The Old Vic Announces its Autumn and Winter 2018 Productions, Including World Premiere of SYLVIA, BRIEF ENCOUNTER, and More

By: Jun. 05, 2018
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The Old Vic Announces its Autumn and Winter 2018 Productions, Including World Premiere of SYLVIA, BRIEF ENCOUNTER, and More

The Old Vic is presenting two world premieres, a UK premiere and the return of a much loved, joyful Christmas hit production for Part 1 of Matthew Warchus' fourth season.

The world premiere of hip hop musical SYLVIA from ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company.

The UK premiere of 17c, a multi-media dance theatre production conceived and directed by

New York choreographer Annie-B Parson.

A world premiere of Angela Carter's novel Wise Children, adapted and directed by Emma Rice.

Jack Thorne's version of A Christmas Carol directed by Matthew Warchus returns with Stephen Tompkinson announced as Ebenezer Scrooge.

Coming soon:

A new adaptation for the stage by Lucy Prebble of Luke Harding's A Very Expensive Poison, world premiere, coming soon in 2019.

From The Old Vic:

On UK tour: 'ART' (produced at The Old Vic in 2016) is currently on a UK tour until June 2018.

Kneehigh Theatre's acclaimed production of Noël Coward's Brief Encounter runs at the Empire Cinema in London's West End in a co-production with The Old Vic, David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and Steve & Jenny Wiener until 2 September 2018.

Dr. Seuss's The Lorax is currently playing at The Children's Theatre Company, Minneapolis, until 10 June 2018 and then runs at The Old Globe, San Diego, from 3 July-12 August 2018.

Girl from the North Country at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto, from September 2019.

Artistic Director Matthew Warchus commented:

'The Old Vic's new identity aims to be more welcoming, more surprising, more entertaining, more daring and more accessible than ever before. Developing a new audience is one of the most important responsibilities of any theatre. It is also one of the greatest pleasures. A very encouraging product of our new approach to mixed programming (classics alongside new writing, musicals alongside dance pieces, art house work alongside populist entertainment) is that since 2015 our overall audience numbers have increased by nearly 10% and are still growing.

I'm delighted to present four invigorating upcoming productions.

In September we are proud to welcome ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company onto The Old Vic stage with their exciting new show, SYLVIA. This production stands as the highlight in a range of Old Vic projects celebrating the centenary of the first women in Britain getting the vote. The Old Vic turns 200 this year and was established by two brilliantly tenacious and visionary women - Emma Cons and Lilian Baylis - so it is particularly gratifying to be celebrating Sylvia Pankhurst's world-changing achievements in the advancement of democracy and equality during this anniversary.

Following SYLVIA is 17c - a new dance work about Samuel Pepys from New York choreographer Annie-B Parson. Annie-B previously made a great impact in London with her infectious and dazzling choreography in the David Byrne musical Here Lies Love, and now she is bringing her own very popular company, Big Dance Theater, to London for the first time.

Then, in October, the incomparable Emma Rice will launch her new company with a rambunctious adaptation of Angela Carter's theatrical novel, Wise Children.

Kate, Annie-B and Emma, in completely different ways, have a fantastic track record of delighting audiences with high-spirited mischief and bold theatrical energy.

The festive season at The Old Vic will once again be celebrated with mince pies, satsumas, handbells, much singing, dancing, tears and laughter (not to mention copious snowfall and a turkey on a zipwire) in the return of Jack Thorne's euphoric version of A Christmas Carol. I am hugely looking forward to remounting the show and transforming the auditorium again. Of all the shows I have ever directed, I think this might well be my favourite. It is conceived to be enjoyed with or without children so don't miss out!

The Old Vic is your local theatre. Come and join in.'

The Old Vic, one of the best-loved theatres in the world, has a proud 200-year history of creative adventure. Now, with Matthew Warchus as its Artistic Director, it is intent on forging a sustainable identity as one of the most exciting producing theatres in the country. Our goal is to view The Old Vic's 1000 seats as a wide and welcoming 'gateway' to an eclectic range of world-class theatrical experiences - from star performances in classic revivals to new writing, via original musicals, dance productions and family shows.

They are committed to producing an adventurous programme of work that demonstrates theatre's capacity to draw out powerful emotions, provoke debate, challenge perceived norms, and to celebrate how our political, social and personal growth is fuelled by a nation's culture.

The truth about producing exciting and socially relevant work in this or any venue, at ticket prices that exclude no one, is that only some of the productions will be commercially viable. Indeed, many of the most engaging and important shows can never be expected to cover their costs.

As a not-for-profit organisation without regular public subsidy, The Old Vic needs financial support to underpin its programming and maintain its ambition of being an indispensable cultural beacon at a local, national and international level.

The Public Fund has been formed by a group of visionary donors and philanthropists, including Bloomberg Philanthropies, to support The Old Vic's wide-ranging programming in its 200th year and beyond.

For more information, visit https://www.oldvictheatre.com/.


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