An Agatha Christie classic thriller, a new Ealing Studios comedy adaptation, a world comedy premiere and the Famous Five all figure in the summer and autumn at Theatr Clwyd.
Agatha Christie classic The Mirror Crack’d (October 17-22) stars Susie Blake, Sophie Ward and Joe McFadden. Miss Marple, confined to a chair after an accident, is wondering if life has passed her by – then a vicious murder sees her unravel a web of lies, tragedy and danger.
A new adaptation of classic Ealing film comedy The Lavender Hill Mob (October 25-29) features comedian and actor Miles Jupp as an unassuming bank clerk who dreams of stealing the van full of gold bullion he drives across London each day.
The In-Between (August 30-31) is the world premiere of a new comedy for the National Youth Theatre of Wales Ensemble and Theatr Clwyd by playwrights Gary Owen and Alexandria Riley. It's a play about about growing up, not feeling good enough – and wanting to be free from worry.
The theatre’s Family Arts Festival will tour Flintshire in July (25-31) with dates in Mold town centre, Flint, Mynydd Isa and Connah’s Quay. The shows at Theatr Clwyd will be Splash Test Dummies (July 30-31) and My First Musical (July 30), a sing-along to hits from musicals and films featuring Welsh musical theatre singers. Horrible Histories (July 31) charts British history from horrible Henry to evil Elizabeth.
Already announced is The Famous Five: A New Musical (September 23-October 15), a co-production with Chichester Festival Theatre, based on Enid Blyton’s novels and directed by Theatr Clwyd’s artistic director, Tamara Harvey. Tickets are also already on sale for Robin Hood - The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto! (November 19-January 14), featuring favourite Dame Phylip Harries.
Family attractions include a family-orientated opera, Cyfrinach y Brenin (September 18), alongside family shows Strange Creatures (October 8-9); Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish (November 4-5) and Puss In Boots (October 26) – Mid Wales Opera’s evening of music based on the classic fairytale. Later, Christmas Tales with Grandad (December 9-11) offers festive stories, and finally A Child’s Christmas in Wales (November 29-30) is Ballet Cymru's offering, based on Dylan Thomas’ famous tale.
The theatre also offers its popular monthly Comedy Club, and there's more comedy in the form of Offa’s Dyke (November 9-12) by Suitcase Theatre, which encounters the delights of the ancient long-distance footpath.
A new Pick ‘n’ Mix selection allows audiences to see more shows for less. Shows include:
The Gods, The Gods, The Gods (Sepember 30-October 1); Angel (September 26-27) the true story of Rehana, who defended her town from ISIS fighters by becoming a sniper; Still Floating (October 4-5) by BBC award-winning comic Shôn Dales-Jones; Horse Country (October 14-15), in which two idiots casually dissect capitalism, sea-lions, western culture, fishing and genocide, and other shows and cabaret entertainments.
The full season is laid out here