The Lichfield Garrick Theatre will welcome back the award-winning New Old Friends theatre company for two shows later this year, including a three-week residency in the Garrick Studio over the Christmas season. 

Crimes on Centre Court will show in the Lichfield Garrick’s Main Auditorium from Thursday 19 - Saturday 21 October, starring Emile Clarke, Kirsty Cox (previously performed in the sell-out Crimes on the Nile in 2019), and Garrick Panto legend Ben Thornton.

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.

Meanwhile, A Christmas Getaway will be performed in the Lichfield Garrick Studio from Friday 8 - Sunday 31 December. There is a BSL performance on Thursday 14 December and a Dementia Friendly Performance on Thurday 21 December.

A Christmas Getaway sees just four actors playing countless roles as they take the audience on a special Christmas Eve getaway with the Jameson family at their soon-to-be sold country home. Get ready for lightning quick changes and laughs aplenty in this festive, fast-paced farce presented with New Old Friends’ trademark flair.

Casting for A Christmas Getaway has yet to be confirmed.

Feargus Woods Dunlop, co-founder of New Old Friends, says: “We are utterly over the moon to be returning to Lichfield Garrick. It is a theatre very close to our hearts and the birth place 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. Can’t wait.”Daniel Buckroyd, Artistic Director & Chief Executive of the Lichfield

Garrick, says: “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.”

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