Worcester Rep

Worcester Theatres are proud to have been host to many wonderful Worcester REP productions written, directed, created and casted by many different people. This page includes an archive of performances from the last 10 years.

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

Saturday 16 - Sunday 24 December 2023

Directed by Owen Harper and written by Aaron Corbett

Follow Little Red Riding Hood on her journey through the forest with a basket of scrumptious treats for Granny. She’ll meet some friendly creatures along the way and of course the BIG BAD WOLF, but with your help we’re sure we can send him packing!

With music, songs and lots of FUN, join us in the Swan Studio for an intimate introduction to theatre, perfect for your little ones aged 3 – 6.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Monday 4 December 2023 - Sunday 7 January 2024

Directed by Ian Good

The Worcester Repertory Company proudly presents the most GIGANTIC pantomime of them all, Jack and The Beanstalk! Bringing you all your favourite traditional panto moments so you can boo, hiss, cheer, laugh and sing to your hearts content at Worcester’s favourite family pantomime.

Prepare to meet our young hero Jack, his family and friends Dame Dotty, Silly Billy, Jill and of course Buttercup the cow as they go on a dangerous adventure to defeat the Giant and save their village!

A story of bravery and beans, giants and gold, friendship and fantasy – this is the pantomime you’ve bean waiting for!

ROMEO AND JULIET

Wednesday 4 - Saturday 7 October 2023

Directed by Owen Harper and written by William Shakespeare

Imagine meeting the love of your life, only to find out they are meant to be your sworn enemy…

An age-old feud between two mighty households, the Montagues and the Capulets. A young Montague, named Romeo, crashes a Capulet party and falls head over heels in love with the beautiful Juliet. Before long, violence erupts between the families and the star-crossed lovers are stuck in the middle, torn between their loyalties and their love for each other.

Can they find a way to be together? Or is their fate sealed; their love doomed to burn up as quickly as it sparked…

Made in collaboration between The Worcester REP, our Young REP and the People’s REP, they are overjoyed to be performing one of the Bard’s great works at the Swan Theatre once again, this time with a modern twist!

This timeless classic will be set in the era of Peace and Love itself, the swinging 60s; the perfect setting for Shakespeare’s most exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story.

YOU IN?

Wednesday 16 - Thursday 17 August 2023

Toured to 18 schools in September & October

Directed by Owen Harper and written by Aaron Corbett

"You in?” is a brand-new theatre in education performance that deals with the growing concern of child manipulation and grooming. The story follows two students, Alina and Dougie, who both come into contact with local troublemaker Nicky. Alina is a young girl whose social media has brought her the wrong attention. Whilst Dougie is a bright, intelligent boy who falls for the allure of gang life.

This piece explores online safety, gang culture, the hurt that comes from feeling invisible and the consequences of putting trust in the wrong people. This performance aims to educate young people on what they can do If they feel like they are being taken advantage of and things that can prevent them from being targeted initially.

In collaboration with HAF Worcestershire and Get Safe Worcestershire.

THE UNKNOWN

Saturday 22 July 2023

Directed by Owen Harper and written by Chantalle Cox

A group of teenagers have just two weeks to learn how to be human. From basic tasks like sitting on a chair to unravelling the mysteries of their new world, they must learn it all. As life as they know it comes to an end, will they venture into The Unknown?

The Young REP present their third show at the Worcester Fringe, co commisionned by the University of Worcester, championing new writing and young talent.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

Wednesday 12 - Sunday 23 July 2023

Directed by Ian Good written by Oscar Wilde

Two young gentlemen, good friends Jack and Algernon, have been bending the truth and hoping to put some excitement into their lives – but they get a lot more than they bargained for when friends become rivals.

Both have been using the same pseudonym "Ernest" on the sly, which would be fine, if they hadn’t both fallen in love with (and proposed to!) women using the same name… A comedy of errors, mistaken identities and attempts to claim the one true Ernest cause pandemonium as deceptions are discovered!

Oscar Wilde’s hilarious farce, with its sharp wit and eccentric characters, has been delighting audiences for well over a century. Double lives, Double drama, & Double entendres galore – what more could you ask for on a sunny summer’s day?

BOUNCERS

Wednesday 10 - Saturday 13 May 2023

Directed by Ian Good and written by John Godber

The weekend's finally here and the night out of a lifetime is about to begin. The club is bouncing, the drinks are pouring in and the bouncers on the door are watching closely. John Godber's Bouncers is an outrageous and hilarious parody of the nightclub scene, giving a glimpse from the perspective of the original men in black themselves!

The Worcester Repertory Company are thrilled to bring this imaginative and energetic play to the Swan Theatre. Don't miss this exciting performance filled with all your favourite 80's music hits, guaranteed to be an exhilarating night out for everyone!

SAMPHIRE

Thursday 9 - Saturday 11 March 2023

Directed by Owen Harper and written by Shamser Sinha

Alicia lives in a children's home, Jake lives in a shed. They're a couple, though Jake shows more affection to his dog than he ever does to Alicia. Together, against the backdrop of rural Suffolk, they keep themselves fed by robbing the local farms. But when they steal a piglet from Chelle's dad, they make a big mistake and suddenly their hopes and dreams are in danger...

Join us for Sinha's brand new play, a complex coming of age story about those who are at the wrong end of money.

ICE QUEEN

Tuesday 13 - Wednesday 21 December 2022

Written and directed by Hannah Phillips

A festive story of friendship and overcoming fear. Storytellers, Snow and Flake will lead you on a magical adventure where you will meet BFFs Kay and Kai, a talking reindeer called Bae and the Ice Queen! Can Kay rescue Kai and stop the Ice Queen turning the seasons into an endless Winter?

These performances are sensory friendly, the perfect relaxed winter show for the little ones to come and enjoy!

Cinderella

Tuesday 29 November 2022 - Monday 2 January 2023

Directed by Ian Good

Join Cinderella, her best friend Buttons and the ugliest sisters in town in the classic rags to riches fairy tale that enchants all ages!

The Worcester Repertory Company proudly presents the most magical pantomime of all, packed full of all your favourite traditional pantomime comedy moments. Join us for this well-loved tale and cheer, boo, hiss, laugh and sing along to your favourite songs in what promises to be Worcester's most spectacular family pantomime yet!

ANTIGONE

Thursday 6 - Saturday 8 October 2022

Directed by Owen Harper and written by Hollie McNish

Antigone finds her world turned upside down with her mother, father and brothers now dead. When the tyrannical King of Thebes Kreon, Antigone's uncle, violates the laws of the gods and refuses to give Antigone's brother a respectful burial, she decides to take matters into her own hands.

In this vibrant and modern adaption of Sophocles' tragedy, bestselling poet & writer Hollie McNish skilfully highlights the similarity between modern society and the ancient Greek world.

CTRL DEL

Sunday 24 July 2022

Directed by Owen Harper and written by Nic Lawton

Where do you belong? Could you pass the test? Who are 'The CURE'?

In this dystopian setting, CTRL DEL casts a satirical lens on the idea of citizenship, national identity and extremist politics in a light-hearted and witty manner.

Performed by Worcester's Young REP, CTRL DEL debuted at the Worcester Fringe Festival 2022.

ROUND & ROUND THE GARDEN

Wednesday 6 - Sunday 17 July 2022

Directed by Ian Good and written by Sir Alan Ayckbourn

Why not have a wonderful turn around an English Country Garden? Come and join us for a fast-paced evening with the fun, wit and compassion of Alan Ayckbourn’s play set in the wonderful garden of the Commandery.

All is calm, serene and peaceful in the garden and here we meet Sarah, desperate to have a nice, civilised weekend. But the subsequent sequence of events, as other family members arrive, ensures (not surprisingly) a weekend of disaster!

MY DEAREST MR COWARD

Wednesday 4 - Sunday 8 May 2022

Directed by Ian Good

Stars of the West End present 15 of Coward's best-known songs intimately at Huntingdon Hall, accompanied on our beautiful Steinway piano. Cleverly created and crafted by Ian Good and Gary Jerry both professional West End creatives, this is a production not to be missed.

"The wit and wisdom of Noel Coward's lyrics will be as lively and contemporary in 100 years' time as they are today." - Sir Tim Rice

HUNT

Wednesday 9 – Friday 11 March & Friday 22 April 2022

Directed by Owen Harper, written by Fionnula Kennedy

Have you ever done something bad that you couldn’t take back? What if it was just part of a game, a silly game that got out of hand before you could stop it. It was supposed to be fun! It’s alright as long as you have your friends with you… right?

Hunt is a thrilling piece of new theatre, following a group of teenagers on a very risky and dangerous treasure hunt... As secrets come to light, who can tell who’s friend and who’s foe?

Worcester Young REP presented Hunt, debuting at the Swan Theatre in March 2022 and as part of the NT Connections festival, the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff in April 2022.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Tuesday 30 November 2021 - Sunday 2 January 2022

Written and directed by Paul Milton.

Can courageous Belle, with her friends Jacques and Dame Madame Bonbon, defeat the Wicked Witch of Worcester and release the Beast from his curse? Come and join them all on the fairytale adventure of a lifetime. Packed full of panto treats galore, don’t miss this all-singing, all-dancing family-favourite pantomime!

After two years without a pantomime, Worcester Theatres returned with Beauty and The Beast at the Swan Theatre for an incredible run.

THE WILL TO LIVE

Sunday 25 July 2021

Directed by Owen Harper and written by Elly Datson

The Will to Live is a funny, thought-provoking piece of new writing which explores our responses to change and acceptance. It’s Inside Out but this time it’s the organs telling the story

Seemingly the perfect eco-system… although there is a small disagreement as to who is most important – being labelled ‘vital to life’ tends to give one a slight God complex. Heart wants what she wants, but Brain is sure she knows better. Lungs try to be the voice of reason; she just wants to clear the air. And Kidney’s just tired of dealing with everyone’s crap

Running a human is not easy, it’s group work…and there’s always one who’s not pulling their weight. Change is inevitable and not everyone’s happy about it...

The Young REP returned with this piece of new-writing by Worcester University graduate, Elly Datson. The Will to Live was performed as part of the first Worcester Fringe Festival.

ELSIE & NORM'S MACBETH

Wednesday 30 June – Sunday 11 July 2022

Directed by Ian Good, written by John Christopher-Wood

Elsie and Norm have decided to have a bit of a bash at culture by staging their own production of Macbeth. After a spot of judicious re-writing by Norm to make it snappier and more punchy, and undaunted by the large cast, Elsie and Norm set out to act "one of the greatest pieces of literature what has ever been written in the English language", playing all the characters between them. The hilarious results set Shakespeare spinning in his grave!