THE RAILWAY CHILDREN and More Set for Exeter Northcott Theatre's 2017 Spring/Summer Season

Exeter Northcott Theatre has announced its exciting spring/summer 2017 season. The season will see the theatre co-produce a UK national tour, the launch of the new Graduate Young Company and the return of Shakespeare in Exeter's Rougemont Gardens.

E. Nesbit's classic novel The Railway Children will be brought thrillingly to life in a stunning new stage production by Exeter Northcott Theatre. Complete with beautiful period costumes and ingenious designs, this new production, which will also tour the UK, promises an uplifting theatrical experience for all ages, packed with intrigue, adventure, joy and jubilation. The Railway Children will be directed by Exeter Northcott Theatre's artistic and executive director, Paul Jepson.

Exeter Northcott Theatre will launch its brand-new Graduate Young Company. Supported by John Nettles, this new company will give opportunities to graduates to further hone their skills in the world of Shakespeare and other more demanding parts of the repertoire where opportunities for graduates are relatively scarce. The graduate actors will be mentored by both John Nettles and Exeter Northcott's associate company Le Navet Bete.

In the summer, the new graduate company will produce The Comedy of Errors, which will mark the return of Shakespeare in Rougemont Gardens. Shakespeare's famous comedy is fast and furious in this uproarious story of two pairs of identical twins, separated at birth. Mayhem, mischief and mistaken identities litter the road to their ultimate reunion in Shakespeare's paciest and most hilarious farce.

Le Navet Bete, one of Exeter Northcott Theatre's associate companies, will co-produce a brand new version of Dracula: the Bloody Truth. This brand New Comedy Theatre show will take audiences on a journey across Europe from the dark and sinister Transylvanian mountains to the awkwardly charming seaside town of Whitby whilst the frantic Van Helsing and his three amateur actors try to stage a life-changing, factual theatrical production of the events of Dracula. Directed by one of the UK's most exciting comedy directors, John Nicholson (Peepolykus) and designed by Phil Eddolls (Mark Bruce Company, Improbable Theatre) Dracula: The Bloody Truth promises to have the vampires back in the ground and leave audiences flying high.

Matthew Bourne, hailed as the UK's most popular and successful Choreographer/ Director, returns to his roots in Early Adventures, a programme of hit pieces that launched the career of 'Britain's favourite choreographer' and saw the birth of the style, wit and sheer entertainment that his company New Adventures brought to Swan Lake, The Car Man, Edward Scissorhands and Sleeping Beauty. With designs by long-time collaborator, Lez Brotherston, Early Adventures forms part of the company's 30th Anniversary celebrations.

Widely considered to be one of the greatest plays of the twentieth century, Death of a Salesman is about the cost of not being able to let go of the American Dream. This major touring revival of Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece sees 2016 Tony and Olivier Award nominee Tim Pigott-Smith (King Charles III) play the iconic role of Willy.

From the Olivier award-winning Producer of West End hits Top Hat, The Play That Goes Wrong and Hetty Feather, La Strada 'The Road', a metaphor for life, is a deeply impassioned tale of love and loss, set against the backdrop of a country still reeling from the devastating effects of the Second World War. Moving between the dazzling lights of the circus and the bare landscapes of rural Italy, this production of La Strada promises to be a theatrical feast for all the senses.

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The 2017 Season:

January:

Comedian Miles Jupp comes to Exeter Northcott for the first time. Exeter University's Footlights Society present its production of Mel Brooks' classic The Producers, and Exeter University Theatre Company present George Orwell's Animal Farm.

February:

Exeter University's Gilbert and Sullivan Society present the supernatural operetta, Ruddigore. Rocky Horror Picture Show, the campest cult classic of all time gets the Sing-a-long-a treatment it's been SCREAMING for. Leicester's The Curve and the Rose Theatre Kingston present David Wood's adaptation of Roald Dahl's, The Twits.

March:

Join Lesley Garrett, Britain's most popular soprano, for a delightful evening of song, stories and chat. Multi award-winning choreographer James Wilton re-imagines Herman Melville's seminal novel, Moby Dick, in Leviathan

In Surviving Madagascar, National Adventurer of the Year two years running, Ash Dykes tells the story of how he came to take on his daring expeditions, before recounting his latest adventure; how he contracted the deadliest strain of Malaria and was held up by the military. The ever musicAl Richard Alston Dance Company returns with a programme including two dances to piano pieces that originate from completely different worlds. Both new, these works by Richard Alston and Martin Lawrance are accompanied live onstage by the extraordinary pianist Jason Ridgway. The tea-guzzling Tiger roars into Exeter in this truly magical Olivier Award nominated production of The Tiger Who Came to Tea. In Kay Mellor's A Pasisonate Woman, Liza Goddard (Bergerac, Yes Honestly) plays Betty, a passionate, doting mum who finds it hard to accept that her son is leaving home to get married. Dillie Keane takes a short break from her Fascinating Aïda gal pals to present her first solo show in 558 years. Neon Dance present Empathy - movement, sound and innovative laser light show combine in this gripping and powerful dance performance.

April:

Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds present a delightful stage version of Jane Austen's earliest novel, Northanger Abbey. Olivier Award-winning OperaUpClose present their critically acclaimed new English version of La Traviata. Based on the 1967 Academy award-winning film, Exeter Musical Society present Thoroughly Modern Millie. Showcasing their skilful, well-rounded, young dancers, performing in a multitude of versatile styles, the UK-based Encore Dance Company will be at the Exeter Northcott in April. Adapted by Olivier Award winner David Wood (Goodnight Mister Tom, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG), Babe follows the incredible story of one piglet's rise to become the world famous Sheep-Pig. Best known in the UK for her productions for Rambert, Northern Ballet and HeadSpaceDance, international dance artist Didy Veldman launches her own company Umanoove with The Happiness Project, a choreographic investigation of western society's endless search for fulfillment. Using stories and other things that are secret, Count Arthur Strong, showbiz legend, pays tribute to one of the best musicals he can remember. Uniquely recreating the salient and poignant moments for your enjoyment. State of Emergency present Where is Home? A new twist on a 1000 year old fable, presenting great music and dance from South Africa, mixed with urban culture from London and Los Angeles, this show marks State of Emergency's 30th anniversary as a producer. Richard Herring, King of the Edinburgh Fringe, Metro columnist and the UK's Podfather (RHLSTP, AIOTM) picks his favourite routines from his 12 one-man shows and crams them into 90 minutes for your delectation. Following their hugely successful debut visit in 2016 with Tortoise & the Hare, Northern Ballet returns with a brand new re-telling of Goldilocks & the Three Bears.

May:

Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory and English Touring Theatre present one of Shakespeare's most startlingly contemporary plays. Othello is a masterful depiction of a life torn apart by racism and the destructive nature of prejudice. Fawlty Towers meets Noises Off in the multi award-winning West End smash hit comedy, The Play That Goes Wrong. English Touring Opera present Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience and Puccini's Tosca.

June:

In Try Hard, Eddie, 'The Eagle', Edwards talks through his incredible life-journey; from self-learning ski-jumping and being shunned by the sporting establishment, to the extensive surgery to rebuild his face and body following years of spectacular crashes on the snow. Sasha Regan's all male company make a welcome return to Exeter with their latest thrilling all-male version of The Mikado. Reginald D Hunter returns to the UK in 2017 with his highly anticipated brand new show. Featuring the music of the Small Faces, All or Nothing: the Mod Musical. Ballet Central make its Exeter debut under the auspices of its new artistic director Christopher Marney. Comprised of final year students from the Central School of Ballet, the annual graduate tours have been a professional springboard for hundreds of dancers for over 30 years. Following the successes of A Christmas Carol and Travels With My Aunt, Creative Cow return to Exeter Northcott with Graham Greene's classic, Our Man in Havana.

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Tickets for the Spring/Summer 2016 season are on sale now. Call the Exeter Northcott Theatre box office on 01392 726363 or book your seats online at the Exeter Northcott Theatre website: www.exeternorthcott.co.uk. Alternatively buy in person from Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, EX4 4QB.

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