Spring Season 2018
Musicals
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Comedy
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Drama
storyhouse.com
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Opera
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Dance
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01244 409 113
Welcome The seasons are about to change for the better. Lighter evenings, the first flowers of Spring – and a vast choice of amazing new shows heading to Storyhouse. Following a hugely successful inaugural Autumn season, we’re incredibly excited to announce our next touring programme showcasing dance, comedy, music and laughter. Get tapping those dancing feet along to shows from Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole; and stunning physical theatre from Motionhouse with Charge. We also have two fantastic double bills from Saint Petersberg Classic Ballet with Giselle and Swan Lake; and the English Touring Opera with The Marriage of Figaro and Puccini: II Tabarro and Gianni Schicchi. For laughter, we can’t wait to welcome Sarah Millican and David Baddiel; as well as those Grumpy Old Women starring Jenny Eclair, Dillie Keane and Lizzie Roper. It’s musicals galore for Spring with some of the biggest shows around heading to Storyhouse. Key highlights include Cilla – The Musical, based on Jeff Pope’s television drama; Bill Kenwright’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita and Son of a Preacher Man featuring the songs of Dusty Springfield. David Walliams’ brilliant Gangsta Granny and the hilarious The Play That Goes Wrong also join us. See you at Storyhouse! Alex Clifton, Storyhouse Artistic Director
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The Play That Goes Wrong 29 January – 3 February 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Wednesday and Saturday Tickets from £16.50
Fawlty Towers meets Noises Off in this multi award-winning smash hit comedy, now playing on Broadway and enjoying its 4th year in the West End.
“Ridiculously funny”
The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong does. As the accident-prone thespians battle on against all the odds to reach their final curtain call, hilarious results ensue.
“Exquisitely choreographed mayhem”
Hailed “a gut-busting hit” by the New York Times, The Play That Goes Wrong has won a host of celebrity endorsements from the likes of Joanna Lumley “We laughed until the tears ran down our faces, it has to be seen” to Ant & Dec “The funniest show we’ve seen! If you can get a ticket, go!”
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The Times
Independent
WINNER TONY AWARD®
WINNER
WINNER MOLIÈRE AWARD
OLIVIER AWARD
WINNER BROADWAY WORLD US AWARD
WINNER WHATSONSTAGE AWARD
WINNER BROADWAY.COM AWARD
WINNER BROADWAY WORLD UK AWARD
★★★★
‘GENUINELY HILARIOUS. BOY, DOES IT HIT THE FUNNY BONE’ DAILY TELEGRAPH
★★★★★
Photos of previous West End casts
2015 London cast: Photography by Simon Turtle
‘I FEARED I WAS GOING TO HYPERVENTILATE’ DAILY MAIL
@StoryhouseLive
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Image © Dan Tucker
Motionhouse: Charge 6 February 7.30pm Tickets from £16.50
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Inspired by the role of electricity in the human body, Charge is the exhilarating new dance-circus production from acclaimed dance company Motionhouse. From the electrical charge that sparks human life, to the beating of our hearts and the memories we make, six performers use dance and acrobatics to create a magical, multi-media world, tracing the incredible story of energy in our lives.
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“Motionhouse are an immensely appealing company, daring, fun and eager to draw the audience into their world to share the adventure” Seeing Dance
SOLD OUT COMEDIANS
Sarah Millican Control Enthusiast 22 February
8pm
Sold Out
Sarah Millican is not a control freak, she’s a control enthusiast. Funny, frank and unapologetically filthy. You’ll learn about what can happen at a bra fitting, the benefits of casserole, plus tips on how to talk to shop assistants and the correct way to eat a biscuit.
“Wonderfully wrong, incredibly funny” Metro
David Baddiel My Family: Not the Sitcom 23 February
7.30pm
Sold Out
My Family: Not the Sitcom is a show about memory, ageing, infidelity, dysfunctional relatives, moral policing on social media, golf, and gay cats. A massively disrespectful celebration of the lives of David Baddiel’s late sex-mad mother, Sarah, and dementia-ridden father, Colin. Come and be offended on David’s behalf!
“Nothing is out of bounds” The Guardian
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Andy Kirkpatrick Psychovertical: A Higher Education Presented by Speakers from the Edge
14 February 7.30pm Tickets from ÂŁ17
Top British mountaineer and winter expedition specialist Andy Kirkpatrick has taken on the world’s most difficult routes. A leading expert on climbing gear, he is also an award-winning writer and film-maker with an ability to captivate any audience with his unique brand of humorous and motivational storytelling. In Psychovertical: A Higher Education, which will coincide with the release of the film Psychovertical by award-winning director Jen Randall, Andy looks back at 40 years of climbing and adventures. From the Alps to Patagonia and Yosemite to Greenland, sharing tales of his daring ascents in locations where other climbers fear to tread.
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Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs 2: The Magic Cutlass 20 February
There’s piratical fun aplenty when Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs sail in to Storyhouse this Spring.
1.30pm Tickets £11.50 and £9.50 concession
Flinn, Pearl and Tom are in the middle of their school play when their old nemesis, Mr T the T-Rex, appears and kidnaps them, forcing the children to hunt for the secretive Magic Cutlass; a sword that grants the holder any wish. Join them on their adventure in a world of devious dinosaurs, deep sea dangers and smelly sausages! Based on the best-selling children’s books.
@StoryhouseLive
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Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet: Giselle 16 February 7.30pm Tickets from £20.50
Under the direction of Marina Medvetskaya, Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet has won plaudits across Russia, Scandinavia, the United States and the UK. This acclaimed company now makes its debut at Storyhouse. Giselle is one of the few 19th century Romantic ballets to survive intact, the quintessential story of unrequited love. Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet’s performances have an air of magic, complemented by a full orchestra and outstanding soloists who will take your breath away!
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“Dramatic” seeingdance.com
Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet: Swan Lake 17 - 18 February 2.30pm plus 7.30pm Saturday Tickets from £20.50
“Breathtaking”
Showcasing the superb technique and artistic heritage from the cradle of Russian ballet – the City of St Petersburg – Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet combine classical training with the best-loved Russian ballets.
The Reviews Hub
Swan Lake is the romantic story of the Prince and the Swan Princess, a tragic tale of love that triumphs over evil, set to Tchaikovsky’s sublime, soaring dramatic score, performed by a full orchestra. See both Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet shows and save £10
@StoryhouseLive
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Brendan Cole: All Night Long 17 March 7.30pm Tickets £39
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Brendan Cole and his sensational cast have been dazzling audiences with his brand new show with all of the magic that one would expect from Strictly Come Dancing. Expect live music, stunning special effects and Brendan’s own thrilling choreography and charm to make this an unforgettable night.
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“Superb choreography performed with panache” What’s On Stage
Dinosaur World Live 7 - 8 April Saturday 2pm and 4.30pm – Sunday 11am and 2pm Tickets from £14
Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World in this interactive new show for all the family. Grab your compass and join our intrepid explorer across unchartered territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus!
‘Great fun. The children were delighted’ What’s Good To Do
A special meet and greet after the show offers all our brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend. Book now for this entertaining and mindexpanding jurassic adventure, live on stage!
@StoryhouseLive
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Cilla – The Musical 6 - 10 March 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday Tickets from £20.50
Cilla - The Musical is a spectacular and heart-warming musical adaptation of the critically acclaimed ITV mini-series about Cilla Black by BAFTA award winner, Jeff Pope (Philomena, Little Boy Blue). The story follows the extraordinary life of the ordinary teenage girl from Liverpool, Priscilla White, and her rocky, yet incredible, rise to fame. The musical score is the ultimate soundtrack to the 60s including Cilla’s greatest hits Anyone Who Had a Heart, Alfie and Something Tells Me, Twist and Shout by The Beatles’, California Dreamin’ by The Mamas and The Papas and many more. Kara Lily Hayworth Plays Cilla. Following weeks of open auditions countrywide, Kara fought off thousands of hopefuls to be named as the girl to play Cilla in the first ever musical about the star’s life. Executive Producer and Cilla’s son, Robert Willis, said of Kara: ‘I knew she was the one my mum would have wanted!’. In the role of Brian Epstein is TV and stage favourite Andrew Lancel best known for his portrayal of Frank Foster in Coronation Street.
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English Touring Opera Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro 20 March 7.30pm Pre-show talk: 6.30pm Tickets from £19.50
English Touring Opera presents an energetic new production of one of the world’s most beloved operas, Mozart’s classic comedy The Marriage of Figaro. During the course of one eventful day, Figaro and Susanna must overcome every obstacle put in their way by Count Almaviva and his cronies before they can finally be united as man and wife. Blanche McIntyre (Tosca, 2017) returns to direct this most warm-hearted of operas, equally acclaimed for its sublime music and huge sense of fun. Sung in English with surtitles.
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English Touring Opera Puccini: Il tabarro & Gianni Schicchi 21 March 7.30pm Pre-show talk: 6.30pm Tickets from ÂŁ19.50
Puccini’s one-act operas Il tabarro and Gianni Schicchi could hardly be more different: one is a moody romance ending in a grotesque murder on a barge in Paris, and the other is a sparkling comedy about a family inheritance in Florence. First performed in 2011 to great critical acclaim, this double bill shows Puccini at his finest as a master of the theatre that speaks to the heart.
The Independent Sunday Express Telegraph Mail on Sunday The Times (Il tabarro & Gianni Schicchi, 2011)
Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
@StoryhouseLive
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Son of a Preacher Man 27 - 31 March 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Wednesday and Saturday Tickets from £20.50
Three broken hearts, one Soho hang-out, and the only man who could ever help them… Son of a Preacher Man is the sparklingly funny and sweetly touching new musical by internationally-renowned writer Warner Brown, starring recording artist Michelle Gayle (Wolfblood, EastEnders, Beauty and the Beast - West End) and Alice Barlow (Hollyoaks, Drifters) and directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood. Featuring the songs of Dusty Springfield including The Look Of Love, I Only Want To Be With You, Spooky and Son Of A Preacher Man. So you know just what to do with yourself – book your tickets now!
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@StoryhouseLive
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Gangsta Granny 11 - 14 April 7pm plus 2pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday Tickets from £20.50 and £16.50 for kids
It’s Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing – staying with Granny! There will be cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake and Ben knows one thing for sure – it’s going to be sooooooooo boring! But what Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret – and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine, as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny! From the acclaimed producers of Horrible Histories comes the award-winning West End production of this amazing story by David Walliams, the UK’s best-selling author for children.
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“Kids loved this show. Every comic opportunity is grasped” The Daily Telegraph
Illustrations © Tony Ross, 2011. Cover lettering of author’s name © Quentin Blake, 2010
Mail on Sunday Sunday Times
Daily Telegraph Sunday Express
@StoryhouseLive
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Bill Kenwright
BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH THE REALLY USEFUL GROUP PRESENTS
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Evita 17 - 21 April 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday Tickets from £20.50
Following its smash hit runs in London, Bill Kenwright’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita is thrilling audiences once again across the UK. Telling the story of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, Evita follows Eva’s journey from humble beginnings through to extraordinary wealth, power and iconic status which ultimately led her to be heralded as the ‘spiritual leader of the nation’ by the Argentine people. Starring two of musical theatre’s most outstanding leading performers; Madalena Alberto returns to the role of Eva, a role she received critical acclaim for in the 2014 West End revival. Other theatre credits include the role of Piaf at the Curve Theatre and Fantine in the 25th Anniversary production of Les Misérables. Joining her in the role of Che, fresh from the recent West End production, is Gian Marco Schiaretti, who also played the title role in Disney’s production of Tarzan. Featuring some of the most iconic songs in musical theatre, including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, On This Night of a Thousand Stars and Another Suitcase in Another Hall. @StoryhouseLive
storyhouse.com
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Grumpy Old Women 23 April 7.30pm Tickets £26.50
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Fed up with flogging their guts out and always having to be in charge, the Grumpy Old Women starring Jenny Eclair, Dillie Keane and Lizzie Roper have put their knobbly old feet up in glorious retirement, free at last to practise their extreme colouring-in, ukulele orchestra and novelty fudge-making.
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“Expect a party” The Times
Spring Summer 2018
Summer 2018
By William Shakespeare 6 July – 26 August
A LittLe Night Music
By William Shakespeare 14 July – 25 August
By Stephen Sondheim, directed by Alex Clifton 5 May – 15 July
swALLows ANd AMAzoNs
Stage version by Bryony Lavery, based on the original by Arthur Ransome 20 July – 26 August
Stage version by Bryony Lavery, based on the original by Arthur Ransome 26 May – 24 June
the crucibLe By Arthur Miller 16 June – 15 July
Tickets go on sale January 2018
storyhouse.com
Tickets go on sale January 2018
storyhouse.com
How to book Online: storyhouse.com By phone: 01244 409 113 In person: at Storyhouse Address: Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR Company no 05541255 Charity no 1121007
Access: FREE Essential Companion tickets for those with a disability or access requirements. Visit storyhouse.com/booking for more information
Mon - Sat 8am - 11pm Sun 9.30am - 11pm Bank holidays 9.30am - 11pm
Please note: Exclusions and limited availability may apply. Proof of ID, with a valid expiry date, may be required with discounted or concessionary tickets. Transactions are Discounts & Concessions £10 Standby Tickets subject to a £1.50 booking fee per ticket Selected shows only (see website for details) Wherever possible, a limited number of £10 tickets will be available from 10am the day of the performance, and can only be booked in person at Storyhouse.
Access Anyone who requires a companion – including guide dogs – to accompany them to events at Storyhouse can bring a personal assistant at no charge. See booking info above or book online by joining our Access Register. To join the Access Register, please contact Andrew Reece (01244 409 113 / andrew.reece@storyhouse.com), who can also answer any queries, concerns or feedback regarding your visit to Storyhouse. The whole building is accessible via a lift, with wheelchair access to all areas. Wheelchair spaces are available in the Theatre (at Stalls, Circle and Gallery levels), Studio and Cinema
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Assistance Dogs welcome Ramp access at ground floor levels The café and bar areas are on the ground floor, and are accessible with no stairs Accessible toilets are available on every floor with a Changing Place toilet on the ground floor Baby changing facilities are provided in all accessible toilets Low level counter at the café Portable induction loop Large format print available on request Disabled parking and drop-offs The nearest car park is Market which has 8 disabled spaces – 200 metres from nearest exit There is free on street parking /car park for blue badge holders on Hamilton Place and Goss Street (4 hours max) – c.300 metres away The best place for drop-offs is Northgate Street – 20 metres away
Eat
Drink
Whether it’s a freshly-made lunch, a pretheatre meal, a snack whilst you’re working or a drink to take into the cinema or theatre; Storyhouse has a wide range of eat-in and take away options.
Storyhouse’s bars – The Kitchen on the ground floor and the Garret Bar in the copper box – are open until 11pm every night.
The Kitchen is Chester’s newest and most exciting restaurant, serving fresh, vibrant food from the Levant. Food is served everyday from 8am until 9.30pm (except Sundays 9.30am – 9pm)
You can grab take-away fresh food and drink to enjoy in the cafe, library, cinema and theatre, and drinks bought in Storyhouse can be safely taken into both the theatre and cinema to enjoy during the event.
@StoryhouseLive
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