A bunch of in incredible actors including Sheridan Smith, David Walliams, Jude Law, and Judi Dench will appear in Michael Grandage Company’s theatre season which will take up residency at the Noel Coward Theatre between December 2012 and February 2014. There will be five productions in total: Privates on Parade, Peter and Alice, The Cripple of Inishmaan, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Henry V. This will offer 100,000 tickets for audiences at just £10.
Speaking about the season, Artistic Director Grandage, who will direct all five productions, and Executive Producer James Bierman, commented: “We are delighted to announce the inaugural season of work for the Michael Grandage Company – a programme comprised of new writing alongside the classical and 20th century repertoire. At its heart is a commitment to reach out to as wide an audience as possible with over 200 tickets for each performance at £10 and through our schools’ and access work we aim to appeal to new theatregoers and help build audiences for the future. This unique West End season brings together writers, actors and other artists in a single venture over 15 months dedicated to presenting work of the highest quality at affordable prices.”
In addition to renewing his commitment to making theatre affordable, which was previously seen when Grandage programmed 2009’s Donmar West End season at the Wyndham’s theatre with the same pricing structure as the intimate Donmar Warehouse, the season of work also picks up the passion for aiding young theatre professionals previously seen at the Donmar. Each show in the season will offer opportunities for young directors and designers to become involved as associates. More information about working with the company can be found at
www.michaelgrandagecompany.com
I think this is fantastic news! Many people have to limit the number of trips they make to the theatre due to ticket prices. This season will give the opportunity for people to see incredible actors take on iconic roles at an affordable price.
The Plays
Privates On Parade
by Peter Nichols.
Music By Denis King
“Come see the privates on parade
You’ll say: how proudly they’re displayed”
Private Steven Flowers is posted to the Song and Dance Unit in South East Asia where serving under the flamboyant Captain Terri Dennis he discovers it takes more than just a uniform to become a man.
Simon Russell Beale plays the cross-dressing Captain Dennis whose performances of Marlene Dietrich, Vera Lynn and Carmen Miranda form the centrepiece of Peter Nichols‘ award-winning comedy set against the murderous backdrop of the Malaysian campaign at the end of the Second World War.
Director Michael Grandage
Set and Costume Designer Christopher Oram
Lighting Designer Paule Constable
Choreographer Ben Wright
Peter and Alice
A new play by John Logan
“Of course that’s how it begins: a harmless fairy tale to pass the hours”
When Alice Liddell Hargreaves met Peter Llewellyn Davies at the opening of a Lewis Carroll exhibition in 1932, the original Alice in Wonderland came face to face with the original Peter Pan. In John Logan’s remarkable new play, enchantment and reality collide as this brief encounter lays bear the lives of these two extraordinary characters.
Judi Dench plays Alice and Ben Wishaw plays Peter in Logan’s first new play since Red, which went on to win six Tony Awards in 2010.
Director Michael Grandage
Set and Costume Designer Christopher Oram
Lighting Designer (TBC)
Composer and Sound Designer Adam Cork
The Cripple of Inishmaan
by Martin McDonagh
“I shouldn’t laugh at you Billy … but I will”
Set on the remote island of Inishmaan off the west coast of Ireland, word arrives that a Hollywood film is being made on the neighboring island of Inishmore. The one person who wants to be in the film more than anybody is young Cripple Billy, if only to break away from the bitter tedium of his daily life. Martin McDonagh’s comic masterpiece examines an ordinary coming of age in extraordinary circumstances and confirms his position as one of the most original Irish voices to emerge in the second half of the twentieth century.
Daniel Radcliffe plays the title role in the first major London revival since its premiere at the National Theatre in 1996.
Director Michael Grandage
Set and Costume Designer Christopher Oram
Lighting Designer Paule Constable
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
by William Shakespeare
“The course of true love never did run smooth”
Lysander loves Hermia and Hermia loves Lysander. Helena loves Demetrius; Demetrius used to love Helena but now loves Hermia. When Hermia's father insists she choose Demetrius as a suitor she escapes with Lysander into the surrounding forest where Oberon and Titania, the King and Queen of the Fairies are having their own battle of love. As the human and magical worlds collide mischief and chaos erupt as love at first sight proves a reality for some and makes an ass of others.
Sheridan Smith plays Titania and David Walliams plays Bottom in this new production of one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies.
Director Michael Grandage
Set and Costume Designer Christopher Oram
Lighting Designer Paule Constable
Henry V
by William Shakespeare
“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
”
Can the King of England hold his nerve to embrace his duty, command his men and lead his country to victory in France? Shakespeare’s great play of nationhood investigates the bloody horrors of war and the turbulence of a land in crisis.
Jude Law and Michael Grandage continue their collaboration that began with Hamlet in 2009. Law also appeared in the Donmar’s award-winning production Anna Christie, as part of Grandage’s final season as Artistic Director.
Director Michael Grandage
Set and Costume Designer Christopher Oram
Lighting Designer Paule Constable
Mrs Henderson Presents is a charming new British musical. Adapted from the 2005 film starring Judi Dench, the show - which is written by Terry Johnson, Don Black, George Fenton and Simon Chamberlain - oozes with heart. 
