SARAH FRANKCOM’S FINAL SEASON: STUNNING NEW WRITING, FRESH IMAGINATION & A BOLD LOOK AT THE PAST
This Spring/Summer season is an inspiring collection of work programmed under the leadership of former Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom. It embraces the energy and power of new writing, staging plays from established, award-winning writers alongside supporting early career playwrights to realise their work for the stage. Dynamic new directors, who are making waves across the industry, will create fresh and ambitious pieces of theatre for today, tackling both new plays and turning their attention to bold interpretations of classic texts. This spring/summer is a powerful and energetic programme of work for audiences in Manchester and beyond.
• ROCKETS AND BLUE LIGHTS is an astonishing new play from the award-winning playwright Winsome Pinnock. Winner of the 2018 Alfred Fagon Award, this stunningly crafted play moves seamlessly between the past and the present and unveils the impact of Great Britain’s role in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Confronting an ugly history head on ROCKETS AND BLUE LIGHTS is performed in the Royal Exchange, once one of the world’s largest cotton exchanges. This powerful play asks…who is it that gets to tell our stories? Straight from the acclaimed Young Vic production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN, the exceptional director Miranda Cromwell brings this epic play to life. A Royal Exchange debut for both writer and director the production previews on 12 March and runs in the Theatre until 4 April.
• Following its sold-out run in spring 2019 Sarah Frankcom’s smash-hit WEST SIDE STORY, with choreography from Aletta Collins, returns to the Royal Exchange. Loved by critics and audiences alike this infamous Broadway musical is back in Manchester for 2020. With the return of Andy Coxon as Tony and Gabriela García as Maria and remounted by Associate Director Atri Banerjee this stunning musical is in the Theatre from 18 April – 30 May.
• Alongside remounting WEST SIDE STORY, Stage Debut Award-winning director Atri Banerjee returns to the Exchange to direct Tennessee Williams’ autobiographical classic THE GLASS MENAGERIE. This memory play pulls apart the complex dynamics of a suffocating family life, and shows how unpredictable, painful and volatile memory can be. This bold new interpretation from a brilliant young director opens in the Theatre on 5 June and runs until 4 July.
• A 2017 Bruntwood Award-winning play Tim Foley’s ELECTRIC ROSARY is a funny and moving exploration of faith and humanity. Set in a time where nuns are scarce and robots are commonplace, this new play explores how artificial intelligence influences what we choose to believe in. Directed by Elizabeth Freestone this is a play about what it means to be human. ELECTRIC ROSARY can be seen in the Studio from 15 June – 4 July.
• Enchanting and brutal, chilling and beautiful Jack Thorne’s adaptation of LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is directed by Royal Exchange Joint Artistic Director Bryony Shanahan. In a world where adults are failing them, two teenage outsiders are drawn to each other. Separated by centuries and rejected by society they find salvation in a unique friendship and their palpable need for someone to love. This unforgettable vampire story has gained cult status across the world, it is a sharp and reflective coming-of-age story that asks its audience to recognise and value the humanity in us all. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN runs in the Theatre from 9 July – 8 August.
• Having a baby is the Most Important Thing you can do. If you have one. If you don’t, something else can be the Most Important Thing. Following the award-winning THREE SISTERS, RashDash and their mums explore having and becoming mothers. OH MOTHER, runs from 16 July – 1 August in the Studio.
• In the Studio original work continues to be developed and shared by artists from across the UK, by the Exchange’s award-winning Young Company and by the Theatre’s Elders Company.
Artistic Directors Bryony Shanahan and Roy Alexander Weise said …
‘The season is a powerful reflection of everything the Exchange has become in the last five years under Sarah’s leadership. It champions the importance of new plays and the power the playwright has to redefine our stories, it encourages artists to make work at scale and it highlights how valuable it is to support the future of our industry to be ambitious and brave in the work they make. We are very excited to support and celebrate this brilliant season while we work towards creating our own.’
The Theatre
A Royal Exchange Theatre production
ROCKETS AND BLUE LIGHTS
By Winsome Pinnock
Directed by Miranda Cromwell
12 March – 4 April
In her powerful new play ROCKETS AND BLUE LIGHTS, celebrated playwright Winsome Pinnock superbly laces together the stories of a 21st-century black actress who finds herself bound by historical legacy, Thomas, a black sailor who longs for the sea and an ageing J.M.W Turner, impatient for artistic inspiration. This Alfred Fagon award-winning play brings together the superb writing talent of Winsome Pinnock with director Miranda Cromwell whose work includes the international tour of HALF BREED (Talawa Theatre) and as Associate Director the award-winning shows COMPANY (Gielgud Theatre) and ANGELS IN AMERICA (National Theatre). ROCKETS AND BLUE LIGHTS explores the impact of historical legacy and the representation of painful subjects, it invites us to ask what is chosen to be represented and what is denied? Juxtaposing the intimate and the epic, the personal and the political this complex play is powered by love, resilience and hope and can be seen in the Theatre from 12 March – 4 April.
Winsome Pinnock’s stage plays include THE PRINCIPLES OF CARTOGRAPHY (The Bush Theatre), TITUBA (Hampstead Theatre), CLEANING UP (For Clean Break at Oval House Theatre), TAKEN (For Clean Break at Oval House Theatre), IDP (Tricycle Theatre), THE STOWAWAY (Play for young people, Theatre Royal, Plymouth), ONE UNDER (Tricycle Theatre), BEG BORROW OR STEAL (Kuumba Community Arts Centre), WATER (Tricycle Theatre), MULES (Royal Court Theatre Upstairs and Clean Break Theatre), CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET? (Connections at Royal National Theatre), A ROCK IN WATER (Royal Court Theatre), LEAVE TAKING (Liverpool Playhouse Theatre, National Theatre, Belgrade Theatre Coventry and Lyric theatre, Hammersmith), A HEROES WELCOME (Royal Court Theatre Upstairs), THE WIND OF CHANGE (Half Moon Theatre) and PICTURE PALACE (Womens Theatre Group). Awards include the Alfred Fagon Award (2018); George Devine Award; Pearson Plays on Stage Scheme best play of the year Award; Unity Trust Theatre Award. She received a special commendation from the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Her play LEAVE TAKING received a major revival at the Bush Theatre, London in 2018 and a new version of ONE UNDER was produced by Graeae Theatre Company in 2019 for a UK tour. She is currently commissioned by the Bush Theatre, Royal Court Theatre and is developing a screenplay with Blueprint Pictures.
Miranda Cromwell’s directing credits include as co-director DEATH OF A SALESMAN (Young Vic Theatre) as director HALF BREED (Talawa Theatre/Soho Theatre/Edinburgh Fringe Festival/India tour), MAGIC ELVES, HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE, SENSE (Bristol Old Vic), PIGEON ENGLISH (Edinburgh Fringe Festival/Bristol Old Vic), THE REST OF YOUR LIFE (Bush Theatre) and DEATH AND TREASON (Bristol Old Vic/UK tour). As Associate Director her credits include COMPANY – Olivier award for Best Musical Revival, Critics Circle Award for Best Musical (Gielgud Theatre) and ANGELS IN AMERICA – Olivier and Tony Award for Best Revival (National Theatre/Neil Simon Theatre, Broadway); A MONSTER CALLS – Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and Family (Old Vic/ Bristol Old Vic); CORAM BOY (Colston Hall).
A Royal Exchange Theatre production
WEST SIDE STORY
Based on a conception of Jerome Robbins
Book by Arthur Laurents
Music by Leonard Bernstein Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Directed by Sarah Frankcom Associate Director Atri Banerjee
Choreographer Aletta Collins Orchestration by Jason Carr
18 April – 30 May
Back by popular demand the Royal Exchange’s new version of Broadway’s biggest musical WEST SIDE STORY returns to Manchester. This legendary musical is an incredible blend of music, dance, lyricism and performance, with a matchless songbook – MARIA, AMERICA, SOMEWHERE, TONIGHT – which makes WEST SIDE STORY one of the most powerful pieces of modern theatre ever created. Under Sarah Frankcom’s direction, with choreography from Aletta Collins, orchestration by Jason Carr and musical direction from Tim Jackson this version brings a new focus to the gang culture of the iconic Sharks and Jets. Returning to the theatre to as Tony and Maria are Andy Coxon and Gabriela García. The production runs in the Theatre from 18 April – 23 May.
Sarah Frankcom is the Director of LAMDA and former Artistic Director at the Royal Exchange. Her recent productions include: THE NICO PROJECT co-created with Maxine Peake for Manchester International Festival. For the Royal Exchange her work includes LIGHT FALLS, WEST SIDE STORY, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, OUR TOWN (winner of Best Director at the UK Theatre Awards) and HAPPY DAYS, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, THE SKRIKER (co-commission with MIF15) and HAMLET (all with Maxine Peake), BLINDSIDED, THAT DAY WE SANG and the Royal Exchange and MIF13 co-production THE MASQUE OF ANARCHY. She also directed THE LAST TESTAMENT OF LILLIAN BILOCCA for Hull City of Culture.
A Royal Exchange Theatre production
THE GLASS MENAGERIE
By Tennessee Williams
Directed by Atri Banerjee
5 June – 4 July
THE GLASS MENAGERIE is Tennessee Williams’ poetic and bruising portrayal of a family on the brink of change. Tom remembers; he recalls his mother Amanda, his sister Laura, their suffocating dependency and the overwhelming responsibility of family ties that bind you for life. But memory is fragile and the clarity of truth and recollection is clouded over time. This intimate classic is given a fresh perspective by director Atri Banerjee who returns to the Royal Exchange following his acclaimed production of HOBSON’S CHOICE. Created for the Exchange’s unique in-the-round theatre, this domestic play tackles questions that resonate on a global scale. THE GLASS MENAGERIE can be seen in the Theatre from 5 June – 4 July.
Atri Banerjee trained at Birkbeck and was previously Trainee Director at the Royal Exchange Theatre. His directing credits include: UTOPIA and HOBSON’S CHOICE (both Royal Exchange). Associate/assistant director credits for the Royal Exchange include: WEST SIDE STORY; THE MYSTERIES (also tour); JUBILEE (also Lyric Hammersmith); HAPPY DAYS; THE ALMIGHTY SOMETIMES; OUR TOWN. Other associate/assistant director credits include: THE NICO PROJECT (Manchester International Festival/ Melbourne International Arts Festival); THE SON (Kiln Theatre). For HOBSON’S CHOICE, Atri won The Stage Debut Award 2019 for Best Director and was nominated for the UK Theatre Award 2019 for Best Director.
A Royal Exchange Theatre production
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
A stage adaptation by JACK THORNE
Based on the Swedish novel and film by JOHN AJVIDE LINDQVIST
Directed by Bryony Shanahan
9 July – 8 August
A strange story of friendship and love finds a new home on the unique stage of the Royal Exchange Theatre. Jack Thorne’s adaptation of John Ajvide Lindqvist cult novel LET THE RIGHT ONE IN receives a brand-new production for 2020 from Royal Exchange Joint Artistic Director Bryony Shanahan. When two young outsiders meet on a snow-covered playground they are instantly drawn together, they are kindred spirits finding solace in each other – one a bullied, isolated teenage boy the other a feral, lonely and dangerous vampire. And so, begins a chilling and unlikely friendship. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is an intricate examination of isolation, neglect and the extraordinary lengths we go to for our friends. This compelling story runs in the Theatre from 9 July – 8 August.
Bryony Shanahan is Joint Artistic Director at the Royal Exchange, this season she will direct WUTHERING HEIGHTS in a new version by Andrew Sheridan. In 2016 she won the Genesis Future Directors award and directed trade at the Young Vic. Other directing credits include: ENOUGH (Traverse Theatre), QUEENS OF THE COAL AGE (Royal Exchange), CHICKEN SOUP (Sheffield Crucible); OPERATION CRUCIBLE (Finborough Theatre, Sheffield Crucible/UK tour/59e59 New York); WEALD (Finborough Theatre); NOTHING (Royal Exchange, winner of Manchester Theatre Award); BITCH BOXER (Soho Theatre/national tour/Adelaide Fringe Festival); BOYS WILL BE BOYS (Women Centre Stage, National Theatre); CHAPEL STREET (National Tour) and YOU AND ME (Greenwich Theatre/National Tour).
The Studio
A Royal Exchange Theatre production
ELECTRIC ROSARY
By Tim Foley
Directed by Elizabeth Freestone
15 June – 4 July
Winner of the 2017 Bruntwood Prize Judges’ Award Tim Foley’s ELECTRIC ROSARY sees the world of prayers and hymns collide, with that of glitching and binary. When we meet the Sisters of St Grace, their numbers are dwindling, divine inspiration is at an all-time low and a robot nun has just been invited to join their convent. Sharply funny, this acutely observed play places questions of faith, spirituality and humanity alongside technological advancement and a robotic future. Directed by Elizabeth Freestone, who returns following her production of QUEEN MARGARET, ELECTRIC ROSARY runs in the Studio from 15 June – 4 July.
Tim Foley is a writer based in Manchester. Tim’s first full-length play, THE DOGS OF WAR (Old Red Lion Theatre) won the Off West End award for Most Promising New Playwright. In 2016 he was awarded the Channel 4 Playwright’s bursary to become Pentabus Theatre Company’s writer-in-residence and he is now their Associate Artist. Tim’s second play, ASTRONAUTS OF HARTLEPOOL (VAULT Festival), won a VAULT Origins Award for Outstanding New Work. His work has been supported by the National Theatre Studio, Orange Tree Theatre, Soho Theatre, HighTide Theatre, the Old Vic and the Peggy Ramsay Foundation. Tim also writes audio dramas set in the worlds of DOCTOR WHO and TORCHWOOD for Big Finish Productions.
Director Elizabeth Freestone’s productions include: NORA: A DOLL’S HOUSE (Citizen’s Theatre Glasgow); MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and HENRY V (Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory); HERE LIES MARY SPINDLER, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, THE TRAGEDY OF THOMAS HOBBES, THE RAPE OF LUCRECE (RSC); QUEEN MARGARET (Royal Exchange, Manchester); THE DUCHESS OF MALFI, DR FAUSTUS, THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL, VOLPONE (Greenwich Theatre); ROMEO AND JULIET (Shakespeare’s Globe & European tour); THE WATER HARVEST (Theatre 503) and as Associate Director for the National Theatre’s PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS and A CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE. From 2012-17 she was the Artistic Director of Pentabus Theatre Company, a new writing company touring nationwide, where she directed world premieres including AS THE CROW FLIES, HERE I BELONG, EACH SLOW DUSK, FROM LAND TO MOUTH, STAND UP DIGGERS ALL, and BLUE SKY.
A RashDash and Royal Exchange Theatre production
OH MOTHER
Developed by RashDash
6 July – 1 August
The award-winning RashDash return to the Royal Exchange with their latest show OH MOTHER and ask … To have a baby or not to have a baby…
Having a baby is the Most Important Thing you can do. If you have one. If you don’t, something else can be the Most Important Thing. What if I can’t have one? Don’t want one? What if the planet can’t take another? What if I like my life now and just want it to continue? What if I’m desperate to have one and I can’t find someone to do it with? What if I don’t want to do it on my own? What will my mum think? OH MOTHER runs in the Studio from 16 July – 1 August.
RASHDASH is Abbi Greenland, Becky Wilkie and Helen Goalen. They are a company of performers, musicians and makers and an associate company of the Royal Exchange Theatre. Their work includes THREE SISTERS (co-production with Royal Exchange Theatre, co-commissioned by The Yard, Tobacco Factory Theatres, The Old Vic, MAYK and Cambridge Junction), THE DARKEST CORNERS (Transform Festival 2017), TWO MAN SHOW (Northern Stage and Soho Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe First Winner 2016, Stage Award for Acting Excellence, shortlisted for an Off West End Award), SNOW WHITE & ROSE RED (Cambridge Junction and Battersea Arts Centre), WE WANT YOU TO WATCH (by RashDash and Alice Birch, National Theatre and UK Tour), OH, I CAN’T BE BOTHERED (Soho Theatre, shortlisted for an Off West End Award), THE UGLY SISTERS (Edinburgh Festival, shortlisted for the Total Theatre Award for Experimentation and Innovation), DARK WOODS DEEP SNOW (Northern Stage) THE FRENZY & SET FIRE TO EVERYTHING!!! (Lyric Hammersmith, GDIF, Imagine Watford and Latitude), THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (The Royal and Derngate), SCARY GORGEOUS (Edinburgh Fringe First Award winner 2011), ANOTHER SOMEONE (Fringe First award winner 2010), and THE HONEYMOON.