The Old Vic - 2016/2017 season announced
Season preview
THE Old Vic has announced Artistic Director Matthew Warchus’ second season and it includes a wide-ranging programme that includes world premieres, new writing, musicals, classic revivals and The Old Vic Variety Nights.
There will also be a new strand of children’s programming to engage the next generation of theatregoers, demonstrating Matthew Warchus’ ‘something for everyone’ approach.
PRODUCTIONS
The world premiere of Samuel Beckett’s No’s Knife performed by Lisa Dwan – October 3 (previews from September 29) to October 15.
Where would I go, if I could go, who would I be, if I could be, what would I say, if I had a voice, who says this, saying it’s me?
No’s Knife sees Beckett exploring the powerful resilience to stay alive. Hard on the heels of a sold-out international tour of the Beckett Trilogy, Lisa Dwan presents a fresh and penetrating interpretation of this monologue. Recognised as modern theatre’s foremost adaptor of Beckett’s work, Dwan brings her unexpected and compelling voice to these hitherto unperformed writings.
William Shakespeare’s King Lear, directed by Deborah Warner and starring Glenda Jackson, with Jane Horrocks, Rhys Ifans, Simon Manyonda and Harry Melling – November 4 (previews from October 25) to December 3.
A quarter of a century after she gave up acting for politics, double Academy Award-winning legend Glenda Jackson returns to play the title role in Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy.
Yasmina Reza’s Art, translated by Christopher Hampton and directed by Matthew Warchus – January 3 (previews from December 10) to February 18, 2017.
Three friends and a white painting. One of the most acclaimed plays of recent times, Art premiered in London twenty years ago and went on to become a phenomenon, winning Moliere, Evening Standard, Olivier and Tony Awards. Director Matthew Warchus reunites the entire original team to revisit Yasmina Reza’s dazzling study of friendship, prejudice and tolerance.
Jack Thorne’s new version of Georg Büchner’s Woyzeck, directed by Joe Murphy and starring John Boyega – March 7 (previews from February 25) to April 15, 2017.
People like us are unhappy in this world and in the next: if we made it to heaven, we’d have to help make it thunder.
The multi-award winning Jack Thorne breathes new life into Woyzeck, one of the most influential plays ever written, creating for our time what Büchner intended for his: an unforgettable howl of rage.
IN 2017 and Beyond
Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead .
Half a century after its premiere on The Old Vic stage, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, the hugely acclaimed play that made a young Tom Stoppard’s name overnight, returns to The Old Vic in a 50th anniversary celebratory production.
Described as a mind-bending situation comedy, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is set against the backdrop of Shakespeare’s Hamlet and sees two hapless minor characters, the titular Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, take centre stage.
Stoppard’s brilliantly funny, existential labyrinth offers us as window into a world where life and art collide.
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax – adapted for the stage by David Greig and directed by Max Webster.
I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees!
The irrepressible, big-hearted, moustachioed critter is back as Olivier-nominated Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax returns to The Old Vic stage.
Described as a dazzlingly funny, moving and inspiring show, it sees the go-getting Once-ler come face to face with the magical Lorax in a battle over the beloved truffula trees and the whole of Paradise Valley.
David Greig’s adaptation is a brilliant riot of eye-popping colour, gorgeous puppetry and infectious music to enchant adults and children alike.
Fanny and Alexander – adapted from the film by Ingmar Bergman by Stephen Beresford and directed by Max Webster.
The world is a den of thieves and night is falling. So let us be kind and generous. There should be no shame in us taking pleasure in our little lives.
Ingmar Bergman’s magical study of childhood, family and love is often considered one of the greatest films ever made. Now, adapted by BAFTA-winning writer Stephen Beresford, it becomes an epic theatrical event.
Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore – a new version by Nigel Hess and Christopher Luscombe, directed by Christopher Luscombe and with musical adaptation by Nigel Hess.
We sail the ocean blue and the Pinafore’s a beauty!
Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic HMS Pinafore has its decks scrubbed anew by Nigel Hess and Christopher Luscombe (composer and director of the recent West End hit Nell Gwynn) in what is described as a sparkling new adaptation which stays true to the much-loved original while borrowing from the rich Gilbert and Sullivan catalogue to create a show full of surprises.
There will also be a puppetry show, Missing Light, created by Mark Arends as part of a new programme of children’s theatre, while The Old Vic Variety Nights return for a second series.
Speaking about the new season, Artistic Director Matthew Warchus said:
“Anyone who has visited The Old Vic in the last eight months will have felt the new wave of energy which has swept through the building. There’s a completely fresh feel to the foyer, bars and café, and a completely fresh approach to how we programme our productions and events. There’s much more happening, and for a much wider range of people. For a theatre without public funding this is no mean feat. It’s an exciting shift, aimed at consolidating The Old Vic as a vibrant and indispensable part of London’s artistic scene.
“With my second season, we continue our mission to be a leading creative hub in the capital, and further afield, radiating an energising and unintimidating spirit, as we celebrate the best of what theatre can be.”
Currently at The Old Vic: Harold Pinter’s The Caretaker, starring Timothy Spall, Daniel Mays and George MacKay (until May 14, 2016).
For more information or to book tickets call the box office on 0844 871 7628 or visit www.oldvictheatre.com/.