Our September production of this wonderful play was a triumph for all
concerned and we are thrilled to have another opportunity to perform
it by special invitation of our friends at the Talisman.
‘Every Brilliant Thing’ is directed by Anne-marie Greene and stars
Jon Elves. This unique performance is a captivating mix of one-man
show and stand-up comedy, where the audience becomes a vital part of
the storytelling - in the kindest and most delightful way imaginable.
We know that many people were disappointed to miss it on the Criterion
stage, so you have another chance to see it in all its glory.
All details of the production including how to buy tickets can be
found on the Talisman Fringe Extra pages
[https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/talismantheatre/t-dvroyna].
In the Other External
9th January from 20:00 to 21:30
We are really pleased to announce almost all of the 2025 season up
till October. Note that there is a gap over the summer where we plan
some building development work, but fear not, we have only lost one
show! We think it is an exciting season - with a mix of genres, new
writing and classic pieces, well known and unusual plays as well as a
thrilling rock musical. All details are below and please look out for
Open Reading and Audition notices for all these productions coming
very soon.
* Sat 1st to 8th February: Curious Incident of the Dog in the
Night-time by Simon Stephens
* Sat 22nd to 29th March: The Southbury Child by Stephen Beresford
* Sat 10th to Sat 17th May: Springboard Festival 2025
* Sat 7th to Sat 14th June: The Bright and Bold Design by Peter
Whelan
* Sat 18th to Sat 25th October: The Who’s ‘Tommy’ by Des
McAnuff and Pete Townshend
PRODUCTION 1: MAIN HOUSE: SAT 1ST TO 8TH FEBRUARY
CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME BY SIMON STEPHENS (2012)
Genre: Drama, Director: Christine Ingall
_Simon Stephens’ Tony and Olivier award winning adaptation of Mark
Haddon’s best selling novel. Christopher, 15 years old, stands
beside Mrs Shears’ dead dog. It has been speared with a garden fork,
it is seven minutes after midnight, and Christopher is under
suspicion. He records each fact in the book he is writing to solve the
mystery of who murdered Wellington. He has an extraordinary brain and
is exceptional at maths, but he is ill-equipped to interpret everyday
life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he
detests being touched, and he distrusts strangers. But Christopher’s
detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening
journey that turns his world upside-down. A richly theatrical
exploration of this touching and bleakly humorous tale._
PRODUCTION 2: MAIN HOUSE: SAT 22ND TO 29TH MARCH
THE SOUTHBURY CHILD BY STEPHEN BERESFORD (2022)
Genre: Dark comedy drama, Director: Helen Withers
_Raffish, urbane and frequently drunk, Reverend David Highland has
kept a grip on his remote coastal parish through a combination of
disordered charm and high-handed determination. When his faith impels
him to take a hard line with a bereaved parishioner, he finds himself
dangerously isolated from public opinion. As his own family begins to
fracture, David must face a future that threatens to extinguish not
only his position in the town, but everything he stands for. A darkly
comic drama exploring family and community, the savage divisions of
contemporary society, and the rituals that punctuate our lives. It was
co-produced by Chichester Festival Theatre and the Bridge Theatre,
London, in 2022, starring Alex Jennings and directed by Nicholas
Hytner__._
PRODUCTION 3: MAIN HOUSE: SAT 10TH TO SAT 17TH MAY
SPRINGBOARD FESTIVAL 2025
Our third year of producing this fabulous week of one act plays,
poetry, music and art bringing together amateur and professionals in
one space, with in-house company performances and community/Criterion
collaborations alongside external artists, musicians and theatre
companies, poetry workshops and art exhibitions.
PRODUCTION 4: MAIN HOUSE SAT 7TH TO SAT 14TH JUNE
THE BRIGHT AND BOLD DESIGN BY PETER WHELAN (1991)
Genre: Drama, Director: Peter Bagley
_Inspired by the life and work of Clarice Cliffe. In the North
Staffordshire Potteries in the 1930s, Jessie Frost works for a small
traditional firm, hand painting traditional designs in the
time-honoured fashion… until the arrival of Jim Rhys as the firm’s
new art director. A man possessed with both high ambition and strong
views of the future, Jim’s views on design create tension with the
factory owner, and his political beliefs gradually lead him into
conflict within the small community. But in Jessie Frost, Jim
recognises a special talent, one which he promptly sets out to nurture
though not necessarily with her blessings. The result is a play of
great warmth, charm, passion and grace, an exploration of the true
nature of the art of politics, and the politics of art._
PRODUCTION 5: MAIN HOUSE SAT 18TH TO SAT 25TH OCTOBER
THE WHO’S ‘TOMMY’ BY DES MCANUFF AND PETE TOWNSHEND (1968/1994)
Genre: Rock Musical Director: Deb Relton-Elves, Musical Director: Rob
Parrish.
_Based on the iconic 1969 rock concept album, The Who's Tommy is an
exhilarating story of hope, healing and the human spirit. The story of
the pinball wizard who triumphs over his adversities has inspired,
amazed and puzzled audiences for more than 50 years. This five-time
Tony Award-winning musical was translated to the stage by theatrical
visionary, Des McAnuff, into a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical
event._
16th September