Theatre News

Key North-East Openings this July

OPENING 1 July 2011, Two Planks and a Passion written by Anthony Mingella.

Over 60 members of the local community will join the Ensemble Cast in a collaboration between Riding Lights Theatre Company and York Theatre Royal. Two Planks and a Passion will be the next in the In The Round Ensemble Season programme.

York’s community has a long standing reputation for staging Mystery Plays and this production is an exciting stepping stone towards producing the 2012 York Mystery Plays in the Museum Gardens.

Anthony Mingella’s hilarious comedy is a wonderfully funny and poignant play about the people and history of York.Set in 1392 when the citizens of York are staging a medieval production of The Mystery Plays in honour of a regal visit. Suddenly the entire community of York explodes in a fever of affectation, expense and comical posturing, as rival guilds battle it out to impress the royal party with their wagon plays.

Directed by York Theatre Royal’s Associate Director, Juliet Forster (The Crucible) and Riding Lights Theatre Company Artistic Director, Paul Burbridge.

The limited season continues until 16 July 2011.

OPENING 7 July 2011, Dear Uncle A new version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya adapted and directed by Alan Ayckbourn.

The Stephen Joseph Theatre Company present this world premier for holiday makers and regular theatre goers during the summer months at their sea-side home.

Set in the Lake District in 1935, Alan Ayckbourn’s reworking of Uncle Vanya brings an affectionate English slant to Anton Chekhov’s classic love story.

Marcus loves Helena although she’s already married and can never be his. His schoolgirl niece Sonya is secretly in love with Charles, the family doctor and confirmed bachelor, which in her heart of hearts she knows is probably all in vain.

And to make things still more hopeless, as days go by, Helena and Charles appear to be developing an attraction which is surely unthinkable. As summer comedy grows into autumnal farce, things inevitably lead to winter regrets both for what has occurred and what might have been.

The limited season continues until 30 September 2011.

OPENING 11 July 2011, Calendar Girls at The Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield.

Following a record breaking sell out run at Sheffield and an award winning West End season, Calendar Girls returns for one last time staring Leslie Nielson as Miss October.

Based on a true story Calendar Girls follows a group of women who achieve something extra-ordinary when they pose for a charity calendar which sparks a global phenomenon!

The original production of Calendar Girls sold out before it even opened to book early to avoid disappointment.

The limited season continues until 23 July 2011.