Illustrations by Vivika Sahajpal
NOTTINGHAM’S THESPIANS AND THEATRICS By Josie Fowler
reviews
Theatre in Nottingham is something that improves every single year. We are lucky enough to have lots of theatres in Nottingham which hold a huge variety of productions to suit all tastes and budgets. Impact’s Josie Fowler explores the array of wonderful theatres on offer in Nottingham… Nottingham Playhouse is a smaller, more intimate venue that hosts a variety of family-friendly, developing and independent shows to cater to everyone. Notably, they hosted the debut of new musicals such as ‘Identical’ (based on the same novel as the parent trap), and the world premiere of Mark Gatiss’ ‘A Christmas Carol: A ghost story’ before its London transfer. They also create opportunities for community outreach and involvement in Nottingham and are a registered charity! Upcoming events include workshops such as choreography and voice workshops throughout August, and towards the end of the year, they are hosting events as part of the Nottingham Global Roots Festival 2023.
“Notably, they hosted the debut of new musicals…”
The most well-known theatre has got to be the Theatre Royal, hosting a variety of live orchestral performances, solo tours and the venue used by national tours of musicals around the UK! It has the charm of a classic theatre, with a large auditorium and a gorgeous interior. It is definitely on the more expensive side of venues in the city but that means it produces some of the highest calibre performances and professional productions. Some of the recent shows include the national tour of ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ running August 21st-26th of August, as well as ‘Heathers the Musical’ running from August 29th to September 2nd.
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A smaller theatre in the trendy area of Hockley is the Nottingham Arts Theatre. Located on George Street with a bright pink exterior, this intimate venue is a favourite for a variety of amateur productions including their own youth company with their upcoming production of ‘Grease’, as well as productions by UoN’s very own Musical theatre society ‘Musicality’ who have performed annual musicals here, including ‘Chicago’, ‘Urinetown’ and most recently, ‘Legally Blonde’. It’s definitely a venue to keep an eye on for up-and-coming local talent!
“…it produces some of the highest calibre performances and professional productions” We can’t discuss theatres in Nottingham without discussing our campus’s very own Nottingham New Theatre, England’s only fully student-run theatre! Home to a plethora of student talent, it hosts plays that are entirely student made, from writing to direction, staging and of course performing. Hosting their yearly Fringe ‘StuFF’ as well as regular independent productions throughout the semester, it’s definitely a venue to keep an eye on! Their next production is actually taking place in Edinburgh at the Fringe Festival, a play completely created, produced and performed by the talented students at NNT!
“...this intimate venue is a favourite for a variety of amateur productions…”
