Leading British regional theatre re-opens and announces programme into the mille
Date: 21 October 1998
Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre - which has been closed since June 15, 1996 following extensive damage caused to it by an IRA bombing of the city - is returning to theatrical use from November 30 in a completely refurbished building, with improved seating and state-of-the-art technology. (In the interim, the theatre company have been operating out of temporary accomodation elsewhere in the city).
The theatre have also announced their programme into the millenium. The season kicks off with Helena Kaut-Howson's production of Stanley Houghton's Hindle Wakes, that was about to open at the theatre at the time of the bombing. This celebration of Manchester life now opens the refurbished theatre instead, to celebrate the dawning of this new era, from November 30 to January 9, 1999.
It is followed by the third play in a trilogy of plays by Canadian writer, Brad Fraser, the earlier parts of which (Poor Super Man and Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love) were previously staged by the company. The new play, Martin Yesterday, follows the character of Matt, seen as a newly-wed man in Poor Super Man, who is now in his early thirties and pursuing a careere as a cartoonist. It runs from January 13 to February 6.
Next, David Threlfall (the original Smike in the RSC's London and Broadway production of Nicholas Nickleby) starring in Ibsen's Peer Gynt, from February 10 to March 13.
Two world premieres follow: Dreaming by Peter Barnes (from March 17 to April 10), then Alex Finlayson's Tobbacoland (from April 14 to May 8).
Then, popular British television comedy actor Richard Wilson stars in a new production of Waiting for Godot, a play recently declared (in a National Theatre survey) to be the single most significant play of the 20th century. It runs from May 12 to June 26.
Noel Coward's rarely performed Nude with Violin then takes the stage, with comedy actor Derek Griffiths starring from June 30 to August 7.
It is followed by a new production of King Lear, with Tom Courtenay in the title role. Courtenay's recent appearances include the original London cast of Art, and Moscow Stations (which was seen at London's Garrick Theatre and also on Broadway at Circle in the Square). King Lear runs from September 8 to October 23.
Next, the Royal Exchange present the world premiere of a play by Jim Cartwright, Prize Night, whose previous plays including Road and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (the film of which opens the London Film Festival in November) were both seen in New York. Prize Night runs from October 27 to November 20.
Finally, the end of the century is marked by another world premiere, Bats, subtitled A Dracula Spectacula, that is written by Emil Wolk and Braham Murray, from November 24 to January 8, 2000.
The Royal Exchange Theatre are also opening a flexible studio space, which is being launched with a play by Kevin Hood entitled So Special, that opens on December 8.
Mark Shenton
