Wayne Sleep, Dani Harmer And Russell Grant Headline Exeter's New Rep Season

Professional theatre is coming to Exeter's city centre in spectacular style in the new year!

A star-studded new season is opening under the bold banner of Exeter-based theatre company, Kickline, with the aim of bringing top-class drama to the heart of the city in the newly refurbished Barnfield Theatre.

The stunning 2018 season opens with TWELFTH NIGHT, starring Wayne Sleep OBE as Malvolio and Derek Harmer, best-known as TV's Tracey Beaker, as Viola! The incredible cast also includes Olivier Award-winner Miles Western as Sir Andrew, Derek Frood (Poldark, A Christmas Carol) as Sir Toby and Hollyoaks star Che Watson as Orsino.

Producer Ian Trafford explains, "we often talk about a new theatre for Exeter, but that will cost millions of pounds if it ever arrives. As a theatre company, Kickline is Exeter born and bred and we have taken the initiative to use the fantastic assets the city already has! The Barnfield Theatre is cozy, with fantastic sight-lines and beautiful natural acoustics. We are investing in upgrading the stage to make it ready for an incredible professional season right in the city centre, next to all the car parks and amazing range of restaurants. Now people can make great theatre the centre of a whole evening out!"

The programme of new productions, tiled the LOVE IN DISGUISE season, also includes FRANKENSTEIN, starring James Sutton of Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, a brand new translation of the hilarious comedy LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, starring Exeter favourite Daniel Page (Billy Elliotoriginal cast) and Richard Gibson (Allo Allo's Herr Flick!) and an audacious new staging of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST starring Russell Grant as Lady Bracknell!

Ian beams, "Audiences in Exeter have been crying out for shows featuring high-profile stars. This season really delivers- as well as TV stars we also have incredible strength of casting with a huge number of actors who have appeared in the West End, with the Royal Shakespeare Company and at the National Theatre! We couldn't be prouder of the incredible casts we have assembled exclusively for performances in Exeter- these shows are not touring- if you want to see Russell's fantastic turn as Lady Bracknell, or Wayne's beautiful interpretation of Malvolio, you will only see them here in Exeter at the Barnfield Theatre!"

Tickets for the season have just gone on sale and full details can be found at www.kickline.co.uk. The box office is open daily on 01392 271808.