Royal Exchange announce new season

THEATRE FOR NOW, STORIES WE ALL SHARE: THE ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE AUTUMN/WINTER SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT

The Royal Exchange Theatre is at the centre of Manchester, a dynamic global city which demands theatre that is ambitious, diverse and reflective of now. This Autumn/Winter Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom curates a striking season in which she brings together distinctive theatre makers from across the UK to make work that celebrates the similarity found in our differences and questions who we are today. Daring young directors, original new writers and leading theatre-makers create their work in the Exchange’s unique space: from Pulitzer Prize winners to punk revolutions and powerful political protests, we invite audiences and artists to meet as equals, to explore the past, wrestle with the big questions of today, imagine a better future and get lost in the excitement of a great night out.

To open this autumn/winter season Sarah Frankcom puts Manchester centre stage as she redefines Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize winning story of ordinary people for our city today. OUR TOWN is an epic celebration of community and humanity and runs from 14 Sept – 14 Oct in the Theatre.  

 In his Bruntwood Prize winning new play PARLIAMENT SQUARE, James Fritz imagines the fall-out from a powerful act of protest. He insightfully questions the draw of extreme demonstration, asking where the line falls between complete commitment and dangerous obsession. Co-produced with The Bush Theatre and directed by Manchester-based Jude Christian, this World Premiere runs in the Theatre from 18 – 28 Oct.  

Chris Goode, one of the UK’s most original theatre makers, makes his Exchange debut as a new Associate Artist with his stage adaptation of Derek Jarman’s iconic film JUBILEE, which erupts onto the Royal Exchange stage in celebration of the movie’s 40th anniversary. This riot of music, fashion and sex sees original cast member punk-warrior Toyah Willcox take on the role of Queen Elizabeth I in this feisty and thrilling World Premiere from 2 -18 Nov.

This Christmas we continue our reinvention of classic smash-hit musicals with GUYS AND DOLLS, a co-production with Talawa Theatre Company. Directed by Talawa Artistic Director Michael Buffong and with choreography from Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy the show is relocated to up-town New York and redefined with all the creative excitement of the ‘Harlem Renaissance’. The show runs from 2 Dec – 27 Jan 2018.  

Kendall Feaver’s THE ALMIGHTY SOMETIMES is the second Bruntwood Prize World Premiere this season. Directed by Katy Rudd THE ALMIGHTY SOMETIMES is a beautifully perceptive new play that paints an extraordinary portrait of Anna, a young woman battling against a childhood diagnosis of severe mental illness. The production runs from 9 – 24 February 2018.  

COSMIC SCALLIES is director Amit Sharma’s first show for the Exchange as Associate Artistic Director. Developed in partnership with Graeae Theatre Company this sharply funny debut play, by poet and Write to Play graduate Jackie Hagan, sees friendship blossom in the cracks of northern new-town Skelmersdale. Following its World Premiere in Edinburgh this summer COSMIC SCALLIES returns to the Exchange Studio from 27 Sept – 14 Oct.  

This season Eclipse Theatre Company makes its Royal Exchange debut with the co-production BLACK MEN WALKING, a World Premiere written by Exchange supported artist Testament. When three men from a Black Men’s Walking Group head out for their monthly hike their journey takes them further than they could ever have imagined. Award-winning director Dawn Walton deftly uncovers the hidden history of Britain in this brand-new show. Developed as part of Eclipse’s Revolution Mix programme the production runs in the Studio from 18 Jan – 3 Feb 2018.  

The Royal Exchange is growing its pool of exceptional Associate Artists. Current associates Maxine Peake, Benji Reid and Chris Thorpe will be joined by poet & playwright Amanda Dalton, writer, director and performer Chris Goode, acclaimed choreographer Imogen Knight physical theatre company RashDash and actor Don Warrington each adding their distinctive creative voices to the development of the theatre. 

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Published: 7-Jun-2017: (4362)