February 2011 – Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

Production February 4-19
Play by William Shakespeare
Director John Milson

The play is set in the kingdom of Denmark and tells the story of Prince Hamlet gaining revenge on his uncle Claudius for murdering the king – Hamlet’s father and Claudius’ brother – after he gains the throne and marries the widowed queen. more…

April 2011 – Company

Production April 1-16
Musical by Stephen Sondheim & George Furth
Director Dannielle Ashton
Musical Director Matt Austin

The plot revolves around the extremely good-looking Bobby who, after celebrating his 35th birthday, still can’t commit to a steady relationship although wants to share his life with someone. Looking at how he interacts with his three girlfriends and five married couples who are his best friends, Company was one of the first musicals to deal with adult problems through its lyrics and melodies. more…

June 2011 – Amadeus

Production June 3-18
Play by Peter Schaffer
Director Vanessa Jensen

Amadeus by Peter Shaffer combines fiction and history to explore the lives and rivalry of  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. It was inspired by Mozart and Salieri, a short play by Aleksandr Pushkin which was later adapted into an opera of the same name by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Amadeus opened in 1979 to critical acclaim and audience appreciation. It won the Evening Standard Award for Best Play of 1979. Shaffer extensively revised the play before it opened on Broadway in late 1980. It won many Tony Awards including best new play and best play. Shaffer then adapted Amadeus for a film released in 1984, which won many Academy Awards. more…

August 2011 – Life x 3

Production August 5-20
Comedy by Yasmina Reza
Director Eliot McCann

Henry, a scientist, and Sonia are preparing for a quiet evening at home, having just put their six-year-old to bed. A ring at the door heralds the arrival of Hubert, Henry’s publisher, his wife and Ines – all 24 hours early for a dinner party! Over an improvised meal, the evening degenerates and there is a hilarious and poignant examination of personal intimacies and private lodgings. The three scenes show three versions of the same hapless evening where the characters change subtly each time with a dramatically different outcome for each. Theatre patrons may remember Art by the same author at the Old Mill Theatre two years ago.

October 2011 – After Dinner

Production September 30-October 15
Comedy by Andrew Bovell
Director Matt Longman

It’s a suburban pub bistro on a Friday evening. Three office workers are seeking a good night out. At an adjoining table is Gordon, recently abandoned by his wife,  and the upwardly-mobile Stephen who are seeking the same – but with different ideas! As the night progresses social restraint is abandoned, exposing the foibles, pain and humour of their inner lives. This is an acutely-observed but tender-hearted account of relationships and behaviour. MORE…

November 2011 – Daisy Pulls It Off

Production November 25-December 10
Play by Denise Deegan
Director Susan Lynch

This witty comedy set in in a girl’s boarding school in the late 1920s chronicles the attempts by Daisy to find acceptance at Grangewood School for Young Ladies. Following many tribulations, all comes right in the end with Daisy triumphant, also finding her long-lost father along the way. MORE…