what's on |
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Plays & Performances
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Jeeves and Wooster meet Fargo in Oscar Wilde’s funny tale of poor put-upon Lord Arthur Savile.
When a chiromantist (reader of palms) predicts Arthur will commit murder, he decides to postpone his wedding until the dastardly deed is done. Aided by Baines, his trusted butler, and an inept anarchist, a comedy of errors ensues, putting Arthur’s relatives and marriage plans in jeopardy. This version, set in 1925, will have you chuckling all the way home. |
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Guest Show
Blue Fire Theatre presents Marie Lloyd Stole My Life & Kemp's Jig One night only on 26 July 2019 @ 7.45 pm This is a guest show so the Chesil Theatre is not responsible for content. |
Marie Lloyd Stole My Life
"The boy I love is up in the gallery. And I can’t even get a seat in the crowd." How did a music hall sweetheart and pantomime star end up nothing more than a small blue plaque in Islington? Let Nelly Power take you through the highs and lows of a life lived in theatre. And as for how it all went so wrong? Well, Nelly has a few ideas and Miss Marie Lloyd features in most of them! Lottie Walker appears as Nelly Power, now almost-forgotten star of the Victorian music hall. This is a brand new one woman show about the life of now forgotten music hall star Nelly Power. Nelly was a huge star in her day (her understudy was once Vesta Tilley) but she lost her crown once the young upstart Marie Lloyd came on the scene (with one of Nelly's own songs!). The play's debut will be this year's fringe and we're really looking forward to reintroducing Nelly to her public! The show includes some Music Hall songs for the audience to join in with is they so desire. Kemp’s Jig Meet Will Kemp – celebrity comedian and superstar of the Elizabethan stage. Kemp has created many of Shakespeare's comic roles. But there is something rotten in the state of the relationship between writer and performer. Kemp craves opportunities for his comedy dog and clowning routines; Shakespeare craves respect for his writing and objects to Kemp's improvisation. So, they part – and Kemp's publicity stunt of Morris dancing from London to Norwich begins. Fans of Upstart Crow or Shakespeare in Love will enjoy cheering the maverick Kemp on his way. Based on his book “The Nine Daies Wonder”, Will Kemp, a purveyor of “mad jests & merry jigs”, was a famous Elizabethan actor, and a shareholder with Shakespeare in the Company of Lord Chamberlain’s men. This is a hilarious & bawdy show about Shakespeare’s forgotten clown who danced from London to Norwich in 1600. This show has been seen at the Royal National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and 55 countries around the world. It was the subject of a TV documentary (introduced by Sir Peter Hall) and Chris Harris (as Kemp) toured with Sam Wanamaker's company to raise sponsorship for the building of Shakespeare's Globe. |
New 2019 - 2020 Season
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In Praise of Love
By Terence Rattigan Directed by Norma York 28 Sept - 5 Oct 2019 |
A deeply moving drama about the often hidden truths and feelings in marriage. It turns on Sebastian and Lydia Crutwell’s insistence on protecting each other from the knowledge of Lydia’s terminal illness. Rattigan’s pitch-perfect dialogue combines comedy and heart-rending pathos.
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Rumours
By Neil Simon Directed by Flavia Bateson 16 - 23 Nov 2019 |
A classic, fast-moving, and riotous farce about the dinner party from hell. This version is adapted to take place in a British context – American accents not required.
Reading 30 August Auditions 1 & 2 September 2019 4M, 4F, 2M or F, with playing ages : 30s - 50s |
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Ghosts
By Henrik Ibsen Adapted by Richard Eyre Directed by Peter Andrews 25 Jan - 1 Feb 2020 |
An exciting new adaptation of Ibsen’s masterpiece which gives it enormous freshness and power.
Reading 11th October Auditions 13th & 14th October 2019 3M, 2F with playing ages : 2M and 1F 40s - 60s, 1M and 1F 20s |
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Spotlight On Youth:
James and the Giant Peach & The Witches By Chesil Youth Theatre Productions 13 - 14 Feb 2020 |
Our Chesil Youth Theatre presents two adventures from Britain’s favourite storyteller. In James and the Giant Peach, a lonely orphan makes special friends in the insect world and travels afar on the magic peach. In The Witches, a boy and his grandmother plan to defeat the Grand High Witch at a seaside convention - with unexpected consequences.
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A Fine Bright Day Today
By Philip Goulding Directed by Caroline Helcké 16 - 23 May 2020 |
A perceptive and amusing play. Margaret has been a widow for 30 years and has become set in her ways. Her daughter persuades her to take an American artist as a lodger - with disruptive results.
Reading 21st February Auditions 23rd & 24th February 2020 |
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Copyright 2016
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Proud members of the Little Theatre Guild and the National Operatic and Drama Association
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The Winchester Dramatic Society, registered company 1621492 in England & Wales at the Chesil Theatre, Chesil Street, Winchester SO23 0HU. Registered Charity 285043, limited by guarantee.