season guide - the royalty theatre · 2 royalty theatre season guide 2017-18. ... from the works of...

www.royaltytheatre.co.uk

Season Guide2017-18

Mystery fans will love our season opener, Agatha Christie’s classic And Then There Were None. For those who like some hard-hitting drama, we have Dennis Potter’s Blue Remembered Hills, one that members have been asking us to do for some time now. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Rabbit Hole by David Lindsey-Abaire is a must-see that’ll keep you gripped until the very end.

For those who prefer something in a lighter vein, we have Jeeves and Wooster in ‘Perfect Nonsense’, based on PG Wodehouse’s famous twosome. Farce Lovers have Move Over Mrs. Markham to look forward to, by those master farceurs, Ray Cooney and John Chapman.

And of course, for our younger audiences, we have our ever-popular pantomime, Dick Whittington. Our season ends with an adaptation of the much-loved The Wind in the Willows.

But that’s not all! We also have two studio plays on offer for you – Five Kinds of Silence by Shelagh Stephenson and Temple by Steve Waters. Both plays very much suited to our studio theatre, and if you haven’t seen a show there before, you’re missing a real treat.

We can also offer you some live music in the shape of Joanna Forest – a hugely-talented vocalist who recently grabbed top spot on the classical charts. And if all of that hasn’t been enough for you by next summer, we have some new writing on show, in the shape of There’s Someone Coming Through by our own Lee Stewart.

This promises to be a wonderful season with plenty to entertain, and it would be great to hear your views on it – whether positive or negative. Just use the contact form on our website.

Enjoy the season.

John Appleton, Chair

Welcome to the theatre’s 93rd season which we hope will be one of the best yet, packed full of entertainment to suit all tastes.

2 Royalty Theatre Season Guide 2017-18

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And Then There Were None Written by Agatha Christie18-23 September 2017, 7.30pm – £8/£6.50

Ten strangers are summoned to a remote island. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they’re unwilling to reveal and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. As the weather turns and the group is cut off from the mainland, the bloodbath begins and one by one they are brutally murdered in accordance with the lines of a sinister nursery rhyme.

One of Christie’s darkest tales and a masterpiece of dramatic construction, its growing sense of dread and unfaltering tension will keep you guessing to the very end.


Blue Remembered Hills Written by Dennis Potter30 October to 4 November 2017, 7.30pm – £8/£6.50

This deceptively simple tale relates the activities of seven English children played by adults on a summer afternoon during World War II.

In a woods, a field and a barn, they play, fight, fantasize and swagger. Their aggressions, fears, hostilities and rivalries are a microcosm of adult interaction. Easy going Willie tags along as burly Peter bullies Raymond and is challenged by fair minded Paul. Plain Audrey is overshadowed by Angela’s prettiness and wreaks her anger on the boys. All of them gang up on the terrified ‘Donald Duck’ who, abused by his mother and ridiculed by his peers, plays a dangerous game of pyromania with tragic results.


Dick WhittingtonWritten by Helen Bowie7-17 December 2017, Tuesday to Saturday evenings 7.15pm, Saturday and Sunday Matinées 2.15pm – £8/£6.50

Join Dick Whittington as he travels to London to make his fortune with the help of his preening puss. Along the way he meets the beautiful Alice and it seems like his luck is about to change for the good.

But fate (and the dastardly King Rat) have other ideas. Will Dick be able to save the day and become the Lord Mayor of London? Or will evil finally triumph?

Featuring a cast of eccentric characters and songs to make you smile, this Dick Whittington won’t make you want to leave home!


Rabbit Hole Written by David Lindsey-Abair19-24 February 2018, 7.30pm – £8/£6.50

Becca and Howie have a picture-perfect family life in the suburbs of New York until a random, tragic accident takes the life of their four-year old son. Soon after, Becca’s younger, irresponsible sister, Izzy, announces that she is pregnant: there will now be a new child in the family.

As Becca and Howie grow apart their grieving processes are questioned, just as the young driver who killed their son begins to show up asking for forgiveness. Rabbit Hole delves into the complexity of a family navigating deep grief, and learning what it means to live a fruitful life when things fall apart.


Jeeves and Wooster in ‘Perfect Nonsense’ Written by The Goodale Brothers, from the works of PG Wodehouse19-24 March 2018, 7.30pm – £8/£6.50

When a country house weekend takes a turn for the worse, Bertie Wooster is unwittingly called on to play matchmaker – reconciling the affections of his host’s drippy daughter Madeline Bassett with his newt-fancying acquaintance Gussie Fink-Nottle.

If Bertie, ably assisted by the ever-dependable Jeeves, can’t pull off the wedding of the season he’ll be forced to abandon his cherished bachelor status and marry the ghastly girl himself!


Move Over Mrs. Markham Written by Ray Cooney and John Chapman21-26 May 2018, 7.30pm – £8/£6.50

Mrs Markham thinks she’s doing her friend Linda a favour, by allowing her to use the Markhams’ empty flat one night for a fling with her lover. But Mr. Markham has secretly promised the flat to Linda’s husband, Henry, for his own covert affair.

It’s not long before the evening descends into a hilarious web of deception, complications and mistaken identities that could only come from two of the finest farce writers in theatre.


The Wind In The Willows Written by Kenneth Grahame, adapted by Mike Kenney25-30 June 2018, 7.30pm – £8/£6.50

Tired of spring-cleaning, Mole leaves Mole End and ventures out to the riverbank, where he befriends the resourceful Ratty, the gruff Badger and the infamous Toad of Toad Hall (Poop-poop!).

Together they explore the Wide World, and the Wild Wood, and try to keep Toad out of trouble…!

Temple Written by Steve Waters25-28 April 2018, 7.30pm – £6.50

On 15 October 2011 ‘Occupy London’ makes camp outside St Paul’s Cathedral. On the 21st, a building that had kept open through floods, the Blitz and terrorist threats closes its doors. On the 28th, City of London initiates legal action to begin removing them from outside the Cathedral...

This is a fictional account of these events, set in the heart of a very British crisis – a crisis of conscience, of authority and of faith.

Five Kinds of Silence Written by Shelagh Stephenson24-27 January 2018, 7.30pm – £6.50

This highly-acclaimed stage version of the 1996 radio play is the story of a family in which control has become the driving force.

Billy, himself abused as a child, has sexually abused his two daughters since their early teens. Now the adult daughters, with the connivance of their mother, attempt to free themselves, and kill him.


Studio Productions*

* Studio productions and concerts are not included in membership

There’s Someone Coming Through Written by Lee Stewart25-28 July 2018, 7.30pm – £5

Neville Vaughan was a once-respected psychic, but a fall from grace has reduced him to backstreet gigs as he owes the taxman thousands, his ex-wife is taking him to the cleaners, and there’s that whole saga with that Puerto Rican bell boy.

In this comedy, he plays to one of the toughest audiences he’s come across, relying on his faithful assistant, David, to get him through the night.


Also Appearing**

** not included in membership

Joanna Forest – Live 3 October 2017, 7.45pm – £10

We are excited to welcome Official Number One soprano Joanna Forest to The Royalty Theatre. Joanna’s debut album, Stars Are Rising, was applauded by the national press for its eclectic mix of dramatic arias, cinematic classics and crossover versions of popular gems such as Bowie’s ‘Life on Mars’ and Slade’s ‘How Does It Feel?’.

Joanna, who made her West End Debut at just 13, will be performing the album and many other popular classical and musical hits in an evening not to be missed accompanied by a local choir and some surprise familiar faces!


Get Involved

The Royalty Theatre exists for the benefit of the community. We’re here not just to entertain people but also to give people something worthwhile to get involved in.

So whether you want to be a star on stage, or you just want to meet new people or learn some new skills, the Royalty Theatre is the perfect place to do just that.

There’s plenty to do

For any production, as well as actors, we also need people to help with building set, finding props, making or altering costumes, running lights and sound, running our bar, selling ice creams, managing front-of-house and numerous other tasks that help a show run smoothly. Training is always available – the only qualification is to be keen and willing to put in some time.

Anybody wishing to become involved in any aspect of the theatre is invited to come to one of our social evenings, which take place every Friday from 8.30pm in our bar. Here, you’ll be able to meet current members of the theatre, who should be able to point you in the direction of whomever is organising efforts for the current shows. Feel free to bring a friend if you think you might be nervous!

Those wishing to act should keep an eye out in our foyer and online for the auditions that we hold throughout the year. No experience or preparation is necessary.

For more information on how to get involved, please email [email protected], or use the contact form on our website.

Your Community Theatre

Need theatre space for a show? Planning a function and need a venue? The theatre is available for hire for various events.

Both our main auditorium and studio are available for almost any kind of show, and our technical people can be on hand to assist. Our bar is also available to hire for functions.

For further information on hires and pricing, please email [email protected]

Hires


Show sponsorshipsWould you like to support the local artistic scene while giving staff or clients a great night out?

Sponsoring a show at the Royalty Theatre is the perfect way to do that – especially in the run-up to Sunderland’s 2021 City of Culture Bid!

We have various options for sponsorship, which include the following benefits:

• 30 tickets to a performance of your sponsored show

• Logo and sponsor’s name included on marketing materials related to the show, where possible

• Name of sponsor announced prior to each performance

• Bubbly reception in a private area of the bar

• Facility to set up a bar tab for your guests for the evening

• After-show sit-down meal in a private room for all of your guests

For further information and prices, please contact [email protected].

Youth Academy

The Royalty Theatre Youth Academy (RTYA) meets at the theatre every week on Thursdays from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

Young people will work on drama, music and dance, looking at different areas within each subject.

They gain an all-round understanding on the theatre including lighting, sound and set design, and have the opportunity to take part in RTYA productions at the Royalty and occasional outside venues – which recently included Northern Stage as part of the National Theatre Connections 500 Festival.

Fees £8.50 per week or £80 per term.

For more information please contact Corinne Kilvington on 07960 83 84 34.

General enquiries: 0191 908 5683Please note that due to our voluntary nature, staff may not always be on hand to answer, particularly during the day.

Enquiries can also be made to the Chair via [email protected], or you can use the contact form on our website.

You can also find us on the internet at www.facebook.com/RoyaltyTheatre or twitter.com/RoyaltyTheatre

Ticket booking and enquiries: 0333 666 3366

Tickets can also be booked at www.tickesource.co.uk/royaltytheatre For group sales, please contact the Chair via email.

We can occasionally provide a box office service at the theatre, please see the website or foyer notices.

Contact:Our address is 25 The Royalty, Sunderland, SR2 7PP, just a short walk from the University Metro station and close to several bus routes.

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CHESTER ROAD

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PARK LANE

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SUNDERLAND MINSTER

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ST ANTHONY’SGIRLS ACADEMY

BURN PARK


If willing to participate in activities other than as an audience member, please tick appropriate box:

Acting Properties Sound Lighting Set Construction Directing/Assisting

Wardrobe Bar Ice Cream Front of House Prompt

Please return this form to Membership Secretary:

Post: Caroline Chapman, Royalty Theatre, 25 The Royalty, Off Chester Road, Sunderland SR2 7PP Email: [email protected]

* By completing this form you are consenting to your details being kept on file. They will not be passed on to any third party.

Season ticket and membership application form*


I wish to become a member of the Royalty Theatre. (PLEASE COMPLETE IN CAPITALS)

Title: MR MRS MISS MS

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________ Postcode: _______________

Telephone: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Email: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________________ Date ____________________

Membership subscriptions (please tick appropriate box)

Full Membership £40 £35 concessions This includes membership to the Royalty Theatre and ONE free ticket to each main stage production.

Active Membership £20 For those involved with aspects of running the theatre, this includes ONE half-price ticket to each main stage production.

Junior Membership £20 Members who are under 18, this includes ONE free ticket to each production.

I enclose remittance for £ __________ (Please make cheques payable to the ROYALTY THEATRE)

www.facebook.com/RoyaltyTheatre

twitter.com/RoyaltyTheatre

www.royaltytheatre.co.uk

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

The MBE for volunteer groups

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2017

3 October Joanna Forest – Live* Official Number One Soprano

18-23 September And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

30 Oct - 4 Nov Blue Remembered Hills by Dennis Potter

7-17 December Dick Whittington by Helen Bowie2018

24-27 January Five Kinds of Silence* by Shelagh Stephenson

19-24 February Rabbit Hole by David Lindsey-Abair

19-24 March Jeeves & Wooster in ‘Perfect Nonsense’ by The Goodale Brothers From the works of PG Wodehouse

25-28 April Temple* by Steve Waters

21-26 May Move Over Mrs. Markham by Ray Cooney and John Chapman

25-30 June The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame Adapted by Mike Kenney

25-28 July There’s Someone Coming Through** by Lee Stewart

* Studio productions and concerts are not included in membership ** not included in membership

All shows start at 7.30pm, except pantomimes and matinées 2017-18 Season

season guide - the royalty theatre · 2 royalty theatre season guide 2017-18. ... from the works of...

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