Skip to main content

Victoria Road, Richmond,
North Yorkshire, DL10 4DW

01748 825252

News


Theatre launches new Autumn Season

21/07/2021
Theatre launches new Autumn Season

Theatre unveils new Autumn Season of shows and events

When the curtains go back on the new Autumn season at Richmond’s Georgian Theatre Royal, audiences will not only be able to celebrate the return of live theatre but they will also be able to enjoy comfortable new seating in a revitalised auditorium.

During the lockdown period, the Theatre received a generous £375,000 grant from the Hamish Ogston Foundation to fund an ambitious Auditorium Development Project, which enabled the former 1960s benches and chairs to be replaced by comfortable new seating, with better views of the stage.

Further grants from the Theatres Trust, the Pilgrim Trust, the Foyle Foundation and the Normanby Trust have also enabled the Theatre to install a modern Building Management System as part of the works. This will greatly improve both the effectiveness and efficiency of the ventilation and heating in the Grade 1 Listed building – including the ability to distribute 100% fresh air into the auditorium.

The season itself has a vast array of shows for every taste, including festival performances, cutting-edge drama, top comedy acts, music and children’s entertainment. 

It starts on 3 September with a performance by the international pianist Albert Lau, a Young Steinway Artist who visited the Theatre shortly before the first lockdown and committed then to return one day to perform on its stage. His programme will include Beethoven’s ‘Appassionata’ and works by Clara Schumann, Ravel and Chopin. Other musical delights are offered by opera star Graeme Danby and Friends on 9 October and the critically acclaimed violinist Philippa Mo (23 October).

Fans of classic drama will not be disappointed by Jane Eyre, which brings Charlotte Bronte’s much-loved novel to the stage on 10 September. This is followed by A Perfect Likeness, which is centred on the intriguing relationship between two titans of English literature, Charles Dickens and Lewis Carroll (17 September) and The Silence of Snow, an exploration of the life of Patrick Hamilton, one of the great English writers of the inter-war years on 23 September. For something a little different, there will be a comedy thriller The Killer Question on 24 September when the audience will decide who plays who on the night. 

To mark the town’s 950th anniversary, the Theatre is hosting a special evening on 13 September with Moira Cameron – the first woman Yeoman Warder, more commonly known as Beefeaters of the Tower. 

This is followed by the Richmond Walking and Book Festival, when the Theatre will be staging a number of fascinating talks, starting with Henri Ward – a researcher for Horrible Histories – on 18 September. Other speakers include Lady Hale, former President of the Supreme Court, (20 September); Laura Wood, author of the young adult fiction bestseller A Snowfall of Silver that was inspired by the Georgian Theatre Royal (21 September); and author and TV presenter Sally Magnusson on 22 September. Another big name follows later in the season as an encore event for the Festival, when the Theatre welcomes to its stage the UK Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage on 15 October. 

The Georgian Theatre has an established reputation for stand-up comedy and the new season sees a welcome return of multi-award winning comic Troy Hawke with ‘Tiles of the Unexpected’ (25 September) and well-known radio and TV comedian Simon Evans with his new show ‘The Work of the Devil’ on 30 October. Just so the kids aren’t left out, they have their own show Comedy Club 4 Kids on 31 October, which features some of the best stand-ups and cabaret stars on the circuit who will be doing a family show for ages 6 plus.

Those looking for a bit of good-fun nostalgia can enjoy an evening with the talented and popular History Wardrobe who will be exploring the fashion, politics, art and literature of the 1970s in What Were We Thinking? (16 October). This is followed hot on the heels by the Abba tribute band Arrival, which has been voted ‘Best Abba Show’ and ‘Most Authentic Abba Show’ for the last eight years by the UK Abba fan club. They will be creating a truly authentic Abba experience on 21 and 22 October.  

Always a welcome addition to the Autumn Programme, are the town’s talented community groups. Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society is performing Tom Stoppard’s comedy masterpiece Arcadia from 11 - 13 November and Richmond Operatic Society presents a new musical comedy The Addams Family (18 – 20 November).

Rounding off the season is the legendary Georgian Theatre pantomime Beauty and the Beast with its festive run from 3 December to 9 January. Widely regarded as one of the best pantomimes in the region, this year’s production will contain the usual family-style comedy, amazing musical routines and dazzling special effects.

Details of all shows and events are given in the newly published programme brochure available at the Box Office, via this website or by calling the Box Office on 01748 825252.

 

‹ Back to List

HELP US PRESERVE

OUR THEATRE FOR

GENERATIONS TO COME

We are asking people to give to support our heritage, arts and youth theatre activities, and community work.

This can either be through a one-off donation or by pledging an amount per month throughout the campaign.