WILTON’S MUSIC HALL HAS OFFICIALLY REOPENED AFTER FOUR YEARS OF WORK TO REPAIR THE BUILDING
THE STING IS FIRST PRODUCTION IN THE NEWLY REPAIRED WILTON’S MUSIC HALL AND WILL RUN UNTIL 17 OCTOBER
THE 2015/16 ARTISTIC SEASON ALSO INCLUDES THE MAGIC OF THE MUSIC HALL FAMILY WEEKENDER, CASTING THE RUNES, L’OSPEDALE, DICK WHITTINGTON, AND THE ODYSSEY
Yesterday, Wilton’s Music Hall officially reopened the public following four years of repair works to secure the long-term future of the building. As part of the Capital Project, which began with the repair of the main hall, Wilton’s has now opened up 40% of the building which was previously inaccessible.
As the future of the building is now secure, for the first time Wilton’s is able to present a long-term artistic programme which befits the building’s future. The inaugural production of the artistic season The Sting opened on the 14 September and will run until 17 October. The production is directed by Peter Joucla (The Great Gatsby, Wilton’s) and stars Bob Cryer, Ross Forder and John Chancer and is based on the iconic 1973 caper film of the same name, in which two small-time con men set out to outwit a powerful mob leader.
Future productions at Wilton’s include The Magic of the Music Hall Family Weekender, Casting The Runes, l’Ospedale, the first ever Wilton’s panto Dick Whittington and Mark Bruce Company’s The Odyssey.
David Suchet, a long-term supporter of Wilton’s, said: “As both the Campaign Patron and a local resident I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that Wilton’s has finally be saved. It is such a unique cultural and historic landmark for the East End, London and beyond and it gives me such pleasure to think of all of the people that will enjoy and benefit from its performance and heritage programme. Long live this wonderful building!”
The total Capital Project cost for Phase 1 and 2 was just under £4 million and was made possible by significant support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), SITA Trust, Viridor Credits, The Loveday Charitable Trust, The Foundation for Sport and the Arts, Garfield Weston Foundation, Aldgate and Allhallows, The City Bridge Trust, The Foyle Foundation and numerous other Trusts and Foundation and individuals. As well as funding 74% of Wilton’s building repair and conservation costs which totaled at £1.8m, including a purpose-built learning & participation studio, HLF has supported a three-year programme of schools and community activities and events.
Stuart Hobley, Head of HLF London, said: “The stage is set for Wilton’s Music Hall to both entertain and enchant in equal measure. This gem of a building – loved by so many Londoners – is now fully restored with a little help from National Lottery players and a lot of hard work by the Trust’s dedicated team. We’re ready to kick up our heels in celebration as the curtains go up again.”
LISTINGS
THE STING
A full length play by David Rogers
Based upon the screenplay “The Sting” by David Ward
Press Night: Monday 14th September at 7pm
Dates: 9th September – 17th October 2015
Times: 7:30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays (press night will be at 7pm on a Monday)
Prices: Previews (9th, 10th, 11th & 12th Sept): £32.50 for seats at tables, £25 standard seating, £20 restricted view.
Main Run: £35 for seats at tables, £27.50 standard seating, £22.50 restricted view
CREATIVE TEAM
Director & Designer Peter Joucla
Costume Designers Hilary Lewis & Claudia Mayer
Lighting Designer Jody Kelly
Choreography Simeon John-Wake
THE MAGIC OF MUSIC HALL FAMILY WEEKENDER
Dates: 24th and 25th October 2015
Times: All Day (exact timings tbc)
Prices: Free
Ticket Info: All activities will be unticketed, drop in only
CASTING THE RUNES
Adapted from the novel by M.R James
Directed by Robert Soulsby-Smith
Created and performed by Box Tale Soup
Press Night: Wednesday 28th October at 8pm
Dates: 27th October to 31st October (Half Term)
Times: 8pm – 9pm
Prices: £12.50 full price, £6 under 18s
Ticket Info: Age guidance 12+
L’OSPEDALE
Text by Antonio Abati
Director James Hurley
Musical Director James Halliday
Designer Rachel Szmukler
Lighting Designer Ben Pickersgill
Press night: Wednesday 11th November at 7pm or 9pm
Dates: 10th – 21st November 2015
Times: 7pm and 9pm on double bill evenings (75mins), Tuesday – Saturday
Tuesday 10th November 7pm
Wednesday 11th November 7pm and 9pm
Thursday 12th November 7pm
Friday 13th November 7pm and 9pm
Saturday 14th November 7pm
Tuesday 17th November 7pm and 9pm
Wednesday 18th November 7pm
Thursday 19th November 7pm and 9pm
Friday 20th November 7pm
Saturday 21st November 7pm and 9pm
Prices: £15 – £25
DICK WHITTINGTON
Written by & starring Roy Hudd
Director Debbie Flitcroft
Musical Director Steven Geraghty
Designer Mark Hinton
Lighting Designer Jody Kelly
Choreographer Helen Jeckells
Dates: 1st – 31st December 2015
Press Night: Thursday 3rd December at 7pm
Times: 7pm Tuesday – Saturday (excluding 24th and 25th December) with 2pm matinees on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Prices: Previews: £25 for stalls, £20 for benches, £10 for all children under 16 and OAPs for matinee performances
Main Run: £30 for stalls, £25 for benches, £15 for all children under 16 and OAPs for matinee performances
THE ODYSSEY
A co-production with the Mark Bruce Company
Producer Nick Sweeting
Date: 22nd Feb – 19th March 2016
Times: Will be announced in due course
Prices: Will be announced in due course
