THE QUEENS OF SIX REIGN OVER BRIGHTON THIS CHRISTMAS
MUSICALS TO SUIT ALL TASTES – Sister Act, An Officer and a Gentleman, Bonnie and Clyde
GRIPPING DRAMAS – And Then There Were None, The Woman In Black, Drop the Dead Donkey, Cluedo 2, The Kite Runner, The 39 Steps
WORLD CLASS COMEDIANS – Ed Gamble, Fern Brady, Guz Khan, Frankie Boyle, Rosie Jones
BRIGHTON THEATRE GROUP PRESENT Lionel Bart’s Oliver!
SHOWS AND CREATIVE LEARNING WORKSHOPS FOR ALL THE FAMILY – Jurassic Live Christmas Special, Once Upon A Whispering Wood, Horrible Christmas, Ministry of Science LIVE, Sing-a-Long-a-Matilda The Musical
ALL WHILST RESTORATION WORK CONTINUES ON THE GRADE II* LISTED THEATRE
Following a summer of planned closure and an autumn packed full of fabulous musicals and thrilling plays, Theatre Royal Brighton’s restoration project continues alongside a jam-packed spring season of shows. Whilst world class theatre takes to the stage inside, a specialist team continues to work hard to restore the balcony on New Road to its original terracotta splendour. Whilst most completed improvements to date have taken place behind the scenes, customers are already enjoying newly renovated Royal Circle toilets and an improved wi-fi system.
Theatre Royal Brighton’s Theatre Director Sophie Denney said:
“We are delighted to present our new season What’s On guide with a whole host of shows on offer, from exciting drama to sparkling musicals and fun-filled family shows. We look forward to welcoming you to Theatre Royal Brighton soon.”
Upcoming season highlights include:
ONCE UPON A WHISPERING WOOD (Thu 14 – Sun 31 Dec 2023)
Take a magical journey into the Whispering Wood where tall tales are told by talking trees… Brighton based Flock Theatre Makers present Once Upon A Whispering Wood. From the makers of There’s A Tiger in the Garden, this new show with live music, puppetry and an immersive design is a heart warming, festive treat around Theatre Royal Brighton for young children and their families.
SIX (19 Dec 2023 – 6 Jan 2024)
The crowning glory of Broadway, the West End and beyond, the international smash hit musical SIX makes its royal return to Brighton this Christmas, following its previous sell-out success! Double Tony Award winner for ‘Best Original Score’ and ‘Best Costume Design’, winner of the WhatsOnStage Award for ‘Best West End Show’ (2022 and 2023), plus a Gold-Disk winning album, this sell-out Tudor take-off has ‘an incredibly strong and powerful message’ (The Australian) and is ‘pure entertainment’ (New York Times). From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power. These Queens may have green sleeves but their lipstick is rebellious red.
AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (6 – 13 Jan 2024)
Don’t miss this brand-new production of the bestselling crime novel of all time, And Then There Were None, guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. Directed by Lucy Bailey (Witness for the Prosecution), the cast of this gripping thriller includes Bob Barrett (Holby City), Andrew Lancel (Coronation Street) and David Yelland (Poirot, Foyle’s War and The Crown).
BRIGHTON THEATRE GROUP PRESENT LIONEL BART’S OLIVER (6 – 13 Jan 2024)
Presented by local production house Brighton Theatre Group. Experience the life and death adventures of young orphan Oliver Twist who, through his education in the finer arts of pick pocketing, by none other than the Artful Dodger, finally pockets the greatest treasure of all – a home and a family of his own. By special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh. This amateur production is licensed by Music Theatre International.
THE WOMAN IN BLACK (27 Feb – 2 Mar 2024)
The legendary production of Susan Hill’s chilling ghost story The Woman In Black returns to Theatre Royal Brighton direct from London’s West End, after an incredible 33 year run at the Fortune Theatre. Starring Malcolm James as Arthur Kipps and Mark Hawkins as The Actor.
DROP THE DEAD DONKEY (5 – 9 Mar 2024)
Starring the original smash-hit TV series cast members Susannah Doyle, Robert Duncan, Ingrid Lacey, Neil Pearson, Jeff Rawle, Stephen Tompkinson and Victoria Wicks. The iconic BAFTA and EMMY award-winning comedy Drop The Dead Donkey is reimagined for the stage in this brand-new topical commentary on the cutthroat world of 24 hours news.
SISTER ACT (11 – 16 Mar 2024)
This eagerly anticipated 2023 Olivier Award nominated production of the Broadway and UK smash hit musical Sister Act arrives in Brighton. Featuring original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® award-winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted) and songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, this heavenly musical is joyous and uplifting in equal measures. A musical sent from above, Sister Act is the brilliant, must-see show which raises the spirits and warms the soul time after time. Starring Coronation Street legend Sue Cleaver* as Mother Superior and West End star Landi Oshinowo as Deloris, everyone’s favourite nun on the run!
*Sue Cleaver will perform from Thu – Sat performances only.
CLUEDO 2 – THE NEXT CHAPTER (19 – 23 Mar 2024)
Following the huge success of the smash hit original play, Cluedo is back on stage in 2024, with a brand new hilarious whodunit – CLUEDO 2 – The Next Chapter! Starring Heartbeat and Casualty’s Jason Durr and Helen Flanagan, Cluedo 2 is set in the swinging 1960s and introduces a new house, new suspects, and lots of new bodies, in this all new tale of murder, mystery and secret passageways. Directed by Mark Bell – director of the global phenomenon The Play That Goes Wrong, Cluedo 2 is a blast! Watch the iconic colourful characters try to survive the night and work out whodunnit….with what…and where!!
AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN THE MUSICAL (23 – 27 Apr 2024)
An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical is based on the award-winning 80s movie which starred Richard Gere. This timeless story of love, courage, and redemption will make your heart soar and leave you breathless, longing for more. Be part of the emotional journey of Zack Mayo, a fearless young officer candidate, and the captivating Paula Pokrifki, whose fiery spirit matches his own. Their encounters ignite a spark that transcends boundaries, awakening a passionate love that defies all odds.
THE KITE RUNNER (11 – 15 Jun 2024)
Direct from Broadway, The Kite Runner is an outstanding and unforgettable theatrical tour de force. Based on Khaled Hosseini’s international bestselling novel, this haunting tale of friendship spans cultures and continents, following one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption. Afghanistan is on the verge of war and best friends are about to be torn apart. On a beautiful afternoon in Kabul, the skies full of colour and the streets full of the excitement of a kite flying tournament, no one can foresee the terrible incident that will shatter their lives forever.
THE 39 STEPS (16 – 20 Jul 2024)
Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller, THE 39 STEPS, brilliantly and hilariously recreated for the stage as the smash hit Olivier and Tony Award Winning Comedy, is back out on a UK tour after nearly 10 years in London’s West End, taking Broadway by storm, playing in 39 different countries across the globe, and delighting over 3 million people worldwide with its quintessentially plucky spirit and dashing sense of fun. This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller features four fearless actors, playing 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action.
BONNIE AND CLYDE (23 – 27 Jul 2024)
WINNER of Best New Musical (What’sOnStage Awards 2023), the West End smash-hit BONNIE & CLYDE is set to hold-up the UK following two hell-raising seasons in London’s West End. The story of two small-town kids from the middle of nowhere who became the biggest folk heroes in all America. They craved adventure – and each other. Fearless, shameless, and alluring, this is the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire nation. Discover the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire nation. Featuring music by Tony® nominee Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde), lyrics by Tony® and Oscar® winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard), a book by Emmy® Award nominee Ivan Menchell, and directed by Nick Winston. Starring Danny Hatchard (Eastenders) as Clyde, Katie Tonkinson (Bat Out of Hell) as Bonnie, Daisy Wood-Davis (Hollyoaks, Holby City) as Blanche and Sam Ferriday (Heathers, The Cher Show, Jersey Boys) as Buck.
The full guide is out now online here. Copies can be picked up in person from Theatre Royal Brighton and tickets for all upcoming shows and events are on sale now at ATGTickets.com/Brighton.