Keep On Keepin’ On is the ultimate feel-good theatre experience, and it’s coming to the Market Shopping Centre in Crewe!
Northern Soul fans, get ready—Keep On Keepin’ On is here to bring back the passion, the music, and the drama of the Northern Soul scene in a big-hearted sequel to Mick Martin’s legendary Once Upon a Time in Wigan.
Featuring a blistering soundtrack, big laughs, a heartwarming story and packed wall-to-wall with Northern Soul classics, this high-energy, site-specific show will have audiences dancing in their seats! Keep On Keepin’ On tells the story of a working-class family doing their best to stay on their feet—on the dance floor and in life.
From Tuesday 13th to Saturday 17th May, the show will take over a vacant shop space in Crewe’s Market Shopping Centre, transforming it into Eugene’s struggling Northern Soul-themed discount store. The audience will be surrounded by bric-a-brac, with the shop counter doubling as a DJ booth post-show. Expect laughter and an unbeatable soundtrack as the cast spin, stomp, and shuffle their way through this soulful, cash-strapped comedy that has a lot to say about modern Britain on a number of levels, be it race, class or gender in a time of change at an ever-increasing pace.
A Story About Life, Love, and Holding On
Eugene and Maxine’s love story began on the Northern Soul dance floor—but life had other plans. Now, years later, Eugene is a weekend DJ and a full-time disaster, barely keeping his shop afloat. When Maxine reappears with one more plea for help—this time for their son, newly released from jail—their ‘what could possibly go wrong’ plan sets them spinning into chaos. Keep On Keepin’ On is a hilarious and heartfelt story of resilience, family, and the power of music to keep us moving, even when times get tough.
Join the Movement – Get Your Tickets Now!
With its unforgettable music, sharp comedy, and big-hearted storytelling, Keep On Keepin’ On is a must-see for Northern Soul lovers and theatre fans alike. Whether you’re reliving your dance hall days or discovering the scene for the first time, this is your chance to experience the magic of Northern Soul in a way you’ve never seen before.
Don’t miss out—grab your tickets now and get ready for a night of top tunes, big laughs, and a whole lot of soul!
Crewe dates:
Tuesday 13th – Saturday 17th May
Follow the buzz:
Facebook: @northernsoulprod & @crewetowncouncil | Bluesky: @northernsouldprod.bsky.social | #KeepOnPlay
More info & tickets: www.keeponkeepinonplay.co.uk
The Cast
Bringing the story to life are Neil Bell (Adolescence, Peaky Blinders, and Silent Witness) who plays lifelong Northern Soul die hard shopkeeper, Eugene and Caroline Chesworth, who plays his long-suffering ex-wife (All Creatures Great & Small, Brassic and Coronation Street). The cast also includes Laura Bayston (Killing Eve and Slow Horses), Ashley Luke Lloyd (Billy Elliot and Whistle Down The Wind) and Christine Walsh (Tin Star, Ridley and Emmerdale).
More Than a Show – It’s a Mission to Revive the High Street
Beyond delivering a knockout night of entertainment, Keep On Keepin’ On has a bigger goal: to spark real change in struggling town centres. The production is partnering with Crewe Town Council and the Lyceum Theatre to shine a spotlight on the challenges facing high streets and independent retailers today. Through a retailer workshop, the play will give businesses a new way to voice their needs and explore solutions to reinvigorate local businesses and the night-time economy.
By setting the play in a shop and collaborating with Crewe University Technical College students on set design, Northern Soul Productions is making sure this production is deeply rooted in the communities it visits—bringing audiences a show that’s not just about the past but about the future of the places we live, work, and dance in.
Writer Mick Martin stated:
“Keep On Keepin’ On is about the modern-day Northern Soul scene and the changing faces of the towns that spawned it. It’s a play about now, family and love, about people struggling to keep it together in these dark and straitened times at the working-class coalface of dysfunctional northern Britain.”
“That’s why we want to bring it to high street spaces rather than traditional theatre venues. We’re hoping that, in each town on our tour, the play helps to start conversations with their communities and brings new audiences to the theatre and the high street.”
A spokesperson for Crewe Town Council said:
“Northern Soul has played a big part in the lives of many across Crewe and neighbouring Stoke on Trent, and the culture is still very much alive and kicking! We are sure this show will bring back great memories as well as providing a high quality production for all to enjoy.”
“On top of that, it is providing opportunities for young people to consider a technical career in theatre as well as creating a focus for our local retailers and BID members to discuss positive steps to support the high street. We couldn’t ask for more value from our partners!”
Supported by Arts Council England and Crewe Town Council.
Image credit: Kevin Furber.
