Summer season is launched at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
This year, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds has introduced a new Summer Season for the first time detailing their extensive range of music, comedies and drama until September 2023.
There’s a host of varied entertainment on offer from with stars including appearances from Griff Rhys Jones and Shaparak Khorsandi, music from The Take That Experience and The Magic of The Bees Gees plus well known dramas Brief Encounter and Abigail’s Party (pictured above).
Artistic director, Owen Calvert-Lyons said: “Our summer season is filled with fantastic dramas, music, plays from the Edinburgh Fringe and a wide range of comedies and stand-up comedians. We’ve programmed a fantastic offering for families this the season with so many vibrant, heart-warming shows full of colour and excitement with tickets from £8.50.
“We’re also proud and excited to be creating The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, adapted by Mike Akers, as our community production this summer. Following on from success of The Secret Garden last year, the production of this much-loved story is made with thanks to our Commissioning Circle. There’s so much for audiences to enjoy at Theatre Royal this summer along with our wonderful food offering from LÉA.”
Graeme Kirk, of Ellisons Solicitors, is pleased to continue their long-standing support of the Theatre Royal, and added: “As a firm, we are committed to playing an active and supportive role in the communities within which we work. The Theatre Royal is the hub of our community here in Bury St Edmunds and the new season looks set to continue the tradition of offering magical and inspiring performances.”
Love Your Local Theatre Offer
To co-incide with the launch of the new season, the National Lottery in partnership with Theatre Tokens have announced their £1 million free theatre voucher offer. Players of the National Lottery can claim a free £25 theatre tickets which can be redeemed at over 300 theatres nationwide, including Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.
- To claim a free £25 theatre voucher, head to www.loveyourlocaltheatre.com and enter the serial number from a 2023 National Lottery product.
- You will receive your free £25 theatre voucher which must be redeemed within three weeks.
- The free £25 voucher cannot be redeemed online. Customers can call Theatre Royal on 01284 769505 or pop into their box office 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday.
Some the shows on offer over the the summer
Theatre Royal Production: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Fri 18 Aug – Sat 2 Sept
After a rare and inexplicable cyclone hits Suffolk (Stowmarket to be precise), Dorothy and her dog Toto find themselves transported to the mysterious land of Oz. If they are ever going to find their way home, they must follow the yellow brick road in search of a powerful wizard, The Great Oz. Along the way, they meet a host of weird and wonderful creatures: Lion, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Witches and Munchkins. Mike Akers’ new adaptation of L Frank Baum’s much-loved story will take you on a magical adventure to another world and remind you that there’s no place like home.
Special Events
Each year Theatre Royal presents a series of special events to raise much-need funds for the theatre’s community and education programmes. This year is no exception:
Fashion Show – Wed 10 May
In aid of Barnardo’s, see local fashion brands styling their favourite current looks including ANNA, Javelin, Trotter and Deane, Pre-Loved Suffolk and many more plus a raffle with amazing prizes and fizz included.
Music from Stage and Screen – Sun 14 May
Hear your favourites from the stage to the screen with Bury St Edmunds Concert Band and their new director, Rob Wicks.
The Magic of the Musicals – Fri 16 June
Join Bury St Edmunds Operatic and Dramatic Society for an exciting celebration of musical theatre old and new. You’ll hear familiar favourites, as well as modern Broadway and West End hits from Oklahoma Sweeney Todd. Spend an evening enjoying an exhilarating snapshot of musicals through the ages.
Hidden Gardens of Bury St Edmunds – Sun 2 July
Theatre Royal’s courtyard garden will be open to the public with refreshments available in the Greene Room Bar. This event is in aid of St Nicholas Hospice.
The Last Night of The Proms – Sun 17 Sept
Always a sell-out, get your tickets in advance to this fabulous performance from Bury St Edmunds Concert Band with classics including “Auld Lang Syne” and “Land of Hope and Glory”.
Drama
Teechers Leavers ‘22 – Tue 2 – Sat 6 May
Hilarious, high-energy, and full-blooded, Teechers Leavers ‘22 by John Godber and Blackeyed Theatre, brings to life an array of terrifying teachers and hopeless pupils through the eyes of Salty, Gail, and Hobby; three Year 11 students facing a scary world. A breathtaking, breakneck comedy about education for the “haves”, the “have nots” and a generation left behind.
Brief Encounter – Tue 23 – Sat 27 May
When a chance encounter in a train station tearoom kindles a timid, yet passionate love affair between a married doctor and a suburban housewife, the two are forced to question if it’s worth risking everything for the sake of love. Adapted for the stage by Emma Rice, directed by the New Wolsey Theatre and Wiltshire Creative, in association with the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.
Abigail’s Party – Tue 27 June – Sat 1 July
In her suburban living room, Beverly prepares for the impending arrival of her guests. She and her husband Laurence will play host to neighbours Angela, Tony, and Sue. As the alcohol flows and the “nibbles” are handed around, Mike Leigh’s ruthless, achingly funny examination of 1970s British life begins…
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Tue 12 Sept
This Shakespeare classic is brimming with energy combined with a unique and inventive style from internationally acclaimed company, Out of Chaos.
Oh What A Lovely War – Thur 28 – Sat 30 Sep
Presented by Blackeyed Theatre, more than a century on from the Armistice, Oh What a Lovely War remains a classic and powerful reminder of the atrocities of a war that cost 20 million lives. Told through the songs and documents of the period this production is satirical, funny and deeply moving.
Fringe Favourites
SAP – Tue 9 May
A contemporary thriller with ancient roots from an award-winning theatre company. When a woman tells a lie to her girlfriend, a seed is planted that starts to grow in the darkness. Now roots are cracking up through the pavement and branches are coming in at the windows, and – as she starts to see things that no one else can – she becomes the focus of some seriously unwanted attention.
Watson: The Final Problem – Tue 16 May
It’s 1894 and London is submerged in rumours. In an effort to quash them, Watson tells his story of long buried secrets, betrayal and death. But someone is playing a long game and Holmes and Watson face their greatest ever challenge. Is the game really over?
SHEWOLVES – Thurs 18 May
In this Thelma and Louise styled comedy, Priya and Lou embark on a covert expedition into the wild to tackle climate change head on but when the wilderness closes in around them, can they overcome their differences to make their voices heard?
Comedy
Express G&S – Thurs 22 June
The “masters of Gilbert & Sullivan” present their side-splitting spoof of a classic railway murder mystery splattered with favourites from the Savoy operas including The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, and H.M.S. Pinafore, as well as from those less performed, such as The Sorcerer, Princess Ida, and Utopia Ltd.
Murder She Didn’t Write – Fri 22 – Sat 23 Sept
A classic murder mystery created on the spot in this hilarious and unpredictable show! Could it be Mrs Jelly in the attic with a recorder? Or maybe Mr Nduja in the larder with a spatula? Inspired entirely from audience suggestions, you become Agatha Christie but will you guess whodunnit?
Crimes on Centre Court – Tue 26 Sept
Mirth, murder and mayhem with a side of tennis. Private investigators descend on The Whombledun International Tennis Tournament after a suspicious death. A cast of four play multiple characters with quick-fire changes and even quicker wits!
Stand-Up Comedy
Theatre Royal Comedy Club – Wed 17 May & Wed 13 Sept
In partnership with Comedy Market, Theatre Royal’s very own comedy club featuring a great line up of comedians from the UK touring circuit alongside up-and-coming comics.
Lucy Porter: Wake Up Call – Fri 12 May
Turning The Air Green – Sun 18 June
A theatre hire by the Green Party raising funds for a campaign to elect Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay as MP for North Norfolk, this promises to be an evening of high-class stand-up and satire with Angela Barnes (Mock The Week, Live at the Apollo, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz) and the Guardian’s multi-award-winning cartoonist Martin Rowson.
Griff Rhys Jones: The Cat’s Pyjamas – Sun 28 May
Shaparak Khorsandi: Scatterbrain – Fri 8 September
Alfie Moore: A Face For Radio – Tue 19 September
Music
The Carpenters: Voice of the Heart – Thurs 8 June
A wonderful show with excellent live music from Carole Gordon and the Blue Jeans Band and Singers playing The Carpenters classics and finely-tuned medleys in this sparkling night to remember.
The Take That Experience – Sat 24 June
With acclaimed vocal performances, stunning replica costumes, and iconic dance routines, The Take That Experience recreate the magic of Take That live on stage with their Greatest Hits tour. Songs include ‘Pray’, ‘Relight My Fire’, ‘Patience’, ‘Shine’, ‘These Days’, ‘Rule the World’ and more for a night you’ll never forget.
The Magic of The Bees Gees – Sat 9 Sept
From the producers of Lost In Music comes the greatest hits from The Bee Gees performed by top class musicians and a great stage show.
The Dolly Show – Thurs 14 Sept
You’ll feel transported to Nashville with this electric performance of Dolly Parton’s best and loved songs including ‘9 to 5’ and ‘Islands in The Stream’.
Family Favourites
I Spy With My Little Eye – Sat 13 May
Molly and Bingo the dog invite you to celebrate Molly’s sixth birthday packed with all your favourite sing-along-songs and lots of games to play, it’s going to be the best party ever.
The Singing Mermaid – Fri 2 – Sat 3 June
Based on the book by Julia Donaldson with songs, rhymes and beautiful puppetry. The singing mermaid is tempted away to join a traveling circus, with the promise of a life of excitement (and her own swimming pool!). The circus audiences love her singing but she soon finds she’s been tricked by the dastardly circus master. Will she ever escape? And who will help her along the way?
The Snail and The Whale – Fri 9 – Sun 11 June
Join an adventurous young girl and her seafaring father as they reimagine the story of a tiny snail’s incredible trip around the world, inspired by Julia Donaldson much-loved story. A heart-warming adventure for everyone aged 4+, from Tall Stories, the Olivier Award-nominated company that brought you The Gruffalo.
Dance
Ballet Central – Thurs 11 May
A mixed programme of classic ballet created by internationally acclaimed choreographers including the celebrated Mirror Mirror, Michael Pink’s restaging of Snow White, a new piece created by renowned choreographer Morgann Runacre-Temple, and an excerpt from Sophie Laplane’s Dextera, danced to a selection of Mozart’s music.
Local Amateur Companies
Ghost the Musical – Wed 2 – Sat 5 Aug
The hit musical performed by Suffolk Young People’s Theatre, based on the film of the same name follows murdered boyfriend Sam as he tries to save his still-living girlfriend Molly from grave danger.
Magic and Entertainment
Magical Bones – Sat 20 May
Following sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Festival and across the UK, the Britain’s Got Talent finalist takes to the road with a brand-new show full of the most awe-inspiring and high-energy magic you’ll see this year.
Paul Zerdin: Puppetman – Sat 16 Sept
Join Paul and his array of ‘funny and sharp-tongued’ creations including Sam, Albert, Baby and Urban Fox who will have you in stiches all evening.
Pete Firman: TrikTok – Wed 20 Sept
With over 175 million views and countless tv appearances, Pete is firmly established as the UK’s top comedy magician. Expect and evening of jaw-dropping magic and laugh-out-loud comedy.
An Evening with Reverend Richard Coles – Wed 27 Sept
Sex, drugs, pop stardom, religious epiphany, love, a dream job and the madness of grief. In this intimate evening, Richard lifts the lid on a life truly and truthfully lived as he embarks on his first full national tour because he’s done pretty much everything else.
Lunchtime Concerts Sponsored by Ellisons Solicitors
Our regular lunchtime concerts, sponsored by Ellisons Solictors are just £10 per ticket and include refreshments after the performance in the Greene Room Bar.
The Champagne Quartet – Wed 24 May
Classics, Jazz, Popular Arrangements, String Quartet
The Rococo Ensemble – Wed 13 Sept
Baroque, Violoncello De Spalla, Vivaldi