Festive Season at Theatre Royal Plymouth
It’s that time of year again!
The festive season is just around the corner, and Theatre Royal Plymouth have got some wonderful productions on to get you in the Christmas spirit.
There is the annual pantomime, which is always guaranteed to have you feeling festive, but what else is on throughout December?
Take a look at the available shows and book now!
Pinocchio, The Drum, 24 November – 14 January 2023
Visit the incredible world of Stuff and Nonsense.
Three very funny men seek refuge in a grand but abandoned old house, where they gather around an extraordinary dining table that becomes their playground. Grandfather, Father and Son tell tales of growing up; one of them is Pinocchio and it turns out he’s had quite a life!
In this adaptation of Pinocchio expect the classic elements of the story – a poor woodcarver, the tell-tale growing nose, the dream of becoming a real boy – combined with Stuff and Nonsense’s hallmark hilarity, skilled puppetry, original music, fantastic staging, outstanding performers and extraordinary physical tricks.
Stuff and Nonsense are leaders in family theatre and Director Niki McCretton has children’s boundless curiosity in her heart and family connection as her mission.
Invest in your children’s imaginations and take playfulness home with you!
Sister Act, The Lyric, 05 – 10 December
Brace yourselves sisters – the habit is coming to Plymouth!
Don’t miss this eagerly anticipated brand new production of the Broadway and UK smash hit musical Sister Act direct from London.
All your prayers have been answered with a stunning cast including West End sensation and Hairspray star Lizzie Bea and Emmerdale and Waitress legend Sandra Marvin as Deloris, everyone’s favourite nun on the run!
Disco diva Deloris’ life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found – a convent! Encouraged to help the struggling choir, she helps her fellow sisters find their true voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.
Featuring original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® award-winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted) and songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, this heavenly musical is joyous and uplifting in equal measures. A musical sent from above, Sister Act is the brilliant, must-see show which raises the spirits and warms the soul time after time.
Is That A Bolt In Your Neck?, The Drum, 06 – 24 December
Having previously thrilled audiences with hit shows, ‘Grimm And Grimmer’ and ‘The Thing That Came From Over There’, Gonzo Moose are back with ‘Is That A Bolt In Your Neck?’
A castle looms dark and foreboding over a small mountain village. Inside, Dr Chekhov, the brilliant and reclusive scientist, works in secret.
As the villagers prepare for Christmas they become increasingly alarmed. Strange shadows can be seen at the castle windows, and every night blood curdling cries of pain can be heard. What is Dr Chekhov doing? What hideous experiments is he perpetrating? What unimaginable horror might emerge from his laboratory? And will any of it spoil Christmas?
All will be revealed in this wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy horror featuring three fearless actors, playing over 20 roles in 75 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action.
With comedy and thrills galore you’ll gasp, laugh and be amazed at the horrific experiments, the mind-boggling love, and the sensational death-defying finale.
Inspired by gothic horror movie classics of the 1930’S, IS THAT BOLT IN YOUR NECK? is a fast-paced, rollicking ride mixing spooky paranoia, surreal nightmare and frantic farce. Suitable for audiences from ages 8 to 80, the show is packed full of hilarious slapstick, verbal wit, and magical illusion.
Sleeping Beauty, The Lyric, 16 December – 14 January 2023
Make Sleeping Beauty the pantomime of your dreams!
Join soap star and panto legend Shane Richie this Christmas at TRP and make Sleeping Beauty the pantomime of your dreams! He will be joined by X Factor Winner Matt Terry, the fabulous Ceri Dupree, the hilarious Peter Piper, Stephanie McKenzie as the title role and West End star Jarnéia Richard-Noel.
Once upon a time in a land far away, the beautiful Princess Aurora is given a twenty-first birthday present by her evil aunt Carabosse. By pricking her finger on an enchanted spinning wheel, she is placed under a cruel curse and forced to sleep for 100 years.
Can true love survive and the handsome Prince Charming break the spell? Who will outwit the evil Enchantress and foil her wicked plans? All will be revealed in this spectacular panto packed with magic, music, comedy and special effects.
Don’t get caught snoozing, book your tickets now! With over 40,000 theatregoers attending pantomimes at Theatre Royal Plymouth each festive season, it’s never too early to book!
Theatre Royal Plymouth is also hosting a range of show within its winter season of shows in the smallest space in the theatre, The Lab.
Ben Lyon-Ross, Head of Artistic Development, Engagement and Learning at Theatre Royal Plymouth, said: “The Lab is a space for work that is predominantly made here in the South West, and people will have a connection to it because it will tell stories that they’re recognising.
“The Winter Season should be rowdy, exciting and really good fun.”
The Lab Winter Season is as follows:
HEDDA, The Lab, 06 – 07 December (15+)
“I wasn’t going to allow him to touch me. Not in front of you all.”
Four actors are trying to perform Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler. The male actors want the play to go ahead as planned, the actress playing Hedda does not.
HEDDA by Eve Allin is a reimagining of a story as old as time, of a woman trapped in her house, in her body, desperate to break out.
Who Cares Now?, The Lab, 08 – 09 December 2022
March 2020 happens and Izzy is back on the job hunt.
After navigating the dramas of temporary jobs at Amazon and Domino’s, she eventually settles in a job working in domiciliary care. In keeping with her oblivious nature, she’s surprised to find out it’s a bit more than wiping bums and making your Nan a cup of tea in the morning.
From discussing the quality of the male anatomy on Naked Attraction with her favourite client 80-year-old Joan. To holding someone’s hand through their dad’s last moments.
Join Izzy in her chaotic confessional of working in care over the last few years.
Told through a mix of stand-up, visual storytelling and lairy voice notes sent to her housemates during her breaks. This explosion of energy is for anybody who has lost a job, found a job and cares for the vulnerable people in their life.
My Dad & Other Lies, The Lab, 10 December 2022
‘Nepobabies’ are unfairly vilified, but Charlotte Johnson (yes, THAT Johnson) is here to defend her tribe and share her talents with the world.
Her Dad is rapidly losing his relevance, but Charlotte Johnson is here to reclaim hers.
In an hour of silly character driven comedy, Charlotte Johnson proves that she’s more than just her good surname.
Made with support from Exeter Phoenix, Exeter Northcott Theatre, BBC New Creatives and Pleasance Fringe Futures. “A delicious, multilayered platform of privilege” – The Scotsman
The Dissent, The Lab, 13-14 December 2022 (13+)
Icarus, Ariadne and Phaedra are uniting to smash the patriarchy for a second shot at life.
A young woman has fallen from the sky to her death. In a trial to determine where she will spend eternity, Icarus is forced to examine the events which led to her flight and defend her choices. But how can she give her defence when history, the justice system and language itself is not designed for women?
Playful, provocative and poetic at times, The Dissent mixes Greek mythology with prose and parody to explore injustice, the language of the patriarchy and the role it plays in gender-based violence.
Contraband Sandwich, The Lab, 15-16 December 2022
In 1965, there was a hearing like no other.
Astronaut John Young smuggled a sandwich into space.
And NASA was pissed.
Just like NASA, we will be asking why.
Contraband Sandwich playfully re-imagines the moments surrounding John Young’s smuggling of a corned beef sandwich onto the Gemini 3 rocket and the consequences that followed. Whilst exploring the inherent comedy of an official hearing revolving around a sandwich in space, the piece reflects on the manipulation of public focus and the distance between decision makers and the consequences of their policies.
This show is chaotic, comedic and historically accurate (ok… it’s not exactly “accurate”). Be prepared to embrace the ridiculous, lots of space puns and a surprising amount of tin foil.
The Lab Double Bill 17 December 2022 A vibrant showcase of new work that is being developed right now by local theatre makers. We will be presenting two brand new work-in-progress sharings from exciting artists who are based in Plymouth.
Tickets for all these fantastic shows are on sale on the TRP website.
