Preview: Sleeping Beauty at Newcastle Theatre Royal

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MATTHEW BOURNE’S SLEEPING BEAUTY  A GOTHIC ROMANCE REVIVED AT THE THEATRE ROYAL FOR 2 WEEKS ONLY

Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 5^th – Saturday 16^th April 2016.

The UK’s most popular dance company, New Adventures, returns to Newcastle Theatre Royal this Spring with Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, a gothic tale for all ages. This ground-breaking production heads to Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 5^th– Saturday 16^th April 2016.

Directed and choreographed by probably the ‘hottest’ choreographer in the world right now, Sir Matthew Bourne OBE,and from the UK’s most popular dance company, Sleeping Beauty is a revival of this new classic, giving audiences one more chance to see the final piece in the trio of Tchaikovsky masterpieces.  With sumptuous sets, costumes and evocative lighting, the audience will be transported in time.

Returning to the central role of Aurorain this first revival is rising star Ashley Shaw. Ashley recently played Lana in the triumphant revival of The Car Man, also played Kim in Edward Scissorhands, Sugar in Nutcracker! and the title role in Cinderella. Cordelia Braithwaite made her debut with New Adventures in Swan Lakein 2013 and has since featured in this year’s revival of The Car Man, covering the role of Lana. Cordelia makes her debut as Aurorathis season; her first Principal role with New Adventures.

Matthew Bourne’sSleeping Beauty premiered in 2012, and was the fastest selling production in the company’s history. Sleeping Beauty was created for New Adventures 25th birthday celebrations and completed Sir Matthew Bourne’s OBE trio of re-imagined Tchaikovsky ballet masterworks that started in 1992 with Nutcracker! and, most famously, in 1995, with the international hit Swan Lake. This dazzling production has won the hearts of thousands and smashed box office records across the UKand at Sadler’s Wells. 

The leading role of Leo will once again be played by Dominic North and Chris Trenfield who co-created the role in 2012.

Perrault’s timeless fairy tale, about a young girl cursed to sleep for one hundred years, was turned into a legendary ballet by Tchaikovsky and choreographer, Marius Petipa, in 1890. Bourne takes this date as his starting point, setting the Christening of Aurora, the story’s heroine, in the year of the ballet’s first performance; the height of the Fin-de-Siecle period when fairies, vampires and decadent opulence fed the gothic imagination. 

As Auroragrows into a young woman, we move forward in time to the more rigid, uptight Edwardian era; a mythical golden age of long Summer afternoons, croquet on the lawn and new dance crazes. Years later, awakening from her century long slumber, Aurorafinds herself in the modern day; a world more mysterious than any Fairy story!

Tickets:

Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 5^th – Saturday 16^th April 2016 (Evenings: 7.30pm, Matinee: Thursday 2pm, Saturday Matinee 2.30pm). Tickets are from £17.00 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).

Preview: Mary Poppins at Newcastle Theatre Royal

SOMEONE MAGICAL

IS COMING TO NEWCASTLE!

Mary Poppins

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Thursday 8 September – Saturday 29 October 2016

DISNEY AND CAMERON MACKINTOSH ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THE NEW NATIONAL TOUR OF THEIR INTERNATIONAL SUPERCALIFRAGILISTIC HIT MUSICAL

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh are delighted to announce that their multi award-winning musical Mary Poppins is coming to Newcastle Theatre Royal from Thursday 8 September – Saturday 29 October 2016 as part of a tour of the UK and Ireland.

Following his recent successes with Barnum and Oliver! at the Newcastle Theatre Royal, Cameron Mackintosh is returning with yet another favourite in Mary Poppins. He said: “It’s hard to believe that it is already 11 years since Mary Poppins first landed on the London stage.  My goodness……time flies even faster than our beloved Nanny!  I’m delighted to bring this wonderful musical to Newcastle after spreading its magic around the world.  Since we originally staged the production we have found even more magical ways to stage this timeless tale and I’m sure you will find our new Mary practically perfect in every way”.

The magical story of the world’s favourite Nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane has been triumphantly and spectacularly brought to the stage with dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs. The stage version of Mary Poppins is brilliantly adapted from the wonderful stories by PL Travers and the beloved Walt Disney film.

The stage production of Mary Poppins is co-created by Cameron Mackintosh and has a book by Oscar-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator, Julian Fellowes. It has a timeless score by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman including the songs Jolly Holiday, Step in Time, Supercalifragilisticexpialidociousand Feed the Birds with new songs and additional music and lyrics by the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The producer for Disney Theatrical Productions is Thomas Schumacher.

The internationally renowned and multi award-winning creative team assembled for Mary Poppins is led by stage and film director Richard Eyre. Co-direction and choreography is by Matthew Bourne, with co-choreography by Stephen Mear. Set and costume design is by Bob Crowley with lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Paul Groothuis and orchestrations by William David Brohn. The National Tour of Mary Poppins is directed by Anthony Lyn and choreographed by Geoffrey Garratt with musical supervision by Stephen Brooker.

The stage production of Mary Poppins originally opened in 2004 and ran in the West End for three years and over 1,250 performances. During this time it won the Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreography and Best Set Design as well as the Evening Standard Award for Best Set Design and the Variety Club Award for Best Musical. The Broadway production ran for over six years where it won the Tony Award for Best Set Design. The show has subsequently toured Australia, New Zealand, the U.S, the UK, has been seen by over 11 million people and is currently breaking box office records in Vienna.

Tickets:

Mary Poppins appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Thursday 8 September – Saturday 29 October 2016. Public and online booking opens on Saturday 30 May. Become a Friend of the Theatre Royal and you can book from Tuesday 26 May.  To become a Friend, visit: www.theatreroyal.co.ukor call 08448 11 21 21.

Tickets from £22.50 (save 50p per ticket by booking online). Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online (from 30 May) at www.theatreroyal.co.uk.

Review: The Car Man at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Matthew Bourne’s Return To Newcastle’s Theatre Royal

A return to our Theatre Blog... Victoria Ling, from 137 Imaging (www.facebook.com/137imaging)  is guest reviewer:

The Car Man

Newcastle Theatre Royal

until Saturday 9 May 2015.

Most of us know of the Opera Carmen, a woman who seduces many men in her path.  It is a tale of love and lust and Matthew Bourne’s production is no different except we are led through the story with pure dance…and it was my first time seeing a full on dance performance.  On hearing the rave reviews of The Car Man I had to see what the fuss was about.

It is best to arrive for the show and be in your seat early. Although lights were due to come down at 2pm for this matinee I took my seat 20mins prior and there was already movement on the stage. Enough to get you intrigued to what was to come.

So, this is The Car Man.  A clever play on words. We are taken to a setting of a garage and a café. Men sweating and ripped and the women ogling them.  From the start we are literally in the heat of the action. Sex is oozing from every dancer. You can feel the passion from your seat. The ensemble is seducing you! And not only through the dancing. Two words: shower scene.

In Bourne’s production we see drifter Luca (Chris Trenfeld) get a job at Dino’s garage (Dino is played by Jonny Ollivier) who is then seduced by his wife Lana (Zizi Strallen).  The other story is of Angelo (Dominic North) who forms a relationship with Lana’s sister Rita (Katy Lowenhoff).

The main focus is of Luca and Lana but what I found most gripping was the story of Angelo.  He is the outcast and is harassed by the other mechanics. He is the hired helper and is not ‘one of the boys’. But he does get the attention of Rita and we see a shy-dance between the two as things hot up between Luca and Lana. There’s something about ‘hot weather’.  It makes you do crazy things. Crazy enough for Luca to also get Angelo under his…bonnet!

In most cases adultery does catch up and consequences are to be had.  There is no difference here. The choreography is so powerful especially with what unfolds in Act II for Angelo.  I felt the emotion, especially the pain, in his dance. And with history catching up on Luca you were also feeling his nightmares.

I have always wanted to watch a ballet.  It was a bit different to what I pictured for my first one. There was so much blood and so much seduction.  Bourne’s production is ripped raw with emotion and the added music from Terry Davies, including a nod to the famous piece, gives Carman a whole different lease of life. Thank you Bourne and the cast of The Car Man for the hot performance that will take me a while to cool down from.

Read the original Jowheretogo preview here
 

Tickets:

The Car Man is at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tue 28 April until Saturday 9 May 2015.

Tickets are available from £15.00 (Prices subject to change, a booking fee of 95p - £1.95 will apply to most tickets) and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

This review was written by Victoria Ling  for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Victoria on twitter @LilVik or follow her photography on Facebook (www.facebook.com/137imaging)

Preview: The Car Man at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man Makes Explosive Return To Newcastle’s Theatre Royal  

The Car Man

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 28 April - Saturday 9 May

The UK’s most popular dance theatre company, New Adventures, is returning to Newcastle Theatre Royal this Spring with one of its biggest hit shows – the gripping and explosive The Car Man.  Prepare to be electrified 28 April – 9 May.

Directed and choreographed by probably the ‘hottest’ choreographer in the world right now, Matthew Bourne, the show is loosely based on Bizet’s popular opera and has one of the most exciting and instantly recognisable scores in New Adventures’ repertoire, featuring Schedrin’s powerful Carmen Suite and new arrangements of Bizet's legendary score.

The Car Man was first seen in 2000, winning the Evening Standard Award for ‘Musical Event of the Year’ and the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for ‘Best Choreography.’ The show follows the phenomenal world-wide success of Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker!, Cinderellaand Edward Scissorhands; from the UK’s most popular dance theatre company.  This revival marks the first time the production has been staged in eight years.

The familiar 19^thCentury Spanish cigarette factory becomes a greasy garage-diner in 1960’s America where the dreams and passions of a small-town are shattered by the arrival of a handsome stranger. Fuelled by heat and desire, the inhabitants are driven into an unstoppable spiral of greed, lust, betrayal and revenge.

Inspired by classic European and American Film Noir cinema and the Pulp Fiction novels of James M. Cain and Raymond Chandler; Lez Brotherston’s epic design, Chris Davey’s evocative lighting and Matthew Bourne’s vivid storytelling, create a dangerous and uncompromising vision of small-town America.

The leading characters created by Matthew Bourne for The Car Man are among his most challenging both physically and emotionally. For this revival a new generation of New Adventures’ stars will be making their debuts in the iconic roles.

The title role of ‘Luca, The Car Man’, will be played by Jonathan Ollivier and Chris Trenfield; both recently acclaimed as ‘The Swan’ in Bourne’s Swan Lake. The role of ‘Lana’ will be danced by Ashley Shaw (currently enjoying great success as ‘Kim’ in Edward Scissorhands) and Zizi Strallen, who joins us direct from the West End production of Cats. Zizi was last seen with New Adventures in Cinderellain 2011. ‘Rita’, Lana’s older sister, will be performed by Katy Lowenhoff (also currently starring as ‘Kim’ in Edward Scissorhands) and Kate Lyons (Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Early Adventures). The demanding role of ‘Angelo’ will be shared by rising company star, Liam Mower, and one of New Adventures most popular leading men, Dominic North. Dominic and Liam have both been receiving rave reviews for their moving performances as the title character in New Adventures’ Edward Scissorhands on its current UK Tour.

The Car Man fans will be delighted to hear that the original ’Car Man’, Alan Vincent will be returning to the company to play Lana’s violent husband, ‘Dino’.

Completing a stellar cast as the inhabitants of the fateful small town of Harmony USA are Cordelia Braithwaite, Tom Clark, Danny Collins, Pia Driver, Freya Field, Glenn Graham, Tim Hodges, Katrina Lyndon, Andrew Monaghan, Leon Moran, Danny Reubens, Katie Webb, Layton Williams and Dan Wright.

The Car Man is directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, with music by Terry Davies & Rodion Shchedrin’s Carmen Suite (after Bizet’s Carmen); designs by Lez Brotherston; lighting by Chris Davey and sound by Paul Groothius.  The project is supported by Arts Council England through the Grants for the Arts funding programme.

Tickets:

The Car Man is at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tue 28 April until Saturday 9 May 2015.

Tickets are available from £15.00 (Prices subject to change, a booking fee of 95p - £1.95 will apply to most tickets) and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

News: Matthew Bourne’s Lord of the Flies at NewcastleTheatre Royal

16 Local Boys Chosen To Appear In New

Theatre Royal Production of

Lord Of The Flies

Following a lengthy selection process, 16 boys from the North East have been chosen from over 300 auditionees to perform in legendary choreographer Matthew Bourne’s thrilling new production of Lord of the Flies at Theatre Royal this winter from the 5^th to the 8^th November 2014.

Over the summer, boys and young men aged between 10 years and 25 years from across the region were invited to attend one of several free workshops. No previous dance experience was necessary, and over 300 took part. Around 120 boys and young men were selected from the workshops for the final audition, which took place in September.

The lucky 16 who have made the final selection and will perform in Lord of the Flies at the Theatre Royal this November are:

Ruben        Copley aged 11 from Northumberland, Joe Derbyshire aged 13, Finlay Murray aged 10 and Sam Carruthers aged 13 from Newcastle, Amonik Melaco aged 13 from Monkseaton, Louis Swanepoel aged 12 from Jesmond, Carl Hughes aged 15 from Northallerton, Jack Hindmarch aged 13 from Washington, Nathan Denton aged 13 from South Shields, Ciaran Oakleyaged 13 from Stockton on Tees, Marcel Li Ping aged 13 from Middlesbrough, Andrew Davison aged 17 from Seahouses, Andrew Ashton aged 17 from Cleveland, Robin Larkin aged 17 from Gateshead, John Hansford aged 19 from Peterlee, Joseph Wright aged 20 from Sunderland.

Photo: Helen Maybanks

The chosen group range in age from 10 to 21 years and come from all corners of the region from Stockton to Northumberland. The opportunity was brought to the region by Newcastle Theatre Royal and Dance City in a unique partnership with New Adventures and Re:Bourne. New Adventures has created some of the most successful shows of the last 25 years, including Swan Lake, Nutcracker! and Sleeping Beauty.

Lord of the Flies by Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and Re:Bourne  (the company’s charitable arm) is a thrilling new large-scale dance spectacular choreographed by Olivier nominated Scott Ambler, adapted and directed by Matthew Bourne and Scott Ambler, and based on the classic novel by William Golding.

Lord of the Fliesis a rare and distinctive collaboration that brings together professional dancers with young people, many of whom who have never danced before. The success of the production is mutually reliant on a unique partnership between some of the UK’s most exceptional dance talent alongside local people chosen from each of the 13 cities the show visits.

Photo: Helen Maybanks

The non-professional performers join the cast of New Adventures dancers, including Sam Archer as ‘Ralph’, Ross Carpenter as 'Maurice', Luke Murphy as ‘Sam’, Sam Plant as ‘Piggy’, Philip King as ‘Eric’, Danny Reubens as ‘Jack’ and Dan Wright as ‘Roger’. Making their New Adventures debut’s in this production will be Layton Williams as ‘Simon’ and Jack Hazelton.

The action is transferred from deserted island to deserted theatre. A group of schoolboys find themselves abandoned. With no adults around they start to make their own rules and create their own civilisation, before order breaks down and the story builds to an electrifying climax. Golding’s legendary characters Ralph, Piggy, Jack and the boys will be brought to life with raw energy and emotional intensity.

Matthew Bourne said: “Lord of the Flies is a project never before mounted on the large-scale. This unique collaboration between my production company, New Adventures, and charity, Re:Bourne will enable young people and their families across the North East to experience dance at close hand, and for many, for the very first time. Our outstanding company of professional dancers will inspire and nurture the young cast which will not only be exciting, but for some, life-changing”.

Kate Pilbeam, one of two Lord of the Flies ambassadors who have led the workshops said: “We have met so many talented boys and young men over the last few weeks. It has been amazing watching them dance and we’ve been so impressed by the level of talent. This has made it very difficult to make a final decision, however we are confident that we have found 16 brilliant young dancers who will be excellent cast members.”

Philip Bernays Chief Executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal said: “This is a unique and very exciting opportunity to engage with and inspire young men in the region. I can’t wait to see the show when it opens here in November; I’m sure it will be an amazing and very special production.”

Dance City Artistic Director Anthony Baker said: “We couldn’t be more proud. We have found 16 talented dancers to be part of this prestigious production. We have also met so many other inspiring boys and young men along the way and we do hope that they will continue to enjoy dancing and seek out opportunities in the future.”

Set and costume design in Lord of the Fliesis by Olivier Award-winner Lez Brotherston, music is by Terry Davies, lighting design by Chris Davey and sound design by  Paul Groothuis. Touring Directors are New Adventures principal dancers Adam Galbraith and Alan Vincent.

The production is supported by Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Wales in addition to other major trusts and donors. Originally commissioned by Glasgow Theatres, part of Ambassador Theatre Group.

Re:Bourne is the charitable arm of Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures. Founded in 2008 the charity delivers projects, training, courses and productions to find, develop and inspire the next generation of dance-theatre professionals. Since its inception the charity has delivered over 800 workshops, 50 projects and worked with over 15,000 young people and emerging artists in the UK and overseas. The last two years have seen major growth for the charity, securing over £1,300,000 from funders, a rapid increase in turnover and launching more projects and strategic relationships in the UK and overseas.

New Adventuresis the UK’s most in-demand contemporary Dance/Theatre touring company. Under the inspired leadership of Artistic Director, Matthew Bourne, it has, over the last 25 years, changed the landscape of British dance with an award-winning repertory of works that have brought unprecedented new audiences to theatres throughout the UK and internationally.

Matthew Bourne and his team of world-class collaborators have consistently produced some of the most successful dance productions ever staged. Since its formation in 2002, New Adventures has created an enviable repertory of acclaimed new works (Play Without Words, Edward Scissorhands, Dorian Gray, Lord Of The Flies and Sleeping Beauty) as well as new productions of popular favourites from Matthew Bourne’s former company, Adventures In Motion Pictures (Nutcracker!, Swan Lake, Highland Fling, The Car Man and Cinderella).

Tickets:

Lord of the Flies appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal Wed 5 – Sat 8 November 2014. 

Evenings: 7.30pm, Matinees Thu 2pm & Sat 2.30pm. 

Tickets are from £11.50 (a booking fee of 95p - £1.95 will apply to most tickets) and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk  

Preview: Autumn '14/Spring '15 season at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Exciting Season Ahead at Newcastle's Theatre Royal

The chief executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal has announced a dazzling new autumn ‘14 / spring ‘15 season full of nail-biting drama, high-octane musicals and breathtaking dance, comedy and opera. Once again the Theatre Royal is bringing the world’s very finest theatre to the heart of the North East.

To kill a Mockingbird

Four major new dramas will visit in the Spring. Direct from the West End comes a critically acclaimed new stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To kill a Mockingbird (20-25 April 2015). An utterly enchanting and enthralling production from the award-winning Regent’s Park Theatre, it captures all the warmth and poignancy of this best-loved classic.

Also adapted from a bestselling book comes Dead Simple (26 - 30 May ‘15), based on the work of International bestselling crime thriller novelist PeterJames.  Directed by Olivier award-winner Ian Talbot and adapted by award-winning writer Shaun McKenna, this gripping, chilling, thriller is full of James’ trademark suspense, twists and turns. In addition, before it heads to the West End, Theatre Royal is honoured to host Oscar Wilde’s much loved masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest (8 – 13 June ‘15) starring none other than Emmy-award winning David Suchet as Lady Bracknell.  One of the funniest plays in the English language, Wilde’s superb satire on Victorian manners is full of delightful repartee and hilarious pomposity. 

 

Dreamboats and Miniskirts

Following the huge success of nostalgic musical Dreamboats and Petticoats, the same team are back with another big hitter, the sequel: Dreamboats and Miniskirts (20 – 24 Jan ‘15).  Set this time in 1963, we meet up again with Norman and Sue and Bobby and Laura and see how their lives are developing against the swinging backdrop of the Beatles and Merseyside sound.  Like it’s predecessor, the show is packed with the biggest hits of the era including A Picture of You; It’s In His Kiss; and Hippy Hippy Shake. 

Musical lovers will also delight in the return of a true classic – Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (23 - 27 June ’15).  As refreshing and thrilling as the day it was written, this sunny show celebrates the vigour of America’s pioneering spirit and overflows with well-known songs and boot-stomping dances.   It is a brand new production from Music & Lyrics, the award-winning producers of The King & I and Fiddler on the Roof.

 

La Traviata

Opera North are back with an enticing new programme which draws works from each of the last four centuries and balances the comic with the serious, and the famous with the little-known.  Alessandro Talevi directs a youthful international cast in the company’s first new staging in 15 years of possibly the most popular opera of all time, Verdi's profoundly moving La Traviata (12 & 14 Nov ’14; 4 & 6 March ’15). Meanwhile, Jo Davies brings a fresh approach to Mozart’s effervescent comedy The Marriage of Figaro (5 & 7 March ‘15).

The Company's first ever production of The Coronation of Poppea (15 Nov ’14) is a stylish take on Monteverdi's revenge tragedy, performed in his own translation, and conducted by pre-eminent early music specialist Laurence Cummings. Revivals of Smetana’s irresistible The Bartered Bride (11 & 13 Nov 14) and Falla’s exuberant La Vida Breve (3 March ‘15) offer a wonderful celebration of folk-inspired melodies in two very different forms, one beautifully comic and the other tragic and moving. The latter is presented in a double-bill with a new staging of Gianni Schicchi (3 March ‘15), directed by Christopher Alden, Opera North’s first production of Puccini's only comic opera in 25 years.

Bizet’s popular opera Carmen is the inspiration for Matthew Bourne’s internationally acclaimed dance thriller The Car Man (28 April – 9 May ‘15). First seen in 2000, and winning the Evening Standard Award for ‘Musical Event of the Year’, the show features Bizet’s powerful and instantly recognisable score, but transferred to 1960s America  where Lez Brotherston’s epic design, Chris Davey’s evocative lighting and of course Matthew Bourne’s vivid storytelling make for an incredible production.

Scotland’s national dance company Scottish Ballet are returning to the Theatre to take audiences on a journey back into Clara’s magical dream world with Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece The Nutcracker (11-14 Feb ‘15).  Originally devised in 1973 by the Company’s founding artistic director, PeterDarrell, this production presents a sumptuous world of plush Victoriana full of festive fare and childhood charm.

 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Several of the season’s new shows have been released for sale early due to anticipated high demand. They include the National Theatre’s multi award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, set to visit 26 Jan – 7 Feb ’15on its first UK tour.  Simon Stephens’ adaptation of Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel received seven Olivier Awards in 2013 including Best New Play, Best Director, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design.  It also won the South Bank Sky Arts Award for Theatre and has been seen by over 200,000 people during its run in the West End.

 

The Bodyguard

One of the year’s most hotly anticipated shows, the multi award winning West End musical The Bodyguard (Wed 1 – Sat 18 April ‘15) will visit next Spring on its first ever UK tour.  Booking opened in April in order to accommodate heavy early demand.  Produced by the North East’s own Michael Harrison and David Ian and based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. film, it opened to rave reviews in London’s West Endin December 2012, where it continues to play to packed houses and standing ovations. It has since been nominated for four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and Best Set Design, and is 2015’s ‘Must See’.

Two leading lights from the world of comedy will be bringing their unique brands of humour to the theatre for the new season.  David Baddiel (1 Dec ‘14) is back with his first full show for fifteen years, critically acclaimed on the West End circuit and originator of a social media storm.   Al Murray (8 Feb ‘15), aka ‘The Pub Landlord’ is celebrating twenty years as Britain’s favourite publican and bringing his brand new show One Man, One Guvnor  to wow North East audiences in the new year. Tickets are already on sale for both.  The comedians join Dave Gorman on the line-up, here with his brand new show on Sunday 9 November.

Drama already on sale at the Theatre includes Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee (14-19 July) starring Jason Durr as Hercule Poirot as well as the longest running show in the history of British Theatre, Christie’s masterpiece the brilliant The Mousetrap (Mon 1 – Sat 6 Sept). The National Theatre’s award-winning comedy One Man, Two Guvnors is back for the second time 28 July – 2 August following a sell-out first visit here, and of course the esteemed Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) will return this autumn following a hugely successful season last year. The 2014 season features an enthralling trio of new productions – Henry IV, Part I (25 September – 4 October) and Henry IV, Part II (26 Sept – 4 Oct) and The Two Gentlemen of Verona (7 - 11 October) – which are on sale now.   

Jeeves and Wooster

Forthcoming hit West Endcomedy Perfect Nonsense (Tue 14 – Sat 18 Oct) follows hot on the RSC’s heels, featuring P.G. Wodehouse’s iconic double act Jeeves and Wooster and starring James Lance and John Gordon Sinclair in the title roles.  Following a sold-out 2013 tour, Fascinating Aïda are here with their terrific new show Charm Offensive for one night only on Sunday 19 October, and last but not least, drop everything forThe Full Monty (Mon 27 Oct – Sat 1 Nov), the hilarious stage show straight from the West End based on the much loved 1997 film.

 

Cinderella

Dance already on sale includes Northern Ballet’s enchanting new adaptation of the classic fairy-tale Cinderella set in imperial Russia (Tue 21 – Sat 25 Oct)  and running concurrently their 35 minute performance  for little ones Three Little Pigs (Fri 24 Oct). 

Lord of the Flies

 In November, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventuresdancers will unite with young talent from the North East in an extraordinary adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel, Lord of the Flies (Wed 5 – Sat 8 Nov).

Shrek The Musical

Three shows already on sale which will appeal to younger audiences are Peppa Pig’s Big Splash (Sat 30 – Sun 31 Aug) – the new show from everyone’s favourite little piggy; Dinosaur Zoo (Thu 30 Oct – Sat 1 Nov) bringing the legendary prehistoric creatures to life on stage;, and not forgetting Spring blockbuster Shrek The Musical (Wed 11 – Sun 29 Mar ‘15), based on the award-winning DreamWorks animation film.

Booking is also already open for Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Harrison’s exhilarating musical Barnum (Tue 17 – Sat 28 Feb ‘15) which celebrates the irrepressible imagination and dreams of America’s Greatest Showman and stars Brian Conley in the title role.

Top Hat

For those who can’t wait til the new year for their musical kicks, Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s epic musical CATS has arrived this week (Tue 1 – Sat 12 Jul), followed in quick succession by rock and roll sensation The Buddy Holly Story (4 – 9 Aug) and Irving Berlin’s Top Hat (Tue 9 – Sat 20 Sept), which visits Newcastle for the very first time and is packed full of the King of Swing’s greatest hits.

 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

With 60,000 tickets already sold for our famous 14/15 Pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (25 Nov ’14 -18 Jan ‘15), and it set to become our best and fastest selling panto of all time, fans better be quick if they want to see Clive, Danny Chris and the gang in another spectacular production jam-packed with fun, adventure and comedy.

Friends of the Theatre Royal can book new season shows on Monday 30 June, before the general public on Friday 4 July, and receive 20% off tickets, as well as discounts on drinks at our bars, exclusive ticket exchange, reduced booking fees and Friends’ prices will never change. To become a Friend and book early, please contact the Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or sign up online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk.

Tickets for all new shows in the autumn‘14 / spring’15 season go on public sale on Friday 4 July.  Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk