Sherman Theatre has announced a new season of received shows plus in-house productions, including a new co-production with Bristol’s Tobacco Factory Theatres of The Weir by Conor McPherson.
THE WEIR
Directed by Rachel O’Riordan is described as a play brimming with heartfelt humour and confessions of our deepest fears in the dead of night. There’s no truth in the shadows they say, It’s only old cod, like. It will be running from 7 – 22 October.
The Weir received the Oliver Award for Best New Play (1997) and Conor McPherson received the Evening Standard Award and the Critics Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright (1997) for the play. Directed by Rachel O’Riordan (Bird, Iphigenia in Splott, A Doll’s House) and designed by Kenny Miller (Bird, A Doll’s House).
CO-PRODUCTIONS
We have the return of A Play, A Pie and A Pint, our co-production with Òran Mòr, where included in the price you get a free drink and a free pie. This year’s script is by Wales Drama Award winner 2014, writer Kelly Jones and will be directed by Sherman’s Associate Artist, Kenny Miller 8 – 12 November.
There will be a new writing piece by Welsh writer Alan Harris in Love, Lies and Taxidermy a co-production with Paines Plough and Theatr Clwyd, 15 – 19 November as part of a full UK tour.
CHRISTMAS AT THE SHERMAN
The Christmas season follows on from the sell-out success of last years The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and is another family classic brought to life in The Borrowers. Directed by Amy Leach (Associate Artist; Dukes Theatre, The Egg and Shakespeare Schools Festival).
The Christmas production for 3 – 6 year olds and their families sees the return of co-production partners, Theatr Iolo, in Hans Christian Anderson’s, The Emperor’s New Clothes / Dillad Newydd yr Ymerawdwr. Have you ever lost something? A toy? A tooth? A memory? What if, one day, you lost all of your ‘silly’? Written by award-winning playwright Alun Saunders, (Wales Theatre Award 2016; Best Playwright); a fun adventure for 3- 6 year olds and their families with songs and live music.
Rachel O’Riordan said; “The Sherman Theatre is full of bold, thrilling work; classic plays and new plays, produced by us, sometimes in partnership with other companies. From the dark brilliance of award winning The Weir by Conor McPherson, to the much loved warmth of The Borrowers, the Sherman Theatre has something for all. New work includes pieces from Alun Saunders, Alan Harris, and Kelly Jones, and we are thrilled to be working with these Welsh playwrights. Our partners on this season include Tobacco Factory Theatres, Òran Mór, Paines Plough, and Theatr Iolo. We are delighted to be working with these wonderful theatre makers to bring you, our audience a season of compelling theatre.”
RECEIVED PROGRAMME
Alongside this in-house programme some of the best touring companies and artists in the UK will be coming to Cardiff. The Studio plays host to new writing with the award-winning Scorch from Prime Cut Productions (Best New Play, Irish Times Award 2015); Cargo from Metal Rabbit, directed by David Mercatali; the hilarious and moving The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Family written and performed by RWCM&D graduate Ben Norris; and the Theatre Centre’s Layla’s Room is a celebration of young women told through poetry, comedy and music.
The theatre’s main house features some of the best names in musical comedy, music and political commentary including Edinburgh and YouTube hit Christina Bianco with her vocal impersonations and musical comedy in Me, Myself and Everyone Else; comedian and comedy writer Andy Hamilton appears in October with Change Management; and Owen Jones visits the Sherman for the first time in November for an evening of discussion and debate in The Politics of Hope.
The programme of work for children and young people with Michael Morpugo’s Why The Whales Came, a perfect treat for children of all ages in September.
EMERGING ARTISTS
This season will also see a partnership with Theatr Iolo and Platfform for an evening of new writing entertainment in TAITH, where 3 new 10 minutes scripts for young people will be performed followed by a post-show talk with the writers on 27 October.
The Sherman is also launching another JMK Assistant Director opportunity, where members of the JMK Directors Group (open to anyone) can apply to become the Assistant Director for The Weir alongside &.
The Youth Theatre is relaunched this Autumn with a range of engaging activities from Sherman Sherbets (Reception – Year 3), Youth Theatre (Year 4 – Year 10; 16+) and Sherman Players (18+), as well as our ongoing Sherman Choir (any age).
To find out more go to shermantheatre.co.uk or call box office on 029 2064 6900.