Theatre Royal Brighton Brochure Summer 2011

SUMMER 2011 0844 871 7650 (bkg fee) Groups Hotline

0844 871 7617 Access Bookings

0844 871 7677 (bkg fee) www.ambassadortickets.com/ brighton

THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING HIT ‘DON’T MISS IT!’ FINANCIAL TIMES

summer season 2011

Make your Mother’s Day extra special!

Following the success of our Mother’s Day event last year, we are delighted to offer you the chance to bring your mum for an extra special treat set amongst the glamour and splendour of our fabulous 204 year old Theatre on Sunday 3 April.

Discover the history of the building and the amazing women who have been involved; from Mrs Nye Chart, who revolutionised the Theatre introducing the ‘flying matinee’ and inviting children from the workhouse to enjoy a festive pantomime, to the famous actresses who have graced the stage, such as Marlene Dietrich and Vivien Leigh.

Tours start from 11am and run hourly until 3pm.

Each tour finishes with tea and cake in one of the Theatre’s beautiful rooms. Tickets cost £12 per person and must be booked in advance.

Directed by David Grindley

Make your evening sparkle!

Join AmbassadorFriends and get access to amazing ticket offers at Theatre Royal Brighton and in up to 39 Ambassador Theatre Group venues across the UK. There are some great 2 for 1 offers and priority booking, ensuring you get the best seats at the best price - all for £30!

EXCLUSIVE PRIORITY BOOKING GREAT 2 FOR 1 OFFERS TICKET OFFERS IN UP TO 39 VENUES ACROSS THE UK OFFERS AND PRIORITY BOOKING FOR WEST END SHOWS

5

the lady of burma 19 - 20 may

6

for alfonso 21 may

6

butley 25 - 28 may

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Communicating doors 6 - 11 june

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corrie!

13 - 18 june

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joseph 21 - 26 june

10

eden end 28 june - 2 july

12

dinnerladies 4 - 9 july

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shaun’s big show 14 - 17 july

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FEE FREE TICKET EXCHANGE

verdict 18 - 23 july

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Ask about upgrade offers available when you arrive.

JOIN NOW AND START SAVING TODAY! Call 0844 871 7633 Apply online www.ambassadortickets.com/friends Visit Theatre Royal Brighton Box Office, New Road, Brighton, BN1 1SD

alarms & excursions 1 - 6 august

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rock around the clock 23 - 27 august

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the pitmen painters 29 August - 3 september

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OPERA

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comedy

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for one night only

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spamalot

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Booking Info & Tickets

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2 for 1

Evening Standard

Eves 7.45pm Wed, Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm

midsummer 17 - 21 may

10% OFF AT SELECTED THEATRE BARS

‘An emotional knockout’

Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 April

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Looking to make your trip to the Theatre extra special? Buy a bottle of champagne and upgrade to a Box for an evening fit for royalty!

Subject to availability and restrictions apply.

Ask the Duty Manager for details.

Ordinary men in extraordinary circumstances

More Shows More Savings

circa 10 - 14 may

tue 21 june T&C apply

brighton festival

★★★★

★★★★

‘Exhilarating. you float out laughing as if you’ve just swallowed sunshine on a spoon’

‘Not since Les 7 Doigts de la Main’s Traces, has the UK seen a circus show quite so kneetremblingly sexy, beautiful and moving’

the guardian

‘Warm-hearted, beautifully sculpted musical romantic comedy’

The Guardian

The Scotsman

CIRCA

Traverse Theatre Company

Midsummer [a play with songs]

by David Greig and Gordon McIntyre.

The ancient art of circus finds bold new expression in this acclaimed show from this exciting young Australian ensemble.

It’s midsummer’s weekend in Edinburgh. It’s raining. Two thirty-somethings are sitting in a New Town bar waiting for something to turn up. He’s a failing car salesman on the fringes of the city’s underworld and she’s a high-powered divorce lawyer with a taste for other people’s husbands. She’s out of his league and he’s not her type at all. They absolutely should not sleep together. Ever. Ever.

Circa is a new production drawn from three of the company’s best known works: The Space Between, By the Light of Stars That Are No Longer and Furioso. Over 80 intense minutes, the seven performers move from highly connected acrobatic and tumbling sequences through fast-paced intricate scenes to a haunting finale.

Shot through with Circa’s signature style, physical beauty, extraordinary circus skills and an immersive use of sound, light and projection – this stripped back circus of the heart was the toast of Edinburgh Fringe 2010. It comes to Brighton Festival in a blaze of rave reviews and public acclaim, ‘redefining the limits to which circus can aspire’ The Age, Australia.

The company also presents a specially adapted matinee for families on Saturday 14 May. 4

tue 10 - sat 14 may Eves 8pm Sat mat 3pm Audio Described Sat 14 May 8pm

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee) www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

Which is why they do. Midsummer [a play with songs] is the story of Bob and Helena and a great lost weekend of bridge burning, car chases, wedding bust-ups, bondage miscalculations, midnight trysts and horrible hungover self-loathing misery.

Featuring Cora Bissett and Matthew Pidgeon as the ill-advised love match, Midsummer is a quirky, charming love story by one of Scotland’s leading playwrights, David Greig, and top Edinburgh singer/songwriter, Gordon McIntyre, of the band Ballboy.

tue 17 - sat 21 may Tue & Wed 8pm Thu & Fri 9.30pm Sat 7pm

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee) www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

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brighton festival World Premiere

The Lady Of Burma

For Alfonso:

by Richard Shannon

A Wilde Evening at the Royal

Richard Shannon’s celebrated play based on the inspirational true story of the Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi – is revived exclusively for Brighton Festival with an updated script specially commissioned to include the momentous events of 2010.

by Neil Bartlett with Bette Bourne (and guests)

This powerful solo performance, starring Liana Gould and directed by Owen Lewis, captures both the political reality of military rule and the personal struggle of Burma’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning, democratically elected leader through fifteen years of house arrest.

On 27 September 1894, he took a boy called Alfonso Conway (whom he’d picked up on Worthing Pier) back to a hotel room in Brighton.

Six months later, Alfonso was in a solicitor’s office, being forced to give evidence.

Variety magazine

This new production by acclaimed playwright, director and novelist Neil Bartlett (The Maids, The Girl I Left Behind Me) has been created especially for the irrepressible Bette Bourne, founder member of legendary drag theatre troupe Bloolips and star of Mark Ravenhill’s recent portrait, A Life In Three Acts.

Rapier-tongued lecturer Ben Butley is having a monumentally bad day. So bad, he’s making sure everyone else has a worse one. His estranged wife has taken up with the most boring man in London.

His beloved protégé has found a new benefactor (one he is actually sleeping with, to boot). In an unprecedented act of betrayal even the English department’s resident failure has a book deal.

signed performance Fri 20 May 7.30pm

sat 21 may Eve 9.45pm

Once a charismatic tutor and an authority on T. S. Eliot, he now sharpens his mind on his unfortunate colleagues while trying to evade his more persistent students. Mischievous irony and gleeful troublemaking all feature in his arsenal; inevitably they prove to be the weapons of his own tragic self destruction.

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee)

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee)

‘personal and political have rarely been so ferociously connected’ the times

thu 19 - fri 20 may Eves 7.30pm

www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

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‘Simon Gray’s best known play. a clever portrait of a brilliant man with a bankrupt soul’

In 1888, Oscar Wilde published a children’s story called The Remarkable Rocket, about a firework who fails to understand the true nature of love.

www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

Cast includes Dominic West, Paul McGann and Penny Downie.

Prior to the West End.

wed 25 - sat 28 may Eves 7.45pm Sat mat 2.30pm

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee) www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

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Liza Goddard stars in Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy thriller!

‘HOWLINGLY, SHRIEKINGLY GOOD. INGENIOUS’ The Times

★★★★ ‘the acting is first rate’ the mail on sunday

★★★★ the times Written and directed by Alan

Ayckbourn

Presented by The Stephen Joseph Theatre Company, Scarborough in association with Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

Ever wondered what lay behind that mysterious locked door in the corner of your hotel room? Ever fancied trying to walk through it? Beware if you do, or like call-girl Ms Poupée Désir (Laura Doddington), you might find yourself literally running for your life – backwards.

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mon 6 - sat 11 june Eves 7.45pm Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm patrons 2 for 1 Mon & Tue eves associates 2 for 1 Mon eve

Alan Ayckbourn’s 1994 comedy thriller draws cinematic inspiration from early film noire, through Hitchcock’s Psycho to the classic TV series The Twilight Zone featuring some of the author’s most memorable and touching comic creations.

ambassador friends 2 for 1 Mon eve

Cast includes Daisy Aitkens, Laura Doddington, Liza Goddard, Ben Jones, Jamie Kenna and Ben Porter.

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee)

G £ E www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

Corrie! is a brand new play specially commissioned by ITV to celebrate Britain’s longest running and most loved soap. It had its UK premiere at the Lowry, Salford in 2010, where it opened to rave reviews and sell out audiences, and is now on a major UK tour.

This is your chance to relive those magic moments from ‘the Street’; hear the recent ominous rumbling of a runaway tram coming over the viaduct, watch Tracy kill Charlie, see Alan Bradley meet a gruesome end, Todd kiss Nick and Gail marry Brian, Martin, Richard and Joe! ‘A funny and affectionate romp’ (Tony Warren), Corrie! is written by award winning playwright and Coronation Street scriptwriter Jonathan Harvey (Canary, Beautiful Thing, Closer to Heaven, Gimme Gimme Gimme) and directed by Fiona Buffini (The Two Gentlemenof Verona - RSC, Dinner - National Theatre and West End, The Playboy of the Western World - National Theatre and 39 Steps - West Yorkshire Playhouse and West End).

‘IT DOES FOR ONE INSTITUTION WHAT THE REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY DID FOR ANOTHER’ the Guardian

‘Corrie is a joy’ The Telegraph

‘BRILLIANT. HAS THE AUDIENCE ROLLING DOWN THE COBBLES IN LAUGHTER’ Daily Express

mon 13 - sat 18 jun Eves 7.45pm Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm patrons 2 for 1 Mon & Wed eves associates 2 for 1 Mon & Wed eves ambassador friends 2 for 1 Mon eve G £

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee) www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

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‘it explodes like glittering fireworks. brilliant!’

the sunday times

Bill Kenwright by arrangement with The Really Useful Group presents

Tim Rice & andrew Lloyd webber’s

★★★★ ‘A Night to remember.

Keith Jack is excellent!’

The Herald

starring

keith jack any dream will do runner up

Having enjoyed sensational reviews, Bill Kenwright’s ‘Amazing’, ‘Superb’, ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Brilliant’ production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sparkling family musical continues to enjoy huge success across the country with standing ovations at every performance.

Keith Jack, the hugely popular runner-up who finished just a hair’s breadth behind winner Lee Mead in hit BBC series Any Dream Will Do, takes on the title role, having won the hearts of the nation with his sparkling charisma and sensational singing voice.

Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, this magical musical is full of unforgettable songs including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me and One More Angel.

Joseph will burst onto the stage at Theatre Royal Brighton so book your tickets now and be part of the magic!

‘it’s utterly irresistible.

GO, GO, GO JO!’ MAIL ON SUNDAY

‘THE SHOW OF THE CENTURY’ entertainment and news 10

tue 21 - sun 26 jun Tue - Sat eves 7.45pm Wed, Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm Sun 2pm & 5pm signed performance Sat 25 June 2.30pm patrons 2 for 1 Tue & Wed eves asociates 2 for 1 Tue & Wed eves friends 2 for 1 Tue eve G £ e

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee) www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

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From the current winner of Producer of the Year at The Stage 100 Awards An English Touring Theatre and Royal & Derngate, Northampton production

classic tv comedy live on stage

‘English Touring Theatre is one of our treasures’ the guardian

‘Priestley at his timeless best’ The Daily Telegraph on Eden End (West Yorkshire Playhouse 2001)

eden end By

JB Priestley

Stella Kirby spent nine years running away, leaving home to find her freedom as a celebrated actress. Now she has decided that the only role left to play is the prodigal daughter returned, hoping to discover herself in the warmth of ordinary life and the familiar surroundings of her childhood home. Set in 1912, Eden End movingly exposes the cracks in the lives of a respectable Edwardian family.

JB Priestley remains one of the most popular and enduring writers of the last century. Recent celebrated revivals of his work include An Inspector Calls, When we are Married and Dangerous Corner.

Winner of The Stage award: Producer of the Year 2010, English Touring Theatre is a powerhouse of touring theatre, making a welcome return to Theatre Royal Brighton following memorable productions of The Hypochondriac and Far from the Madding Crowd.

Director Laurie Sansom‘s many credits include Beyond the Horizon and Spring Storm, and the upcoming The Holy Rosenbergs all at the National Theatre.

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Supporters of Quality Drama at Theatre Royal Brighton

‘A wonderful antidote to any depression’

TUE 28 JUN - SAT 2 JUL Eves 7.45pm Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm

daily record Praise for the 2009 production, 2009 cast pictured

post show q & a Wed 29 June Audio Described Thu 30 June 2.30pm captioned Sat 2 July 2.30pm patrons 2 for 1 Tue & Wed eves associates 2 for 1 Tue eve ambassador friends 2 for 1 Tue eve G £ E

starring

andrew dunn & sue devaney They’re back! The catering staff of BBC TV’s hit sitcom return with a brand new show for 2011. Victoria Wood’s classic comedy returns to the stage in a brand new show.

Andrew Dunn and Sue Devaney from the original TV series return as Tony and Jane joined by Bren, Dolly, Jean, Twinkle, Anita, caretaker Stan, Phillippa from Human Resources and Bren’s dreadful mother, Petula. Together they will take you into the wonderful and sometimes weird world of the staff canteen of HWD Electronics. Come back for a second helping of – dinnerladies.

mon 4 - sat 9 jul Eves 7.45pm Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm patrons 2 for 1 Mon & Tue eves associates 2 for 1 Mon & Tue eves ambassador friends 2 for 1 Mon eve G £

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee)

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee)

www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

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GRIPPING and powerful DRAMA FROM THE ‘QUEEN OF CRIME’ AGATHA CHRISTIE

great family fun GET A FLEECE OF THE ACTION! from the creators of wallace and gromit best children’s PROGRAMME INTERNATIONAL EMMY 2010

BEST ANIMATION CHILDREN’S BAFTAS

Bill Kenwright by special arrangement with Agatha Christie LTD presents

cast includes

susan penhaligon ROBERT DUNCAN ELIZABETH POWER PETER BYRNE and

MARK WYNTER

Following huge success, the Agatha Christie Theatre Company is now in its sixth outstanding year and is proud to present Verdict, the most riveting and compelling drama by the undisputed ‘Queen of Crime’.

A superb cast includes Emmerdale’s Susan Penhaligon, Robert Duncan (Gus Hedges in the multi award-winning comedy Drop the Dead Donkey), Peter Byrne (Dixon of Dock Green), Elizabeth Power (EastEnders) and 60’s pop idol Mark Wynter.

With special guest star Timmy from CBeebies Timmy Time Tap dancing pigs and flying sheep, a high-kicking farmer and a six foot dog gliding gracefully across the stage in a fiery tango!

You can only be watching Shaun’s Big Show, a wonderfully surreal stage adaptation of Aardman’s hit animation Shaun the Sheep, which opened to rave reviews in February, enjoyed by children and adults alike.

This is family entertainment at its very best - the world of Aardman plus magnificent costumes, a delightful set, 11 fantastic dancers and top West End choreography all brought together under the magical touch of the nation’s favourite children’s dramatist, David Wood.

HHHHH What’s On Stage 14

www.shaunsbigshow.com

THU 14 - SUN 17 JUL Thu 7pm Fri & Sun 11am, 2pm & 5pm Sat 1pm, 4pm & 7pm Family ticket £55 (4 tickets min 2 kids under 12 only) G

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee) www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

The brilliant Professor Hendryk leads a content and morally upstanding life, but his world is turned upside down when the prospect of lifesaving treatment for his invalid wife persuades him to take on a new pupil against his better judgement; the spoilt, conniving minx Helen who will stop at nothing to get her way.

With murderous intentions afoot, it only remains to be seen what verdict will be delivered and if justice will prevail.

‘A moving, intriguing and thought provoking play of forbidden love’ surrey HERALD

‘KEEPS THE SUSPENSE BUZZING TO THE LAST’ GAZETTE AND HERALD

mon 18 - sat 23 jul Eves 7.45pm Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm patrons 2 for 1 Mon & Tue eves associates 2 for 1 Mon eve ambassador friends 2 for 1 Mon eve G £ e

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee) www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

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‘Simply breathtakingly, comfortably and appallingly funny’ THE SUNDAY TIMES Neil Pearson, Robert Daws, Gwyneth Strong & serena evans Star in

get ready to shake, rattle and roll! ‘eight comedies of embarrassment and escalating chaos for the price of one’ THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

‘Michael Frayn’s cautionary tales about gizmos, gadgets and humans on the blink could hardly be more timely.

Or funnier’ The Guardian

‘a rocking, rolling, rollercoaster of a show!’ las vegas press

Eight plays, 24 characters, one dinner party, an unusual flight announcement - and just where is that beeping noise coming from?

Four friends sit down for a quiet evening together which is ruined by bells, buzzers and a high tech corkscrew. A politician is lost for words when the autocue goes off script and an inflight announcement ends with more than a seatbelt coming undone in this hilarious new production of Michael Frayn’s tales of technological terrors, which contains brand new material specially written for this tour.

Starring Robert Daws (The Royal, Rock ‘n’ Chips), Neil Pearson (Drop The Dead Donkey, Bridget Jones’ Diary), Gwyneth Strong (Only Fools and Horses) and Serena Evans (The Thin Blue Line). This series of plays examines with hilarious consequences what happens when the modern world goes wrong and proves beyond doubt that new technology designed to make our lives easier, often just provides new forms of torment.

It’s time to Shake, Rattle and Roll all the way back to the fantastic 50s. Travel back to the time of Teddy Boys, quiffs, Brylcreem, poodle skirts and blue suede shoes.

mon 1 - sat 6 aug Eves 7.45pm Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm

Featuring a phenomenal cast of over 20 singers, dancers and musicians, Rock Around the Clock is a non-stop hit parade of rock ’n’ roll classics that is guaranteed to leave you dancing into the night!

patrons £5 off Mon & Tue eves associates £5 off Mon eve

This American jukebox sensation has already wowed audiences all over the world and includes music made famous by Buddy Holly, Bill Haley and the Comets, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Elvis Presley, The Platters and Jerry Lee Lewis. Featuring unforgettable songs such as Great Balls of Fire, Jail House Rock, Blueberry Hill, Shake Rattle and Roll, Good Golly Miss Molly, Johnny B Goode and many more.

ambassador friends £5 off Mon eve G £

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee) www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

tue 23 - sat 27 aug Eves 7.45pm Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm patrons 2 for 1 Tue & Wed eves associates 2 for 1 Tue & Wed eves ambassador friends 2 for 1 Tue eve G £

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee) www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

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DIRECT FROM THE NATIONALTHEATRE AND BROADWAY

sents HT pre LE and NWRIG E K WCAST E L N E BIL R T tion of E THEA -produc the LIV TRE co A E H T NAL NATIO

‘A WONDERFUL PIECE OF THEATRE COMIC, SAD AND STIRRING IN THE SAME BREATH’ FINANCIAL TIMES

Winner of the Evening Standard Award for Best New Play

★★★★H sunday express

★★★★H Hall

William

By Lee ook by d by a b e ir p s In

mail on sunday Feaver

‘A BEAUTIFUL WORK OF ART THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD SEE’ the times

Following sell out seasons at the National Theatre and on Broadway, The Pitmen Painters embarks on a national tour this spring prior to opening in the West End. Written by Lee Hall, creator of the worldwide sensation Billy Elliot and directed by Max Roberts, The Pitmen Painters, has received huge critical acclaim and won the Evening Standard award for Best New Play.

★★★★★ ‘A glorious, instant classic of early 21st century theatre. it is at once amusing, tragic and revelatory’ Evening Standard 18

In 1934, a group of Ashington miners hired a professor to teach an art appreciation evening class. Rapidly abandoning theory in favour of practice, the pitmen began to paint. Within a few years the most avant-garde artists became their friends and their work was acquired by prestigious collections; but every day they worked, as before, down the mine. Examining the lives of a group of ordinary men that do extraordinary things, The Pitmen Painters is a humorous, deeply moving and timely look at art, class and politics.

mon 29 aug - sat 3 sep Eves 7.45pm Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm patrons £5 off Mon & Tue eve associates £5 off Mon eve ambassador friends £5 off Mon eve G £ E

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee) www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

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OPERA

COMEDY Derek Block & Blackburn International proudly present two Ellen Kent productions

milton jones: lion whisperER Sun 15 May 8pm Milton Jones - you know the weird bloke with the shirts from Mock the Week. Star of the Michael McIntyre Roadshow, and the voice of eight series for Radio 4 (including The Very World of Milton Jones and Another Case of Milton Jones) and all sorts of other radio and telly as well. Awards too. Well it’s his new show with new stuff, not in his last show. Youtube him or something.

‘The best one-liner merchant in British Comedy’ Chortle Online

al murray barrel of fun extra mon 30 may 8pm Britain’s best-known Pub Philosopher will be serving up his own special brew of bar room banter at venues across the UK this spring. Barrel of Fun Extra will see the Guv going back to basics; returning to many of the intimate venues where he made his name.

opera novella gala

Featuring The Internationally Acclaimed Ukrainian National Opera of Kharkiv

Opera Novella’s principal artists perform a variety of opera highlights. From the vocal fireworks of the Largo Al Factotum from the Barber of Seville to the soaring beauty of the Pearl Fisher’s Duet and O Mio Babbino Caro, the evening will flow with some of opera’s favourite tunes. All of this is accompanied by Opera Novella’s six-piece instrumental ensemble, using Bernie Lafontaine’s stunning orchestral reductions and joined together by fun and entertaining anecdotes and aria introductions.

la traviata La Traviata is Verdi’s outstanding interpretation of one of the most popular love stories of the 19th century, La Dame aux Camelias. Highlights include the Brindisi, the best known drinking song in opera, the duet Un Di Felice and Violetta’s haunting aria Addio Del Passato.

With handpicked soloists, a highly-praised chorus and full orchestra.

madama butterfly This award winning opera returns with exquisite sets and fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan. Highlights include the melodic Humming Chorus, the moving aria One Fine Day and the unforgettable Love Duet.

This production will be sung in Italian with English surtitles

‘The way he integrates the crowd into the show is awe-inspiring’ The Times

welcome wherever i am.

an evening with dom joly mon 25 jul 8pm A truly hilarious evening with one of the UK’s most innovative comedians. Since his multi-award winning international hit, Trigger Happy TV, Dom Joly has lead the most extraordinary of lives. In this laugh-out-loud show, Dom talks us through the perils of travelling the world drinking, skiing down volcanoes and eating from Gillian McKeith’s pants while imprisoned in the Australian jungle, with some very peculiar holiday snaps.

brighton ‘til i die! wed 27 - thu 28 jul Wed 8.30pm Thu 6pm & 8.30pm ‘like watching a life of Saturday afternoons flashing before your eyes – don’t miss it’ BHAFC 10 years ago football fans and theatregoers rose as one at the end of Brighton ‘Til I Die! chanting the immortal line: ‘we want Falmer!’

Fri 29 Jul 7.45pm 20

THU 24 - SAT 26 NOV La Traviata Thu 7.45pm Madama Butterfly Fri & Sat 7.45pm

Revived and refreshed, this passionate, funny play is back to celebrate the opening of the Albion’s long awaited new home.

A rollercoaster ride through Albion memories, this is a fast, hilarious and emotional drama about Brighton and Hove Albion and their supporters – by far the greatest fans the world has ever seen!

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FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY shaolin warriors: the spirit within live sugGs! tue 31 may 7.45pm Is the theatre world ready for the pandemonium, the one man carnival, that is Suggs?

We reveal the Madness frontman on his unique journey in a show that’s part music, part personal vision, part music hall extravaganza.

It’s a hilarious and sometimes sad story. The riotous mishaps of a life he can still not quite believe is happening to him.

back for good wed 1 jun 7.30pm Following their phenomenal 2010 tour the boys are back, recreating the magic of Take That live.

With sensational live performances you will be left with little doubt that you are watching ‘The Greatest Boy Band Of All Time’.

From Rule The World, Greatest Day and Shine to the heart warming Patience, Said It All and A Million Love Songs, you will be putting your hands together to Pray that the boys are truly Back For Good!

the elo experience thu 2 jun 7.30pm 30 years on, and the music of Jeff Lynne and the Electric Light Orchestra is still regularly played on radio stations throughout the world. A group of talented musicians are currently touring UK theatres bringing the most popular songs back to the stage. Re-live classic hits such as Mister Blue Sky, Confusion, Don’t Bring Me Down and many more. This show, recently back from Las Vegas, is not to be missed!

jane mcdonald fri 3 jun 7.30pm Britain’s favourite diva brings her fabulous new show to Brighton for a sensational evening of music, warmth and laughter.

Fresh from her record breaking appearances across the UK in 2010, which brought capacity houses to their feet wherever she appeared.

This is truly one of the hottest tickets in town; a show that has audiences dancing in the aisles night after wonderful night.

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sat 4 jun 7.30pm This breathtaking theatrical KungFu show vividly depicts the rarely seen KungFu masters’ agility, strength and skill; using Buddhist Meditation and martial arts training. Fully choreographed with spectacular scenery, music, lights and costumes, audiences will be amazed and thrilled by their death defying disciplines. These include qigong, animal imitation boxing, drunken boxing and fighting with 18 kinds of dangerous traditional weapons, all present in this brand new show.

GARY MULLEN and THE WORKS perform one night of queen sun 5 jun 7.30pm Performed by Gary Mullen and The Works, One Night of Queen is guaranteed to rock you! Since winning the grand final of Stars In Their Eyes over a decade ago as the legendary Freddie Mercury, Gary has toured with One Night of Queen enthralling fans around the world! With fantastic lighting, staging and sound, this show is an international sell out.

LANCING college PREP present

A GALA EVENING OF MUSIC & DRAMA Sun 10 Jul 7pm A special evening’s entertainment to celebrate the bi-centenary of Nathaniel Woodard, with works by former Lancing College pupils Sir Tim Rice, Sir David Hare, Christopher Hampton, Evelyn Waugh and Tom Sharpe. The concert promises to be an extravaganza of talent featuring every current pupil from 3 to 13 years old. www.lancingprep.co.uk

An Intimate Evening with Joe Longthorne sun 12 jun 7.30pm Joe’s repertoire of voices is endless and includes hundreds of the world’s top singers, however, he is perhaps best known for his impersonation of Shirley Bassey who has commented, ‘Joe can do me better than I can do myself’. During his career, Joe has received gold and platinum discs for his albums and enjoyed sell out concerts at the Royal Albert Hall.

the rat pack vegas spectacular sat 30 jul 7.30pm Purveyors of cool come to town with a sensational live show featuring the greatest music of the 20th century. Every song is an absolute classic; Under My Skin, Mr Bo Jangles, That’s Amore, Come Fly With Me, Mack The Knife and many more. Plus lots of hanky panky and endless banter as their swinging soiree still remains the hottest party around!

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15 dec 2011 - 14 jan 2012

‘i felt i might actually die of laughter’ the independent

‘truly a knight to remember’ the daily telegraph

And now for something completely different... again!

Audiences all around the world have been roaring with laughter since Monty Python’s Spamalot, by Eric Idle and John Du Prez, won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2005.

Spamalot tells the legendar y tale of King Arthur and the (cancelled Knights of the Round Table and features a bevy health + safe ty) (or possibly a brace) of beautiful show girls, witch burnings people.

French and not to mention cows, killer rabbits The show features the hilarious songs He Is Not Dead Yet, Knights Of The Round Table, Find Your Grail and of course the Nation’s Favourite Comedy Song Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.

laughalot this holiday season!

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The Town Crier will soon be announcing a spiffing King Arthur and Lady of the Lake details to follow!

‘Glorious, irresistible silliness’ The Sunday Times

‘A truly joyous evening’

December 2011 Thu 15 7.45 Fri 16 7.45 Sat 17 2.30 7.45 Sun 18 No performances Mon 19 7.45 Tue 20 7.45 Wed 21 2.30 7.45 Thu 22 7.45 Fri 23 7.45 Sat 24 2.30 Sun 25 No performances Mon 26 6.00 Tue 27 2.30 7.45 Wed 28 7.45 Thu 29 2.30 7.45 Fri 30 7.45 Sat 31 2.30 January 2012 Sun 1 No performances Mon 2 6.00 Tue 3 2.30 7.45 Wed 4 7.45 Thu 5 2.30 7.45 Fri 6 7.45 Sat 7 2.30 7.45 Sun 8 No performances Mon 9 7.45 Tue 10 7.45 Wed 11 7.45 Thu 12 2.30 7.45 Fri 13 7.45 Sat 14 2.30 7.45 PRICES Peak £25.50 £31.50 £35.50 £39.50 £43 Off Peak £22.50 £28.50 £32.50 £35.50 £39.50

Savealot!

ly book ear ed & paid ok bo if f £ 3 of 31 August for before

et Teen Tick 10 off at s£ 12 – 19 year s all perf T&C apply

For full disc

6 ounts see p2

Daily Express

Suitable for ages 12+

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee) www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

booking information Theatre Royal Brighton New Road Brighton BN1 1SD Box Office 0844 871 7650 brightonboxoffice@theambassadors.com Groups Hotline 0844 871 7617 groups@theambassadors.com Access Bookings 0844 871 7677 Facsimile 01273 764412 www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton *Prices are subject to up to a £2 booking fee online

box Office Telephone bookings Open Mon - Sat 9am - 10pm Sun 10am - 8pm Group bookings Open Mon - Thu 9am - 6.30pm Fri 9am - 6pm Sat 10am - 4pm In person only Box Office in the Theatre foyer open Mon - Sat 10am - 8pm. Open 12pm every third Wed of the month due to staff training. Closes 6pm when no performance that day. Open 2 hours prior to start of performance Sun.

Booking Prices are subject to up to a £2.50 per ticket fee online and £1.50 per ticket fee by phone, excluding Friends and Group Bookings.

A transaction fee of £2.85 will be added to all telephone, email, postal and fax bookings, excluding Friends and Group bookings, except for productions marked* where a per ticket fee of £3 and £1 postage charge will apply. Reserve and pay within 4 working days. Cheques payable to Theatre Royal Brighton Ltd. Send to: Box Office, Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1SD, with an SAE. Tickets are non-refundable. Please note bookings cannot be exchanged (excluding Friends of Theatre Royal Brighton) or money refunded under any circumstance.

Concessions Under 16s, full-time students, registered unemployed, over 60s or the retired get £2 off each seat for most Mon-Thu eves and mats. People with disabilities are entitled to £5 off any seat. Please book in advance.

Discounts subject to availability, one discount per ticket excluding booking fee. *We reserve the right to limit or vary any

advertised prices or discounts.

Special offer key g Groups Groups of 10 or more enjoy £4 off Price Bands A & B for some Mon-Thu eve performances and Sat mats and pay as little as £16 for best available seats for some midweek mats. Different rates apply to some shows. For details call the Groups Hotline.

26

E Schools, under 16 years School parties of 10 or more pay £8 each for most Mon - Wed eves and midweek mats (excluding price band A). Every 11th seat free for teachers. Different rates apply to some shows. Education workshops may be available with shows. For details call Groups Hotline.

£ Buy More, Pay Less Scheme Theatre-going has never been such good value, as Theatre Royal Brighton rewards you for coming more often with our fantastic Buy More, Pay Less Scheme*. Simply buy seats for 2 or more shows at the same time to save. Book for 2 shows and save £2 per ticket, book for 3 shows and save £3 per ticket or book for 4 shows and save £4 per ticket. *Available Mon - Thu & Sat mats, on shows of 1 week or more duration marked with the £symbol.

All tickets must be booked at the same time.

Where the number of tickets varies, discount applies to the minimum number purchased.

Cannot be used with any other offer.

General Standby A £12 standby ticket in the Gallery can be purchased for most shows 1 hour before the performance, subject to ava ilability. Please contact the Box Office.

Pleasant Parking The closest car park is the NCP Theatre Car Park in Church Street where evening visitors to the Theatre can enjoy a flat rate of £7 (after 6pm Mon - Sat and Thu mats).

When you enter the car park, take a ticket from the entrance barrier and bring this ticket to the Theatre. Simply insert your parking ticket into the special validation machine and it will recode the discount for you. Any price increases on parking fees are solely at the discretion of NCP.

Equal access Please advise us in advance of any special needs you or any of your guests may require.

The Box Office staff will be happy to help in any way they can and to offer advice at the time of booking – all wheelchairs spaces must be reserved at the time of booking.

The Stalls, Stalls Bar and an adapted toilet are accessible to wheelchair users.

A Sennheiser Infra-red audio

amplification system is available in selected seats for the hearing impaired.

There are a limited number of headsets that can be hired from the Foyer Kiosk before the performance Hearing dogs and guide dogs are

welcome in the Theatre.Please inform the Box Office at the time of booking.

Disabled customers are entitled to £5

off on all performances. Customers who require additional assistance to attend the theatre should make this known at the time of booking. There are free non-reserved

BOOK YOUR PROGRAMMES AND ICE CREAMS IN ADVANCE WHEN BUYING YOUR TICKETS!

Great discounts available on shows marked with a £ See opposite page for details

parking spaces available very close to the Theatre on New Roadfor blue badge holders.

PRICE BAND

For our deaf and hard of hearing patrons please use Type Talk, which is a free service provided by the RNID and BT. (You only pay for the call to the venue).

Brighton Festival Circa Tue - Sat eves Sat mat

£21 £16

£18.50 £16

£13.50 £11

£9 £6

18001 0871297 5477 (textphone user)

Brighton Festival Midsummer Tue - Sat eves

£16

£13.50

£11

£6

18002 0871297 5477 (hearing person) An Access leaflet is available.

Please call 01273 764400 The information in this brochure was correct at the time of going to press. Theatre Royal Brighton reserve the right to alter the advertised programme or facilities if necessary and apologises for any inconvenience this may cause. Children under 5 will not be admitted to Theatre Royal Brighton except for family and children’s shows. Children aged 1 year + must have a paid ticket.

Data Protection Theatre Royal Brighton is managed by Theatre Royal Brighton Ltd, part of the Ambassador Theatre Group. We would like to add or retain your details on our lists to keep you informed about future events, special offers and other developments. We also look to secure information and special offers for our customers from other organisations.

You will be asked whether you want to receive any of this information the next time you book.

If you do not want to receive information from ourselves and/or third parties or have any queries contact Michelle Shipley in the Marketing Department on 01273 764410.

Savealot on t SpamforaOfflo Peak perfs only Available

Friends B&C £10 off price bands A, Thu 14 Dec B £5 off price bands A & fs per t ma all for Groups 10+ B £5 off price bands A & + 20 Groups A&B £7. 50 off price bands + 40 ps ou Gr &B £10 off price bands A Over 60s, Students & reg unemployed

£3 off Senior Citizens ts Seniors special on ma £17.50 with best available at unt applies

T&C apply. Only one dico to Off Peak perfs

Brighton Festival The Lady of Birma Thu & Fri eves Brighton Festival For Alfonso Sat eve

A

£16

£16

B

£13.50

£16

C

£11

£11

D

S

£6

B

C

D

S

£26 £27 £20

£22 £24 £20

£20 £21 £17

£17 £18 £17

£29 £30 £23

Opera Novella All Perfs

£23.50

£20

£20

£15

£28.50

£33

£29

£21

v£17

£36 £26

Brighton ‘Til I Die! All perfs

£6

£33

£29

£27

£24

£39.50

Communicating Doors Mon - Thu eves & Sat mat Fri & Sat eves Thu mat

£24 £26 £22

£21 £23 £19

£18 £20 £16

£15 £17 £13

£27 £29 £25

£25.50 £26.50 £22.50

£22.50 £23.50 £19.50

£19.50 £20.50 £16.50

£16.50 £17.50 £13.50

£28.50 £29.50 £25.50

Joseph Tue - Thu eves Midweek mats Fri, Sat & Sun perfs

£25 £22 £27

£23 £20 £25

£20 £17 £22

£17 £14 £19

£28 £25 £30

Eden End Tue - Thu eves & Sat mat Fri & Sat eves Thu mat

£24 £25 £19

£22 £23 £19

£18 £19 £16

£15 £16 £16

£27 £28 £22

Dinnerladies Mon - Thu eves & Sat mat Fri & Sat eves Thu mat

£24 £28 £20

£21 £28 £18

£19 £24 £15

£15 £21 £13

£27 £30 £23

Shaun’s Big Show All perfs

A

The Pitmen Painters Mon - Thu eves & Sat mat Fri & Sat eves Thu mat

La Traviata & Madama Butterfly All Perfs

Brighton Festival Butley Wed - Sat eves

Corrie!

Mon - Thu eves & Sat mat Fri & Sat eves Thu mat

PRICE BAND

£16.50

£14.50

£14.50

£11.50

£16.50

Verdict Mon - Thu eves & Sat mat Fri & Sat eves Thu mat

£25 £26 £21

£22 £23 £19

£20 £21 £16

£16 £17 £14

£28 £29 £24

Alarms & Excurstions Mon - Thu eves & Sat mat Fri & Sat eves Thu mat

£25 £26 £19

£23 £24 £19

£19 £20 £16

£16 £17 £16

£28 £29 £22

Rock Around the Clock Tue - Thu eves Fri & Sat eves Thu & Sat mats

£24 £25 £22

£21 £23 £19

£18 £20 £16

£15 £17 £13

£27 £29 £25

Milton Jones Al Murray* Live Suggs!

Back For Good ELO Experience Jane McDonald Gary Mullen and The Works Shaolin Warriors Joe Longthorne Dom Jolly* Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular

£21

£17

£13

£13

£16 £26.50 £28.50 £21 £19 £29.50

£16 £26.50 £28.50 £21 £19 £29.50

£16 £26.50 £24.50 £21 £19 £29.50

£ 16 £26.50 £24.50 £21 £19 £29.50

£19.50 £23 £22.50 £20.50

£19.50 £23 £19 £20.50

£17.50 £20 £19 £20.50

£17.50 £20 £19 £20.50

£19 .50 £26 £22.50 £25

£21

£19

£19

£18

£21

£28.50

Restoration Fund We will donate £1 on your behalf to the Restoration Fund Seating Plan Prices are correct at the time of going to press, however we reserve the right to change or vary prices at any time. Price band S related to Superior seats situated in the Royal Circle and the centre of the Stalls.

some seating plans may vary from this standard example. Please ask for details when booking.

27

CentreStage Members and Sponsors We would like to thank the following for their support Sponsors

Sponsors of Theatrical Workshops for Children

Supporters of Quality Drama at Theatre Royal Brighton Gold Members

Silver Members

Ambassador Theatre Group Theatre Royal Brighton is operated by the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), who have a total of 39 venues across the UK, including 12 in the West End, and 27 regionally. ATG’s impressive portfolio of West End theatres includes Apollo Victoria, Comedy, Donmar Warehouse, Duke of York’s, Fortune, Lyceum, Phoenix, Piccadilly, Playhouse, Savoy, Trafalgar Studio 1 and Trafalgar Studio 2. ATG’s regional theatres include Aylesbury Waterside Theatre; New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham; Theatre Royal Brighton; Bristol Hippodrome; Churchill Theatre Bromley; Edinburgh Playhouse; Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone; King’s Theatre and Theatre Royal, Glasgow; Grimsby Auditorium; Liverpool Empire; Palace Theatre and Opera House, Manchester; Milton Keynes Theatre; New Theatre, Oxford; Richmond Theatre; Southport Theatre; Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent; Sunderland Empire; Princess Theatre, Torquay; New Wimbledon Theatre and New Wimbledon Studio; The Ambassadors Woking encompassing the New Victoria and Rhoda McGaw Theatres and the award-winning Ambassador Cinemas; Grand Opera House, York. ATG is also one of the country’s foremost theatre producers, in Britain and internationally. Current and recent ATG co-productions include The Misanthrope starring Damian Lewis and Keira Knightley; Legally Blonde, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, Spamalot and South Pacific.

Cover Images: Spamalot Joseph Shaun’s Big Show Neil Pearson in Alarms and Excursions Corrie! Butley