AVENUE Q, JEKYLL AND HYDE & More Set for Greenwich Theatre's Spring Season

Avenue Q, the award-winning musical by Sell A Door, one of Greenwich Theatre's most successful emerging companies, is returning to Greenwich Theatre as part of a vibrant spring season from Tuesday, May 12, to Sunday, May 24.

"It was a spectacular success last time and I'm sure it will be again," said James Haddrell, Greenwich Theatre's executive and artistic director. "Before that, from February 11 - 14, Sell A Door will also be presenting their modern adaptation of 'Jekyll and Hyde', set in an alternative London of the future."

The spring season will celebrate aspects of the theatre that have earned it a national identity. "We want to show off our work with some of the best emerging theatre companies in the country," said James. "There are young companies who are just bristling with talent but often don't have the stage to show their work.

"We're also working with teenagers again through the National Theatre's Connections Festival in March. Eleven schools or youth theatre companies are coming to present their work and, alongside that, Corelli College are reviving Ali Smith's 'Just' on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 17 and 18.

"Ali was awarded a CBE in the New Year's honours and Corelli, as Kidbrooke School, premiered the stage adaptation of 'Just' 10 years ago at the National Theatre. So this will be a triple celebration of Connections, our partnership with Corelli College, and Ali as one of our patrons.

From March 4-8, Lost Watch, a company new to Greenwich, will present 'Kate', set in Iceland in 1940 when 2,500 British troops arrived in Reykjavik following the outbreak of war, while 'Thrill Me' - from April 8-18 - is set in Chicago in 1924, a chamber musical about two college kids who think they have committed the perfect murder.

"This is a really exceptional piece of work that has a string of awards," said James. "Climar Productions are putting it on in association with the theatre and we're all very excited about it."

The big focus in February is half term from Sunday 15 - Friday 20. James said: "Instead of bringing in one show for half term we are bringing in a programme of work. There's 'Captain Flynn and the Pirate Dinosaurs', based on the famous book, a show we co-produced in Edinburgh two years ago and brought to the South Bank last year.

"We also have a new musical adaptation of 'The Wind In The Willows' and we have a lovely show called 'Handa's Surprise', which comes to us from the Little Angel Theatre in Islington, one of the best puppet theatres in the country.

"One of the things we like to do is confound people's expectations in the way we use the building. They might see a show in the pop-up space in the café, they might do a workshop in an office or rehearse in a corridor. We really use every inch of the building. For 'Handa's Surprise', the audience will be limited to 30 people per show, who will join the cast on stage, which I think will be lovely."

Greenwich Theatre programmes roughly a year in advance but James said: "I always try and leave some gaps because I'm worried I'll be offered something brilliant in three months' time and I won't have a gap in the theatre. 'Thrill Me', for example, only went on sale very recently after we held a gap for it."

James has already seen some of the shows coming to Greenwich in the spring. He said: "Don Q is an exciting show and comes from a company called Flintlock Theatre from Oxford. They are artists in residence at Oxford Playhouse and it's their first time at Greenwich."

Greenwich Theatre has existed on the Crooms Hill site for 160 years, starting in 1865. "It has a huge and long heritage," said James, "and has, in my opinion, re-established its national identity and reputation over the last ten years.

"We've won national awards, so companies are queuing up to come to Greenwich and it is a joy for us to give a home to their productions. Companies want to come to Greenwich. There's great affection within the industry for Greenwich Theatre and within the theatre-going community, both local, London-wide and national."

*Details of all the spring season shows are available on the theatre's website - www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk - or you can pick up a free booklet at the theatre.