Galsworthy's Razor-sharp Social Drama Comes to The Questors
Loyalties to be the first Playhouse production of the year
Loyalties centres on Ferdinand De Levis, a wealthy Jewish businessman. Picture: The Questors
January 13, 2026
The Questors’ spring season begins with a burst of classic drama, as Loyalties by John Galsworthy takes to the Playhouse stage from 23 to 31 January. Following the opening of Ghosts, this will be the company’s first Playhouse production of the year — and a chance to revisit one of the most incisive examinations of class, prejudice and respectability in 20th-century British theatre.
Set in 1922, Loyalties centres on Ferdinand De Levis, a wealthy young Jewish businessman who longs to be accepted by the English elite. When a large sum of money is stolen from his room during a country-house gathering, he accuses fellow guest Captain Dancy — a decorated war hero and the very embodiment of the “gentleman” ideal. What follows is a tense unravelling of loyalties, as the Establishment closes ranks to protect one of its own, exposing the antisemitism and social hypocrisy lurking beneath its polished surface.
Galsworthy, best known for The Forsyte Saga, premiered Loyalties in 1922 to immediate acclaim. The play has enjoyed several notable revivals, including a 1933 Broadway production featuring the celebrated actor Leslie Howard, and a 1986 National Theatre staging directed by Peter Wood with a cast led by Michael Gambon and Anthony Hopkins — both of whom were praised for bringing sharp psychological detail to Galsworthy’s moral drama. The BBC has also adapted the play multiple times, most recently in 1976 with Ian McKellen in the role of De Levis, underscoring the story’s enduring relevance.
Performance details
23–31 January, 7.45pm
Matinee: Sunday 25 January, 2.30pm
No performance Monday 26 January
Captioned performance: Thursday 29 January
Age recommendation: 12+
Other Productions at The Questors This Season
The Vertical Hour
by David Hare
13 – 21 February | The Studio
Book tickets here
This intellectual drama pits passion and politics against each other in the Shropshire hills. Former war reporter Nadia, her boyfriend Philip, and his father Oliver engage in a fraught 24 hours of debate and revelation. Hare’s play, written after the Iraq invasion, remains as biting and resonant today as ever.
A couple divided over the impact of war. Picture: The Questors
The Secret Garden
Adapted from the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
24 – 28 February | The Playhouse
Book tickets here
Mary Lennox, orphaned and sent to her uncle’s manor, discovers a neglected garden that mirrors her own loneliness. As she brings the garden back to life, she transforms herself and those around her. This beloved story is brought to the stage by Questors Youth Theatre, celebrating the magic of nature and friendship.
Tobermory: A Cat’s Tale
by H.H. Munro, adapted by Rachel Moorhead
13 – 21 March | The Studio
Book tickets here
At a 1930s house party, polite society is thrown into chaos when a guest reveals her startling experiment. If true, it could overturn the natural order forever. Based on Munro’s short story, this witty black comedy explores betrayal, manners, and the curious bond between pets and people.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon Stephens
20 – 28 March | The Playhouse
Book tickets here
Christopher, a boy who loves facts and mathematics but struggles with lies and mysteries, sets out to discover who killed his neighbour’s dog. His investigation leads to revelations that upend his world. This award-winning adaptation of Haddon’s novel is a powerful story of resilience and discovery.
Questors offers annual season passes, giving theatre lovers the chance to attend multiple productions at reduced prices. Options include single (£45), joint (£90), and concession (£20 for under 30s and those on benefits). Pass holders enjoy discounts on tickets and special offers for visiting companies.
Find out more about Season Passes
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