The Dukes in Lancaster is giving audiences the chance to be involved in the development of new shows as part of its spring/summer season.
The theatre will be kick-starting new ideas and new dramas including a modern day romance set at Carnforth Station written by Zosia Wand, who adapted Hansel & Gretel for The Dukes last summer, and a blistering account of love turned sour by Polly Lister who played the Witch in the same park show.
Readings of both plays in April are open to the public who will be invited to give their feedback.
With this help, The Dukes hopes these writers will take their work to the next level and their plays will receive a full-scale production in the future, as all ticket money will be invested in the Kick Start process.
There’ll also be a new Twist on The Dukes ever-popular walkabout theatre season in Williamson Park from July 3-August 15.
Charles Dickens's classic story Oliver Twist is to be adapted by Coronation Street scriptwriter Debbie Oates, who returns to write for The Dukes after her successful Christmas shows, last year’s A Christmas Carol and Treasure Island in 2012.
Other dramatic highlights of the forthcoming season are a week’s run of the classic Lancashire tale Hindle Wakes (March 24-28)—a Bolton Octagon production directed by former Dukes director David Thacker—and Romeo and Juliet performed in The Round by the acclaimed Shakespeare At The Tobacco Factory from May 19-23.
Dancing their way back to The Dukes on April 1 will be Northern Ballet with Elves And The Shoemaker, one of two children’s shows this spring together with Chicken Licken on February 21.
And another dance treat is Beauty Of The Beast (May 13), which sees Company Chameleon make its Dukes debut in a new, funny yet moving look at the many faces of man, performed by an all-male cast.
Music and drama combine in a one-off performance of The Muddy Choir on February 2 which tells the story of three young boys serving in World War One.
Meanwhile, The Dukes own young theatre companies will present a variety of productions during the spring including Your Country Called And It Wants You Back (April 22-26), an experimental new piece of theatre investigating migration, emigration and immigration through the eyes of young people—and first time voters—just days before the General Election.
A top comedy season is also lined-up for the spring.