Things are really ramping up on our thriving Island theatre scene with a bumper crop of shows coming up in April – whatever your tastes, there should be something to suit you!
The Apollo Players’ latest play, ‘Doubt’ opens on Friday (1st April) and continues until the 9th (not Sunday or Monday). Based in a Catholic School, one of the nuns suspects a priest of molesting an altar boy – but the question is: did he do it?
The question hangs in the air at the end of the play – were Sister Aloysius’ concerns justified? ‘Doubt, A Parable’ is a thought-provoking play that will leave you doubting who was right all along. Book your tickets at https://www.apollo-theatre.org.uk/doubt/ or contact the Box Office 01983 210010.
If musical entertainment is your thing, come along to Bembridge Village Hall on 10th April for ‘An Evening With Judy Garland’, performed by the hugely talented Hanna Nixon.
You’ll be amazed at the way she captures the legendary singer’s voice and stage persona. The show has officially sold out but if you call the box office on 07841950261 you may be lucky enough to bag a cancellation ticket.
TheatreTrain brings you all the gruesome fun of the stage show ‘The Addams Family’ from 12th to 14th April at Medina Theatre.
Remember little Wednesday Addams? She of the black hair, black eyes and even blacker mood? Well, she’s growing up – and she’s found love! Only problem is, the object of her desire is Luca Beineke, an ordinary young man from, well, an ordinary family.
How will the 2 families get on? Can the Addams Family maintain ‘normality’ for just one night in the cause of true love? Will Fester let the object of his affections know his feelings? Will the family ancestors ever manage to get back into their crypt? Find out in this weird and very wonderful musical full of song, dance, comedy and – of course – love!
Get your tickets now from Medina Box Office on 01983 823884 or visit https://theatrebookings.iow.gov.uk/ticket/diary/mte594.
The Island Savoyards return to Shanklin Theatre from 14th to 17th April at 19:30 and 18th April at 14:30 with the spectacular and powerful ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’.
This lushly scored retelling of Victor Hugo’s epic story of love, acceptance and what it means to be a true hero, is told using spellbinding songs from the Disney animated film of the same name.
The show is one of the most musically challenging pieces the company has undertaken: Savoyard audiences have come to expect an exceptional level of performance over the years, often saying their shows are “West End worthy”, and this show will not disappoint. Tickets are available online from www.shanklintheatre.com or by calling the theatre box office on 01983 86800.
Call in to Trinity Theatre from 21st-24th April to see their latest play, ‘The Shadow Factory’.
Set during World War II, the play questions the traditional mythology around war as a noble necessity – a message still sadly very much needed today. The destruction of a factory making spitfire planes leads to the requisition of local properties to enable production to continue; some local folk are however appalled at the idea.
The play highlights the gulf between a bloody-minded British belief in liberty and the dictatorial necessities of wartime and this tension underpins the drama of a play which, with its setting around Southampton, highlights a piece of local history and a microcosm of life in the 1940s. Online Ticket sales are open at www.caods.org.uk.
Ventnor Theatre Group are staging the hit musical ‘Legally Blonde’ at Medina Theatre on 22nd – 24th April.
The musical was adapted by Karen McCullah Lutz from the novel written by Amanda Brown. McCullah says:
“You see so many beautiful people in this world, and a lot of your first instincts is to discount women who put a lot of effort into their looks as maybe not serious about their job or maybe not serious about their relationships … … I was interested in exploring the difference between [the way] someone looks and how people perceive them and how they really are.”
The show challenges the stereotype of dumb blondes – but they certainly have fun in this show, packed with brilliant singing and dancing – oh, and did I mention the cast includes a dog? Find out more by booking tickets online at http://www.medinatheatre.co.uk/article/legally-blonde-musical or on 01983 823884.
Finally, there’s another chance to catch The Pepperpot Players’ ‘Agatha Crusty and the Village Hall Murders’. Our reviewer caught the show on its first outing at Niton in January, and you can read his thoughts here: https://www.islandecho.co.uk/not-to-be-sneezed-at-pepperpot-players-present-agatha-crusty-the-village-hall-murders/.
The comedy murder mystery comes to Shanklin Theatre on 27th – 29th April – tickets are available from www.shanklintheatre.com or on 01983 86800.
Phew! And there’s lots more to come in May! Isn’t it great to see Island theatre bubbling over with energy again…
