love what they do and it is infectious; they left the stage at Fairport’s Cropredy Convention festival in 2024 to a standing ovation.
Joshua’s albums have received consistent Radio 2 and Radio 6 airplay.
Tickets £16 (adv) (early bird price)  https://fatso.ma/0OS3

 

Saturday 8th March 2025 - Jon Palmer Acoustic Band/Friday Fitzgerald £8

The return of the joyful noise!

“Folk rock at its finest, with insightful song writing and top-class musicianship” (FATEA)

“Fully justifies the oft-invoked comparisons with hallowed acts such as Lindisfarne, The Waterboys, Merry Hell, The Saw Doctors and The Pogues” (THE LIVING TRADITION)

“I never tire of this band, soaring songs, sing-along choruses…and passion..” (R2 MAGAZINE)

Stockton song writer Friday Fitzgerald is making her second appearance at Toft House after her spot at an NHS fundraiser this year.

Tickets £10 (adv) from: https://fatso.ma/ZhaH and £12 (door)

 

  Tickets and more information: www.fatsoma.com/p/toft-house