Theatre Royal Brighton Season Guide

UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre TMA Award 2010

SPRING 2011 0844 871 7650 (bkg fee) Groups Hotline

0844 871 7617 Access Bookings

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

Back Stage Tours

Built in 1807, Theatre Royal Brighton is one of the most historic and prestigious Theatres in the country. Since 1999 we have spent over £2 million on essential repair and restoration projects but, as with any building of this age, there is much more to do to ensure this magnificent Theatre remains equipped for a third century. In 2007, our 200th Anniversary Year, we introduced a Restoration Levy of £1 to the price of each theatre ticket (excluding groups, schools and customers booking more than one show at a time). This has meant that we have been able to undertake much needed work including re-seating the Second Circle, repairs to the roof and the installation of new lighting dimmers. Future planned work includes the installation of new seats in the Gallery, improved toilet facilities and renovating the dressing rooms.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers for your continued support, custom and help to safeguard the legacy of this

Every Saturday at 11.30am

wonderful Theatre.

Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of your favourite Theatre? Our back stage tours give you the chance to see behind the curtain of our beautiful 203 year old Theatre; one of the country’s oldest continuously working Theatres and a masterpiece of theatrical architecture. Discover the list of actors who have ‘trodden the boards’ here during the Theatre’s long and illustrious life - Peggy Ashcroft, Marlene Dietrich, John Gielgud, Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier and more recently Sir Ian McKellen and Simon Callow, to name but a few!

The tour is full of intriguing insights into the history and present day workings of Theatre Royal Brighton. Come and see the historic mechanical stage traps, the famous gulp bar and hear more about the building’s secret tunnel.

Tours cost £6 per person and last approximately 45 minutes.

Booking in advance is not essential but will guarantee your place as spaces are limited. Please book in person at Box Office, New Road, Brighton or by telephone on 0844 871 7650 (bkg fee).

ve 3 n 9 ue s

Restoration Levy

SPRING season 2011

More Shows More Theatres More Savings - all for £30 You can now access great ticket offers in up to 39 Ambassador Theatre Group venues across the UK. From Edinburgh to London, Oxford to Manchester, Liverpool to Bristol Ambassador Friends now gives you; Ticket offers in up to 39 venues across the UK Exclusive priority booking at your home venue 10% discount at bars in selected theatres For more information visit www.ambassadortickets. com/friends or call the box office on 0844 871 7667

★★★★★ ‘perfection. ridiculously enjoyable’ the independent

special friends rate best seat & glass of champagne £44.50 Book on 0844 871 7633 or online at www.ambassadortickets.com/friends and select London tab Savoy Theatre, London

CINDERELLA 17 Dec - 16 Jan

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Moscow City Ballet 26 - 29 Jan

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Master class 14 - 19 Feb

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yes, prime minister 3 - 12 Feb

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the reluctant debutante 21 - 26 Feb

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tell me on a sunday 28 Feb - 5 Mar

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derren brown 9 - 12 Mar

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life of riley 14 - 19 Mar

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rambert dance company 23 - 26 Mar

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Great EXPECTATIONS 29 Mar - 2 Apr

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journey’s end 5 - 9 Apr

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the haunting 11 - 16 Apr

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jeffrey bernard is unwell 18 - 23 Apr

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the jungle book 26 - 30 Apr

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avenue q 2 - 7 May

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ONE NIGHT SHOWS

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COMEDY

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coming soon

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Booking Info & Tickets

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Fri 17 December 2010 Sun 16 January 2011

Another Theatre Royal Brighton Production, this brand new musical tells the classic story of CINDERELLA as you have never seen it before.

Featuring sumptuous sets, lavish costumes, stunning special effects and a first class cast of top West End performers, not to mention real life ponies to lead Cinderella’s carriage!

The creative team includes; award winning Director Phillip Willmott, Choreographer Damien Delaney (original cast member and children’s dance captain of Billy Elliot – The Musical), a new score written by Musical Director Chris Hatt (Musical Director of Billy Elliot – The Musical) and a script written

by Eric Potts. With enough jokes, glitter and magic to amuse every girl and boy, as well as superb singing, dancing and visual wizardry, this new fairy tale musical is guaranteed to delight the whole family this Christmas.

‘REALLY DELIVERS THE CHRISTMAS MAGIC IT PROMISES, ONE OF THE BEST CHRISTMAS SHOWS I HAVE SEEN’ Brighton Magazine on Peter Pan

‘ANOTHER CLASSY PRODUCTION, PURE GENIUS’ The Argus on Peter Pan

Prices £24 £22.50 £18.50 £15 Limited number of superior seats are available at £27 Discounts Family Ticket £58 (4 tickets, min 2 children) Concessions Children, students with ID, over 60s and registered unemployed £2 off; disabled customers and their companion £5 off. Must be booked in advance

Friends of Theatre Royal Brighton 2 for 1 on Fri 17 – Sun 19 December and Mon 3 - Tue 4 January Groups Groups of 10+ £2 off top two price bands; 20+ pay £18; 40+ pay £16; 60+ pay £14 School Groups Groups of 10+ pay £9 for best available. For every 10 seats purchased, an 11th seat is included free for a teacher

December Fri 17 7.00 Sat 18 2.00 7.00 Sun 19 1.30 6.00 Mon 20 No performances Tue 21 2.00 7.00 Wed 22 2.00 7.00 Thu 23 2.00 7.00 Fri 24 1.30 6.00 Sat 25 No performances Sun 26 1.30 6.00 Mon 27 2.00 7.00 Tue 28 2.00 7.00 Wed 29 2.00 7.00 Thu 30 2.00 7.00 Fri 31 1.30 6.00 January Sat 1 No performances Sun 2 1.30 6.00 Mon 3 2.00 7.00 Tue 4 2.00 7.00 Wed 5 No performances Thu 6 2.00 7.00 Fri 7 2.00 7.00 Sat 8 2.00 7.00 Sun 9 1.30 6.00 Mon 10 No performances Tue 11 1.30 7.00 Wed 12 2.00 7.00 Thu 13 2.00 7.00 Fri 14 2.00 7.00 Sat 15 2.00 7.00 Sun 16 1.30 6.00 Signed performance Thu 13 January 7pm Supporting the Theatres for Theatres Appeal in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital www.gosh.org © 2007 Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

Registered charity no 235825

Locally sponsored by

No discounts for performances marked in red

Follow Cinderella’s adventure at www.cinderellabrighton.com

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

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legendary diva brought to life on stage

classical ballet at its best

‘Moscow City Ballet is renowned for great precision, flair and stunning performance’

‘rich, vivid, satisfying’ new york times

‘at the end the audience rose spontaneously, just as theY rose to callas’

swan lake jan 2010

the daily telegraph Moscow City Ballet Moscow City Ballet was formed in 1988 by the distinguished Russian Choreographer and one time Bolshoi soloist Victor SmirnovGolovanov. After twenty two years, Moscow City Ballet and Moscow Ballet Orchestra continue to evolve, bringing the heritage of classical Russian ballet to audiences, including young ballet-goers, all over the world.

The Sleeping Beauty The enchanting and romantic story of The Sleeping Beauty inspired Tchaikovsky to write some of his most glorious music.

The story of Princess Aurora and her handsome Prince has captivated audiences for well over a hundred years.

Swan Lake Probably the world’s best-known ballet, Swan Lake is set to Tchaikovsky’s sublime score performed by a live orchestra. Follow the fate of Prince Siegfried as he falls in love with the beautiful Swan Queen, Odette, and discover how the power of true love conquers the forces of evil.

STEPHANIE BEACHAM stars in

MASTER CLASS

by Terrence McNally

wed 26 - sat 29 jan The Sleeping Beauty Wed & Thu eves 7.45pm Thu mat 2.30pm Swan Lake Fri & Sat eves 7.45pm Sat mat 2.30pm patrons £5 off Wed & Thu eves associates £3 off Wed eve ambassador friends £3 off Wed eve G £ e

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

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Stephanie Beacham embarks on the most challenging role of her career as the celebrated diva Maria Callas. Beautiful and talented but tormented and insecure, Maria Callas took the world by storm; the general public were mesmerised as much by her talent as by her glamorous and thrilling private life. Her passionate love affair with Aristotle Onassis gripped the world with an added drama when he left her heartbroken for Jackie Kennedy.

Stephanie Beacham bears an extraordinary likeness to Callas.

When meeting legendary film director Franco Zefferelli for the first time, who was a good friend of Maria’s, he said, ‘my God you are Maria Callas!’ Stephanie was a leading player at the RSC and National Theatre and appeared in the TV dramas Tenko, Dynasty and The Colbys.

In this rich and lavish production, Stephanie plays Maria at a time when her voice and her personal life have fallen apart and she reminisces on the triumphs and tragedies of her life and career.

Rich with comedy and searing poignancy the play ‘exposes the passions behind the voice’ Express.

supporters of quality drama at Theatre Royal Brighton

mon 14 - SAT 19 FEB Eves 7.45pm Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm Audio Described Wed 16 February 7.45pm patrons £5 off Mon & Tue eves 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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★★★★ ‘the scripT crackles with delicious jokes’

daily mail

‘helpless hilarity in the corridors of power’ the daily telegraph

‘full of cracking one liners’ the daily telegraph

‘joke-rich, very funny’ daily mail

FROM DIRECT

D ST EN WE E TH

Theatre Royal Brighton is proud to present the opening of the National tour of Yes, Prime Minister.

The original writers of the classic BBC TV series, Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn have reunited for this anniversary production and now the Prime Minister Jim Hacker, his Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby and his Private Secretary Bernard Woolley are back in this hilarious new play.

In a world of spin, Blackberrys and ‘sexed up’ dossiers, the PM is staring disaster in the face. The country is on the brink of financial meltdown and the Government’s only apparent salvation comes from a morally dubious deal with the Foreign Minister of Kumranistan. Will Jim Hacker and his team of advisors be able to rescue the country from the edge?

Yes, Prime Minister is a Chichester Festival Theatre Production.

‘Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn have transformed their successful television comedy into an hilarious new play, lovingly directed at great pace by Lynn’ The Stage

‘Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey are back in truly vintage form.

As politically sharp and blissfully funny as ever’ the Daily Telegraph 8

THU 3 - SAT 12 FEB Eves 7.45pm (excluding Sun) Thu 10 Feb & Sat mats 2.30pm signed performance Thu 10 February 7.45pm patrons £5 off Thu 3 & Fri 4 Feb associates £5 off Thu 3 Feb friends £5 off Thu 3 Feb G £

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

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Claire sweeney stars in andrew lloyd webber and don black’s masterpiece

Scintillating Comedy Prior to London

★★★★★

‘You shouldn’t put your daughter in the marriage stakes, however big the prizes are’

‘A GREAT SHOW. one of the best things i’ve seen’ what’s on stage

‘a tour de force performance. audiences should embrace THE chance to hear this gorgeous score again’ the stage

By William Douglas-Home Starring Jane

Asher and Belinda Lang

Parental plans go awry, reputations are shredded and the generation gap seems insurmountable in William Douglas-Home’s delightful romantic comedy.

Society couple, Jimmy and Sheila Broadbent, are launching their daughter Jane into society and have their eye on the perfect husband.

Jane, however, has other ideas. The round of balls and parties bores her stiff and the last thing she wants is some stuffy young toff with perfect manners. In fact, the chap she really wants appears to be a perfect cad.

Horrified parents, a conniving cousin and hot society gossip make this a debutante season to remember.

Bursting with witty one liners and sparkling dialogue in the tradition of Noël Coward, this affectionate caricature of 1950s British society brings the glamour and charm of the debutante scene gloriously to life.

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mon 21 - sat 26 feb 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 £

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

Following the sell out 2010 UK tour, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s Tell Me On A Sunday returns for 2011.

Remodeled for Claire Sweeney by the masters of musical theatre, with an exclusive new song Dreams Never Run On Time, this is the definitive version of the classic musical, with a wonderful original score, featuring the chart topping song Take That Look Off Your Face and the title track Tell Me On A Sunday.

Tell Me On A Sunday charts the romantic misadventures of a young English girl in New York. Brimming with optimism, she seeks success and love. But as she weaves her way through the maze of the city and her own anxieties, frustrations and heartaches, she begins to wonder whether she’s been looking for love in all the wrong places.

mon 28 feb - sat 5 mar 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 £

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

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Preview of all new 2011 tour!

brand new ayckbourn play ‘Brilliant.

There was nothing for it but to surrender to his control’ Mail on Sunday

‘A spectacular night of entertainment.

Derren is, without doubt, this country’s greatest illusionist’ Time Out

‘You repeatedly find yourself retrieving your jaw from the floor’

‘masterfully crafted’

THE Daily Telegraph

the observer Starring Liza Goddard Written and directed by Alan Ayckbourn

Dubbed a ‘psychological illusionist’ by the Press, Derren Brown is a performer who combines magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection and showmanship in order to seemingly predict and control human behaviour, as well as performing mind-bending feats of mentalism.

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

What exactly is the eccentric maverick Riley playing at?

With a few months of his life remaining, George Riley’s closest friends remember with love, nostalgia or occasional bursts of downright fury, how deeply he has affected their lives in the past. George though, is plotting one final farewell which threatens to upset all their lives in the future.

For the past ten years Derren has created TV and stage performances that have stunned audiences, debunked the paranormal and encouraged many to improve and enhance their own mental abilities. His first show appeared in 2000, Derren Brown: Mind Control, and followed with Trick of the Mind, Trick or Treat and a series of Specials including the controversial Russian Roulette and the hugely popular Events.

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Following his sell out 2010 tour, we’re delighted to announce that Derren Brown will give four preview performances of his brand new touring production Derren Brown: Svengali, here at Theatre Royal Brighton.

wed 9 - sat 12 mar Eves 7.30pm

This is sure to be one of the hottest tickets in town, so book now!

www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

Not suitable for children under 12 years

0844 871 7650 (bkg fee)

Alan Ayckbourn’s latest play looks backwards, forwards and sometimes sideways, with wry comic affection, on the lives we lived or might have lived.

HHHH ‘All six players are immaculate’ The Times

mon 14 - sat 19 mar 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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Dickens’ classic re-imagined to nineteenth century India

‘Rambert sets the standard’ The TIMES

★★★★ ‘haunting, smouldering, dynamic drama’ the guardian on ett’s far from the madding crowd

‘Awakenings shows to perfection how dance can sometimes do things that other art forms simply cannot’ THE daily telegraph WINNER OF OLIVIER AWARD 2010 OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DANCE

wed 23 - sat 26 mar Eves 7.30pm, Thu mat 2pm Sat mat 2.30pm pre-show talk Thu 24 March 6.30pm Free to ticket holders

Awakenings Tour 2011 Right at the very heart of British dance, Rambert Dance Company returns to its partner theatre with a brand new programme of imaginative, ambitious and high quality dance, featuring an exciting and beautiful new work, Awakenings, a piece full of emotion, energy and drama.

Siobhan Davies’ gorgeously frenetic and award-winning The Art of Touch and Merce Cunningham’s heady RainForest will also be performed by the Company’s 22 world-class dancers, with incredible live music from the Rambert Orchestra.

‘All dance companies talk about new work, and interesting revivals, but few make them happen like Rambert’ evening standard

SIGNED PERFORMANCE Thu 24 March 7.30pm patrons £5 off Wed & Thu eves associates £5 off Wed eve ambassador friends £5 off Wed eve family ticket £44 (4 tickets, min 2 kids on Sat mat) G £ E

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

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Awakenings is commissioned by Daniel Katz Limited Photo: Awakenings Eric Richmond & Joe Swift Inset Photo: RainForest Chris Nash

‘english touring theatre is one of our treasures’ the guardian

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

By Charles Dickens Adapted by Tanika Gupta An English Touring Theatre & Watford Palace Theatre production

Peopled by some of his most colourful and memorable characters, Dickens’ epic novel has been lovingly adapted for the stage by leading playwright Tanika Gupta. Set in the period the novel was written, we meet Pip - a poor boy living on the banks of the Ganges. Following a terrifying encounter with an escaped convict, Pip is given an unexpected chance to better himself by visiting the reclusive and mysterious English lady, Miss Havisham. In the decaying colonial grandeur of her house, Pip falls in love with Estella and helped by an anonymous benefactor, he moves to the bustling city to pursue his dream of winning Estella’s heart and of becoming part of the educated elite.

Painted in rich, vivid colours across a vast landscape of characters and locations, this stunning new version promises a powerful and theatrical telling of Dickens’ universally loved masterpiece.

We are delighted to welcome back English Touring Theatre who thrilled us with Far from the Madding Crowd, The Hypochondriac and Sir Peter Hall’s Uncle Vanya.

supporters of quality drama at Theatre Royal Brighton

Tue 29 Mar – Sat 2 Apr Eves 7.30pm Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm stage text Sat 2 April 2.30pm patrons 2 for 1 Tue & Wed eves associates 2 for 1 Tue eve ambassador friends 2 for 1 Tue eve G £ E

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

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Revival of David Grindley’s West End & Broadway Hit

a chilling new thriller from the literary master of suspense ‘David Grindley’s superb production arouses emotions that go too deep for words’ the daily telegraph

‘as compelling and moving as anything today. don’t miss it’ financial times

Bill Kenwright presents

PAUL NICHOLAS

Directed by David Grindley In the days leading up to the last great German offensive of the First World War, Raleigh, an 18 year old soldier joins a besieged company of soldiers in the British trenches at St Quentin. There he finds his new comrades being led by his old school friend Stanhope, but discovers that the man in army greens is much changed from the boy he left behind in cricketing whites.

Journey’s End is the Olivier-nominated, Tony and Drama Desk award winning production directed by David Grindley (Six Degrees of Separation, Crown Matrimonial, The Philanthropist) that won critical acclaim in the West End and on Broadway. R.C.Sheriff’s masterpiece is a must see of British theatre.

Based on the author’s own experience of the Front and life in the trenches, it celebrates humour and courage in the face of certain tragedy.

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This production of Journey’s End is proud to support the poppy appeal - supporting The British Legion

TUE 5 - SAT 9 APR Eves 7.45pm Wed, Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm patrons 2 for 1 Tue & Wed eves associates 2 for 1 Tue eve ambassador friends 2 for 1 Tue eve G £ E

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

charlie clements

In an ancient, crumbling mansion, sheltering from the howling winds that tear across the surrounding desolate moorland, two men stumble across a dark and terrifying secret.

When a young book dealer, David Filde, is employed to catalogue an impressive library, he finds an incredible array of rare and antiquated books. But as a series of strange and unexplained events conspire to keep him from his work, he realises that if he is to convince his sceptical employer of the mysterious phenomena, they must journey together to the very edge of terror to discover the source of the ghostly night time visitations.

Paul Nicholas, best known for his role in the BAFTA award winning sitcom, Just Good Friends, also enjoyed West End stardom in The Mysterious Mr Love, Catch Me If You Can and Singin’ In The Rain. He is joined by one of TV’s hottest young stars, Charlie Clements, best known as Bradley Branning in EastEnders.

Directed by Hugh Wooldridge, this gripping new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ spine-tingling tales of the unexpected will have you on the edge of your seat!

mon 11 - sat 16 apr Eves 7.45pm Thu & Sat 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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‘one of the greatest comic creations of our day’ Financial times

jungle fun for all the family ‘a first-rate play, witty, humane, generous and sad’ guardian

‘glorious entertainment from the very best of bernard’s worst moments’ daily mail

‘sheer delight’ evening standard

★★★★

Robert Powell stars in

‘A rip-roaring family show’ time out

By Keith Waterhouse, based on the writings of Jeffrey Bernard In a life devoted to alcohol, gambling and women, the ever-charming Jeffrey Bernard distinguished himself by excess. From Bernard’s colourful contributions to the Spectator’s Low Life column, fellow Fleet Street legend Keith Waterhouse created this gloriously funny and occasionally poignant production.

Winner of the Evening Standard’s Best Comedy Award 1990, Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell finds the journalist trapped overnight in his favourite Soho pub. A host of ex wives, friends and enemies join him in retracing scenes from a life packed with hysterical and absurd incident.

Robert Powell plays the tour-de-force title role which was immortalised in the original production by Peter O’Toole. Robert Powell is best known for playing Jesus in Jesus of Nazareth and Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps. He has also starred in The Detectives with Jasper Carrott and as Mark Williams in Holby City.

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mon 18 - sat 23 apr 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 £

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

The Birmingham Stage Company is proud to present Rudyard Kipling’s classic story about Mowgli, a young boy who is raised in the jungle by a family of wolves. When Sher Khan the tiger swears to kill the child, Baloo and Bagheera agree to take the boy to the man village for his safety. But the jungle holds dangers and surprises for them all and Mowgli’s extraordinary adventure has just begun!

If you’re looking for a magnificent experience for all the family, then don’t miss this acclaimed production of Kipling’s timeless story!

‘An adventure story full of thrills, spills, excitement and fun. Enjoyed by an audience ranged from five to eighty-five!’

Theatreworld See a trailer of the show at www.birminghamstage.com

tue 26 - sat 30 april Tue 7pm Wed 11am & 5pm Thu & Fri 1.30 & 6pm Sat 11am, 2.30pm and 7pm signed performance Thu 28 April 6pm FAMILY TICKET £49 (4 tickets, min. 2 kids) E

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

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a monster hit!

★★★★★ Sunday Times

‘the best musical of the decade’ christopher hart sunday times

‘th I’VE e FUNN SEE I N IN EST SH A Heat LON OW Maga zine G TIME ’

After nearly five years of mischief, bad behaviour and political incorrectness, London’s funniest show by far is hitting the road.

The Tony Award winning Avenue Q is the irresistibly charming musical about the lovably hopeless characters on a downtown New York street trying to make sense of life’s burning issues: love, work, relationships and, above all, just how are you supposed to pay the bills with a BA in English?

Hilarious and uproariously entertaining, with a terrific batch of songs performed by a cast of hugely talented performers and puppets, Avenue Q is a musical like no other. So don’t let your life suck - book your tickets today!

★★★★★ News of the World

★★★★★ sunday express

★★★★★ absolute radio

★★★★★ smooth fm

★★★★★ magic fm

‘Q stands for quite simply the best show in town. Go now and go again and again’ Sky News

‘Cross Sesame Street with the Muppet Show, give it an X rating and clap on a government health warning that too much laughter can make your sides ache and you’ve got Avenue Q’ Radio 2

‘the funniest thing i’ve ever seen’ kiss fm

‘Absolutely brilliant.

We nearly died laughing’ Absolute Radio Photography of London cast of Avenue Q. Contains scenes which may be unsuitable for under 12s

mon 2 - sat 7 may Mon – Thu eves 7.45pm Fri 5.30pm & 8.30pm Sat 4pm & 7.45pm patrons £5 off Mon & Tue eves associates £5 off Mon eve ambassador friends £5 off Mon eve teen ticket offer Up to 2 teens aged 12 - 16 yrs go half price with a full paying adult on Mon & Tue eves and Fri & Sat early G e

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

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one nighters SALLY MORGAN psychic sally on the road tue 18 jan 7.45pm Fresh from her new TV series - Psychic Sally On The Road on LIVING TV, Britain’s best loved celebrity psychic returns. Her reputation has been built from her close relationship with high profile celebrities.

Don’t miss this unique theatrical experience, which is both hugely entertaining and enlightening.

bjorn again MON 21 mar 7.30pm One Aussie bloke presents four pretendy Swedes and a trip to the threatre you’ll never forget! Join in all the fun with Bjorn Again!

Hits from Mamma Mia together with the legendary voice of host Tony Blackurn playing all the UK hits of 1988.

www.sallymorgan.tv

CIRCUS OF HORRORS wed 19 jan 7.30pm Following the huge success of The Asylum and The Day of the Dead, The Circus of Horrors has had a major revamp and is back rockin’ and shockin’ with fangtastic new phantasmagoria created to celebrate its 15th bloody year. The Four Chapters from Hell will take you through all four of the Circus of Horrors incarnations.

The greatest hits, the greatest acts, the greatest show.

colin fry sun 10 apr 7.30pm Don’t miss one of the most celebrated psychic mediums, Colin Fry, as he delivers messages of love and comfort in his brand new The People’s Medium show. Be stunned by his breathtaking accuracy and compassion in this new show as he conducts an evening of intimate communication with your loved ones.

Evenings of mediumship are not scientifically proven and are presented for education and entertainment purposes only. www.colinfry.co.uk

WHO HAS TALENT in the flesh: THE pink floyd SHOW thu 20 jan 7.30pm In The Flesh presents an authentic excursion into Pink Floyd’s classic era from Arnold Layne through to The Division Bell in a mind-blowing production featuring a specially designed lightshow complete with circular projection screen that will leave audiences dazzled! www.intheflesh.co.uk

MON 25 APRIL 4pm Once again, our team will be searching the whole of Sussex for local talented people of all ages, to audition for their chance to appear in the last ever Live Final Show. The audience on the night will vote for their favourite act and select the winner.

This event will help raise funds for this year’s chosen charity, Albion in the Community. If you have a talent and you would like the chance to perform, send for an application pack now, email: whohastalent@reformsolutions.co.uk Sponsored by Reform Solutions (UK) Ltd.

GyLES BRANDRETH the ONE TO ONE SHOW sat 22 jan 7.30pm They say all political careers end in tears. In Just a Minute regular, Gyles Brandreth’s case it’s tears of laughter as the actor, author, One Show reporter, former MP and government whip turns stand-up. This is Brandreth unleashed on the stars he’s known and the wicked ways of Westminster, no expense spared.

‘Incredibly funny, wildly indiscreet’ Daily Mail

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comedy

coming soon punt and dennis fri 21 jan 7.30pm This brand new show sees Punt and Dennis return to the live arena after four years. Hugh Dennis is best known for Outnumbered (BBC1) and Mock the Week (BBC2), as well as his and Steve Punt’s awardwinning and acclaimed BBC Radio 4 programme The Now Show.

‘The kings of satirical comedy’ The Guardian HHHH The Scotsman

john shuttleworth A MAN WITH NO MORE ROLLS sun 6 feb 7.30pm ‘Sheffield’s finest twaddle talker’ The Daily Telegraph decides to instruct the nation in moral matters. Well, he would have done had his next door neighbour not mistyped the title. John’s philosophical, his new show can now consider the vast range of exotic breads in the shops as well as the nation’s moral decline!

lenny henry cradle to rave sun 13 feb 7.30pm Cradle To Rave is the brand new one man show from Lenny Henry, fresh from his award-winning stint in Othello. Lenny returns to his roots with a funky, funny and touching show about the thing he loves most: music. Cradle To Rave is a musical journey, exploring the role music has played, and will play, at every stage of Lenny’s life. Written by Lenny Henry and Jon Canter.

Shaun the Sheep in Shaun’s Big Show A music and dance extravaganza. Come and join Shaun and his friends in their very own live show.

All your favourite characters from the hit BBC show will be here including Bitzer, Shirley, Timmy and the rest of the flock in this magical, fully choreographed music and dance extravaganza.

STEPHEN K AMOS the best medicine sun 6 mar 7.30pm Fresh from a busy year filming his own BBC2 comedy series The Stephen K Amos Show, Stephen comes to Brighton with more melt in the middle, heartfelt humour to warm the very cockles of your heart.

Laughter really is the best medicine and the Doctor will see you now.

‘Amos is dynamite’ The Guardian

count arthur strong Command Performance sun 27 mar 8pm Count Arthur Strong’s new show, Command Performance, is so new, not even he knows he’s doing it yet. Don’t worry about that though, it’s never stopped him before! So get your Maltesers out, roll your trouser legs up and sit back and enjoy this potentially wonderful show. Pausing only to glance up from your programme to ask when the interval is.

I can guarantee you, you’ll have never seen anything like it!

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This EMMY award-winning BBC family favourite has been specially adapted for the stage by the ‘National Children’s Dramatist’ David Wood (BFG, The Witches).

TUE 21 - Sun 26 JUN Tue – Sat eves 7.45pm Wed, Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm Sun 2pm & 5pm PATRONS 2 for 1 Tue & Wed eves asociates 2 for 1 Tue & Wed eves

THU 14 - SUN 17 JUL Thu 7pm Fri & Sun 11am, 2pm & 5pm Sat 1pm, 4pm & 7pm

friends 2 for 1 Tue eve

Family ticket £55 (4 tickets min 2 kids under 12 only)

G £ e

G 25

booking information Theatre Royal Brighton New Road Brighton BN1 1SD

Special offer key g Groups

Box Office 0844 871 7650 brightonboxoffice@theambassadors.com

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.

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

This publication was produced to ISO14001 Environmental Management System standard and 95% of the waste created during the process was recycled. The materials used included vegetable oil inks, elemental chlorine free pulp and fibre from PEFC managed forests. The PEFC provides an assurance mechanism to purchasers of wood and paper products that they are promoting the sustainable management of forests.

Telephone bookings Open Mon - Sat 9am - 10pm Sun 10am - 8pm

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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.

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 these shows. For details call the 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

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

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

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).

18001 0871297 5477 (textphone user)

A £11 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.

18002 0871297 5477 (hearing person)

Pleasant Parking

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.

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 mid week matinees). 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.

Gift Vouchers make an ideal present and are on sale at the Box Office from £1 upwards.

An Access leaflet is available.

Please call 01273 764400

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.

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

PRICE BAND Moscow City Ballet Eves Mats

A

B

C

D

S

£32 £27

£28 £22

£23 £19

£19 £16

£35 £30

Yes, Prime Minister Mon - Thu eves & Sat mats Fri & Sat eves Thu mat

£26.50 £27.50 £24.50

£24.50 £25.50 £22.50

£20.50 £21.50 £18.50

£17.50 £18.50 £15.50

£29.50 £30.50 £27.50

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

£26 £27 £24

£24 £25 £22

£20 £21 £18

£17 £18 £15

£29 £30 £27

The Reluctant Debutante Mon - Thu eves & Sat mat Fri & Sat eves Thu mat Tell Me on a Sunday Mon - Thu eves & Sat mat Fri & Sat eves Thu mat

PRICE BAND The Jungle Book All perfs

£26 £27 £24

£24 £25 £22

£20 £21 £18

£17 £18 £15

£29 £30 £27

Avenue Q Mon - Thu eves & Sat early Fri & Sat eves Fri early Joseph Tue - Thu eves Midweek mats Fri, Sat & Sun perfs Shaun the Sheep All perfs Sally Morgan Circus of Horrors

£25 £27 £21

£22 £24 £18

£19 £21 £18

£30 £32 £24

Derren Brown All perfs

£29

£29

£29

£29

£29

Life of Riley 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

Rambert Wed & Thu eves & Sat mat Fri & Sat eves Thu mat

£22 £24 £18

£20 £22 £18

£17 £20 £16

£11 £11 £11

£25 £27 £21

Great Expectations 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

Journey’s End Tue - Thu eves & Sat mat Fri & Sat eves Wed & Thu mats

£24 £26 £21

£21 £24 £18

£18 £22 £15

£15 £18 £13

£27 £30 £24

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

£24 £25 £20

£21 £22 £18

£19 £20 £15

£15 £16 £13

£27 £28 £23

Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell Mon - Thu eves & Sat mat Fri & Sat eves Thu mat

£26 £27 £24

£24 £25 £22

£20 £21 £18

£17 £18 £15

£29 £30 £27

B

C

D

S

£15

£15

£13

£11.50

£15

£28.50 £30.50 £21.50

£24.50 £26.50 £18.50

£20.50 £21.50 £15.50

£18.50 £19.50 £13.50

£31.50 £33.50 £25.50

£25 £22 £27

£23 £20 £25

£20 £17 £22

£17 £14 £19

£28 £25 £30

£16.50

£14.50

£14.50

£11.50

£16.50

£21.50

£21.50

£21.50

£21.50

£28

£24

£20

£13

The Pink Floyd Show In the Flesh

£23.50

£23.50

£23.50

£23.50

Punt and Dennis

£21

£21

£21

£21

Gyles Brandreth

£17

£17

£17

£17

John Shuttlesworth Lenny Henry

£27 £29 £21

A

£16

£16

£16

£16

£24.50

£24.50

£24.50

£24.50

Stephen K Amos

£19.50

£19.50

£19.50

£19.50

Bjorn Again Count Arthur Strong

£18.50

£18.50

£18.50

£17.50

£18

£18

£18

£18

Colin Fry

£19.50

£19.50

£19.50

£19.50

£11

£11

£11

£11

Who Has Talent

£16

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.

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

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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 The Ambassadors Woking encompassing the New Victoria and Rhoda McGaw Theatres and the award-winning Ambassador Cinemas; Alexandra Theatre, Aylesbury Waterside 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; 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 and Spamalot.

Cover Images: Avenue Q Claire Sweeney Derren Brown Robert Powell Stephanie Beacham Yes, Prime Minister