Unicorn Theatre announces new productions through to spring 2024

Justin Audibert has unveiled his final season at London’s Unicorn Theatre ahead of his new position as artistic director at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Audibert commented: “I am delighted to announce our 75th anniversary season in which we continue to build on the work of our founder, the inspirational Caryl Jenner, by giving children the opportunity to experience theatre of the highest quality. Alongside our ambition to ensure children have access to our theatre regardless of financial circumstance, I am also hugely proud to have brought local children into the creative process as our creative associates to support artists in the early development of many of this season’s productions.

“I am thrilled to bring back some of the Unicorn’s biggest hits with Julian Clary’s hilarious adaptation of The Bolds, alongside children’s favourite The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse – which is as original as it is funny. I’m also delighted that we will be continuing Unicorn Online with Roald Dahl’s The Magic Finger, marking the beginning of an exciting new collaboration with The Roald Dahl Story Company. We are also welcoming back Le Gateau Chocolat with brand new show I Wish, and Jennifer Tang who directs The Odyssey – one of the greatest stories ever told – which is reimagined by Nina Segal in a radical new musical version.

“Theatre is all about who you collaborate with, from our young creative associates to the Olivier Award-winning Stiles and Drewe and the thrilling imagination of A Line Arts, from the daring vision of Nina Segal to the incredible talent of Le Gateau Chocolat. I’m deeply proud of the range of artists we’re working with who are as excited to make brilliant work for children as we are. It is also quite sad for me as this is my final season at this incredible theatre, but I am personally delighted that the Unicorn and Chichester Festival Theatre have already started a new collaboration and excited for what the next artistic director will bring to continue the organisation’s enduring legacy of igniting a love of theatre in our young audiences.”

Julian Clary’s The Bolds will run from 11 November to 31 December 2023, while The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse will play from 17 November to 31 December.

A Line Art’s space-themed, immersive show Ready Steady Lift Off! will be staged from 17 January to 18 February 2024, with Stiles and Drewe’s musical The Three Billy Goats Gruff returning from 20 January to 18 February.

I Wish, co-created and performed by Le Gateau Chocolat, and Nina Segal’s The Odyssey will both run from 22 March to 21 April 2024.

The online production of Roald Dahl’s The Magic Finger was revealed earlier today by The Roald Dahl Story Company and will be released digitally (and for free) to schools and families across the UK and beyond from spring 2024.​​​​

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