The New Theatre is a hotbed of entertainment this summer as it approaches its 100th birthday with a sizzling new season of prestigious drama, wonderful musicals, exciting dance, children’s classics and, of course, the spectacular Christmas pantomime – JACK AND THE BEANSTALK! An exciting programme of drama includes STRANGERS ON A TRAIN starring Alex Ferns and Colin Baker, THE KINGFISHER starring Honor Blackman, the dark comedy THE SAFARI PARTY starring Christopher Timothy and Jack Ryder, Tennessee Williams’ classic CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF starring Joss Ackland and Alan Bennett’s multi award-winning play THE HISTORY BOYS. For a touch of Valleys humour, Frank Vickery’s wonderful comedy A KISS ON THE BOTTOM stars Di Botcher and an all-female cast. There are musicals aplenty this summer including the legendary CATS, A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS, featuring some of the best-loved songs from the West End, Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, the heart-warming family musical ANNIE starring Ruth Madoc and Cardiff’s own Orbit Theatre presents the Rodgers and Hammerstein favourite CAROUSEL. Music Theatre Wales returns with new opera HOUSE OF THE GODS and for musical theatre enthusiasts the BBC RADIO 2 VOICE OF MUSICAL THEATRE is a must-see. The Wales Theatre Company return with two festive treats, A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES and A CHRISTMAS CAROL starring Ron Moody. There are plenty of treats in store for the younger audience members including two Roald Dahl classics GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE and DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD, the return of THE GRUFFALO and futuristic fun with SPACE INVASION!, a community production by the Arts Active team. For dance enthusiasts Northern Ballet Theatre return with Gershwin’s I GOT RHYTHM and the New Theatre presents SUMMER DANCE in partnership with Diversions.The summer season kicks off with jazz, blues, parties, champagne and dancing in Northern Ballet Theatre’s I GOT RHYTHM from Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 May, celebrating the genius of George and Ira Gershwin. Ballet meets jazz in this fusion of dance, live music and a full swinging orchestra featuring Big Band favourites Summertime and Rhapsody in Blue. There’s fizztickling fun and wizzpopping magic for all the family when Roald Dahl favourite GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE comes to the New Theatre from Tuesday 30 May to Saturday 3 June. This perfect half-term treat follows the adventures of George who concocts a marvellous new medicine in the hope of curing his grumpy grandmother’s bad temper. However when Granny drinks the mixture the most incredible and unexpected things start to happen… From the team behind last year’s hugely successful Horrible Histories, this fantastically fun children’s tale is presented by The Birmingham Stage Company. A scary monster of a show for younger children, THE GRUFFALO, returns to Cardiff on Friday 9 June. The hit musical adaptation of the award-winning picture book tells the story of Mouse and his adventures through the deep, dark wood where he comes face to face with the legendary Gruffalo! 55 minutes of songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3 and up. From Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 June an and all female cast headed by Little Britain’s Di Botcher star in Frank Vickery’s brilliant comedy A KISS ON THE BOTTOM. This heart-warming comedy full of Frank’s unique Valleys humour will have audiences laughing and crying almost at the same time! The New Theatre is proud to present for the first time in South Wales, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s blockbuster musical CATS from Tuesday 20 June to Saturday 15 July. A magical musical interpretation of T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, CATS boasts spectacular set designs, stunning costumes, awesome choreography and a score that will live in the Memory forever. Television favourites Alex Ferns (EastEnders), Will Thorp (Casualty, Strictly Come Dancing), Leah Bracknell (Emmerdale), former Dr Who Colin Baker and stage and screen star Anita Harris star in STRANGERS ON A TRAIN from Tuesday 18 to Saturday 22 July. A playful proposal soon turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse in this gripping psychological thriller from Patricia Highsmith. The intergalactic musical adventure SPACE INVASION! lands at the New Theatre from Thursday 27 July. The community production performed by local groups celebrates the New Theatre’s 100th birthday with toe-tapping tunes, a game show, aliens from around the universe and a very special guest star as President of the Earth! The effervescent romantic comedy THE KINGFISHER starring Honor Blackman and Francis Matthews runs from Tuesday 1 August. As he peruses The Times obituaries, famous writer Sir Cecil Warburton makes a discovery that has him whistling in the bath! At last, the dull Reggie Townsend has died, widowing the only woman that Cecil truly loved…and lost. With only one thing on his mind – matrimony – he arranges to meet Evelyn under the same tree in his garden where he kissed her 50 years earlier. SUMMER DANCE 2006 sees Future Dance Cardiff unveil another high quality production showcasing some of South Wales’ brightest young dancers. The collaboration between Diversions and the New Theatre works with 40 young dancers who will perform the exciting results of an intensive summer school on 12 August. From Tuesday 12 to Saturday 16 September the deliciously dark comedy THE SAFARI PARTY starring television favourites Christopher Timothy (All Creatures Great and Small), Jack Ryder (EastEnders) and Sara Crowe (Four Weddings and a Funeral) comes to the New Theatre. A trio of country households are holding a ‘safari party’ – a dinner party where each course is served in a different house. As the evening progresses some shocking layers of truth and deception are revealed about how car boot sale bargains can mysteriously become exclusive antiques. For one night only the golden voice of Duncan Breeze and some of the best singers, dancers and musicians the West End has to offer will dazzle audiences with A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS. On Sunday 17 September the New Theatre will be set alight by some of the best loved songs from Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, My Fair Lady, Blood Brothers and many more. Looking ahead, autumn at the New Theatre gets off to an exciting start with another Roald Dahl classic. From The Birmingham Stage Company and the Sherman Theatre comes a remarkable adaptation of DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD from Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 September. Perfect for children of 5 years and up and their families, this adventure is sure to thrill and entertain all ages. The Pirates are coming to town! The Carl Rosa Company brings one of Gilbert & Sullivan’s best-loved comic operas, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, to the New Theatre from Tuesday 26 September. Brimming with fun and favourite songs such as I am the Pirate King and A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One, this vibrant musical is a great night out for all the family. Leapin’ Lizards – ANNIE is back! This heart-warming story of little Annie’s adventures stars Wales’ own Ruth Madoc as the dastardly Mrs. Hannigan. Featuring favourites such as It’s a Hard Knock Life and Tomorrow, this much-loved family musical comes to the New Theatre from Tuesday 3 October. From Tuesday 10 October Joss Ackland stars in Tennessee Williams’ classic CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. Big Daddy, an affluent Southerner, and his dysfunctional family have gathered home for his 65th birthday. Unbeknown to Big Daddy, his family are keeping secrets that threaten to change the hierarchy of this old-fashioned southern dynasty forever. Kicking off the programme of events for the Cardiff International Festival of Musical Theatre is a must-see for musical theatre fans. The BBC RADIO 2 VOICE OF MUSICAL THEATRE makes a welcome return to find the international music stars of the future. From Sunday 15 October performers from around the world compete for the glittering title, a cash prize and BBC Broadcast engagements. Our second Festival show is an adaptation of Dylan Thomas’ A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES. Brought to life from Tuesday 24 October by the Wales Theatre Company, this is magical treat of music and laughter for all the family. Cardiff’s own Orbit Theatre returns to the New from Tuesday 31 October to Saturday 4 November with a wonderful production of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic love story CAROUSEL. Featuring songs including You’ll Never Walk Alone, When I Marry Mr. Snow and The Soliloquy, this award-winning and unforgettable musical is unmissable. To get in to the Christmas spirit, the Wales Theatre Company continue their festive programme with Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Starring Ron Moody, this classic tale is brought brilliantly to life from Tuesday 7 November. On Sunday 12 November, Music Theatre Wales presents a new opera by Lynne Plowman and Martin Riley, HOUSE OF THE GODS. Set in a back street pub during the First World War, Jack O’Connor, a cynical and disillusioned soldier back from the Front, finds himself living through what seems like a macabre and surreal opium dream. Exploring sacrifice, sex, death, science and innocence this original and entertaining gothic opera is a must for all opera fans. Alan Bennett’s multi-award winning play, THE HISTORY BOYS, visits the New Theatre from Tuesday 14 November. The action takes place in a boys’ grammar school in the north of England in the 1980s as a group of history students apply to Oxbridge under the guidance of two teachers with contrasting styles. Full of Bennett’s trademark wit and wisdom, the play marks a welcome return from the National Theatre. THE HISTORY BOYS contains some strong language. Getting into the full festive swing, this year’s New Theatre pantomime is the wonderful JACK AND THE BEANSTALK. From Saturday 16 December 2006 to Saturday 27 January 2007, John Barrowman (Doctor Who, Dancing on Ice), Andy Jones and Capital Gold’s Tony Wright take children of all ages on a spectacular adventure with stunning sets and costumes, a magnificent giant and plenty of laughs. It’s an unmissable treat for all the family. Summer and Autumn performances interpreted in British Sign Language are CATS (Saturday 8 July, 2.30pm), THE KINGFISHER (Saturday 5 August, 2.30pm), DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD (Saturday 23 September 2.00pm), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Saturday 11 November, 2.30pm) and JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Saturday 20 January, 2.30pm, Sunday 21 January, 1.00pm, Tuesday 23 January 1.30pm). On Saturday 15 July CATS will carry a live Audio Description for visually impaired theatre-goers, as will CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Saturday 14 October 2.30pm), CAROUSEL (Saturday 4 November, 2.30pm), THE HISTORY BOYS (Saturday 18 November, 2.30pm) and JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Friday 26 January, 7.00pm and Saturday 27 January, 2.30pm). These performances are interpreted or described by Erika James, except for THE HISTORY BOYS which will be described by Vocaleyes. There will also be a captioned performance of THE HISTORY BOYS on Wednesday 15 November at 7.30pm and a Touch Tour on Saturday 18 November at 1.00pm. Tickets for all these shows are on sale now from the New Theatre Box Office on Cardiff (029) 2087 8889 or online at www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk. |
| New Theatre Cardiff web site: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk |
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Sunday, May 7, 2006 |
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