Sophie Thompson & Adrian Scarborough head autumn season in Alan Bennett adaptation at Nottingham Playhouse

Nottingham Playhouse have revealed a rich array of new work for the latter part of 2022, with the newly announced work for the autumn season including some of the biggest names in UK theatre, world premieres, exciting collaborations and eagerly awaited family favourites.

In the height of summer in mid-July, Nottingham Playhouse will move outside for an open-air staging of one of Shakespeare’s most loved works. Following the success of last year’s production of The Tempest, this year from 13-16 July, the magical comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream conjures up forests, fairies and frenzies of confusion and resolution on a  specially built stage in Wellington Circus, adjacent to the theatre. Shakespeare’s most chaotic of comedies is distilled to 80 minutes and performed by just four actors in this enchanting celebration of love, magic and midsummer madness.

Back indoors and kicking off the season in earnest, from 9 September-1 October, Nottingham Playhouse will present Olivier award winners Sophie Thompson and Adrian Scarborough in The Clothes They Stood Up In, the latter’s adaptation of an Alan Bennett novella, packed full of his trademark wit and verbal dexterity.

A night at the opera ends with a shock for mild-mannered couple Maurice and Rosemary Ransome when they open their front door to discover their flat completely empty. From light bulbs to carpets to toilet paper, even their chicken casserole has been stolen. As they attempt to unravel what has happened and without their worldly possessions, they are forced to examine their lives and their relationships and are confronted with some uncomfortable truths. Should they rebuild their old life, or begin afresh? The Clothes They Stood Up In is a bittersweet exploration of marriage, dreams and lives unlived. Adrian Scarborough’s adaptation brings Bennett’s hilarious story to the stage for the first time.

Following this story of love reassessed comes one of unexpected love. Sheffield Theatres and Ramps On The Moon’s production of Much Ado About Nothing runs from 11-15 October.

Featuring the use of integrated creative sign language, audio description and captioning, this innovative production of Shakespeare’s raucous comedy tells the story of besotted young couple Claudio and Hero, who have fallen fast and are quickly engaged. But not everyone finds the path to true love quite so direct – Benedick balks at the very thought of it and Beatrice agrees with him, on that if nothing else. But somewhere in this world, there’s someone for everyone, even if they’re right under your nose.

As the days get shorter and the nights longer, there comes an explosive contemporary comedy with the regional premiere production of Olivier nominated and Critics Circle winner Nine Night by Natasha Gordon, co-produced with Leeds Playhouse, running from 19 October-5 November.

When Gloria’s time comes, her family celebrate their revered mother with the traditional Jamaican Nine Night Wake – a touching yet testing multi-generational gathering packed with music, food, laughter and tears. Holding a mirror up to family life – and loss – reflecting the heartfelt comedy and deep sorrow that occurs when they gather together to share memories, good food and grievances older than Gloria’s well-loved dining table. Nine Night poses the question, how do we remember the people we love?

When it transferred to The Trafalgar Studios in 2018, the original National Theatre production made Natasha Gordon the first black, British, female playwright to have her work produced in the West End. Nine Night is an inherently funny and intensely moving family celebration of life.

Rounding off the year comes the Nottingham Playhouse pantomime, Dick Whittington, running from 25 November-14 January. So pack up your hanky and join the plucky hero and his trusty cat on their quest for fame and fortune. Their magical rags to riches tale takes us to London, where the streets are paved with gold, on to the High Seas, into battle with the evil King Rat and falling head over heels in love with his boss’s daughter Alice. All the while the magical Bow Bells are whispering Dick Whittington’s destiny – to become the Mayor of London! Packed with the trademark dazzling dance, brilliant live music and swashbuckling adventure, the show sees Nottingham’s favourite panto dame John Elkington serving up some comedy chaos as Sarah the Cook.

For more information and to book tickets, please click here.