Sunday, 1 January 2012

Preview: 2012 Theatre Highlights

2011 is all done and dusted so what does the 2012 theatrical year offer. Andrew Lloyd Webber may be predicting a ‘bloodbath’ for London theatre during the Olympics but, while the ‘greatest show on earth’ may or may not have an impact on London theatre attendance, there is much to look forward to in 2012 alongside the sporting events.

In no particular order here are ten of my 'must sees' for 2012:


Roots - Colchester then touring
The centrepiece of Wesker's trilogy, Roots has become a modern classic. Cultures and beliefs clash in rural Norfolk in a revolutionary play that is still relevant today. After Colchester the show tours to Hull, Stoke, Oxford and Nottingham.

After universal praise in Manchester in 2011, Punchdrunk’s interactive Dr Who adventure comes to Ipswich as part of the London 2012 Cultural Festival.

Across the country a range of Shakespeare productions offer a unique insight into the world’s greatest playwright. Major UK Theatre Companies are joined by international companies to present the Bards work.

For centuries the people have York have performed the medieval cycle of mystery plays. Now a cast of over 1000 local people perform the biggest staging of the cycle in the city for nearly a quarter of a century.

Copenhagen - Sheffield Lyceum
A play about the meeting of two nuclear quantum physicists may not sound like a thrilling evening but Michael Fryan’s powerful piece is given a rare revival as part of Sheffield’s Michael Fryan season.

King Lear - Theatre In The Forest
Red Rose Chain can always be relied upon to give an inventive twist to Shakespeare and it will be interesting to see how they adapt one of Shakespeare’s darkest plays to their forest setting.

Private Resistance -Eastern Angles
What if Germany had invaded Britain in 1940? How would Churchill's secret guerilla army disrupt the invasion? Forget Dads's Army, this is the true story of wartime resistance.

Going Dark - Young Vic
From Sound And Fury the creators of Kursk, one of the most inventive and immersive shows of recent years, comes Going Dark a multi sensory look at the wonder of the cosmos.

A year after Headlong’s  Artistic Director Rupert Goold directed R&J for the RSC, their associate director Robert Icke tackles the tale of star-crossed lovers. Expect Headlong’s usual inventive, theatrical magic.

Anne Boleyn - Touring
English Touring Theatre teams up with Shakespeare’s Globe to tour Howard Brenton’s critically acclaimed play about the doomed Queen.


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