Our Warwick January 2022Playbox Theatre today announce details of the Spring/Summer programme at The Dream Factory, Warwick following the record-breaking Christmas production of Beauty and the Beast. The new season is planned on a scale to involve many young people in developing creations from musicals, classical and contemporary drama, original new writing and a summer in the outdoor Phoenix theatre. After two years of pandemic restrictions and adjustments, it’s time to be big, bold and adventurous.
The Dream Factory, Warwick
STARRY NIGHTS a festival of young people on stage
24th & 25th February 2022
Playbox open the 2022 season with the annual STARRY NIGHTS event when current members of the company work with a cohort of directors to restage highlights of the company’s back catalogue. 100 young people participate in the 2-night festival recalling 35 years of Starry Nights with Playbox.
Shakespeare Young Company create two immersive works.
Playbox’s SYC has been acclaimed both in UK and in the USA. The ensemble explore Shakespeare and his contemporaries as ‘plays for today’ using a wide range of techniques, styles and locations.
St Mary’s Church, Crypt. Warwick
Thursday March 3rd 6.30pm & 7.30pm
THE QUEENS
Audiences descend into the 12th century crypt of St Mary’s to encounter the women, all linked with power who, in their own way try to oppose, resist, make pacts and seize opportunities, in a climate of uncertainty and threat. Inspired by the history plays of Shakespeare, the SYC ensemble immerse the audience in a collage of treatments.
A sound 360 degree installation and ‘live’ event.
Town Hall, Stratford Upon Avon.
Friday 11th March 7pm
ROMEO AND JULIET
Invited by Paul Edmondson, the champion of the Town Hall Statue Appeal, to read Romeo and Juliet, SYC plan to create a 360degree sound version of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Working with sound designer Spesh Maloney the company plan to give a new take on this popular play.
The Dream Factory, Warwick
April 6th / 7th / 8th / 9th 7pm
THE SECRET GARDEN
For Easter, the return of Playbox Theatre’s big musical productions with THE SECRET GARDEN music by Lucy Simon, book by Marsha Norman, based on the popular, ever green story by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Directed by Music Theatre Director Juliet Vankay with musical direction by Richard Norris. The company is lead by 9 year old, Floren Smith as Mary Lennox.
The Dream Factory, Warwick
June 17th / 18th / 19th
MARINER!
A new writing commission in partnership with Blank Shift young writers. Playbox Theatre has a long history of commissioning new plays for young people. At a time of existential environmental concern, Blank Shift young writers and director Toby Quash create an epic new work MARINER! An exciting and nightmarish journey that questions our place within the natural world and threatens our very survival as part of it.
The production is directed by Playbox Artistic Director, Emily Quash.
The Dream Factory, Warwick.
14th / 15th / 16th / 17th July
THE BEGGARS OPERA
It’s time for a saucy, summer, riotous romp! A new music-theatre production inspired by John Gay’s 18th century ballad opera, with musical direction by SCRATCHY BEARD.
To close the season Mary King directs a fabulous, loud riot of cheek, sauciness and disruption in John Gay’s satirical nod to the formality of 18th century opera. Meet Polly Peacham, Lucy Locket and the highwayman Macheath together with a wild cast of swaggering villains.
With support from Warwick District’s Culture Fest.
The Dream Factory, Warwick.
Throughout June and July
PHOENIX OPEN AIR THEATRE
A full programme of live music, drama, circus and song will be announced late spring. A chance to picnic, be entertained and enjoy late night gatherings with a celebratory focus, to end a very full, diverse and engaging programme, for all ages, created by the members of Playbox Theatre.
In addition to the announced programme of productions, Playbox Theatre run weekly workshops in theatre and the wider arts for children and young people.
Looking ahead towards Autumn the Greek Cycle will complete with a large-scale version of the ORESTEIA telling the story of the curse on the House of Atreus. Full details will be available in early summer.
