Theatre Preview: Nottingham Playhouse Autumn/Winter Season

Nottingham Playhouse’s Autumn/Winter season of work on its main stage begins with the return of the critically acclaimed The Kite Runner, straight from two West End runs. First produced by Nottingham Playhouse and the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse in 2013, The Kite Runner returns to its Nottingham home before embarking on a UK tour.

In September, director Susannah Tresilian returns to Nottingham Playhouse having directed Laura Wade’s Posh at the theatre in 2015. Pride and Prejudice, a co-production with York Theatre Royal is a brand new comic-adaptation by stand-up comedian Sara Pascoe with an original score from Emmy the Great.

In October, Nottingham Playhouse presents the classic All My Sons, written by Pulitzer Prize-winner Arthur Miller. Directed by Nottingham Playhouse Associate Director Fiona Buffini, All My Sons is a family drama that explores the dark side of the American Dream and asks what it means to be American. It has never been more relevant.

This Autumn, Giles Croft steps down after 18 years as Artistic Director of Nottingham Playhouse. In November his last production will be Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard. Chekhov’s last and greatest play, The Cherry Orchard tells the story of a family on the edge of ruin and a country on the brink of revolution. By turns tragic and funny, this new version by Olivier Award-winner Simon Stephens (A Doll’s House, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time), is both dynamic and profound.

Ending the year will be Kenneth Alan Taylor’s much-loved pantomime, Cinderella. A dashing prince is hosting a ball and Cinderella would give anything to go, but her stepmother and sisters have other plans. Can Cinderella escape their clutches and, with the help of her Fairy Godmother and best friend Buttons, find true love? Expect sumptuous costumes, magnificent scenery and a coachload of hilarity, slapstick, song and dance.

Brand new shows announced for the Neville Studio

Nottingham Playhouse’s Neville Studio also has a season of exciting and innovative productions.

In September Wreck, written by Leicester performance poet Toby Campion, winner of the 2015 Fifth Word Playwriting Award, will be directed by Alex Moxon in her directorial debut. An easy-going Nottingham lad boards a train, fresh from visiting his girlfriend. His world is flipped upside down when the train never completes its journey. Wreck is an edge-of-your-seat, fast-paced drama about a young man suddenly thrust into the most desperate of circumstances. This emotionally raw thriller challenges the perceptions of our world and the stories behind the headlines.

Playground is Nottingham Playhouse’s new performance festival for artists, makers and theatre companies based in Nottinghamshire, running from 2 -7 October 2017. Showcasing work from some of the most exciting new artists and companies in region, all performances will be hosted in the Neville Studio. Confirmed so far are Major Labia’s Vulva La Revolution, Zoo Indigo’s Celluloid Souls and La Pelle’s Factory, (in association with LittleMighty and In Good Company), The Black Cat.

For younger children and families, Nottingham Playhouse’s alternative Christmas show to panto, will be Town Mouse and Country Mouse. Town Mouse loves the city’s breakneck speed and all the gifts people leave him, and there is never a dull moment! But Country Mouse prefers the slow life – caution is his middle name. But when a cat arrives on the scene to gobble them both up, can both mice learn to love each other’s differences and triumph over adversity? Lovingly adapted by Robin Kingsland (2016’s The Princess and The Frog), Town Mouse and Country Mouse is jammed full of music, fun and plenty of chances to join in.
Stephanie Sirr, Chief Executive of Nottingham Playhouse said: “This season we have all sorts of wonderful long term plans coming to fruition – new plays, new programmes of activity and new creative teams working at Nottingham Playhouse. It’s a very exciting and eclectic mix.”

SEASON LISTINGS:

The Kite Runner
Directed by Giles Croft
31 August to 9 September 2017

Pride and Prejudice
Directed by Susannah Tresilian
15 September to 30 September 2017

Wreck
Directed by Alex Moxon
20 September to 30th September

All My Sons
Directed by Fiona Buffini
06 October to 21 October 2017

The Cherry Orchard
Directed by Giles Croft
03 November to 18 November 2017

Cinderella
Directed by Kenneth Alan Taylor
1st December to 20th January

Town Mouse and Country Mouse
Directed by Fiona Buffini
13th December to 6th January

Tickets for all shows available here.