EMARGOED (Until Thursday April 1 at 12noon)
A TENTH anniversary show about Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli’s 1964 London Palladium concert, a Shakespeare double-bill and horrible stunts for kids – live theatre is arriving back at Coventry’s Albany Theatre.
The city’s art deco theatre has its sun hat at the ready as a new season of sizzling hot summer events is today (Thursday April 1) announced as part of Coventry’s diverse cultural offering for 2021.
Kevin Shaw, CEO and artistic director of The Albany said: “After a year like no other, we are thrilled to have a positive plan going forward following the government roadmap.
“Although we understand these reopening dates are subject to change, we are confident that with the great success of the vaccine rollout and dedication of the public, our summer season will go ahead as planned.
“Our diverse programme is packed with outstanding professional and community productions, weekend festivals, and exciting partnership projects that will showcase the development the theatre is making in its arts for life initiative within the community!”
Highlights from July through to September include Judy & Liza – 10th Anniversary Tour, Saturday June 12) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream & Macbeth – two Shakespeare double-bills condensed into 40 minutes by four actors from the Four Forty Theatre Company (Thursday July 15 & Friday July 16).
A week-long festival (July 18 – 24) from the National Drama Festivals Association (NDFA) showcases the best in amateur theatre, workshops with top theatre professionals and a day conference on diversity and inclusivity in British amateur theatre.
There’s more drama in A Perfect Likeness (September 2), a rollicking Victorian odd-couple encounter between Lewis Carroll and Charles Dickens, Nigel Planer’s farce All Above Board and Loop, a short drama presenting a snapshot of a life with depression.
During the school summer holidays comedian turned stunt man Joe Zalias brings his interactive family-friendly show Joe Zalias and his Horrible Stunts for Kids (August 24), and there is Funny Business Theatre Company’s adaptation of Goldilocks and the Three Bears (August 26 &27).
In September you can look forward to a performance of Swan Lake by the Russian National Ballet (September 25), The Ballroom Boys: Act Two (September 26) and An Evening with Andrew Davies (September 30), hosted with Earlsdon Carnegie Community Library. Multi award-winning writer Andrew Davies, best known for his work on Bridget Jones’s Diary, Pride and Prejudice and BBC series A Suitable Boy along others.
2022 will see the return of Strictly stars Giovanni Pernice and Neil Jones, both gracing the stage of The Albany with solo tours.
Tickets for the summer season will go on sale today (Thursday April 1) at midday here.
