The Big Life musical revival and Beautiful Thing announced in Theatre Royal Stratford East season 

Theatre Royal Stratford East has announced a lineup of new shows and events for its 2023-24 programme, with plans to celebrate its 140th birthday in 2024.

The season will kick off with a new production of Jonathan Harvey’s coming-of-age story Beautiful Thing to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The play, directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike, will run from 8 September to 7 October 2023.

In 2024, the theatre will revive its hit Windrush ska musical The Big Life, which premiered at the venue 20 years ago before transferring to the West End. The new production, directed by Tinuke Craig and featuring a book by Paul Sirett and EastEnders star Tameka Empson, lyrics by Paul Sirett, and music by Paul Joseph, will run from 16 February to 30 March 2024.

Theatre Royal Stratford East will also continue to nurture young talent across east London, with its 2023/24 Young Company presenting a new production called here, here, here. The show, written by Guleraana Mir and directed by Katie Greenall with support from trainee assistant director Taiwo Oyebola, will run for two nights only on 28 and 29 July 2023.

Finally, Theatre Royal Stratford East has announced the key creative team for its festive pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, with book and lyrics by Anna Jordan, music and lyrics by Robert Hyman, and direction by Denzel Westley-Sanderson. The panto will run from 18 November 2023 to 6 January 2024. In addition to these productions, the theatre will also feature one-night events throughout the year.

Artistic director Nadia Fall said: “Our new season is a warm bath of nostalgia, love, and laughter. We’re incredibly excited to revive Jonathan Harvey’s modern classic Beautiful Thing, which tenderly explores first love on a South London Estate in the 90s. We’re also excited to bring back our celebrated ska musical The Big Life to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush.”