From a modernisation of Dickens' Curiosity Shop, set in a vintage record store, to the award-winning London favourite The 39 Steps, in which four actors take on 139 parts in 100 minutes, we preview the upcoming Nuffield season.
The Nuffield Theatre’s new season kicks off with a production by its Youth Theatre. They tackle the play Ghetto by Joshua Sobol (January 17-19), said to be the most well known Israeli play in the world. It focuses on the moral dilemma of Jews under Nazi tyranny.
“Ghetto is a stunning play about the determination of the Jewish people trapped in the ghettos to bring culture, life and humanity to the darkest period of their history,” says Youth Theatre Director, Max Lindsay. “The play mixes great humour and songs with the brutal reality of life in the ghettos, which the young people of the Nuffield Youth Theatre have brought to life in a stunningly beautiful fashion.”
Billed as “savagely funny comic writing”, a major revival of Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage (February 7-23) explores what happens as two sets of parents meet to discuss their children’s bad behaviour. Rational conversation descends into hysterical argument in this award-winning show by author of smash-hit Art. Matthew Kelly heads the cast in this West End, Broadway and worldwide hit.
Theatre company Tamasha (which means “commotion”) returns to Southampton this season, in association with the Nuffield, bringing The Arrival (March 21-23). The story of one man’s journey into the unknown is told through an intricate weaving together of theatre, circus and music. The epic story unfolds, as one arrival echoes those that happen around us all the time.
Curiosity Shop – set in vintage record store
March sees another work by Dickens brought to the main house: Theatre Alibi stage their contemporary update of Curiosity Shop (March 26-30). Set in a vintage record store, Daniel Jamieson’s inventive modernisation of the classic Old Curiosity Shop features a soundtrack ranging from Bach to Bowie.
Following the co-production of Romeo and Juliet last year, The Nuffield once again joins Headlong Theatre to bring Chekhov’s The Seagull (April 11-20) back to life. The two companies will be re-imagining the classic text in an innovative production, directed by Blanche McIntyre – described as “a rising star” by London’s Evening Standard.
Audiences will judge defendants in court room
My Daughter’s Trial (April 19-20) by Kali Theatre Company, supported by The Nuffield, tells the story of a young ambitious Muslim lawyer, Parveen, as she struggles to hold onto her career whilst losing her mother. Described as “compelling”, this new play will be staged in the former court room at the Sea City Museum, allowing audiences to judge both the defendants and Parveen.
Patrick Sandford next directs new play Smallholding (April 25 –May 4) by Chris Dunkley; a young couple return to the village they grew up in, buying a farm with the dream of living off the fat of the land. However, escaping their demons proves more difficult than either of them expected.
English Touring Theatre brings Roger McGough’s exciting adaptation of Molière’s The Misanthrope (May 7-11), following the sell-out of his version of The Hypochondriac in 2009. Set in mid 17th century France, poet Alceste is disgusted with the state of French aristocratic society. As he embarks on a one-man quest to challenge this, could the woman he falls in love with be the worst culprit of all?
Four actors play 139 parts in 100 minutes
The award-winning London favourite The 39 Steps (May 13-18) hits the Nuffield stage this season as part of its national tour. A popular choice with theatre-goers, this joyous classic spy thriller comes straight from the West End. As four actors take on 139 parts in 100 minutes, what can be expected of the handsome, stiff upper-lipped hero, as he encounters villainous murderers, double-crossing agents and beautiful women?
Neighbors (May 21-25) is a gritty comedy about racial tensions in America’s big cities. As new neighbours move in next door, tensions mount between a black husband and white wife. Co-produced with HighTide Festival Theatre and written by one of America’s hottest young playwrights, Branden Jacob-Jenkins, this bold, yet satirical, contemporary play delves into the history of black identity and intolerance in a “post racial” America.
Not all the action is in the main house, however: Michelle Paver’s book Dark Matter (April 8-13), adapted and directed by Russ Tunney, will be brought to the Studio in the spring. An atmospheric and chilling tale about the last remaining member of an Arctic expedition, it promises to haunt audiences. Another Studio highlight is Out Of Joint’s Tu I Teraz (February 4-6). This tale of family loyalty and immigration in the Polish community asks if you are ever really able to leave your past behind, or if home is where the heart is.
As well as all this, Apples and Snakes return to the Studio with their bi-monthly showcase, 451 (February 18 and 15 April 15), featuring the most dynamic and talented performance poets from around the UK. And this season’s choice of comedians features Rich Hall (March 17), Mark Thomas (March 24), Henning Wehn (April 28), Lucy Porter (May 12), The Lumberjacks (May 26) and two Comedy Bar BIG GIGs (January 19 and July 6).
More information
The Nuffield Box Ofice: 023 8067 1771