
Cancelled: Tenorissimo
Unfortunately this event has had to be postponed, but will now be happening on Sunday 28 March, 2010
16 January
Tenor music can be found in many genres, and the repertoire of Tenorissimo reflects this.
From opera favourites to modern classics, English ballads to cabaret, Tenorissimo has the experience and depth to match the occasion.
Tenorissimo has performed and entertained in a wide range of theatres and concert halls, and have recently returned from a successful cruise for P&O lines on the prestigious ship 'Oriana'.

Radio 4's The Archers Present Come Rain, Come Shine
The performance is generously supported by NFU Mutual – Ebor Office
The Archers Come To York
7 February
This event is now sold out
From Flanders & Swann to Cider with Rosie, this is a sparkling musical anthology in celebration of the British countryside.
This delightfully funny show is presented by five of the most famous voices in the land – actors from the cast of Radio 4ʼs The Archers.
The company includes Sara Coward (Caroline Stirling), Brian Hewlett (Neil Carter), Terry Molloy (Mike Tucker) and Sunny Ormonde who plays the outrageous Lilian Bellamy.
A special performance for the York Minster Appeal.
Sunday 7 February 7:30pm

Bad Girls
UK Amateur Premiere
23 February to 27 February
Book by Maureen Chadwick and Ann McManus
Music and Lyrics by Kath Gotts
A fresh, funny and original British musical, based on characters from the award winning and hugely popular ITV drama.
Tuesday 23 February 7:30pm
Wednesday 24 February 7:30pm
Thursday 25 February 7:30pm
Friday 26 February 7:30pm
Saturday 27 February 2:30pm Matinée
Saturday 27 February 7:30pm

Cancelled: Sex, Drugs & Rick 'n' Noel
Unfortunately this event has had to be cancelled.
4 March to 6 March
The play is the story of Richard Branson, a redundant foundry worker whose wife has left him for another women.
In a desperate attempt to regain his self esteem, Richard applies to do a history course at University.
There he meets Noel, another mature age student with an entirely different outlook on life.
Together – well, together they learn more than either could have imagined possible. About life. About women. About themselves.

Music Night - 1935 to 1950
Part of the theatre's 75th anniversary celebrations - Enjoy the brass band sound of the era
7 March
Featuring music from musical theatre between 1935 and 1950 in the first of our special Music Night celebrations of music over the 75 years since the theatre opened.
The Musical Director is Don Pears with guests Jo Pears, Steph Crossley, Juliet Waters, Elaine Pears, Graham Kay, Richard Kay, George Horne and Ken Humphreys
Sunday 7 March 7:30pm

Frankenstein - A New Musical
YSJSU Musical Production Society
19 March to 20 March
Friday 19 March 7:30pm
Saturday 20 March 2:00pm
Saturday 20 March 7:30pm

Half A Sixpence
25 March to 27 March
Flying Ducks prove time and time again that they enjoy a challenge and this year is no exception. This comical love story, made famous by the British musical film of 1967, starring Tommy Steele, has recently enjoyed a successful professional tour starring Gary Wilmot in the lead role of Arthur Kipps. It is really quite something that our very own Flying Ducks Youth Theatre will perform the first amateur production of this famous musical with Sam Whyte playing the lead at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre.
The story of orphan Arthur Kipps, who lives and works with other apprentices for the cruel draper, Mr. Shalford, is quite endearing. Kipps learns that he inherits a fortune and tries to join the upper classes, getting engaged to the wealthy Helen Walsingham. Soon, he realises that his true love is his childhood sweetheart, Ann, and that money really cannot buy love. Thank goodness the story has a happy ending!
Don't miss the Flying Ducks production of one of the world's best-loved hit musicals, featuring favourite songs such as Flash Bang Wallop, If the Rains Got to Fall and of course Half A Sixpence. It will be a show for all the family to enjoy.
Thursday 25 March 7:30pm
Friday 26 March 7:30pm
Saturday 27 March 2:30pm Matinée
Saturday 27 March 7:30pm

Sugar
Based on the well known film 'Some Like It Hot'
13 April to 17 April
Two unemployed musicians — bass player Jerry and saxophone player Joe — witness the St Valentines Day massacre in Chicago. In order to escape gangster Spats Palazzo and his henchmen, they dress as women and join Sweet Sue and Her Society Syncopaters, an all-female band about to leave town for an engagement in Florida.
Complications arise when Joe, now known as Josephine, falls in love with beautiful band singer Sugar Kane, who has a slight drinking problem that tends to interfere with her ability to choose a romantic partner wisely. More than anything, Sugar wants to marry a millionaire, prompting Joe to disguise himself as the man of her dreams.
Meanwhile, wealthy and elderly Osgood Fielding, Jr. is pursuing Daphne, unaware she really is Jerry in drag. As much as he knows he needs to reveal his true gender to his over-amorous paramour, Jerry is beginning to enjoy all the expensive gifts bestowed upon him on a regular basis. Total chaos erupts when Spatz and his gang descend upon the hotel and realise who Josephine and Daphne really are.
With upbeat music, great songs, and plenty of comedy throughout, this show will have you laughing and tapping your feet all the way.
Tuesday 13 April 7:30pm
Wednesday 14 April 7:30pm
Thursday 15 April 7:30pm
Friday 16 April 7:30pm
Saturday 17 April 7:30pm

Les Miserables SE
You are right sir, when you say that Les Miserables is written for a universal audience. I dont know whether it will be read by everyone, but it is meant for everyone.
Bev Jones' Musical Theatre Productions
20 April to 27 April
After a sell-out production of this world class top selling musical of all time, in York 4 years ago, we are once again delighted to be able to stage this huge spectacular, courtesy of JW Weinberger, the licence holders in London.
Working within the restrictions imposed by Cameron Mackintosh, who insists upon first class standards throughout, this full-scale production, with full orchestra and Les Miserables set, offers talented young performers aged 19 years and under, a platform to showcase their talent, and a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in this memorable, dramatic, and emotional epic piece of musical theatre.
Drawn from the very best talent from all over North Yorkshire, this fantastic production, under the helm of Yorks' most prestigious Musical Theatre Director, Bev Jones, will take you through every emotion, from the dismal depths of Look Down sung by the prisoners on the chain-gang, to the raunchy Lovely Ladies, to the romantic A Heart Full of Love sung by Marius and Cosette, the comedy that simply pours from Master of The House with its catchy song and dance routine, to the heart rendering Bring Him Home guaranteed to touch the heart of everyone in the audience, to the magnificent, rousing full company numbers of Do You Hear The People Sing and the roof raising One Day More.
If you have never been to see a musical, or you have never been to the theatre, then a visit to Les Miserables SE is a time for change !
There are matinees and price concessions to suit everyone. Parties welcome.
Tuesday 20 April 7:30pm
Wednesday 21 April 7:30pm
Thursday 22 April 7:30pm
Friday 23 April 7:30pm
Saturday 24 April 2:30pm Matinée
Saturday 24 April 7:30pm
Sunday 25 April 2:30pm Matinée
Sunday 25 April 7:30pm
Monday 26 April 7:30pm
Tuesday 27 April 7:30pm

How The Other Half Loves
by Alan Ayckbourn
19 May to 22 May
The characters are three suburban couples who are linked by the work of the husbands. Fiona and Frank are the top couple, Bob and Teresa are attractive and up and coming, despite the fact she is a utter slob and he is a boor. The third pair are socially hopeless, but earnest.
The action takes place at two dinner parties given on consecutive nights. The set in itself represents two living/dining rooms at once. The furniture and often the people of the two places are intermingled, most notably in the scene that closes the first act, when one hapless couple is having Thursday night dinner with one pair and Friday night dinner with the other couple at the same time! Their lives and friendships are intertwined in more ways than one, add some hilarious and emotional misunderstandings, some comings and goings and the dinner party!
What on earth could go wrong?
Wednesday 19 May 7:30pm
Thursday 20 May 7:30pm
Friday 21 May 7:30pm
Saturday 22 May 7:30pm

Gigi
22 June to 26 June
The fabulous score includes songs such as Thank Heavens For Little Girls, The Night They Invented Champagne, Yes, I Remember It Well, and of course Gigi.
Tuesday 22 June 7:30pm
Wednesday 23 June 7:30pm
Thursday 24 June 7:30pm
Friday 25 June 7:30pm
Saturday 26 June 2:30pm Matinée
Saturday 26 June 7:30pm

Grace Darling - The Musical
Worldwide Premier
30 June to 3 July
A new musical written by Dennis Westgate and directed by Charlotte Gray.
The show begins with Grace as a young girl, playing on the rocks in the village of Bamburgh in the year 1826 and follows her through her life, with her love interest, Joseph Swann and the rest of her family at the Lighthouse, where she lives. The show features the life-boat rescue that made Grace famous and what happened in the aftermath. Concluding in 1842, when Grace was 26.
The show has a variety of musical numbers, including Keeper of the Light which Mr Darlings sings, revealing all about his life as a Lighthouse keeper, I care nothing for fame which appears late on in the show with Grace expressing how she doesn't like the attention the rescue has given her and the haunting In your Shadow sung by her love interest, Joe.
This musical is suitable for all ages, whether they have previous knowledge about Grace Darling or not. It offers an insight into this amazing woman's life and portrays what life was like in the 1800's. It's a show with outstanding music, a fantastic cast and is sure to stay with people long after they leave the theatre.
Wednesday 30 June 7:30pm
Thursday 1 July 7:30pm
Friday 2 July 7:30pm
Saturday 3 July 2:30pm Matinée
Saturday 3 July 7:30pm

Music Night - 1951 - 1980
A Celebration of the Popular Song
11 July
Featuring songs from 1951 to 1980 as part of the Joseph Rowntree Theatre's 75th anniversary celebration.
Featuring the Steve Cassidy Band accompanying Jo Pears, Stephanie Crossley, Arnold Durham and George Horne
The songs included are listed on the anniversary concert page.
Musical Director: Don Pears
Sunday Night is Music Night
Sunday 11 July 7:30pm

Cancelled: Armada
Armada has been postponed and will now be presented from 31 March to 2 April 2010
27 July to 29 July
Passion, Danger, Intrigue
1588. Elizabeth I is in power and the Spanish Armada is invading.
When country girl Sarah is summoned by the Queen to venture on board the English fleet she has no idea of the battles, espionage and trickery she will find herself in. How can her supernatural talents assist the English fleet? And will she escape her own battles of love she becomes entangled with?
Climb aboard this exciting journey of passion, danger and intrigue set in one of the most exciting periods of history.
Prepare to be swept away...
Armada has been postponed and will now be presented from 31 March to 2 April 2010

Music Night - 1981 to 2010
A Celebration of the Popular Song
5 September
Featuring songs from 1981 to 2010 in the third of our special Music Night celebrations of music over the 75 years of the Joseph Rowntree Theatre.
Musical Director: Don Pears
Sunday Night is Music Night
Sunday 5 September 7:30pm

The Mikado
The most popular Gilbert and Sullivan opera
Jorvik Gilbert and Sullivan Company
15 September to 18 September
After the Emperor of Japan, The Mikado, decrees that flirting is punishable by death, the town of Titipu appoints Ko-Ko, a cheap tailor already condemned to death, as the Lord High Executioner, so that no executions can happen until after he has executed himself. Nanki-Poo, a wandering minstrel arrives, looking for Yum-Yum, Ko-Ko's ward, with whom he fell in love with a year ago. Discovering Yum-Yum is to wed Ko-Ko that day, Nanki-Poo decides to kill himself. The plot continues with a series of deceptions and misunderstandings, will everyone escape death?
Reflecting an 1880s British craze for "all things Japanese", The Mikado, Gilbert and Sullivan's ninth collaboration features songs such as A Wand'ring Minstrel I and Three Little Maids From School are we, has become one of the most frequently performed pieces of musical theatre of all time and remains a firm favourite with performers and audiences alike.
Wednesday 15 September 7:30pm
Thursday 16 September 7:30pm
Friday 17 September 7:30pm
Saturday 18 September 2:30pm Matinée
Saturday 18 September 7:30pm

Coppelia and Broadway Musicals
Victoria Rooke School of Dance and Drama
25 September
Saturday 25 September 2:00pm
Saturday 25 September 7:00pm

Teechers
by John Godber
30 September to 2 October
Remember your school days? The dreaded detentions, snogging behind the bike sheds and breaktime bust-ups?! Well prepare to be catapulted back to the classroom and take a raw and riotous look at life in a typical British school, in this classic comedy from BAFTA winner John Godber.
Meet the staff; the trendy young Drama teacher making his shaky debut; the Deputy Head who rules the school with an iron rod; the gentle Humanities teacher who is desperate for a quiet life; Doug, the grumpy old Caretaker, and the Headmistress - a boisterous battleaxe and some-time Amateur Dramatics star! And prepare yourselves for the pupils; a wayward mob of disruptive delinquents - determined to wreck havoc, hormones and horror throughout the school!
Nostalgia, mischief and mayhem reign supreme in this classic classroom drama!
Thursday 30 September 7:30pm
Friday 1 October 7:30pm
Saturday 2 October 7:30pm

Aber Valley Male Voice Choir
Superb Welsh Choir with Entertaining Repetoire
York Blind and Partially Sighted Society
15 October
All proceeds go to the York Blind and Partially Sighted Society
Friday 15 October 7:30pm

The Rodgers and Hammerstein Story
Devised and directed by Paul Laidlaw
21 October to 23 October
Enjoy an evening of songs and music from one of the greatest writing partnerships in musical theatre history, Rodgers and Hammerstein.
With careers spanning decades of musical theatre, come and enjoy much loved songs from some of their most popular shows including South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Carousel, Oklahoma! and The King and I. Soloists, ensemble and younger members of York Musical Theatre Company will be joined on stage for this magical evening of music by Paul Laidlaw, at the piano. Along with these popular favourites from the duo, the company will also be featuring some of their lesser known work such as State Fair, Allegro and Flower Drum Song.
Don’t miss this delightful evening’s entertainment and lose yourself in some of the most wonderful melodies ever written.
Thursday 21 October 7:30pm
Friday 22 October 7:30pm
Saturday 23 October 2:30pm
Saturday 23 October 7:00pm

Sondheim@80 Celebration Concert
Celebrating the fabulous music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim
30 October to 31 October
Join us as we celebrate Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday with performances of his brilliant music and lyrics, including rarely heard material.
Stephen Joshua Sondheim (born March 22, 1930) is an American composer and lyricist for stage and film. He is the winner of an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards (eight, more than any other composer) including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize. He has been described as "the greatest and perhaps best-known artist in the American musical theatre."He was president of the Dramatists Guild from 1973 to 1981.
The programme includes Sweeney Todd, Company, A Little Night Music, Into The Woods, Passion, West Side Story, Gypsy, Assassins, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday In The Park With George, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Dick Tracy, Saturday Night, Anyone Can Whistle and Follies – Happy 80th Birthday!
Saturday 30 October 2:30pm Matinée
Saturday 30 October 7:30pm
Sunday 31 October 7:30pm

Annie
World Famous Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie
10 November to 13 November
Little Orphan Annie, the strip cartoon character started out as Little Orphan Otto; but Harold Gray, the cartoonist was persuaded to change the boy into a girl and the first strip cartoon of Little Orphan Annie was published in the New York Daily News on 5 August 1924. Gray created a fiercely independent 11-year old with a mind of her own and the ingenuity to get her through the many scrapes which she experienced in the 44 years that the strip cartoon ran. Her dog Sandy accompanied her on all her adventures. During the Great Depression Harold Gray used Annie to reflect his ultra conservative beliefs.
We follow Annie from the orphanage to the mansion of millionaire Oliver Warbucks. On the way she finds herself in a Hooverville, a shanty town built by the victims of the Great Depression. These Hoovervilles were named after President Hoover the man the down-and-outs blamed for their condition; although it is difficult to see how he could have prevented the Great Depression. Throughout the musical we are impressed by Annie’s constant optimism and her unremitting efforts to find her parents. Despite the plots of Miss Hannigan, the mean orphanage director, we follow Annie to a happy ending at a Christmas party where everybody, including President Roosevelt, looks forward to a rosy future.
Music by Charles Strouse; Lyrics by Martin Charnin; Book by Thomas Meehan
Wednesday 10 November 7:30pm
Thursday 11 November 7:30pm
Friday 12 November 7:30pm
Saturday 13 November 2:30pm Matinée
Saturday 13 November 7:30pm

Music Night with The Royal Signals Northern Band
Sunday Night is Music Night
21 November
A special Music Night for the 75th Anniversary of the Joseph Rowntree Theatre with the music provided by The Royal Signals Northern Band.
The soloists are George Horne, Graham Kay and Jo Pears.
Sunday 21 November 7:30pm

York Scout & Guide Gang Show
Keep On Truckin
York Scouts and Guides
23 November to 27 November
York Scout and Guide Gang Show is a biennial show directed, produced and performed by members of the Scout and Girlguiding movements from the York and Selby area. Each show features an entertaining selection of songs, dances and sketches and preparations are already underway for the next show at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre in November 2010.
Gang Show is based on the original idea of Ralph Reader CBE, a producer of Broadway shows and West End revues who staged the first ever Gang Show in London in 1932. During his lifetime Ralph wrote over three hundred sketches and four hundred songs. On his retirement he generously donated this vast collection of material for use by the Scouts of the world. Ralph died in 1982 but his songs and sketches continue to form a major part of Gang Shows today, bringing music, song, spectacle and happiness to millions the world over.
York Scout and Guide Gang Show has consistently achieved a high standard over the last 50 years and in 1991 was awarded National Recognition by the Scout Association. It is the aim of York Scout and Guide Gang Show to produce the best possible Show using the talents of members of the Scout and Girlguiding movements in the area. We also believe that the opportunity to benefit from taking part in the Show should be available to all so individuals do not have to pass an audition to become a member of the Gang. As long as they are 8 years old or above on 1 September of the show year, any member of the Brownies, Beavers, Cubs, Guides, Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Network or leaders from the Scout Association or Girlguiding are welcome to take part.
Tuesday 23 November 7:15pm
Wednesday 24 November 7:15pm
Thursday 25 November 7:15pm
Friday 26 November 7:15pm
Saturday 27 November 2:00pm Matinée
Saturday 27 November 7:15pm

Mother Goose
4 December to 11 December
Will Baron Tightwad ever get his rent from Gertie? Will Houston ever pluck up enough courage to ask Tilly out? Why is Lord Moldevart so interested in Priscilla and will Fairy Floella be able to keep him under control?
The answer to all these questions and more can be found at this years Rowntree Players pantomime Mother Goose with another brand new script, jokes old and new, laughs in abundance, hilarious slapstick rousing songs and dazzling dancing, it really promises to be another rollocking romp of a panto.
Directed once again by the inimitable Howard Ella and this year ably assisted by choreographer Claire Horsley. The part of the Dame will again be played by Barry Benson (who co-wrote the panto with Howard). Together with another superb chorus of all ages and sizes you’re sure to be entertained.
Book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.
Saturday 4 December 2:00pm Matinée
Saturday 4 December 7:30pm
Sunday 5 December 2:00pm Matinée
Monday 6 December 7:30pm
Tuesday 7 December 7:30pm
Wednesday 8 December 7:30pm
Thursday 9 December 7:30pm
Friday 10 December 7:30pm
Saturday 11 December 2:00pm Matinée
Saturday 11 December 7:30pm

Hamlet - The Comedy!
14 December
Following a triumphant West End run and a high profile TV appearance on Country House Rescue Oddsocks is touring a riotous production of Hamlet – the Comedy from November 2010 to February 2011 with a special celebrity guest video performance and music by Rob Harris, lead guitarist with Jamiroquai!
Oddsocks’ Hamlet finds the young student prince returning home for Christmas to discover there’s something rotten in the state of Denmark and it’s not just his dirty washing! Mum’s married Uncle Claudius and his dead Dad only puts in a ghost appearance – it’s enough to make a teenager mad. Things will never be the same again in the Hamlet household but as this is Oddsocks it’ll all be sorted out with lots of jolly singing, laughing and audience participation.
Every year audiences are delighted with our madcap approach to Shakespeare’s plays and our trademark rip roaring pantomime style. We perform Shakespeare as it was meant to be – entertaining! – easy to follow, full of belly laughs and accessible to a wide audience.
Tuesday 14 December 7:30pm