Tickets will go on sale for the new Autumn/Winter Season on Wednesday 3 July. Shows range from new dramas and top comedy acts to exciting and varied musical events, with something to suit all tastes and interests.
Taking centre stage for the season is John Godber’s new play The Highwayman which is making its debut performance at the Richmond theatre. Set in 1769, the play’s date almost exactly mirrors the Georgian’s own foundation in 1788 and the Yorkshire playwright visited the Theatre earlier this year as part of his research.
With a strong Yorkshire focus, this thrilling theatrical adventure promises to be ‘visceral, venal and very funny.’ It will have a two-night run at the Georgian Theatre Royal on 23 and 24 October followed by a tour of the region.
The season offers more top-quality drama with a stylish production of Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband (7 September) from the highly acclaimed DOT Productions. This wonderfully witty Wilde play is not to be missed.
There is also a welcome return from the popular Mikron Theatre Company with Common Ground (14 September) – a humorous look at the history of land access in England from the Norman Conquest to the Mass Trespass at Kinder Scout. Tortive Theatre presents The Whirligig of Time (20 September), a play by Richard Curnow that presents the events following Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night through the eyes of the much-maligned Malvolio; and staying with the Bard, Elysium Theatre Company presents Othello, Shakespeare’s immortal tragedy of love and jealousy on 10 October. Fun and mayhem abounds with Death(s) at Sea (19 October) which charts the fortunes of a small theatre company where just about everything goes wrong.
The Georgian Theatre is well-known for its intimacy with the audience and shows which utilise this unique feature include the masters of improvisation themselves – The Noise Next Door. Twelve-time sell-out veterans of the Edinburgh Fringe with just as many TV appearances under their belt, the comic quartet present two shows, Freewheeling (11 & 12 October) for the grown-ups and a family show, The Adventure Academy for Adventurers for a matinee performance on 12 October. Ragged Edge Productions bring The Mystery of the Blue Moon Saloon – a comic radio play presented live on stage with the assistance of the audience on 17 October; and Shake It Up Theatre will use audience suggestions to create a brand-new Shakespeare play with Bard-based Bedlam on 26 October.
Music lovers are set for a varied programme of performances with everything from Gypsy Jazz to Gilbert and Sullivan. The Kate Bush Experience (6 September) recreates the distinctive sound of the renowned singer; and Emma Fisk’s popular Hot Club du Nord brings to life the repertoire of jazz legends Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli on 21 September. This is followed by the West Yorkshire Savoyard’s production of Ruddigore (5 October), Gilbert and Sullivan’s less well-known but brilliant comic-opera.
The Georgian Theatre has an established reputation for stand-up comedy and the new season kicks off with Kiri Pritchard-McLean (4 September) as she embarks on her brand-new tour ‘Peacock’. Lloyd Griffith takes up the comedy mic on 13 September and Instagram’s funniest dad George Lewis has a slot on 2 November.
The Theatre is also hosting three events at the Richmond Walking and Book Festival. Best-selling author Sally Coulthard will give a ‘Brief History of the Countryside in 100 Objects’ on 23 September; the award-winning TV producer Jo Willett tells the story of Sarah Siddons, the first celebrity actress (26 September); and master storyteller Dominic Kelly presents an unsettling and moving solo performance centred on Swedish folklore on 28 September.
Another Georgian Theatre favourite, Lucy Adlington of the History Wardrobe will be presenting her new talk on Ladies of Leisure on 3 October, which will explore pleasures and pastimes in Jane Austen’s era.
A key part of the Theatre’s rich and varied repertoire comprises the contributions from talented local community groups. Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society is performing Blue Stockings – Jessica Swales debut play about the first women students at Cambridge University (6 to 9 November); followed by Richmond Operatic Society’s production of 9 to 5 the Musical (12 to 16 November) with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton.
The Georgian Theatre’s legendary pantomime rounds off the season. Treasure Island enjoys a festive run from 4 December to 5 January 2025. This age-old, seafaring tale will be jam-packed with all the Richmond panto ingredients plus oodles of laughs, catchy songs and stunning sets.
Details of all shows and events are given in the newly published programme brochure available at the Box Office, via the website (www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk) or by calling the Box Office on 01748 825252.