An ambitious new theatre production will transform the University of Reading’s campus into a stage this May, marking 100 years since the institution received its Royal Charter.
Sparks, Parks, Halls and Balls: Celebrating 100 Years of Campus Life will take audiences on a theatrical journey across Whiteknights campus, uncovering the stories that have shaped generations of students, staff and the wider community.
The production is part of South Street Arts Centre’s acclaimed SITELINES programme, which creates immersive theatre in unusual locations. It forms a key part of the University’s centenary celebrations in 2026.
Collective memories
The production has been inspired by a University-led Memories Project carried out in 2025, which invited students, alumni, staff and local residents to share personal recollections of life at Reading. These ranged from late-night debates and student activism to friendships formed in halls and moments of quiet reflection.
Those real memories, alongside discoveries from the University’s extensive archives, form the heart of the production and will be woven into a script performed by a professional cast alongside local community performers.
Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “Our centenary is not just about marking a date in history. It is about recognising the people, ideas and everyday moments that have shaped this University over a century. This production will capture that spirit in a unique way.”
John Luther, artistic director of South Street Arts Centre and producer of SITELINES, said: “SITELINES makes theatre by listening carefully to the stories people tell about where they live, work and study. The University has a rich history, but what really excites us are the personal moments within it.
“This project is about seeing the campus differently and recognising the many lives that have unfolded there over 100 years. We hope audiences will find the show funny, moving and occasionally surprising.”
Centenary grant project
The project has been made possible by a grant from the University’s Centenary Fund, secured by Rachel Helsby, Head of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor’s Office, who is also co-producing the production.
She said: “By working with SITELINES, we are inviting audiences to experience our campus in a new way, through stories rooted in real memories and real places. It is a celebration of community, creativity and the shared experiences that continue to define Reading.”
Tickets and running dates
Sparks, Parks, Halls and Balls will run for six performances across 23-24 May 2026. Due to the immersive and site-specific nature of the production, audience numbers will be strictly limited for each performance.
Tickets are available from 13 February 2026 from whatsonreading.com.
