Aylesbury Waterside Theatre sensational opening season on sale now

Archived press release

Date Published: 24/03/10

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre raises the curtain on a world class opening season as booking for tickets opens on 24 March.

From classical ballet and side-splitting comedy to magical musicals and family panto fun – there is something for everyone.

The new theatre – a landmark building at the heart of the Aylesbury community and a home for the finest of entertainment opens on 12 Oct with the award–winning and breathtaking Northern Ballet Theatre’s Swan Lake (12 – 16 Oct). This haunting and romantic adaptation danced to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score has taken the country by storm and is a fitting première for this remarkable venue. More dance and more Tchaikovsky comes from English Youth Ballet and their fantastical tale of Clara the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Nutcracker Prince and Mouse King in The Nutcracker (05 & 06 Nov). Brought to life by an impressive dance ensemble this production offers a fantastic opportunity for over 100 young local dancers to take to the Waterside Theatre stage to perform as soloists and corps de ballet alongside a cast of six professional principal dancers.

Musical fans can look forward to season showstoppers from Andrew Lloyd Webber with Evita (18 – 30 Oct) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (09 – 14 Nov). West End favourite Abigail Jaye stars in the iconic role of larger than life Eva Peron in an extraordinary musical featuring some of the most famous and inspiring stage music including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, On This Night Of A Thousand Stars, Oh What A Circus, You Must Love Me and Another Suitcase In Another Hall. Colourful family fun will see BBC’s Any Dream Will Do Keith Jack burst onto stage in the magical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours.

Loose woman and local lass Lynda Bellingham is thrilled to be taking part in this first season in her home town as she is joined by an amazing cast including Jan Harvey and Ruth Madoc in the hilarious and touching smash-hit Calendar Girls (22 – 27 Nov) where a group of ordinary women do something extraordinary and spark a global phenomenon when they pose for a charity calendar with a difference!.

Music lovers will enjoy a special gala concert in celebration of the Theatre’s opening season as the Waterside Theatre welcomes the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (16 Nov) for a spectacular evening of orchestral classics.

An unparalleled choice of one night specials include an evening of sublime music from one of the most creative musicians of his generation, Julian Lloyd Webber (20 Nov) , a night with Britain’s best loved celebrity psychic, Sally Morgan (02 Nov), critically acclaimed comedian Rhod Gilbert (28 Nov) and an exclusive appearance of BBC 1’s Any Dream Will Do winner Lee Mead (07 Nov) direct from the West End musical Wicked. This special appearance at the Waterside Theatre is one of only a handful of dates Lee has chosen to do this year.

The first season wraps up in time for Christmas as you are invited to join the Waterside Theatre for their first ever traditional family pantomime, the biggest and best-loved story of them of them all – Cinderella (10 Dec - 09 Jan). With an all-star cast this glittering and magical panto will see your dreams come true with a dazzling set, live orchestra, the boo-able but hilarious Ugly Sisters, a handsome Prince, real Shetland ponies and everyone’s favourite leading lady, Cinderella herself. There couldn’t be a more perfect beginning to your family’s panto tradition than this favourite fairy tale.

Elizabeth Adlington Chief Executive of Aylesbury Waterside Theatre says “Today is just the beginning of what we know will be an really exciting year for us and I hope you will enjoy discovering what your new theatre has to offer with a fantastic choice of shows, and unrivalled facilities right on your doorstep. For this very special opening season, we have hand-picked shows that you, your friends and family can all enjoy. We very much look forward to welcoming them to Aylesbury and extending that welcome for you to join us in this magnificent building in the autumn to celebrate the opening of a state of the art theatre which I am confident will help to place Aylesbury firmly on the cultural map”

Councillor John Cartwright tells us “I am delighted to see the realisation of our dream for The Waterside Theatre moving another step closer with the launch of this spectacular season. We knew that when we chose ATG as the management operators for this wonderful theatre, we were at the beginning of a very special relationship and this season demonstrates the quality of shows which Elizabeth and her team will bring to us each season in Aylesbury and the breadth of the offer available. There truly is something for everyone. The opening night is just around the corner and I for one will be booking my tickets today!”

As the first new theatre of the decade in Britain, the Waterside Theatre holds a unique position in theatre history and this spectacular season marks the beginning of a new era for Aylesbury. Make sure you are a part of it and book your tickets today. Tickets are on sale now from Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Box Office 0844 871 7607 or visit www.ambassadortickets.com/aylesbury