2011 Season at the Playhouse Theatre
CThe programme for 2011 has now been finalised. The following is a summary, but more information can be found in the events section of the website.
March 1st
Oyoyster Comedy: Ed Byrne
OyOyster Comedy presents Ed Byrne for a night of stand up comedy.
March 22nd – 26th
The Lindley Players: Female Transport by Steve Gooch
This stark, hard hitting drama, laced with gallows humour, is an account of six women convicted of petty crimes deported to a penal colony in Australia. During the six month voyage, we see them make friends and enemies but ultimately united against the bias of a male dominated class system represented by the crew of the prison ship.
March 31st – April 2nd
UKC Musical Theatre Society: Carousel
The University of Kent Musical Theatre Society presents the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical. Following the success of last year’s ‘Fiddler of the Roof’ the UKC Musical Theatre Society brings you ‘Carousel’, a complex love story about one man’s struggle to get into Heaven. Including some of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most popular songs: ‘If I Loved You’, ‘June is Bustin’ Out All Over’ and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, ‘Carousel’ has been known as their favourite collaboration. Don’t miss out on such a talented cast – book your tickets now for a beautiful rendition of this classic musical!
April 7th – 9th
Canterbury Players: Night Must Fall by Emlyn Williams
Crotchety old Mrs. Bransom hires a charming young man named Danny as a live-in companion. Less charmed by Danny is Mrs. Bransom’s niece, Olivia, a repressed young woman who suspects Danny of foul play. When news of a local murder is revealed, Olivia suspects Danny. Although repulsed by the thought he may have committed the crime, Olivia also finds herself becoming increasingly attracted to him at the same time.
April 14th – 16th
Theatrecraft: Blood Brothers by Willy Russell
Presented by Theatrecraft this is the Willy Russell original play version of the musical. Blood Brothers is fast-moving and perceptive, entertaining and thought-provoking, funny yet ultimately tragic. It tells of twin brothers who are born into a large working-class family and what happens when their mother decides to have one of them adopted. The play looks at the differences and conflicts of their upbringings, their relationships with each other and with their real and adopted mothers.
April 18th
Oyoyster Comedy: Lee Hurst
OyOyster Comedy present Lee Hurst. A very funny stand-up best known for appearances on “They think it’s all over”, “Have I got news for you” and “Saturday Live”.
April 30th
Elvis – a Tribute
Featuring the award winning tribute Neil J Duncan with his band and his backing singers. Two hours of ‘Pure Presley’ Neil was voted best Vegas Elvis in Europe and ‘outright winner’ of the best Elvis Tribute Artist in the UK. He also lives in Whitstable and has brought his own band The Wonder of Elvis Showband and his superb backing singers – The fabulous Heartbeats to the Playhouse Theatre for a concert all Elvis fans cannot afford to miss!
May 2nd
Oyoyster Comedy: TBC
Nick Wilty presents top drawer comedy featuring the pick of stand-ups.
May 24th to 28th
The Lindley Players: Entertaining Mr.Sloane by Joe Orton
1966, South London. Mr Sloane, a good looking young drifter of questionable morals, joins Kath’s household as a lodger and proceeds to manipulate both her and her businessman brother, Ed, to his own distinct advantage. With dark secrets, blackmail, violence and lustful infatuation, the plot of this black comedy from the acerbic pen of 60s playwright, Joe Orton, has more twists and turns than the Baerloo Line… Needless to say, Sloane’s “just deserts” are not what one would expect!
June 6th
Oyoyster Comedy: Rufus Hound
Nick Wilty presents Rufus Hound for a night of stand up comedy.
June 8th – 10th
UKC Drama Association: Twelfth Night
One of Shakespeare’s most famous comedies, Twelfth Night comes to the Whitstable Playhouse this June! This fresh, new take on the text updates the setting of Illyria to the swinging sixties whilst still maintaining Shakespeare’s celebrated language. The play follows the many love mismatches between Orsino and Olivia’s courts whilst also the drunken antics of Sir Toby and Sir Andrew as they try to trick the callous Malvolio. All of this performed in front of a live band playing classics form this iconic decade. Created by students at the University of Kent, this production is aimed at anyone who experienced the sixties, or wish they had. The play’s single aim is to entertain and you will not be disappointed.”
June 11th
Folk in the Barn: Chris Wood
Chris Wood is an uncompromising writer whose music reveals his love for the un-official history of the English speaking people. With gentle intelligence he weaves the tradition with his own contemporary parables. His writing has been said to share the same timeless quality as Richard Thompson at his best.
July 4th
Oyoyster Comedy: Richard Herring
OyOyster Comedy present Richard Herring. Richard is a comedian who isn’t afraid to push the boundaries for his art. He is constantly looking at how he can change the audience’s views on what is tasteful and funny. Richard has spent most of his time on his writing and live work but has had time to present the Radio 2 show That Was Then, This Is Now and Banter on Radio 4 with Andrew Collins.
July 19th – 23rd
The Lindley Players: Music Hall
The famous, (no inferior imitations), traditional Music Hall will again be performed by the Lindley Players for your delectation. In what will be a summer extravaganza of the senses, prepare to be delighted, surprised and maybe a little titillated. Once again devised by the doyen of the Music Hall art Dr.Howard Lee. Music with a superior and sparkling series of salubrious scenas and scintillating solos, subtly sequestered into a stylish symposium. Yes, lots of songs. This excellent show will feature magic and the very best of comedy renditions all done in the best possible taste. We have the songs, the music, the performers but what is the essential ingredient? Our revered audience, without whom atmosphere and spirit would be sadly missing.
July 27th – 30th
Theatrecraft: Return to the Forbidden Planet, a musical by Bob Carlton
On a stormy night Dr.Prospero worked late in his laboratory, aided only by his wife Gloria, as he developed the elusive formula with which he would change the world. The apparently faithful Gloria, however, duped him and sent him off into hyper-space in an old spacecraft. Unknown to Gloria, her infant daughter, Miranda, slumbered peacefully in the craft. Fifteen years later, a routine survey flight under Captain Tempest leaves earth’s orbit with a new science officer aboard – a hard and bitter woman. As a shower of meteorites hits the ship the craft is pulled towards the planet D`Illyria- the Forbidden Planet. The adventure begins… Includes pop hits from the 1960`s and 70`s – Great Balls of Fire, Good Vibrations, Teenager in Love, The Monster Mash and many more.
July 31st
Bert Butlers Jazz Pilgrims: Jazz on a Summers Night
An evening of jazz with Lyn Falvey, Bert Butler and his Jazz Pilgrims.