Derby Theatre is delighted to announce its spring 2017 season
Looking ahead to spring 2017, Derby Theatre will: co-produce with an exciting regional venue and solely produce to present two incredibly popular plays and well-known titles; play host to top quality touring productions, present family shows and some great one nighters; play host to yet another exciting and eclectic season of cutting edge Studio shows; provide a vast programme of events and performances for new and emerging artists…and on top of all this, will once again offer lots of opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in the work they do.
From Friday 17 February until Saturday 11 March, Derby Theatre will present, in co-production with Octagon Theatre Bolton, Willy Russell’s hugely popular comedy drama Educating Rita directed by Elizabeth Newman, an uplifting tale of self-discovery where we witness how the power of choice comes through education. The 1983 film version of this award-winning play starred Michael Caine and Julie Walters and won multiple major awards and was nominated for three Oscars.
From Friday 17 March until Saturday 1 April, Derby Theatre will solely produce and present Harold Pinter’s Betrayal directed by Lekan Lawal, a gripping drama with deception and betrayal at its heart. Inspired, in part, by Pinter’s affair with BBC presenter Joan Bakewell and written in 1978, the first production went on to win the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play. Emma and Jerry meet two years on from the end of their adulterous affair. Emma has betrayed her husband Robert. Jerry has betrayed his best friend Robert. But Robert has secrets of
his own. As time peels backwards charting a seven-year love affair, a complicated and intricate web of lies and deceit is revealed, making us question who is betraying whom.
Top class touring productions for spring 2017 include: Invincible presented by The Original Theatre Company, a riotously funny, recession-biting play about a couple who downsize from their middle-class London lifestyle to a small town in the North of England written by Torben Betts, one of the most exciting playwrights to emerge since Alan Ayckbourn, on from Tuesday 31 January until Saturday 4 February; Northanger Abbey, a stylish, witting and fast-moving adaptation by Tim Luscombe of Jane Austen’s novel, presented by Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, on from Monday 10 until Wed 12 April.
Family theatre and fun for the spring includes: Monstersaurus, a brand new show from the creators of Aliens Love Underpants where we see young inventor Monty create a whole world of whacky inventions and incredible monsters, an energetic show full of thrills, spills, magic and mayhem for young people aged 3+ and their family and friends, on from Monday 13 until Tuesday 14 February; Mr Bloom’s Nursery, a fun and inspiring show presented by the man himself and the Veggies, a super show with sing-alongs, play and interaction with songs including This is My Allotment, Meet the Veggies, The Compo Song and Night Night Veggies, on Thursday 13 April; Northern Ballet’s Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a perfect opportunity for little ones to explore, see and experience this classic story through live ballet, music and theatre, on Tuesday 18 April; Morgan & West’s Magic Show for Kids and Childish Grown-Ups, a jaw-dropping, heart-stopping, brain boggling, illusion-inspiring show for all the family, where magic and silliness abound, on Saturday 22 April and in the Studio theatre: Molly’s Marvellous Moustache, a new theatrical adaption of the storybook written by Andrea Heaton featuring original music, playful interaction and lots of laughs, on Sunday 26 February; and The Moon & Me by Egg Box Theatre on Saturday 8 April, an interactive, sensory experience, blending multimedia with an immersive environment to create an inspiring theatrical experiences for age 2+.
Wonderful ‘one-nighters’ and comedy in the main house for the spring includes: Ross Noble – Brain Dump, an evening of laughs and riotously funny random thoughts from everybody’s favourite randomist, where audience and performer come together for a massive brain dump; An Evening Shared with Jasper Carrott and Alistair McGowan, a night in the company of two comedy legends who are joining forces to split the bill and your sides; Morgan & West’s Parlour Tricks, a mind-boggling magic show with the time-travelling magic duo, an evening chock full of jaw- dropping, brain-busting feats of magic; Stewart Lee Content Provider, a brand new full-length show from one of the UK’s leading comedians; Oh Goody! Tim Brooke-Taylor in conversation with Chris Serle, an unforgettable evening in the company of one of the funniest and best-loved comedy performers as he discuss his long career with writer and broadcaster Chris Serle; Ruby Wax – Frazzled!, a funny and insightful night in Ruby’s company following her
sell-out touring show, and best-selling book, which helped us understand why we sabotage our sanity with our own
thinking; and BBC Big Band, a wonderful musical evening from the internationally acclaimed band, a celebration of the music of the Swing legends including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman.
Studio highlights for the spring include: Wonder Woman by NotNow Collective, a probe into 21st century parenthood and the balancing act between babies and our own ambitions; I Used To Hear Footsteps by Jack Brittain, a creepy and heartfelt spook show about a man who attempts to piece together the ghost story of his childhood home; Debris by Louise White, a show to raise awareness and challenging attitudes towards depression; Night Light by Mandala Theatre Company, a piece about two teenage refugees seeking asylum in the UK fearing deportation; Focus Group by TOOT by Ovalhouse a comedy with a dark heart, exploring the absurdity and of modern life and consumer culture with humanity and humour; The Misfit Analysis, a multi award-winning show featuring Kian who has autism – he likes to spin tin openers and he’s taught all the actors in The Curious Incident in the Night Time how to be autistic, they’re very good at it!; Workshy by Katy Baird, a personal story of the ups and downs of what it means to serve you – the great British public; When The Eye Has Gone, an evening full of song, reminiscence and gallows humour about the County Durham cabaret star Colin “Ollie” Milburn; An Evening with an Immigrant, an evening littered with poems, stories and anecdotes from Inua who tells his ridiculous, fantastic, poignant immigrant-story of escaping fundamentalist Islam and drinking wine with The Queen; DenMarked conceived and created by Conrad Murray and developed with Battersea Arts Centre, an autobiographical performance of tales from the council estate, your first arrest, dinner with your social worker and the Christmas dad went to prison, told through storytelling singing, rapping and loop station and Letters to Windsor House by Show and Tell and Sh!t Theatre, a show about the national housing crisis with songs, politics, dodgy landlords and detective work.
Christmas is ‘a coming
This Christmas, Derby Theatre will present two fantastic festive productions suitable for the whole family…and tickets are selling fast! Alice in Wonderland, on from Friday 2 December until Saturday 7 January, is a new adaptation by Mike Kenny from the book by Lewis Carroll. Join us this Christmas as we journey to Wonderland with Alice and a host of curious and colourful characters. As with Derby Theatre’s previous knock-out Christmas productions of Cinderella and A Christmas Carol, a talented team of actor-musicians will create a sparkling Christmas tale for all the family with original live music, stunning costumes and fantastic set designs. So join Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the Mock Turtle and Dormouse on their remarkable adventure at Derby Theatre.
On from Tuesday 6 until Saturday 31 December in the Studio, Jack by Mike Kenny, suitable for ages 3+ and their family and friends, will include original music, inventive puppetry and fun storytelling. Join us for a magical seasonal tale as cheeky little Jack climbs the beanstalk to find a very hungry giant! Not even his magic beans can help him escape but it’s ok, he has a plan… Now if he could just cheer up that angry chicken!
In addition to the productions we produce and present, the Theatre also offers lots of opportunities to get involved in the work we do, including: Youth Theatre, Young Technicians, Summer Schools, Theatre Thinkers, Theatre Unwrapped, Technical Training & Advice and Tea and a Tour. For more information about how you can get involved visit www.derbytheatre.co.uk and/or email learning@derbytheatre.co.uk
All shows and events in the autumn and spring are now on sale. For FULL season details, more information and to book tickets call 01332 593939, visit our box office in person or visit www.derbytheatre.co.uk