As part of their 5th annual Premieres season, New Wimbledon Theatre will premiere two new productions this autumn. Selected by open submission and playing in the venue’s Studio space, The Gardening Club: A New Musical and The Ecstasy of Hedy Lamarr are both important female narratives and will celebrate the Studio at New Wimbledon Theatre’s 30th anniversary.
Regarding today’s announcement, Emma Brack, Theatre Admin and Events Programmer at New Wimbledon Theatre, said: “Studio spaces within theatres are vital for nurturing new talent, experimenting with innovative productions, and providing a platform for emerging artists. At New Wimbledon Theatre we are proud to have been doing that for 30 years and excited to mark the anniversary with our 5th Premieres Season, signifying a long period of our contribution to the local and wider theatrical community. I’m thrilled to be able to share with audiences two outstanding productions, which perfectly embody the spirit of innovation that the studio has always fostered.”
The Gardening Club: A New Musical, a compelling work by Carleigh McRitchie and Bella Wright, produced by Belinda Matthews and Nowhere Girls Theatre, is rapidly gaining momentum. This musical, born from the creative synergy of Liverpool-based American composers Wright and McRitchie, has demonstrated a remarkable ability to connect with audiences. Initially trialled in Liverpool, it achieved sold-out performances, signaling a strong early interest. This success led to a showcase at the prestigious theSpaceUK’s 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Programme, offering a tantalising glimpse of the production’s potential. Subsequently, the musical further solidified its acclaim with a sold-out performance at The Other Palace as part of their innovative Scribbles series, garnering a wave of positive reviews.
Nowhere Girls Theatre is a Liverpool-based company dedicated to the intersection of art and advocacy. The company aims to use live theatre and music as a platform for social change. This mission is vividly realised in The Gardening Club, a narrative set in 1960s Georgia, USA, where five women, amidst the era’s facade of perfect housewives and manicured lawns, form a secret drug ring. Using their gardening club as a cover, they illegally distribute the birth control pill, confronting the dark sides of womanhood. A fiery journalist, a boisterous nurse, a mysteriously troubled girl next door, and the pastor’s daughters join forces, driven to empower the women of Savannah. With an explosive soundtrack, The Gardening Club delves into an emotional story of self-discovery, sexual taboos, first times, and the difficult truths women face.
New Wimbledon Theatre is thrilled to host the highly anticipated first full staging of The Gardening Club, marking a significant milestone in the show’s creative journey.
Written by Graham Warrener, The Ecstasy of Hedy Lamarr is the second production by Profugo Arts to be staged as part of New Wimbledon Theatre’s Premieres season. The first being the hugely successful Don’t Shoot the Meistersinger in 2022. Their latest venture, The Ecstasy of Hedy Lamarr, promises to be another compelling exploration of a fascinating life. Profugo Arts, known for presenting exciting and engaging live events, often transcending conventional theatrical settings, brings its unique vision to this production.
Beyond their innovative staging, Profugo Arts is committed to nurturing emerging talent. Through initiatives like their ‘Write About Now’ program, they provide invaluable opportunities for up-and-coming creatives across various disciplines. At a time when government funding for the arts is diminishing, their dedication to supporting education and learning through creative expression is particularly vital.
The Ecstasy of Hedy Lamarr delves into the complex life of Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler, better known as Hedy Lamarr, lauded as the most beautiful woman on Earth. A European emigré who became a luminary of Hollywood’s Golden Age, starring in some of the most successful films of the 1930s and 40s. However, behind the glamour lay a brilliant mind that conceived a torpedo guidance system, a technology that would later form the basis of Bluetooth technology.
Despite her fame, adulation, numerous marriages, and affairs, Hedy Lamarr lived a life of profound loneliness, increasingly withdrawing from friends and family, and ultimately turning to petty shoplifting in a desperate search for fulfilment. The Ecstasy of Hedy Lamarr, a two-hander play, tells the poignant story of a woman seemingly beyond the reach of the world, yet yearning for the freedom found in an ordinary life. This production promises to illuminate the hidden depths of a remarkable woman, showcasing both her extraordinary achievements and her deeply human struggles.
These two compelling productions will grace the stage of the Studio at New Wimbledon Theatre, a venue with a unique and storied history. Originally an elegant ballroom, where it’s rumoured the legendary Fred and Adele Astaire once rehearsed. Transformed into a dynamic studio space in 1994, it now serves as a vital platform for nurturing new talent and showcasing innovative productions. This access-friendly, flexible ‘black box’ space retains echoes of its former grandeur, with remaining gold leaf adorning the proscenium. Over the past 30 years, it has become a cornerstone for developing new work, hosting Edinburgh Fringe previews, providing a crucial stage for emerging artists and a place for the community, becoming the home of several local amateur dramatic groups. This rich heritage adds another layer of significance to the presentation of The Gardening Club: A New Musical and The Ecstasy of Hedy Lamarr, underscoring the Studio’s commitment to supporting the future of theatre.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
