Comedy, children’s shows and adaptations of classics are the flavour of Spring 2023 at Watford Palace Theatre.
Leading actor and writer Tracy Ann Oberman will reinvent the role of Shylock in the hotly anticipated The Merchant of Venice 1936, directed by Brigid Larmour, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Watford Palace Theatre. The production shines a light on an earlier dark chapter in our history, the growth of a British Fascist party in the 1930s, and the East End community coming together to stop them in the Battle of Cable Street. This is a strictly limited two-week premiere run before the production goes up to HOME in Manchester.
Goblin Theatre, Watford Palace Theatre, Polka Theatre and Theatre by The Lake then present a magical new musical The Lost Spells, adapted from the much-loved children’s book by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris. A fun, wild and boisterous adventure full of paw-tapping music and dancing, played live on-stage by actor-musicians, the show is a riot of colour a celebrating the magic, power and wonder of nature that could be just outside your window.
Other children’s and family work in the spring includes Shark in the Park, Curious Investigators, Pop Princesses concert and TV’s Twirlywoos Live on stage.
Music fans can enjoy classics of the 50s and 60s in Rave On: The British Invasion and Walk Like a Man, Latin 90s tunes in Bring the Heat and rock out to Queen Rhapsody.
Continuing to screen films at the theatre, this spring will be presenting Royal Opera House ballets and operas Sleeping Beauty, The Barber of Seville and Like Water for Chocolate amongst others.
Artistic Director Brigid Larmour said “We’ve got an amazing spring season of event theatre, a world premiere musical adaptation of a children’s favourite, the best of opera and ballet from the Royal Opera House, comedy for everyone from babies upwards, well-loved local companies, and thrilling live music! Star of stage and screen Tracy Ann Oberman leads a superb cast with RSC actors in our radical and passionate new version of Shakespeare’s controversial Merchant of Venice exploring antisemitism in Britain in the 30s, in partnership with Home Manchester. Local participants will create a living gallery of experiences of people who lived through those times, with inspiring local company Moving Stories, alongside an imaginative education programme with the charity Stand Up. Brilliant local theatre makers Goblin work with us to create a fun, wild and boisterous musical adaptation of Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris’ worldwide bestseller The Lost Spells. And we host a range of the best of entertainment for everyone, from an interactive Dinosaur Adventure to the award-wining Little Prince to Disco Inferno.”
