PRESS RELEASE
Theatre Royal Brighton
Where the magic never ends…..
24th March 2010
Theatre Royal Brighton
Summer Season 2010
West End hit SPAMALOT visits Brighton as part of first UK
tour
Simon Callow, Tim West, Alan Ayckbourn, Headlong,
English Touring Theatre and STEPPING OUT head the list
of summer seasonal treats
Theatre Royal Brighton has unveiled its spectacular summer
season, which includes an unrivalled programme of world class
drama, star-studded premieres, award winning musicals, hit
comedy and favourite children’s shows. General booking opens on
26 March.
Highlights of the season include the hilarious SPAMALOT, a massive hit in
the West End and now on its first UK tour. SPAMALOT, based on the
legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, is sure to prove
a huge success with diehard fans of Monty Python, as well as those
discovering their irresistible silliness for the first time. Songs from the
show, winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical 2005, include the ever
popular Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. Jodie Prenger (I’d Do
Anything) plays The Lady of the Lake, with other star casting due to be
announced shortly. Advance sales indicate that this production will sell
out, so early booking is highly recommended.
As the literary world focuses its attention on the latest play to be attributed
to Shakespeare, renowned actor Simon Callow, much loved by Theatre
Royal Brighton audiences, presents SHAKESPEARE - THE MAN FROM
STRATFORD. In the piece, the result of a collaboration between Simon
Callow and eminent Shakespeare scholar Professor Jonathan Bate,
Callow brings to life a selection of characters – lovers, kings, soldiers and
clowns- created by the world’s greatest dramatist. Callow and Bate also
seek to reveal more about the life of William Shakespeare the man, about
whom we know so little, despite the world renown of his work.
Shakespeare lovers, students, Simon Callow fans and all those who
appreciate quality theatre should book now for this exceptional piece.
Drama lovers will be delighted to see the return of Headlong, one of the
UK’s most innovative theatre companies, to present SALOME, Oscar
Wilde’s version of the lyrical yet brutal Biblical story, written in verse. The
highly acclaimed Jamie Lloyd (Polar Bears, Piaf, The Pride) directs this
thrilling production.
Theatre Royal Brighton Associate Company English Touring Theatre
present CANARY, a moving, funny and uplifting new play by multi award
winning Jonathan Harvey (Gimme Gimme Gimme, Beautiful Thing). The
play, billed a social comedy, stars Paula Wilcox (Man About the House).
In QUARTET, much loved actor Tim West leads a star studded cast
including Susannah York (Gold, Superman, A Man For All Seasons) and
Gwen Taylor (Prick Up Your Ears). This new play by Ronald Harwood,
Oscar winning playwright, tells the story of three retired opera singers
preparing to perform a concert together when a legendary diva arrives on
the scene, causing old rivalries to resurface and secrets to be revealed.
STEPPING OUT, the award winning comedy by Richard Harris, visits
Brighton as part of its 25th anniversary tour. Hilariously funny and heart
warming, the play stars 60’s singing sensation Anita Harris and Brighton
resident Brian Capron (Coronation St).
Alan Ayckbourn’s BEDROOM FARCE forms part of our programme this
season. Peter Hall’s production of one of Ayckbourn’s best loved works,
an ingenious comedy which shines a spotlight onto the trials and
tribulations of modern marriage. The production won huge critical acclaim
when it opened last year and is guaranteed to be popular at the Box Office.
Other shows this season – THE GRUFFALO, THE ALL NEW ORIGINAL
TRIBUTE TO THE BLUES BROTHERS and DANCING QUEEN – need little
introduction.
ENDS
General Booking opens 26 March
Box Office 08448 717 650 (bkg fee)
Groups Hotline 08448 717 617
Access Bookings 08448 717 677 (bkg fee)
www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton
For further information please contact:
Rachel Knowles
Press and Marketing Officer
Theatre Royal Brighton
rachelknowles@theambassadors.com
01273 764409
THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON SUMMER 2010 SEASON SUMMARY
(PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PDF FOR FULL DETAILS)
Unless otherwise stated, all evening performances start at 7.45pm, with matinees
at 2.30pm on Thursdays and Saturdays.
THE RAT PACK Mon 24 – Sat 29 May
Drift back to the glamorous era of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and
Dean Martin. Accompanied by a 12-piece orchestra.
Mon – Sat eves 7.45pm
Thu mat 2.30pm
Sat mat 4pm
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Tue 1 – Sat 5 June
Eves 7.30pm
Thu, Fri & Sat mats 2.30pm
Local production company Brighton Theatre Group stage Beauty and the
Beast, an unforgettable trip into the magical world of Disney.
DANCING QUEEN Thu 10 – Sat 12 June
Celebrating timeless hits from pop phenomenon ABBA, this high octane
musical extravaganza is guaranteed to have everyone dancing in the
aisles.
Eves 7.45pm
Sat mat 2.30pm
SALOME Tue 15 - Sat 19 June
Headlong, one of the UK’s most exhilarating and provocative touring
theatre companies, present Oscar Wilde’s unforgettable tragedy.
SPAMALOT Mon 21 – Sat 26 June
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2005, audiences round the
world have been roaring with laughter at Monty Python’s SPAMALOT.
CANARY Tue 29 Jun – Sat 3 July
Presented by English Touring Theatre, a deeply moving, funny, uplifting
and often magical new play by multi award winning Jonathan Harvey.
QUARTET Mon 5 – Sat 10 July
Bittersweet comedy by Ronald Harwood (The Dresser, The Pianist). Much
loved actor Tim West leads a star studded cast.
SHAKESPEARE – THE MAN FROM STRATFORD Tue 13 – Sat 17 July
Simon Callow presents a magical tour de force which tracks down the real
William Shakespeare, bringing to life both the man and a selection of the
characters created by the world’s greatest playwright.
STEPPING OUT Tue 20 – Sat 24 July
25th anniversary production of this hilariously funny and heartwarming play
starring 60’s singing sensation Anita Harris and Brian Capron
(Coronation St).
BEDROOM FARCE Mon 26 – Sat 31 July
Peter Hall’s production of one of Alan Ayckbourn’s best loved works, an
ingenious comedy which shines a spotlight onto the trials and tribulations
of modern marriage.
THE GRUFFALO Wed 25 – Fri 27 August
Based on the award-winning picture book. Songs, laughs and fun for
children aged 3 and upwards.
Wed 1.30pm
Thu and Fri 11.30am & 1.30pm
THE ALL NEW ORIGINAL TRIBUTE TO THE BLUES BROTHERS Tue 31
Aug – Sat 4 September
The legendary original tribute to the Blues Brothers ! This all-new show
brings your favourite moments combined with new twists and new moves.
Tue – Thu eves 7.45pm
Fri 5pm & 8pm
Sat 4pm & 8pm
COMEDY AND ONE NIGHT SHOWS
RUBY WAX LOSING IT Sunday 6 June 7.30pm
New show from one of the UK’s favourite comediennes.
SING-A-LONG-A SOUND OF MUSIC Mon 7 June 7pm
Smash hit show which includes a screening of the classic Julie Andrews
film complete with subtitles so you can sing along !
JOE LONGTHORNE Tue 8 June 7.45pm
The legendary voice, whose career has lasted over three decades, returns
to Brighton for one night only.
TEXAS TENORS Tue 24 August 7.30pm
Over 100 million people worldwide saw The Texas Tenors voted “2009’s
Vocal Group of the Year.” These classically trained tenors bring their
unique blend of gospel, country, classical and Broadway.
THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC Sat 28 August 7.30pm
Celebrate ABBA’s 40th anniversary and the hits of the Bee Gees with this
all new concert.
MUGENYKO TAIKO DRUMMERS Mon 11 October 7.30pm
Spectacular concert of heart-pounding excitement. Thundering rhythms on
huge taiko drums interweave with layers of percussive soundscapes.
COMING SOON/NOW BOOKING
GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE Tue 21 – Sat 25 September
One of Roald Dahl’s funniest and most exciting stories is brought to life
on stage.
Tue 7pm
Wed & Thu 1.30pm & 7pm
Fri 10.30am & 7pm
Sat 2pm & 7pm
THE COUNTRY GIRL Mon 27 Sep – Sat 2 Oct
Starring Martin Shaw & Jenny Seagrove, THE COUNTRY GIRL tells the
story of a once great theatre star who is down on his luck but has the
chance to make a major comeback.
THE ARMSTRONG & MILLER SHOW Fri 15 – Sat 16 October 8pm
Brand new live show mixes the beautifully observed and the utterly barmy.
PEPPA PIG’s PARTY Wed 3 – Thu 4 November
BAFTA-award-winning children’s TV show is recreated live on stage for the
first time.
Wed 1pm & 4pm
Thu 10am & 1pm
CALENDAR GIRLS Mon 29 Nov – Sat 11 Dec
Fresh from its West End triumph, Calendar Girl is quirky, poignant and
hilarious.
CINDERELLA Sat 17 Dec 2010– Sun 16 Jan 2011
Come to a Christmas Ball you’ll never forget ! The classic story of
Cinderella will be brought to life with breathtaking special effects in a
lavish production for children of all ages.