THE full autumn season at the Wote Street venue is jam-packed with theatre.
Making a welcome return to The Haymarket is the hugely successful children’s show The Gruffalo (September 18 – 21). The hit monster family show is a brilliant musical stage adaptation of the award winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
ID Productions presents Design for Murder by Donald F. East from September 24-27.
Clive and Moira are a middle class couple existing in a loveless marriage, each with their own secrets and skeletons in closets. But events take a sinister turn when these skeletons emerge and treachery and double-crossing lead to catastrophic consequences.
Peter Amory (below), Emmerdale’s original ‘bad boy’ Chris Tate, stars in this thrilling psychological drama.
Blackeyed Theatre in association with South Hill Park present Not About Heroes (October 1 - 2). It tells the unforgettable story of two of the finest Great War poets, Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon.
Through the letters and poems of these two men, Stephen MacDonald’s acclaimed play paints a vivid and moving picture of their friendship and the conflict that brought them together.
Talking Scarlet presents Double Death by Simon Williams (October 15-18) starring Brian Capron (Coronation Street), Andrew Paul (Where the Heart Is) and Kim Tiddy (The Bill, Hollyoaks).
Brian Capron
In an isolated house on the cliffs of north Cornwall, the sibling rivalry between identical twins Max and Ashley Hennessy is coming to a murderous climax. They both know one of them must die but, trapped in his wheelchair, Ashley knows the odds are against him and he is in mortal danger.
Which of them is the victim and which is the psychopath? Perhaps they have done it again – pulled off the final “switch”. An all-star cast appear in this gripping, unpredictable thriller.
Following a hit tour in 2012, Three Men in a Boat - Craig Gilbert’s acclaimed adaption of Jerome K Jerome’s classic tale of boating misadventure, returns to The Haymarket on October 31 and November 1.
Originally intended as a guide to boating on the Thames, Jerome’s ripping yarn of youthful friendship, mischief and folly celebrates the very essence of Britishness.
Produced by the Original Theatre Company and The Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, this classic tale of British misadventure includes a working pub, live piano accompaniment, some ale, a dog and a feast of physical comedy.
Don’t miss We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at The Haymarket from November 7-9. A family go on an expedition of a lifetime – running down the grassy bank, wading through the cold river, squelching over the oozy mud, stumbling into the dark forest, then peering into a cave… what will they find?
Little Angel Theatre brings Michael Rosen’s thrilling and funny adventure to life in this entrancing puppetry production directed by Peter Glanville and with music and lyrics by renowned singer-songwriter Barb Jungr. Suitable for everyone over the age of 2, this has a running time of 45 minutes.
Talking Scarlet presents Shady Business by Robin Hawdon (November 12–15) starring Zoe Lister (Hollyoaks) and Scott Wright (Coronation Street).
Mandy and Tania are sexy but struggling nightclub dancers living in the heart of London’s Soho, and they face a crisis. Will possessive club owner Big Mack find out about Mandy’s affair with Gerry and set his sidekicks on them? Will he discover that he is owed money stolen from the day’s take?
Will Gerry be discovered hiding in Mandy’s bathroom? Will anyone figure out what is going on, and will they all survive until the curtain comes down? The action doesn’t slow down from beginning to end in this madcap comedy by the author of Don’t Dress for Dinner and Perfect Wedding.
The season also has a great variety of one-night shows. Comedian Ruby Wax brings her show Sane New World to The Haymarket on Saturday, September 13.
Based on her critically acclaimed book, the show is your passport to saner living showing how to rewire your thinking to find calm in a frenetic world.
Stephen K Amos returns to The Haymarket on October 8, with his new show Welcome To My World. Fresh from sell-out tours of Australia and New Zealand, as heard on BBC Radio 4 Life: An Idiot’s Guide and What Does the K Stand For? Suitable for ages 16 and over.
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (October 10) sees the five Bennett sisters husbandhunting, but for spirited Elizabeth Bennett not just any man will do. An encounter with the handsome Mr Darcy does not seem very promising; however, first impressions can be misleading.
This witty and inventive new adaptation of one of the most loved novels of all time sees debates in drawing rooms, magnificent balls and turns about the garden. Two actors play 21 characters and cramming 400 pages of action into just two hours.
Charles Ross recreates the world of Middle Earth in One Man Lord of the Rings on October 11. No props or costumes are required as he hurtles through the Tolkien trilogy in just 3,600 seconds of unbelievable kinetic entertainment.
On October 13 and 14, local school children take to the stage in the wonderful Shakespeare Schools Festival, helping to mark the Bard’s 450th birthday.
Tickets for all shows at The Haymarket are now on sale.
Box office: 01256 844244, anvilarts.org.uk.
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