York Theatre Royal - What happens when the audience selects the shows?

Here's some thing different from York Theatre Royal, especially after this week's news about their panto.

What happens when the audience selects the shows?

Studio Discoveries, 4 – 8th Feb

A week of exciting theatre in the Studio at York Theatre Royal  chosen by Visionari community programming group 

York Theatre Royal’s community programming group Visionari present their second season of Studio Discoveries from 4 to 8 February with six shows featured over the week.

Pepper & Honey (4 Feb, 11am & 2pm) is a new play from Not Now Collective told through the baking of Croatian pepper biscuits (paprenjaci), which are baked live in front of the audience as the story of Ana’s preparations to start a new life in the UK unfolds. Babes-in-arms are welcome at the 11am and 2pm shows - and biscuits are included.

Debbie Cannon is both writer and performer of Green Knight (5 Feb, 6.30pm), a one-woman version of the medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

It’s Christmas at Camelot and a monstrous green warrior issues an unwinnable challenge to Arthur’s finest knight.

But what if the story was retold by the woman at its heart?

Picasso’s Women (5 Feb, 8.30pm) delivers a unique look at Picasso’s life through the voices of his wives, mistresses and muses. The three monologues feature French model Fernande, Russian ballerina Olga and 17-year-old mistress Marie-Therese.

Originally produced for the National Theatre and BBC Radio 3, the women’s stories provide an insight into the influence these women had on Picasso’s life and art.

Fresh from his critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe debut, HIV+ theatre-maker and activist Nathaniel Hall presents a hilarious and heartbreaking show about growing up with HIV in First Time (6 Feb, 7.45pm).

This is based on Nathaniel’s personal experience living with HIV after contracting the virus from his first sexual encounter aged just 16. The show accompanies Nathaniel’s continued activism to break down the stigma associated with the disease through talks, participatory projects, education and outreach.

Inspired by true events, Heaven’s Gate (7 Feb, 7.45pm) is an intergalactic new show from Cosmic Collective Theatre that imagines the final hour of four members of the real life religious UFO group.

The excitement is palpable as they prepare for their Graduation into the Kingdom of Heaven but soon the cracks begin to appear. Whatever you do, don’t say the C-word – Cult.

The production is written and directed by York Theatre Royal Youth Theatre alumni Joe Feeney and both he and other alumni member Anna Soden perform in the piece.

Visionari’s final choice is One Foot in the Rave (8 Feb, 7.45pm), written and performed by Alexander Rhodes. It follows a disillusioned Jehovah’s Witness as he breaks free from the cult and lands on the ecstasy-fuelled floors of 1990s clubland. Shunned by everyone he knows, he is not prepared for what lies ahead.

York Theatre Royal Producer Thom Freeth said:

“It’s been amazing working with Visionari over the past few months to select and bring together a really impressive line-up of unique Studio shows.

The group have chosen shows which will undoubtedly appeal to regular theatregoers and new audiences alike. 

We’re pleased to be showing award-winning work as part of the week, alongside work by an exciting new York-based theatre company.

Whether you’re out to sample the intensity of 90s clubland, gain an insight into the life of Picasso or just enjoy a complimentary Croatian biscuit, we think you’ll have a fantastic experience in our intimate Studio theatre.‘

Box office - 01904 623568

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