New seasons with reasons to be cheerful

august isn’t even over and done with, but it already feels like there is an Autumn chill in the air.

Rather than lament the passing of yet another miserable summer, that means it is time to look forward to the highlights of what the region’s theatres have in store.

The cuts to the Arts Council are beginning to take effect and that means the seasons being offered around Yorkshire look a little different this autumn, with lots of theatres working together to fund their various productions.

That does not mean, however, that they are skimping on their shows, nor does it mean they have decided against big, bombastic shows which set out their stalls and make bold statements.

Two of the biggest heavyweight shows are Shakespearean productions. Sheffield Crucible and West Yorkshire Playhouse have epic productions of Shakespeare tragedies with big hitting names behind them coming in the next month.

Down in Sheffield Dominic West and Clarke Peters are taking on Othello. The two have previously shared screen time in the hit American TV series The Wire, but this is the first time they have appeared on stage together, with Peters playing the titular role and local boy West taking on the part of the deceitful Iago.

The show is already proving quite a draw, the combination of a TV star and the Bard having proved a box office success when Hamlet and John Simm combined in the same theatre last year. Tickets for the show are already heading towards sell-out territory, with many performances virtually at capacity.

In Leeds, at West Yorkshire Playhouse, there is a similar approach to getting the punters in, with its production of King Lear starring screen star Tim Pigott-Smith. A report from the recent read- through of the production tells me that it had some of the members of the marketing department in tears and by all accounts Pigott-Smith, who has waited almost a lifetime for the opportunity to play this part, is going to be very strong in the role.

In recent years the Sheffield Crucible has taken the mantle of Yorkshire’s most high-profile theatre, but one wonders, looking at the season at the Playhouse, if it is starting to mount a challenge to that title. Both theatres open their seasons with Shakespeare, and Christmas brings for each of them a feelgood, grandstanding musical.

In Sheffield Daniel Evans, artistic director of the theatre, will be treading the boards in Company the Stephen Sondheim musical. Although running the building, Evans won an Olivier for his performance in the Sondheim musical Sunday in the Park with George, so his turn in Company will be interesting to see. In Leeds casting is yet to be announced for Annie, but director Nikolai Foster is a great talent – audiences may remember his A Christmas Carol at the theatre last year, which proved popular.

Other higlights in Sheffield, celebrating its 40th anniversary season, includes One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show, receiving its European premiere with a co-production between Sheffield and Eclipse, which has recently become resident at the theatre.

The Playhouse will also stage the premiere of a new show based on the LP Hartley novel The Go-Between. A drama with music – not a musical – it is written by David Wood, the man behind umpteen hits at the RSC and in the West End.

Further afield, York Theatre Royal continues its season of work in rep with a core of actors appearing in several shows. Upcoming highlights will certainly include the classic Alan Bennett play 40 Years On and Laurel and Hardy, and a first production at the theatre of Blackbird, the 2007 play which won an Olivier for best new play and which will star George Costigan, who continues his relationship with the venue.

Hull Truck Theatre continues to go through a period of transition, with the loss of its artistic director and a new chief executive.

Next month it sees a revival of The Glee Club and in October will be staging a new production of Lorca’s Yerma. The play was recently seen at West Yorkshire Playhouse, but there hasn’t been a production of the classic at Hull for some time.

Up in Scarborough, the Stephen Joseph Theatre seems keen to keep the details of its new season under wraps for now, but it will see a landmark production next month. On September 8, the theatre premieres the 300th new play it has produced – which also happens to be Alan Ayckbourn’s 75th play.

There is never a sure thing in theatre, but if there was one production you’d put the house on being worth seeing, it’s this. Ayckbourn has proved time and again that he is something special and, as reported in the YP a couple of weeks ago, the playwright is very excited about his new show – which should spell good news for all of us.

Speaking of sure things, the really interesting production this Autumn will come from a brand new company to Yorkshire. You might recognise the name, but The Debt Collectors really will be the first play by the newly established John Godber Company, which is being produced along with Wakefield Theatre Royal.

Having disassociated himself from Hull Truck, where he has worked for over two decades, Godber appears to be enjoying a new lease of life and it will be fascinating to see what his work looks like now that he is running the show entirely for himself.

There is a plethora of shows coming out of Yorkshire companies that are not part of the established theatre buildings, including Northern Broadsides’ production of a new play from Blake Morrison. We Are Three Sisters is the writer’s take on the story of the Brontës and looks set to be an intense, impressive piece of work. Similarly, Mick Martin’s Broken Time will be touring the region, starting out at Wakefield, before visiting venues around Yorkshire.

Bradford’s Alhambra is looking set for another good, strong season of work, with Keeler, the story of the Profumo affair, coming to the theatre at the end of September and a welcome return for the Rambert Company.

With comedians including Stephen Merchant on tour, Northern Ballet Theatre reviving its Hamlet and Opera North opening new productions at Leeds Grand Theatre, even with the miserable weather upon us, there are reasons to be cheerful this coming season.

ONES TO WATCH THIS SEASON

Neighbourhood Watch: Alan Ayckbourn’s 75th new play. SJT, Scarborough Sept 8 to Oct 15. The Debt Collectors: John Godber’s first new show since leaving Hull. York Theatre Royal, Sept 13 to 17, Wakefield Theatre, Oct 18 to 22 and touring. Othello: There is some serious star power with Dominic West and Clarke Peters sharing a stage. Sheffield Crucible, Sept 15 to Oct 15. King Lear: Tim Pigott-Smith has waited a long time to play this part. West Yorkshire Playhouse, Sept 23 to Oct 22.