Leeds Playhouse has announced an exciting season of productions for autumn and winter as theatres across the country get back into full swing.
“The past year has made us truly appreciate the importance of theatre as a live shared experience,” said artistic director James Brining. “We have emerged from lockdown more determined than ever to honour and develop this ethos through our work, our reach and our welcome.”
Highlights include a new collaboration between the Playhouse and imitating the dog of Dracula. the Untold Story (September 25-October 9) - a drama set in the 1960s and described by the theatre as a “live graphic novel”; and a Playhouse/Headlong Theatre co-production of modern classic Jitney (October 16-November 6), August WIlson’s drama about work and survival in post-Vietnam, segregated America.
Northern Ballet’s tour of Dangerous Liaisons plays at the theatre from September 2-11) and for those who continue not to visit the theatre, a filmed production of Oliver Twist will be available for viewing online from October 25-November 21. The show, adapted by Bryony Lavery and directed by Amy leach, was staged live at the Playhouse in 2020 before lockdown began and filmed (with accessible features for the disabled) for later presentation through the Playhouse at Home channel.
Director Amy Leach said: "When we first staged Oliver Twist at the beginning of 2020, we were overwhelmed by the response and heartbroken that it had to be paused. I'm delighted that we are now able to share it digitally.”
Another major work is Phoenix Dance Theatre’s gala to celebrate its 40th anniversary (December 3), which will feature a new work by company founder David Hamilton MBE and artistic director Dane Hurst.
The season ends with a staging of Wendy and Peter Pan (November 18-January 22), Ella Hickson’s retelling of the famous Barrie story from Wendy Darling’s perspective, complete with extravagant costumes and sets.
For the full programme, see here