With its much anticipated production of Marvellous currently in rehearsals, the New Vic today announces its summer season, continuing their celebrations to mark 60 years of theatre making for the company in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
A fresh adaptation of the classic novel Jane Eyre will begin the theatre’s in-house produced season, and will take to the New Vic stage from Wednesday 4 to Saturday 28 May. With a script co-commissioned by the theatre-in-the-round, this co-production between the New Vic and Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough is written by Chris Bush (Larksong for the Hoard Festival, New Vic; The Changing Room, National Theatre Connections; Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Sheffield Theatres). Directed by the New Vic’s former Associate Director Zoë Waterman (Intemperance, Table, The Kitchen Sink), Jane Eyre is a witty and fleet-footed version of the tale that updates the literary masterpiece while remaining true to the original’s revolutionary spirit. Featuring a cast of actor-musicians playing multiple roles and a host of 19th century pop hits, this is an accessible new version of a classic story.
Tom, Dick & Harry, a co-production with Kenny Wax Ltd based on the true story behind the escape from Stalag Luft III in World War II, will open at the New Vic with performances from Friday 10 June to Saturday 9 July. Co-written by theatre favourites Andrew Pollard and Michael Hugo alongside New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins, this production from the team behind smash hit Around the World in 80 Days will debunk the myths, honour the people involved, and tell the true story of one of the most daring escape attempts in World War history.
Regular New Vic visitors London Classic Theatre, the John Godber Company, and David Graham Productions will also all make a return to the theatre this summer with Same Time, Next Year, Happy Jack, and Eric’s Monster Mash respectively. Same Time, Next Year, performed at the New Vic from 12 to 16 April, sees playwright Bernard Slade paint a bittersweet, nostalgic and very funny portrait of two likeable protagonists who find themselves in the most unusual of long-term relationships. After a chance encounter in a Californian hotel that leads to a passionate one-night stand, George and Doris, both married to other people, promise to meet 12 months later, beginning a romantic love affair that lasts 25 years.
Following Same Time, Next Year, the hilarious, touching and political Happy Jack, starring BAFTA and multi-award winning couple John Godber and Jane Thornton, will be on stage from Thursday 21 to Saturday 30 April. Capturing the ups and downs of ordinary working class family life – at the coal face, in the pit village, on the donkeys and by the fireside, this was John Godber’s very first play, written when he was 25. He will be joined by wife Jane Thornton (Scary Bikers, Shafted, Sunny Side Up) in the show which brought them together over 40 years ago.
Then, David Graham Productions bring the spooky and sensational Eric’s Monster Mash to the New Vic from Monday 22 August to Saturday 3 September. Audiences will join Eric and Bev as they enjoy a week’s holiday in Transylvania. When they discover another family are booked into the same house at the same time, and don’t have any intention of leaving, the laughs (and the 60s tunes!) keep coming…
Completing the season is a whole host of one-night events and concerts to enjoy, including an evening with Northern Broadsides founder Barrie Rutter OBE, comedy from the likes of Alistair McGowan and Rich Hall, and music from Robbie Williams’ collaborator Guy Chambers. Plus Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience, will take place in our café for an immersive and highly interactive comedy spectacular!
The New Vic summer season goes on sale at 12.00pm on Monday 21 February. For more details and to book, call the Box Office on 01782 717 962 or visit newvictheatre.org.uk.