A new spring and summer season has been announced at Sheringham Little Theatre. Director Debbie Thompson flags up some highlights.
Sea shanties are part of the fabric of coastal life – and now they are set to star in our summer drama season.
We are thrilled to say that we have not just one but two brand new productions in this year’s six-week “rep” line-up.
Shanty is a comedy, with live music, based on the life of a local fisherman struggling with a downturn in business – until youngest daughter Shanty starts a family band to generate money.
It is written by our good friend North Norfolk-based poet, playwright and EastEnders scriptwriter James McDermott and runs from August 8-12.
To set the mood, on Sunday July 30, there is also a linked concert by the town’s Shantymen, who have been terrific supporters of our venue over the years with fundraising events.
Our other premiere is a modern twist on an old favourite farce.
If you’ve ever seen Ray Cooney’s Run For Your Wife, then you’ll enjoy Run for Your Man – where Ray has switched the main character, a two-timing cabbie, from a man to a woman.
And we are lucky enough to host its first-ever UK performance from August 22-26. What a coup!
The other summer shows are: I Am Hamlet (Jul 29-Aug 5), a comic thriller with fun and dark plot twists as a young actor auditions for the lead role in Shakespeare’s tragedy; Hound of the Baskervilles (Aug 15-19), a comedy spoof of the Sherlock Holmes moors murder; and Private Lives (Aug 29-Sep 2), Noel Coward’s intimate comedy involving two mismatched couple.
We always try to balance staging new work with traditional favourites, so we are thrilled to be able to host two premieres as well as some new slants on well-known dramas and some evergreen wit from Noel Coward.
It fits our aim to provide something for everyone.
This summer, after some Covid-affected years, we are back to a full season for the first time with five plays in six weeks, performed by nine professional actors and four community cast members.
It is very exciting putting a programme together. Drawing up a new season can start a year in advance, as I get ideas of things to work into our year – which is lucky to have flagship seasons such as summer, panto, and the youth production at Easter.
We like to combine the talents of local theatre companies, with new professional company tours.
Spring shows in the new season include:
· April 1 – Forever Young – East Anglian Film Archive footage celebrates how British youth cultures in 1970s and 80s linked to the music and fashion of the time and transformed society.
· April 13-15 - The Jungle Book – a 40-strong youth cast perform the Disney kids version as an Easter family treat, complete with all the best known characters and songs.
· May 31 – War of the Worlds (On A Budget) – One man, his props and puppets pay homage to H G Wells sci-fi classic in a musical action adventure.
For more details, visit www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com
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