The Albany Theatre Announces Upcoming Season

With the opening of the new studio and brand-new entrance now complete, The Albany Theatre has had a busy year but with the launch of the autumn season, things are about to get even busier.

The theatre and studio will be hosting more shows than ever before with a mix of professional dance, drama, music and comedy alongside local dance schools and musical societies planned through Christmas and into the New Year.

The season opens with an explosive one-woman show in the studio. Woman on Fire celebrates the centenary of women winning the right to vote and takes audiences to the blistering heart of the UK suffrage movement in a funny, sad, tense but compelling drama.

The Albany welcomes some big names to Coventry this season with Jason Donovan, Ralph McTell and Ann Widdecombe appearing in their own shows.

There are two especially created productions to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice - acclaimed folk duo, Green Matthews with The Men Who Marched Away and Ceridwen Theatre with Armistice: The Long Road to Peace perform in the studio - using music, poetry, drama and humour in poignant tributes to those who sacrificed so much.

There's the return of some favourite acts by popular demand: The Rat Pack return with a Christmas special, Elvis is back in the building and Strictly star, Giovanni Pernice is back for the third year running to premiere his latest UK tour, Il Ballo e Vita - Dance is Life.

The Albany has added several family and child-friendly productions to the programme to ensure that everyone can enjoy the theatre together and are delighted to introduce some national award-winning companies. Look out for heart-warming tales full of music, song and dance - Guess How Much I Love You, Tabby McTat, The Twits, Doctor Dolittle and How to Hide a Lion promise to keep audiences of all ages enchanted and entertained.

The acclaimed Ceridwen Theatre Company return to The Albany with their festive family treat, Peter Pan. Take a trip to Neverland for the adventure of a lifetime in a magical world full of faith, and trust and pixie dust! Ceridwen Theatre's retelling of JM Barrie's classic has been especially adapted for The Albany stage and features exquisite puppetry, an unforgettable original music score and heroic swordplay in an action-packed, festive family treat. Suitable for all the family, the production weaves a beautiful tale of adventure and friendship with a festive sprinkling of fairy dust.

See in the New Year with panto from local musical society, Three Spires & Guildhall... they're presenting Beauty & the Beast - oh yes they are!

And into the spring... from the hits of Wham! to the joy of the ballet Swan Lake with even a bit of politics thrown in, The Albany Theatre promises that there's something for everyone in the new season.

Brochures with full listings are available from the theatre and at outlets all over Coventry and Warwickshire. The website also has complete details about performances including times and ticket prices - www.albanytheatre.co.uk - where there's more to discover about the 40+ shows now on sale through Autumn and Christmas and into the New Year.