Unicorn Theatre Announces Plans For Autumn 2017 And Beyond

Artistic Director, Purni Morell has announced another ambitious season of work for children from 6 months upwards through to teenagers and adults, that continues to mark out the Unicorn as the UK's leading producer of high quality, innovative and ground-breaking theatre for young audiences that rivals the best of adult theatre out there.

This season, the 70th since the Unicorn first began in 1947, continues the need for artistic risk-taking and a continued commitment to working with leading UK and European artists in showcasing a wide range of styles and genres as well as to diverse casting and creative teams.

Purni Morell, Artistic Director, said 'In a world that is retrenching, putting up walls and cutting back, the need to find things that bring us together is ever more important. This season is about humanity - asking us all to test the limits of our own empathy and understanding and, I hope, stretching each of us just that little bit further to understand one another.'

SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Wed 30 Aug - Sat 2 Sep 2017
9.45am - 5pm

The Unicorn Theatre is celebrating its 70th season launch with a series of activities for the whole family to enjoy during the summer holidays. Across four days there are over 60 activities including puppetry with Puppet Soup, circus skills with Albert & Friends Instant Circus, clay hand-printing and paper crafts.

Free and ticketed events (prices from £3) - early booking recommended. Drop-in sessions available and a small number of workshop places bookable on the day.

https://www.unicorntheatre.com/Celebrating70

FOYLE STUDIO

A Unicorn Production in association with Theatr Iolo

BABY SHOW

Created by Sarah Argent & Kevin Lewis
Directed by Sarah Argent

From Wednesday 9 August 2017 - Sunday 29 July 2018 (various dates throughout the year)

IT'S BABY'S FIRST ADVENTURE.

Baby Show gently explores the fun to be had in getting ready to go outside. Following the success of Scrunch and Seesaw, Baby Show (back for a second run with dates throughout the year) is a musical and sensory performance with captivating images and intriguing sounds that keeps eager, curious young minds rapt.

Age guide: strictly 6 - 18 months / Duration: 40 mins (incl. 15 mins playtime)

CLORE THEATRE

A Unicorn Production

LAIKA

By Bryony Hannah and Avye Leventis

Sunday 24 September - Sunday 12 November 2017

PRESS PERFORMANCE: TUESDAY 3 OCTOBER 2017, 7PM

BRAVE THE UNKNOWN.

Laika, the space dog: the first living creature to orbit earth. That was in 1957. Today it's 2057, and Sami lives with his mum. She's an astronaut and she understands that there could be a better future out in space. But Sami's life is down here. So now they must face the prospect of letting go, saying goodbye and - just like Laika - head off into the unknown. A moving sci-fi adventure, inventively and beautifully told using puppetry, movement and music.

Age guide: 6 - 12 / Duration: Approx 1 hr

CLORE THEATRE

An Imaginart (Barcelona) / Unicorn co-production

SENSACIONAL

Thursday 10 August 2017 - Sunday 29 July 2018 (various dates throughout the year)

THE SENSORY SPECTACULAR FOR TODDLERS RETURNS!

Following four hugely successful runs at the venue, Sensacional is back to charm and engage young audience members. Bursting with colour and joy, this interactive and immersive digital experience will captivate children and parents alike.

Bring your toddler along to a sound and light show in which they are the participants. Watch as your child puts on a white suit and becomes part of a digital world of ladybirds, shapes, squiggles and squarks that won't keep still, no matter how hard you try to catch them!

Age guide: strictly 18 months - 3 years / Duration: 40 mins

Weston Theatre

A Unicorn Production

BEOWULF

By Chris Thorpe

Directed by Justin Audibert

Sunday 1 October - Sunday 5 November 2017

PRESS PERFORMANCE: WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER, 7PM

WHAT WILL YOU FIGHT FOR?

At the end of this tale, I'll go to fight a dragon.
And I will be no more.

Beowulf is the longest surviving epic poem in Old English. Writer Chris Thorpe (Victory Condition, Confirmation at Royal Court) shines a new perspective on the seminal text, drawing out connections between the ancient and the modern worlds in this tale of heroism, fear, bravery and anguish in the battle of life.

An exciting, adventurous and atmospheric new interpretation performed with live music.

Age guide: 8 - 13 / Duration: Approx 1 hour 15 mins

WESTON THEATRE

A Unicorn Production

THE VELVETEEN RABBIT

By Margery Williams
Directed by Purni Morell

Friday 17 November - Sunday 31 December 2017

PRESS PERFORMANCE: TUESDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2017 at 7PM

REAL ISN'T HOW YOU ARE MADE. IT'S A THING THAT HAPPENS TO YOU.

One of the Unicorn Theatre's most Popular Productions in recent times, The Velveteen Rabbit returns for Christmas following three successful runs at the Unicorn and a Broadway transfer.

Directed by Purni Morell, The Velveteen Rabbit in a large-scale stage adaptation for the whole family. This magical and moving story examines how toys and people, come alive through the wisdom and experience of love.

The Velveteen Rabbit tells the story of a little boy and a very shy toy rabbit who longs for nothing more than to be loved and become real. He spends his days waiting patiently on the nursery floor, watching the boy play with the other toys and dreaming of the day he'll be picked up again.

Loved by adults and children alike, The Velveteen Rabbit is an enchanting story of friendship, transformation and growing up, which takes us to the very heart of toys and children and speaks of things it finds there; fear, loyalty, compassion and wonder.

Age guide: for everyone aged 5 and over / Duration: 1 hr 30 mins (incl. interval)

CLORE THEATRE

A Travelling Light and Bristol Old Vic production

BOING!

Directed by Sally Cookson
Choreographed and performed by Wilkie Branson and Joêl Daniel

Wednesday 22 November to Sunday 31 December 2017

PRESS PERFORMANCE: FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2017 AT 1.45PM

Boing! returns to the Unicorn for a second Christmas run.

Sally Cookson directs this energetic and enchanting piece of dance theatre that captures the delirious excitement of waiting for Santa to arrive on the most magical night of the year.

There are beds to be jumped on, pillows to be fought with, seas to be sailed... On this most extraordinary night, let your imagination soar right up to the stars.

Following in their tradition of bringing enchanting shows for small children to venues up and down the country, Travelling Light have created this show to get your feet tingling and your head spinning with a whirl of colourful images and playful sounds.

Age guide: 2 - 6 / Duration: Approx 50 mins

WESTON THEATRE

A Campo Arts Centre (Ghent), Unicorn Theatre, Norfolk & Norwich Festival Production in Association with Gessnerallzürich

Wild Life FM

Directed by Pol Heyvaert
Devised by Pol Heyvaert, Kim Noble and the cast
Musical direction by Jakob Ampe

Friday 12 - Saturday 20 January 2018

PRESS PERFORMANCE: FRIDAY 12 JANUARY 2018, 7PM

WHAT WILL YOU BROADCAST?

This show is not going to be what you expect. It's not a play. It's not a gig. It's also both of those things.

Eight musicians from London and Norfolk join performance artist Kim Noble, director Pol Heyvaert (CAMPO, Belgium) and musician Jakob Ampe to create this new piece for 2017: an honest, raw exposition of what it's like being young today. A live radio show on how to discover yourself through music.

A new collaboration between CAMPO (Before Your Very Eyes, Next Day, Five Easy Pieces) and the Unicorn. Read more about Wild Life at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival.

Unicorn Late events: free live music, open mic nights and beer offers after select evening performances.

Age guide: 14+ (may contain strong language and sexual references) / Duration: Approx 1 hr 10 mins (no interval)

CLORE THEATRE

A Unicorn Production

Seesaw

By Stewart Melton
Directed by Sarah Argent

Friday 26 January - Sunday 11 March 2018

PRESS PERFORMANCE: WEDNESDAY 31 JANUARY 2018 AT 1.30PM

A SEESAW ONLY WORKS WITH TWO.

Being little can be hard work. There are holes to dig, sand castles to make, treasures to find, adventures to be had. It's much easier when you have a friend to help. But what if making friends is hard work too?

Seesaw explores the push and pull of friendship, and the ups and downs of being very young.

Age guide: 3 - 6 / Duration: 50 mins

WESTON THEATRE

A Unicorn Production

Othello

By Ignace Cornelissen
Inspired by William Shakespeare
Directed by Ian Nicholson

Saturday 3 February - Saturday 3 March 2018

PRESS PERFORMANCE: THURSDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2018 AT 7PM

IS BEING YOURSELF ENOUGH?

Othello, the bold, brash, confident solider, and Desdemona, the Senator's daughter, are truly in love - but not everyone is happy about it. And that is where the problem begins and tolerance ends.

Inspired by William Shakespeare's great tragedy, this is a modern, funny and inspired play by Belgian playwright Ignace Cornelissen (Henry the Fifth, The Hunting Lodge) that brings the story of Othello to life for younger audiences and reflects on the nature of relationships, friendships and how our flaws and feelings can blind us to the truth.

Age guide: 8 - 12 / Duration: Approx 1 hr

WESTON THEATRE

A Unicorn Production

Beginners

Written and directed by Tim Crouch

Tuesday 20 March - Sunday 15 April 2018
PRESS PERFORMANCE: WEDNESDAY 28 MARCH 2018, 7PM

LET'S DISCUSS THIS LIKE ADULTS.

Beginners b????n?s / plural noun
1. a person who has just started to do or learn something.
2. a call given to prepare to start a play.

Beginners tells the story of three families trapped in a waterlogged holiday cottage over summer. The children are bored. The adults are down the pub. So far so normal.

Renowned, award-winning writer and director Tim Crouch presents this joyous and imaginative new play for families everywhere. Beginners is an exquisite, funny and moving story that reminds us that the adult we'll become - and the child we were - stay with us wherever we go.

An extraordinary Easter Holiday show for everyone who has ever wanted to be understood.

Age guide: 9 - adult / Duration: Approx 1 hr 30 mins

WESTON THEATRE

A CAMPO / IIPM Production

FIVE EASY PIECES

By Milo Rau

Friday 27 & Saturday 28 April 2018

POWER, THEATRE AND HUMANITY.

Since 2012, the Unicorn has programmed a strand of work for adults that invites us to think about how children experience our society. This year's show by highly regarded and controversial Swiss director, Milo Rau, deals with some of our greatest fears and taboos. In Five Easy Pieces, seven children aged 9 - 14 recreate the interviews and statements of those affected by Marc Dutroux, Belgium's notorious serial killer.

Moving and at times funny, this remarkable, sensitive and politically-charged show interrogates the darkest corners of society and questions our assumptions.

Age guide: 14 - adult / Duration: 1 hr 30 mins (no interval)

This play refers to real life accounts from the Dutroux case which some audiences may find upsetting. Contact the Box Office for more information.

For information about other festivals and events visit unicorntheatre.com/FreeEvents.