With rehearsals for the New Vic Theatre’s festive production of The Wind In The Willows in full swing, the New Vic – recently named the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre – West Midlands in the UK Theatre Awards – today announces its full spring season.
To open the season, the theatre will once again join forces with Northern Broadsides, this time to co-produce Shakespeare’s greatest romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. Featuring Reece Dinsdale (This House, National Theatre; The Absence of War, Headlong Theatre Company) in the role of Benedick and directed by Northern Broadsides’ Artistic Director Conrad Nelson (Anna of the Five Towns, New Vic Theatre; They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay!, Northern Broadsides), the production will premiere at the New Vic from Friday 8 February until Saturday 2 March before embarking on a three-month tour of the UK.
In March, New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins (Astley’s Astounding Adventures, Around The World In 80 Days) will direct The 39 Steps (Fri 8 – Sat 30 March), John Buchan and Alfred Hitchcock’s thrilling spy drama (adapted by Patrick Barlow, from an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon). An inventive, fast-paced caper, four actors, New Vic favourites Rebecca Brewer (Playhouse Creatures); Gareth Cassidy (Treasure Island); Michael Hugo (Around The World In 80 Days) and Nicholas Richardson (Astley’s Astounding Adventures) will play more than 120 characters in this side-splitting comedy that will be performed in-the-round in the New Vic’s unique style.
New Vic Associate Director Zoë Waterman (Table, Playhouse Creatures) will direct Intemperance by Lizzie Nunnery, a moving drama set in Liverpool. Set in a close-knit community where love and hope blossom against the harshest of circumstances, Intemperance tells the story of one family who dream of a better life and takes to the stage from Friday 5 to Saturday 20 April.
The spring season will see the New Vic’s Youth Theatre take centre-stage on Monday 25 February to perform Luke Barnes’ The Sad Club as part of National Theatre Connections 2019. The New Vic Youth Theatre will join 5000 other talented young people from right across the UK as part of Connections, which sees youth theatres across the country given the chance to perform new plays written for, and about, young people.
A stellar line-up of one-night concerts and events completes the season, including a special visit from Sir Michael Parkinson on Wednesday 13 February, who will talk about his life and career; An Evening of Eric and Ern with Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens, a brilliant homage to the iconic double act on Friday 1 and Sat 2 February; Steve Harley Acoustic Trio with James Lascelles and Barry Wickens on Monday 18 February; and Steeleye Span celebrate 50 years together on Wednesday 10 April.