Our Young people create big, bold and challenging season post-lockdown.
New writing, premiere of new dance work, Greek cycle of destruction and fabulous family show for Christmas.
New training programmes and expansive 2022 plans as young people place arts at their core.
Playbox Theatre emerge after the completion of The Phoenix Project with a huge thank you to individuals, trusts, Warwick District Council and Arts Council England for support throughout the pandemic.
Today a new season of creative work is announced, with three large scale new productions, a premiere of an exciting new dance work, evolving special projects and expanded participatory sessions at both The Dream Factory and centres in the region.
Following the acclaimed staging of HAMLET (June 21) the Dream Factory returns to large scale productions beginning in October.
DANCING BEAR and the HUNTER IN THE STARS an original new commission for Playbox Theatre by Mairin O’Hagan.
Continuing Playbox Theatre’s exploration of Greek drama, literature, myth and culture, this new play due to open in 2020 with a cast of 35 who have waited patiently for the chance to rehearse and perform. At last that time has arrived, and its young cast can’t wait to bring this exciting tale of Gods and Goddesses, Nymphs and Bears to our stage. Dancing Bear and the Hunter in the Stars is an exciting race against time, for our heroine Stella Somersby who must travel back two thousand years to redeem the world.
Mary King, Founding and Executive Director of Playbox stages the show with a cast of 35. The production opens on Thursday 7th October.
The family of deceased Oedipus hurtle into chaos and destruction in Sophocles magnificent drama. Antigone refuses to accept the new law forbidding the burial of her brother, decreed a traitor. She pursues her destiny alone, placing personal loyalty before state politics, threatening to bring a state to its knees.
Stewart McGill directs a cast and chorus in a contemporary look at ancient Greek Theatre. The production opens on Thursday 4th November
Artistic Director of Playbox, Emily Quash, stages a return to large scale family Christmas shows that have become a popular tradition of the company since the opening of The Dream Factory in 1999.
This year Laurence Boswell’s adaptation of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, with its sparkling combination of theatre, movement and visual delights provides a much-needed opportunity for families to celebrate together at the theatre.
A cast of 45 will inhabit the marvellous locations of this perennial favourite for all ages. Speaking today Emily said:
“Christmas is returning to Playbox and I can’t wait! It’s our favourite time of the year, and of extra significance this winter, having had to cancel all our plans in 2020 due to the pandemic. The pressure is on to make sure that we create something that brings joy, excitement, and a healthy dose of peril to audiences across all ages. Lawrence Boswell’s script is explosive and will have audiences gripped from the start – we’ve just announced casting and I’m so pleased to be working with a team of hugely talented actors, who will use theatre, dance, music and acrobatics to bring this glorious adventure to life.
After everything that people have had to endure over these past 18 months, we are so grateful to be able to rebuild our full production programme, and to share some Playbox magic with everyone this Christmas.”
Beauty opens on Thursday 16th December.
Playbox Theatre is delighted to announce a collaboration with Asian Dance Theatre, SHRISTI, to premiere a fascinating new work.
Created by Nina Rajaroni MBE and Y Yadavor. Playbox Theatre collaborate with Asian dance theatre, Shristi, to premiere a fascinating new work.
Based on the theme of ‘Saptapadl’ (Seven steps) the most important rite of a Hindu marriage ceremony. The piece explores the significant occurrences of the number seven through dance and music.
This production opens Thursday 14th October.
As the Autumn season is announced, Playbox Theatre is also delighted to be working on special projects including an original new writing commission inspired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER staged next summer and in the new Phoenix outdoor theatre a festival inspired by the eighteenth century pleasure gardens at Vauxhall with an extensive programme of theatre, music and masquerade including Playbox Theatre’s new production of John Gay’s THE BEGGARS OPERA, widely considered to be the first musical comedy and the ‘original’ ‘juke-box’ show.
In addition, Playbox reintroduce more participatory programmes for all ages embracing a wide spectrum of performing arts including the popular ACTING FOR SCREEN.
Whilst ensuring safety and care for everyone attending Playbox Theatre, it is planned to return to full scale events from the autumn with a big, bold, challenging and extensive programme for everyone.
