Paul Stacey and Nick Thompson, the founding artistic director and executive director of Reading Rep Theatre, have today announced the venue’s reopening season Reading Rep: Reborn in the company’s new permanent home in Reading. 

The season opens on 15 September with a special gala celebrating the company’s new venue, featuring performances from associate companies. The first production of the season will be Dorian, a world premiere adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray. This will be followed by a production of A Christmas Carol, Gary McNair’s Jekyll & Hyde and Helen Eastman’s children’s show Alby the Penguin Saves the World. A production of A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream completes the season.  

Each production will be accompanied by a participation project as part of the company’s multi-award winning ENGAGE programme that connects each production to the community and offers access for all. 

Paul Stacey, the company’s Artistic Director, said: “Today is a big day for Reading and for Reading Rep. Announcing this brilliant five-show season in our new venue with locally, regionally and nationally leading artists is the culmination of eight years of work for Reading Rep, beginning when I founded the company with a £500 overdraft in 2012. I was born and raised in Reading and being able to put my hometown on the national cultural map and make our work accessible to all across Reading through our ENGAGE programme and free ticket scheme is the greatest honour. As we return to live performance, bringing our community together to share stories and experiences, and to laugh and celebrate is more important than ever. We are so excited to welcome audiences into our new homes.”

You can purchase tickets to all events here.