MARTIN SHAW, TRACY-ANN OBERMAN AND MORE STAR IN RICHMOND THEATRE’S UPCOMING SEASON
MARCH – JUNE 2025
Kicking off March, acclaimed actor Martin Shaw returns to the role of Sir Thomas More in the historical drama A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS (11-15 Mar). Robert Bolt’s award-winning play tells the story of the most powerful and dangerous figures who shaped English history, also starring Gary Wilmot.
Following sold-out seasons in the West End, on tour and at the RSC, the electrifying THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 1936 (8-12 Apr) sees the Shakesperean classic transported to 1930s Britain against the Battle of Cable Street, with Tracy-Ann Oberman starring as the first British actress to play Shylock, and Joseph Millson as Antonio. With the city on the brink of political unrest, fascism sweeping across Europe and Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists threatening a paramilitary march through the Jewish East End, strong-willed single mother Shylock runs a pawnbroking business from her house in Cable Street where Mosley will march. When charismatic, antisemitic aristocrat Antonio comes to her for a loan, a high-stakes deal is struck. Will Shylock take her revenge, and who will pay the ultimate price?
The theatre has two fantastic shows based on well-loved book titles taking to the stage this Spring. Brand new Peter James thriller PICTURE YOU DEAD (18-22 Mar) will star TV favourites Peter Ash, Fiona Wade and George Rainsford, whilst LITTLE WOMEN (3-7 June) will see the enduring journey of the March sisters come to life in this lovingly crafted adaptation.
Looking for something with a few more sequins? THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (28 Apr – 3 May) returns to Richmond to do the Time Warp again, with guest star Jackie Clune as the Narrator. For those who love old-school comedians, don’t miss THE LAST LAUGH (17-21 June), a brand-new play which reimagines the lives of three of Britain’s greatest comedians: Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse. The venue also has two Fringe hits heading to the Richmond stage: …EARNEST? (12-14 June), which sees this presentation of an Oscar Wilde play bring up an actual audience member to star in the show, and MURDER, SHE DIDN’T WRITE (6 May) will see the audience become the author in this ingenious improvised murder mystery!
For West London and Surrey families, Richmond Theatre have two productions guaranteed to be hits with your little ones. THE SMARTEST GIANT IN TOWN (2-3 Apr) brings Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s book to life, whilst HORRIBLE HISTORIES: AWFUL EGYPTIANS (8-11 May) and HORRIBLE HISTORIES: TERRIBLE TUDORS (8-10 May) will show keen young historians the gory side of history based on the adores book series and television show.
Richmond Theatre is dedicated to making sure people of all ages and abilities can take part in theatre and the arts, and our Creative Learning department has various classes that are inclusive and fun for all! This currently includes Story-time and Twirling Toddlers sessions for under 5s, as well as regular dance class Step Into Richmond and acting session Class Act, both for those over 50. Richmond Theatre additionally holds monthly Guided Theatre Tours to allow audience members to learn more about the iconic history of this Grade-II listed venue. The department has also recently started a choir – Richmond Sings! – which runs weekly on Tuesdays.
For further information regarding workshops and Creative Learning bookings, please contact [email protected]