YORK THEATRE ROYAL ANNOUNCES THE WORLD PREMIERE OF DEBBIE ISITT’S MILITARY WIVES – The Musical
York Theatre Royal, in association with Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and Buxton Opera House,today announces the world premiere of Debbie Isitt’s Military Wives – The Musical. The brand-new musical will also be directed by Isitt and is inspired by the true story of the Military Wives choir and based on the film Military Wives.
The production opens at York Theatre Royal on 16 September, with previews from 10 September and runs until 27 September.
Writer and Director Debbie Isitt said, “This inspirational new musical about a group of women who triumph against all odds has been a joy to create. It is so exciting to be working with York Theatre Royal on such a funny and exhilarating new musical and I can’t wait to share it with audiences.”
Paul Crewes, CEO of York Theatre Royalsaid, “It is so great to be working with Debbie Isitt, to produce the world premiere of this brand-new musical here at York Theatre Royal. It is a very moving yet uplifting story inspired by the film and the true story of the Military Wives choirs. It is also packed full of songs that our audiences will know and love. Don’t miss this joyous production in York this autumn.”
Priority booking for York Theatre Royal Members opens today (Feb 24th) from 1pm, with general on sale on 1 March at 1pm.
A York Theatre Royal Production
MILITARY WIVES – The Musical
Inspired by a true story and based on the hit movie
Written and directed by Debbie Isitt
In association with Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and Buxton Opera House
10 September – 27 September
This Autumn, join us for the world premiere of a brand-new British musical, based on the 2019 hit movie Military Wives and inspired by a true story.
A joyous celebration of female friendship, courage and ‘unsung’ heroes. Get ready for the inspirational story of the Military Wives choir as they change the world one song at a time.
Written and directed by Bafta award winner Debbie Isitt (Nativity!), this new production is a funny, feel-good story of female empowerment and the perfect harmony of laughter, emotion and fun.
With their husbands and partners away at war, the women are isolated, bored and desperate to find a focus to take their minds off feelings of impending doom. Enter Olive who arrives on the ‘patch’ to help them form a choir and learn to sing. But Olive gets a lot more than she bargains for with this diverse group of women – who through the power of song find themselves facing their fears and making unexpected friendships along the way.
Featuring a fantastic mix of pop, rock and power ballads to make you laugh, cry and sing your hearts out!
Debbie Isitt is a BAFTA and EMMY award winning writer and director of film, television and theatre. Debbie originally trained as an actor and spent her youth touring the world with her internationally renowned theatre company, Snarling Beasties and after a successful run in London’s West End, her play The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband is still performed across the globe. In recent years Debbie has created a hugely successful UK film franchise by writing and directing (in her inimitable improvisational process) a series of blockbuster Christmas films; NATIVITY! Starring Martin Freeman, Nativity 2 starring David Tennant, Nativity 3 starring Martin Clunes and Catherine Tate, and Nativity Rocks! starring Celia Imrie and Craig Revel Horwood which have all been major box office hits. She also adapted and directed the hit stage show Nativity! The Musical which is heading into its 5th sensational season this Christmas. Last year Debbie wrote and directed a major new stage musical I Should Be So Lucky featuring Kylie Minogue, based on the songs of hit factory composers Stock, Aitken and Waterman which embarked on an extensive UK tour. Her other films include CONFETTI (Fox Searchlight) and CHRISTMAS ON MISTETOE FARM (Netflix)
Listings
YORK THEATRE ROYAL
St Leonard’s Place, York YO1 7HD
www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Box Office: 01904 623568
NORTH BY NORTHWEST
York Theatre Royal
18 March – 5 April
THE STORM WHALE
14 – 19 April
KRAPP’S LAST TAPE
14 April – Sat 17 May 2025
Press performances: 7.30pm 23 April, 7.30pm 24 April, 7.30pm 25 April, 5pm & 7.30pm 26 April
HIS LAST REPORT
19 July – 3 August
MILITARY WIVES THE MUSICAL
York Theatre Royal
10 Sep – 27 Sep 2025
Press night: Tuesday 16 September at 7:30pm
www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk