The Producers and Death of a Salesman revivals feature in new Royal Exchange season

A new revival of The Producers and a Don Warrington-led Death of a Salesman feature in Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre autumn and winter season.

Warrington returns to the Royal Exchange following his acclaimed turn in King Lear to star as beleaguered salesman Willy Loman in the new production of Arthur Miller's classic, directed by the venue's artistic director Sarah Frankcom. He is joined by Maureen Beattie (Yerma), with the production running from 11 October to 17 November.

The season also sees a new adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's Mother Courage and her Children co-produced with Headlong, newly translated by Anna Jordan (Yen). The classic piece about the nature of civilians in conflict will star Julie Hesmondhalgh (Coronation Street) in the titular role, with direction from Amy Hodge (Boys Will Be Boys). The show runs from 8 February 2019 to 2 March 2019. In an interview with WhatsOnStage earlier this year, Hesmondhalgh said that Mother Courage was her dream role.

Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan's hit musical The Producers will be revived in a new production from 30 November to 26 January, directed by Raz Shaw (Wit) with choreography by Alistair David and musical direction by Caroline Humphris. The show will follow the Exchange's trend of reinventing huge Broadway musicals – after its all-black production of Guys and Dolls last winter – with the piece being produced in-the-round. Casting is to be announced.

Jade Anouka (The Shakespeare Trilogy) will take on the role of Margaret of Anjou in Jeanie O'Hare's new play Queen Margaret, set during the War of the Roses and based on Shakespeare's works. O'Hare adapts the three parts of Henry VI as well as Richard III to shine the spotlight on the French Queen in the midst of dynastic conflict. Elizabeth Freestone (Henry V) will direct the production, which opens the season from 14 September to 6 October.

Associate artist Chris Thorpe and director Sam Pritchard will also conduct an ambitious touring project called The Mysteries, a cycle of new hour-long plays created in different communities across the country. The full cycle will be presented at the Royal Exchange from 24 October to 11 November.

Frankcom said: "Every day, contemporary ideas of nationhood and identity are scrutinised. Theatre, in its liveness and immediacy, is uniquely placed to challenge these ideas, look at them from different perspectives and play them back to us newly defined. This season we explore the work of some of our most celebrated playwrights Shakespeare, Miller, Brecht, and make some new work inspired by the tradition of sharing stories and making theatre in our
communities."