Just days before the launch of its festive pantomime Sinbad the Sailor, Theatre Royal Stratford East’s artistic director Kerry Michael has unveiled further details of next year’s spring/summer season at the East London venue.
Alongside the already announced European premiere of The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, highlights of 2017 will include the world premiere stage adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s book Room and a production of Tommy directed by Michael herself.
The season will open with the Theatre Royal Stratford East and Belgrade Theatre Coventry presentation of The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, the show which was first performed at the prestigious Playwrights Horizons in New York and is written by former Broadway dancer Kirsten Childs.
Directed by Olivier-nominated actress/director Josette Bushell-Mingo, the show’s UK debut will run from 1 February until 11 March, with a press night on 8 February.
Room features original songs by songwriters Kathryn Joseph and Cora Bissett and will run from 2 May until 3 June, with a press night on 10 May. Adapted for the stage by Donoghue from her bestseller, the show will be directed by Bissett.
The Theatre Royal Stratford East and Abbey Theatre, Dublin co-production will be presented in association with National Theatre of Scotland and Covent Garden Productions.
Ipswich’s New Wolsey Theatre staging of The Who’s multi award-winning rock epic Tommy will play Stratford East from 7-17 June, with a press night on 12 June.
The second co-production with Ramps on the Moon will feature a cast of 22 disabled and non-disabled performers and practitioners. The show premiers at the New Wolsey in March 2017.
Revealing the 2017 line-up, Michael said: “Our new season is a chance to give attention to those voices on the fringes of the mainstream, to celebrate the genius of outsiders and shine a light on those with an alternative story to tell.
“This season highlights diverse communities and cultures with the aim of making theatre as inclusive as it possibly can be. In a time of huge change around the world, which for some brings uncertainty and fear, we salute the theatre makers working in this new season, striving to create unique stories and exceptional shows that can help us understand our neighbours, bringing us together and in our own small way make our world a better place.”
Angela Thomas
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