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theatre · Friday 21 August 2026 · See studio1a.co.uk for showtime 
Last of the Red Hot Lovers by Holywood Players
At Studio 1a · 1a Hamilton Road, Bangor, Co. Down
At Studio 1a · 1a Hamilton Road, Bangor, Co. Down
Holywood Players bring Neil Simon’s comedy “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” to Studio 1a in Bangor for two performances, Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August 2026. Studio 1a is the small community theatre run alongside Bangor Drama Club on Hamilton Road, and it hosts a steady rota of amateur societies from across North Down, including Belvoir Players and Rosemary Drama Group, through the summer and into autumn.
Simon’s play is a well-known American comedy about a middle-aged restaurateur’s clumsy attempts at an affair, and it is a popular choice on the amateur circuit for its sharp dialogue and strong character parts. This run sits in the same late-August window as Belvoir Players’ “No Hope Here” at the same venue, so the weekend offers two different amateur productions back to back for anyone following the local drama scene. Expect the intimate, close-quarters feel typical of a small studio theatre, with a local cast and crew who have put the show together largely on a volunteer basis.
Studio 1a is on Hamilton Road in Bangor town centre, close to the town’s main shops and a short walk from Bangor rail station, which has a direct line to Belfast. On-street parking is available nearby, and the venue is compact enough that latecomers should aim to arrive a little early to find a seat.
Holywood Players are based in the neighbouring town of Holywood and are one of several County Down societies that rely on shared venues like Studio 1a rather than a permanent home theatre. Neil Simon’s script gives the two leads plenty to work with, and amateur productions of it tend to lean into the comic timing rather than the darker undertones, making for a lighter, crowd-pleasing evening. It is a good option for anyone new to amateur theatre who wants a familiar, approachable script as an introduction to the local scene.
Heading to Studio 1a in Bangor? Down has plenty more to see. Read the Bangor area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.