06/01/2011

York Theatre Royal is gearing up for one of its most adventurous seasons to date. 2011 will see the Theatre transform its main stage into the round from May to November and present an impressive season of theatre with an ensemble company of actors.

 

Last summer saw one of Britain's oldest producing theatre's transform its main stage into the round for the first time. Now after the success of the 2010 summer production of The Wind in the Willows, York Theatre Royal will transform again, this time for 7 months. It will embark on its largest ensemble season to date with a repertory company of 12 actors who will perform in both Studio and Main House shows between May and November.

The season is a mix of dynamic new writing, classic tales and new adaptations and promises to have something for everyone to enjoy. It will open with one of the most outstanding plays of the Twentieth Century, Arthur Miller's, The Crucible (7-28 May). In June we have a new adaptation of Gerald Durrell's novel, My Family and Other Animals (3-25 June). Although it's been adapted to screen and radio this is the first stage adaptation of Durrell's much-loved book. Join Gerald as he looks back at his unconventional upbringing on the sun-soaked island of Corfu with his eccentric family. This is a story that has never lost its appeal from generation to generation.

From the 1-16 July we co-produce Anthony Minghella's Two Planks and a Passion with Riding Lights Theatre Company. This marks the start of a partnership between Riding Lights, York Museums Trust and York Theatre Royal which will culminate in the York Mystery Plays returning to Museum Gardens in 2012. This play within a play tells the story of York's Guilds preparing to perform in the York Mystery Plays and is a wonderfully funny and poignant piece about the history and people of York and will feature a community cast.

This year's big family production will be a fantastic new adaptation of J.M Barrie's Peter Pan (29 Jul - 3 Sep). Mike Kenny (The Railway Children, The Wind in the Willows) returns once more to sprinkle his magic on a classic family tale of adventure and discovery. Next a piece by Yorkshire's cherished playwright, Alan Bennett. Forty Years On (23 Sep - 15 Oct) is regarded as one of Bennett's funniest plays, set in The Albion House dramatic society as staff and students present a revue featuring sketches, songs and dance. A burst of comedy arrives in October as Laurel and Hardy (21 Oct - 5 Nov) are reborn on the main stage in Tom McGrath's homage to one of the most prolific comedy teams in history. Join the duo as they are stuck in a waiting room somewhere between death and eternity!

During the season our ensemble cast will also perform in two studio productions. The first is Parlour Song (30 Jun - 23 July), by award-winning playwright Jez Butterworth (Jerusalem, Royal Court). This black comedy explores deceit, paranoia and murderous desires that lurk in a typical suburban street. Then a co-production with Pilot Theatre brings David Harrower's Blackbird (20 Oct - 12 Nov). Winner of the 2007 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play, it is an unflinching portrait of two people trying to make sense of a painful past.

Damian Cruden, Artistic Director of York Theatre Royal has earned himself a reputation within the industry for seeking surprising and innovative ways to produce and present theatre. In 2008 the theatre opened The Railway Children at the National Railway Museum (NRM), casting the 70 tonne Stirling Single steam train. This production has since gone on to have two successful summers at the NRM and opened in London to sell out audiences in 2010. This season will continue the theatre's commitment to producing fresh and exciting pieces of theatre and finding new ways to create them. Part of the season will see the return of previous relationships, when the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) bring their graduating class to supplement the ensemble in The Crucible (Main House) and What Light (Studio) a new play from the European Platform 11+ project with Pilot Theatre. RSAMD first worked with York Theatre Royal back in April 2010 on The Seagull, the collaboration was born from York Theatre Royal's commitment to creating in-roads into the arts as a profession. This is echoed with Belt Up Theatre's residency at the theatre. This young company will add its own inimitable style to the ensemble season, performing in Forty Years On and Peter Pan.

Liz Wilson, Chief Executive of York Theatre Royal said "We have planned an amazingly rich season of theatrical surprises across 2011. Taking the main stage into the round for 6 different productions will give theatre-goers in Yorkshire a rare opportunity to see some great plays in an astoundingly powerful setting. We hope that our audience will delight in trying the full range of theatre experiences on offer; we really look forward to having a permanent acting company in York across this period and what this offers to our audiences. I anticipate some great nights of theatre in York in the coming year."

To book tickets for any of our 2010 In the Round Ensemble season call our Box Office on 01904 623568 or book online at http://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/. The best value way to see the ensemble season is to become Member of York Theatre Royal. For just £35 for the year you immediately get 2 free tickets (worth £36 on an ensemble season show) plus a 15% discount on two tickets to EVERY other show throughout the year.

ENDS