Theatre Royal Stratford East Announces New Productions For SS22

Burn It Down 

19 April – 5 May 2022

A series of six newly commissioned script-in-hand performances about urgent political issues. Each piece will be a stand-alone scrutiny, calling out injustice and interrogating the systems that wield power.

“The old have been let down, the young aren’t falling for it and everyone else can’t deny it, things aren’t right, tipping points are being reached. There is a restlessness, a vibration, a need to call it out and protest – yes, but actually it’s more than that, it feels like people are revving up to bring about some real change and we’re here for that, we’re inspired by it!”Nadia Fall, Artistic Director

Ballet Black: Double Bill 

11 – 21 May 2022

For their return to Theatre Royal Stratford East, Ballet Black present two new works. The first is a piece for the full company by acclaimed South African choreographer Gregory Maqoma (Vuyani Dance Theatre), featuring an original score by Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante (Boy Blue). The second ballet on the bill is directed by Ballet Black’s Founder and Artistic Director, CassaPancho, featuring choreography created by her and the Company. The piece explores the struggles and inspiration behind the formation of this award-winning company twenty years ago, through a series of vignettes. 

Ballet Black is transforming the dance landscape by giving a platform to artists of Black and Asian descent as well as to new and established choreographic voices whose unexpected stories and themes come from the heart to resonate with modern audiences.

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World 

15 Jun – 17 Jul 2022

Theatre Royal Stratford East welcomes the brand new kickass-pirational pop musical Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World. 

The performance bursts into life as the Fantastically Great Women take to the stage to tell their stories. Be one of the first to see the follow-up show by the producer of the international hit musical SIX. 

Join our inquisitive heroine Jade as she breaks away from her class to take a peek behind the scenes at the not yet open Gallery of Greatness in the local museum. Along her journey she is surprised to meet the incredible wonder women: Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie, Emmeline Pankhurst to name just a few. 

From explorers to artists, scientists to secret agents, hear the stories of some of history’s strongest mothers, sisters and daughters; all independent icons who really did change the world.

Celebrated dramatist Chris Bush (Standing at the Sky’s Edge) and Number 1 hit songwriter Miranda Cooper (Girls Aloud, Kylie Minogue) adapt suffragette descendent Kate Pankhurst’s award-winning picture book with music by Miranda Cooper and Jennifer Decilveo (Miley Cyrus, Beth Ditto). 

Tickets for these newly announced shows go on general sale at noon on Thursday 20 January here.

Previously announced upcoming shows:

After the End

25 Feb – 26 March 2022

Dennis Kelly’s bitingly dark comedy will launch the spring/summer season with a new production by director Lyndsey Turner. The resilience of colleagues Mark and Louise is put to the test when they find themselves in a fallout shelter following a nuclear attack with only two weeks of supplies. 

A city under attack from a nuclear blast. As the dust settles, Louise wakes to find herself in a fallout shelter with Mark, the colleague who has saved her life. They have enough water and food to last two weeks. Now they just need to find a way of surviving each other.  

Tickets for After The End are now one sale.

SLAMbition

30 March 2022

A brand-new monologue slam-style competition putting a spotlight on the incredible range of Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent that exists in the arts. In association with Ramps on the Moon, Artists will perform two monologues in front of an invited audience of leading industry creatives including directors, casting agents and casting directors as well as the chance to win an exciting package of prizes. 

Deadline for applications has been extended to Saturday 29 January. A video introduction to SLAMbition by Tabby Lamb, with captions and BSL can be found here.

Speaking about her new season at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Artistic Director Nadia Fall said: 

“Listening to our audiences there has been a huge appetite for congregation and debate around the most urgent political and social issues affecting all our lives. Burn it Down is very much a response to that: short, sharp, dramas from some of the most talented writers of the moment. I’m expecting lively conversations in the bar post show.

Alongside that we have all felt the need to be uplifted and entertained. The beautiful and ever popular work of Ballet Black and the absolute knock out new musical Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World are a total antidote to drudgery, and I defy anyone not to leave on a cloud.

After The End is a masterclass in storytelling, with dazzlingly dark twists and turns, it’s pure theatre. This season is designed to be electric and life affirming, there is nothing softly softly about it.”

Theatre Royal Stratford East also announce two projects as part of their celebrated Learning and Participation programme this spring/summer:

Future Leaders

Stratford East is launching a brand-new initiative, Future Leaders.The programme is for East London-based 16–25-year-olds who are interested in learning about different types of leadership, how cultural organisations are run, and want to have their say in the future of our creative industries. 

Young Company (28 – 30 Jul 2022)

Stratford East’s 21/22 Young Company are currently devising a brand-new production with Director Toby Clarke and Writer Sophie Ellerby, to be performed at Stratford East. Current Young Company members: Grace Coulson-Harris, Taliyah Defreitas-Smith, Jade Franks, Morgan Hilaire, Rees Jenkins, Junior Kapesi-Tuku, Pelé Kelland-Beau, Bibi MacDougall, Mariama Mansary, Karl Markey-Lee, David Olaniregun, and Moussa Samba.

For tickets and more information on SS22 performances at Stratford East, click here.

 Or alternative, call the Box Office on 02085340310