The world premiere of a stage adaptation of Jacques Tati’s classic film Playtime is among a packed 2022-2023 programme announced by Northampton’s Royal & Derngate.
Created by award-winning resident company Dancing Brick, Playtime will feature original songs by Grammy Award-winning composers Chilly Gonzalez and Martha Wainwright. The opening production of the new Made in Northampton season running from 2-24 September, will be directed by award-winning playwright Thomas Eccleshare and Valentina Ceschi with comedy direction by John Nicholson from silent movie-inspired specialists Peepolykus.
Recently named by the BFI as one of the best films of all time, Tati’s 1967 comedy will be brought to the stage in a production which will be designed by Michael Vale with sound design by Kayode Gomez.
Unveiling details of a programme that encompasses plays, musicals, a feature film, On Demand theatre, podcasts and a new interactive digital work, Royal & Derngate’s artistic director James Dacre said: “This season sees the culmination of several strands of strategic activity that have seen us challenge ourselves as a venue to nurture the creation of original work in radically different ways.
“Whether supporting artists to develop original musical theatre for the midscale, hosting ensemble companies to collaboratively devise their work over the course of several years, inviting playwrights to write for our main stage or supporting artists to reach new audiences in cinemas and online, this body of work has widened our practice, broadened our reach and helped shape our future.”
Dacre will also direct the world premiere of Michael Rosen’s Dickens-inspired Unexpected Twist which will make its debut in Northampton from 11-23 February 2023. Adapted for the stage by BAFTA Award-winner Roy Williams, the production will boast original music by Yaya Bey and BAC Beatbox Academy’s Conrad Murray and design by Frankie Bradshaw.
Other highlights include: the world premiere of a site-specific piece of gig theatre Song of the Summer, a coming of age drama created by local youth ensembles and featuring original indie rock music performed by local bands; and the revival of Dacre’s 2019 production of Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten’s The Two Popes with original music by Anne Dudley which will return to Northampton in October as part of a UK tour which will include the production’s London premiere at the Rose Theatre; and an autumn tour for new musical An Improbable Musical following on from the show’s debut on the Royal Stage earlier this year.
Angela Thomas
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