thebestcellar@gmail.com
Please email us at thebestcellar@gmail.com for details
Our rates are competitive and affordable, providing value for money with high end entertainment value.
Upon contractual agreement, we will provide all safety and appropriate insurance as standard practice.
Contracts and Fees
©’Don’t Go Into The Cellar!’ 2025 All rights reserved
Don't Go Into The Cellar! perform at venues across the United Kingdom, from theatres to
manor houses and festivals. Our shows offer an original take on traditional Victorian and
Edwardian literature - perfect for people seeking good, old-fashioned theatrical entertainment!
Ideal if your glass of abinsthe involves a spot of Yuletide Ghoulishness. Bookings now being taken for 2024!
‘The Thirty-Nine Steps’
This new adaptation of the
perennial favourite features
Jonathan Goodwin as
Richard Hannay. A gripping
one-man thriller based on the
classic John Buchan tale. Can
Hannay solve the riddle of
The Black Stone in time to
avert a global conflict?
‘Wilde About Oscar’
Join Oscar Wilde for a sparkling and
sprightly one-man show, in which stories
will be told, laughter will be raised and,
perhaps, a few tears shall be shed.
Award-winning actor Jonathan Goodwin
performs in a show scripted and adapted
by himself.
Space and technical requirements
‘Toad of Toad Hall’
Poop-poop! The incorrigible Toad rides
again in this high-energy one-man show.
There's lots of fun to be had as the Mole,
the Rat and the Badger attempt to rein in
their friend's natural zest for life. But
will they be able to thwart the Handsome
Toad of Toad Hall? Jonathan Goodwin
plays author Kenneth Grahame, Mr Toad
and a host of others.
‘Sherlock Holmes Strikes Back!’
Award-winning actor Jonathan Goodwin
returns as super sleuth Sherlock Holmes. Be
puzzled by the mysterious Red-Headed
League, then join Holmes as he matches wits
with the nefarious Professor Moriarty and
Colonel Moran! This original stage adaptation
is based on the great Conan Doyle classics,
and is scripted by Jonathan Goodwin.
‘ Ghost Stories of M.R. James’
An evening of classic ghost stories where
you, the audience, chooses which tales are
performed! No two performances will be
the same, guaranteed! Casting the Runes, A
Warning to the Curious, Count Magnus,
The Fenstanton Witch and many more!
Jonathan Goodwin plays Montague Rhodes
James in a show scripted by himself.
‘Raffles’
Written by E.W. Hornung (Arthur
Conan Doyle's brother-in-law),
A.J. Raffles is the Edwardian era's
most celebrated gentleman thief.
In a series of highly entertaining
tales, the suave cat-burglar thrills
and charms you in equal measure.
‘Truly, Jack the Ripper’
Atmospheric one-man show adapted
from classic stories based around the
Ripper theme. Was the Ripper a mad
doctor, an escaped lunatic, a
deranged barrister - or someone just
like you or me?
‘Jekyll and Hyde’
Journey with us to Victorian London, and
experience the unbridled horror of this
perennial favourite. The City is paralyzed
with fear when the repugnant and wicked
Mr Hyde embarks upon his criminal
spree. But what is his shocking secret,
and what possible connection can he have
with the dour and respectable Dr Jekyll?
‘Dracula, or The Undead’
We present an original one-man show
adapted from the great Bram Stoker Gothic
novel. Jonathan Goodwin plays Count
Dracula, Lord of the Undead, and a host of
others in this classic tale of late-Victorian
vampirism! Prepare to learn the bloody truth
that lies beyond the legend!
‘Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of the
Four’ In this original one-man show,
Jonathan Goodwin plays Sherlock Holmes
and a miscellany of other larger-than-life
characters. What connects a father's
disappearance with an audacious robbery
committed in the dead of night? What has
become of the great Agra Treasure? And who
is the mysterious Jonathan Small? Classic
Victorian detective action at its finest.
‘The War of the Worlds’ The
classic tale is restored to its authentic
Victorian setting in this original one-
man performance, scripted and
performed by Jonathan Goodwin. The
chances against anything manlike on
Mars were a million to one. And yet,
mankind finds itself on the brink of
extinction when aggressive creatures
from that remote planet land on Earth.
‘A Christmas Carol’
Join the great Victorian novelist
Charles Dickens as he brings to life
one of the most famous ghost stories
of all time. A tale of revenants and
redemption, hauntings and humbug,
seasonal spooks and sentiment.
Jonathan Goodwin performs as
Dickens in this one-man
performance, co-directed by
Goodwin and Gary Archer.
In association with MX Publishing, we now have an online store. MP4 recordings
of many classic chillers and thrillers are available, with more being added on a
regular basis. Also available is our book, "Don't Go Into The Cellar, Mr Holmes!"
written by Jonathan Goodwin.
‘Dorian Gray’ Oscar Wilde's only
novel is adapted for the stage in this
atmospheric one-man show. What awful
secret is stored inside the attic? Only the
eternally youthful and charming Dorian
Gray knows. But as his appetite for sin
leads to ever greater acts of wickedness,
Gray will stop at nothing to make sure
no one discovers the dreadful truth!
‘What Ho Wodehouse’
Jonathan Goodwin performs in a brand new
comedy, adapted from some of the early
writings of P.G. Wodehouse. A light-hearted
romp guaranteed to lift the spirits and make
one forget about one's cares and worries.
Join affable raconteur Everard "Stinkey"
Crumpleton-Psmith as he regales you with
tales of fellow Club members' scrapes with
irritable secretaries, formidable aunts and
bumbling butlers galore!
‘Night of the Vampires’ A theatrical
anthology of classic tales of the undead,
including adaptations of E.F. Benson and
others. A bloody good way to while away
an evening! Performed and scripted by
actor Jonathan Goodwin.
‘Confessions of Sweeney Todd’
An original one-man performance
featuring an audience with the infamous
Demon Barber of Fleet Street himself,
Sweeney Todd! The classic penny
dreadful tale is performed with gusto
and swagger by Jonathan Goodwin in a
show directed by Gary Archer.
‘The Canterville Ghost’
Enjoy comedy and chills in this original
adaptation of the charming Oscar Wilde
tale, written especially for children and
young families. This one-man show,
featuring much audience participation, is
guaranteed to raise more than just a
ghost of a smile! Philip Jennings stars in
a show that's written by Jonathan
Goodwin, and directed by Gary Archer.
‘A Pandemonium of Poe’
A show in which the audience gets to
choose which Edgar Allan Poe tales are
performed! The Black Cat, The Tell-Tale
Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher and
many more! Edgar Allan Poe is played by
award-winning actor Jonathan Goodwin.
No two performances will ever be the
same! Full-blooded gothic melodrama
brought to life by Jonathan Goodwin in a
show scripted by himself, and directed by
Gary Archer.
‘Science Fiction by Gaslight’
An original show that explores the
literary origins of Steampunk, with
dramatic retellings of the finest classic
Victorian science fiction, including tales
by Arthur Conan Doyle and H.G. Wells.
‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’
Mr Holmes, they were the footprints of
a gigantic hound! In this original one-
man stage adaptation, award-winning
actor Jonathan Goodwin plays Sherlock
Holmes and a host of other characters.
Based on the world-famous novel by
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, expect
atmospheric drama at its very best with
this superb Victorian gothic thriller!
‘Sherlock Holmes’ Christmas Casebook’
Take a trip to Baker Street and spend Christmas
with Sherlock Holmes in this engaging stage
show starring award-winning actor Jonathan
Goodwin as the famed detective. Features an
original theatrical adaptation of the Conan
Doyle classic, "The Adventure of the Blue
Carbuncle" and other festive delights!
For your ease of reference, our shows have been categorised according to genre.
This will enable audiences and venues alike to choose the Cellar production that is right for them.
As a general rule, all of our shows are suitable for people aged eleven and over. The exception is
"The Canterville Ghost", which is aimed at young families with children aged five and above.
‘Frankenstein’
In this original and faithful adaptation
of Mary Shelley's perennial Gothic
horror, award-winning actor and writer
Jonathan Goodwin plays a host of
characters, including both Victor
Frankenstein and his monstrous
creation. Dramatic macabre storytelling
at its atmospheric best!
‘Uncle Holly’
An original ghost story for Christmas,
written in the Victorian vein, featuring
the malevolent spectre of Synderford,
Uncle Holly. Jonathan Goodwin performs
this one-man show. Written by Jonathan
Goodwin and co-directed by Goodwin
and Gary Archer.
‘First Men in the Moon’
An original adaptation of the H. G.
Wells classic, “The First Men in the
Moon”. A high spirited and rollicking
scientific romance that sees our two
protagonists go boldly where no
Victorians have gone before. To the
moon! Though the surface of the strange
celestial body is challenging enough,
what untold horrors may lurk beneath?
‘Three Men in a Boat’
A fresh adaptation of the classic comic
tale. Join Walsall's very own Jerome K
Jerome as he recounts his quixotic
journey with friends Harris and George,
not forgetting Montmorency the dog
along the River Thames. As funny now
as it was all those years ago!
‘Greyfriars Bobby’
A heart-warming one-man adaptation
of the classic tale based on the true
story of a Highland terrier and his
unwavering loyalty to his master, Jock.
A sentimental caper for animal lovers
young and old alike.
‘Charles Dickens Telling Tales’
An original and authentic recreation
of the great author's dramatic
performances adapted from several of
his shorter tales, including ghost
classic "The Signal-man" and comic
selection taken from "The Pickwick
Papers". Dickens is for life, not just
for Christmas!
We are able to provide full technical
equipment for our shows, all of
which is PAT tested as standard
practice.
For venues with in-house sound and
lighting systems, we provide our
own technician who will operate the
venues equipment during
performance and liaise with your
technical staff. All we require is a
Duty Technician to assist in focussing
and setting up light and sound
desks.
We are able to fit our shows in most
spaces, but for specific requirements
please CONTACT US
Selected photographs to give an idea of costume, set and lighting
‘The Invisible Man’
Ingenious. Invisible. Insane. One of the
greatest science fiction tales of all time is
adapted by Don't Go Into The Cellar!
Based on the classic H.G. Wells novella,
Jonathan Goodwin plays a host of
characters including the deranged
scientist Griffin whose invisibility drug
leads to his undertaking a murderous
rampage across the Sussex countryside.
Jonathan Goodwin performs a show
scripted by himself and co-directed with
Gary Archer.
‘Folk Horror’
Jonathan Goodwin writes and
performs this original theatre
show. An eerie and unsettling
anthology of tales that explore the
mystical and sometimes
threatening hold our agricultural
past exerts over the present day.
An atmospheric piece of theatre,
ideal for fans of The Wicker Man
and Witchfinder General.
‘Sinister States’
In this original anthology show,
award-winning actor Jonathan
Goodwin performs a selection of
chilling American horror tales,
adapted from the works of macabre
masters of fiction including H.P.
Lovecraft, creator of the Cthulhu
stories. A dark and gothic one-man
show scripted by Jonathan Goodwin.
‘Scotland Yard Investigates’ From the
files of Scotland Yard come these startling
stage adaptations of infamous true-life
nineteenth century crimes. Faithful to the
source material but employing a theatrical
flourish, expect to be entertained and
horrified in equal measure. Featuring
dramatizations of the Thames Torso
Murders, the Whitechapel Murderer and the
Lambeth Poisoner, Dr Thomas Neill Cream!
‘Library of Screams’
Classic spine-tinglers from the Golden
Age of Horror are given a new lease of
blood in this original stage chiller. Join
the mysterious librarian, Nathaniel
Caldicott as he shares several curious
tales of the macabre and the mysterious
based on works by E.F. Benson and
W.H.Harvey. Phil Jennings performs in
a show scripted by Jonathan Goodwin,
and directed by Gary Archer.
‘Dead of Night’
A man has a recurring dream that sees him
encountering the same group of strangers
in a remote house. Each of them relates a
supernatural experience they have had,
little realising what dreadful connection
they have to the unexpected visitor.
This original anthology of classic chillers
is based on the 1945 British film of the
same title. Adapted from ghost stories
penned by E F Benson and others, this
one-man stage show stars Jonathan
Goodwin.
‘The Phantom Coach’
A lost and lonely traveller is granted
sanctuary in a remote homestead
during a blizzard. There his strange
host regales him with tales of ghosts
and eerie supernatural occurrences.
Jonathan Goodwin performs in a
show adapted from the works of
Amelia B Edwards and other writers
of the uncanny.
‘Gripping Yarns’
A rip-roaring one-man stage show
based on those classic nineteenth
century tales of adventure and
heroics, The Man Who Would be
King and The Pavilion on the Links.
Jonathan Goodwin writes and
performs this rollicking theatrical
piece, for lovers of gung-ho
escapades of all ages! Adapted from
the original tales written by Rudyard
Kipling and Robert Louis Stevenson.
‘Cor Blimey!’A Victorian Music Hall Convivial
Join renowned nineteenth century stage
performer Alfred St John Merrimoon as he
performs with vim and gusto a selection of
popular songs, dramatic recitations and
comedic skits from the golden age of the
British Music Hall.
Jonathan Goodwin performs this one-man
show, with music by Gary Archer.
