‘A unique and remarkable talent,’ Shakespeare’s Birthplace, 2025
Dynamic tales with a twist. I make and bring exciting theatre into some of the country’s most exquisite historical homes and venues. Often presented to audiences in unique locations, the intimacy of the theatre is an experience which many have claimed is like no other! Enjoy the magic of these enchanting solo shows in fantastical settings – bold stories featuring the women of Shakespeare’s Renaissance, Jane Austen’s Regency England, feisty females of the Restoration and the harlots and heroines of Dickensian London.
SPIRIT.
Written & Performed by Beckis Cooper
Premiering on Halloween in the room where Dickens died.
Ellen ‘Nelly’ Ternan comes to Gad’s Hill to try and communicate one final time with the great man himself.
Beset by grief, Nelly is determined to conjure Dickens’ spirit but the forces unleashed are far more powerful than anything she could possibly have imagined.
Spend an unforgettable time with Nelly in her great quest for communication beyond the grave and enjoy the acquaintance of some of Charles Dickens’ fiercest and most mysterious female characters – channelled through the body, mind and soul of an extraordinary woman.
An electrifying new solo show about mesmerism and its terrifying ability to conjure spirits.
MATINEE PERFORMANCE:
https://www.ticketsource.com/gads-hill-school/t-xdyxgad
EVENING PERFORMANCE:
https://www.ticketsource.com/gads-hill-school/t-aaykxze
At THE PAINTED ROOM IN OXFORD on Saturday 14th November
3pm show:
6pm show:
FROM CHAWTON.
‘Absolutely exquisite‘ – ‘delightfully true to the spirit of Austen‘ – ‘the funniest thing you’ll see…. or be part of!‘
From Chawton has been delighting audiences since its premiere at The Etcetera Theatre in London and touring to Jane Austen’s house in Chawton, Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire and The Painted Room in Oxford.
Jane Austen has a problem. She has relocated to Chawton to enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside but her lively cast of characters is causing her a lot of bother. Come and join Mrs Elton, Mr Collins, Lydia Bennett and many more as they seek to entertain you and fight for their right to be heard in Jane’s novels. ‘A stunning tribute to Austen and her characters … a fantastic trip to the theatre.’
AUDIENCE REVIEWS FOR FROM CHAWTON –
‘We loved your show! It was fantastic and the girls and I chatted about the characters and your performance all the way home. Thank you!’ – From Chawton at Jane Austen’s House, 2026
‘Beckis was EXCELLENT – she thoroughly engaged the audience for the whole show and we loved every minute . Brilliant!’ The Painted Room, 2026
‘We’d enjoyed Unversed so much that I was keen to see what Beckis would do with Jane Austen, and booked to bring a London friend as soon as I saw it advertised. I loved the way Beckis created her own versions of the characters and got the audience involved to a well -judged degree! I’d read some but not all of the books but it didn’t matter at all – I’ve actually come away with an intention to read more of them, although I’m wondering if the real Frederick Wentworth can be as fun and charming as Beckis’ version! My friend loved it too and we’ve immediately booked to see Unversed together with another friend on 4 July. ‘ Audience member at The Painted Room, 2026
“A creative and very entertaining performance for JA experts (and lay-women everywhere). Impressive, interactive – highly recommended.’ Audience member at The Painted Room, 2026
Performing at Grantham House on 4th December, 2026
UNVERSED …
‘ A breathtaking hour of Shakespeare .. phenomenal !’
‘I am back for the third time this year’ (Painted Room audience member).
An eager young actor in the city of London has got her hands on a discarded copy of Shakespeare’s first folio. Newly printed and the hottest publication in town, all the plays exist together for the very first time. There’s only one problem: the parts are all too out of reach for women to play on the public stage. Come along and be part of the rehearsal as Antonia gives herself permission to speak the verse and explore the profession of being a woman – both onstage and off. Written and performed by Beckis Cooper and directed by the award -winning Rachel Fowler, this hour long spectacle has been described as ‘utterly spell binding (Lamport Hall)’ and ‘a superbly original and magical hour of Shakespeare‘ (Chawton House.)
The show has toured everywhere from The Painted Room in Oxford to The T.S. Eliot Theatre at Merton College, Oxford, from schools in Lincolnshire to pop-up venues in Stratford, Stamford and historic homes and National Trust properties around the country.
There will be new performances in 2026 to look forward to, nationally and internationally:
TOUR 2026
Huntingdon Commemoration Hall, Friday 15th January, 2027
https://www.ticketsource.com/huntingdon-commemoration-hall/t-rzqaemm
Photography by Marc Gascoigne
Contact: beckiscooper@gmail.com
