The Dukes in Lancaster has an exciting new season in prospect to celebrate its 50th anniversary year.
Autumn 2021 ushers in a celebration year up to next summer packed with drama, family shows and comedy, including newly-commissioned work focusing on Lancaster stories. One, Belle & Mary is a retelling of an infamous Lancaster true-crime tale.
But The Dukes is not just focusing on local themes: it will welcome companies from across the UK with family productions such as Tarzanna and Protein Dance’s Little Prince.
There is also comedy and drama with La Navet Bete Theatre’s The Three Musketeers: A Comedy Adventure, and Dracula: The Untold Story by innovative company, imitating the dog.
The ever expanding and exciting Moor Space programme will showcase work such as Too Pretty to Punch and Finding Folk, bringing new voices to The Dukes stage.
To finish the year comes a festive family production of Beauty and the Beast. Full season details here.
Since opening its doors in 1971, The Dukes has been at the heart of arts and culture of the Lancaster area. As the county’s only producing theatre, over the years The Dukes has welcomed the likes of Dame Harriet Walter, Gloria Grahame, Andy Serkis and most recently, Sir Ian McKellen.
In 1987, the theatre broke new ground with the first Play in the Park, A Midsummer Night's Dream. The Williamson Park series is currently showing Grimm Tales, until August 22. See our review here. In 2016, The Dukes park show won Best Show for Children and Young People at the UK Theatre Awards.
In 1995 The Dukes opened a second building, now known as Moor Space, close to the main theatre and cinema in Moor Lane. The building was transformed from an empty shell into the home of participatory work with the local community and a new performance space welcoming new artists to Lancaster.