PRESS RELEASE STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 16/03/09 Theatre Royal Brighton Where the magic never ends… DATE: 13/03/09 The evenings have started to get lighter, spring has sprung and this sunny mood is reflected in the fantastic mix of uplifting quality shows at Theatre Royal Brighton in the coming months. We have a bumper season to fill you with excitement, with a huge variety of productions to choose from including star-studded gripping dramas, top-class children’s shows and musicals. Don’t miss Ken Stott, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Hayley Atwell in the production of the year, Lindsay Posner’s outstanding revival of Arthur Miller’s brilliant and majestic play A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, which arrives in Brighton for just 7 performances following a stunning season in London’s West End. A highlight of the Brighton Festival programme A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE is the hottest ticket in town. Other festival treats include Rimini Protokoll’s UK premiere of BREAKING NEWS and THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD from one of Ireland’s most lauded theatre companies, Druid. There is more for lovers of drama with Terence Rattigan’s timeless classic THE WINSLOW BOY starring Timothy West; brilliant new psychological drama DECEPTIONS starring Michelle Collins and Rupert Hill and the return of The Agatha Christie Theatre Company with the forth instalment of their highly acclaimed series SPIDER’S WEB. For those of you who prefer your drama a little lighter, make sure you book for DINNER LADIES, the hilarious sitcom written by Victoria Wood live on stage starring Andrew Dunn and Shobna Gulati. There’s plenty for lovers of musicals and opera including three spectacular productions from Ellen Kent, TURANDOT, AIDA and CARMEN; Brighton Theatre Group’s abso-bloomin-lutely-luvverley MY FAIR LADY; the best-loved family musical of all time ANNIE and direct from London, THRILLER LIVE, the first dedicated live theatrical experience ever, celebrating the undisputed king of pop. Other musical highlights include a whole Bank Holiday weekend of smash-hit entertainment dedicated to Elvis, Abba and The Bee Gees. Don’t miss the brand new Brighton rock musical QUADROPHENIA, Pete Townshend’s exhilarating theatrical experience for all you rebels and ex-mods. There is lots of fun for little people too with Francesca Simon’s HORRID HENRY, THE TWEENIES LIVE! in Top of the Tots and the much-awaited return of LAZYTOWN’S Sportacus in his brand new pirate adventure. And if that wasn’t enough, following the huge success of Theatre Royal Brighton’s first ever Christmas show The Wizard of Oz, Theatre Royal Brighton Productions announce their next magical treat PETER PAN. A musical extravaganza with For more information, interviews, photographs and competitions, please call Emma-Jane Riley, Press Officer, Theatre Royal Brighton on 01273 764409 or via email: emmajaneriley@theambassadors.com Page 1 of 5 brand new sets and costumes and amazing special effects we guarantee to enthral children of all ages and adults who never grew up! Box Office 08700 606 650 (bkg fee) Copy ends// Your at-a-glance guide to what’s in the season brochure Unless otherwise stated, all evening performances start at 7.45pm, with matinees at 2.30pm on Thursdays and Saturdays. Thu 7 – Sat 9 May 7.30pm: BREAKING NEWS UK premiere of the latest piece of ‘reality theatre’ from German collective Rimini Protokoll. A cast of journalists, translators and broadcasters, comment on TV news beamed in live from all over the world. Tue 12 – Sat 16 May: THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD Eves 7.30pm, Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm J.M. Synge’s comic masterpiece brought to life by one of Ireland’s most lauded theatre companies, Druid. Tue 19 – Sat 23 May: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE Ken Stott, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Hayley Atwell star in the production of the year. Lindsay Posner’s outstanding revival of Arthur Miller’s brilliant and majestic play arrives in Brighton for just 7 performances following a stunning season in London’s West End. Sun 24 May 7.30pm: MICA PARIS The soul star sensation visits Theatre Royal Brighton for one night only. Tue 26 May 7.30pm: SING-A-LONG-A HAIRSPRAY A brand new sing-a-long-a show based on the 2007 film starring John Travolta as Edna Turnblad. Wed 27 May 7.30pm: AIDA Thu 28 May 7.30pm: TURANDOT Fri 29 & Sat 30 May 7.30pm: CARMEN Ellen Kent Opera present three operatic favourites with the Chisinau National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. Tue 2 – Sat 6 June: MY FAIR LADY The classic multi award-winning musical comes to Brighton in a revival by local production company, Brighton Theatre Group, who return fresh from their sellout productions of Oliver and The Full Monty. Tue 9 – Sat 13 June: THRILLER LIVE Tue – Thu eves 7.45pm, Fri 5pm & 8.30pm, Sat 4pm & 7.45pm A musical celebration featuring the hit songs of Michael and the Jackson 5, THRILLER LIVE is a spectacular high-octane show featuring over two hours of hit songs and sensational dancing. For more information, interviews, photographs and competitions, please call Emma-Jane Riley, Press Officer, Theatre Royal Brighton on 01273 764409 or via email: emmajaneriley@theambassadors.com Page 2 of 5 Mon 15 June 7.30pm: SHAOLIN WARRIORS This breathtaking theatrical Kung Fu Show vividly depicts the rarely-seen Kung Fu masters feats of agility, strength and skill using Buddhist Meditation and their rigorous martial arts training. Tue 16 June 7.30pm: CLIVE JAMES IN THE EVENING An evening with writer, broadcaster and chat show king Clive James concluding with an exclusive Question & Answer session. Thu 18 – Sun 21 June: HORRID HENRY LIVE AND HORRID! Thu 1.30pm, Fri 6.30pm, Sat 11am, 2.30pm & 6.30pm, Sun 11am & 2.30pm Horrid Henry’s war on grown-ups, rules and all things boring is re-created in this funny and fast-moving brand new stage show adapted by John Godber and based on the books by Francesca Simon. Mon 29 June – Sat 4 July: DECEPTIONS Brilliant new drama starring Michelle Collins and Rupert Hill where a psychological game of cat and mouse threatens to spiral out of control. Mon 6 – Sat 11 July: DINNER LADIES Victoria Wood’s BBC TV sitcom live on stage starring Andrew Dunn and Shobna Gulati. Mon 13 – Sat 18 July: SPIDER’S WEB Following the Agatha Christie Theatre Company’s hugely successful productions of The Hollow, The Unexpected Guest and And Then There Were None, the fourth instalment in the highly acclaimed series promises to be the most intriguing and entertaining yet. Mon 20 – Sat 25 July: THE WINSLOW BOY Timothy West stars in Terence Rattigan’s timeless classic. Mon 17 – Sat 22 August: ANNIE The heart-warming, rags-to-riches story of Annie’s adventures featuring a cast of over 40 artistes and fantastic songs including It’s A Hard Knock Life, Maybe and, of course, the legendary Tomorrow. Mon 24 – Wed 26 August: TWEENIES LIVE! Mon 4.30pm, Tue 11am & 2pm, Wed 11am The Tweenies are back with their chart-busting new show Top of the Tots packed with tot-tastic tunes. Get set to reach for the stars, sing-along, dance in the aisles and find out why the Tweenies are still the ultimate Number One! BANK HOLIDAY MUSICAL WEEKEND Fri 28 August 7.30pm: ELVIS IS IN THE BUILDING The 2008 Box Office smash hit returns with an all-new show! Sat 29 August 2.30pm & 7.30pm: THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC An evening of classic hits including Dancing Queen, Massachusetts, Super Trouper, Stayin’ Alive and Islands In The Stream in a celebration of the music of The Bee Gees and Abba. For more information, interviews, photographs and competitions, please call Emma-Jane Riley, Press Officer, Theatre Royal Brighton on 01273 764409 or via email: emmajaneriley@theambassadors.com Page 3 of 5 Sun 30 August 4pm & 7.30pm: SATURDAY NIGHT Brighton Theatre Group chart the greatest three decades of popular music: the 50s, 60s and 70s. Tue 1 – Sat 5 September: QUADROPHENIA Tue – Thu 7.30pm, Fri 5.30pm & 8.30pm, Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm An exhilarating theatrical experience for rebels and adolescents of all ages, this compelling coming-of-age story is brought to life in this brand new rock musical based on the legendary album. Set in London and Brighton at the height of the Mod era, Pete Townshend’s stunning score captures the excitement of a nation on the brink of change. COMING SOON – BOOKING NOW! Fri 4 December 2009 – Sun 3 January 2010: PETER PAN Hot on the heels of Theatre Royal Brighton’s most successful Christmas show, The Wizard of Oz, comes this truly marvellous musical extravaganza to enthral children of all ages and adults who never grew up! Everyone’s favourite story, brand new sets and costumes, amazing special effects and beautiful singing and dancing make this the perfect family treat. So hook your tickets now for the ultimate swashbuckling adventure! Box Office 08700 606 650 (bkg fee) Groups Hotline 08700 602 516 Access Bookings 0844 871 7677 (bkg fee) www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton For more information, interviews, photographs and competitions, please call Emma-Jane Riley, Press Officer, Theatre Royal Brighton on 01273 764409 or via email: emmajaneriley@theambassadors.com Page 4 of 5