TICKETS have gone on sale for the autumn/winter season at Richmond’s Georgian Theatre Royal.

Shows range from new dramas and comedy acts to exciting and varied musical events.

Taking centre stage for the season is John Godber’s new play The Highwayman, which is making its debut performance at the Richmond theatre. Set in 1769, the play’s date almost exactly mirrors the Georgian’s own foundation in 1788 and the Yorkshire playwright visited the theatre earlier this year as part of his research.

With a strong Yorkshire focus, this thrilling theatrical adventure promises to be ‘visceral, venal and very funny.’ ‘The Highwayman’ will have a two-night run at the Georgian Theatre Royal on October 23 and 24, followed by a tour of the region.

The season offers more top-quality drama with a stylish production of Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband (September 7) from the highly acclaimed DOT Productions. This wonderfully witty Wilde play is not to be missed.

There is also a welcome return from the popular Mikron Theatre Company with Common Ground (September 14) – a humorous look at the history of land access in England from the Norman Conquest to the Mass Trespass at Kinder Scout.

Tortive Theatre presents The Whirligig of Time (September 20), a play by Richard Curnow that presents the events following Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night through the eyes of Malvolio.

The Georgian Theatre is well-known for its intimacy with the audience and shows that utilise this unique feature include the masters of improvisation themselves – The Noise Next Door. Twelve-time sell-out veterans of the Edinburgh Fringe with just as many TV appearances under their belt, the comic quartet present two shows, Freewheeling (11 & 12 October) for the grown-ups and a family show, The Adventure Academy for Adventurers for a matinee performance on October 12.

Music lovers are set for a varied programme with everything from Gypsy Jazz to Gilbert and Sullivan. The Kate Bush Experience (September 6) recreates the distinctive sound of the renowned singer; and Emma Fisk’s popular Hot Club du Nord brings to life the repertoire of jazz legends Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli on September 21.

This is followed by the West Yorkshire Savoyard’s production of Ruddigore (October 5), Gilbert and Sullivan’s less well-known but comic-opera.

The Georgian Theatre has an established reputation for stand-up comedy and the new season kicks off with Kiri Pritchard-McLean (September 4) as she embarks on her brand-new tour ‘Peacock’.

Lloyd Griffith takes up the comedy mic on September 13 and Instagram’s funniest dad George Lewis has a slot on November 2.

A key part of the theatre’s repertoire comprises contributions from talented local community groups. Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society performs Blue Stockings – Jessica Swale’s debut play about the first women students at Cambridge University (November 6 to 9); followed by Richmond Operatic Society’s production of 9 to 5 the Musical (November 12 to 16) with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton.

The Georgian Theatre Royal’s pantomime rounds off the season. Treasure Island enjoys a festive run from December 4 to January 5, 2025.