Theatre Royal’s season programme

Jun 26 2010 by Barbara Hodgson, The Journal

Musical-wise, rocky dance- fest Footloose, from January 21-29, is always going to draw fans of the 80s hit film which propelled Kevin Bacon and Sarah Jessica Parker into stardom.

And Blood Brothers – now one of the longest ever running shows – is making a return from February 28 to March 12, with Willy Russell’s tale of twins separated at birth never failing to prompt a few sniffles in the audience.

Also making a return, after trotting out on stage last February, is Peppa Pig. The children’s favourite, based on the Bafta award-winning TV programme, features true-to-life puppets and is back from February 23-26.

Meanwhile, Opera North lovers can look forward to a fine mix of new productions in both autumn and spring.

On November 9 and 11 and February 16, the company’s production of Lehar’s operetta The Merry Widow is its first for 20 years. Adding an extra touch of Parisian sensuality and Viennese sophistication is choreography by Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood.

Then the mood turns chill with its first ever staging of Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw on November 10, based on Henry James’s psychologically disturbing ghost story; before it changes tone again with its upbeat and highly acclaimed version of The Adventures of Pinocchio, from November 12-13.

There’s still more to come from Opera North in spring with Polish composer Weinberg’s The Portrait on February 18 – a Dorian Gray-style look at Gogol’s Petersburg tale about a poor artist who buys a painting which begins to influence his life – and Bizet’s soul-stirring Carmen on February 15, 17 and 19.

Here, mezzo-soprano Heather Shipp takes the title role as the femme fatale in the fiery, passionate story which so outraged first-night Parisian audiences in 1875. It’s directed by Daniel Kramer whose most recent work is Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna, which has just been staged in Toronto as part of its Luminato arts festival.

It all makes for a busy time for the theatre before it embarks on the 2011 stage of its refurbishment. It will close mid-March until early September for work in the auditorium, including improved seating.

All will be done in the best possible taste, of course; the intention being to restore the 1901 Matcham design in time for the 1837 theatre to celebrate its 175th birthday in 2012.

Philip Bernays added: “As we will soon be temporarily closed for our fantastic anniversary restoration, we wanted to make this season even more spectacular to ensure we really go out with a bang.”

Tickets for all new productions are now on sale.

There are still tickets available for those autumn shows already announced, such as the new production of hit musical Chess (August 27-September 11); Enron (November 2-6); Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (October 22-23), and street-dance show Blaze (October 18-20).

Dial M for Murder, due to run from February 21-26, has had to be cancelled due to casting delays.

Visit www.theatreroyal.co.uk or call the box office on 08448 112 121.