E M Forster Theatre
Listings April – May 2024
LES MISÉRABLES FROM THE TALENTZ
Thursday 4th – Saturday 6th April | Tickets: £16 – £19
Performed by The Talentz musical theatre company students.
The epic tale of broken dreams, passion and redemption is set against a nation in the throes of revolution.
Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 65 million people worldwide, Les Misérables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. Now adapted for high school performers, Les Misérables School Edition features one of the most memorable scores of all time and some of the most memorable characters to ever grace the stage.
In 19th century France, Jean Valjean is released from years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean’s adopted daughter.
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: THE MOTIVE AND THE CUE
Thursday 18th April | 7.00pm | Tickets: £16, £14 student
Cert 15 Running time: 180 mins
A new play by Jack Thorne, Directed by Sam Mendes
Sam Mendes (The Lehman Trilogy) directs Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud and Johnny Flynn as Richard Burton in this fierce and funny new play.
1964: Richard Burton, newly married to Elizabeth Taylor, is to play the title role in an experimental new Broadway production of Hamlet under John Gielgud’s exacting direction. But as rehearsals progress, two ages of theatre collide and the collaboration between actor and director soon threatens to unravel.
Written by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and designed by Es Devlin (The Crucible), the Evening Standard award-winning best new play was filmed live during a sold-out run at the National Theatre.
TONBRIDGE COMEDY NIGHT
Friday 19th April at 7.30pm | Tickets: £14 Age: 16+
We welcome three of the best comedians on the circuit, and these monthly nights are always popular. Be sure to check our website for full line up details which will be published soon!
THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY
Saturday 20th April | 2.30pm | Tickets: £12 Age 3+ Running time 70 mins
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly. I don’t know why she swallowed a fly…
But The People’s Theatre Company do!
And now you can too as they bring one of the world’s best loved nursery rhymes to life just in time to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Pam Adams’ best selling book!
From the creators of Don’t Dribble On The Dragon, this magical show has been written especially for grown ups to enjoy with their children, so come and relive the delights of this most charming of tales complete with a feast of sing along songs, colourful animal characters and heart warming family fun.
The songs in the show including If You’re Happy and You know It, Incy Wincy Spider and many more are available to sing along to on The People’s Theatre Company’s website at www.ptc.org.uk so why not have a listen and join in when you visit the theatre!
A great introduction to the theatre with just the right balance of sitting listening and taking part
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: NYE
Tuesday 23rd April | 7.00pm | Tickets: £16, £14 students Cert 12A Running time: 160 mins
A new play by Tim Price, Directed by Rufus Norris.
Michael Sheen plays Nye Bevan in a surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state and created the NHS.
Confronted with death, Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan’s deepest memories lead him on a mind-bending journey back through his life; from childhood to mining underground, Parliament and fights with Churchill.
Written by Tim Price and directed by Rufus Norris (Small Island), this epic new Welsh fantasia will be broadcast live from the National Theatre.
THE FRESHWATER FIVE
Wednesday 8th May | 7.30pm | Tickets: £16, £12 students Age: 12+
In 2011, five fishermen on the Isle of Wight (Jamie Green, Jon Beere, Daniel Payne, Scott Birtwistle & Zoran Dresic) were sentenced to a total of 104 years for conspiracy to import £53m worth of cocaine.
They have always professed their innocence. A tale that has long divided a community on the Isle of Wight. This powerful new play seeks to heal the divide and explore the state of our coastal communities.
Inspired by the wildly popular Guardian Today in Focus podcast The Freshwater Five incorporates spectacular storytelling, verbatim accounts, inventive stagecraft, poetry and song. The South Coast cast and creatives delve into subjects of classical & contemporary smuggling, deteriorating coastal communities, immigration and folklore as well as examining this ancient profession’s place in our times.
Fresh from a sell-out coastal communities tour in 2023 award-winning Isle of Wight company Deadman is bringing it on a wider tour to audiences. Led by artistic director Samuel Bossman, Liam Patrick Harrison’s stage play launches a detailed and rich theatrical investigation into the men’s tragic downfall.
TONBRIDGE COMEDY NIGHT
Friday 17th May | 7.30pm | Tickets: £14 Age: 16+
We welcome three of the best comedians on the circuit, and these monthly nights are always popular. Be sure to check our website for full line up details which will be published soon!
MUSICAL DIFFERENCES
Tuesday 21st – Thursday 23rd May | 7.30pm | Tickets: £6, £2 concessions
Tonbridge School presents Musical Differences by Robin French, a coming-of-age comedy drama that tracks the journey of a rock band who experience changing line-ups, unrequited love, and even the loss of a friend. Hear the story from a chorus of gossiping teenagers, as they learn to value their friends, take risks, and to embrace all aspects of growing up… even the awkward ones!