NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL ANNOUNCES
AUTUMN ’17 / SPRING ’18 SEASON
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Rambert – Ghost Dances & other works 6 – 8 Feb ‘18
Art 5 – 10 Mar ‘18
The Kite Runner 30 Apr – 5 May ‘18
Jersey Boys 31 Jul – 11 Aug ‘18
Breath-taking dance, thought-provoking drama, feel-good musicals and family shows aplenty – the new Autumn 17 / Spring 18 season from Newcastle Theatre Royal, announced today, has it all.
The four big musicals this season are Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends – The Musical, Cilla – The Musical, Tim Firth’s Take That musical The Band and the Broadway and West End hit Jersey Boys.
Based on the hit TV show, Fat Friends – The Musical (23 – 27 Jan ‘18) will be bursting onto our stage with an all-star cast next spring. This eagerly anticipated new musical, with original music by Nick Lloyd Webber and starring West End favourite Jodie Prenger and X Factor winner Sam Bailey, is packed full of warmth, hope, humour and heart (and weight-loss!) as it reunites our favourite foodie friends.
Cilla – The Musical (27 Feb – 3 Mar ‘18) is the spectacular and heart-warming musical adaptation of the critically acclaimed hit ITV television series. It tells the extraordinary story of the ordinary girl from Liverpool whose teenage dreams of stardom lead her to becoming one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers of all time. The musical score is the ultimate soundtrack to the 60’s including Cilla’s greatest hitsAnyone Who Had a Heart, Alfie and Something Tells Me, Twist and Shout by the Beatles, California Dreamin by The Mamas and The Papas and many more.
Now the fastest selling musical theatre tour of all time, The Band (3 – 14 April ’18), already on sale) is a beautiful story about anyone that grew up with a boyband and how the songs became the soundtrack to their lives. Written by Olivier Award-winning writer Tim Firth, featuring the music of co-producers Take That and starring the winners from the BBC’s Let it Shine Five to Five, The Band is set to become a classic.
On the subject of classic musicals – West End and Broadway hit and internationally acclaimed stage sensation Jersey Boys (31 Jul – 11 Aug ’18) hits the stage in Summer 2018. Winner of 57 major awards worldwide including the Oliver Award for Best New Musical, Jersey Boys tells the true story of four boys from the wrong side of the tracks who wrote their own songs, invented their own sound, and sold 100 million records worldwide.
Dance fans will delight in four big names this season, starting with the legendary Rambert (6 – 8 Feb ’18) who return with probably their most popular work – Ghost Dances & other works. Visually referencing the Day of the Dead, and driven by bewitching Latin American folk music, we witness as ‘death’ (in the form of the iconic “ghost dancers”) interrupts the daily lives of a series of ordinary people and their stories of love and compassion. The triple bill also includes a brand new dance theatre creation inspired by the music of Nina Simone and an all-action work by internationally acclaimed choreographer Andonis Foniadakis. All three pieces feature Rambert’s trademark quality of combining virtuoso dancing with live music to thrilling effect.
Another big name to return, Scottish Ballet is back with a new production of The Nutcracker (31 Jan – 3 Feb ‘18). Classical ballet at its most plush and sumptuous, the show was originally devised in 1973 by the Company’s founding artistic director, and revived to widespread acclaim in 2014. Tchaikovsky’s delectable score played by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra, a land of dreams and fairy tale, costumes plucked from the most gorgeous chocolate box and a fantastical adventure with a little girl called Clara combine for one of the most magical ballets of all time.
An extravagant mix of Latin fever and ballroom magic is in store with Brendan Cole’s spectacular new show All Night Long (18 Mar ’18). Accompanied by his own sensational guest dancers, and featuring live music and stunning special effects, Brendan’s dazzling choreography will delight and enthral all ages.
Following the sold-out success of The Red Shoes earlier this year, Matthew Bourne’s multi award-winning New Adventures company return to the Theatre Royal in Spring 2018 with one of their most beloved productions, Cinderella (17 – 28 Apr ’18). A thrilling love story set in London during the Second World War, it transports the audience into the heart of Prokofiev’s magnificent score and the sights and sounds of war-torn London. It was a sell-out when it last visited in 2012 and early booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.
Theatre
Also sure to be a sell-out is the first ever theatre show of the iconic, world famous Teletubbies in Teletubbies Live (10-11 Feb ‘18). A treat for all pre-schoolers, this a show full of love and laughter as Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po explore the magical world of Teletubbyland. Children are encouraged to join in and enjoy familiar features from the TV series along with brand new songs.
For slightly older children we have an exciting new adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s family classic The Jungle Book coming to vivid life from 27 to 31 Mar ’18. Mowgli the man cub battles for survival in this heart-warming coming-of-age story about a boy raised by wolves in the jungle. From the hugely talented team behind Theatre Royal favourites Goodnight Mister Tom and Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild, the show is packed with memorable characters, new songs and brilliant storytelling.
Destined to become a future classic, kids will also delight in the award-winning West End production of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny(30 May – 2 June ’18). It’s Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing – staying with Granny, and it’s going to be sooooooooo boring! But what Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret – and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine….! Walliams is currently the UK’s best-selling children’s author and this show will be a sure hit with little folk everywhere.
For drama lovers we are proud to present David Haig in the critically acclaimed Pressure (20 – 24 Feb ’18). Written by and starring Haig, Pressure tells the extraordinary true story of one man – meteorologist Group Captain James Stagg – who changed the course of the second world war (and history) in June 1944 while advising Eisenhower on the D-Day landings.
One of the most successful comedies ever, and winner of Olivier, Tony, Moliere and every other major world theatre award, stage masterpiece and global phenomenon ART (5 – 10 Mar ’18) returns in the Spring with an all-star cast featuring Nigel Havers, Denis Lawson and Stephen Tompkinson. Now celebrating its twentieth anniversary, Art tells the story of three old friends in Paris – Serge, Yvan and Marc, who discover they have very differing opinions about what constitutes ‘art’ when one buys a very expensive, rather peculiar painting.
Heart rending and unmissable The Kite Runner (30 April – 5 May ‘18) is our third drama sensation. Direct from the West End, this haunting tale of friendship follows one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption. Based on Khaled Hosseini’s bestselling novel, the story begins on a beautiful afternoon in Kabul where and the skies are full of the excitement of a kite flying tournament, and two childhood friends cannot foresee the terrible incident which will shatter their lives forever. A must for fans of the novel and drama lovers everywhere.
Our fourth offering is a thriller from the mistress of mystery herself, and the UK’s greatest crime writer, Agatha Christie. Love from a Stranger (12 – 16 June ’18) tells the tale of Cecily Harrington who is swept off her feet by a whirlwind romance with a handsome and charming stranger. Little does she know the ghastly truth about her new beau. Audiences can expect Christie’s trademark electric suspense and a biting twist in the tail with this brand new production – an edge-of-your-seat, rarely seen thriller.
Two comedy greats complete our new season – the unstoppable David Baddiel (11 Mar ’18) brings his Olivier-nominated one-man showMy Family: Not the Sitcom to the Theatre Royal stage following a sold out run at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory and two critically acclaimed West End runs. Furthermore, following his hit run with us back in 2013, the North East’s Pete Peverley returns with his touching, heartfelt and very funny celebration of the life of comic legend Bobby Thompson in The Bobby Thompson Story (16 & 17 Mar ’18). Marking the 30th anniversary year of folk hero Bobby’s death, this is an unmissable gig for fans of ‘The Little Waster’ and indeed all lovers of traditional and North East comedy.
Tickets for all new shows in the Autumn ’17 / Spring ‘18 season go on sale to the general public at 9am on Fri 7 July 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 3 July 2017 and receive discounted tickets as well as other benefits – visit www.theatreroyal.co.uk/support/become-a-friend for more information.