What’s on this May at The Rose Theatre in Kingston
There’s plenty on offer this May at The Rose Theatre - take a look!
By James Stokes | Updated May 2 2024
If you haven’t been to The Rose Theatre yet, here’s your pre-show memo! The 822-seat theatre in Kingston hosts a fantastic variety of theatre (from Shakespeare to stand-up comedy) and music, and it isn’t as stuffy as many London theatres - they even have sing-along music shows, and a wide thrust stage that invites an intimacy between the (massive) audience and the show that you won’t get in many other places.
What’s more, the theatre’s dedication to its audience and the ccommunity shines through in its programming, with an outstanding and varied offering of theatre, music and more this May...
Theatre
Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie - until 4th May
7.30pm | Main Auditorium | Approx. 2hrs 40mins, including interval
Following a successful run at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre, Geraldine Somerville (seen on screens in Gosford Park and Harry Potter) returns to play Amanda in Atri Banerjee’s acclaimed production of the semi-autobiographical play by Tennessee Williams; Amanda harbours dreams for herself and her children far beyong their shabby apartment - Tom finds escape through cigarettes and long visits to the movies while Laura withdraws into her records and collection of glass animals. When Tom brings home a potential suitor for Laura, Amanda seizes the opportunity to try and change their fortunes forever...
This intimate and intense memory play explores the complex web of love and loyalty that binds families together.
★★★★ ‘Geraldine Somerville brings out the wince-inducing comedy. This crackling production casts a new, neon light on Williams' play.’ - The Independent
★★★★ 'Tennessee Williams meets Whitney Houston. Atri Banerjee’s production tellingly threads the evening through with epoch-hopping music. Tremendous.' - The Observer
Book now while you still can!
Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival - Wednesday 8th May
7.00pm | Main Auditorium | Approx. 3hrs, including interval
The Rose Theatre partners with national cultural education charity Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation as part of the world’s largest youth drama festival, featuring a series of abridged Shakespeare plays performed by local schools (you can find out which schools are involved here). Witness Shakespeare’s timeless stories brought to life and support the young people involved as they take to the stage in a unifying evening of live theatre.
A wonderful community event; “Every child in every school ought to have the chance to experience this magical process” - Philip Pullman, Author and CSSF Patron
Click here to book
Zog and the Flying Doctors - 28th May - 2nd June
This fantastic family show from Freckle Productions, in association with Rose Theatre, brings you the story of Zog, based on the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (with music and lyrics by Joe Stilgoe);
Zog and his Flying Doctor crew, comprised of Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout, tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a unicorn with one too many horns and a lion with the flu - however, Pearl’s uncle, the King, has other ideas about whether princesses should be doctors, and she’s soon locked up in the castle back in a crown and a silly frilly dress! With a bit of help from some friends (and half a pound of cheese!), can Pearl make her uncle better and prove that princesses can be doctors too?
Click here to book
Music
Massaoke: Sing the Musicals! - Friday 10th May
7.30pm | Main Auditorium | 2hrs 20mins, incl. interval
Have you done massaoke? It’s an experience you won’t forget!
This is the dream for (most) fans of West End musicals as the crowd becomes the star of the show, singing the hits with backing by a live band! With the lyrics on-screen, sing along and dance to hit songs from Mamma Mia, Hamilton, The Greatest Showman, Grease!, Frozen, Cats, Les Mis and many more!
Click here to book
Note: the show contains flashing lights and haze
Lost in Music: One Night at the Disco - Saturday 11th May
7.30pm | Main Auditorium | 2hrs 20mins, incl. interval
The night out you didn’t know that you needed is back with a bang! Relive the magic of 70s disco with performances of classics including Hot Stuff, Car Wash, Boogie Wonderland and many more! Get lost in the music provided by an incredible cast of talented singers and backing by a live band, leave your troubles at home and bring your best moves because this show is sure to have you dancing in the aisles!
Click here to book
Sir Tim Rice: My Life in Musicals - Tuesday 14th & Wednesday 15th May
7.30pm | Main Auditorium | Running time TBC
The lyricist behind so many of your favourite show tunes - including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, Can You Feel The Love Tonight and Any Dream Will Do - comes to The Rose Theatre to reflect on his life and his role at the heart of UK musicals.
Sir Tim will be telling stories and anecdotes from his illustrious career alongside performances of his hits by a stellar cast of West End stars - an absolute MUST for fans of musical theatre!
Click here to book
Whitney: Queen of the Night - Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th May
7.30pm | Main Auditorium | 1hr 50mins, incl. interval
From the hottest stages in London, Whitney Houston comes to Kingston in this celebration of her life and music. This electrifying production, featuring sensational vocalists and a full live band, will take you on an extraordinary journey through three decades of hits like I’m Every Woman, I Will Always Love You and I Wanna Dance With Somebody - a fitting homage to the one and only queen of the night.
Click here to book
The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars - Saturday 25th May
7.30pm | Main Auditorium | Approx. 2hrs, incl. interval
In a stunning new collection of music, narration and projected archive images and footage, a live jazz band celebrates Ronnie Scott’s ‘Soho Songbook’, telling the intimte inside story of the basement music bar that became the internationally acclaimed venue we know today.
Hosted and performed by the award-winning Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, led by the Club’s Musical Director, this is a unique evening featuring performances of songs by the legendary likes of Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck and Michael Bublé - a must for any music fan.
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More!
Griff Rhys Jones: The Cat's Pyjamas (COMEDY) - Thursday 16th May
7.30pm | Main Auditorium | 1hr 50mins, incl. interval
Griff Rhys Jones comes to The Rose with his much-anticipated brand new stand-up tour for 2024, in which he rambles on the developing national permacrisis, age, family, fraud, nostalgia, the Tik Tok generation, crocodile smuggling and noodling in Australia!
Join Griff as he shares more funny observations and comic stories, and takes questions from the audience.
★★★★ ‘Great comedy’ - The Telegraph
‘The jokes come faster than the rapids on the River Tay’ - The Guardian
Click here to book
Ariadne’s Thread (PARTICIPATORY EXHIBIT) - until 16th May
Ongoing | The Rose Café
Pop into the Rose Café for this ongoing participatory installation, a large-scale cross stitch embroidery reproduction of a painting by the celebrated Ukrainian folk artist Maria Prymachenko. The activity is not just for experienced needleworkers, but any willing participants - especially those who may benefit from uplifting and stimulating interaction. Open to all.
The Rose Theatre is located at 24-26 High St, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1HL