Theatre Royal Winchester is looking forward to the return of drama – from award-winning theatre companies to shows that will inspire the little ones.
In February, New Old Friends return with Houdini’s Great Escape (22 – 24 February) about the world’s greatest entertainer who is framed for murder. From the company that brought Crimes on Centre Court to Winchester, this hilarious 39-Steps-esque thriller features a cast of four playing multiple roles, award-winning physical comedy, wit, chaos, and magic designed by TV’s Pete Firman (The Magicians, BBC1).
Doctor Who star, Colin Baker, and actor Terry Molloy (The Archers) play the world’s most famous detectives, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, in The Hound of The Baskervilles (12 – 13 March). Joined by Dee Sadler (All Creatures Great & Small), this brand-new stage adaptation presented as a radio-play-live-on-stage – and whose tour was extended by popular demand – comes from Crime and Comedy Theatre Company who were at the theatre only last month with their hugely-successful A Christmas Carol.
Next, The Signalman (14 – 16 March) is a spine-chilling play based on Charles Dickens’ classic Victorian ghost story about a terrified signalman who tells a young student about a spectre that haunts him and the disasters that follow. It is presented by Rumpus Theatre Company who were last at the theatre with The Tell-Tale Heart.
There is also plenty of children’s theatre including four adaptations of well-known favourites from children’s author, Julia Donaldson. All featuring puppetry, music and songs, Zog and the Flying Doctors (8 – 10 March) comes from Freckle Productions who are behind other shows based on the writer’s stories – Zog and Stick Man, The Gruffalo’s Child (23 – 24 March) is presented by the award-winning Tall Stories (Room on The Broom, The Snail and the Whale); Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book (2 – 3 April) is about a boy who loves books about pirates and tries to convince his sister that reading is fun, and The Singing Mermaid (13 – 14 April) is tempted to join a travelling circus – but is tricked by a circus master. Dear Zoo (6 – 7 April) also returns, with Rod Campbell’s distinctive illustrations from his much-loved lift the flap book leaping off the page.
Other shows to consider include the acclaimed comic actor, Brendan Murphy’s award-winning parodies, Friend (The One with Gunther) (9 February), and Buffy Revamped (20 February), which tell the stories of the hit TV shows through the eyes of secondary characters, Gunther and Spike. There is also the chance to see Playmakers’ youth theatre groups perform their very own, original pieces of theatre based on the theme, Look Back, Look Forward, Look Up in Playmakers Youth Theatre Showcase (28 March).
Finally, don’t miss the National Theatre Live screenings of theatre productions captured live on stage in London. Including Dear England (25 January), Vanya (9 March), The Motive and the Cue (6 April) and Nye (3 June) – all featuring well-known stars.
For more information or to book tickets visit: theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk or call 01962 840 440.
- In Common is not for profit. We rely on donations from readers to keep the site running. Could you help to support us for as little as 25p a week? Please help us to carry on offering independent grass roots media. Visit: https://www.patreon.com/incommonsoton