Damian Cruden

Following the success of War Horse it’s little wonder that Michael Morpurgo’s books have become a popular choice for stage adaptations. A favourite with primary school teachers too, the bestselling author’s novels can be found in classrooms around the country.

Polka Theatre and Soldiers' Arts Academy announced an extra special moment which will mark the world premiere performance of the Little Manfred stage play. 

Soldiers' Arts Academy will present a wonderful new adaptation of Little Manfred, at Polka Theatre this October Half Term.  Little Manfred is a delightful story created by Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE, writer of War Horse which this year celebrates its 40th birthday, and has enjoyed both stage and film adaptations.

Artistic Director of Polka Theatre, Peter Glanville today announces the line up for the company's Autumn/Winter season.

On Monday, The Shows Must Go On will present a matinee performance of the timeless classic 'The Railway Children.' The production will be available for 48 hours. 

Eastenders actress Lin Blakley will be channelling the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, in the upcoming UK tour of Philip Meeks' critically-acclaimed play Murder, Margaret and Me this autumn.

Matthew Parish and I have been touring for 12 years. Our first production was Shaffer's The Private Ear and The Public Eye, which we rehearsed in a cowshed (with cows looking on) and staged in a shifty-looking pub in Exeter - the city where we trained to be actors.

Following last year's smash hit production of The Secret Garden, York Theatre Royal takes a fresh look at another children's classic in this summer's family show, Arthur Ransome's Swallows & Amazons, from 26 July to 24 August.

Lin Blakley (Eastenders, BBC) will be stepping into the shoes of Agatha Christie for the UK tour of Philip Meeks' critically acclaimed play Murder, Margaret and Me, directed by Damian Cruden (Artistic Director, Shakespeare's Rose Theatre).

As it makes a triumphant return to York at the foot of historic Clifford's Tower, SHAKESPEARE'S ROSE THEATRE - the award-winning pop-up Shakespearean theatre - was last week honoured with three awards at the prestigious Visit York Tourism Awards 2019, with producer and CEO of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and founder of Shakespeare's Rose Theatre, James Cundall MBE receiving the distinguished Tourism Champion award, and the theatre winning in the categories Innovation in Tourism, and Newcomer of the Year.

Following last year's smash hit production of The Secret Garden, York Theatre Royal takes a fresh look at another children's classic in this summer's family show, Arthur Ransome's Swallows & Amazons, from 26 July to 24 August.

Europe's first-ever pop-up Shakespearean Theatre, Shakespeare's Rose Theatre has announced its full cast and creative team for its week-long run of “Macbeth” and “A Midsummer Night's Dream” at the Theatre at Solaire in Paranaque City from September 17-22, 2019.

Preparations are in full swing for a glorious Summer of Shakespeare for the North and South, as the full company of SHAKESPEARE'S ROSE THEATRE, the award-winning pop-up Shakespearean Theatre, comes together for the first time ahead of its triumphant return to York this summer, and its expansion to a second site at Blenheim Palace. The SHAKESPEARE'S ROSE THEATRE Company has commenced rehearsals for eight of Shakespeare's most popular plays, which will be performed in repertory by two companies of actors based at each location.

Casting has been announced for the 2019 York company of SHAKESPEARE'S ROSE THEATRE, the award-winning pop-up Shakespearean Theatre, which makes a triumphant return to the foot of Clifford's Tower in York this summer with new productions of Hamlet, Henry V, The Tempest and Twelfth Night. The plays have been selected from across the genres, offering something for everyone, and will be performed in repertory by two companies of actors.

Europe's first-ever pop-up Shakespearean Theatre, Shakespeare's Rose Theatre, makes its international debut in Manila. Two of William Shakespeare's most popular plays MACBETH and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, performed by an outstanding British cast, will play at The Theatre at Solaire from September 17 to 22, 2019.

The creative teams have been announced for SHAKESPEARE'S ROSE THEATRE Europe's first ever pop-up Shakespearean Theatre, both for the return to its original site in York and at the new site at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

After 22 years Damian Cruden is stepping down as Artistic Director of York Theatre Royal. His final production will be co-directing the summer show Swallows and Amazons.

The Original Theatre Company (OTC), under the Artistic Direction of Alastair Whatley, announces its most ambitious season yet, with an original commission (Caroline's Kitchen), a European premiere (Napoli, Brooklyn), a first revival (The Night Watch) and a 30th anniversary production and first revival (Valued Friends).

Forty years on Berwick Kaler still reigns supreme as York Theatre Royal's Dame and celebrates with an original pantomime called, appropriately enough, The Grand Old Dame of York from 13 December 2018 to 2 February 2019.

It's 1957 and Edith Piaf is rehearsing her for her last concert in the United States, she recounts the heartbreaks in her life singing through her pain. Directed by Damian Cruden, Elizabeth Mansfield becomes Piaf once again - a role she's been doing on-and-off steadily throughout her career - and is, obviously, stunning.