NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL ANNOUNCES
AUTUMN ’16 / SPRING ’17 SEASON
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
The Woman in Black 24 – 29 Apr ‘17
Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes 2 – 6 May ‘17
Funny Girl 16 – 20 May ‘17
Jane Eyre 3 – 8 July ‘17
There’s something to suit every taste with spellbinding dance, madcap comedy and scintillating drama amongst the world-class productions announced by Newcastle Theatre Royal for the Autumn ’16 / Spring ’17 season.
The eagerly-awaited Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes (Tue 2 – Sat 6 May ‘17) is set to dazzle audiences in an intoxicating drama where life imitates art with fateful consequences. A beloved fairytale and Academy Award-winning movie, The Red Shoeshas seduced audiences and inspired generations of dancers with its tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Matthew Bourne’s magical adaptation of the classic Powell and Pressburger film is set to a new score arranged by Terry Davis using the mesmerizing music of golden-age Hollywood composer Bernard Hermann with sumptuous designs by Lez Brotherston (set and costumes), Paule Constable (lighting) and Paul Groothuis (sound).
Dance fans are certainly spoilt for choice; unwrap a tasty winter treat with Scottish Ballet’s magical Hansel & Gretel (Wed 1 – Sat 4 Feb ’17). A carousel of delicious treats from start to finish, Hansel & Gretel is full to the brim with magic and wit, with toys that come to life and a beautiful, bewitching ballerina who is not at all what she seems. And younger audiences will be delighted byWee Hansel & Gretel (Fri 3 Feb ’17), an enchanting journey into the woods for children aged 3+.
Afro Caribbean rhythms, jazzy American modernism and inflections from European ballet come together in Danza Contemporana de Cuba (Tue 21 – Wed 22 Feb ’17) to create an intoxicating blend which evokes the sensual, mystical and raw heart of Cuban spirit from the nation’s flagship contemporary dance troupe.
The magic of Ballroom and Latin dance is celebrated in Keep Dancing (Tue 18 – Sat 22 Apr ’17) – a breathtaking dance extravaganza featuring Robin Windsor, professionals and a guest celebrity from Strictly Come Dancing and a host of world-champions in a fast paced, high intensity production.
Audiences will laugh out loud at the multi award-winning West End smash hit comedy The Play That Goes Wrong (Tue 17 – Sat 21 Jan ’17) which has won a host of celebrity endorsements from the likes of Joanna Lumley and Ant & Dec. The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery and everything that can go wrong does – this brilliantly funny comedy is guaranteed to leave you aching with laughter!
The spine-chilling The Woman in Black (Mon 24 – Sat 29 Apr ’17) returns to Newcastle having continued to captivate audiences in a record breaking run in London’s West End. Susan Hill’s acclaimed ghost story comes dramatically alive in Stephen Mallatratt’s ingenious adaptation. This gripping production, directed by Robin Hertford, is a brilliantly successful study in atmosphere, illusion and controlled horror.
Hot on the heels of a record breaking, sold out West End run, the new production of the iconic Funny Girl (Tue 16 – Sat 20 May ’17) is set to delight fans of musical theatre. Funny Girl brought global fame to Barbra Streisand 50 years ago and boasts some of the best-loved songs in film and theatre history including People and Don’t Rain On My Parade. The critically acclaimed production tells the story of Fanny Brice, whose vocal talents and comedic ability see her rise from Brooklyn music hall singer to Broadway star. Don’t miss your chance to see it when Funny Girl comes to the Theatre Royal for 1 week only.
The innovative drama based on Mark Haddon’s award-winning novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (Tue 30 – Sat 10 June ’17) has been adapted for stage by playwright Simon Stephens and is directed by Olivier and Tony Award-winning director Marianne Elliot. Returning to Newcastle after a sell-out run in 2015, this smash-hit new production continues to play to sold-out houses in London’s West End and on Broadway and tells the story of 15 year old Christopher whose extraordinary brain – whilst being exceptional at maths – is ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. This dazzlingly inventive show about the wonders of life is set to enthral audiences on this much anticipated tour.
Following a critically acclaimed season at the National Theatre, Jane Eyre (Mon 3 – Sat 8 July ’17) comes to Newcastle. This innovative re-imagining of Charlotte Bronte’s masterpiece is as inspiring as ever as this bold and dynamic production uncovers one woman’s fight for freedom and fulfilment on her own terms. Directed by Sally Cookson, this collaboration between the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic is guaranteed to take the audience on a wave of emotions as the spirited heroine faces life’s obstacles head on before taking the ultimate decision to follow her heart.
And there are plenty of great shows to suit all tastes already on sale in the current season. The magical story of the world’s favourite Nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane is set to delight audiences when Mary Poppins flies onto the Theatre Royal stage (Fri 9 Sept – Sat 29 Oct ‘16). A jam-packed line up of top-class musicals includes West Side Story (Tue 19 – Sat 23 July ‘16), the sexy and sensational Chicago (Mon 1 – Sat 13 Aug ’16), Dirty Dancing (Mon 23 – Sat 28 Jan ’17), The Commitments (Mon 6 – Sat 11 Feb ’17), the ever-popular Blood Brothers (Mon 13 – Sat 18 Mar ’17), Mamma Mia! (Tue 28 Mar – Sat 15 Apr ’17) and the Broadway and West End smash Sister Act (Mon 19 – Sat 24 Jun ’17).
Comedy fans can enjoy a night with Stewart Lee (Sun 6 Nov ’16) and Al Murray (Sun 19 Feb ’17) and there will be laughs a plenty when our show-stopping 16/17 Pantomime Cinderella takes to the stage (Tue 22 Nov ’16 – Sun 15 Jan ’17) bringing fun and adventure for all the family.
Special guests, The Overtones will be starring in That’s Entertainment (Tue 5 – Sat 9 Jul) and music fans will be thrilled by the story of rock ‘n’ roll legends Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins coming together in Million Dollar Quartet (Mon 6 – Sat 11 Mar ‘17).
The raucous Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour are set to cause havoc (Tue 12 – Sat 16 July ’16) and following their hit run on Broadway, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart star in the brilliantly entertaining No Man’s Land (Mon 15 – Sat 20 Aug ’16). Jane Austen’s most beloved novel is reborn in Pride and Prejudice (Tue 14 – Sat 18 Feb ’17), Hadaway Harry (Fri 24 – Sat 25 Feb ’17) tells the story of local sporting hero Harry Clasper and spine-tingling drama comes by way of Peter James’ Not Dead Enough(Mon 20 – Sat 25 Mar ’17).
Dance fans will be swept away by the magic of Northern Ballet’s Beauty and the Beast (Tue 8 – Sat 12 Nov ‘16), younger ballet fans will be delighted with a special performance of Goldilocks & the Three Bears (Fri 11 Nov ’16) and pre-schoolers will be delighted when Peppa Pig’s Surprise arrives (Wed 27 – Thu 28 Jul ’16). Opera fans will be mesmerised with a host of performances from Opera North including Der Rosenkavalier (Wed 2 & Sat 5 Nov’ 16), Billy Budd (Thu 3 Nov ’16), Il tabaroo / Suor Angelica double bill (Fri 4 Nov ’16), Hansel and Gretel (Wed 1 & Sat 4 Mar ’17), Cinderella (Tue 2 & Sat 4 Mar ’17) andThe Snow Maiden (Fri 3 Mar ’17).
Tickets for all new shows in the Autumn ‘16 / Spring ‘17 season go on sale to the general public at 9am on Friday 8 July 2016 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 on Monday 4 July, before the general public on Friday 8 July, and receive discounted tickets as well as other benefits – visit www.theatreroyal.co.uk/support/become-a-friend for more information.