2009 Events

Set firmly in, and often about, New York, Company follows five married, once married, or soon to be married couples and their mutual friend, Robert, a 35 year old bachelor who has been unable to connect in a long-term relationship. The relationships are presented in a series of vignettes, primarily through Bobby's eyes, so that we see the less than ideal aspects of commitment. However, it is obvious to the audience that the committed are happy. Eventually, Bobby learns that while relationships aren't perfect, they are a necessary part of "Being Alive"

Company is regarded as the third great ground-breaking American Musical after Showboat and Oklahoma.

Includes the songs Getting Married Today, You Could Drive a Person Crazy, The Ladies Who Lunch, The Little Things You Do Together, Side by Side and Being Alive.

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by George Furth.

When Yorkshire style Shakespearean prose and tragedy meets rum Northern humour and rugby the result is a modern theatrical classic

John Godber's Up 'n' Under centres on the amateur rugby league team of the Wheatsheaf Arms who can only muster a side of four and whose pride lies in their unbroken record of defeat (54-0 their most spectacular score yet)! For an outrageous bet, Arthur, a retired player, undertakes to train the boys for a match against The Cobblers - the best side in the north of England. Arthur enlists the help of Hazel who runs a body-building gym and he's confident. Will the Wheatsheaf lads beat the terror of the 7-a-side league?

Join Rowntree Players on this heart-warmingly funny journey of pride, desperation, friendship and teamwork.

Director: Howard Ella
Assistant Director: Graham Smith

Act I features songs by Jerry Herman and Irving Berlin

Act II: A Night At The Operetta

Musical Director: Don Pears

Bombay Dreams, 70’s Show, Old Time Music Hall, We Will Rock You and Much More!!!!!

Please note that the Friday performance has been cancelled.

Bev Jones' Northern Musical Theatre Company follow their recent Showtime Spectacular 3 success, and last year's Fame, The Musical, and Pirates of Penzance at York Theatre Royal, with an uplifting, vibrant fun-loving musical, with colourful sixties costumes, big hair, cheesy dance routines, cheesy smiles, and well-known sing-a-long Cliff Richard songs that will have everyone in the audience, up on their feet, clapping their hands and maybe even doing a little bit of twisting the night away.

All your favourite Cliff Richard songs such as The Young Ones, Bachelor Boy, Move It and On The Beach to name but a few.

This unashamedly light hearted musical will put a smile on your face on even the coldest, dull wintry day. Bev once again brings together his very own show band, his youthful company, with many familiar faces, plus a few new ones, and the expertise of Christine Aspinall, the now familiar ex West End choreographer who puts her very own style into every show, as many of you have told us after seeing Fame and Showtime, and who is excited to be staging the fast, vigourous classic dance routines for West Side Story in Bev's summer production in 2009. Not to be missed!

The Youth Theatre Premiere of the famous fable of Robin Hood with an entertaining mixture of comedy, romance and dramatic fight scenes.

Join Robin, the Sheriff of Nottingham, Maid Marion and Friar Tuck as they steal from the rich to give to the poor and entertain the whole family.

An idyllic Edwardian Christmas in London is interrupted by a knock at the door and a family’s life is changed forever. Father is wrongfully arrested and Mother and the three children, Roberta, Peter and Phyllis, are forced to move to Yorkshire. Discovering a railway near their new house is just the beginning of a series of adventures set over one long summer.

Local children take the parts of the Perks young family and of course the Railway Children themselves, with Emma Craggs, of Tadcaster Grammar School, returning to a principle role to play Bobbie (following her successful portrayal of the title role in Annie) and 12 year old William Hartley and 10 year old Gabrielle Richardson (both of St Olaves School), as her brother and sister, Peter and Phyllis under the skilful direction of Ann McCreadie, the show’s Producer.

This endurable story, which has been enjoyed by generations of families, is brought to life in a new dimension by heartfelt ballads, stirring choral numbers and tuneful melodies

An unruly bunch of bright, funny sixth-form boys in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university. A maverick English teacher at odds with the young and shrewd supply teacher. A headmaster obsessed with results and a history teacher who thinks he's a fool. In Alan Bennett's award winning play, staff-room rivalry and the anarchy of adolescence provoke insistent questions about history and how you teach it; about education and its purpose.

The History Boys is one of the finest plays Bennett has ever written, packed with superb one-liners. A play of depth as well as dazzle, intensely moving as well as thought-provoking and funny.

The History Boys premiered at The National Theatre in May 2004.
The History Boys was released as a film in 2006.

Once again the 3 bands that represent The Shepherd Group Brass Band organisation are back to entertain this spring at The Joseph Rowntree Theatre with songs old and new. The Beginners Band will charm you; The Concert Band will give you a true taste of brass band music that will lead into the main course that is The Senior Band. The music will be uplifting and enjoyable.

The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte) was Mozart's last opera and is often hailed as his greatest. Performed more than one hundred times in its first year alone, the opera gathered ever-increasing public acclaim, but lost its composer, who died barely a month after the première in December 1791.

Influenced by the ideals of humanity put forward by Freemasonry, Mozart and his librettist, Emanuel Schikaneder - both members of the Brotherhood - created a witty, intriguing and spectacular tale, which tells of the Prince Tamino's endeavor for victory over the powers of darkness and evil. Only with the protection of the magic flute and bells, can Tamino and the delightful Birdcatcher, Papageno, conquer the trials and perils of the journey before them...

Director: John Soper
Musical Director: Alasdair Jamieson

Set in 1934, the farce revolves around renowned tenor Tito Merelli, known to his fans as "Il Stupendo," who is scheduled to sing the lead in Otello, produced as a gala fundraiser for the Cleveland Opera Company. Unfortunately, even before the star leaves his hotel room, everything begins to unravel. Chaos ensues when Merelli's wife, who has mistaken an autograph-seeker hidden in his closet for a secret lover, leaves him a "Dear John" letter. The distraught Merelli accidentally is given a double dose of tranquilizers to calm him and passes out. Saunders, the company's General Manager, is determined the show must go on (for his own financial sake), so he asks his assistant Max to impersonate the opera star. Max puts on the blackface makeup required for the role of Otello, and his disguise succeeds admirably — until Merelli, also in blackface, wakes up and heads for the stage. What follows is a chain-reaction of mistaken identity, plot twists, double entendres, innuendoes, and constant entrances and exits through many doors.

Featuring the Wiggington Primary School and the Archbishop of York C of E Primary School Choirs,who shall be singing songs from Oliver and Mary Poppins.

Fanfare will be playing Popular Tunes and Songs from the Shows as well as their usual novelty items.

The Likes of Us was the first collaboration between Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice, before their success with Joseph. The show is on limited release to amateur companies in celebration of Andrew's 60th birthday.

It is then expected to open professionally in London's West End.

Reminiscent of Oliver! The Likes of Us tells the story of philanthropist Dr Thomas Barnardo. A medical student bound for China to work as a medical missionary, Barnardo discovers the appalling conditions of the poor children of London and decides to stay in England to care for them.

With a host of catchy tunes and excellent lyrics, this is a show which will delight all the family — don't miss it!

Featuring The Tuesday Singers, Jo Pears, Yvonne Garside and George Horne.

Musical Director: Don Pears

Platform 9 is a new exciting musical written by the very talented North East playwright Dennis Westgate and performed for the very first time by York Rising Stars

Set in 1950's Britain, the show is focused around a day in the life of a platform at York railway station, those who work there and the passengers passing through.

There are key characters — Bobby the steam engine driver, Mike the news vendor and Rosie the tea-lady. There is also the Waiting Girl who has arranged to meet her boyfriend on the Platform underneath the clock, but by the end of act one he still hasn't arrived.

The show also features a trip to the races as well as a ballroom scene.

The show is fast moving with great catchy songs. It begins with Four In The Morning, a truly original number which is sure to remain with you for many years and weaves its way through up-tempo numbers such as Engine Driver and The Locomotion Rock; while at the same time having a beautiful love song with the show title Platform 9.

This show will be performed in monochrome to complement the nostalgic feel of the show

This is an all-round family show which is sure to be a big hit long after its premier.

A Celebration of the Popular Song

Featuring Jo Pears, Stephanie Crossley, Elaine Pears, Arnold Durham, George Horne and Steve Cassidy

Patience, Gilbert and Sullivan's second most successful comic opera, is a hilarious satire on the aesthetic movement of the late-19th century. Much to the disgust of the Dragoon Guards to whom they are betrothed, a group of rapturous maidens are fixated with the fleshly poet Reginald Bunthorne, who is in love with Patience, the milkmaid. Just as Bunthorne is to be married, the arrival of the dashing Archibald Grosvenor and a curious group of aesthetic Dragoons sends Bunthorne's world into turmoil. Everyone lives happily ever after, but who will be Bunthorne's Bride?

Act 1: The Tales of Tom Kitten and many more

Act 2: Sketches, Dances and Songs

In Tom Stoppard’s funnny and poignant translation of Gérald Sibleyras’s Les Vents des Peupliers (The Wind in the Poplars), we meet three veterans from the First World War who pass their monotony-filled days in a hospital by engaging in verbal battles of long-forgotten military campaigns, grumblings about the matron, and reflections on their life. Henri is afflicted by a gammy leg, Gustave suffers from agoraphobia, and Philippe passes out because of a piece of shrapnel lodged in his brain.

Their cantankerous camaraderie becomes strained when Gustave conjures up an escape plan. Looking over the cemetery to the poplars beyond, they dream of freedom. Will today be the day they finally make to Indochina or perhaps only as far as the top of the hill? This translation of the play premiered at Wyndham’s Theatre, London, in 2005 to critical acclaim, starring Richard Griffiths, John Hurt and Ken Stott.

No need to travel to London! Join York Musical Theatre Company and its Youth Section for A Night in the West End and enjoy songs from Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Miss Saigon, Chicago, Cabaret, Les Miserables and Chess as well as Wicked, Starlight Express, Sunset Boulevard, Joseph, Whistle Down The Wind and Phantom of the Opera.

Packed with show stopping numbers, this is a memorable evenings entertainment that brings a touch of West End to York

Based on the 1956 film of the same name starring Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, High Society tells the story of a search for ‘True Love’.

Meet Tracy Lord (played by New Earswick Musical Society newcomer Stephanie Crossley) - society's darling, preparing for her marriage to George Kittredge (Ste Kenwright), the dullest man on earth. Plans start to go awry as her younger sister Dinah (Imogen Gibbs) tries to convince her ex husband Dexter (Steve Tearle) to win back her heart. To make matters worse, a pair of reporters for a scandal magazine, Mike Connor (Steve Padfield) and Liz Imbrie (Jo Pears), will be attending the wedding, in an attempt to uncover the rumours about her fathers’ rumoured indiscretions. To confuse the spies, she introduces Uncle Willie (Martin Rowley) as her father.

With the pre-marriage party in full swing, the action flows faster than the champagne. Uncle Willie is chasing after Liz, who has only got eyes for Mike, but Mike meanwhile is falling for Tracy. The confusion and alcohol continues, culminating in one big hangover the next day. However, George has left, so a wedding is set but no bridegroom in sight. Dexter volunteers, and this time it looks like ‘True Love’ is going to last.

With an excellent score with well known songs such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire, True Love and Well Did You Evah, large dance numbers, comedy and romance, this show has something for everyone.

Where Tchaikovsky’s most loved and unforgettable musical score combines with magical choreography, exquisite costumes and breath taking scenery that together creates an atmosphere of fantasy and illusion.

Our NEW production will premiere in October 2009 before beginning its winter tour of the UK, covering over twenty regional venues, and incorporating 3 spectacular sets and over 50 beautifully hand crafted costumes.

The Nutcracker Features such favourites as The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, The Waltz of the Flowers, The Russian Trepak, The Dance of the Reed pipes and the world famous Waltz of the Snowflakes, to name but a few.

A new musical play about Love, Music and the fortunes of a young rising star band.

This year why not join Rowntree Players on a journey to London and beyond in their brand new, rollicking romp of a panto – Dick Whittington.

With his belongings in a hankie and Tommy the cat by his side Dick Whittington is off to seek fortune and fame. Join us as he meets a a host of new friends; The culinary flan chef extra-ordinaire - Sarah The Cook and her lazy son Idle Jack who shows us a hilarious new way to milk his shy cow Daisy. Meet Fairy Bowbells as she attempts to stop King Rat and his furry fiends in their evil attempt to control the world. Will Alderman Fitzwarren and his daughter Alice save their rat infested Cheese Emporium from becoming another victim of the credit crunch.

With jokes, songs, drama and the odd flying cheese flan; let Rowntree Players get your festive season off to a flantastic start!

An evening of music with Jo Pears, Steph Crossley, George Horne and Arnold Durham. and Graham Kay

After our hugely successful summer offering of one of Shakespeare's classic tragedies, we are returning to this old favourite to give it the indoor winter treatment. We can almost guarantee you won't get rained on - no promises though!

Look out for some old and familiar faces, musical madness, fantastical fights, ridiculous rivalries, lustful love and awesome alliteration as Shakespeare’s romantic love story about star-crossed lovers gets the full Oddsocks treatment once again this winter. Passion, power, love, longing, murder and much much more is on the cards as two troublesome teenagers meet amidst festive celebrations as their families ancient feud escalates.

One wedding, a funeral and a less than efficient postal system combine to create comic mayhem and tragic consequences in the trademark Oddsocks style our audiences have become addicted to over recent years.

Join the Tuesday singers in an evening of Christmas songs with Jo Pears, George Horne and Yvonne Garside.

Another packed concert from the local woodwind and brass band with a Christmas twist.