Rose Theatre Kingston Announces 10th Anniversary Season

Having first opened its doors in 2008 under the leadership of founding Artistic Director Sir Peter Hall; this year Rose Theatre Kingston celebrates its 10th anniversary with a season of work including the world première of Nick Dear's double-bill Hogarth's Progress: The Art of Success and The Taste of the Town, Much Ado About Nothing led by Mel Giedroyc and John Hopkins and anniversary exhibition The Rose at 10: Celebrating 10 Years of World Class Theatre.

Hogarth's Progress is a salacious exploration of the nature and commercialisation of art including the first major UK revival of Dear's award-winning play The Art of Success, which follows William Hogarth through a bawdy night in 1730, and the world première of The Taste of the Town which revisits the hugely successful artist 30 years later when he's at the end of his career. Directed by Anthony Banks the plays will run in rep opening Saturday 29 September, with previews from Thursday 13 September, and running until Sunday 21 October. Each play can be seen as a single performance or enjoyed together, either over different days or as an all-day theatrical experience. Tickets are on sale to Rose Circle members now, Loyalty Card members on Tuesday 27 February at 10am and go on general sale on Thursday 1 March at 10am.

Alongside the main season is The Rose at 10: Celebrating 10 Years of World Class Theatre an anniversary exhibition showcasing some of the work of the last 10 years including exhibits from Rose Theatre Kingston's most memorable productions, from A Midsummer Night's Dream which reunited director Peter Hall and Judi Dench as Titania 50 years after their RSC production, to the first revival of The Wars of the Roses directed by Trevor Nunn. The exhibition will run at Rose Theatre Kingston from Tuesday 13 March until Sunday 29 April.

Chief Executive Robert O'Dowd said today, 'In just 10 years the Rose has gone from strength to strength and changed the theatrical landscape of South West London. Not only have we worked with the most exciting performers and creatives the country has to offer, making world-class theatre in Kingston, the West End and touring throughout the country and abroad, but we've established a strong partnership with Kingston University and the Royal Borough of Kingston to create a successful education and participation programme for the local community which is at the heart of what we do. I'm very proud of the accomplishments of the Rose which couldn't be done without the unwavering loyalty of our stakeholders, supporters, donors and volunteers.'

Executive Producer Jerry Gunn added, '10 years ago Sir Peter Hall took the helm of the Rose with one aim, to create excellent, interesting, thought provoking theatre that everyone can enjoy. It's very special for me, having joined the Rose at the beginning, and experienced such theatrical landmarks as reuniting Peter Hall and Judi Dench for A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Trevor Nunn completing his ambition in directing all 37 Shakespeare's with King John. We have such a fantastic season to celebrate and I'm hugely excited for Hogarth's Progress, another world première and double bill which promises to be great fun, a real bawdy romp -what can I say, we like to celebrate in style!'

For more information, visit https://www.rosetheatrekingston.org/.

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