LID IS LIFTED ON THEATRE ROYAL NEW SEASON
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Ballet British Columbia 13-14 March ‘18
Sherlock Holmes 8-12 May ‘18
Dusty the Musical 17-21 July ‘18
Kinky Boots 29 Oct–10 Nov ‘18
Newcastle Theatre Royal truly is the cultural epicentre of the region, as highlighted by the launch of its Spring/Summer ’18 season today – a theatrical treasure chest of riches featuring breath-taking dance, thought-provoking drama, feel-good musicals and family shows aplenty.
The Grade 1 listed Theatre will be bursting at the seams next year as it welcomes no less than five big musicals, including Evita (22-26 May), Hairspray (25-30 June), Dusty the Musical (17-21 July),Calendar Girls (18-29 Sep) and Kinky Boots (29 Oct – 10 Nov).
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s hit show Evita returns to Newcastle in May, starring Madalena Alberto (Les Misérables) and Gian Marco Schiaretti (Tarzan). Telling the story of Eva Peron – wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron – Evita follows Eva’s journey from humble beginnings through to extraordinary iconic status and features some of the most famous songs in musical theatre.
Returning for one week only after a sell-out visit in Spring 2016, West End and Broadway hit Hairspray lands 25-30 June. Set in 1962, Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, who’s on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. This is a feel-good show with the ultimate dance-in-your-seat and singalong soundtrack.
Dusty the Musical (17-21 July) is a landmark new show based on the authorised biography of Dusty Springfield, featuring many of her blazingly soulful pop hits, including I Only Want
to Be with You, Son of a Preacher Man and You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me. With a fiercely funny and emotionally charged script from BAFTA and Olivier nominated writer
Jonathan Harvey, Dusty celebrates the extraordinary and vivacious woman with the iconic voice.
Calendar Girls the Musical (18-29 Sep), by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth, is the award winning musical comedy based on the true story of a group of ordinary ladies who achieved something extraordinary. Straight from the West End, this is a glorious new production with an all-star cast.
But perhaps the most anticipated of the season is Kinky Boots (29 Oct – 10 Nov), winner of every major Best Musical award, including the 2016 Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Featuring songs by Grammy and Tony winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper and a book by Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein this dazzling show is a joyous story of Brit grit, taking audiences from the factory floor of Northampton to the catwalks of Milan!
Dance fans will delight in three big names this season, starting with the breathtaking Ballet British Columbia (13-14 Mar). Making its Theatre Royal debut, Canada’s leading national dance company present an exhilarating evening of dance by three internationally celebrated female choreographers. Recognised for their fresh creativity, this 18-strong company of dancers will astound UK audiences with their unique blend of cool, classical elegance, contemporary flair and extraordinary skill.
Returning in May due to phenomenal demand is international Irish dance sensation Spirit of the Dance (16-19) on its record-breaking 20 year anniversary tour. One of the world’s most successful dance shows, Spirit of the Dance showcases the heart-pounding rhythms of Irish dance as well as sensual Flamenco and red hot salsa. Not one dancer steps out of line as their thunderous feet perform in this thrilling and explosive production.
Another big name to return this season is Stomp (13-18 Aug), the unstoppable smash-hit but fresher, faster and funnier than ever! Combining dance, comedy and music into a theatrical experience like no other Stomp takes familiar objects like newspapers, bins, plastics bags and even the kitchen sink and uses them to create a universal language of rhythm and movement that’s playful, thrilling and exploding with energy.
For drama lovers we are proud to present one riveting new show and one old favourite. Sherlock Holmes – The Final Curtain (8-12 May) is a gripping new stage show with an all-star cast including Robert Powell and Liza Goddard in celebration of the world’s greatest detective. Holmes lives in retirement on the South Coast and is concerned in his advancing years he may be an easy target for his enemies. So when a new case presents itself Holmes is determined to kill two birds with one stone – solve the mystery and confront his own demons.
Following its sell-out success in January, the multi award-winning West End smash hit comedy drama The Play that Goes Wrong returns 2-7 July. The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong…does! As the accident prone thesps battle on against all the odds to reach their final curtain call, hilarious results ensue! Now playing on Broadway and enjoying its 4th year in the West End, the show has secured rave reviews and won a host of celebrity endorsements along the way.
Another comedy treat, back once again to warm the hearts of their loyal fans are the incorrigibly Grumpy Old Women (20 May). Fed up with flogging their guts out and always having to be in charge, the GOW have put their knobbly old feet up in glorious retirement. Free at last to practise their extreme colouring-in, ukulele orchestra and novelty fudge-making! But, with the world in a bigger mess than ever before, they will need to unleash their superpowers as only three old Grumpies know how! Stars Jenny Eclair, Dillie Keane and Lizzie Roper.
Also sure to be a sell-out is the official world premiere of ITV’s smash hit comedy Benidorm (7-15 Sep), which opens at Newcastle Theatre Royal prior to a major national tour. Produced by iconic Newcastle born West End producer Michael Harrison (The Bodyguard; Young Frankenstein) the show features everyone’s favourite stars from the Solana Hotel live on stage for the very first time.
Two great new shows for our smaller customers complete the new season – a brand new live stage show from the Youtube sensation Little Baby Bum (10-11 July) invites pre-schoolers to step into the magical and colourful world of Nursery Rhymes, while August sees the return of everyone’s favourite piggy in Peppa Pig’s Adventure (22-23 Aug) where we welcome back Peppa and friends as they embark on a camping trip full of games, laughter and live music!
Tickets for all new shows in the Spring / Summer ‘18 season go on sale to the general public at 9am on Fri 10 November 2017 and can be purchased online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).
Friends of the Theatre Royal can book new season shows online and through the box office from Mon 6 November 2017 and receive discounted tickets as well as other benefits – visitwww.theatreroyal.co.uk/support/become-a-friend for more information.