Laurie Sansom News

Four leading theatre companies in the North have come together in a unique collaboration to support young people as they develop their playwriting skills. 

Dynamic Halifax-based company Northern Broadsides has announced the appointment of Debbie Richards as their new Chair. 

Delicious Regency farce Quality Street comes to Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre next month. A co-production from Northern Broadsides and the New Vic Theatre, it can be seen in the Round from 6 to 10 June.

Musical Theatre Network (MTN), which brings people and resources together to improve opportunities for new musical theatre, is thrilled to announce its new patron - HOWARD GOODALL CBE, one of Britain's best-known composers of choral music, stage musicals, TV and film scores, and a distinguished music historian and broadcaster.

See photos from inside rehearsal for for the delicious Regency farce Quality Street, touring the UK this year. From the beloved writer of Peter Pan, the acclaimed original run in 2020 was cut  short by the pandemic and has now been revived for 2023.

Northern Broadsides has announced the appointment of Ruth Cooke as their new Executive Director. Having had extensive experience of leadership within the arts, Cooke specialises in communications, audience development, and community engagement.

The National Youth Theatre (NYT) has announced free auditions around the country in Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, London and Manchester this February. Young people will also be able to audition online using the National Youth Theatre Hub.

The cast has been announced for the delicious Regency farce Quality Street, touring the UK this year. From the beloved writer of Peter Pan, the acclaimed original run in 2020 was cut short by the pandemic and has now been revived for 2023. The popularity of J.M. Barrie’s romantic comedy was such a sensation in its day that it gave its name to the UK’s most loved chocolates: Quality Street™. 

From the beloved writer of Peter Pan, the delicious farce Quality Street has been revived to tour the UK next year. Having been Laurie Sansom's directorial debut production as Northern Broadsides' Artistic Director, the original acclaimed run in 2020 was cut short by the pandemic.

As their production of Marvellous takes the West End by storm, Staffordshire's New Vic Theatre has announced a season of work that features an innovative theatrical experiment, a revival of a cult classic, a rare staging of a hit regency comedy and more, as they collaborate with partners across the country including Headlong Theatre and Told by an Idiot, for spring 2023.

As previously announced, in autumn 2022 Rona Munro returns to Scottish stages with a bold new production:  James IV – Queen of the Fight, directed by Laurie Sansom - the formidable duo who brought us James I, II and III.

Coming to Perth Theatre from Thursday 21 until Saturday 23 April, Northern Broadsides and New Vic’s production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It is a bold and refreshing take on the bard’s most musical comedy. Directed by former Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Scotland, Laurie Sansom, known by Perth audiences for his stunning direction on his NTS swansong; the dramatic and heart-rending The 306: Dawn, As You Like It features a 12-strong cast of actors include non-binary and disabled performers.

The National Youth Theatre (NYT) has announced Audition Open Days around the UK - a free workshop giving young people audition advice and introducing them to the NYT ethos and the world of theatre making.

The cast has been announced for Northern Broadsides and New Vic Theatre's world premiere co-production of As You Like It. Drawn from across the worlds of stage, TV and film, including award-winning productions, the 12 fabulous Northern actors include non-binary and disabled performers.

As announced earlier this year, in autumn 2022 Rona Munro returns to Scottish stages with a bold new production:  James IV – Queen of the Fight, directed by Laurie Sansom - the formidable duo who brought us James I, II and III. T

Marking the company's first full scale touring production since Quality Street was curtailed by the pandemic in March 2020.

The world premiere stage production of everyday hero Neil ‘Nello’ Baldwin’s story Marvellous will be performed from Friday 11 March to Saturday 9 April. The story of Nello’s extraordinary life has previously been adapted into a BAFTA winning film and a book.

Today Raw Material and Capital Theatres in association with the National Theatre of Scotland announce a new large-scale production James IV – Queen of the Fight that will come to stages across Scotland in autumn 2022.

Northern Broadsides presents  Beyond These Walls, including four shorts by Tennessee Williams. directed by Laurie Sansom. Northern Broadsides return to the stage with four rarely performed short works with a contemporary resonance - reimagined for the first time in the North of England, in the Northern voice.

One of the most rigorous and exciting talent development initiatives, The 24 Hour Plays, are coming back to the UK after a break of nearly ten years. The Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield, working in partnership with The 24 Hour Plays in New York, is delighted to announce the return of the process with the newly created The 24 Hour Plays UK.