This autumn, the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich will again collaborate with Salisbury Playhouse and Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch to produce Graham Linehan’s THE LADYKILLERS from Thu 7 to Sat 30 September. Directed by the New Wolsey Theatre’s Artistic Director Peter Rowe, these theatres last collaborated with one another for Salisbury Playhouse’s tour of Chris Chibnall’s Worst Wedding Ever this Spring.
When Mrs Wilberforce puts a sign in her newsagent’s window advertising ‘A Room to Let’, she’s delighted when the mysterious Professor Marcus proclaims it perfect for rehearsing his unorthodox string quintet. She soon discovers that she is not making tea for a motley band of musicians, but harbouring a hardened gang of criminals and conmen planning the great Kings Cross Train Robbery!
Graham Linehan (Father Ted, The IT Crowd) has adapted this much-loved film for the stage, mixing madcap comedy and criminal capers to hilarious effect. As his masterplan goes off the rails, and the bodies drop onto them, it begins to dawn on the Professor that, in Mrs Wilberforce (and General Gordon, her extraordinary featherless parrot) he may have finally met his match.
From Thu 12 to Sat 21 October, the New Wolsey Theatre will present the premiere of a brand new punk musical OXY & THE MORONS, written by Paul Sirett (Reasons to be Cheerful, Mods and Rox), Mike Peters (The Alarm) and Steve Allan Jones.
When a routine check-up leads to a startling diagnosis, Andy decides it’s time to put the band back together, to crank up the amps, and party like its 1978! Why not re-form the legendary Oxy & the Morons, who burned fiercely before exploding in a riot of rivalry, jealousy and bitter betrayal? Andy’s mission involves twisting arms, healing wounds and putting his family and friendships back together. But can that punk spirit of DIY defiance be-rekindled over thirty years later? Can you still pogo when your knees go? Will they play their trademark punk take of its Not Unusual as an encore?
This brand new musical is fast, furious and very funny. With a machine gun playlist of original songs, this affectionate look back at the days of teen spirit suggest we could all do with some of that garage band power right now.
Graeae Theatre Company’s REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL makes a welcome return to Ipswich after its hugely successful tour in 2012 from Tue 3 to Sat 7 October. This coming of age tale rejoices in the infectious and enduring music of Ian Dury and the Blockheads. Featuring stone-cold classic songs including Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick; Plaistow Patricia; Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll; Sweet Gene Vincent; What A Waste and the titular Reasons to be Cheerful (Part 3), this show is loud, bold and jubilant. Graeae are members of the consortium Ramps on the Moon, with is led by the New Wolsey Theatre.
From Mon 30 October to Sat 4 November, award-winning director Simon Godwin directs RULES FOR LIVING, a new production of Sam Holcroft’s brilliant and darkly funny play following a critically acclaimed run at the National Theatre in 2015. It is brought to the stage by English Touring Theatre and Royal & Derngate Northampton. Everyone creates their own rules for living. But what happens when an extended family gathers for a traditional Christmas dinner, and each of them rigidly follows those rules? Christmas day will never be the same again. As the drinks flow and the obligatory games intensify, family resentments rise and relationships are pulled apart with a bang – like oh so many Christmas crackers.
From the hand of Frederick Knott, author of Dial M Murder, and the producers behind Night Must Fall and Birdsong, comes a major revival of the classic, edge of your seat, thriller WAIT UNTIL DARK from Mon 6 to Sat 11 November. Set amidst the social turbulence of 60’s London the play follows the story of Suzy, a blind woman who left alone in her apartment becomes embroiled with a group of conmen hatching an elaborate scam. Wait Until Dark, made into a film starring Audrey Hepburn in 1967, is often ranked as one of the top 100 scariest films of all time and this exciting new production reclaims it for the stage.
The New Wolsey Youth Theatre will present THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS adapted for the stage by Mike Kenny, from Tue 17 to Tue 24 October, suitable for the whole family. This delightful stage adaptation combines all the joy and mystery of Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved classic with the lightness of touch and playful theatricality that award-winning playwright Mike Kenny is known for.
The New Wolsey Theatre’s Young Company will present MartinMcDonagh’s THE PILLOWMAN from Tue 28 November to Sat 2 December, directed by Associate Director Rob Salmon, and Young Company alumni Aidan Napier. This dark comedy from the writer/director of In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths, combines twists and turns with big shocks, and even bigger laughs! It’s an unforgettable masterpiece from the modern master of horror comedy.
The New Wolsey Theatre’s ever popular rock’n’roll pantomime this year will be the third brand new show from Artistic Director Peter Rowe – RED RIDING HOOD, which will run from Thu 23 November to Saturday 27 January 2018. As always will the rock’n’roll pantomimes, advanced booking is recommend as a third of tickets across 91 performances have already been snapped up!
If you have younger theatre fans in your party, bring them along to Little Angel Theatre’s WOW! Said the Owl from Tue 6 December to Tue 3 January 2017. Perfect for ages 2 and beyond, explore the wow-world of colours with this curious little owl who is determined to stay awake to see what day light brings.
The season will go on sale to Friends on Sat 1 April, and on general sale on Sat 15 April. Tickets can be booked through the Tickets Sales Team by calling 01473 295900 or by booking online at www.wolseytheatre.co.uk.
