Why it matters: The autumn programme promises a rich variety of shows at affordable prices with accessibility at their heart, aimed at broadening access to live performance through innovative partnerships.
The details:
The season begins with John Godber's comedy Teechers (25 September - 2 October), co-produced with Eastern Angles Theatre Company for the first time in the histories of both Ipswich organisations. The production will support young people studying the text and champion East Anglian artists.
A reimagining of Daphne du Maurier's supernatural thriller Don't Look Now (9-25 October) will follow. Playwright Nell Leyshon revisits her 2007 adaptation, with the New Wolsey Theatre reuniting with Wiltshire Creative following their acclaimed 2023 co-production of Noël Coward's Brief Encounter.
The Theatre's Rock 'n' Roll Panto returns with Beauty and the Beast from 25 November 2025 to 17 January 2026. Following two UK Pantomime Award nominations, including one for Best Script for Vikki Stone, this year's production expects to attract 30,000 people in person.
What they're saying: Douglas Rintoul, Chief Executive/Artistic Director of the New Wolsey Theatre, said: "Over 100,000 people from Suffolk and beyond experience our programmes each year, and thanks to our growing partnerships both locally and nationally, we continue to strengthen as an organisation and introduce even more audiences across the UK to our work."
He added: "I'm especially pleased that this season showcases so many new productions from artists and companies based right here in East Anglia — it's a real celebration of the incredible talent on our doorstep."
For context: The visiting programme includes Alan Ayckbourn's Bedroom Farce (2-6 September), Sherlock Holmes - The Hunt for Moriarty (9-13 September), Suffolk writer Danusia Iwaszko's prison drama Penned Up (16-17 September), and Black Sheep (5-8 November), a play about rural life in Norfolk.
By the numbers: The Theatre expects 30,000 people to experience the Rock 'n' Roll Panto in person, with more audiences reached through their award-winning live streaming offer. Overall, more than 100,000 people experience the Theatre's programmes each year.
The bottom line: All productions include accessible performances, such as Relaxed/Dementia-friendly, Captioned, BSL interpreted and live-stream performances. Beauty and the Beast will be available by livestream from 20-29 December. Tickets go on general sale at 10:00 on Saturday 10 May, with members' tickets available from Wednesday 30 April.
Bookings can be made online at wolseytheatre.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01473 295900.
