Theatre Royal Plymouth

The set for the Full Monty was built at TR2, the Theatre Royal Plymouth's Education and Production Centre. This time-lapse shows the first time the set was put together on a stage, at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre. http://www.theatreroyal.com/content.asp?CategoryID=976

Acclaimed classical actor Edward Petherbridge rehearsed for the role of King Lear - then a major stroke left him barely able to move. As he struggled to recover, he made a discovery: the entire role of Lear still existed word for word in his mind. Directed by Kathryn Hunter and performed by Edward Petherbridge and Paul Hunter, this is a moving and comic exploration of the resilience of the human spirit through the prism of Shakespeare's great tragedy. Our latest co-production, My Perfect Mind celebrates Told by an Idiot's twentieth anniversary as one of the UK's leading and most inventive touring companies. A Told by an Idiot, Young Vic and Drum Theatre Plymouth Co-production

Sutra is at the Theatre Royal Plymouth 9 & 10 April 2013 www.theatreroyal.com/sutra Sutra, a "unique, profoundly imagined work" (The Guardian) is a collaboration between one of Europe's most exciting choreographers Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Turner Prize winning sculptor Antony Gormley and 17 practising Buddhist monks from the Shaolin Temple in China. It is a piece of dance that is at once deeply hypnotic, playful and breathtakingly athletic. Aged between 10 and 26 years the monks performing in Sutra follow a strict Buddhist doctrine, with kung fu and t'ai chi martial arts forming a part of their daily ritual. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui (who is a big Bruce Lee fan) spent several months at their Temple before devising his awe-inspiring piece. During Sutra the monks perform such spectacular, dare devil moves that you see them quite literally as leaps of faith. Antony Gormley's stage setting consists of 21 wooden boxes which are carried or pushed around the stage by the monks, becoming walls, boats, beds, skyscrapers, toys, temples - whatever is needed. It is set to a specially commissioned score by Polish composer Szymon Brzóska for piano, percussion and strings, which is performed live.

Driving Miss Daisy is at the Theatre Royal Plymouth from Monday 25th February - Saturday 2nd March. Book online: www.theatreroyal.com/daisy Having broken records on Broadway and played to sold out audiences in London's West End, David Esbjornson's award winning, smash hit production has dazzled audiences and critics alike. Winning the 2012 whatsonstage.com award for Best Revival, this heart warming play is now on tour across the UK. Inspiration for the much-loved Oscar winning smash hit movie, Driving Miss Daisy is the charming, poignant and utterly compelling tale of the unlikely, long-lasting friendship that blossoms between a prickly, elderly southern matriarch, Daisy Werthan (Gwen Taylor) and her kind-hearted chauffeur, Hoke Colburn (Don Warrington) who is employed by Daisy's son, Boolie Werthan (Ian Porter). As the wheels turn and the decades roll by against a backdrop of prejudice, inequality and civil unrest, the pair slowly transcend their differences and ultimately grow to rely on each other far more than either ever expected. Driving Miss Daisy is a heart warming comedy for all the ages.

Behind the scenes as Barbershopera pay a visit to BBC Radio Devon and record a song for the Shep & Jo show! Barbershopera - The Three Musketeers is at the Drum Theatre until Sunday 23rd December 2012! www.theatreroyal.com/barbershopera Barbershopera are back. And this time they have swords. Reinventing Alexandre Dumas' classic adventure story with some fresh four-part harmonies, the three guys and a girl sing you through the epic adventure of d'Artagnan and The Three Musketeers... Blackadder meets Gilbert & Sullivan. With her village under threat of destruction at the hands of the villainous Cardinal Richtea, young Nicole d'Artagnan must dress up as a man and head to Paris in hope of joining the famous King's Musketeers. But murky happenings plague the progress of our heroine and her new-found trio of friends as they battle corruption, femme fatales and the cultural confusions brought on by a quest to England. The 17th Century just got cool again. All for fun and fun for all!

A special message from Barbershopera, who we can't wait to welcome back to the Drum from Wednesday 5th to Sunday 23rd December! www.theatreroyal.com/barbershopera | 01752 267222 Barbershopera are back. And this time they have swords. Reinventing Alexandre Dumas' classic adventure story with some fresh four-part harmonies, the three guys and a girl sing you through the epic adventure of d'Artagnan and The Three Musketeers... Blackadder meets Gilbert & Sullivan. With her village under threat of destruction at the hands of the villainous Cardinal Richtea, young Nicole d'Artagnan must dress up as a man and head to Paris in hope of joining the famous King's Musketeers. But murky happenings plague the progress of our heroine and her new-found trio of friends as they battle corruption, femme fatales and the cultural confusions brought on by a quest to England. The 17th Century just got cool again. All for fun and fun for all!

Dirty Dancing is at the Theatre Royal Plymouth from Jan 22nd to Feb 9th 2013 www.theatreroyal.com/dancing Dirty Dancing is an unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensationally sexy dancing. Seen by millions across the globe this worldwide smash-hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Featuring hit songs, including Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and the heart stopping I've Had The Time Of My Life. Don't miss your chance to see the fastest selling show in West End history. You'll have the time of your life!

Batsheva Dance Company comes to the Theatre Royal Plymouth on the 23rd & 24th Nov, with their younger wing, Batsheva Ensemble. www.theatreroyal.com/batsheva Israel's outstanding Batsheva Dance Company is one of the most exciting contemporary dance companies in the world, consistently winning praise for their fearless, full-bodied and energetic performances. This autumn, Batsheva are touring the UK showcasing their new talent, The Batsheva Ensemble, for the first time. Consisting of 18 - 24 year old dancers from around the world who have been selected by Batsheva's choreographic supremo, Ohad Naharin, these urban, gritty and skilled dancers are the future of headline contemporary dance. Deca Dance brings together memorable and favourite segments of Naharin's creations from the last 20 years and is set to a sensational compilation of music ranging from The Beach Boys to Vivaldi and from Goldfrapp to Dean Martin. The piece includes extracts from the widely popular Minus 16 which was last performed in Plymouth by Nederlands Dance Theatre 2 in 2009.

Stories from an Invisible Town - Tue 20 to Wed 24 Nov When Hugh Hughes returned to his childhood home in Llangefni to help his mum pack and move house, a tapestry of memories from his past, his family and the town he once called home began to unfold... Now audiences have the chance to join Hugh, his brother and his sister, as family skeletons leave their closets in this unpredictable and hilarious evening of family stories. His memories have grown and grown - bursting from Hugh's head and into a website for us to explore and enjoy - www.invisibletownstories.co.uk We're delighted to be welcoming back the inimitable Welsh artist to the Drum following recent shows Hugh Hughes in 360, Floating and Story of a Rabbit. Recommended for everyone aged 14+

We're delighted to be welcoming back the country's favourite pantomime Dame, Christopher Biggins, who will be dishing out huge helpings of comedy aided and abetted by the loveable icon of children's television, Basil Brush, as Alderman Foxwarren. Will the Spirit of the Bells, played by Hilary O'Neil, be able to help our handsome hero, Dick Whittington? There's only one way to find out! Dick Whittington is with us from Friday 14th December 2012 to Saturday 19th January 2013! Book your tickets now on our website - www.theatreroyal.com/panto

All That Is Wrong is at the Drum Theatre Plymouth Tue 06 Nov - Sat 17 Nov www.theatreroyal.com/wrong 2012 Scotsman Fringe First Award Winner 2012 Total Theatre Award Winner It's wrong. Everything is wrong. The big stuff, the little stuff and everything in between. The world is messed up and there is nothing anyone can do about it. How must all of this look through the eyes of a teenager? Especially when the adults seem to have no idea how to fix things. Well, come and find out. Maybe teenagers can do better. Our Belgian friends, Ontroerend Goed, return with their latest show, All That is Wrong direct from the Edinburgh Festival. If you've seen any of their recent shows at the Drum, you'll know to expect all the big ideas, the wit, the humour and the mischief. If not, come and see what you're missing. Come and see All That is Wrong. Ontroerend Goed return to the Drum Theatre following A History of Everything, Audience, Teenage Riot and Under the Influence. Recommended for everyone aged 16+

Rambert is at the Theatre Royal Plymouth Wed 24 - Fri 26 October www.theatreroyal.com/rambert Contemporary dance favourites Rambert will be returning to the Theatre Royal this autumn with the Labyrinth of Love Tour 2012, which will comprise of four separate dance pieces: Labyrinth of Love Glimpses of love's ups and downs tangle and untangle in the magical and surreal world of a many-faceted labyrinth. Marguerite Donlon's choreography, known for its fluid yet dynamic energy, captures not only the romantic moments of love but its humour and surprise. The specially-commissioned score by Michael Daugherty uses popular love poems from different eras, and features a soprano singer live on stage. Roses A rare opportunity to see the work of American choreographer Paul Taylor, described by Martha Graham as the 'naughty boy' of dance. Serene, flowing and unexpected, this gorgeous work is a tribute to love and romance. Dutiful Ducks First created for Michael Clark in 1982, Richard Alston's short, sharp and witty solo is set to a tongue-twisting soundtext by Charles Amirkhanian. Sounddance Made in 1975 by the late master of contemporary dance, Merce Cunningham, this "ecstatic opus" (Washington Post) was inspired by the words of writer James Joyce and the tiny racing life seen under a microscope. Live music will be provided by the Rambert orchestra featuring soprano Kirsty Hopkins.

1 Beach Road is at the Drum Theatre Plymouth from Tue 30 Oct - Sat 03 Nov Book online - www.theatreroyal.com/beach 1 Beach Road is a tale of friendship, defiance, a shrinking island, synchronized swimming and trying to turn back the tide. With the unrelenting encroachment of the shoreline, the sea swallows the row of bungalows, the road, the garage and finally eats its way to the back door of 1 Beach Road, where the inhabitants refuse to budge. Victoria and Jane are left standing at the edge of a precipice. Drawn from true stories, 1 Beach Road explores the metaphorical connections between Coastal Erosion and Alzheimer's and asks, "what is it like to lose everything - your home and your memories?"

The Astronaut's Chair author, Rona Munro talks of her influences, ideas and thought processes behind the play. Drum Theatre Plymouth Thu 20 Sep - Sat 06 Oct She's the gritty, glamorous aviator; the fastest, highest, bravest woman in the world, but with one last race to go: to dream the impossible dream, to reach the unreachable stars. If NASA will let her -- and Congress plays ball. "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard...because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one that we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win" President Kennedy, 1961. The Astronaut's Chair, specially commissioned by the Drum Theatre, is Rona Munro's second 'space' play following Little Eagles, about the space race in Russia, produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company last year. The Astronaut's Chair is directed by Simon Stokes, who most recently directed the hugely popular Drum productions, Horse Piss For Blood by Carl Grose and Chekhov In Hell by Dan Rebellato. www.theatreroyal.com/astronaut

A timelapse of the get-in for 'The Ladykillers', opening it's national tour with us at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on Friday 14th through to Saturday 22nd September 2012. The set is on an 8 degree angle with a compound raked floor, and uses forced perspective (making it very tricky to draw and build!). The touring set has been built at our production and education centre, TR2, with props and dressing from the original production.

www.theatreroyal.com/burnout Frantic Assembly's Beautiful Burnout is at the Theatre Royal from Wed 3 Oct - Sat 6 Oct. By Bryony Lavery Directed and Choreographed by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett Featuring the music of Underworld Cameron Burns is going places. He's fighting for his club, his Mum, his place in the world. And this boy is a natural. He has an affinity with the violence, the balance, the ritual, the grace, and the power of the most controversial sport of our time. Bryony Lavery's heart-wrenching and deeply human story follows five young fighters as they aim for the bright lights, far from Glasgow's mean, grey streets. This is knockout production is spectacularly staged, drawing its audience into the heart of the action, where every jab, hook and uppercut feels flinchingly realistic. Featuring a stunning backdrop of glittering video screens and a pulsating soundtrack by electronic heavyweights Underworld, Beautiful Burnout packs an almighty, and unforgettable punch. See you ringside. "This is stunning. Literally and metaphorically" Independent on Sunday - Five stars "Beautiful Burnout is spectacular, lyrical and thought-provoking" The Scotsman -- Four stars "a brilliantly acted exploration of what makes boxers box and what happens when a shooting star shimmers, shines brightly and falls to earth" The Guardian -- Four stars Beautiful Burnout contains strong language, an age guide of 14+ is recommended.