Theatr Clwyd Announces Christmas Season

Following on from the success of last year's Christmas season, Theatr Clwyd's Artistic Director, Tamara Harvey, today announces the 2017 Christmas programme.

Paperfinch returns to Theatr Clwyd to co-produce a new adaptation of H.C Anderson's classic, The Snow Queen. Adapted and directed by Joe Bunce, the production will open in the Emlyn Williams Theatre from 15 December until 6 January. In the Anthony Hopkins Theatre, a new production of PeteR Rowe's Sleeping Beauty - The Rock n' Roll Panto will open from 28 November. This production sees Zoë Waterman direct actor-musicians playing rock and soul classics, includingSuperstition, Celebration and Every Breath You Take. Returning for a second year, from the 8 December, is Theatr Clwyd's ice rink; last year over 9,000 people came to skate on the rink overlooking the Clwydian hills.

Following on from previously announced productions of Uncle Vanya, a newly adapted co-production with Sheffield Theatres, and a major revival of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, it is also announced today that the world première co-production, between HighTide and Theatr Clwyd, of Nessah Muthy's Heroine, will appear at Clwyd from 18 October, following performances at this year's HighTide Festival at Aldeburgh and Walthamstow. The production will be directed by HighTide co-founder and Artistic Director, Steven Atkinson.

Artistic Director of Theatr Clywd Tamara Harvey today said, "Our community is at the heart of what we do at Theatr Clwyd and we've programmed fun for all the family this festive period with a brand-new interactive and immersive retelling of the classic tale, The Snow Queen, as well as a riotous new Sleeping Beauty, the next instalment of our rock and roll panto. And following the huge success of our inaugural ice rink last year, we're delighted that it's back overlooking the beautiful Clwydian Hills, and look forward to welcoming even more people on to the ice this Christmas."

Emlyn Williams THEATRE

Heroine

By Nessah Muthy

A Theatr Clwyd & HighTide Co-production

Wednesday 18 October - Saturday 4 November

Director: Steven Atkinson

Grace faces a daunting return to the UK after being discharged on medical grounds from the army. In search of the community she's lost, she volunteers at a local centre, bonding with the other women as her confidence grows. She hasn't laughed like this for as long as she can remember. But when the group starts taking action, Grace finds herself back on the front line and forced to question her beliefs... Who is she fighting? Patriotism, nativism and modern Britain collide in Nessah Muthy's exploration of the UK today.

Heroine is a Theatr Clwyd co-production and visits the theatre following on from this year's HighTide Festival at Aldeburgh and Walthamstow.

Nessah Muthy's plays include This is Not a Slog, Put In The Schwarzes And De Stat It and Beastie. For TV her credits include, Holby City and EastEnders: E20. She is currently under commission to the Kali Theatre and the National Youth Theatre.

Steven Atkinson is co-founder and Artistic Director of HighTide Theatre. His directing credits for the company include In Fidelity (Traverse Theatre), The Sugar Coated Bullets of the Bourgeoisie (Arcola Theatre), Forget Me Not (Bush Theatre), So Here We Are (Royal Exchange Theatre), Lampedusa (Soho Theatre), Peddling (Arcola Theatre/Off-Broadway), Pussy Riot: Hunger Strike (Bush Theatre/Southbank Centre), Neighbors (Nuffield Theatre Southampton), Bottleneck (Soho Theatre/ UK tour), Clockwork, Bethany, Incoming, Dusk Rings A Bell (Watford Palace Theatre) Lidless (Trafalgar Studios, Muhmah (HighTide Festival) and The Pitch (Latitude). His other productions includeChicken (Paines Plough Roundabout) and The Afghan and the Penguin (Radio 4).

Anthony Hopkins THEATRE

Sleeping Beauty

The Rock 'n' Roll Panto

By PeteR Rowe

A Theatr Clwyd production

Friday 24 November - Saturday 20 January

Press Night: Tuesday 28 November

Director: Zoe Waterman

The cult rock 'n' roll panto is back with 16 rock and soul songs played live by actor-musicians. Featuring classics includingSuperstition, Celebration, Every Breath You Take, Hey Baby, Sex Bomb and many more! With mad gags, shock frocks, beautiful sets, slapstick galore and the return of the panto puppets!

PeteR Rowe is Artistic Director of the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich. As a writer, his work includes nine record-breaking 'rock n roll pantomimes' which have been produced annually at Theatr Clwyd. Other writing credits include Leader of the Pack, 20th Century Boy and Midsummer Songs. As Artistic Director of the New Wolsey Theatre, his credits include Sweeney Todd, Perfect Days, Double Indemnity, A Family Affair, A Mad World My Masters, Leader of the Pack, The Good Companions, Neville's Island, Company, Sugar, The Price, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Vincent in Brixton, Blues in the Night, The Glass Menagerie, Laurel and Hardy, Little Shop of Horrors and A Chorus of Disapproval.

Zoë Waterman directs and recent theatre credits include, The Reubenstein Kiss, Amy's View and After Miss Julie (Nottingham Playhouse), The Vertical Hour, Enlightenment and Shining City (Theatre by the Lake), The Bogus Woman(Theatre by the Lake and UK tour) and Cinderella, Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty and Jack and The Beanstalk (Loughborough Town Hall).

Emlyn Williams THEATRE

The Snow Queen

By Joe Bunce

A Theatr Clwyd & Paperfinch co-production

Friday 15 December - Saturday 6 January

Press night: Monday 18 December

When a mysterious mirror is uncovered within Theatr Clwyd's walls, it opens a portal into an idyllic alternative world. But as cracks begin to appear in the Christmas bliss, will you brave the ice to help solve the Snow Queen's impossible puzzle?

Joe Bunce returns to Theatr Clwyd to direct having previously directed The Nutcracker. He is Artistic Director of Paperfinch Theatre Company where his credits include Beatrix Potter's Garden (Theatre Delicatessen) and Curiouser and Curiouser(SlungLow Theatre). Playwrighting credits include Departures: A Song Cycle (Pleasance Islington).

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