Harrogate Theatre will be bringing repertory theatre back this September, thrilling audiences with another three
back-to-back classic dramas over a three-week period with one cast.
Traditionally, a repertory theatre company is a group of actors who perform a small number of plays
for just a few weeks at a time, and there’s a strong history of repertory at Harrogate Theatre. The
theatre operated as a touring venue up to the early 1930s when the growing popularity of cinema
and radio saw a decline in theatre audiences. As an answer to the problem, William Peacock, the
theatre’s Managing Director at the time, formed a repertory company, The White Rose Players (one
of the first weekly rep companies in the country), and the theatre became a producing venue. The
White Rose Players performed around 45 plays a year and continued through to the mid 1950s.
In Autumn 2018 we brought repertory theatre back working in partnership with
Phil&Ben Productions, Phil Stewart and Ben Roddy.
And now after lockdown we are presenting rep at the theatre again.
Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh
TUE 13 – SAT 17 SEP
Fancy joining us for a few drinks at Beverley and Lawrence’s house?
They’ve invited the new neighbours round, and divorced Sue from down the street is coming along
while her teenage daughter Abigail has a bit of a birthday party at home. Bev is ready to dance the
night away, and Lawrence is ready to drink it away.
Abigail’s Party is a funny and nostalgic look back at the trials, tribulations and aspirations of married
life in the seventies.
Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton
TUE 20 – SAT 24 SEP
It’s London in 1880. Bella Manningham is well off with a nice home and servants – yet she’s lonely.
She lives far from her family with her husband, Jack, who is stern and overbearing. Strange things
keep happening, too. Things keep going missing and then turning up again, and Bella thinks she’s
hearing noises. Or is she? Before long she feels she may be losing her mind.
Gaslight is a psychological thriller so well known, it gave rise to the term ‘gaslighting’ used today in
British law.
Men of the World by John Godber
TUE 27 – SAT 01 October
Preparing for a mystery trip to Scarborough Stick, Larry and Frank, a trio of northern coach drivers,
take a trip down memory lane. Hop aboard Men of the World, a John Godber classic bursting with
compassion, nostalgia and humour.
Get 20% off when you book all 3 shows. To book visit www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk or call 01423 502116.
The post HARROGATE BRINGS BACK REPERTORY THEATRE appeared first on Leeds Guide.