Theatre News

Key Openings in the South-East This Fortnight

Anne Morley-Priestman

OPENING 15 September. It’s a Wonderful Life is the new musical by Steve Brown and Francis Matthews at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, based on the classic film of the same name which starred James Stewart. It’s a feel-good story about a boy who grows up in small-town Bedford Falls and, frustrated with his confined life there, has to learn that he is in fact a catalyst for good.

OPENING 16 September. The Hypochondriac. This is a new version by Roger McGough based on the play Le malade imaginaire by Moliere. It starts the English Touring Theatre’s national tour at the Arts Theatre, Cambridge where it runs until 19 September.

OPENING 21 September. The Grass is Greener is a revival of the comedy by Hugh and Margaret Williams. Looking back to a more leisurely way of life – and of theatre – it is at the Yvonne, Arnaud Theatre, Guildford until 26 September and at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley between 28 September and 3 October.

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OPENING 21 September. Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall by [Spike Milligan comes to the Arts Theatre, Cambridge between 21 and 26 September from the Old Vic, Bristol. It’s an irreverent and highly personal take on the Second World War delivered with perfect timing 70 years after Chamberlain’s declaration.

OPENING 29 September (with previews from 24 September) is a new production of Charlotte Keating’s 1987 family drama My Mother Said I Never Should at the Palace Theatre, Watford. The Palace’s artistic director Brigid Lamour, who staged the premiere of the play, has returned to the story. It runs until 17 October.

OPENING 30 September. Dreams of Violence is a co-production between the Out of Joint Theatre Company of London’s Soho Theatre. Stella Feehily’s comedy is directed by Max Stafford-Clark and tells the story of Hildy, more concerned with politics than with her own family. It runs at the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds from 30 September until 3 October.

OPENING 30 September. Horrible Histories prove that you don’t need CGI and filmic effects to delight young audiences (and subtly educate them at the same time). Terry Deary turns his attention this time to the First and Second World Wars which you can experience at the Civic Theatre, Chelmsford until 3 October.