Next spring Cardiff’s Sherman Theatre will present a mixture of touring work from Wales, some in-house work, commercial shows such as Horrible Histories, stand-up comedians on the circuit and a little music.
The city’s mid-sized venue which has developed a following for its production of usually well-written or adapted, societal in-house shows also hosts local artist activity.
A popular highlight be the return of the award-winning work Grav, by Owen Thomas and directed by Torch Theatre artistic director Peter Doran, on February 22 and 23. Starring Gareth John Bale, the now iconic one-man show is about the much-loved rugby player Ray Gravell and heads to New York for performances in March. The theatre in Senghenydd Road, Cardiff, in the heart of the city’s studentland, is also the venue for a second chance to see National Dance Company Wales’ much-praised work Tundra. The Marcos Morau choreography was performed at Wales Millennium Centre as part of the P.A.R.A.D.E event in October. Tundra will form part of a mixed programme.
Another highlight will be Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s new work Y Tad (The Dad) by Florian Zeller, March 8, 9. A new Welsh translation of Le Père, winner of the Molière Award 2014 for the Best Play, and winner of the competition to Translate a Play into Welsh at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, 2016 for Geraint Løvgreenon. English speakers can enjoy the play using the Sibrwd audio translation app.
Sherman in-house shows include Dublin Carol by Conor McPherson, February 1 to 17; a co-production with a Glasgow company, Tron Theatre, of The Mother f**ker with the Hat by Stephen Adly Giurgis, March 21 to 31; a new play Tremor by Welsh writer Brad Birch April 12 to May 5, and a co-production of a new play by the theatre’s associate artist Katherine Chandler as part of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama’s New Writing Festival, March 20 to 22.
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and Sherman Youth Theatre will present Alice Birch’s [ BLANK ] as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival, April 12 to 14.
The season also includes Liz Clarke’s Cannonballista on March 8 and visiting show Education, Education, Education, May 1, 2.
Comedians Mark Thomas returns on February 21, then Feb, Griff Rhys Jones on March 14 and Bridget Christie on May 24.
As well as Horrible Histories – More Best of Barmy Britain, March 16, 17, kid’s shows are Julia Donaldson’s Tiddler and other Terrific Tales on February 22, 23; The Flying Bedroom, April 6 and 7; manic science show Braniac Live on April 10 and Tom Thumb, June 1 and 2.
Music will be Mark Ravenhill and Conor Mitchell’s show Ten Plagues on March 13 and RWCMD’s musical revue of the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber One More Look is at the venue between March 27 and 31.
Rachel O’Riordan, Sherman Theatre’s artistic director, said “The Sherman’s spring season is exciting and vibrantly alive with a selection of outstanding plays.”