Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds Spring 2017

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FEBRUARY - AUGUST 2017

BOX OFFICE www.theatreroyal.org / 01284 769505

WELCOME TO THE

SPRING SEASON Welcome to Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds new season brochure for 2017 and I am delighted to offer some of the very best Theatre, Music, Comedy and Dance on our iconic stage.

The season opens with professional work Made in Bury St Edmunds. I shall be directing a wonderful cast in Jane Austen’s classic, Northanger Abbey, which will premiere at Theatre Royal before embarking on a national tour.

We have a number of opportunities to see new plays throughout the spring with rehearsed reading of The Wisdom Club by Associate Artist, Danusia Iwaszko to look out for, Jim Cartwrights new play, Stand Up Stand Up and Just an Ordinary Lawyer by

Supported by 2

BURY ST EDMUNDS TOWN COUNCIL

Tayo Aluko and the winning entries from our new playwriting competition. I am delighted to continue our relationship with the acclaimed London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts who will tour restoration comedy, Bury Fair and Shakespeare’s As You Like It, alongside the wonderful Northern Broadsides production of Cyrano.

Our work for families continues with Alice in Wonderland, Stig of the Dump, The Light Princess and Once Upon a Festival should be bigger and better than ever.

Theatre Royal might have a tiny fraction of the funding of theatres in our region but the continued support from our local councils, businesses, individuals and of course you as audience members all say loud and clear that Theatre Royal is very much alive and an important part of the life of this region.

DIRECTOR / Karen Simpson

A NOTE FROM OUR SPONSOR Gross & Co Solicitors are delighted to extend their longstanding support of the Theatre Royal by sponsoring the Spring Season.

We have a well-earned reputation for providing clients with effective and practical legal advice. We are highly recommended by the independent legal directories, Chambers and Partners and Legal 500.

We are proud to have served our local community for over 160 years. Though based in East Anglia, our reputation has attracted private and business clients from across the UK and from more than 50 countries worldwide.

Gross & Co Solicitors offers legal advice and services in the following areas: Wills, Trust, Probate, Residential Conveyancing, Family/Matrimonial, Charity Law, Commercial Property, Company Commercial and UK Immigration.

HIGHLIGHTS THIS SEASON

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WEDS 26 - SA T2

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TUES 2 - SAT 6 M AY

C YR

AN O 3

ALREADY ON SALE

ALREADY ON SALE WISDOM OF A FOOL

ROMEO & JULIET

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST GALA

DRAMA / ENGINE SHED & DAVID PHILLIPS

DANCE / BALLET THEATRE UK

SPECIAL EVENT / THEATRE ROYAL BURY ST EDMUNDS

Weds 16 - Thurs 17 November

BIG BAND AT CHRISTMAS

CAROLS FROM CAMBRIDGE

MUSIC / FIVE STAR SWING

MUSIC / THE CHAPEL CHOIR OF SELWYN COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE

Sat 19 November 4

Mon 21 - Weds 23 November

Tues 6 December

Sun 11 December show starts at 2pm

SHOWSTOPPER!

THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL Sat 21 January MUSIC / THE SHOWSTOPPERS

CAMBRIDGE RENAISSANCE VOICES

ST EDMUNDSBURY CATHEDRAL

Holy Trinity Church Long Melford Sunday 20 November 7.30pm, Tickets: £16 Cambridge Renaissance Voices return to Long Melford with a joyful programme of 16th-century polyphony, featuring Philippe de Monte’s superb and rarely performed ‘Benedicta Es’ mass and Josquin’s motet on which it is based: Benedicta Es Caelorum Regina, addressing the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH

Tickets can also be purchased on the door from 6.45pm prior to the performance.

Saturday 10 December 7.00pm

QUEEN OF HEAVEN – MUSIC FOR THE VIRGIN MARY

Saturday 3 December 7.00pm

Soloists: Alys Roberts (soprano), Carolyn Holt (mezzo soprano), Cameron Mitchell (tenor) and Timothy Murphy (baritone) all students at the Royal Academy of Music Chorus: The Cathedral Choir, the St Edmundsbury Singers Orchestra: The Suffolk Handel Players Tickets: £20, £15, £10

SSAFA CONCERT OF CAROLS

BURY ST EDMUNDS CONCERT SERIES

Featuring RAF Honington Voluntary Band Accompanied by Choir of Walsham le Willows Primary School Tickets: £12, £10, £8

21 November 2016, 7.30pm

COERCIVE CONTROL CONFERENCE

Unitarian Meeting House, Tickets: £15 Students £5

ALAUDA QUARTET

One of the leading young European string quartets. Programme Mozart, Borodin, Haydn 20 February 2017, 7.30pm

BARTOSZ GLOWACKI, ACCORDIAN

Monday 6 March 2017, Theatre Royal, Tickets: £60

ALSO SELLING FOR Box Office www.theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

ALSO SELLING FOR…

CONSERVATOIRE EAST

Variety of events taking place at the Conservatoire EAST Theatre at West Suffolk College on sale now.

A leading light in the new generation of accordionists.

20 March 2017, 7.30pm

PIVA - EARLY MUSIC ENSEMBLE

A remarkable Renaissance Music group, PIVA perform with style and panache.

5

DRAMA SAVERS

DRAMA SAVERS SPRING 2017 Spend less and see more!

BOOK 3 SHOWS − 5% discount BOOK 4 SHOWS − 10% discount BOOK 5 SHOWS or more − 15% discount Tickets must be booked in the same transaction.

HYSTERIA

FRANKENSTEIN

INDULGE IN SOME DRAMA THIS SEASON...

Thurs 2 - Sat 11 February NORTHANGER ABBEY

Thurs 20 April JUST AN ORDINARY LAWYER

Tues 21 - Sat 25 February HYSTERIA

Tues 2 - Sat 6 May CYRANO

Tues 7 - Thurs 9 March FRANKENSTEIN

Thurs 15 June BETWEEN THE TWO

Tues 14 - Weds 15 March THE MACHINE STOPS

Mon 26 - Weds 28 June STAND UP STAND UP

Tues 11 - Weds 12 April NOEL & GERTIE

Thurs 29 June - Sat 1 July OUR MAN IN HAVANA

Other offers: 6

Friends Discount see pg 38

NORTHANGER ABBEY Under 21 Saver see pg 38

School Price see pg 38

Sun 5 February SPECIAL EVENT

THEATRE ROYAL

BURY ST EDMUNDS Monday 20 March, 1.10pm

THE VEGA WIND TRIO

Duke Dobing - FLUTE, Charles Hine - CLARINET, David Miles - BASSOON Programme of breathtaking virtuosity from Baroque to 20th century music.

Monday 8 May, 1.10pm

BRAZILIEROS

Anna Noakes - FLUTE, Grant McFarlane Dowse -GUITAR, Gary Kettel - LATIN PERCUSSION

Stunning South American-style trio with lively toe-tapping choros, canciόns and tangos.

Tuesday 6 June, 1.10pm

THE EDMUND OCTET

DIRECTED BY GILL GARSIDE - PIANO

Popular male close harmony ensemble with an entertaining summer programme.

The ITFC Legends return to the Theatre, after sell-out events here in 2014 and 2015, for another lively and unmissable evening of stories and anecdotes about the Club and their careers, to entertain fans of ITFC, both young and old!

This time around we are joined again by Bryan Hamilton with special guests David Johnson and Eric Gates. Join us for another superb evening with some of ITFC’s best-loved players for a night of all things football!

TICKETS: £8.50 EACH SHOW OR BOOK ALL 3 FOR £20

Limited places are available to meet the players after the show for a drink. Tickets for this are £10 (please book early to avoid disappointment) This is a fundraising event for Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds (charity number: 242977)

In association with ArtsOptions.

Sun 5 7.30pm

Sponsored by Gross & Co

BETWEEN THE TWO

AN EVENING WITH THE IPSWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB LEGENDS

Complimentary tea, coffee and cakes after each concert. For more information visit www.theatreroyal.org

£25 - £10

LUNCHTIME CONCERTS / ITFC LEGENDS Box Office www.theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

LUNCHTIME CONCERTS

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FEBRUARY

Thurs 2 – Sat 11 February

THEATRE ROYAL BURY ST EDMUNDS

by Jane Austen

adapted by Tim Luscombe directed by Karen Simpson Catherine Morland loves a good novel and the more ‘horrid’ it is the better. At 17, she is taken by her aunt to Bath where she encounters the social whirl denied her at home.

When Catherine accepts an invitation to the Tilney’s country seat at Northanger Abbey, lurid images from her favourite gothic novel The Mysteries of Udolpho threaten to overwhelm her. However, all misunderstandings are eventually resolved and, as in all the best Jane Austen novels, the young heroine finally gets her man...

Sponsored by See page 6

Thurs 2 - Sat 11 7.30pm Weds 8 2.00pm Sat 4 & 11 3.00pm Captioned performance Weds 8 2.00pm

8

Kindly supported by The Williams Charitable Trust

See page 38

Audio described Sat 11 3.00pm

£26 - £8.50

Tues 14 February

FAMILY MUSICAL / IMMERSION THEATRE

MUSIC / FULL HOUSE PRODUCTIONS

Imagination runs wild and logic is abandoned in this fantastical, larger-thanlife musical brimming with nonsensical fun and excitement for the entire family.

VOICE OF THE HEART KAREN CARPENTER

Follow Alice and the White Rabbit as they set off on a colourful, topsy-turvy adventure like no other and meet a host of outlandish characters including the troublesome twins, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, the notorious Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat and of course, the Mad-as-a-bat-Hatter!

Immersion Theatre proudly bring their trademark energy to their most spectacularly bonkers show to date, as children and adults alike are invited to join in the hilarity of seeing this classic story brought vividly to life. You’d be mad to miss it!

This stunning show celebrates the music of The Carpenters and the evening is guaranteed to lead everyone through a magical memory.

FEBRUARY Box Office www.theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

Sun 12 - Mon 13 February

With superb vocals from Carole Gordon and outstanding talent from the brilliant Blue Jeans Band & Singers it will be a “sparkling” night to remember.

Yesterday Once More, Goodbye To Love, Only Yesterday , Close To You & Top Of The World, all the hits that every Carpenters fan adores plus many, many more.

See page 38

Sun 12 - Mon 13 3.00pm & 6.45pm

Child P rice

£10.50 - £8.50

£12.50 - £8.50

COME AND CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY WITH US

Tues 14 7.30pm

£21.50 - £8.50

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FEBRUARY

Weds 15 February

Thurs 16 February

COMEDY / RBM

COMEDY / DRAMA / REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY AND SEABRIGHT PRODUCTIONS

MILES JUPP SONGS OF FREEDOM

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S OPERA COCKTAIL LONG LOST FIRST PLAY (ABRIDGED)

Astronauts. Regrets. The sexes. Social Media.

Hipsters. Poo. Rage. Medicine. Manners. Identity.

Lost stuff. Other stuff.

Miles Jupp, (Stand-up, actor, writer, thinker, father, husband, worrier, fool, star of Rev. and host of The News Quiz) hits the road in a freshly-ironed shirt and some robust trousers and tries to make some bloody sense of it all.

Weds 15 7.30pm

£18 - £10

MUSIC / OPERAUPCLOSE

Classics shaken with wit, stirred with drama and served with a contemporary twist.

written by Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor

Acclaimed stars of the West End stage, Reduced Shakespeare Company are back with another barnstormingly irreverent and breathtakingly hilarious celebration of our cultural heritage – as seen through the eyes of three Americans wearing trainers. In a better-late-than-never nod to the Bard’s 400th anniversary, the bad boys of abridgement present this ‘new’ play by the man himself, as discovered in a Leicester car park!

‘A hoot! Consistently funny!’

HHHH British Theatre Guide

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Fri 17 February

Thurs 16 7.30pm

See page 38

£18 - £8.50

Olivier Award winning OperaUpClose present some of opera’s best loved arias, duets and ensembles in a fun, modern setting. Performed in witty new English translations and beautifully acted in the company’s engaging, intimate style, this evening includes Musetta’s aria from La Bohème, Carmen’s sexy Habanera, and the drinking song from La Traviata.

These popular tunes are performed by a trio of some of the best opera singers in the UK and accompanied by a virtuosic pianist.

‘Striking music theatre of considerable integrity and force’ Guardian ‘Madly brilliant’ The Times

See page 38

Fri 17 7.30pm

£21.50 - £8.50

Sun 19 February

MUSIC / THE NICK ROSS ORCHESTRA

Mon 20 February

COMEDY / AVALON PROMOTIONS LIMITED

SOUNDS OF THE GLENN MILLER ERA

The lights soften, the mood settles. An audience waits for that first moment of sound. The Big Band is poised, relaxed, but with eyes anxious for the lead. Then, as if giving body to an echo, the murmured notes of Moonlight Serenade.... and the night, it seems, is suddenly full and timeless.

There are those who watch and listen who tap a shy finger to the melodies, others who follow with a silent foot-beat, still others who murmur softly through the lyrics, and those who simply permit a fleeting smile. But common to all are memories.

Recapture the sounds of a bygone era with the classic big band sound of the 1940s.

DRAMA / THEATRE ROYAL BURY ST EDMUNDS

RICHARD HERRING THE BEST

THE WISDOM CLUB

written by Danusia Iwaszko

Richard Herring, King of the Edinburgh Fringe, Metro columnist and the UK’s Podfather (RHLSTP, AIOTM) picks his favourite routines from his 12 one-man shows and crams them into 90 minutes for your delectation. From his deconstruction of the genealogy of Christ to him proving that racists are less racist than liberals, via some of the best knob jokes in the business. Will your favourite routine make the cut?

A great introduction to this influential cult comedian for the newcomer and a welcome greatest hits for long term fans. ‘a gloriously infantile delight in mischief, provocation and inspired rudeness’ The Guardian

Sat 18 7.30pm

£26 - £10

Sun 19 8.00pm

£18 - £10

Megan has been behaving oldly. She’s a mother and a grandmother and her family want her to continue being that. But Megan wants something more but she doesn’t know what.

FEBRUARY Box Office www.theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

Sat 18 February

We are all living longer, retirement for the first time in history can be thirty years. What do we do with this time?

There’s a quote “It’s not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.”

People keep asking her what she wants, she’s never been asked what she wants so she doesn’t know how to answer this. A play that looks at their experiences and the attitudes to the elderly now.

This is a rehearsed reading.

Mon 20 7.30pm

£10 - £8.50

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FEBRUARY / MARCH

Thurs 2 - Sat 4 March

Tues 21- Sat 25 February

DANCE / BALLET THEATRE UK

COMEDY / LONDON CLASSIC THEATRE

HYSTERIA

The Olivier award winning comedy by Terry Johnson 1938 Hampstead, London. Sigmund Freud has fled Nazi occupied Austria and settled in leafy Swiss Cottage.

The ageing Freud intends to spend his last days in peaceful contemplation, but when Salvador Dali pays a visit and discovers a naked woman in the closet, intoxicating mayhem ensues.

An acknowledged modern classic, Terry Johnson’s hilarious farce explores the fallout when two of the twentieth century’s most brilliant and original minds collide.

See page 6

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The Queen of the Wilis, along with the ghosts of young girls who die before their wedding nights, condemns the lover to dance to his death. He can only be saved by the intervention of the spirit of Giselle and the break of dawn which force the Wilis to flee.

First performed in 1841, Giselle has never lost its popularity with audiences, considered to be one of the jewels in the crown of the romantic repertoire.

Featuring a full Corps de Ballet of 24 international dancers along with the critically acclaimed Principal Dancers, Ballet Theatre UK present this haunting classic in its full glory set to the stunning music by Adolphe Adam.

See page 38

See page 38

Child P r £15 - £ ice 8.50

Thurs 2 - Sat 4 7.30pm

Tues 21 - Sat 25 7.30pm Weds 22 2.00pm, Sat 25 3.00pm

A tragically romantic tale of a young girl who falls deeply in love. However she would soon be deceived for he was betrothed to another. Through despair and desperation the young girl kills herself as she could not live without him.

£21.50 - £8.50

Sat 4 3.00pm

£26 - £8.50

MARCH Box Office www.theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

Sun 5 March MUSIC / RUTHIE HENSHALL & GUESTS

AN EVENING WITH RUTHIE HENSHALL AND HER BAND, FEATURING SPECIAL GUESTS

Ruthie Henshall’s multi-award winning career has seen her star in the most popular musicals of the past 30 years including Cats, Miss Saigon, Crazy For You, She Loves Me, Oliver!, Chorus Line, Les Miserables, Chicago and Billy Elliott. Join Ruthie and her band, with special guests for an unforgettable evening.

Post show have a drink on stage with Ruthie and the stars of the show – numbers strictly limited, tickets for this are £10.

Sponsored by Ashtons Legal This is a fundraising event to support Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds (charity number: 242977)

By Mary Shelley Adapted by John Ginman “Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.” Geneva. 1816. Victor Frankenstein obsesses in the pursuit of nature’s secret, the elixir of life itself. But nothing can prepare him for what he creates. So begins a gripping life or death adventure taking him to the ends of the earth and beyond. A brand new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Gothic horror masterpiece fusing ensemble storytelling, live music, puppetry and stunning theatricality.

‘One of the most innovative, audacious companies working in contemporary English theatre’ The Stage See page 6

See page 38

Tues 7 - Thurs 9 7.30pm Sun 5 7.30pm

£25 - £10

Weds 8 2.00pm

£21.50 - £8.50

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MARCH

TAKE A TOUR!

Sat 11 March

Sun 12 March

LAKMÉ

MUSIC HALL EXTRAVAGANZA!

MUSIC / THE BERKLEY SQUARES

OPERA / SWANSEA CITY OPERA

Built in 1819 Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds was designed by renowned architect William Wilkins – also famous for designing the National Gallery and University College London. With many of its original features still intact it is the last remaining Regency playhouse in the country, and one of the most beautiful, intimate and historic theatres in the world.

As a National Trust property there are a variety of ways to explore behind-the-scenes and find out more about its rich and vibrant history.

by Delibes sung in English and accompanied by a chamber orchestra This jewel of an opera is best known for the famous Flower Duet, which has become one of the most familiar numbers any composer, in any genre, has ever written.

GUIDED TOURS - £6.50 PER PERSON CONCESSIONS - £5.00 NATIONAL TRUST MEMBERS - FREE

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For more information about dates and times and to book please contact the Box Office on 01285 769505.

Private group tours are also available please contact grouptours@theatreroyal.org for more information.

Lakmé contains many other hidden musical gems including the stratospheric and challenging Bell Song.

The opera remains a relative rarity, don’t miss this golden opportunity to hear and see this ravishing piece.

Join us for a traditional Old Time Music Hall show featuring the Berkley Squares together with various experienced Old Time performers - all dressed in original costume with a chairman introducing the acts. A team of singers and dancers performing all your favourite old time songs. It’ll be ‘Comedy all the way’!

Join us in the bar before the show and enjoy a drink (included in the ticket price).

Today’s performers have given their time for free in support of Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds (charity number: 242977)

See page 38

Sat 11 7.30pm

£26 - £10

Sun 12 3.00pm & 7.30pm

£16.50 - £8.50

MUSIC / THE HAYWOOD SISTERS

/ PILOT THEATRE AND YORK THEATRE ROYAL

THE MACHINE STOPS

adapted for the stage by Neil Duffield directed by Juliet Forster

EM Forster is best known for his exquisite novels, but his short story masterpiece published in 1909 is astoundingly prophetic and poignant in 2016: a chilling prediction and exploration of our increasingly complex relationship with technology.

“You talk as if a god had made the Machine,” cried the other. “I believe that you pray to it when you are unhappy. Men made it, do not forget that.”

In a dystopian world where humans have retreated far underground, Kuno alone questions their now total dependency on technology to live and communicate with each other, but in his struggle to break out can he reach the Earth’s surface before the Machine stops?

Featuring a brand new soundtrack composed

by John Foxx, pioneer of electronic music and founder of Ultravox, and analogue synth specialist, Benge.

HHHH - The Guardian HHHH - The Stage HHHH - The Independent See page 6

Tues 14 - Weds 15 7.30pm

See page 38

£16.50 - £8.50

THE HAYWOOD SISTERS IT TAKES THREE GIRLS

An evening of vintage retro chic heaven! From the 1950s to the 1990s, The Haywood Sisters perform songs by The Boswell Sisters, The Andrews Sisters, The Lennon Sisters, The Ronettes, The Supremes, Sister Sledge, The Three Degrees, Tiffany and TLC. The show ends in the modern day where the girls perform pop songs with a surprise vintage twist!

MARCH Box Office www.theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

Thurs 16 March

Tues 14 - Weds 15 March

With killer curves, perfect harmonies and cheeky humour, an evening with this glamorous trio is bound to get everyone’s toes tapping. Get your glad rags on and join us in the bar for live music pre-show and retro drinks to get everyone in the mood!

Tonight’s performers have given their time for free in support of Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds (charity number: 242977)

Thurs 16 7.30pm

£20 - £10

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MARCH

Fri 17 March

Sat 18 March

Mon 27 March

MR DARCY LOSES THE PLOT

HOLLYWOOD MEETS BROADWAY

JAZZ! WITH SUFFOLK YOUTH MUSIC

COMEDY / LIPSERVICE THEATRE

MUSIC / BURY ST EDMUNDS CONCERT BAND

Jane Austen sits writing, her quill scurrying across the vellum. She is dreaming up Darcy, a proud, lip curling, handsome creation in very tight pants.

But then a door squeaks, a visitor approaches and Jane hastily hides her work. Now left to his own devices, Darcy embroiders his own storyline whilst his creator stitches her quilt. When Jane returns she finds the plot has moved on and Darcy is dancing to a rather different tune.

‘The glorious, splendidly silly comic duo’ The Independent ‘The Laurel and Hardy of literary deconstruction’ The Guardian

MUSIC / WEST SUFFOLK YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA & WEST SUFFOLK YOUTH BIG BAND

Returning for their fourth themed concert, this year combining music from the big screen in Hollywood to the bright lights of Broadway.

Join the band as they perform music from film and musicals including Miss Saigon, Moulin Rouge and a fine selection from the Gershwin Brothers.

As always you will be taken on a journey full of entertainment and great music, so grab your tickets quickly and don’t miss out on this wonderful evening.

An evening of Big Band and jazz classics performed by West Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra and West Suffolk Youth Big Band, directed by George Grant and Kit Cecconi Tonight’s performers have given their time for free in support of Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds (charity number: 242977)

This is a fundraising event to support Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds (charity number: 242977)

See page 38

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Fri 17 7.30pm

Captioned performance

£16.50 - £8.50

Sat 18 7.30pm

£15 - £8.50

Mon 27 7.30pm

£12 - £10

DRAMA / LONDON CONTEMPORARY THEATRE Aimed at children over four, this is a fast-paced interactive show full of exciting storytelling, fun songs, innovative movement and puppetry and many chances to join in. London Contemporary Theatre brings their innovative Stig of the Dump to Bury St Edmunds following a successful run in the West End. Barney is staying with his grandparents on the chalk Downs of southern England when he falls over the edge of an old chalk pit and tumbles through the roof of a hidden den. When he looks round he sees Stig, a caveman, with shaggy black hair and bright black eyes. The chalk pit is disused and full of people’s dumped rubbish, which Stig uses to make his home. Barney and Stig get on rather well together. They have to manage without language, as Stig speaks no English, but that doesn’t seem to stop them. Stig becomes Barney’s secret friend, not because Barney doesn’t tell anyone, but because no one believes that Stig is real.

They have a great time, improving Stig’s den, collecting firewood, going hunting and even catching wild beasts!

It is nearly 50 years since Stig and Barney’s adventures first saw the light of day but this timeless children’s classic remains as charming and entertaining as ever.

MARCH / APRIL Box Office www.theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

Weds 29 March - Sat 1 April

Child P ric

See page 38

e £10.50 - £8.50

Weds 29 - Thurs 30 10.30pm & 1.30pm Fri 31 10.30pm & 7.00pm Sat 1 11.30pm & 2.30pm

£12.50 - £8.50

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APRIL

H

Thurs 6 April

THEATRE ROYAL BURY ST EDMUNDS IN ASSOCIATION WITH CLUB-NOTICEBOARD

Sat 8 April

FAMILY / MEI THEATRICAL LTD

Be a part of it! H Take a journey through a world of fairytales and adventure with witches and wizards, pirates and princesses and even the odd alien…

With pantomime, ballet, puppets, drama groups and art workshops, the Theatre Royal Family Club will keep everyone entertained from age 1 – 101!

With so much to see and do, sign up to get the latest news.

Members receive: H A Family Club welcome pack H Regular updates on what’s going on for families at the Theatre Royal; performances, events and workshops suitable for all the family H Exclusive ticket offers H Special Talk Backs after performances H Fun activities for children

P SIGN U EE R F R O F !

A D TO Y 18

www.theatreroyal.org

H

H

H

Golf Day JOIN US FOR A ROUND OF GOLF WITH YOUR FRIENDS, WORK COLLEAGUES OR CLIENTS £100 to play (for a team of up to 4) Prizes for Best team, Longest Drive, Nearest the Pin plus a raffle draw, includes coffee and a bacon roll on arrival and dinner in the clubhouse.

Please contact Ian Duncan golfjobsuk@gmail.com or Emma Suckling emma@theatreroyal.org / 01284 829952 if you would like more details on joining us to play or to sponsor a tee.

This is a fundraising event to support the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds (Registered charity number 242977)

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR

The timeless classic makes its way off the page and onto the stage. Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, the critically acclaimed production of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show’ features a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets, faithfully adapting four of Eric Carle’s stories. The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, Mister Seahorse, The Very Lonely Firefly and of course The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

‘If you don’t have a child, find one, and immediately buy tickets to this wonderful production.’ Live Theatre UK Child P rice £10.50 - £8.50

Sat 8 2.00pm & 4.00pm

£12.50 - £8.50

MUSIC / MATTHEW TOWNSHEND PRODUCTIONS

Matthew Townshend Productions presents Noel and Gertie – an entertainment devised by Sheridan Morley with the words and music of Noël Coward “I love criticism just so long as it’s unqualified praise,” Noel Coward once said.

Lucky then that the reviews for mtp’s new production of Noel & Gertie, based on the playwright’s 54-year friendship with Gertrude Lawrence, have met with admiration, acclaim and applause.

The love story, devised by Sheridan Morley from the couple’s letters and diaries, is told with all ‘the Master’s’ flair and wit.

APRIL Box Office www.theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

Tues 11 - Weds 12 April

Featuring songs and scenes from Privates Lives and Blithe Spirit, this beautifully set and immaculately executed production by Matthew Townshend, takes a perfectly-orchestrated trip down memory lane.

A showcase of the affectionate, complex and tempestuous relationship of two of the best-loved performers of the Twentieth century.

The extracts from the plays, letters and other writings of Noël Coward reprinted by kind permission of the estate of Noël Coward.

See page 6

Tues 11 - Weds 12 7.30pm

£21.50 - £8.50

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DIARY

DIARY Box Office 01284 769505 E-mail booking@theatreroyal.org Book online at www.theatreroyal.org Box Office Opening Hours Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm

Date

Event

HELP US TO HELP YOU! Please have the following information to hand when you book your tickets: 1 The date and time of performance(s) that you wish to book for; 2 The number of tickets and any discounts or concessions that apply; 3 If applicable, your preferred seating area; 4 Your credit / debit card number.

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Events highlighted in red are taking place at a venue other than the Theatre Royal. Please check venue details at time of booking.

The Greene Room Bar will be open 60 mins before each performance.

Programme details are published in good faith, but changes may occasionally be neccessary.

Time

Page

Date

Event

Time

Giselle Giselle Giselle Ruthie Henshall Frankenstein Frankenstein Frankenstein Lakme Music Hall Extravaganza!

The Machine Stops The Machine Stops The Haywood Sisters Mr Darcy Loses the Plot Hollywood meets Broadway The Vega Wind Trio Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma West Suffolk Youth Music Stig of the Dump Stig of the Dump Stig of the Dump

7.30pm 7.30pm 3pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 3pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 1.10pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm 10.30am & 1.30pm 10.30am & 1.30pm 10.30am & 7pm

Page

MARCH

FEBRUARY Thurs 2 Fri 3 Sat 4 Sun 5 Tues 7 Weds 8 Thurs 9 Fri 10 Sat 11 Sun 12 Mon 13 Tues 14 Weds 15 Thurs 16 Fri 17 Sat 18 Sun 19 Mon 20 Tues 21 Weds 22 Thurs 23 Fri 24 Sat 25

Take advantage of priority booking and Friends discount tickets by joining as a Friend. Join via the website, online, phone or come and see us

Northanger Abbey 7.30pm Northanger Abbey 7.30pm Northanger Abbey 3pm & 7.30pm Ipswich Town Football Club Legends 7.30pm Northanger Abbey 7.30pm Northanger Abbey 2pm & 7.30pm Northanger Abbey 7.30pm Northanger Abbey 7.30pm Northanger Abbey 3pm & 7.30pm Alice in Wonderland 3pm & 6.45pm Alice in Wonderland 3pm & 6.45pm Voice of the Heart 7.30pm Miles Jupp 7.30pm William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (Abridged) 7.30pm Opera Cocktail 7.30pm Sounds of the Glenn Miller Era 7.30pm Richard Herring 8.00pm The Wisdom Club 7.30pm Hysteria 7.30pm Hysteria 2pm & 7.30pm Hysteria 7.30pm Hysteria 7.30pm Hysteria 3pm & 7.30pm

8 8 8 7 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 12

Thurs 2 Fri 3 Sat 4 Sun 5 Tues 7 Weds 8 Thurs 9 Sat 11 Sun 12 Tues 14 Weds 15 Thurs 16 Fri 17 Sat 18 Mon 20 Tues 21 Weds 22 Thurs 23 Fri 24 Sat 25 Mon 27 Weds 29 Thurs 30 Friday 31

12 12 12 13 13 13 13 14 14 15 15 15 16 16 7 32 32 32 32 32 16 17 17 17

Event

Time

Page

Sat 1 Thurs 6 Fri 7 Sat 8 Tues 11 Weds 12 Fri 14 Sat 15 Thurs 20 Fri 21 Sat 22 Weds 26 Thurs 27 Fri 28 Sat 29

Stig of the Dump Arabian Nights Arabian Nights The Very Hungry Caterpillar Noel & Gertie Noel & Gertie Room on the Broom Room on the Broom Just an Ordinary Lawyer Big Girls Don’t Cry Tangomotion As You Like It As You Like It Bury Fair Bury Fair

11.30am & 2.30pm 3pm & 7.00pm 3pm & 7.00pm 2pm & 4pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 1.30pm & 4.30pm 10.30am & 1.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm 3pm & 7.30pm

17 32 32 18 19 19 22 22 23 23 23 24 24 24 24

Cyrano Cyrano Cyrano Cyrano Cyrano Brazilieros Guys and Dolls Guys and Dolls Guys and Dolls Guys and Dolls Guys and Dolls Jazz at Blackthorpe Barns Psychic Sally Oh Goody! Tim Brooke-Taylor plus Chris Searle Islands in the Stream The Light Princess Arcadia Arcadia

7.30pm 2pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 3pm & 7.30pm 1.10pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm

25 25 25 25 25 7 32 32 32 32 32 26 26 27 27 27 33 33

MAY Tues 2 Wed 3 Thurs 4 Fri 5 Sat 6 Mon 8 Tues 9 Wed 10 Thurs 11 Fri 12 Sat 13 Fri 19 Mon 22 Thurs 25 Fri 26 Sat 27 Tues 30 Wed 31

Date

Event

Time

Page

Arcadia Arcadia Arcadia The Edmund Octet The Unexpected Guest The Unexpected Guest The Unexpected Guest The Unexpected Guest The Unexpected Guest The Tiger Who Came to Tea The Tiger Who Came to Tea Between the Two Elves & the Shoemaker Elves & the Shoemaker Alice in Wonderland Alice in Wonderland Leaving Susan Calman Stand Up Stand Up Stand Up Stand Up Stand Up Stand Up Our Man in Havana Our Man in Havana

7.30pm 7.30pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm 1.10pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm 1.30pm 1.30pm & 4.30pm 7.30pm 1pm 11.30am & 1pm 7.30pm 2pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm 8pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm

33 33 33 7 33 33 33 33 33 28 28 28 29 29 29 29 33 29 30 30 30 30 30

Our Man in Havana

3pm

30

Babe, The Sheep-Pig Babe, The Sheep-Pig Babe, The Sheep-Pig

3pm & 7pm 3pm & 7pm 3pm & 7pm

JUNE

APRIL

Thurs 1 Fri 2 Sat 3 Tues 6 Tues 6 Wed 7 Thurs 8 Fri 9 Sat 10 Mon 12 Tues 13 Thurs 15 Fri 16 Sat 17 Mon 19 Tues 20 Fri 23 Sat 24 Mon 26 Tues 27 Wed 28 Thurs 29 Fri 30

DIARY Box Office www.theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

Date

JULY Sat 1

& 7.30pm

AUGUST Thurs 17 Fri 18 Sat 19

31 31 31

The Theatre Royal is operated by a Registered Charity (number: 242977) Bury St Edmunds Theatre Management Ltd registered in England and Wales. Registration no 842455.

Reg offices: Theatre Royal, Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 1QR. Brochure designed by Creative Duck Design.

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APRIL

Fri 14 - Sat 15 April

FAMILY / TALL STORIES

Iggety ziggety zaggety zoom!

Join the Witch and her cat on their mission to defeat the dragon in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

The Witch and her cat are travelling on their broomstick when they pick up some hitch-hikers - a friendly dog, a beautiful green bird and a crazy frog. But this broomstick’s not meant for five and - CRACK - it snaps in two... just as the hungry dragon appears!

Songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3 and up and their grown-ups, in the Olivier-nominated show that’s toured Britain and the world!

Child P rice £10.50 - £8.50

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Fri 14 1.30pm & 4.30pm Sat 15 10.30am & 1.30pm

£12.50 - £8.50

HHHH Sunday Times

‘Fantastic – Best show ever!’

Yewtree Primary

Sat 22 April

MUSIC / EASY THEATRES

DRAMA / TAYO ALUKO & FRIENDS

DANCE / TANGO SIEMPRE

JUST AN ORDINARY LAWYER BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY “The British Empire was trying desperately to hold on to its colonial possessions by any means… and the foul would often override the fair.”

Nigerian Tunji Sowande quietly breaks through multiple barriers to become Britain’s first black judge in 1978. Also a fine concert singer and keen cricket lover, he muses on international politics and history as they affect the black world from Africa to the USA and Britain, from the point of view of one who would rather watch sports, and spread love and peace through the medium of song.

HHHHH ‘Another triumph… that thrills and touches’ British Theatre Guide

See page 6

Thurs 20 7.30pm

Featuring the Eastcoast Boys celebrating the music of FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS A Four Seasons song shares a special place in everyone’s heart. No 1 hits Walk Like a Man, Sherry, Working My Way Back to You, Rag Doll and Let’s Hang On combine with Frankie’s My Eyes Adored You and Grease in the critically-acclaimed spectacular. Reviving the sublime harmonies of New Jersey’s finest, including Frankie’s incredible falsettos, oh what a night awaits music fans. ‘dancing in the aisles, great music, fantastic voices and lots of comic moments that make this a great show to go and see’ London Theatre

From virtuoso displays of traditional tango dance in stunning costumes to the exquisite sounds of 1930’s Buenos Aires and the powerful Nuevo Tango music of Astor Piazzolla, Tangomotion is a breathtaking journey into the heart of Tango Argentino. It features four world class tango dancers and live music from the acclaimed tango quartet Tango Siempre.

The Tangomotion dancers and musicians have previously appeared in the hit West End show Midnight Tango, BBC Strictly Come Dancing, Sally Potter’s Covent Garden production of Carmen and Madonna’s film Evita.

Dance class for ticket holders in the bar 6-7pm

‘here is the tango, raw, intoxicating, speaking with its true voice.’ Financial Times

See page 38

£16.50 - £8.50

TANGOMOTION

APRIL Box Office www.theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

Fri 21 April

Thurs 20 April

Fri 21 7.30pm

£21.50 - £8.50

Sat 22 7.30pm

£26 - £8.50

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APRIL

Weds 26 - Sat 29 April

Book show both s sav e

DRAMA / LAMDA

£5.00

An audience favourite since its first performance in 1603, As You Like It is among Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies. An idyllic country setting provides the backdrop for this romantic adventure, as Rosalind and Orlando’s famous courtship is played out amidst the turmoil of political rivalry, mistaken identity and exile in the Forest of Arden.

Including some of the Bard’s most glorious wordplay and oftquoted speeches, including “all the world’s a stage”, As You Like It is a glorious romp in the woods!

See page 38

Weds 26 - Thurs 27 7.30pm Thurs 27 2.00pm

£20.50 - £8.50

In this affectionate satire of his home town, Thomas Shadwell throws a pair of London sparks and a French pretender into the world of Bury St Edmunds. A pretentious female fop and her mother, a handful of gloriously idiotic local wags and a young woman in disguise as a boy to escape the will of her father – all dance headlong into chaos. All the fun of the fair in Bury indeed!

See page 38

Fri 28 - Sat 29 7.30pm 24

Sat 29 3.00pm

£20.50 - £8.50

As You Like It and Bury Fair are brought to the stage

by LAMDA’s 2017 graduating actors and theatre technicians. Your chance to see the stars of the future.

MAY Box Office

Tues 2 - Sat 6 May

DRAMA/ NORTHERN BROADSIDES

Northern Broadsides in partnership with New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-Under-Lyme A new adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s romantic comedy Cyrano de Bergerac by Deborah McAndrew Directed by Conrad Nelson

01284 769505

CYRANO Paris, 1640. Cyrano de Bergerac, a brilliant poet and swordsman, finds himself deeply in love with his beautiful cousin Roxane.

Each day of his life is lived only for her - every poem he writes, every duel he fights. Despite his dash and his dare, Cyrano is afraid of revealing his true feelings certain she could never love him in return … for who would love a man with such an enormous nose?

Set in the golden age of musketeers, Deborah McAndrew’s lively new adaptation brings fresh vigour to this swashbuckling tale of unrequited love. Add to this Northern Broadsides’ musical panache, acclaimed charisma and exuberant performance style and you have a delightful evening of pure drama that will lift your spirits and make your heart ache.

See page 6

Tues 2 - Sat 6 7.30pm Weds 3 2.00pm Sat 6 3.00pm

See page 38

£26 - £8.50

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MAY

HIRING THE THEATRE

Fri 19 May

Mon 22 May

SPECIAL EVENT / BLACKTHORPE BARN

SPECIAL EVENT / PSYCHIC SALLY

JAZZ AT BLACKTHORPE BARN

CALL ME PSYCHIC TOUR

Whether it’s a family party, christening, birthday, business conference, meeting or wedding Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds provides a spectacular backdrop for your special event.

We have unique spaces in our Regency auditorium, contemporary Greene Room bar and intimate Edwardian Premier Bar for special events.

Catering for bespoke events of all sizes, our dedicated events team will work with you throughout the planning process and provide an attentive service to ensure that you and your guests feel really special.

To book Theatre Royal or for further information, get in touch with Ric Gardner events@theatreroyal.org

Blackthorpe Barn, by kind permission of George Agnew, hosts a Jazz evening with Hot Fingers.

Start a wonderful evening of Jazz with a glass of fizz followed by dinner with live background music and then the jazz session itself.

A great evening is guaranteed. Tickets will cost £45 each and there will be a bar serving wines and spirits.

6.45pm for a 7.30pm dinner This is a Theatre Royal Friends Committee fundraising event to support Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds

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Fri 19 6.45pm for a 7.30pm dinner

£45

The nation’s favourite psychic, Sally Morgan is back and better than ever with her brand new and most jawdropping show yet - Call Me Psychic.

Funny, entertaining, sometimes heart breaking, often controversial; the show celebrates her 9th year on the road. Sally says “Every night when I’m on stage amazing things happen and it’s a privilege to be able to pass on messages of love and comfort to the people I share my gift with”.

This is a fantastic and unique evening out not to be missed.

The show is investigational and for the purpose of entertainment

Mon 22 7.30pm

£25

Sat 27 May

Fri 26 May

COMEDY / CLIVE CONWAY PRODUCTIONS

DANCE / BALLET CYMRU

MUSIC / EASY THEATRES

OH GOODY! AN AUDIENCE WITH ISLANDS IN THE STREAM THE LIGHT PRINCESS TIM BROOKE-TAYLOR & CHRIS SERLE

THE DOLLY PARTON & KENNY ROGERS STORY

An unforgettable evening in the company of one of the funniest and best-loved comedy performers of our time as he discusses his long career, with the writer and broadcaster Chris Serle.

Stacked with country music’s greatest hits: Jolene, Ruby, 9 to 5, Lucille, Here You Come Again, The Gambler, I Will Always Love You, Coward of the County, Love is Like a Butterfly and Lady – enjoy the awesome vocals and gentle humour of Dolly and Kenny’s legendary live shows.

Tim Brooke-Taylor delights as he tells hilarious stories from a lifetime in comedy, spiced with a few revealing anecdotes about many of the names Tim has appeared with including his fellow Goodies Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie. ‘this was a truly enjoyable evening, packed with laughter, that passed all too quickly.’

Kidderminster Shuttle

Thurs 25 7.30pm

£21.50 - £8.50

Bring-the-house-down performances, a superb score and supreme musicianship tell the story of the simple Smoky Mountains farm girl’s rise to country music’s biggest superstar.

Award winning Ballet Cymru present a brand new ballet The Light Princess featuring a specially commissioned score by Internationally acclaimed Welsh harpist and composer Catrin Finch.

MAY Box Office www.theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

Thurs 25 May

This unique production will combine circus elements with the highest quality classical ballet.

The story of a princess afflicted by a constant weightlessness, unable to get her feet on the ground until she finds a love that brings her down to earth.

A show for all the family.

‘three encores before she left to tremendous applause’ Cross Country Magazine Child P ric £15 - £ e 10

Fri 26 7.30pm

£21.50 - £8.50

Sat 27 3.00pm & 7.00pm

£26 - £10

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JUNE

Mon 12 - Tues 13 June

Thurs 15 June

FAMILY / NICK BROOKE LTD

DRAMA / SADIE NEWMAN

2017

BETWEEN THE TWO

by Rochi Rampal and Daniel Tyler

Where is home? Where do we belong when the maps are redrawn? What happens when we have to leave our homeland for a better future?

On board a ship, we meet a young woman on her voyage between homes. Having grown up in India and witnessing first hand the historic events leading to Independence, she is now making the journey to Britain where she will spend the rest of her life.

Through flashbacks to her life in India and flashforwards to her future in the UK, the picture is painted of someone caught between two worlds, races and cultures.

See page 6

28

Thurs 15 7.30pm

See page 38

£16.50 - £8.50

Come to East Anglia’s leading Festival celebrating some of the best work on stage for families.

In addition to the work on stage we will be touring a host of performances for schools across the region to ensure our children experience the very best live theatre from across the UK.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA adapted and directed by David Wood, based on the book by Judith Kerr.

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be?

What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger!

Following a smash-hit West End season, the teaguzzling tiger is back on the road in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, singa-long songs and clumsy chaos! A stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem.

HHHH ‘a rare and grrreat achievement’ Mail on sunday HHHH ‘this Tiger is the cat’s meow’ The Times

Child P £10.50 rice - £8.50

Mon 12 1.30pm Tues 13 1.30pm & 4.30pm

£12.50 - £8.50

Mon 19 - Tues 20 June

FAMILY / FULL HOUSE THEATRE

DANCE / BALLET THEATRE UK

THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Join Full House Theatre on a high jinks journey of joy and rediscovering of the past in their family show The Elves and The Shoemaker.

In this topsy-turvy retelling we meet Geoff, a lovable but forgetful retired shoemaker who is visited by two magical elf friends. With toetapping music, laugh out loud characters and beautiful puppetry the elves help Geoff to remember his glorious past. He realises that a bit of elf magic is all he needs to give his wife the only thing she’s ever wanted, just in time for her 90th Birthday.

Child P £10.50 rice - £8.50

Fri 16 1.00pm Sat 17 11.00am & 2.00pm

£12.50 - £8.50

Sat 24 June

COMEDY / LAKIN MCCARTHY

Come with Alice on a magical adventure as she tumbles into Wonderland!

Guided by the White Rabbit, Alice meets some astonishing characters, including the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, a studious caterpillar and those mischievous twins, Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

Basing his ballet on Lewis Carroll’s much-loved children’s books, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, Ballet Theatre UK’s Artistic Director Christopher Moore has created a captivating piece, brimming with wit, humour and charm. Whimsical flights of the imagination, eclectic music Child P ric and joyful dance. £15 - £ e 1 0

Mon 19 7.30pm Tues 20 2.00pm & 7.30pm

£26 - £10

SUSAN CALMAN

THE CALMAN BEFORE THE STORM

It’s Susan Calman’s tenth year in comedy and she’s back with a brand new show. You may have seen or heard her on shows like QI, HIGNFY, News Quiz, Listomania or Mock the Week, now you have the opportunity to see her in person, life size if you will. For information Susan is taller than a borrower but shorter than the average thirteen year old child.

JUNE Box Office www.theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

Fri 16 - Sat 17 June

Susan has also written a book called Cheer up Love: Adventures in Depression with the Crab of Hate. It’s about depression but don’t worry, it’s funny as well. Audiobook and hardback versions are available online and in all good bookshops.

16+

Sat 24 8.00pm

£16

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JUNE

Thurs 29 June - Sat 1 July

Mon 26 - Weds 28 June

COMEDY / THEATRE ROYAL WAKEFIELD

Our Man in Havana

STAND UP STAND UP

by Jim Cartwright acclaimed writer of Road and Two. Stand Up Stand Up is a dark comedy, hilarious and heartbreaking in turns. A struggling comedian meets a frustrated bailiff with secret show business dreams, forming an unlikely alliance that leads them on a life changing roller coaster of an adventure neither was quite prepared for.

It is as if Can’t Pay? We’ll Take It Away met with Live at the Apollo and spontaneously combusted.

See page 6

30

Mon 26 - Weds 28 7.30pm

See page 38

£21.50 - £8.50

“You should dream more, Mr. Wormold.

Reality in our century is not something to be faced.”

by Graham Greene adapted by Clive Francis Cuba 1958. Meet Jim Wormwold – a hapless vacuum cleaner salesman who gets sucked into a dirty world of espionage and double agents when the chance of helping out MI6 with a job or two proves too good an offer to resist. And, quite frankly, he could do with cash to pay for his teenage daughter’s ever increasing lifestyle.

Thrillingly adapted for the stage by Clive Francis, this uproarious farce is filleted to

perfection from Graham Greene’s hilarious, subversive and ever popular novel.

From the company who brought us Travels With My Aunt last year.

See page 6

Thurs 29 - Sat 1 7.30pm Sat 1 3.00pm

See page 38

£21.50 - £8.50

AUGUST Box Office www.theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

Thurs 17 - Sat 19 August

BABE THE SHEEP-PIG

based on the best-selling book by Dick King Smith a play by David Wood directed by Michael Fentiman Meet the loveable Babe, in this full length production, in a heartwarming tale of friendship, adventure and bravery.

When Babe arrives at Hogget’s Farm he is taken in by the trusty sheep-dog Fly and discovers a talent for herding. With the help of his adopted Mum, our polite piglet soon wins over the most suspicious of sheep. But can a small pig make it in a dog’s world, and when his farmyard friends are in trouble can Babe save the day?

Join us for an enchanting family favourite, as the classic novel which inspired the Oscar-winning film comes alive with plenty of laughter, thrills, stunning puppetry and original music.

Adapted by Olivier Award winner David Wood (Goodnight Mister Tom, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG), follow the incredible story of one piglet’s rise to become the world famous sheep-pig. Child Pric e £16 - £ 8.50

Thurs 17 - Sat 19 3.00pm & 7.00pm

£18 - £8.50

Go the whole hog

BOOK TODAY!

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COMMUNITY

Tues 21 - Sat 25 March

Thurs 6 - Fri 7 April

MUSICAL / IRVING STAGE COMPANY

DRAMA / THEATRE ROYAL BURY ST EDMUNDS YOUTH THEATRE

Arabian Nights

OKLAHOMA!

Full of excellent show tunes that have become part of the fabric of the Broadway sound, including Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin, I Cain’t Say No, People Will Say We’re in Love and, of course, the title song Oklahoma!, this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic has won countless awards and dazzled critics on both sides of the Atlantic time and again. ‘a beautiful and delightful show, fresh and imaginative… It has, at a rough estimate, practically everything’ John Anderson, New York Journal American ‘[Oklahoma!] remains the most rousing and optimistic of shows’ Matt Wolf, The Guardian

ARABIAN NIGHTS

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£22.50 - £10

music and lyrics by Frank Loesser

After last year’s success of The Jungle Book the Youth Theatre is back with another classic tale!

You may think the oft-told tales of Arabian Nights are familiar, but writer Neil Duffield, has taken them, shaken them and delivered them in a fresh and exciting way. With original music, this is going to be a great way to kick off the Easter holidays. ‘massive congratulations on a wonderful production. We were absolutely stunned at how professional everything was!’ The Jungle Book 2016, Audience Comment.

Thurs 6 - Fri 7 3.00pm & 7.00pm

MUSICAL / BURY ST EDMUNDS AMATEUR OPERATIC & DRAMATIC SOCIETY

GUYS & DOLLS

adapted by Neil Duffield directed by David Whitney

Tues 21 - Sat 25 7.30pm Sat 25 2.30pm

Tues 9 - Sat 13 May

£12 - £10

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER Limited Set in Depression-era Times Square, Guys and Dolls is romantic comedy about a couple of big city gamblers and the women who love them.

It tells the overlapping stories of high-roller Sky Masterson, who falls in love with mission worker Sarah Brown, and lovable rapscallion Nathan Detroit, engaged for 14 years to Miss Adelaide, a headliner at the Hot Box Club.

Guys and Dolls features some of Frank Loesser’s most memorable tunes, including the hilarious Adelaide’s Lament, the romantic I’ve Never Been in Love Before, and the classic Luck Be a Lady.

Tues 9 - Sat 13 7.30pm Sat 13 2.30pm

£20 - £8.50

Tues 6 - Sat 10 June

Fri 23 June

DRAMA / IRVING STAGE COMPANY

DRAMA /THEATRE ROYAL WRITERS - ANGLIAN VOICES

ARCADIA

THE UNEXPECTED GUEST

LEAVING

DRAMA / BURY THEATRE WORKSHOP

by Tom Stoppard

Set in a beautiful country house in Derbyshire, Tom Stoppard’s masterpiece Arcadia merrily skips between 1809 and the present day.

Bestselling author, Hanna Jarvis, researches the history of the estate’s garden, whilst her academic rival, Bernard Nightingale, is on the trail of a possible sexual scandal involving Lord Byron! We get to enjoy their investigation into what they think happened, with all the academic infighting, in contrast to what really happened all those years ago. All the events of the play are presided over by Lightening the tortoise and he’s not telling any of the family’s secrets.

Tues 30 - Sat 3 7.30pm Sat 3 2.30pm

£15 - £8.50

by Agatha Christie. presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.

Set in a country house in Wales, this thriller from the queen of mystery opens on a foggy night when the unexpected guest stumbles across a murdered man and his wife standing over him holding a gun. It seems a clear cut case but her confession is unconvincing…

Irving Stage Company are proud to return to Theatre Royal this summer for another Agatha Christie treat. The Unexpected Guest first opened in the West End in 1958.

‘It kept the audience in a ‘state of stunned uncertainty, guessing wrongly to the last’ The Guardian Tues 6 - Sat 10 7.30pm Sat 10 2.30pm

£22.50 - £10

Following success in 2016, Theatre Royal in conjunction with Theatre Royal Writers are running a playwriting competition on the theme Leaving. There are two age categories: young writer, 16-24 years and adult writer, 25 years and over. A scratch performance of the two winning short plays will be performed at Theatre Royal.

Be the first to experience the best new writing from East Anglia, with the chance to talk to the writers about their work. Rehearsed and performed in just one day by a professional cast.

COMMUNITY Box Office www.theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

Tues 30 May - Sat 3 June

For a chance to win the £300 prize submit your play by Midnight 28 February 2017. Details of the competition and submission form can be downloaded from www.theatreroyal.org

Fri 23 7.30pm

£10 - £8.50

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EDUCATION, YOUTH THEATRE & ASSOCIATE ARTISTS

EDUCATION AT THEATRE ROYAL

ASSOCIATE ARTISTS PROGRAMME IN THE COMMUNITY

Many of our visiting companies and in house productions are supplemented with an education resource, workshop or even schematic lesson plans.

We offer a bespoke facility to schools, and can work creatively and thoughtfully with you to enrich your curriculum, attain Artsmark, Art Award and other accreditations, or provide meaningful CPD sessions for staff. We also have engaging enrichment programmes for schools, such as The Shakespeare Takeover Programme, Into the Mind Project and Once Upon a Festival, our annual celebration of all that’s great and wonderful in the arts for children.

For more specific information on the work we could create and facilitate for you, please contact Georgina Stone, Education Projects Officer education@theatreroyal.org

THEATRE ROYAL YOUTH THEATRE Now in its 22nd year!

Youth Theatre is the life-blood of a good theatre.

At Theatre Royal our purpose is to facilitate workshops for young people run by experienced theatre professionals. Through the classes, members can have fun and express themselves in a friendly environment whilst developing key drama and life skills. If you are aged between 8 and 22 years and are interested in being part of something special, then get in touch!

YOUNG ASSOCIATE PROGRAMME

Theatre Royal also runs a Young Associate programme for people aged 18+ who are serious about pursuing a career in the arts. Whether it’s acting, directing, writing, marketing, administration, technical or creative learning you can do it here. As a Young Associate, you will receive mentoring from theatre professionals throughout the course of a year. Get in touch to request an application form.

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To find out more contact David Whitney, Associate Artist (Youth Theatre) education@theatreroyal.org

Bringing highly skilled professional artists and local people together for creative engagement projects, we aim to enable people to participate in the arts and to create work using a range of skills.

‘The project far exceeded expectations and generated a real sense of excitement among the women and staff’ Refuge ‘I feel like I am reborn at 85! I feel like here is a new beginning. There’s still so much we can do, there is!’ Age UK participant Theatre Royal is currently working with: • Young homeless people in partnership with YMCA • Elderly people in partnership with Age UK • Women’s Aid Refuge in Bury St Edmunds • Young disabled adults working on a songwriting project and performance For more information contact Karen Simpson, Director karen@theatreroyal.org

Registered charity number 242977

Many of us know this famous quote by Churchill Winston Churchill

But we like this one too Winston Churchill 12% of the Theatre’s income needs to be raised through charitable giving and fundraising each year, so please, come and join as a Theatre Royal Friend or a Donor Friend Come and run a Fundraising Event with us or just make a donation of any size and see just how much you have helped and what we can do for you in return To find out more contact Julia Read on 01284 829942 or email julia@theatreroyal.org or Emma Suckling on 01284 829952 or email emma@theatreroyal.org 35

THEATRE ROYAL PATRONS AND MAJOR DONORS / George Agnew and Ady White, Jenny and Nick Antill, John Bitten, David and Gillian Blackmore, Derek and Valerie Blake, Stephen and Stephanie Bourne, In memory of Tony Brown, William and Lynn Cardale, Sir Geoffrey and Lady Olwen Cass, Gordon Cawthorne MBE and Judith Cawthorne, Professor Michael Chisholm, Sian Couture, The Croft Family, Rev David Crofts, Rosie and Mike Cubbin, Yvonne Curtis, Patrick and Heide Daniels, Simon Dean, Nicki Dixon, The Dove Pub, Ian and Alison Duncan, Jan Eaton, Paul and Francoise Findlay, Vivien Gainsborough Foot, Richard and Anne Freeman, Sarah George, Richard and Jane Gordon, Richard and Anne Greenfield, Nigel Havers, Stuart and Melanie Henderson, Ruthie Henshall, David and Gillian Hodge, Eric and Hazel Humphreys, Peter Jackson CBE and Ann Jackson, Stephen and Victoria Jenkins, Malcolm Johnson, Sally Johnson, Dillie Keane, Penny Kelly, Tim Kelly, Jim and Carol Keohane, Barry Lingwood, Karl and Annette Ludvigsen, Adrian Mann, Peter and Julie Merrick, Marguerite Nice, David Overman, Jeffrey Parker, Michael Parkinson MBE, Nicholas Pearson OBE and Fiona Pearson, Heather Phillips, Carol Poole, Roger and Thelma Quince, Julia Read, Mike and Kate Redmond, John and Carol Riddick, Karen Ridgeon, Susan Roberts, Jamie Robertson, Nick Robinson, Paul Romaine, Judith and Mike Shallow, Graham Showell, Charles and Suzanne Simpson, Lawford Smith, Professor Richard and Dr Margaret Smith, Martin and Karen Soons, Simon Spence QC, The Stamper Family, Margaret Statham, June Stocker, Steven and Kimonie Stroud, David Taylor, Ann Toft, Keith and Penny Turner, Dame Harriet Walter, The Very Revd Dr Frances Ward, Amanda Wearing and Malcolm Leith, Ann Welford, Sarah Wenban CBE and Peter Wenban, Linda West, Timothy West CBE, Deborah Williams, Jean Williams, Theatre Royal Friends Committee, Theatre Royal Supporters Group.

CHARITABLE TRUSTS Alfred Williams Charitable Trust / The Williams Charitable Trust / St Edmunds Trust / Suffolk Community Foundation / Royal Theatrical Support Trust / Rural Youth Trust

Theatre Royal Advert.pdf

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HOW TO BOOK

HOW TO BOOK

ONLINE www.theatreroyal.org CALL AND SPEAK TO OUR BOX OFFICE TEAM 01284 769505 E-MAIL booking@theatreroyal.org COME AND SEE US at Theatre Royal,

Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QR. Box office opening hours Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm.

GROUP BOOKING Groups of 8 or more receive £1 off full price tickets on selected performances. To find out more contact our Group and Schools booking Co-ordinator on 01284 829931 or email groupbookings@theatreroyal.org

DISCOUNTS

ALL DISCOUNTS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND ONLY ON SELECTED PERFORMANCES.

CONCESSIONS

Under 16s, students, registered unemployed, those on registered state benefit and registered disabled receive £2 off full price tickets on selected performances. Proof of status may be required.

STANDBY

From one hour before selected performances all available seats are £10.50 for concessions and senior citizens.

RESTRICTED VIEW

Price bands marked RV are restricted view seating.

BOOKING FEE

We do not charge credit card or booking fees. However there is a £1.75 postage charge and a £1.75 admin charge, per ticket, for exchanges or returns.

SEATING PLAN KEY Price Band A Price Band B Price Band C Price Band RV (RV – Restricted View)

GIFT VOUCHERS

Theatre Royal gift vouchers are available to purchase and are valid for five years. We also accept Theatre Tokens.

FRIENDS £1.50 off 1 or 2 full price tickets where you see this symbol.

UNDER 21 SAVER £10.50 tickets for anyone aged 21 or under where you see this symbol.

SCHOOL £10.50 tickets and buy 10 get the 11th free where you see this symbol.

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STAGE

SUPPORTED BY THE ST EDMUNDS TRUST CAPTIONED PERFORMANCES

Similar to subtitles in films, captioning converts the spoken word and sound effects in a performance into text which appears on a screen on the side of the stage as it is happening.

Northanger Abbey: Weds 8 February 2.00pm Mr Darcy Loses the Plot: Fri 17 March 7.30pm Cyrano: Weds 3 May 2.00pm

AUDIO DESCRIBED

Suitable for those who are blind or visually impaired, audio description gives you live commentary on the action happening on stage through a pair of headphones.

Northanger Abbey: Sat 11 February 3.00pm Our Man in Havana: Sat 1 July 3.00pm

BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE

Spoken English is translated into British Sign Language (BSL) by an on stage interpreter.

RELAXED PERFORMANCE

ACCESS

PIT ACCESS – down 25 steps.

DRESS CIRCLE BOXES – street level access.

GREENE ROOM BAR – street level access.

UPPER CIRCLE BOXES – up 14 steps.

GALLERY – one further flight of stairs (29 steps total).

There is a ground floor accessible toilet, the main level access toilets lead off the Greene Room Bar and there are additional toilets at Upper Circle/Gallery level.

CAR PARKING

AVAILABLE EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

Space for wheelchair users available in Dress Circle Boxes F, H, K and M. Please book in person or over the phone. There is step free access to the front entrance of the Theatre, the Box Office, Greene Room Bar and toilets including an accessible toilet. On arrival, all wheelchair users are kindly requested to inform a steward, who will provide assistance to your seat.

Please note that there is no level access to the Pit, Upper Circle or Gallery seating areas.

INDUCTION LOOP

These performances will be slightly adjusted to allow a more relaxed, informal audience experience where noise and movement from the audience is expected. Changes will be made to the sound and lighting to soften their impact and eliminate surprise.

Induction Loop – available in every seat with your hearing aid in the T position.

Guide Dogs are welcome in selected Dress Circle Boxes or can be left with a member of staff. Water is available.

Off Cullum Road and available for most evening and weekend performances, the car park cost is £2, payable on entry.

TOUCH TOUR

SIGHTLINES

Post Code IP33 3PB

Available on a range of performances. For more information contact the Box Office

The Theatre Royal is an historic horseshoe-shaped Georgian auditorium; if you are unfamiliar with sightlines please talk to our Box Office staff or enjoy a guided tour.

Whilst we regret this route is not suitable for customers in wheelchairs, the front entrance to the Theatre Royal is wheelchair accessible.

ACCESS / GENERAL INFORMATION Box Office www.theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

ACCESS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

For daytime performances the nearest car parks to the Theatre can be found at Ram Meadow and the Cattle Market.

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17 O 0 2 NT PA PANTOMIME

written by Chris Hannon directed by Karen Simpson

‘A young country boy, one handsome and fair, shall vanquish the rats and become our Lord Mayor’

EARLY BIRD SAVER

Book your tickets before Mon 7 Aug 2017 and save £1 on each full price ticket

Will Dick become the master of all rat catchers?

Can he save the city? Can the good ship Leaking Lizzie ever get them home to safety?

Join the cast of 2017’s traditional family pantomime for the ride of a lifetime as young Dick Whittington sets off to London to make his fame and fortune!

One of the best loved stories of all time, this exciting adventure takes our hero all the way from his home in sleepy Suffolk, to rat infested London town and on to Paradise Island on the good ship Leaking Lizzie.

Filled with our traditional blend of magic, music, fun and laughter, Young Dick, Tommy the Cat, and Fairy Pearl create the perfect family treat for the festival season.

TICKETS ON SALE 2 DECEMBER 2016

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