The season opens on 20 February with the Saltburn Smugglers, whose foot-stomping folk and exuberant sea shanties set the tone for a high-energy season.
Music continues to feature strongly, starting with Richmond Chamber Orchestra’s Prodigies and Whizz-Kids on 8 March, showcasing young composers and child prodigies, followed by virtuoso fiddler Tom McConville and pianist Michael Biggins on 17 April. Springsteen On Broadway brings iconic sounds on 1 May, Scott Lavene appears on 8 May, while All-Age Musical Safari on 27 May and Late Night Bach on 29 May offer immersive experiences for families and classical enthusiasts alike. Other highlights include The Rozzers’ Sting and The Police tribute on 19 June, Budapest Café Orchestra on 27 June, Fleetwood Bac on 3 and 4 July, and a celebration of the glory days of Variety with Twice Nightly on 10 and 11 July.
Drama fans are treated to a rich programme of storytelling and classics, starting with Fakespeare on 28 February and The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged on 6 March. When Vincent Met John follows on 13 March, exploring the work of Vincent Van Gogh and John Lennon, while George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion and H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man appear on 28 March and 2 April. Making a Killing on 18 April, Dyad Productions’ General Medical Emergency Ward 10 on 25 April, The Maladies on 15 May, and Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night on 16 May complete a season of wit, imagination and powerful storytelling.
Comedy highlights feature top stand-up acts including Tom Davis on 25 and 26 February, The Noise Next Door: Comedy, Improvised on 27 February, Marcus Brigstocke on 7 March, Rob Rouse on 27 March, and The Mayor’s Big Comedy Night on 11 April, all delivering sharp observation, clever humour and big laughs.
Family and youth theatre shows include Hop, Scamper, Scurry! – based on the tales of Beatrix Potter - on 6 June, alongside performances by the Georgian Youth Theatre, pupils of Richmond School, and the Rhythm and Shoes Dance Academy, showcasing the talent and creativity of young performers across the region.
Community theatre is also a key feature, with The Castle Players presenting Ladies’ Day on 21 February, Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society (RADS) staging The Mirror Crack’d on 18–21 March and The Tempest on 23–25 July and 29 July–1 August, Richmond Operatic Society bringing Little Shop of Horrors on 19–23 May, and STEPPS Theatre Group performing Little Women on 13 June. These productions highlight the vibrancy and diversity of local theatre and the Georgian’s commitment to supporting community companies.
The season also includes two special presentations. On 2 May, renowned mountaineer Simon Yates, famed for Touching the Void, shares his extraordinary adventures and insights from the world’s most challenging peaks. On 9 May, the History Wardrobe’s Divine Deco brings the glamour of the 1920s and 30s to the stage.
Details of all shows and events can be found in the programme brochure, from the Box Office, on the website at www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk, or by calling 01748 825252.