Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud unveils its comeback summer season

Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre will reopen in June with Siobhan Basset’s The Hound of the Baskervilles (June 3 to 12).
The Woman In BlackThe Woman In Black
The Woman In Black

Spokeswoman Ellie Harman said: “The theatre is delighted to present this new comedy by Sara Crowe, directed by Joanna Read and designed by Neil Irish.

“Lovingly crafted during lockdown in her spare bedroom in Teddington, Siobhan Basset (Sara Crowe) is delighted to bring her magnum opus to the stage. In order to adhere, both physically and fiscally, to government measures, the production stars her husband, Michael (Stefan Bednarczyk) and may have to be achieved without set, crew, lights and sound, and potentially without an audience.

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“Olivier Award-winner Sara Crowe is known for her numerous film, TV and stage performances, including The Entertainer (UK Tour), Private Lives (Aldwych Theatre), Calendar Girls (UK Tour) and Acorn Antiques: the Musical (UK Tour), and also her screen role of Laura in the classic romantic comedy, Four Weddings and a Funeral.

“Stefan Bednarczyk has extensive experience as an actor, musical director and cabaret performer. As an actor, his work includes a year-long run opposite Gene wilder in 23rd Floor, the West End premiere of Noel Coward’s Semi-Monde (Lyric) and The Games of Love and Chance (National Theatre). His films include Florence Foster Jenkins and Mike Leigh’s Topsy Turvy.

“The production kicks off a busy summer season for the theatre, which includes Original Theatre Company’s new political drama A Splinter of Ice (June 15 to 19) starring Stephen Boxer (The Crown) and Oliver Ford Davies (Star Wars); Alan Ayckbourn’s comic masterpiece Absurd Person Singular (July 6 to 10); Susan Hill’s acclaimed, spine-chilling ghost story The Woman in Black (July 12 to 17) and the Donmar Warehouse’s acclaimed socially-distanced sound installation Blindness (June 21 to 26). There will also be an exciting programme of work for families including CBeebies’ enchanting Sarah and Duck (July 21); Tall Stories’ heart-warming adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s The Snail and the Whale (August 3 and 4), and interactive treasure hunt experience This Noisy Isle (August 6 and 7).

“As well as performances on the main stage, the Riverside Garden will once again be open for a series of outdoor performances, including emotionally-charged folk music from popular Devon-based musicians Jacob and Drinkwater (June 20) and pioneering contemporary duo India Electric Co (August 8).

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“More shows and events will be announced soon, so keep an eye out at www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or sign up to the theatre’s mailing list and social media channels for the latest news.”

Coming up:

Siobhan Bassett’s The Hound of the Baskervilles

Thursday 3 to Saturday 12 June

Tue - Sat Evenings: 7:30pm | Thu & Sat Matinees: 2:30pm

Theatrical Grand Dame, Siobhan Bassett (Sara Crowe) presents her personal adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles. In order to adhere, both physically and fiscally, to government measures, the production stars her husband, Michael (Stefan Bednarczyk) and may have to be achieved without set, crew, lights and sound, and potentially without an audience. Tickets from £20

A Splinter of Ice. Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 June. Tue - Sat Evenings: 7:30pm | Thu & Sat Matinees: 2:30pm. Moscow 1987, as the cold war begins to thaw and Britain’s greatest living novelist Graham Greene meets with his old MI6 boss, Kim Philby, Britain’s greatest spy… and traitor. This brand new espionage drama stars Oliver Ford Davies (Star Wars) and Stephen Boxer (The Crown). Tickets from £26

Jacob and Drinkwater. Sunday 20 June, 7pm. The dynamic folk duo return to the Yvonne Arnaud’s riverside garden for another emotionally-charged evening of live music. Tickets £18

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Donmar Warehouse presents Blindness. Monday 21 to Saturday 26 June. Simon Stephens' adaptation of Nobel Prize-winner José Saramago’s novel charting the rise and, ultimately, profoundly hopeful end of an unimaginable global pandemic features Juliet Stevenson as the Storyteller/Doctor's wife with immersive binaural sound design by Ben and Max Ringham. Tickets £28

Guildford Fringe presents Gag House Comedy Superstars. Friday 2 July, 7.30pm. A jam-packed evening full of some of the best stand-up comedy available to the UK. Line-up includes Stephen Bailey, Dane Baptiste, Rich Hall and Ria Lina. Tickets £23

Absurd Person Singular. Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 July. Tue - Sat Evenings: 7:30pm | Thu & Sat Matinees: 2:30pm. Alan Ayckbourn’s comic masterpiece of social climbing in 1970s suburbia fuses a potent mix of farce and black comedy. Tickets from £20

The Woman in Black. Monday 12 to Saturday 17 July. Mon - Sat Evenings: 7:30pm | Thu & Sat Matinees: 2:30pm. Susan Hill’s acclaimed ghost story comes dramatically alive in Stephen Mallatratt’s ingenious stage adaptation. Tickets from £33.50 | Students & Under 18s: £21.00

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Guildford Fringe presents The Surrey Police Band. Tuesday 20 July, 7:30pm. The Surrey Police Band will be performing music and stories from the 1940s in this WW2 themed concert. There will be an opportunity to relax and enjoy the sounds of Glenn Miller, as well as hear film music from The Dam Busters, The Great Escape and much more. Tickets £15

Sarah and Duck. Wednesday 21 July, 2pm & 4:30pm. Told through an enchanting blend of puppetry, storytelling and music, Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Birthday will take you and your children on a magical adventure. Adults: £18.00 |Children: £15.50 | Family Ticket: 4 tickets (including at least one adult): £62.00

This Noisy Isle. Friday 6 and Saturday 7 August. At 15 minute intervals from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm. A treasure-hunt show giving 7-11 year-olds an adventure through a strange, magical new world. Discover your own magical powers in this truly interactive family experience. Join us for a mission which will lead you through puzzles, meeting mysterious characters and steering your team through the choppy seas to search for your new home. Tickets £14

India Electric Company. Sunday 8 August, 7pm. India Electric Company are perhaps best described as ‘a veritable musical magpie’s nest’, (BBC Radio 3), blending traditional instruments, folk melodies and subtle electronic influences. Join them for an evening in the Riverside Garden. Tickets £18

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