Nottingham Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall announce star-studded re-opening season
After more than a year of lockdown, Nottingham’s Royal Centre is finally ready to re-open — with a star-studded line-up from June to Christmas.
Some of the biggest names in music and comedy will be visiting as part of the Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall’s reopening season.
Measures are in place to make sure audiences, staff, visiting artists and companies can return safely once theatres and concert halls are finally permitted to re-open.
Peter Ireson, venue director, said: “We have worked hard to ensure this reopening season really lights up our stages once more, with all the star names and big shows we know our audiences are so eager to return to once again.
“ It will be a celebration of everything we hold most dear — coming together to enjoy music, and laughter, and that sense of awe only a live performance can bring.
“There’s nothing like it, and we’ve all really missed it. We are champing at the bit to get the doors open once again.”
The first events for live audiences to enjoy will be in mid-June when there will be two socially-distanced ‘welcome back’ comedy nights with pantomime favourite Ben Nickless on June 11 and 12.
That will be followed on June 13 by a concert performance from all seven Kanneh-Mason siblings, and a visit from Rambert2 dance company on June 16 and 17.
Once social distancing restrictions are lifted, currently on schedule to happen from June 21, the season will get into full swing with a programme of stand-up comedy, West End musicals, plays, music performances, and a ballet world premiere, culminating in the venue’s annual family favourite pantomime at Christmas.
New musicals SIX, School of Rock, Heathers, and Bedknobs And Broomsticks will visit for the first time, alongside favourites Blood Brothers, 9 To 5 The Musical, Grease, and Rocky Horror Show.
Other musical theatre stars due to appear include Jodie Prenger in Tell Me On a Sunday, Samantha Womack and Cameron Blakely in The Addams Family, Alexandra Burke in My Best Friend’s Wedding, and Faye Brookes, Sinitta and Divina De Campo in a sizzling production of Chicago.
This summer, the Theatre Royal’s perennial favourite, The Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season, will return for a four-week season of head-scratching, nerve-jangling plays, and EastEnders icon, Adam Woodyatt, will star in Peter James’s stage thriller Looking Good Dead.
A magical new production of Northern Ballet’s Merlin will have its highly anticipated world premiere at the Theatre Royal in September. Dance fans will also be delighted to see the return of Riverdance with its new 25th anniversary show.
Stand-up comedians Paul Smith, Jimmy Carr, Rob Brydon, Chris Ramsey, Ross Noble, John Bishop, and Daniel Sloss will rock the Royal Concert Hall with laughter.
Visiting musicians include Del Amitri, Jason Donovan, Billy Ocean, David Essex, Paloma Faith, Belinda Carlisle, Michael Bolton, Level 42, Collabro, Cliff Richard, Wet Wet Wet, Seasick Steve, Jools Holland, Russell Watson, Il Divo and The Human League.
There will be the chance to listen to talks by stars from the world of sport, arts and literature, including Grayson Perry, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Adam Kay, Jonathan Agnew and Alistair Cook, Ant Middleton and the team from A Question of Sport Live.
No autumn season would be complete without a family pantomime. This year, Robin Hood will be returning to its rightful home in Nottingham.