autumn / winter 2013/14 season brochure

EXCHANGE2013/14Autumn ~ Winter _________________________________________________________________________________

02 | 03

Every year, we must raise an additional £500,000 to ensure we can continue to operate.

With your support we can continue to make great theatre and provide opportunities for as many young people and adults as possible.

We have an amazing matched giving opportunity. For certain donations, Arts Council England will match your gift pound-for-pound. This matched giving opportunity is time limited until June 2014.

To find out more, please go to www.royalexchange.co.uk/donate or call 0161 615 6752.

WELCOME

Our work is all about Exchange.

Creative exchanges with artists, audiences and communities help shape our programme and our future.

In a world full of technology, the art of live storytelling is cherished. As human beings we want to share our histories, find common ground, to connect and cooperate with others.

This Autumn/Winter we are connecting with more people than ever before in exchanges that will help us share some of the world’s most powerful stories and explore our imaginations.

We are welcoming established and emerging theatre companies, artists, community groups and young people, alongside well known faces and names into our building to create extraordinary work.

The season is full of big, bold shows with a wide appeal including our first collaborations with Talawa Theatre Company and West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Our spaces will all be used in new ways to tell stories that will bring people together. The results will also be seen beyond our building as we continue to take work out to unusual spaces in Manchester and across the UK.

Join us and play your part in the Exchange.

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WE ARE A CHARITYThe Royal Exchange is a registered charity No.255424.

04 | 05

The Theatre25 September ~ 26 October

Directed by Michael BuffongDesigned by Ellen Cairns

Box Office 0845 450 4808royalexchange.co.uk/allmysons

Half Price Previews Wednesday 25, Thursday 26 & Friday 27 September, 7.30pm

Back Stage Tour Wednesday 2 October 11am

After Show Discussion Thursday 17 October With Director Michael Buffong

Audio Described Performance Saturday 19 October, 3.30pm

BSL Interpreted Performance Friday 25 October, 7.30pm

Captioned Performance Thursday 24 October, 7.30pm

Image: Royal Exchange Theatre Costume Hire Department

A Royal Exchange Theatre and Talawa Theatre Company co-production

ALL MY SONSby Arthur Miller

It is 1947. Joe and Kate Keller, an all-American couple, have the ghosts of World War II living in their own backyard.

Joe is a successful, self-made businessman, a loving family man and a pillar of the community. He is a partner in a machine shop building fighter plane parts. One thing overshadows Joe and Kate’s happiness - their son is missing in action, presumed dead by all but his mother…

ALL MY SONS is a searing investigation of honesty, guilt and the corrupting power of greed. The play was Arthur Miller’s first success, establishing him as a leading voice in theatre. This collaboration features two of the country’s most distinguished actors, Don Warrington MBE (RISING DAMP,

DEATH IN PARADISE) and Doña Croll (best known as Vera Corrigan in DOCTORS). Michael Buffong is Artistic Director of Talawa Theatre Company. His previous credits for the Royal Exchange include the multi award-winning A RAISIN IN THE SUN and PRIVATE LIVES.

Talawa Theatre Company will be in residency at the Royal Exchange Theatre during ALL MY SONS offering a series of Master classes and workshops.

‘The Exchange has always been a magical space for me. It seems a place of endless possibilities; it has the ability to be vast and in a moment to become incredibly intimate.’ Michael Buffong

EVENING PERFORMANCE TIMES: Monday ~ Friday, 7.30pm. Saturdays, 8pm No perfs Monday 7 & 14 October

MATINEE PERFORMANCE TIMES: Wednesdays, 2.30pm. Saturdays, 3.30pm

EXTRA MATINEES: Tuesday 8 October, 2.30pm Thursdays 10 & 17 October, 2.30pm

The Studio 5 October RACE, REPRESENTATION & THE REPERTOIRE A panel discussion with Director Michael Buffong alongside leading theatre professionals and academics from the University of Manchester.

1 ~ 2.30pm FREE, but ticketed (tickets available from Box Office)

06 | 07

The Theatre1 ~ 30 November

Directed by James BriningDesigned by Colin Richmond

Box Office 0845 450 4808royalexchange.co.uk/sweeneytodd

Half Price Preview Friday 1 November, 7.30pm

Back Stage Tour Wednesday 6 November, 11am This tour is BSL interpreted

After Show Discussion Thursday 21 November With Director James Brining after 7.30pm performance

Audio Described Performance Saturday 23 November, 3.30pm

BSL Interpreted Performance Tuesday 26 November, 7.30pm

Captioned Performance Friday 22 November, 7.30pm


The Royal Exchange Theatre and West Yorkshire Playhouse present

SWEENEY TODD The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - A Musical ThrillerMusic and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM. Book by HUGH WHEELER.

Packed with Sondheim’s characteristic wit and dark humour, SWEENEY TODD is a heart-poundingly entertaining musical thriller about a man driven mad by injustice. Widely acknowledged as Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece, it is a razor sharp tale of vengeance and true love - featuring some of the finest music ever written for the theatre.

This spine chilling contemporary version is James Brining’s first production as Artistic Director of West Yorkshire Playhouse and marks the beginning of a creative partnership with the Royal Exchange

The show will open in Leeds from Thursday 26 September to Saturday 26 October before being re-worked for the Royal Exchange. Originally staged in Dundee in 2010, Brining will revisit his TMA award-winning production for two very different and iconic theatre stages.

‘We’re thrilled to be collaborating for the first time with the Royal Exchange. The chance to restage Sweeney Todd for such an iconic and exciting theatre space is one I’m particularly looking forward to.’ James Brining

EVENING PERFORMANCE TIMES: Monday ~ Friday, 7.30pm. Saturdays, 8pm No perfs Mon 11 & 18 November


EXTRA MATINEES: Tuesday 12 November, 2.30pm Thursday 14 & 21 November, 2.30pm

From an adaptation by CHRISTOPHER BOND. Originally directed by HAROLD PRINCE. Original orchestrations by JONATHAN TUNICK. Originally produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards and in association with Dean and Judy Manos. Presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of New York

08 | 09

THAT DAY WE SANGby Victoria Wood

Reinvented and re-orchestrated for the Royal Exchange’s unique space, THAT DAY WE SANG is a big-hearted and nostalgic Manchester love story for all the family, written by Victoria Wood, one of the country’s most distinctive and well-loved comedic voices.

In the summer of ‘69, insurance clerk Tubby and secretary Enid are back on stage at the Free Trade Hall. Granada Television are recording a documentary celebrating the forty years since they first stood there as children, singing their hearts out with fellow school pupils and accompanied by the Hallé Orchestra. This is the humorous, warm and uplifting story of two people who are trying to reconnect with who they were then and who they could be now.

The first production of That Day We Sang was commissioned by MIF Creative for Manchester International Festival (MIF11), with support from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

‘THAT DAY WE SANG is a play with songs and dancing and insurance men. It’s a love story… played against the background of The Wimpy, The Golden Egg, Piccadilly Gardens… it’s a very Mancunian story.’ Victoria Wood

‘A big, Victoria Wood shaped heart’ Daily Mail (MIF2011)

‘* * * *’ The Guardian (MIF2011)

The Theatre5 December ~ 18 January

Directed by Sarah FrankcomDesigned by James Cotterill

Box Office 0845 450 4808royalexchange.co.uk/thatday

Half Price Previews Thursday 5 & Friday 6 December, 7.30pm

Back Stage Tour Wednesday 11 December, 11am

After Show Discussion Thursday 9 January, 7.30pm With director Sarah Frankcom

Audio Described Performance Saturday 4 January, 2.30pm

BSL Interpreted Performance Tuesday 14 January, 7.30pm

Captioned Performance Friday 10 January, 7.30pm


EVENING PERFORMANCE TIMES: Monday ~ Saturday, 7.30pm (no performance Christmas Day)

MATINEE PERFORMANCE TIMES: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 2.30pm (no matinee New Year’s Day)

EXTRA MATINEES: Mondays 23 & 30 December, 2.30pm Tuesdays 17 & 24 December, 2.30pm Thursday 26 December, 4pm Friday 27 December, 2.30pm Thursdays 2 January & 9 January 2.30pm

AGE GUIDANCE: 10+ There will be no ticket discounts from 23 ~ 31 December.

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The Theatre23 January ~ 15 February

Directed by Sarah FrankcomDesigned by Anna Fleischle

Box Office 0845 450 4808royalexchange.co.uk/blindsided

Half Price Previews Thursday 23 & Friday 24 January, 7.30pm Back Stage Tour Wednesday 29 January, 11am

After Show Discussion Thursday 13 February With writer Simon Stephens and director Sarah Frankcom.

Audio Described Performance Saturday 8 February, 3.30pm

BSL Interpreted Performance Friday 14 February, 7.30pm

Captioned Performance Thursday 6 February, 7.30pm


BLINDSIDEDby Simon Stephens

A girl growing up in a battered part of Stockport in a battered time at the end of the seventies falls in love with the man who will mash her heart into a thousand pieces. BLINDSIDED is an unexpected and romantic play about murder, spanning from the beginnings of the Thatcher Government in 1979 to the birth of New Labour in 1997.

Simon Stephens won an Olivier Award for his acclaimed adaptation of Mark Haddon’s novel THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, both this and his play PORT (which premiered at the Royal Exchange in 2002) have recently enjoyed hugely successful runs at the National Theatre.

BLINDSIDED is the fourth play he has written specifically for the Royal Exchange stage and follows the success of PUNK ROCK in 2009. Sarah Frankcom’s recent credits for the Royal Exchange include ORPHEUS DESCENDING, MISS JULIE and A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE. The cast includes Katie West (PUNK ROCK) and Julie Hesmondhalgh (BLACK ROSES, CORONATION STREET).

‘The Royal Exchange is steeped in the city in a way which is thrilling. The tension between the epic scale of the place and its intimacy is quite extraordinary.’ Simon Stephens

EVENING PERFORMANCE TIMES: Monday ~ Friday, 7.30pm. Saturdays, 8pm


EXTRA MATINEE: Tuesday 4 February, 2.30pm

AGE GUIDANCE: 14+

The Theatre 1 February IN CONVERSATION WITH… A panel discussion with playwright Simon Stephens alongside leading theatre professionals and academics from the University of Manchester.

1 ~ 2.30pm FREE, but ticketed (tickets available from Box Office)

WORLD PREMIERE

Royal Exchange Theatre presents

THERE HAS POSSIBLY BEEN AN INCIDENTby Chris Thorpe. Directed by Sam Pritchard.

EVENING PERFORMANCE TIMES: Monday ~ Friday, 7.30pm. Saturdays

MATINEE PERFORMANCE TIMES: Thursdays, 2.30pm. Saturdays, 3.30pm except 5 September

AGE GUIDANCE: 14+

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The Studio4 ~ 21 September

Directed by Sam PritchardDesigned by Signe Beckmann

Box Office 0845 450 4808royalexchange.co.uk/incident

After Show Discussion Thursday 12 September after 7.30pm performance

The Studio Season is supported by Manchester Airports Group

Sometimes planes don’t land the way they’re supposed to.

The people of a country have had enough of their leaders, but those leaders have to be replaced with something.

A person steps out of a crowd and, for a moment, becomes more than human.

A man walks into the lobby of a building and brings death with him to prove his point.

Chris Thorpe is a Fringe First winner (2012). His new play tells a series of interlocking stories about the moments when life offers you a choice between heroism and compromise, and what happens after you choose. It is directed by Sam Pritchard who won the JMK Award in 2012.

The show premieres at Latitude Festival in July 2013 and runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.

‘This play is tailor made for the Royal Exchange. Chris wrote it in the building and has developed it for The Studio. To see it come to life there is going to be hugely exciting.’ Sam Pritchard

Image: Andrew Myers

A Royal Exchange Theatre, Fittings Multimedia Arts and Krazy Kat Theatre Company co-production

EDMUND THE LEARNED PIGby Mike Kenny. Music and songs by Martyn Jaques of The Tiger LilliesFrom an original idea by Garry Robson and Kinny Gardner

EVENING PERFORMANCE TIMES: Wednesday 9 ~ Saturday 12 October 7pm Thursday 17 ~ Saturday 19 October 7pm Thursday 24 ~ Saturday 26 October 7pm

MATINEE PERFORMANCE TIMES: Tuesday 15 ~ Thursday 17 October 11am (schools performances) Tuesday 22 & Wednesday 23 October 11am Thursday 24 October 2.30pm Saturdays 3.30pm

AGE GUIDANCE: 8+

Part of the Family Arts Festival 2013

14 | 15

The Studio9 ~ 26 October

Directed by Gordon DougallDesigned by Chris de Wilde

Box Office 0845 450 4808royalexchange.co.uk/edmund

The Studio Season is supported by Manchester Airports Group

A wondrous and darkly pleasant musical tale of a pig who taught himself to read…

Bonaparte’s travelling circus show and marvellous menagerie was on its uppers. It had a zoo with just pigeons, an aerialist who wouldn’t leave the ground, a chipped plate-spinning act and a Mr Memory who could hardly remember his own name. Not surprisingly no one was coming.

Then into their lives came EDMUND THE LEARNED PIG... Marvel as Edmund proves he’s no ordinary porker. Be amazed as he tries to save the circus...

Based on an unpublished poem by Edward Gorey this magical story fuses British Sign Language, puppetry, mime and music for everyone aged 8 +.

Fittings Multimedia Arts are a disability led performance company who have been making work since 1995. The Krazy Kat Theatre Company have a 31 year history of creating visual and signed theatre for young audiences.

WORLD PREMIERE

Image: Ruth Hope

The Studio 6 ~ 9 NovemberMonkeywood Theatre in association with the Royal Exchange Theatre present

FLESH by Sarah McDonald Hughes. Directed by Martin Gibbons.

Shannon and Dylan are 16. They’re in love. And they’re having a baby. In 2012, Monkeywood gathered heart-stoppingly honest stories and insights from young Manchester parents. FLESH is a new play based on these stories, following three young people becoming parents for the first time.

Friday, 2.30pm: RELAXED PERFORMANCE A more relaxed environment for those with children and suitable for people with autism or learning disabilities.

Weds, Thurs & Fri 7.30pm, Sat 8pm

The Studio 27 ~ 30 November

FIREARMS AND FINGERTIPSWritten and directed by James Shaw

15 year old shooting victim Spencer is being willed back to life by his distraught mother as he lies in his hospital bed. At the same time, 2 agents of death, Chalice and Brown are callously killing time until The Grim Reaper arrives.

FIREARMS AND FINGERTIPS is a modern day morality tale about the consequences of guns in society by musician, filmmaker and playwright, James Shaw. Spoken word, visual art and projection combine with a live soundtrack including The Beatles, Nancy Sinatra and Daft Punk, provided by scratch champion, DJ Rasp.

Wed ~ Fri 7:30pm, Sat 8pm

The Studio 3 ~ 5 October

CHEWING GUM DREAMS Written and Performed by Michaela Coel

Tracey Gordon. The 67 bus. Friendship. Sex. UK Garage. School. Music. Teachers. Friendship. Periods. Emergency contraceptives. Raves. Friendship. White boys. God. Money. Friendship. Aaron. Candice. Sex and Connor Jones.

CHEWING GUM DREAMS (winner of the Alfred Fagan Award in 2012) is a one-woman play that recalls those last days of innocence before adulthood. Written and performed by Michaela Coel who most recently appeared at the Royal Exchange as Tiana in the 2011 Bruntwood Prize winning play, THREE BIRDS.

Thu & Fri 7.30pm, Sat 8pm

The Studio 14 ~ 17 NovemberRoyal Exchange Theatre presents

THE FUTUREWORLDS PROJECT This year teams of young people from across the North West have been working with artists, theatre-makers, teachers, activists and elders, to imagine their vision for a future society. The Studio will become a gallery and an installation, a performance space and a living library filled with their ideas - giving us a vivid snapshot from the youth of today for the society of tomorrow…

Presented as part of Truth about Youth, a major partnership with the Co-operative Foundation, challenging and changing negative perceptions of young people in the UK.

Thu ~ Sat 11am ~ 7.30pm Sun 11.30am ~ 4pm

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The Studio and beyond 10 ~ 21 December

THE ADVENTURE Created by Bad Physics Written by Oliver Birch

When a famous scientist is abducted, it takes his children, their best friend, an incompetent storyteller, and YOU to rescue him.

Join an intrepid gang of young detectives to help solve a mystery. The Famous Five meets Scooby Doo meets The Crystal Maze in an hour of funny and inventive interactive theatre. You won’t be watching a play… you’ll be at the heart of THE ADVENTURE!

Ages: 7 ~ 13

Mon ~ Sat 10.30am & 12.30pm. Thur 12, Fri 13, 2.30pm, Tues 17, Weds 18, Sat 21 Dec, 6pm (no perf 16 Dec) £10 (no concessions) Limited capacity

The Studio 23 ~ 29 DecemberM6 Theatre Company presents

MAVIS SPARKLECreated and Directed by Gilly Baskeyfield and Dot Wood

With a Magician for a Dad and a Stargazer for a Mum, no wonder there’s more to Mavis than meets the eye!

Mavis is on a journey north to see nature’s biggest light show with her own eyes. With a little help from her cheeky cuckoo clock, mischievous mop bucket and a nice cup of tea, Mavis moves ever closer to making her dream come true. Illusion and animation to inspire us to reach for the stars…

Ages: 5+

Mon, Tue, Fri & Sat 11.30am & 2.30pm, Thu 4pm, Sun 2.30pm

The Theatre11 ~ 21 September

DANIEL KITSONBox Office 0845 450 4808

WORLD PREMIERE

Last summer, the brilliant Daniel Kitson sold out our Theatre with his internationally acclaimed IT’S ALRIGHT NOW UNTIL IT’S LATER. Following that success, we’re delighted to announce that Daniel has chosen to premiere his new theatre piece here at the Royal Exchange in September 2013

We will announce details of his new show and how to buy tickets later in the year, for more details please check royalexchange.co.uk/danielkitson

The Theatre7 ~ 20 October

MANCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL

Box Office 0845 450 4808

Manchester’s annual celebration of imaginative writing features an amazing line-up of internationally renowned authors launching some of the hottest new books of the autumn season, exclusive performances of specially commissioned work, bespoke walking tours and talks. The festival takes place in a wide range of prestigious and unusual venues across the city.

Full programme details will be available early August via the festival website, manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

All Manchester Literature Festival events will be followed by a book signing with the writer.

18 | 19

The Theatre 24 November

PAT KIRKWOOD IS ANGRY by Jessica Walker. Directed by Jim Blakeley Originally co-produced with Opera North in Association with the Royal Exchange Theatre.

Following its success in The Studio last Autumn, this one-woman show about legendary Manchester-born singer and actress, Pat Kirkwood comes to The Theatre.

Jessica Walker brings to the stage the often turbulent life and beautiful songs of Pat Kirkwood. Named Britains’ war time star in 1939, Kirkwood is now mostly remembered for the scandal surrounding an alleged affair with HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, the repercussions of which were to haunt her for the rest of her life.

7pm, £15/£12

The Theatre 4 February

MANCHESTER CAMERATA UPCLOSE MUSIC AS THEATRE WITH LAURA BOWLER

Manchester Camerata’s Composer-in-Residence, Laura Bowler, joins the orchestra’s principal strings for this intimate and theatrical UpClose programme in the round. Experience Camerata at close quarters and soak up an eclectic mix of Baroque and contemporary music for one to five players, covering a spectrum of colours and emotions. Music by J.S. Bach, Purcell, Handel, Laura Bowler and Kurtag.

Visit the website for full programme details. manchestercamerata.co.uk

7.30pm, Tickets: £10 (£6 students/Groups: 6 tickets for price of 5)

The Theatre 13 OctoberManchester Literature Festival presents

HELEN FIELDING Bridget Jones, the iconic character who sold 15 million books worldwide, inspired a major motion picture franchise, and became beloved as a chardonnay-swilling everywoman, is back! Come and hear celebrated comic novelist and screenwriter Helen Fielding discuss her greatly anticipated new novel and find out what Bridget has been doing all these years....

3pm, £8/£6

The Theatre 7 OctoberThe Children’s Bookshow and Manchester Literature Festival presents

JACKIE KAY Award-winning writer Jackie Kay will be reading from her wonderfully evocative collection of poems RED CHERRY RED published by Bloomsbury. RED CHERRY RED won the prestigious Centre for Literacy in Primary Education Poetry Prize.

10.30am, £4

Photographer Jonathan Keenan

The Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting is the search for great new plays.

We received hundreds of entries for this round of the prize.

The shortlist will be announced on 22 October and the winners announced on 22 November. Look out for the results at writeaplay.co.uk

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The Theatre 13 October

RODDY DOYLE: THE RETURN OF JIMMY RABBITTE Booker Prize-winning author Roddy Doyle discusses his wonderful new novel THE GUTS, featuring the return of one of contemporary fiction’s favourite characters, Jimmy Rabbitte the man who invented The Commitments.

This warm, funny novel is about friendship and family, about facing death and opting for life. Roddy Doyle is the author of nine acclaimed novels including the BARRYTOWN TRILOGY and PADDY CLARKE HA HA HA and most recently, TWO PINTS, a collection of dialogues.

5.30pm, £8/£6

The Theatre 20 OctoberManchester Literature Festival presents

JOANNA TROLLOPE in conversation with JENNI MURRAYJoanna Trollope is one of six contemporary authors re-writing Jane Austen’s work for The Austen Project. In her sparkling retelling of SENSE & SENSIBILITY, she casts her clever satirical eye over the tale of two sisters.

What might appear to the modern eye to be all romance, bonnets and betrothals, becomes a wonderfully witty coming-of-age story about what really makes the world go around. Come and hear her talking about this new book in conversation with Jenni Murray.

5pm, £8/£6

The opportunity to enter into a direct conversation with our audiences around the creation of new ideas and work is vital to the development of artists in our region. Word in Progress enables you to play a role in that. It is a collaboration between the stage and audience with writers and actors sharing work still in development and asking you, the audience, the questions they need to help them progress.

Be the first to experience new work in progress towards production, respond when you can make a difference to it, support playwrights from across the North to explore new ideas and make new theatre.

For event dates and more information see royalexchange.co.uk/word

WORD IN PROGRESS Be the first to experience new work in development.

Manchester is one of seven cities in the UK which has received a share of £2million funding from The Co-operative Foundation, the grant-making arm of The Co-operative Group, to tackle the negative images of young people through its Truth about Youth programme. Through this programme, the Royal Exchange Theatre are working hard alongside The Co-operative Foundation to support young people by helping to

challenge and change the widespread negative perceptions of young people

Throughout the year there are opportunities for both young people (aged 14 ~ 21) and adults to sign up for a range of projects and one-off events which take place over school/ college holidays, at weekends and on some evenings. Find out more at royalexchange.co.uk/truthaboutyouth

DISCOVER things you never dreamt were there…

For further information please visit royalexchange.co.uk/discover”

Opportunities to get involved and develop your creative imagination

22 | 23

TRUTH ABOUT YOUTH

24 | 25

SUNDAYS Every Sunday from 12 noon join us for Family Friendly Sundays including FREE children’s drama, craft and storytelling workshops for ages 11 and under, as well as live entertainment and our popular Hard Hat Sundays. We will also have special events in the Great Hall as part of the National Family Arts Festival from 18 October ~ 3 November. See royalexchange.co.uk/family for more details.

DISCOVER LOUNGE Relax on our comfy sofa, tune in to the talking chair, watch a film, chalk on the door or discover the dressing-up box. The Lounge is open all day.

SELF-GUIDED THEATRE TRAILS & ACTIVITY SHEETS For children, young people, families and schools. Available from the Information Point.

THEATRE EXPLORER BAGS Pick up a bag for free from the Information Point. Bags include lighting gels, fabrics, objects and activity cards for children (ages 3~7) to begin exploring the building.

HERITAGE OPEN DAY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 & SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER This year the Royal Exchange Theatre is throwing open its doors for England’s biggest voluntary cultural event, the Heritage Open Days weekend. The event celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture, offering free access to amazing and unusual places.

Join us for guided tours around the building and for fun events and activities – all free. Check royalexchange.co.uk for more details nearer the time.

FAMILY FRIENDLYFRIENDS & TOURS

FRIENDS Be a part of one of the UK’s leading, producing theatres by joining our Friends. You’ll meet like-minded people and have access to unique events, including Meet the Cast Parties, talks with directors, visits to other theatres and backstage events.

Friends also have exclusive discounts in the Royal Exchange Bar, Café, Restaurant, Craft Shop and Information Point as well as local shops and restaurants. Many Friends also become volunteers with the opportunity to help out in departments including Marketing and Costume Hire. And don’t forget – you will have priority booking, ticket offers and regular newsletters.

To join, contact the Friends and Volunteers Organiser on 0161 615 6786, at [email protected] or ask at the Information Point in the Great Hall at the Royal Exchange. royalexchange.co.uk/friends

THEATRE TOURS Our regular backstage tours will show you what really goes on behind the scenes – in the hidden parts of the building, dressing rooms and workshops. Tickets are £5. Check show pages for dates and times for this season and book via Box Office on 0845 450 4808.

26 | 27

FOOD, DRINK & MORE

We are more than a theatre. Take a break from the busy streets and shops in the heart of the City and explore the stunning Great Hall. royalexchange.co.uk/foodanddrink

THE GREAT HALL CAFÉ Open daily from 9.30am (11am on Sunday). The place to come for great coffee, speciality teas, homemade cakes, sandwiches, paninis, hot food, soups and salads. royalexchange.co.uk/café

THE ROUND RESTAURANT Open daily for lunch (except Sunday) and pre-theatre dinner. Quality modern British food using fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients skillfully prepared by Head Chef Chris Watson-Gunby and his team. Go to royalexchange.co.uk/theround for our latest menus and to book, or call 0161 615 6666.

BAR EXCHANGE Serving a range of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks, Bar Exchange is open all day and is perfect for a post-work, pre-show or after-show drink. royalexchange.co.uk/barexchange

SPECIAL FX Every Friday throughout the Season, call into the Great Hall from 5.30pm for Happy Hour drinks offers and FREE entertainment. Expect anything from modern jazz to mind-reading, comedy to world dance. royalexchange.co.uk/specialfx

EXHIBITIONS Browse our changing exhibitions in the Mezzanine Gallery and Craft Shop. For details of our latest exhibitions see royalexchange.co.uk/exhibitions

The Great Hall has free Wi-Fi access powered by Manchester Digital Development Agency. Just use the password ‘internet’.

SHOPPING Our Craft Shop has been selling the best in British handmade contemporary crafts for over 30 years. Displays change regularly so there is always plenty to see and choose from, whether you are looking for a unique gift or a treat for yourself. Our changing exhibitions are free to browse and we welcome commissions. Open 7 days a week. royalexchange.co.uk/craftshop

COSTUME HIRE The Royal Exchange Theatre has one of the most accomplished wardrobe and costume making departments of any producing theatre in the UK. We have a huge range of clothing, jewellery, hats and shoes – as you can see from some of the images in this brochure. You can hire one of our 5000 hand-made costumes, many of which have been seen on stage, to turn any occasion into an event, from our Costume Hire Department at Swan Street.

Contact Costume Hire Manager, Ludmilla Krzak for more details or to book a fitting on 0161 819 6660 or email [email protected]. Facebook.com/royalexchangecostumehire

ROOM HIRE Our unique and beautiful spaces can be hired for weddings, civil partnerships, parties, conferences and launches.

We can also provide catering, costumes and accessories to bring drama to your special event. For more details call 0161 615 6793.

SHOPPING, COSTUME & ROOM HIRE

Blob bird family by Helen Russell Designs Royal Exchange Theatre The Front RoomRoyal Exchange Theatre Costume Hire

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PURCHASE A SEASON TICKET NOW AND START SAVING!We accept Visa and Mastercard Debit and Credit cards

5 PART SEASON TICKET (THEATRE & STUDIO) - 25% off total ticket price (includes a ticket for one show in The Studio, excluding some performances - full season to be annouced in May) ALL MY SONS, SWEENEY TODD, THAT DAY WE SANG*, BLINDSIDED in the Theatre. Selected performances of all Studio shows including THERE HAS POSSIBLY BEEN AN INCIDENT and EDMUND THE LEARNED PIG.Seating Area Mon ~ Thu & Sat Mat Fri & Sat Eve Tue & Wed MatRow A 1st Gallery, Row D Stage Level £105.00 tickets £117.00 tickets £79.50 ticketsRow B 1st Gallery Rows B, C, E, F, G Stage Level £90.00 tickets £102.00 tickets £70.50 ticketsRow A 2nd Gallery £70.50 tickets £81.00 tickets £63.00 ticketsRow B 2nd Gallery £52.50 tickets £57.00 tickets £54.00 tickets

4 PART SEASON TICKET - 20% off total ticket priceALL MY SONS, SWEENEY TODD, THAT DAY WE SANG*, BLINDSIDEDSeating Area Mon ~ Thu & Sat Mat Fri & Sat Eve Tue & Wed MatRow A 1st Gallery, Row D Stage Level £102.40 tickets £115.20 tickets £75.20 ticketsRow B 1st Gallery Rows B, C, E, F, G Stage Level £86.40 tickets £99.20 tickets £65.60 ticketsRow A 2nd Gallery £65.60 tickets £76.80 tickets £57.60 ticketsRow B 2nd Gallery £46.40 tickets £51.20 tickets £48.00 tickets

I would like to make a donation to the Royal Exchange Theatre Development Fund of £ I would like to

Grand Total (season ticket plus donation payment if applicable)

Payment I wish to pay £ by: Mastercard Visa Card No. _ _ _ _ /_ _ _ _ /_ _ _ _ /_ _ _ _ Expiry Date: _ _ /_ _

Total number of tickets requested When you have completed your form and signed at the top, return to: Season Ticket Booking, Royal Exchange Theatre Company, FREEPOST (M2 9GN) St Ann’s Square, Manchester M2 9GN.*Please note, there are no discounts for performances of THAT DAY WE SANG from 23 ~ 31 December inclusive. If you would like to book to see the show on these dates, please note there will be an additional chanrge. Please ask Box Office when booking. Thank you.

Name Account No. (if known) Address

Postcode Telephone Signature

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SEASON TICKETS

SAVE MONEY WITH A SEASON TICKET Buying a 4-part season ticket means you get top price tickets to every show for just £28.80 each – a saving of 20%!

Buy a 5-part season ticket, including a ticket to ANY of our Studio shows and you save a massive 25% - up to £39 on full prices.

As a season ticket holder you’ll also get:

• Prioritybookingforanyseatinthehouse

• Nocharge,ifyouchangeyourdateorseatbooking

• AnexclusiveLoyaltyCardofferingdiscountsattheTheatreBars, the Round Restaurant, Craft Shop and Costume Hire.

If you missed out on shows like THE ACCRINGTON PALS or TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD last season, due to their popularity, make sure you don’t miss out this time, and secure a season ticket now.

THE IDEAL GIFT A Royal Exchange Theatre Season Ticket makes an ideal gift for someone who enjoys theatre but may not get here as often as they like! You buy the Season Ticket and they can choose their own dates and performance times.

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BOOKING & TICKET PRICESAll prices are guaranteed until opening night. We reserve the right to change prices after that, dependent on demand.

Did you know our cheapest tickets (banquette seats) are just £10? Every day we have up to 40 £10 tickets available for our main house productions on a first come, first served basis, in person and on the phone.

We also have a number of discounted tickets available for local community groups working with those who have barriers to attending theatre. If you want to find out more about this, please contact Ben Turner: [email protected]

THE STUDIO All seats £12, concessions £10, under 13s £5 Unreserved seating that changes for each show.

BOX OFFICE OPENING TIMES

IN PERSON: Monday ~ Saturday 9.30am ~ 7.30pm (8pm on Saturdays)

BOOK BY PHONE GENERAL BOOKING LINE: 0845 450 4808 SCHOOL BOOKING LINE: 0161 615 6702 GROUP BOOKING LINE: 0161 833 0483 Monday ~ Saturday 9.30am ~ 6.15pm Sunday 11am ~ 5pm

ONLINE royalexchange.co.uk/bookonline

THE THEATRESecond Gallery Row ARow B

First Gallery Row ARow B

Stage Level Row DRows B, C, E, F, GA (Banquettes)

STANDARD PRICESMon ~ Thu & Sat Mat Fri & Sat Eve *Midweek Mat £32 £36 £23.50 £27 £31 £20.50 £20.50 £24 £18 £14.50 £16 £15

BANQUETTES available on day of performance only, from 9.30am £10 £10 £10

PREVIEWS: All tickets half price

DISCOUNTS ACCESS

Discounts are available for all performances in the Theatre except Saturday evenings and Half Price Previews.

Please note: There are no discounted tickets for THAT DAY WE SANG from Monday 23 December to Tuesday 31 December.

THE STUDIO Availability of concessions may vary. Call Box Office for details.

UNDER 16s, REGISTERED UNEMPLOYED AND DISABLED HALF PRICE. We have a number of wheelchair spaces. Please let us know if you need this when booking. Discounts are also available for companions.

UNDER 26s AND STUDENTS Discounts on Fridays (£6).

OVER 60s £2 off top three ticket prices on Saturday matinees. Tuesday and Wednesday matinees are heavily discounted.

GROUPS (10+) Buy 10 – 40 seats and save £2.50 per ticket. Buy 40+ seats and save £3.50 per ticket, plus one free for every 20 purchased.

SCHOOLS £10 tickets available for Monday to Friday performances (limited availability). Call 0161 615 6702 for information and to book.

The Theatre and The Studio both have wheelchair spaces and convenient lift access. Each Theatre production has an audio described performance with a free touch tour one hour before the show, a BSL interpreted performance and a captioned performance.

We have infra-red assisted hearing facilities. Assistance dogs are welcome and large print programmes are available free of charge.

This brochure is available in large print, braille, CD and email formats.

If you would like to speak to a member of staff before your visit, please contact the Box Office on 0845 450 4808.

All prices, times and performance details are correct at time of printing. We reserve the right to change details if necessary. Under the SMOKE FREE law, performers on stage are exempt. There may be smoking in some of our productions.

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SUN 1FAMILY FRIENDLY

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Season Photography Gavin Parry www.gavinparry.com Theatre Photography Joel Fildes.Design Daren Newman. Registered Charity No. 255424

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JANUARY FEBRUARY

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Royal Exchange Theatre St Ann’s Square

Manchester M2 7DHBox Office: 0845 450 4808

Website: royalexchange.co.uk

autumn / winter 2013/14 season brochure

Documents

great theatre

emerging theatre companies

young people

charitythe royal exchange

extraordinary work

welcomeour work

pmcaptioned performance

michael buffongdesigned