Theatre Royal announces Summer Season full of musicals, family shows and comedy
There’s a host of actors and actresses along with musicians and comedians set to take to the stage of the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds during the summer.
The theatre’s production of “Dorothy, Back in Oz” runs from August 16 to 31, and Griff Rhys-Jones and Julian Clary are also both set to appear.
Artistic director and curator Owen Calvert-Lyons has something for everyone and he said: “Well, this summer we are going back to Oz with a sequel to remember: ‘Dorothy, Back in Oz”. The team who brought you last year’s hit production ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ return to take you on another adventure with Dorothy and a new cast of friends.”
The full programme
Dorothy, Back in Oz – 16 – 31 Aug
A Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds Production
Dorothy, Back in Oz supported by Bury St Edmunds Town Council. Written by Mike Akers, Inspired by L. Frank Baum, directed by Owen Calvert-Lyons and David Whitney. After a huge storm hits Stowmarket, Dorothy finds herself transported back to the magical land of Oz, with only her trusty talking chicken, Bellina, for company. But all is not well. The yellow brick road has been smashed and the Emerald City lies in ruins. The Gnome King now sits on the throne and he happens to be wearing a rather fabulous pair of slippers. Dorothy will meet new friends along the way who help her to overcome the Gnome King and restore hope to the people of Oz.
Drama
Beautiful Evil Things
22 May
A highly-acclaimed one-woman show: What if there was another take on the Trojan War, an untold, breath-taking adventure you’d never heard before? Enter Medusa. She was there. Monstrous gorgon? Snakes for hair? A turn-to-stone glare? Perhaps. But she was there – as a bodiless head strapped to the shield of a goddess. Her forever-open-eyes saw it all: Epic combat. Mighty swords. Giant horse sculptures filled with men. But as the war raged on, Medusa’s petrifying gaze focused on three extraordinary women who might just hold the key to her ultimate hope.
Windrush Secret
18 June
A one-man drama by Rodreguez King-Dorset. “The Windrush Secret”, set in 2018, is about a young white far-right racist party leader, a black Caribbean diplomat and a white Oxford-educated Home Office government official who are giving speeches on the same day, at different times, in separate locations about The Windrush Scandal. One of them has a dark secret that he struggles to come to terms with during his fiery speech – it will change his life forever.
Comedy
Six Chick Flicks
1 June
Fresh from a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, this smash hit comedy parodies your favourite chick flicks in one hysterical, fast-paced show. From the deck of the Titanic to the glittery pink halls of Harvard Law, watch as New York City comedians Kerry Ipema and K K Apple transform the stage with songs, dance breaks, and pop culture hilarity.
Dad’s Army Radio Show
4 June
Three episodes of the popular sitcom – adapted for radio for the very first time – are hilariously and lovingly enacted on stage by two master performers – complete with sound effects, vintage music and all your favourite Perry and Croft characters and catchphrases.
The Importance of Being… Earnest?
7 – 8 June
Straight from Edinburgh Fringe Festival: You might think you know this chaotic story of love, mistaken identity and double-lives, but you have never seen it like this before. Filled with wicked Wildean wit and bursting with Bunburying, join us for a hilarious and unpredictable twist on the world’s favourite comedy classic.
What the Butler Saw
25 – 29 June
A lightning-speed farce: Within the pristine walls of his private psychiatric clinic, Doctor Prentice is interviewing a new secretary. Geraldine wants the position but seems underqualified and uncertain about her parentage. Mrs Prentice appears, flushed and in urgent need of a drink, following an illicit encounter with Nick Beckett, blackmailer and bell boy at the Station Hotel. In the meantime, Doctor Rance, a government inspector and Sergeant Match, a policeman, arrive amidst increasing chaos with searching questions of their own.
Stand-Up
Griff Rhys-Jones: The Cat’s Pyjamas (Sold Out)
2 May
Alasdair Beckett-King: Nevermore
3 May
Rosie Holt: That’s Politainment
4 May
Julian Clary (Sold Out)
5 June
Miles Jupp
6 June
Royally Funny Comedy Night
20 June
Entertainment & Dance
Mi Flamenco: Echoes
13 June
Ballet Central
19 June
Talks
Out Thinkers
23 May
Amateur Companies
Irving Stage Company
Stepping Out
7-11 May
A heart-warming, British comedy follows the lives and loves of seven women – and one man – who every week escape the daily grind by taking a tap dancing class in a London church hall.
BSEODS
Made in Dagenham
14 -18 May
Funny, touching and timeless: Essex, 1968. Rita O’Grady’s life is about to change forever when it is announced that, along with the other girls in the stitching room of Ford’s Dagenham car plant, she will have her pay grade dropped to unskilled. Drawing on a strength that she never knew she had, Rita leads her friends in a battle against the might of Ford and the corruption of the Union supposed to protect them.
CTC
Disney’s Beauty and The Beast
3-6 July
Suffolk Young People’s Theatre
The Addams Family
31 July – 3 Aug
Family Shows
The Little Prince
26 May
The Bubble Show
29 May
Wonders of Our Universe
30 May
Dinosaur Adventure Live
31 May
Music
The Take That Experience
24 May
The Carpenters: Voice of The Heart
12 June
The Myabi Duo
15 May
Special Events
Bury St Edmunds Youth Concert Band
19 May
Musical Theatre Masterclass
28 May
Hidden Gardens
30 June
Booking is quick and easy online at www.theatreroyal.org
The Box Office is available to help with any queries by emailing booking@theatreroyal.org
Audience members with access needs or those requiring assistance please contact booking@theatreroyal.org
The Box Office is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm. 01284 769505
Summer season sponsored by Ellisons Solicitors.
Theatre Royal sponsored by Jaynic.