Richmond’s Georgian Theatre has launched wide-reaching autumn programme. What’s On checks it out

CUTTING edge drama, top comedy acts and music for every taste make up the new Autumn Season at The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond.

Audiences will be pleased to welcome back the award-winning Mikron Theatre Company at the start of the season with their latest touring production of Get Well Soon on 21 September, a play celebrating 70 years of the NHS. More drama follows with The Kaiser and I (4 & 5 October) directed by and starring Dominic Goodwin who returns to the Georgian Theatre Royal stage following his years as a much-loved pantomime dame. Set in 1914 Berlin, this intriguing two-person show charts the friendship of a German officer and an English dance instructress caught in their nations’ crossfire. For those wanting something a bit different – even ‘ambitious, risk-taking and edgy’ – We Are Brontë (11 October) from Publick Transport theatre company promises a riotous interpretation of the real and imaginary worlds of Yorkshire’s famous literary siblings.

The Georgian Theatre has a growing reputation for stand-up comedy and the new season sees Kerry Godliman take centre stage on 28 September. Known for her straight-talking brand of quick wit, Kerry is best known for her appearances on BBC’s Live at the Apollo, Channel 4’s Derek and Radio 4’s News Quiz and Just A Minute. Phil Nichol also takes up the comedy baton on 20 October with his entertaining show Your Wrong which explores our modern day need to be right about everything, including grammar!

Music lovers are set for a varied programme of performances with everything from opera to Abba. Talented soloists from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and La Scala come together for a spectacular evening of music in September Song (16 September) and the season also sees the return of popular local folk group Fourum on 6 October. Jimmy’s Fiddle (27 October) features Tom McConville (BBC Young Musician of the Year) and Alan Fitzsimmons (one of the North East’s finest singers) in a musical story of James Hill, the most famous fiddler on Tyneside during the late Georgian and early Victorian periods. Moving back into the modern era is an evening with Hayley McKay on 3 November who has a huge regional following and has been wowing audiences at festivals such as Glastonbury and Hardwick Live with her own brand of pop/Americana/country music. Finally, there are two top tribute bands that are bound to pull in the crowds. Eric Clapton fans will not be disappointed by an evening in the company of Classic Clapton on 12 October and a truly authentic Abba experience is promised by Arrival (26 October), a band that last year was voted the ‘best Abba show’ and ‘most authentic Abba show’ by the UK Abba Fan Club.

The Autumn season also contributes events to three long-standing regional festivals, starting with GeorgeFest18 in August. As well as a fortnight of guided costumed heritage tours (13-27 August), there are three fascinating talks that offer intriguing insights into the daily lives of our Georgian ancestors. This is followed by a Gala Concert (25 August) for Harrogate’s 25th International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival featuring top tenor Nick Sales and soprano Sarah Helsby Hughes from Heritage Opera. In September, as part of the Walking and Book Festival, there are three stimulating evenings with novelist Salley Vickers (23 September); crime writer Peter Robinson with the guitarist Martin Carthy (26 September); and Helen Pankhurst (30 September), suffragette descendent and campaigner, who charts how the lives of women in the UK have changed over the last 100 years.

Also featured in the Autumn Programme are our talented community groups Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society and Richmond Operatic Society, with Rumours (8–10 November) and The Nativity Saga (14–17 November).

Family entertainment is well catered for with Princess Charming on 7 October, which explores gender stereotyping in a fun and questioning way and the Georgian Theatre’s legendary pantomime Sleeping Beauty rounds off the season with its festive run from December 7 to 13 January. Widely regarded as one of the best pantomimes in the region, this year’s production re-awakens the magic of one of the world’s best-loved fairy tales, featuring a beautiful princess, a handsome hero and a sleeping enchantment that rolls through the centuries.

  • Details of all shows and events are given in the newly published programme brochure available at the Box Office, via the website (www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk) or by calling the box office on 01748-825252.