Derby Theatre’s spring 2014 season features everything from classic Greek theatre and original studio shows to “top-class” touring productions.
Artistic director Sarah Brigham said, “I’m delighted to be bringing another varied season of work to Derby audiences.
“We have the Olivier Award-winning playwright Mike Kenny writing a new version of the Greek classic The Odyssey which focuses on the consequences of war, a new commission from Caroline Horton, one of the most exciting female voices in British theatre, a piece by the world-class company Gecko, commissioned by and made at Derby, and some classic theatre in our co-production with Hull Truck of A Taste of Honey.
“Add to this the wonderfully funny See How They Run with Warwick Davis and the West End smash The Mousetrap. I really believe we have something for all tastes.
“We’ve also reinvigorated our studio programme and will provide audiences with the very best of fringe theatre from across the UK as well as an extensive offer for families.”
Mike Kenny’s new version of Homer’s The Odyssey starts the new season. It will be produced and presented by the team behind Kes at Derby Theatre in autumn 2013. The Odyssey will run from 14 February until 1 March.
Penelope Retold accompanies The Odyssey and looks at the story from the perspective of Odysseus’ wife, Penelope.
The Retold programme is a series of new one-woman plays commissioned by Derby Theatre from “some of the most exciting female voices in contemporary theatre today”.
Penelope Retold by Caroline Horton runs from 20 February until 1 March.
Associate and co-produced shows include: physical dance theatre company Gecko with Institute, an exploration of what it means to care, from 2 until 5 April, and Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste of Honey, a Derby Theatre and Hull Truck Theatre co-production directed by Mark Babych, from 29 April until 10 May.
Other highlights include: Kindertransport, set in Germany nine months before the outbreak of World War II, which features Paula Wilcox and Janet Dibley, from 27 January until 1 February, The Perfect Murder by crime thriller novelist Peter James, which stars Les Dennis and Claire Goose, from 3 until 7 March, Birmingham Stage Company’s production of Tom’s Midnight Garden from 11 until 15 March, See How They Run starring Warwick Davis and his company, The Reduced Height Theatre Company, from 7 until 12 April and the 60th anniversary production of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap from 21 until 26 April.