The Old Vic today announces Artistic Director Matthew Warchus‘ second season, continuing a wide-ranging programme that includes world premieres, new writing, musicals, classic revivals and The Old Vic Variety Nights. There will also be a new strand of children’s programming to engage the next generation of theatregoers, demonstrating Matthew’s ‘something for everyone’ approach.
Warchus reunites with the entire original team behind Art, running 10 December 2016 to 18 February 2017
Season 2 marks Glenda Jackson’s return to the stage, to play the title role in King Lear, directed by Deborah Warner. The Season opens with the world premiere of Samuel Beckett’s monologue No’s Knife with Lisa Dwan. Matthew directs the 20th anniversary production of Yasmina Reza’s Art and Star Wars‘ John Boyega stars in a new version of Woyzeck adapted by Jack Thorne.
In 2017 and beyond, look out for the return of Season 1’s dazzlingly funny, moving and inspiring show Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, a 50th anniversary celebratory production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard, a world premiere adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s classic film, Fanny and Alexander, adapted by Stephen Beresford, and a new version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore, helmed by Christopher Luscombe.
Artistic Director Matthew Warchus commented:
‘Anyone who has visited The Old Vic in the last eight months will have felt the new wave of energy which has swept through the building. There’s a completely fresh feel to the foyer, bars and café, and a completely fresh approach to how we programme our productions and events. There’s much more happening, and for a much wider range of people. For a theatre without public funding this is no mean feat. It’s an exciting shift, aimed at consolidating The Old Vic as a vibrant and indispensable part of London’s artistic scene.
With my second season, we continue our mission to be a leading creative hub in the capital, and further afield, radiating an energising and unintimidating spirit, as we celebrate the best of what theatre can be.’
Glenda Jackson takes the title role in King Lear 25 October to 3 December 2016
Productions include:
– Lisa Dwan in the world premiere of Samuel Beckett’s monologue No’s Knife
– Glenda Jackson starring in King Lear, directed by Deborah Warner, with Jane Horrocks, Rhys Ifans, Simon Manyonda and Harry Melling
– The 20th anniversary production of Art by Yasmina Reza, directed by Matthew Warchus
– John Boyega starring in a new version of Woyzeck by Jack Thorne, directed by new Baylis Director Joe Murphy
– Missing Light, a puppetry show created by Mark Arends, as part of a new programme of children’s theatre at The Old Vic
– A line-up of original and exhilarating artists in the second series of The Old Vic Variety Nights
John Boyega stars in Woyzeck, running 25 February to 15 April 2017
Some coming attractions for 2017 and our bicentenary season (2017-18):
– A 50th anniversary celebratory production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard
– Over the summer the return of the Olivier-nominated Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, written by David Greig and directed by the inaugural Baylis Director, and newly appointed Associate Director, Max Webster
– A world premiere adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s classic film, Fanny and Alexander, adapted by Stephen Beresford and directed by Max Webster
– A new version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore, directed by Christopher Luscombe with musical adaptation by Nigel Hess
– Further programming announcements for the season still to come
The Old Vic continues to develop the following programmes and creative opportunities:
– New commissions to Stephen Beresford, Regina Taylor, Jack Thorne and Kate Prince’s dance company ZooNation
– Composer Gary Yershon joins Simon Baker, Peter Darling, David Grindrod, Manuel Harlan, Rob Howell, Dennis Kelly, Paul Kieve, Drew McOnie, Tim Minchin, Christopher Nightingale, Kate Prince and Hugh Vanstone as Matthew’s Associate Artists
– Joe Murphy appointed as the Baylis Director for 2016-17
– Inaugural Baylis Director Max Webster becomes Matthew’s second Associate Director, alongside current Associate Annabel Bolton
– A new programme of daytime children’s theatre in and around The Old Vic to include a collaboration with inclusive theatre company Chickenshed, and The Children’s Bookshow
– The Old Vic continues its transfer partnership with theatre producers Scott Rudin and Sonia Friedman, giving Old Vic shows a potential life in the West End and on Broadway
– Art and photography exhibited in Mark’s Bar and Penny. Currently a selection of prints from the Royal College of Art’s Folio collection are on display in Mark’s Bar and Introspection, a photography exhibition by Ann Evelin Lawford, is showing in Penny
