New Year at Theatre Royal Plymouth
Theatre Royal Plymouth are ready to kickstart 2023 and have so many fantastic shows hitting the Lyric stage over the year.
From favourites such as Annie, to a thrilling new production from the imagination of Neil Gaiman, The Ocean at the End of the Lane and the classic ballet production Swan Lake, to next year’s pantomime, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Take a look at what’s on offer and book your tickets now!
The Ocean at the End of the Lane, The Lyric, 14 – 25 February (12+)
From the imagination of Neil Gaiman, best-selling author of Coraline, Good Omens and The Sandman (now a major Netflix series), comes the National Theatre’s major new stage adaptation of The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
This five-star spectacular from the producers of War Horse and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a thrilling adventure of fantasy, myth and friendship, taking audiences on an epic journey to a childhood once forgotten and the darkness that lurks at the very edge of it. Returning to his childhood home, a man finds himself standing beside the pond of the old Sussex farmhouse where he used to play. He’s transported to his 12th birthday when his remarkable friend Lettie claimed it wasn’t a pond, but an ocean–a place where everything is possible…
Plunged into a magical world, their survival depends on their ability to reckon with ancient forces that threaten to destroy everything around them.
The Sacrifice, The Lyric, 27 February – 01 March (12+)
South Africa’s award-winning Dada Masilo wowed critics and audiences with her stunning re-imagining of Giselle in 2019. Now back by popular demand, Masilo and her company of incredible dancers return with the UK premiere of The Sacrifice.
Featuring live music on stage, The Sacrifice is inspired by Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, combining the European heritage of this monumental piece of music with the uniquely rhythmic and expressive movements of ‘Tswana’, the traditional dance of Botswana. Rooted in story-telling and healing rituals, Masilo and her dancers deliver an exhilarating performance that will transport you through a journey of emotions.
Swan Lake, The Lyric, 15 – 18 March (7+)
Birmingham Royal Ballet revives the production by former Artistic Director of the Company Peter Wright and renowned ballerina, Galina Samsova leading you into the glorious journey of Swan Lake. Filled with exquisite ensembles, lyrical pas de deux and bravura solos, this atmospheric, romantic and lavish production of Swan Lake is an unforgettable experience.
By a moonlit lake, a grieving prince witnesses the transformation of a swan into a beautiful princess. Compelled by an evil spell to spend her days in the form of a bird, she can only be saved by the power of love. This romantic fable of ill-fated passion has bewitched audiences for generations.
The Principal dancers playing the role of Odette/Odile are Momoko Hirata, Yijing Zhang, Beatrice Parma, Yu Kurihara and Céline Gittens. Joining them as Prince Siegfried are Mathias Dingman, Haoliang Feng, Tzu-Chao Chou, Lachlan Monaghan and guest dancer from the Royal Ballet Vadim Muntagirov who will be performing for two nights only on the evening performances of Friday 17 and Saturday 18 March 2023.
They will be joined by conductors Philip Ellis and Charlotte Politi along with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia who will bring to life the legendary score by Tchaikovsky.
The Mousetrap, The Lyric, 20 – 25 March (7+)
Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is the world’s longest-running play. This thrilling West End production is the genre-defining murder mystery from the best-selling novelist of all time… case closed!
As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves snowed in at a remote countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover – to their horror – that a killer is in their midst! Which one is the murderer? Who will be their next victim? Can you solve this world-famous mystery for yourself?
Now celebrating 70 years, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap has kept millions of people from every corner of the globe on the edge of their seats. Could you be next?
Starring Todd Carty (EastEnders, The Bill) and Gwyneth Strong (Only Fools and Horses, EastEnders).
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, The Lyric, 28 March – 01 April (15+)
Following its London premiere and sell-out performances in Birmingham, ‘The most immersive and intoxicating way to experience Knight’s now timeless story’ (NME) is on its way to take over the UK. Long-time fans of the TV show and audiences coming fresh to Peaky have been united in their enthusiasm for the ‘vigorous and vibrant performances from the entire cast’ (The Times) where ‘you can never quite tell whether you’re at a dance show or a grungy rock gig’ (The Telegraph).
Opening in the trenches of Flanders, a personal story unfolds in post-war industrial Birmingham as the Shelby family navigate the decisions that determine their fate and Tommy is intoxicated by a mysterious newcomer, Grace.
Written and adapted for the stage by Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight, with choreography and direction from Rambert’s Artistic Director Benoit Swan Pouffer, this captivating show matches dazzling, athletic dance and stunning dramatisation from the full Rambert company with a live band, specially commissioned music by Roman GianArthur and iconic Peaky tracks from Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Radiohead, Anna Calvi, The Last Shadow Puppets, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
Heathers, The Lyric, 04 – 08 April (14+)
Greetings and salutations!
Following two smash-hit West End seasons, a record-breaking run at The Other Palace and winning the WhatsOnStage award for BEST NEW MUSICAL, Heathers The Musical, the black comedy rock musical based on the eponymous 1988 film, embark on a new national tour.
Westerberg High’s Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody dreaming of a better day. But when she joins the beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers and her dreams of popularity may finally come true, mysterious teen rebel JD teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody.
Buddy – The Buddy and Holly Story, The Lyric, 30 May – 03 June (12+)
This sensational multi award-winning West End and Broadway show first opened in 1989 and has been thrilling audiences around the world ever since. Now it triumphantly returns to Plymouth as part of its 2023 UK Tour.
Forget feel good, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story is FEEL GREAT! Experience the drama, passion and excitement as a multi-talented cast of actor-musicians tell Buddy Holly’s story, from his Texas rockabilly beginnings to international stardom and his legendary final performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, before his tragic death at the age of just 22.
Featuring two terrific hours of the greatest songs ever written, including That’ll Be The Day, Oh Boy, Rave On, La Bamba, Chantilly Lace, Johnny B. Goode, Raining In My Heart, Everyday, Shout and many many more, this show is just Peggy Sue–perb!
Book now for The World’s Most Successful Rock & Roll Musical!
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Lyric, 07 – 18 June (7+)
Escape to a world of pure imagination!
Based on the iconic story, this spectacular stage show follows the hit West End and Broadway productions to combine the memorable songs from the original 1970’s motion picture ( ‘The Candy Man’ and ‘Pure Imagination’) with all new numbers from the multi-award-winning songwriters of Hairspray.
When Charlie Bucket finds one of the five golden tickets to the Wonka Chocolate Factory, he and the other winners can’t wait to feast on the sweets of their dreams. But beyond the gates, they discover more than just remarkable edible delights. As they embark on an extraordinary journey through Willy Wonka’s marvellous mind, they soon learn that nobody leaves the same way that they arrived…
The weird and wonderful world of ROALD DAHL’S Charlie and The Chocolate Factory – The Musical will dazzle your senses when it plays Theatre Royal Plymouth as part of its first-ever UK & Ireland Tour.
Every ticket is GOLDEN, book yours today!
The Bodyguard, The Lyric, 26 June – 01 July
The international, award-winning smash-hit musical THE BODYGUARD is back!
Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge – what they don’t expect is to fall in love.
A ‘BRILLIANT!’ (The Times), breathtakingly romantic thriller, THE BODYGUARD features a whole host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, Greatest Love Of All, Million Dollar Bill, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and one of the greatest hit songs of all time – I Will Always Love You.
Shrek the Musical, The Lyric, 21 – 29 July
Join our unlikely hero Shrek and his noble steed Donkey as they embark on a big, bright, musical adventure.
Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film, the Broadway and West End hit Shrek the Musical is a fun-filled and hilarious musical comedy with a cast of vibrant characters and a ‘shrek-tackular’ score.
Featuring the beloved Princess Fiona, the evil Lord Farquaad, a host of magical fairy-tale characters and fabulous songs including the smash hit ‘I’m a believer, Shrek the Musical is a ‘musical extravaganza for big kids and little kids alike’.
Come join the adventure as Shrek and Donkey endeavour to complete their quest, finding unexpected friendships and surprising romance along the way.
A perfect night out for the young, and the young at heart, the award-winning Shrek the Musical is guaranteed fun for all ages and will have you dancing in the aisles and laughing all the way home.
42nd Street, The Lyric, 07 – 12 August
It’s big… it’s bright… it’s a brand-spanking new production of ‘the original showbiz musical,’ 42nd STREET!
Jonathan Church (Singin’ In The Rain, The Drifters Girl) directs the iconic song-and-dance spectacular featuring a hit parade of toe-tapping songs including “42nd Street,” “We’re In The Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “Shuffle Off To Buffalo” and “I Only Have Eyes For You.”
Choreographed and designed by Olivier Award winners Bill Deamer and Rob Jones, 42nd STREET is a timeless and inspiring showbiz fairy tale that combines breathtaking tap dance routines, backstage intrigue, classic romance and delightful comedy to dazzling effect. It’s simply irresistible!
Fresh off the bus from small-town America, young and beautiful Peggy Sawyer arrives in New York City dreaming of her name in lights. She quickly catches the eye of a big-time director and lands a spot in the chorus line of Broadway’s newest show… and when the leading lady gets injured, Peggy gets her shot at stardom.
42nd STREET is a larger-than-life, massively entertaining celebration of musicals and the irrepressible spirit of Broadway that’s guaranteed to lift anyone’s spirits. Don’t miss it!
Annie, The Lyric, 14 – 19 August
The smash-hit production of Annie comes to Theatre Royal Plymouth for one week only, direct from London’s West End. This ‘glorious revival’ (The Times) stars Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan!
Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck soon changes when she’s chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family…
With its Tony® award-winning book and score, including the unforgettable songs It’s The Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow, you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll love it!
Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Lyric, 15 December – 13 January
Enter a world of wonder at Plymouth’s home of pantomime, as the magical Goldilocks and the Three Bears comes to Theatre Royal Plymouth next Christmas!
With sets and costumes from The London Palladium, this promises to be a spectacular pantomime you’ll not want to miss. For 5 weeks only the Theatre will be transformed into a sensational circus, where everything is possible, and anything could (and will) happen.
This festive extravaganza is packed with riotous comedy, extraordinary special effects, hair-raising stunts and international circus acts!
Goldilocks’ circus is under threat from an evil rival circus owner and, with the help of their madcap circus friends, they’re battling to rescue their Big Top from ruin. Will they succeed? All seems lost until three brilliant bears join the gang…
Roll up, roll up to see panto join the circus, and be swept away by a pantomime spectacular that’s just right!