Storyhouse has announced a new season of shows featuring classic comedy, thought-provoking drama and stand-up silliness.

Willy Russell’s comedy classic Educating Rita arrives at the venue from 1 – 6 February as part of a new UK tour, following its successful season at the open-air Minack Theatre in Cornwall during the summer. 

Stephen Tompkinson stars as Frank with Jessica Johnson as Rita in this special 40th anniversary production of the play. 

Julie Hesmondhalgh (Coronation Street, Broadchurch) stars in The Greatest Play in the History of the World from 10 – 14 February. 

Performed by multi-award winning, BAFTA nominated actress herself, The Greatest Play in the History of the World takes us on a heartfelt journey that starts and ends in a small, unassuming house on a quiet suburban road. Julie narrates this story of two neighbours and the people on their street, as she navigates us through the nuances of life, the possibilities of science and the meaning of love.  

Meanwhile Storyhouse’s own acclaimed 2020 production of August Strindberg’s Miss Julie returns to the Chester stage from 5 – 13 March in a new touring co-production with New Earth Theatre. 

It’s Chinese New Year in 1940s Hong Kong and celebrations are in full swing. 

Julie, the daughter of the island’s British Governor, crashes the servants’ party downstairs. But what starts as a game descends into a fight for survival as sex, power, money and race collide on a hot night in the Pearl River Delta. 

Sandi Toksvig brings her smash-hit one-woman show The National Trevor Tour to the theatre on 11 June, with British-Iranian comedian and stage and screen actor Omid Djalili making a date with Storyhouse on 5 November.  

Artistic Director of Storyhouse Alex Clifton said: “We’re delighted to welcome new visitors and old friends back to Storyhouse after what has been a tough year for theatre everywhere. 

“We’re incredibly proud of Miss Julie which received such an incredible response from audiences and critics alike when we premiered it earlier this year. So we’re thrilled that this touring production, restaged imaginatively in a Covid-safe way, will open at Storyhouse before it embarks on a UK tour. 

“And with Willy Russell’s brilliant Educating Rita, Julie Hesmondhalgh’s captivating performance in The Greatest Play and a line-up of really talented writers and performers – and with more to be announced - we’re going into 2021 with a renewed sense of hope and creative energy.” 

The new shows are the latest to be added to a busy 2021 programme which also includes The Roaring Girls’ BeachBody Ready (5 March), Britain’s Got Talent magician Ben Hart (30 March) and stand-up shows from some of the cream of British comedy including Mark Thomas (14 April) and Stewart Lee (20 April).  

Tickets for the newly announced shows are on sale now here.