Birmingham Repertory Theatre announces its autumn season programme including Tom Jones musical WHAT’S NEW PUSSYCAT?
Birmingham Repertory Theatre has announced its autumn season programme, marking 50 years in its current home on Centenary Square.
Smash hit comedy drama East is East opens the celebratory season from 4-25 September 2021, returning home 25 years after its premiere on The REP stage in 1996. This is followed by brand new musical What’s New Pussycat? featuring the iconic songs of Sir Tom Jones. It has a book written by the Tony Award winning Joe DiPietro, with direction by Luke Sheppard and choreography by Arlene Philips CBE.
The REP’s Artistic Director Sean Foley will direct his critically acclaimed play, The Play What I Wrote, from 27 November-1 January, with each performance famously featuring a special guest star. Later in the season, the world premiere stage adaptation of Floella Benjamin’s book Coming To England runs on the REP stage from 19 February-6 March 2022.
Foley said: “I’m thrilled to be able to announce what has become, in effect, my first season of work at this iconic and beloved theatre. All theatres have undergone tremendous challenges over the past year, and very many tough decisions have had to be made to get us to this point. We are tremendously excited by the shows and proud of the amazing array of creative talent from our freelance community that will be at The REP for this very special 50th Anniversary Season of the company on Centenary Square. The programme is testament to the whole company’s determination and desire to share the amazing event of live theatre with our audiences again, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back - back to entertainment, to debate, to laughter, and to the sheer joy of experiencing the excitement that being part of a great night out brings.”
Foley also announces a new play commission from Sarfraz Manzoor - a contemporary comedy about Islam, identity and the in-laws entitled The Muslim Box; Tanika Gupta will write a new adaptation of Hedda Gabler; and The Park Bench Plays will be performed on and around park benches throughout Birmingham, written by Robin French, Bryony Lavery, Frank Skinner and more.
Details of further productions in both The Door and the Studio spaces at The REP will be announced in due course.
Tickets go on sale to Members from Monday 26 April and on general sale from 10am on Friday 30 April here.
