Key Yorkshire Openings this September

Running 9 – 17 September. West Yorkshire Playhouse (Leeds)

HAMLET (NORTHERN BALLET)

In a modern take on this Shakespean classic, surrounded by the terrifying events of the Nazi occupation of Paris, and witness to the depths to which man can descend, Hamlet finds himself drawn into a world he can no longer make sense of and surrounded by people he can no longer trust.

Masters of dramatic dance making, Northern Ballet use powerful choreography, gripping theatre and stirring music played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia to draw you deeper into Shakespeare’s famous tragedy than you’ve ever been before.

Running 9 September – 1 October 2011, West Yorkshire Playhouse (Leeds)

THE GO-BETWEEN

In the heat and humidity of the rural Norfolk summer in 1900, a young boy comes of age as he is unwittingly enlisted as a messanger in an adult affair of deceit and desire.

This is the world premiere of a moving new musical adaptation of LP Hartley’s beautifully wistful novel of naivety, nostalgia and the end of innocence, perhaps best known as a film of the same name starring Julie Christie and Alan Bates.

Running 23 September – 22 October, West Yorkshire Playhouse (Leeds)

KING LEAR

King Lear, with its intense exploration of kinship, loyalty, old-age and madness is widely held as the greatest of Shakespeare’s tragedies; to some, it is the greatest play ever written.

Award-winning stage, film and television actor Tim Pigott-Smith will perform the title role, directed by West Yorkshire Playhouse Artistic Director Ian Brown.

Running 8 September – 5 October Stephen Joseph Theatre (Scarborough)

 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Things are not right on The Bluebell Hill Development. Theft, petty crime, vandalism, all the ills of modern suburban existence are on the increase.  

Newcomers Martin and his sister Hilda are the crime wave’s latest victims – on the very day of their housewarming party, no less – and resolve to take action. After all, the law of the land, all that’s right and proper and even God Himself are surely on their side.

But what starts out as a well intentioned neighbourhood watch scheme soon develops into something altogether more sinister.  

Written and directed by Alan Ayckbourn.

Running from 8 September – 8 October Hull truck Theatre

THE GLEE CLUB

A feel-good comedy with songs

Combining raucous wit and spellbinding close-harmony singing, Richard Cameron’s celebrated hit is as insightful and poignant as it is hilarious. Prepare to have your heartstrings tugged! If you liked The Full Monty, Brassed Off and The Pitmen Painters you’ll love this.