Joseph Rowntree Theatre

Whistle Down the Wind is a musical based on the 1961 film Whistle Down the Wind with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Jim Steinman, known for his work with Meat Loaf and Bonnie Tyler.

Lyrics: Jim Steinman

Drawn from across the country, the CLCGB National Band come to York for their annual concert. Featuring over 60 young musicians from the North West, North East, Leicester and even the South Coast in a mass military style concert band. With a programme of Big Band, Musicals and marches there is sure to be something to please everyone.

All four of the Shepherd Group Brass Bands return to perform a selection of classics.

To celebrate 100 years of Rowntree Players, on the 13th to 15th of June 2013 we are presenting Centenary Follies - A variety show for all the family to enjoy.

Rowntree Players began as a group of workers hoping to gain confidence to become managers at the factory under Seeborm Rowntree and it has continued to provide drama, pantomime and variety to the people of York and beyond.

We ask you to join us in a journey through our history remembering times past and present. The show is packed full of dancing, singing, music and sketches and we guarantee this bright and exciting show will leave you smiling and dancing out of the theatre!

We Are Theatre present this new family musical based on Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland.

Music Composed by Dennis Westgate
Musical Direction & Arrangement by Hugh Barwell, Lee Saltmer & Ian Wilson

Local choir The Tuesday Singers from Escrick along with Soloists Jo Pears, Yvonne Garside, George Horne, Ken Humphries and Musical Director Don Pears host Music for a Summer’s Evening.

The concert will feature musical tributes to Andy Williams, Marvin Hamlisch and Lyricist Hal David.

In addition there will be a section of music written by Ivor Novello including We'll gather lilacs & Rose of England, Music by Burt Bacharach including Magic Moments, Raindrops keep falling on my head and Trains, Boats & Planes.

The concert will also feature a selection on rivers including Moon River, Deep River, When the gentle Avon flows and The water of Tyne.

A great evening of musical entertainment fundraising for the Joseph Rowntree Theatre.

A cast of 25, dance from Egypt, Spain and beyond. Explosive energy, intimate moments, and some surprises. A wonderful and inspirational night of entertainment.

Xander Jackson is a self-assured, occasionally cocky, 27 year old working in the city.

Whilst living with his girlfriend, Zoe, he lusts after a more exciting lifestyle.

Promiscuous workmate, Madison, and demure school friend, Paige, weave their own stimulation into Xander's life.

With pulses racing 3 modern women compete for the love of one luck guy.

Let the games begin...

Written and Composed by Antony Irwin

Seasons is an original musical, which delves into the lives of two relationships that are suddenly changed forever.

Former classmates - Helen and Peter reconnect with one another at a high school reunion, which leads to an unexpected pregnancy, whilst mother and daughter – Hope and Mrs. Jones are trying to grapple with an unwelcome diagnosis, which tears their lives apart.

Written and composed by Elaine Pechacek and Katie Hammond Seasons explores the characters with humour and realism, which will leave the audience wanting more until the bitter end.

The melodies were not just catchy, hummable, and memorable but also richly layered with flavors and nuances that delviered a vivid emotional spectrum and allowed the audience to see each character’s faults and failures as well as their triumphs. – The Happiest Medium

Written and Composed by Elaine Pechacek and Katie Hammond
Directed by Robert Readman
Musical Director Barbara Chan

Francesca’s Passenger is a new musical set in 1948.

The story follows a shy, quiet young woman called Francesca, who is trying to escape her troubled upbringing, which continues to haunt her. Uprooting to a new town, she begins to slowly rebuild her life as she starts her new job working as a governess. However, once she realises this household is full of its own secrets, she finds she cannot help but be changed by what is happening around her, and in turn change them. However, it is not her that causes this affect, but rather what she brings with her…

Exploring grief, vulnerability, friendship and learning to love again, Francesca’s Passenger is a heartfelt and deeply moving production, which explores the traumas of war.

Written, Composed and Directed by Becky Callaghan

Please note only an extract of Francesca’s Passenger will be shown.

BBC Radio 2 Golden Oldie Nominee Rob Winlow is delighted to present a reading of his new musical adaptation of the life of Jane Austen.

Austen The Musical explores Jane’s struggle to have her work published in a male dominated environment, her failed romances, her vow to reject a woman’s conventional lifestyle in Georgian England.

A stunning story following Jane Austen’s transition from a country parson’s daughter to one of the most widely read writers in English Literature. Austen The Musical is full of stunning songs with moments of joy, despair and heart-wrenching sadness.

Described as a writer and composer who shows real promise ‘as a story-teller who can operate efficiently in the musical form’, Rob Winlow’s reading of Austen The Musical will leave you wanting more.

Written, Composed and Directed by Rob Winlow

Please note Austen The Musical is a rehearsed reading production.

After a quarrel between her father and mother, a young girl called Julie is left all alone with only her teddy bear for comfort.

With Big Ted’s support and gifts from Martha the Fairy, Julie sets out to search for something that’s lost; a secret treasure, a long lost desire; something she cannot remember. However, with the arrival of Sally the evil Witch and her Creatures of the Night, who are equipped with magical powers which are used to kidnap abandoned Street Children, things are not going to be as easy as it initially seems.

Will Julie be snatched up like the other street children? Or will she rise up to the challenge and manage to reach her Grandma’s shack in time for Christmas? And will she finally find that mysterious thing she has been looking for?

Filled with delightful song, music and dance in a beautiful theatrical environment with a vibrant set and costumed characters, Girl With A Torch is a truly magical production that you and your children will cherish forever.

Written, Composed and Directed by Judit Catan

Written and Composed by York based Mike Rogerson, Cindy Weller is a reworking of the well known story of Cinderella, but with a twist!

Cindy Weller a beautiful young girl from a golfing family, is stuck at home looking after her dad and her horrible twin brothers, who force her to cook, clean and slave for them on a daily basis.

Banned from playing golf by her widowed father, she eventually gets the chance to play with the help of the Ladies Captain and falls hopelessly in love with a handsome and charming golf pro, but it's not all what it seems......

Full of original 60’s style songs, humorous scenes and of course a good round of golf. Cindy Weller is a fabulous family show, which will have you laughing from beginning to end.

Written and Composed by Mike Rogerson

It’s 1588 and Queen Elizabeth’s England is on the verge of being invaded by the Spanish Armada.

Dr John Dee (bogus Philosopher, Scientist, Magician and Astrologer to the throne) manipulates the Queen into stationing his young supernatural apprentice Sarah on board Sir Francis Drake’s ship to help defeat the invasion.

Onboard ship, Sarah falls hopelessly in love with Thomas. She takes the conflict into her own hands leaving her life hanging in the balance.

What will become of Sarah? Will she be reunited with Thomas, remain Dr John Dee’s puppet or even lose her life in the process of fighting for Queen and Country?

Written and composed by BBC Radio 2 Golden Oldie Nominee Rob Winlow, Armada The Musical is a multimedia contemporary production filled with brilliantly executed songs, traditional costumes and dance. Armada The Musical is an outstanding production for the whole family to see.

Written, Composed and Directed: Rob Winlow

Rachel Wiseman has always dreamed of making her father, Rabbi Wiseman, proud by becoming a Rabbitzen (a Rabbi’s wife). On the brink of making their dreams come true, Rachel’s friendship with Sarah blossoms into love. See her choose between her heart and her dreams through charming and emotive songs.

Written and composed by newcomer Emily Rose Simons, Confessions Of A Rabbi’s Daughter is a one-woman musical filled with quirky, funny and charming dialogue and lyrics, which challenges tradition vs modernity and stability vs excitement.

Written, Composed and Directed by Emily Rose Simons