The Octagon Theatre artistic director David Thacker will be celebrating his fifth year in the role with 10 home-produced productions—the first time in its history.
It opens with An Inspector Calls (September 5 to October 5) by J B Priestley. Whilst investigating the tragic suicide of a young woman the mysterious Inspector in this gripping story also delves into the heart of a family.
Continuing the Octagon’s tradition of producing great American drama, Thacker brings to the stage the classic Long Day’s Journey Into Night (October 10 to November 2) by Eugene O’Neill.
The director has paired both with the four actors who play the Tyrone family also appearing in An Inspector Calls.
“I think the plays, both dealing with the difficulties families have in facing up to uncomfortable truths, reflect on each other in a very interesting way,” he says.
At Christmas, the Octagon associate director, Elizabeth Newman, will be directing the legendary tale of Robin Hood (November 15 to January 11) her fourth festive production.
The Octagon then brings in 2014 two Lancashire-based plays—Hobson’s Choice (January 23 to February 22) by Harold Brighouse. Actresss Maxine Peake in the Octagon season brochure describes it as “a play for our time and for all times.”
The county remains the setting for Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night (February 27 to March 22). Set in a stately home in Lancashire, Downton Abbey meets Upstairs Downstairs...
Once again the Octagon will present a co-production with leading new writing company Out Of Joint when Max Stafford-Clark directs Stella Feehily’s political comedy This May Hurt A Bit (March 25 to April 5). A close look at the fight over the National Health Service, this new play reinforces a commitment to presenting new writing that reflects on issues relevant to society today.
The season continues with two plays by Tom Kempinski presented in repertoire. Duet for One and Separation (April 10 to May 10) are both witty and inspiring and explore the courage with which people can face their pain and despair.
The Octagon will also once again present musicals as part of its season of plays, the first being Brassed Off (May 15 to June 14), featuring local brass bands playing live on stage for every performance. It will be a co-production between the Octagon, York Theatre Royal and the Touring Consortium Theatre Company.
The season closes with Love Story (June 19 to July 12) by Erich Segal. Inspired by Segal’s best-selling novel and subsequent 1970s smash-hit film, it is regarded as one of the most romantic and moving of all time. This will be the first regional production since its West End run.