About Us

Running Joke Theatre Company was formed in 2024 by Ash Baker and Ben Sowden, backstage during a run of Noel Cowards's Tonight at 8.30, after a chance remark about a potential future project was seized upon as something that might just work. Before long, our debut production was cast and in rehearsal, with enough ideas for what might follow to keep us busy for some time.

And so it came to pass, that in November 2024 we brought our first production - Accidental Death of An Anarchist - to life at the Limelight Theatre at the Queen's Park Arts Centre (QPAC) in Aylesbury. It was a wild an exhilarating ride, with a lot of hard work both on and off stage, but we made our crazy dream a reality - and boy was it worth it! Audiences went wild for our slice of anarchy which emboldened us to go again!

Next up was A Passionate Woman in April 2025 - an incredibly personal project for Ben, who wanted to put this play on in memory of the playwright and his Godmother, Kay Mellor. We returned to QPAC and brought Betty's attic - and roof with working skylight - to life!

Who knows what the future holds in store for us? What we do know is that we will put all our love, care and attention to detail in and deliver you a fantastic evening at the theatre!