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Runaway Entertainment presents

THE WINDSORS: ENDGAME

Written by George Jeffrie and Bert Tyler-Moore

Directed by Michael Fentiman

@thewindsorslive

• HARRY ENFIELD AND MANY OF THE CAST OF CHANNEL 4’S THE WINDSORS WILL APPEAR IN A HILARIOUS NEW STAGE ADAPTATION

• WRITTEN BY GEORGE JEFFRIE AND BERT TYLER-MOORE  THE ANARCHIC AND HYSTERICAL PRODUCTION FOLLOWS THE ROYAL FAMILY’S CRAZY ANTICS IN THE WAKE OF AN IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL EVENT

• THE PRODUCTION WILL OPEN AT THE PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE ON 2 AUGUST WITH A PRESS NIGHT ON 10 AUGUST

• TICKETS ARE ON SALE AT 10AM AND CAN BE PURCHASED FROM WWW.THEWINDSORSENDGAME.COM 

Producer Runaway Entertainment is delighted to announce the World Premiere of George Jeffrie and Bert Tyler-Moore’s joyous stage adaptation of their huge Channel 4 hit The Windsors. The Windsors: Endgame will open at the Prince of Wales Theatre on 2 August. Tickets are now on sale.

Much of the cast of the television series will reprise their roles in the stage production with Harry Enfield playing Prince Charles, so we have the Prince of Wales at the Prince of Wales. Further casting to be announced. 

Like all good soap operas, this is the story of intergenerational conflict, with Wills challenging his father for the crown and Camilla determined to see him off and rule the land with an iron fist. Wills needs Harry and Meghan’s help if he’s ever going to triumph – but will they come back from California and their authentic life with their rescue chickens? And how will Beatrice and Eugenie ever clear their father, Prince Andrew’s name?

Written by the creators of the TV series, George Jeffrie and Bert Tyler-Moore, directed by Michael Fentiman (Amelie), and featuring songs, sword fights and snogging competitions, this show has everything you need to beat the lockdown blues! 

For a strictly limited run, book now for the Prince of Wales at the Prince of Wales theatre!

The Windsors: Endgame features set design by Madeleine Girling, lighting design by Jack Knowles, sound by George Dennis, music by Felix Hagan and casting by Stuart Burt CDG.

The Windsors: Endgame is produced by Tristan Baker and Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment and Isobel David. The Windsors television series was produced by Noho Film & Television. 

J’OUVERT AND ANNA X TO PLAY ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES

AT THEATRE ROYAL AND ROYAL CONCERT HALL NOTTINGHAM

AND THE LOWRY, SALFORD

Following performances as part of SFP’s RE:EMERGE season at the Harold Pinter Theatre, Yasmin Joseph’s J’Ouvert will run for 5 performances only at Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall Nottingham from 21 to 24 July; and Joseph Charlton’s Anna X will run at The Lowry, Salford for 6 performances only from 10 August to 14 August, enabling more audiences to access the productions.

The RE:EMERGE season at the Harold Pinter Theatre is creating a space for new voices and fresh talent in the West End and beyond, working alongside some of the industry’s greatest theatremakers and artists. Opening with Amy Berryman’s Walden – ‘A fresh and ambitious new play. A giant leap for the West End’ – Daily Telegraph – and continuing with J’Ouvert and Anna X, the season of plays curated by Sonia Friedman Productions with Ian Rickson tackles urgent issues integral to rebuilding our society, including structural inequality, climate change and the economics of truth in an internet age. Supported using public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, RE:EMERGE is supporting the theatre-makers of the future, providing vital work for the freelance community and celebrating the live experience as we begin to build back to the full reopening of British theatre.

The RE:EMERGE season, helping to re-open and re-energise our theatres, is staged in a Covid safe environment following current government advice and adhering to social distancing guidelines; and in line with Society of London Theatre’s See It Safely campaign.

J’OUVERT

A new play by Yasmin Joseph

Harold Pinter Theatre 16 June – 3 July

Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall Nottingham 21 – 24 July

Cast: Annice Boparai, Gabrielle Brooks, Sapphire Joy     

Directed by Rebekah Murrell; Designed by Sandra Falase in collaboration with Chloe Lamford;  Movement by Shelley Maxwell; Lighting Design by Simisola Majekodunmi; Sound Design by Beth Duke; Casting by Isabella Odoffin

“What people you know can party through all of the earth’s elements?”

2017. Carnival is here. The streets of Notting Hill are alive with history and amongst the pulsating soca, dazzling colour, and endless sequins and feathers, Jade and Nadine are fighting for space in a world they thought was theirs. A timely reflection on the Black British experience and sexual politics of Carnival, J’Ouvert is a piercing, hilarious and fearless story of two best friends, battling to preserve tradition in a society where women’s bodies are frequently under threat.

J’Ouvert was first produced by Bad Breed in co-production with Theatre503 and Tobi Kyeremateng.

Yasmin Joseph is a London-based writer. Her debut play J’Ouvert premièred at Theatre503 in 2019 and she was nominated for the Evening Standard’s Most Promising Playwright Award, and most recently won the 2020 James Tait Black Prize For Drama. She is the current writer-in-residence at Sister Pictures, and is on attachment at the Royal Court Theatre as a winner of the Channel 4 Playwrights scheme. She is also under co-commission with Soho Theatre and The Actors Touring Company as part of the Soho Six, The Place Theatre in Bedford with the Retired Caribbean Nurses Association and Clean Break.

Annice Boparai plays Nisha. Her theatre credits include Border Control, 17 (The Vaults), Hear Me Now Monologues, Behind the Blast Wall (Theatre503), Service Ellandar Productions (White Bear), Tamasha Scratch Night (Leicester Curve/Soho), J’Ouvert (Theatre503), Trojan Horse (Summerhall Main Hall, Edinburgh), The Canary and the Crow and 17 (Gig), Silently Hoping (Arcola Theatre), Earlsfield Stories (Tara Arts), If and When (Soho Theatre) and The Lights (Royal Court Theatre/Oxford School of Drama).

Gabrielle Brooks plays Nadine. Her theatre credits include Anna Bella Eema (Arcola Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Twelfth Night (Young Vic), The Way of the World (Donmar Warehouse), The Wizard of Oz (Sheffield Theatres), Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Sheffield Crucible), Lazarus (King’s Cross Theatre), The Strangers Case (Liverpool Everyman Theatre), The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre), I Can’t Sing (London Palladium) and Our House (Savoy Theatre). For television her credits include Shadow and Bone and Coming Down The Mountain. For film, her credits include Notes on A Scandal. She has created and produced BlackStage UK – an emotional and educational exposé on what it means to be Black in the UK Arts industry, featuring 30 Black and Black mixed-raced workers from across the sector and from all over the UK.

Sapphire Joy plays Jade. Her theatre credits include Anansi The Spider (Unicorn Theatre), Grey (Ovalhouse), J’Ouvert (Theatre503), Twelfth Night (Southwark Playhouse), Our Country’s Good (Nottingham Playhouse), The Interrogation of Sandra Bland (Bush Theatre) and Imogen (Shakespeare’s Globe). Her television credits include Speak For Herself, Casualty, Seconds From Disaster: Jonestown Cult Suicide and Crimewatch.

Rebekah Murrell directs. She is an actor and director from London. She made her professional directing debut with J’Ouvert by Yasmin Joseph which premièred at Theatre503 in 2019. She is currently directing a community project for The Place Theatre in Bedford with the Retired Caribbean Nurses Association; and an audio drama for Audible with students at LAMDA; and will shortly be appearing at Shakespeare’s Globe in Romeo and Juliet.

J’Ouvert will be adapted for the screen as part of BBC Lights Up, an unprecedented season of plays for BBC radio and TV, produced in partnership with theatres across the UK and continuing BBC Arts’ Culture in Quarantine initiative. The film will be screened on BBC Four on Monday 26 April at 10pm and iPlayer.

ANNA X

A new play by Joseph Charlton

Harold Pinter Theatre: 10 July – 4 August

The Lowry, Salford 10 – 14 August

Cast: Emma Corrin, Nabhaan Rizwan     

Directed by Daniel Raggett; Set and Video Design by Mikaela Liakata and Tal Yarden

Lighting Design by Jessica Hung Han Yun; Sound Design by Mike Winship

Costume Design by Natalie Pryce

Anna. 25. Curator. Retired intern. Previously @RAW magazine. I ♥ art, fashion, NYC.

Ariel. 32. CEO of @GenesisApp. A social and dating network by invitation only. SF-NYC-LDN.

Immersed in an addictive world of front-row fashion shows, private views, and endless parties, Anna and Ariel find themselves struggling to keep up with New York’s dazzling social elite. How far will two outsiders go to construct the identities they want? And at what price?

Golden Globe Award-winner Emma Corrin and Royal Television Society’s 2019 Breakthrough star Nabhaan Rizwan make their West End debuts in this searing tale of self-invention, determination, and deceit. ANNA X is a new play by Joseph Charlton, directed by Daniel Raggett which originally ran at the Vault Festival in 2019. 

ANNA X is a fictional imagining inspired by real life events, and was originally produced by Rebecca Gwyther at the VAULT Festival, 2019.

Joseph Charlton is a multi-award-winning writer from the north east of England. He is currently adapting his play Brilliant Jerks into an eight-part series for the BBC.He worked previously as a journalist.

Emma Corrin makes her professional stage debut playing Anna. For television, her credits include playing Lady Diana Spencer in the award-winning The Crown – for which she recently won a Golden Globe, a Critics Choice Award and a SAG nomination, and Pennyworth. For film her credits include Misbehaviour, and the forthcoming My Policeman and Lady Chatterley’s Lover.

Nabhaan Rizwan plays Ariel. His theatre credits include Little Revolution (Almeida Theatre) and The Undergrowth (Royal Court Theatre). For television his credits include Informer (RTS Breakthrough Award), Industry, The Accident and the forthcoming Station Eleven;and for film, Mogul Mowgli, 1917 and the forthcoming Last Letters From Your Lover.

Daniel Raggett is a director who has worked with theatres including the Young Vic, Headlong, the Almeida and the National Theatre; and as an associate director on productions in the West End and on Broadway. His recent work includes Jean Cocteau’s The Human Voice at the Gate Theatre (also adapted) and, as associate, All About Eve in the West End and West Side Story and Network on Broadway.

Listings Information

RE:EMERGE Season

Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton St, London SW1Y 4DN

Box Office: 0844 871 7622               www.atgtickets.com

WALDEN

Harold Pinter Theatre until 12 June

J’OUVERT

Harold Pinter Theatre 16 June – 3 July

Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall Nottingham 21 – 24 July

https://trch.co.uk/ / Box Office: 0115 989 5555

ANNA X

10 July – 4 August

The Lowry, Salford 10 – 14 August

https://thelowry.com/ / 0343 208 6000

LEEDS HERITAGE THEATRES APPOINTS LIZI PATCH AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRE

Leeds Heritage Theatres is delighted to announce that Lizi Patch – director, playwright, dramaturg and artist – has been appointed Artistic Director Young People’s Theatre; the charity’s first ever permanent artistic role.

A significant milestone in the organisation’s long history, the appointment solidifies its commitment to delivering its charitable aims and participation in city-wide conversations that place young people at the heart of the region’s art and culture movement.

Forming part of the Learning management structure, the role will see Lizi continue to act as Artistic Director for Leeds Grand Youth Theatre (LGYT) and Leeds Actors in Training (LAIT), as well as evolve and raise the profile of the current programme of work on offer, including its training provision of placements and apprenticeships.

Every year over 10,000 people of all ages take part in Leeds Heritage Theatres’ learning and engagement programme supported by the Emerald Foundation. Upcoming activities/projects include a sharing of work by LGYT at City Varieties Music Hall on Saturday 31 July; participation in the University of Leeds’ International Medieval Congress on Thursday 8 July, where the youngest members of the group will present filmed extracts of their work on the battle of Agincourt; and the relaunch of LAIT in autumn 2021.

Quotes

Chris Blythe, CEO: “As our first ever permanent artistic role, this appointment represents an exciting development for Leeds Heritage Theatres. Having faced our hardest year yet, our commitment to bring people together through inspiring, engaging, and educational experiences remains at the heart of what we do as we reopen our doors once again.”

Rachel Lythe, Head of Learning: “We are delighted that Lizi is joining us as Artistic Director Young People’s Theatre. Having worked together for many years this partnership has continually evolved and resulted in an extraordinary creative training programme for young people through Leeds Grand Youth Theatre and Leeds Actors in Training. These activities have become the backbone of our creative engagement activities which sit alongside our work with schools, colleges, universities, and community partners. We can’t wait to develop our training further, exploring new partnerships across the city and ensuring young people’s voices drive any new opportunities.”

Lizi Patch, Artistic Director Young People’s Theatre: “Having worked in a freelance capacity at Leeds Heritage Theatres for almost a decade, I’m over the moon to accept this permanent position, at what has been an unimaginably difficult time for theatres and freelancers. It is a significant recognition by the charity of the vital role that the arts play in the lives of young people, and gives me the opportunity to deepen and expand the work of Leeds Grand Youth Theatre and Leeds Actors in Training, and further develop collaborative partnerships in Leeds and beyond.”

For more information about Leeds Heritage Theatres’ education programme go to www.leedsheritagetheatres.com.

PUNCHDRUNK’S GROUNDBREAKING BAFTA-NOMINATED LIVE 12 HOUR THEATRICAL BROADCAST THE THIRD DAY: AUTUMN IS NOW AVAILABLE TO WATCH BY VISITING WWW.PUNCHDRUNK.COM

On Saturday 3rd of October 2020 audiences tuned in to experience the distorted and immersive world of Sky original drama, The Third Day, through a theatrical live event – ‘Autumn’ – broadcast as-live on Sky Arts and online on Sky TV Facebook for 12 hours from 9.30am – 9.30pm. This innovative theatrical event reached over one million viewers* and was nominated for the BAFTA  in the Live Event category. Punchdrunk has announced that the full 12-hour experience is available to watch by visiting www.punchdrunk.com/project/the-third-day-autumn. 

Originally designed to make The Third Day the world’s first immersive TV series, ‘Autumn’ was intended to be watched with a live audience in attendance but was re-imagined as a live theatrical broadcast after the UK went into lockdown. It was widely recognised as one of the most ambitious pivots from a live environment to a digital one during the course of the pandemic. The BAFTA nomination recognises that achievement.

The Third Day: Autumn follows the events of a single day in real time, featuring a cast including Jude Law and Katherine Waterston. Singer Florence Welch (of indie band Florence and the Machine) also featured in an acting role. Capturing events as-live and in one continuous take, this cinematic broadcast brought viewers deeper into the mysterious and suspenseful world of the series, intensifying its already blurred line between fantasy and reality. It was co-directed by founder and artistic director of Punchdrunk, Felix Barrett, and The Third Day: Summer director Marc Munden.

Created by Dennis Kelly and Felix Barrett, The Third Day consists of three separate but interconnected stories that all take place on Osea Island; ‘Summer’ (eps 1-3), ‘Autumn’ (theatrical broadcast) and ‘Winter’ (eps 4-6). Each story can be seen individually but watching all three parts offers the full experience of The Third Day.

The Third Day was commissioned by Zai Bennett, Sky UK’s Managing Director of Content and Cameron Roach, Director of Drama at Sky Studios, with Liz Lewin as the Commissioning Editor. The series is a co-production between Sky and HBO. It is the first original drama to be produced in-house by Sky Studios, Sky’s new Europe-wide production arm, in partnership with Plan B Entertainment, the world-renowned immersive theatre company Punchdrunk and writer Dennis Kelly. All six episodes of The Third Day are produced by Adrian Sturges. Autumn, the theatrical live event was produced by Gareth Collins and Sarah Goodfellow.

*      Reach viewing figure based on viewers who watched at least one minute on Sky Arts, peaking at 97k at 4.31pm on 3rd of October. Additionally, ‘Autumn’ was jointly streamed on the Sky Facebook page, reaching over 500k impressions. 

New cast and UK tour dates announced for
Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’
What the Ladybird Heard
West End: 15th July – 29th August 2021
Autumn Tour: 16th September – 4th December 2021

The much-loved stage adaptation of What the Ladybird Heard, from bestselling children’s author Julia Donaldson and award-winning illustrator Lydia Monks, will continue to entertain families around the country this Autumn with newly announced tour dates, from 16th September to 4th December. The tour will kick off at Birmingham Hippodrome following the highly anticipated West End season at The Palace Theatre this summer, welcoming family friendly live entertainment back to theatres.

Bringing the farmyard to life will be Nikita Johal (Spring Awakening, Hope Mill), Roddy Lynch (A Christmas Carol, Theatre Royal Bath), James Mateo-Salt (The Pirate Queen, London Coliseum), Matthew McPherson (The Jolly Christmas Postman, Oxford Playhouse), and Abigail Middleton (Pig, Royal Court Theatre Liverpool). Showcasing live instrumental music, original songs, puppetry and rhymes galore this exciting adaptation is a treat for the whole family

Author Julia Donaldson comments, It’s fantastic to see one of my most-loved children’s books, What the Ladybird Heard, returning to the stage, both in the West End and around the UK! After such a hard year it’s important that we can provide creative escapism for young children, and this stage show will do just that. I can’t wait to get back to the theatre and see it myself. I believe audiences are in for a treat!

Illustrator and Show Design Consultant Lydia Monks adds, It’s always a thrill to see my illustrations burst into life on stage and I’m very excited to be involved in this project. Theatre is an important tool for children’s creative development, and I believe this show is the perfect outlet. I look forward to transporting everyone to the farm for a fun family adventure!

A colourful countryside adventure brought to life on stage, What the Ladybird Heard is a fantastic introduction to theatre for the little ones. Packed with plenty of audience participation and full of laughs this retelling of the classic children’s book is the tale of one quiet Ladybird on her quest to save the day!

★★★★★ Netmums ★★★★★ Culture Whisper
★★★★ The Stage A total delight, The Guardian

Tall Stories to produce Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s

THE SMEDS AND THE SMOOS

• TALL STORIES to tour live stage production of JULIA DONALDSON and AXEL SCHEFFLER’s recent picture book ‘THE SMEDS AND THE SMOOS’ to venues across the country this autumn, premiering at the ROSE THEATRE KINGSTON on 27 October

Award-winning theatre company TALL STORIES is delighted to announce a major UK tour of the first-ever live stage production of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s brilliant picture book THE SMEDS AND THE SMOOS this autumn.

Recently awarded the prestigious British Book Award – Children’s Book of the Year (Illustrated and Non-fiction), this joyous story of two star-crossed aliens on a far-off planet is being developed and previewed at Tall Stories’ new studio space at Central Library, Islington before receiving its world premiere at the ROSE THEATRE in Kingston-upon-Thames, from 27 to 31 October 2021.

The autumn tour will continue regionally, with a Christmas run at Leicester Curve (30 Nov – 9 Jan 2022). The tour continues from January 2022, with all touring dates to be announced soon.

Julia Donaldson said: “It’s a whole twenty years since Tall Stories brought ‘The Gruffalo’ to the stage, and it’s been brilliant that since then they’ve also successfully adapted ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’, ‘Room on the Broom’ and ‘The Snail and the Whale’. So I’m thrilled that the company is now developing ‘The Smeds and the Smoos’, with its cast of aliens and its Romeo-and-Juliet-type plot (except that my story has a happy ending). I can’t wait to see the show, and I bet everyone’s going to love it!”

Axel Scheffler said: “I’m excited that Tall Stories will be bringing ‘The Smeds and the Smoos’ to the stage this year. Bill and Janet’s alien adventure feels very timely, as it’s a tale about unity and we have all felt isolated over the last year. Tall Stories have the challenge of creating lots of different alien species on stage – and I can’t wait to see how they bring the book to life.’

Alongside many other shows, Tall Stories has previously adapted four bestselling Donaldson/Scheffler books to great acclaim: THE GRUFFALO, ROOM ON THE BROOM, THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD and THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE.

THE SMEDS AND THE SMOOS was published by Alison Green Books (an imprint of Scholastic) in September 2019 and was the bestselling new picture book of that year. It was the number one bestselling picture book of 2020 in paperback too. It has been translated into 23 languages. Praise includes: ‘a book for our time’ (BBC Radio 2), ‘the most exciting book yet from the creator of The Gruffalo’ (The Sun), ‘a timely tale of tolerance that’s fun to read aloud’ (Daily Express) and ‘the perfect, inspirational story for a troubled world’ (Lancashire Evening Post).

The book tells the story of two rival groups of aliens living on a far-off planet: the Smeds (who are red) and the Smoos (who are blue). The two groups mistrust each other and the children are told to never play together. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back?

At a time when so many young people feel isolated and cut off from each other, Tall Stories is proud to be working on a production that focuses on unity and understanding.

Created in Tall Stories’ signature physical storytelling style with original music and songs, THE SMEDS AND THE SMOOS will be directed by Tall Stories’ artistic director Toby Mitchell, with movement direction by Morag Cross, set and costume design by Barney George, lighting design by Peter Harrison, and music and lyrics by Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw.

Tall Stories is currently touring THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE to venues across the country until August and will also be performing THE GRUFFALO at Alexandra Palace, London, from 30 July to 29 August.

ROSE THEATRE’S ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, CHRISTOPHER HAYDON

ANNOUNCES 2021/2022 SEASON

Rose Theatre’s Artistic Director, Christopher Haydon, is delighted to announce his inaugural season.  Having been appointed Artistic Director in January 2020, he was prevented from announcing his plans until now due to COVID-19.  With an emphasis on the female voice, the season will include five Rose Original productions – including two world premieres and a new version of an epic Brechtian masterpiece. 

Under Haydon’s stewardship, the Rose’s own work will be the priority, as demonstrated by the five Rose Originals in this upcoming season, but there will always be room on the theatre’s stage for the country’s leading touring shows as well.  This season’s Rose Originals are a blend of new plays tackling significant contemporary issues and well-known titles reinvented for today.

Christopher Haydon is very keen for the Rose to support and mentor emerging and established artists, with a focus on writers.  The Rose is developing projects with Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, Lulu Raczka, Onjali Q. Raúf, Nina Segal and Roy Williams.  He is enlarging the creative family around the Rose, appointing new partners and advisers including Lucian Msamati as an Associate Artist, Poltergeist as an Associate Company and this year’s recipient of the Peter Hall Emerging Artists Fellowship, Layla Madanat.

Christopher Haydon said of his first season, “I have been hugely proud to work with the amazing Rose team to devise my first season, in spite of the extraordinary challenges presented by the past year. These shows combine uplifting stories which bring some much needed joy, with plays that ask provocative, searching questions about the society we live in. Alongside the productions, we are expanding the creative family that surrounds the Rose with our new group of associates. I am delighted to be working with both experienced artists who will help guide the vision of the theatre and emerging talent whom we will mentor and support in every way we can. I’m also really excited to have some of the UK’s best playwrights under commission.”

Board Member Angellica Bell said today, “The Rose is not only hugely grateful to have received two grants from the Culture Recovery Fund, but is also proud to have made no staff redundant throughout the past 15 months. In addition, we’d like to thank the Royal Borough of Kingston and Kingston University for their continued support. Today really is a celebration in every sense of the word. Chris’ vision and artistic ambition is made clear through his programming and the partnerships he is forming. It’s also a real privilege for the Rose to be working alongside Francesca Moody Productions, Alexandra Palace, Oxford Playhouse, MGC and Tall Stories, to name but a few. I can’t wait to see amazing stories being told on the Rose stage once again and we’re so ready to welcome you back!”

LEOPARDS

2 – 25 September 2021

Audio Described Performance 18 September 2021 at 3pm

World Premiere – A Rose Original Production

Rose Theatre and Francesca Moody Productions

Playwright: Alys Metcalf

Director: Christopher Haydon

Designer: Lily Arnold

Lighting Designer: Mark Howland

Sound Designer: Gareth Fry

Intimacy Director: Asha Jennings-Grant

Assistant Director: Amber Sinclair-Case

Think of it like carbon offsetting, except for morals.  

An unmissable new thriller from the Olivier Award-winning producer of Fleabag and Baby Reindeer to open the Rose’s 2021/22 season. Written by fast rising talent Alys Metcalf (You Only Live Forever, Unearthed) and directed by Christopher Haydon. 

When Niala arranges to meet celebrated charity leader Ben in the bar of a London hotel for career advice, their evening unfolds into something far less professional. As the weather closes in and secrets start to surface, the consequences of their choices leave them nowhere to hide.  

A gripping encounter that takes place over the course of one stormy night, Leopards is a play about the image we construct of ourselves and what it truly means to be good.

Booking link: https://www.rosetheatre.org/whats-on/leopards

THE SEVEN POMEGRANATE SEEDS

4 – 20 November 2021

BSL Interpreted Performance  13 November 2021 at 3pm

World Premiere – A Rose Original Production

Playwright: Colin Teevan

Director and Designer: Melly Still

Composer & Sound Designer: Jon Nicholls

Lighting Designer: Malcolm Rippeth

Associate Designer: Amanda Ramasawmy

Assistant Director: Layla Madanat

From the director of My Brilliant Friend (National Theatre transfer, 2019) and Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (West End transfer, 2019), comes the world premiere of Colin Teevan’s (The Emperor, Doctor Faustus, Rebellion, Das Boot) The Seven Pomegranate Seeds.

Seven contemporary stories grounded in prominent, mythical origins.

Persephone, Hypsipyle, Medea, Alcestis, Phaedra, Creusa and Demeter: the women of Euripides’ plays are reimagined as people of today in an unexpected fusion of celebrity, inappropriate desires, historical police investigations and missing children.

A severed maternal bond threads each story together, charting a journey through rage and redemption, towards a compelling conclusion.

Rose Associate Artist, Melly Still (My Brilliant Friend, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Tony and Olivier nominee for Coram Boy), returns to the Rose to direct and design Colin Teevan’s haunting monologue cycle in this unflinching, witty production.

Booking link: https://www.rosetheatre.org/whats-on/the-seven-pomegranate-seeds

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

3 December 2021 – 3 January 2022

Audio Described Performance 18 December 2021 at 11.30am

Relaxed Performance 30 December 2021 at 11.30am

New Version – A Rose Original Production

A new version by Ciaran McConville

Music & Lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer

Director: Lucy Morrell

Set Designer: Frankie Bradshaw

Costume Designer: Peter Todd

A cast of Rose Youth Theatre members and professional actors to be announced

On her eighteenth birthday, Bella learns that her father is the victim of a terrible curse. She sets out across the mountains to a mysterious valley, determined to face the Beast who condemned her father. Instead, she finds a community confronting its own sorrows with love, laughter and hope. In a race to learn the truth, Bella must question everything she’s been told and find humanity in the least expected places.

One of the oldest fairy tales, Beauty and the Beast is about the power of youth to see beyond prejudice. In a sumptuous new version written by Ciaran McConville (The Snow Queen, Hansel & Gretel, Alice in Winterland), with music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer (Twelfth Night & Henry V at the Rose, The Comedy of Errors, Romeo & Juliet & Julius Caesar Re-imagined at RSC) and directed by Lucy Morrell (The Creature [Frankenstein Retold], 1984, Treasure Island), experience this beloved story as you’ve never seen it before, promising song, spectacle and a big, beating heart.

Booking link: https://www.rosetheatre.org/whats-on/beauty-and-the-beast

PERSUASION

26 February – 19 March 2022

A Rose Original Production with Alexandra Palace and in association with Oxford Playhouse

By Jane Austen 

Adaptor: Jeff James, with James Yeatman 

Director: Jeff James 

Designer: Alex Lowde 

Lighting Designer: Lucy Carter 

Music and Sound Designer: Ben and Max Ringham 

Movement: Morgann Runacre-Temple

Dramaturg: James Yeatman

Assistant Director: Layla Madanat

If you can’t find a husband in Bath, you won’t find one anywhere.

Jeff James(La Musica at Young Vic) andJames Yeatman’s bold and brilliant adaptation, first seen at the Royal Exchange Theatre in 2017, brings all the sharp observation and quick wit of Jane Austen’s novel to the stage, without a bonnet in sight. 

When Captain Wentworth proposed to Anne Elliot eight years ago, he was penniless and had only love and ambition to offer. Persuaded out of accepting his proposal by her family, Anne’s never quite got over her first love.

But now Wentworth is back. Rich, successful and single, the handsome Captain has been transformed into a serious catch. When circumstances bring the two face to face again, Anne’s forced to confront the past. As old wounds reopen, will Wentworth forgive Anne for rejecting him, and will Anne finally learn to trust her desires?

Austen’s romantic comedy is riotously reinvented for the twenty-first century with an explosive foam party and a soundtrack of Frank Ocean, Dua Lipa and Cardi B.

Booking link: https://www.rosetheatre.org/whats-on/persuasion

THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE

23 April – 14 May 2022

New Version – A Rose Original Production

By Bertolt Brecht

A new version by Steve Waters

Music by Michael Henry

Director: Christopher Haydon

Designer: Frankie Bradshaw

Casting: Stuart Burt CDG

Assistant Director: Layla Madanat

Now hear the tale of the trial for the Governor’s child  

To establish the rightful mother  

Through the legendary test of the Chalk Circle  

Bertolt Brecht’s epic tale about justice and humanity is propelled into the present day, in a new version by Steve Waters (The Last King of Scotland, Limehouse, Temple) with original songs by Michael Henry (Barber Shop Chronicles, Mr Burns, They Drink it in the Congo).

In a refugee camp, a fight breaks out over lost land. To seek resolution, a singer tells the fable of ‘The Chalk Circle’: in the midst of a bloody revolution, a servant girl risks all to raise the abandoned child of the Governor and his wife. Years later, when the Governor’s wife returns seeking her son, a rogue judge turns justice on its head. Can the test of the Chalk Circle determine which of the two women is the boy’s real mother?

This production, developed in association with MGC, is directed by the Rose’s Artistic Director Christopher Haydon as part of his debut season and is the first major London production of Brecht’s tragicomic masterpiece for 25 years. 

Booking link: https://www.rosetheatre.org/whats-on/the-caucasian-chalk-circle

Also this Season:

THE SMEDS AND THE SMOOS

27-31 October 2021

Relaxed Performance 29 October 2021 at 1pm

World Premiere – A Tall Stories production 

Director: Toby Mitchell

Set and Costume Designer: Barney George

Composers/Sound Designers: Andy Shaw and Jon Fiber

Movement Director: Morag Cross

Lighting Designer: Peter Harrison

Puppetry Designer: Yvonne Stone

A stellar new show based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

On a far-off planet, Smeds and Smoos can’t be friends. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back?

Music, laughs and interplanetary adventures for everyone aged 3 and up, from Tall Stories – the company that brought you The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom live on stage.

Booking link: https://www.rosetheatre.org/whats-on/the-smeds-and-the-smoos

A MONSTER CALLS

24 March – 9 April 2022

Jonathan Church Theatre Productions and Global Creatures present

The Old Vic and Bristol Old Vic production

From the novel by Patrick Ness

Inspired by an idea from Siobhan Dowd

Directed by Sally Cookson

Stories are wild creatures, the monster said. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?

Patrick Ness’s piercing novel A Monster Calls is brought vividly to life in the Olivier award-winning production by visionary director Sally Cookson. 

Thirteen year-old Conor and his mum have managed just fine since his dad moved away. But now his mum is sick and not getting any better. His grandmother won’t stop interfering and the kids at school won’t look him in the eye.  

Then, one night, Conor is woken by something at his window. A monster has come walking. It’s come to tell Conor tales from when it walked before. And when it’s finished, Conor must tell his own story and face his deepest fears. 

From the critically acclaimed bestseller, A Monster Calls offers a dazzling insight into love, life and healing.  

This adaptation is suitable for adults and children aged 10+ 

Booking link: https://www.rosetheatre.org/whats-on/a-monster-calls

SIX

17 – 29 May 2022

Kenny Wax Productions

By Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss

The international smash hit musical SIX makes its royal return to Kingston!

From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power. These Queens may have green sleeves but their lipstick is rebellious red.

Booking link: https://www.rosetheatre.org/whats-on/six

rosetheatre.org

Twitter: @RoseTheatre
Instagram: @RoseTheatreKingston         
Facebook: /rosetheatrekingston  

An Alexandra Palace and Rose Theatre Production in association with Oxford Playhouse

PERSUASION 

By Jane Austen 

Adapted by: Jeff James, with James Yeatman 

Directed by: Jeff James  

If you can’t find a husband in Bath, you won’t find one anywhere. 

Alexandra Palace today announces the first co-production in a new partnership with Rose Theatre will be an adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic romance Persuasion coming to the beautiful theatre in the iconic north London venue in April 2022.

Jeff James (La Musica at Young Vic) and James Yeatman’s bold and brilliant adaptation, first seen at the Royal Exchange Theatre in 2017, brings all the sharp observation and quick wit of Jane Austen’s novel to the stage, without a bonnet in sight. 

When Captain Wentworth proposed to Anne Elliot eight years ago, he was penniless and had only love and ambition to offer. Persuaded out of accepting his proposal by her family, Anne’s never quite got over her first love.

But now Wentworth is back. Rich, successful and single, the handsome Captain has been transformed into a serious catch. When circumstances bring the two face to face again, Anne’s forced to confront the past. As old wounds reopen, will Wentworth forgive Anne for rejecting him, and will Anne finally learn to trust her desires?

Austen’s romantic comedy is riotously reinvented for the twenty-first century with an explosive foam party and a soundtrack of Frank Ocean, Dua Lipa and Cardi B.

Alexandra Palace Chief Executive Louise Stewart said ‘We are delighted to be presenting our first co-production in collaboration with Rose Theatre, Kingston. I can’t wait to see this classic story told on both stages next year. This is definitely something to look forward to.’

In addition to Director Jeff James, the top drawer creative team includes Design: Alex Lowde; Lighting Design: Lucy Carter; Music and Sound Design: Ben and Max Ringham, Movement: Morgann Runacre-Temple and Assistant Director Layla Madanat,.

Christopher Haydon, Artistic Director of Rose Theatre, said ‘I am delighted to be working with Alexandra Palace to present Persuasion – they have a gorgeous space and a fantastic team and it is thrilling to be able to share this production with as wide an audience in London as possible.  I very much hope this will be the start of a longer and fruitful partnership.’

The production arrives at Ally Pally Theatre on 7 April for a limited run 2022 following its opening at Rose Theatre, Kingston in February during Christopher Haydon’s inaugural season as Artistic Director. This new partnership sees West and North London collaborating to bring exceptional productions to London and visiting audiences with further co-productions in discussion.

Join Mr. Toad, Mole, Ratty, Badger on a spectacular summer adventure for all the family

●      The Wind in the Willows is adapted by Mark Powell (The Teacup Poisoner, The Egg, Theatre Royal Bath) and directed by Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director, Elizabeth Newman and Associate Director, Ben Occhipinti.

●      Cast to feature Jane McCarry (Isa Drennan in Still Game, BBC Scotland, and Granny Murray in Me Too! CBBC) as Badger and Colin McCredie (Taggart, ITV and River City, BBC Scotland) as Mr Toad.

●      The Wind in the Willows will be performed in the perfect setting, on the banks of the River Tummel, beside Pitlochry Festival Theatre, from 2 July – 12 September.

Take a jaunt down to the banks of the River Tummel and join Mr. Toad, Mole, Ratty and Badger on their magical adventures in Pitlochry Festival Theatre must-see, family, summer stage production of Kenneth Grahame’s enduring story of friendship, courage, consequence, and bravery – The Wind in the Willows.

Adapted for the stage by Mark Powell andperformed in the spectacular setting of the banks of the River Tummel, The Wind in the Willows, runs from 2 July – 12 September.

When Mole wakes up after a particularly long winter, the whole world has changed around her. The riverbank seems to be bursting with new faces, fads, and fears. Luckily for Mole, with new friends like Rat, Badger and Mr Toad motoring along for the ride through the Wild Wood, life will never be sleepy again!

Playwright Mark Powell said:

“It’s been a treat spending lockdown with Mole and her friends and working out how to celebrate their classic adventure in a contemporary way. Knowing that audiences are also coming out of hibernation to join the animals on an actual riverbank will give our Willows an extra special sense of celebration!” 

Directors Elizabeth Newman and Ben Occhipinti added.

 “We think it is safe to say The Wind in the Willows by the brilliant Scottish novelist Kenneth Grahame, is one of the most loved family stories ever to be told, and retold. The characters have captivated audiences in theatres, on our screens and through the radio for many, many decades. As soon as we started pondering making work outdoors, it felt like we almost had to do The Wind in the Willows. After all, our beautiful Theatre sits on a Riverbank. As soon as we decided to tell this story, we leapt to commission the wonderful Mark Powell to write the adaptation. Some of the finest work we have seen made for families has been led by Mark. His humour, his love of life, his love of people – little and big – shines in everything he writes. 

We also felt producing The Wind in the Willows would give us a brilliant opportunity to continue to connect with new and established audiences we reached during the festive period when we made The Magic of Christmas.  As we have said, people love the story and right now it feels vital that PFT creates work for people of all ages to come together and experience a fantastic tale that makes them laugh and offers them a truly joyful afternoon or evening on the Riverbank! 

“Audiences can expect all their favourite characters, new music and songs, dancing and Mr Toad exclaiming gleefully ‘Poop! Poop!’ from his motorcar for everyone in Highland Perthshire to hear.”

The production’s exciting cast will feature Jane McCarry (Isa Drennan in Still Game, BBC Scotland, and Granny Murray in Me Too! CBBC) as Badger; Colin McCredie (Taggart, ITV and River City , BBC Scotland) as Toad; Alicia McKenzie (Quality Street, Northern Broadsides and Blonde Bombshells of 1943, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Mole; Ali Watt (A Christmas Carol, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Ratty; Richard Colvin (Sunshine on Leith, UK tour and A Christmas Carol, Octagon Theatre Bolton) as Weasel; Connor Going (Footloose, UK tour and The Choir of Men, US and Australia tour) as Otter and Kate Milner-Evans (Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty’s Theatre and Crazy for You, Jamie Wilson Productions) as Rabbit. All other roles will be played by the cast. 

Co-directed byPitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director, Elizabeth Newman (Adventures with the Painted People and Faith Healer, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) and Associate Director, Ben Occhipinti (Blonde Bombshells of 1943 and Summer Holiday, Pitlochry Festival Theatre), The Wind in the Willows promises to be a real family treat this summer.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s determination to keep capacity safely reduced, and committed adherence to social-distances, reduces the potential for, and impact of, crowded spaces and any overwhelming busy-ness. The late, light nights of the Scottish summertime mean shows will never be in darkness and any chatter or loud sounds will be mitigated naturally by the outdoor acoustics. Anyone that feels the need to take some time out of a Riverside show can do so, and then return when they feel ready. The outdoor spacious setting in the Bandstand area allows the ability to move around more freely – and in the Amphitheatre at the interval, there is a beautiful setting to get some space if needed. Staff will always be on-hand wearing a name badge for any questions or help needed.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre is keeping things flexible so audiences can be too. They will honour no-hassle refunds and exchanges for any reason (including the weather!) if it is requested at least 24 hours before the performance time. So, audiences can book for summer with the confidence that if plans change, their tickets and money can too!

Tickets for The Wind in the Willows are priced from £9-£19. To book and for further information visit  www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com or call 01796 484626.

Sisyphus: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Musical
Brand new UK musical to debut in London.
Written and directed by newcomer Ian Bowkett, this rollercoaster retelling
of Ancient Greek myth will play at 7pm on Wednesday 6th to Saturday 9th
of October at Canal Café Theatre.

Following his co-write of the 2018 Camden Fringe audience-favourite comedy
musical, The Sam Neill Experience, composer Ian Bowkett is proud to reveal
his new show: Sisyphus: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Musical. This piece – a modern take
on the Ancient Greek myth about the man who rebelled against the gods, only
to receive the infamous punishment of having to push a boulder up a hill over
and over again for eternity – will play four debut performances at Canal Café
Theatre in Little Venice, London, Wednesday 6th to Saturday 9th of
October, 2021.

Corinthian King Sisyphus is tired of the holy powers-that-be controlling his
humdrum and repetitive life. The divine nymph Merope is just as tired of
being treated like property by the entitled and chauvinist Greek Gods. They
decide to team up and fight back, eventually earning the eternal punishments
that will make them icons of rebellion for millennia to come.

This production will mark the solo directorial and authorial debut of
composer Ian Bowkett, who has spent the last fourteen months of lockdown
refining the script and songs. He is beyond excited to finally share this piece
with the world. The almost entirely sung-through show will be performed by
just three actors – in the tradition of Ancient Greek theatre – and feature
over thirty original rocking musical numbers.

Performances will begin at 7pm and the show will last approximately 80
minutes without an interval. A limited number of tickets for the short debut
run from Wednesday 6th to Saturday 9th of October are available from the
Canal Café Theatre website:
https://canalcafetheatre.com/our-shows/sisyphus/