Devilishly good theatre for autumn season

THE CURTAIN is raised today on a spectacular season of shows at the Theatre Royal.

Stars including Wet Wet Wet's Marti Pellow, actress Lesley Joseph and opera singer Lesley Garrett take to the stage in a series of productions ranging from Shakespeare's classic tragedy Othello to the Disney teen sensation High School Musical.

Other highlights in the autumn season from August to January next year at the Theatre Royal and the Drum include musical Carousel, Willy Russell's acclaimed drama Blood Brothers and comedy Calendar Girls.

Adrian Vinken, Chief Executive of the Theatre Royal, said: “As one of the UK's leading producing theatres we are never happier than when creating new work for our audiences at all scales and this autumn offers a wealth of such opportunities.”

Lesley Joseph is playing the Fairy Godmother in the annual pantomime Cinderella, which has already sold thousands of tickets months ahead of the production.

Marti Pellow stars as the devilish Darryl Van Horne in The Witches of Eastwick, a musical based on the Warner Brothers film starring Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer and Cher.

You can catch Britain's most popular soprano, Lesley Garrett CBE, in Plymouth playing Nettie in Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical Carousel, before it goes to the West End. The score includes The Carousel Waltz, If I Loved You, June Is Bustin' Out All Over and You'll Never Walk Alone.

Othello, Shakespeare's most brutal and gripping tragedy, is brought to the stage by Frantic Assembly in co-production with the Theatre Royal and promises “hardhitting” choreography, in an adaptation that takes a scalpel to 21st century Britain, exposing prejudice, danger and fear.

Blood Brothers, hailed by the critics as one of the best musicals of all time, comes to the city in August.

The show has so far scooped four awards for Best Musical in London, seven Tony nominations on Broadway and a standing ovation at every performance.

Calendar Girls brings a host of familiar faces to the stage to tell the story of WI ladies who stripped off for charity.

Patricia Hodge and Lynda Bellingham will be among those baring all in December.

Creators of the stage version of Disney's High School Musical promise to bring you everything you loved about the movie, together with two brand new numbers performed by the country's 'hottest' dancers and an 'electrifying' live band.

Simon Stokes, Artistic Director at the Theatre, said: “Whoever you are, we guarantee that there is something in our forthcoming season that you will most certainly enjoy.

“All you have to do is decide what this is most likely to be and we'll look forward to welcoming you to whatever you choose!”

Tickets for the shows in the new season go on sale for TRAC members on July 15, to the Mailing Club on July 16, for group bookings on July 17 and on general sale on July 18.

Call the box office on 01752 267222 for details.