Cygnet Theatre’s Spring Season 2017

Cygnet’s New Year begins on 10th January with a World Premiere.

Untold Theatre will conjure up The Ghosts of Mr Dickens in a new play by Avril Silk & Martin Levinson, the team that brought Beyond Expectations and The Tempest.  Aboard the SS Cuba, bound for America in 1867, Charles Dickens is plagued with guilt-ridden visions and visitors from the spirit world.  Reality blurs into fiction as he is compelled to face his past. “The small cast showcase an incredible range in their acting” Everything Theatre

On 28th January in Feeding the Darkness, Journeymen Theatre challenge us to face the sensitive and disturbing subject of state-sanctioned torture.  Commissioned by Quaker Concern for the Abolition of Torture, this immersive performance, features verbatim and ‘faction’ duologues and poetry. Whilst iterating the Quaker position on torture, it encourages us to choose to be part of the solution.

Continuing with topical themes, Substance and Shadow Theatre make a welcome return on 3rd February with The Brexit Club. After their two successful productions in 2016, Skin Deep and Silver & Gould, they turn their characteristic black humour to an original tale of intolerance, alienation and Findus Crispy pancakes!  Two 45 minute performances at 7.00pm & 8.30pm.

As an antidote to the present bleak reality, on 11th February, in Old Herbaceous, aka Giles Shenton as ‘Herbert’ - a man with a passion for plants – gives us a private chat, sprinkled with witticisms and epithets, which transports us to a bygone and comforting age, leaving us feeling that perhaps all’s right with the world.  “Downton Abbey with gardening tips” The Guardian

On 17th February Sun & Moon Theatre return to Cygnet with a vibrant, intimate ensemble production of Shakespeare’s most delightful, yet melancholic of comedies – Twelfth Night (or What You Will). 

In an intriguing new setting in Christmas 1916, enriched with music, passion and wit, the twins Viola & Sebastian play out Shakespeare’s much loved story of mistaken identity, folly and love.  “Beautifully crafted, lively yet deeply thoughtful … the intelligence and passion this talented group of players bring to this fascinating play … this expertly abridged production is well worth the journey.” * * * * Remote Goat (The Two Gentlemen of Verona 2016)

Following that on 18th February, four talented classical musicians are giving a Gala Concert.  Violinist, Yulia Northridge and Pianist Ekaterina Shetliffe will play much-loved pieces by Elgar, Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky, joined by Soprano Donna Marie Broomfield and Tenor Matthew Wilding who will sing a selection of Operatic favourites by Puccini, Verdi, Bernstein, Lloyd Webber and many more!

On 23rd February De Nada Dance come with a highly recommended and intriguing mix of Ham and Passion – a gender-bending evening of seductive and provocative dance choreographed by Carlos Pons Guerra.  With a 14+ rating, Ham and Passion promises to subvert the senses with a true feast of meaty dance soaked in a salsa of passion!
“Perverse, sexy and flamboyant” The Observer   “Extraordinarily powerful.” Dance Europe  **** The Stage.

On 11th March, Giles Roberts in Much Further Out Than You Thought shines a light on the human cost of war.  Lance Corporal James Randall left tours of duty in Helmand six years ago, but Helmand is still far from leaving him.  “Roberts’ disturbing portrait of a broken man captures the horror of the war on terror with unblinking urgency... Our sympathies sit on a knife-edge.”   * * * * The Scotsman   Suitable for 12+

Wren Music celebrate International Women’s Day, on 17th March, with Singing Her Story, featuring a chorus of women especially recruited by Sarah Owen and Marilyn Tucker for this occasion.  Wren Music is celebrating a jubilee year: founders Paul Wilson and Marilyn Tucker joined the prestigious role of recipients of the Gold Badge Award from the English Folk Dance and Song Society in recognition of their contribution to Folk Music over 30 years.

Meanwhile Cygnet Theatre offers regular courses & workshops, and Cygnet Company will present their own show in March.

Box Office 01392 277189 / 665885  

www.wegottickets.com/cygnettheatre 

Further details: www.cygnettheatre.co.uk/events/theatre/