New Wolsey announce Spring season
The New Wolsey Theatre has announced information on their Spring 2023 season, which will see two new home productions and the best entertainment and creativity from around the UK coming to Ipswich’s award-winning theatre. The season also marks Douglas Rintoul’s first season since taking the helm as Chief Executive in June.
In response to the current cost of living crisis, the theatre has made adaptations to their pricing model to be more affordable than ever before, with more of the season’s shows being featured in their Season Ticket deal and increasing the number of tickets that are included in their popular lower price bands by 50% (please note the Season Ticket does not include Band C tickets).
The main event of the Ipswich venue’s season is a dazzling new production of Noël Coward’s masterpiece Brief Encounter, adapted for the stage by Emma Rice, which will be presented by New Wolsey Theatre and Wiltshire Creative in association with the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre from 26th April until 13th May. Directed by the theatre’s new Chief Executive Douglas Rintoul, the production will have all the drama of the original masterpiece with added live music, comedy and spectacle, taking audiences on a rollercoaster ride though love’s beautiful complications.
The season also features a landmark revival of the modern classic DNA by Dennis Kelly from 2nd until 9th February. This contemporary comedy with bite will be directed by the theatre’s Chief Executive Douglas Rintoul and, after an extensive call-out and audition process aimed at performers living in Suffolk and East Anglia, will showcase a cast made up of the most exciting emerging talent from the region and marks a new strategy to support local artists. Alongside the performances of DNA, the theatre will be offering a range of ways that students and teachers can gain an insight into the production that will support learning and a deeper understanding of the text. These include free post show talks; pre-show Masterclasses with the Director and cast for just £3 a head and workshops in schools delivered by the cast. Tickets to the performances for schools are £12 for students, with one free teacher for every 10 students.
The season will also feature a hilarious retelling of H. G. Wells’ epic novel The Time Machine (23rd February – 4th March) from Original Theatre Productions Ltd in association with New Wolsey, the audacious comedy Village Idiot (29th March – 1st April) by Theatre Royal Stratford East, Nottingham Playhouse and Ramps on the Moon, Tilted Wig presents York Theatre Royal’s acclaimed production of Around the World in 80 Days (11th – 15th April) and the regional premiere of Roy Williams’ tender, bruising and funny play Sucker Punch (18th – 22nd April) from the innovative Theatre Nation Partnerships network, supported by the National Theatre.
Ground-breaking gig theatre company Middle Child Theatre will also return to the venue after many years with their music hall, farce and drag king cabaret Modest on 16th & 17th June, written by Ellen Brammar with music by Rachel Barnes.
More info on the full announced season and to book tickets can be found at www.wolseytheatre.co.uk