Dukes rests park production in 2019

Published: 9 December 2018
Reporter: David Upton

Northern Ballet Theatre's production of Puss In Boots
imitating the dog's version of Heart of Darkness
Northern Broadsides' Much Ado About Nothing

The Dukes Theatre in Lancaster has decided, reluctantly, not to stage an open-air production in the city’s Williamson Park next year—only the second time in the near 30-year history of the event.

Artistic director Sarah Punshon explained: “for 2019, we’ve taken the difficult decision not to create a Williamson Park show but after much needed investment in our technical equipment, the play in the park will return in 2020, bolder and better than ever.”

The Dukes will still produce homegrown dramas in 2019, starting with the première of Nick Ahad’s latest play Glory, set in the larger than life world of wrestling.

And as Britain’s planned exit from the European Union approaches, The Dukes Young Company presents Empire To Exit on March 27 and 28, marking 200 years of British theatre between Queen Victoria’s birth in 1819 and Brexit.

From May 1 to 4, audiences are invited to join a whistle-stop tour of Lancashire without leaving their seats courtesy of Lancastrians, a new play based on interviews with 500 people from across the county, presented by Junction 8 Theatre in association with The Dukes.

Among highlights of the visiting drama season will be Northern Broadsides' return with Much Ado About Nothing (March 5 to 9) featuring Reece Dinsdale as Benedick, and imitating the dog’s retelling of Heart of Darkness (March 19 to 23) fusing live performance with digital technology.

Leading the comedy from February 2 will be musical comedy duo Flo and Joan and star of BBC2’s The Mash Report, Rachel Parris who makes a welcome return on March 7 as do Kiri Pritchard-McClean (March 20) and Lefty Scum (April 6). Making their Dukes debut with two dates are Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales on March 26 and April 9.

There’s also comedy theatre at the double with Crimes On The Nile (February 5 to 6) and Murder She Didn’t Write (March 30).

Once again, The Dukes teams up with Ludus Dance to present Big Up North Dance Theatre Festival from April 26 and 27 and spring also sees a new South Asian dance show by Swati Dance (March 27).

The return of Northern Ballet Theatre with its version of Puss In Boots on May 7 features in the new family season which also includes Stripey Honey…Is Very Yummy (February 16), Rabbit Girl & The Search For Wonder (February 20) and The Tiger Who Came For Tea (April 12 and 13).

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