Opinion: what is regional theatre?
December 9, 2008
Ron Simpson on what traditions of provincial theatre the new WYP programme displays
The question occurred to me as I read through the West Yorkshire Playhouse programme for the first six months of 2009 – and produced several different answers.
Perhaps regional theatre in its purest form can be found at Hull Truck, now reprising former successes in the last round of productions at the intimate Spring Street theatre before moving – after a final triumphant burst of Bouncers – into opulent new premises early next year.
Review: Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure
December 6, 2008
Date reviewed: 3 December 2008
Venue: West Yorkshire Playhouse
It is a common lament today that children grow up too fast, but this Christmas the West Yorkshire Playhouse presents the children’s classic, Peter Pan, the story of a boy who never grew up. This version is a musical, with songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe and directed by Birmingham Repertory Theatre artistic director Rachel Kavanaugh.
WYP releases Spring/Summer season programme
December 5, 2008
The West Yorkshire Playhouse released its programme for the 2009 Spring/Summer season on Wednesday. Commenting on the approach that he and general director Sheena Wrigley took in assembling it, WYP artistic director Ian Brown stressed the need to give members of the public compelling incentives to spend their money on theatregoing in the prevailing economic circumstances. He also highlighted the fact that the programme will maintain many of the WYP’s established relationships with other companies and theatres, and its loyalty to its traditional aim of supporting theatre of especial northern interest, particularly by staging pieces by northern writers.