Blue Orange Theatre - Autumn 2019

SEASON BROCHURE
September - December 2019
www.BlueOrangeTheatre.co.uk
0121 212 2643

The Bar
By day, The Bar is a busy hive of meetings,
events and rehearsals and by night its a
buzzing venue for friends, audiences and
artists to mingle, with a tipple of their choice.
Whether you’re here for a coffee or a pint;
a pre-show snack or a drink with friends,
you can be sure of a warm welcome at The Bar.
Serving a range of drinks and snacks,
at affordable prices
The Bar is open from 6pm until late on show days
Relax
Unwind
Get closer to the action

A welcome to our Autumn Season from our
Artistic Director & Chief Executive
Welcome to the 2019 Autumn Season,
and a new chapter in Blue Orange Theatre’s history!
We are delighted to have taken over the management of this wonderful
theatre, 7 years after it opened under the expert guidance of Mark Webster.
This season has an eclectic mix of productions, something for everyone and many projects
which I know will entice new faces through our doors, both on stage and off.
Highlights this season include the hugely successful UK tour of The Hound of the
Baskervilles which will have Sherlock fans in a stitch of laughter. This year’s affordable
family pantomime is the classic tale of Aladdin, running from 4-8th December. For the
first time ever, we are also producing something festive for those who like a (quite literally)
‘cheekier’ offering...Tinder-Ella lovingly takes the classic tale of boy meets girl and
adds a dollop of innuendo, a splash of adult fun and, like The Hound of the Baskervilles,
more naughty references than you can shake a sausage at. Blue Orange Arts will
be presenting an all-female cast in Jack the Ripper: The Victims, as well as George’s
Marvellous Medicine in December. For magic fans, Jay Adkins is sure to delight and
on 10th October we are joined by two hilarious comediens: Samantha Pressdee and
Matt Hollins. Other brilliant theatre this season includes Willy Russell’s timeless classic,
Blood Brothers (Play Version), which returns after 5 star reviews earlier this year. Also
look out for Stourbridge’s ‘A Comedy Theatre Group’ which is presenting First Aid and
Strange Encounters of a Social Kind, both penned by local playwrights.
So, whether you are new to The Blue Orange, or a returning regular, you can be sure
of a warm welcome here! We would love to know what you’re looking forward to and
your thoughts on the productions that you see so please be social and let us know online!
We’re also looking for new partnerships so get in touch with your ideas!
James Williams
Artistic Director & Chief Executive

3 JW Theatres’ Productions

4
Written by:
Willy Russell
Blood Brothers (Play Version)
12th - 14th November
Did you hear the story of the Johnston twins?
As like each other as two new pins…. if not, it’s
likely you have at least heard of the story, as Willy
Russell’s “Blood Brothers” is nearly 30 years old.
MAMT in association with Experience
Theatre presents the original non-musical play
version of the hugely successful musical.
Set in Liverpool in post-war 1960s Britain, it is
the heart-warming tale of twin brothers who are
separated at birth when their mother decides to
have one of them adopted and what happens
when they are brought together again through
friendship. However, their familial relationship is
concealed by their guardians who strive to keep
them apart because of superstitious beliefs. As
they grow older, leading ostensibly separate lives,
they begin to gravitate back towards each other,
until they eventually become friends. They are
caught up in a vicious love triangle with Mickey’s
childhood sweetheart Linda. Mickey’s depression
pushes Linda into the arms of the conciliatory
Eddie. A desperate Mickey takes drastic action
against his fraternal twin which will ultimately
expose their true identities.
Please note this is the play version of
Blood Brothers and not the musical.
Directed by:
Adam Lacey
Movement by:
CiCi Howells
Set and Lighting by:
Alex Johnson
Associate Lighting by:
Joanne Marshall
Schools Offer Available!
We are offering an exclusive
schools offer for certain
performances. Please contact
box office for more details.
Performance Times:
Please see website
Tickets from:
£10.00
Performance Type:
Straight Play

5 JW Theatres’ Productions

6
Written by:
James Williams
Aladdin
4th - 8th December
Affordable, family panto is FLYING into
Birmingham this Christmas!
Join Aladdin as he embarks on the adventure of
his life, discovers the magic of the lamp and falls
in love with the beautiful Princess Jasmin. Boo and
hiss the evil Abanazar, before you sing, dance and
laugh with Aladdin’s best friend, Wishee Washee.
Will the Genie help Aladdin prove his love for
Jasmin? Or will the evil Abanazar’s plot to kidnap
the Princess succeed?
With all the ingredients for a perfect family show
– including romance, comedy, lots of magical
songs, dances, sweets, sets, glorious costumes and
buckets of audience participation, this is the ONLY
place to be for panto this Christmas!
Unmissable, traditional panto from the producers
of last year’s Cinderella.
Ticket prices frozen until 1st September 2019 –
book now for the best deal!
Produced by:
Experience Theatre
Movement by:
CiCi Howells
Set by:
Alex Johnson
Lighting by:
Joanne Marshall
Schools Offer Available!
We are offering an exclusive
schools offer for certain
performances. Please contact
box office for more details.
Performance Times:
Please see website
Tickets from:
£8.00
Performance Type:
Pantomime

7 JW Theatres’ Productions

8
Written by:
Paul Hutton
Tinder-Ella
10th - 14th December
The timeless tale of Cinderella…like you’ve never
seen it before!
Brace yourself* as adult panto comes to
Birmingham’s Blue Orange Theatre for strictly one
week only this December.
Poor Tinders is navigating the perilous world of
online dating, in search of her one true love. Will
she meet her Prince Charming or will he be a
catfish? Join us for a night of outrageous
adventure and silly humour as we shamelessly
corrupt this classic story!
Come and see sexy Cinders, the gorgeous Prince
Charming, the fabulous Sisters and all the gang
for this unforgettable night of cheeky, naughty,
grown-up laughs!
WARNING
Directed by:
James Williams
Choregoraphed by:
CiCi Howells
Set and Lighting by:
Alex Johnson
Associate Lighting by:
Joanne Marshall
Please note that this production almost
certainly WILL contain adult jokes,
innuendo, silliness, strong language
and slutty behaviour…you have been
warned!
Performance Times:
Please see website
Tickets from:
£15.00
Performance Type:
Adult Pantomime

FOR THOSE WANTING TO TAKE PART
A theatre that’s open to all!
ACTING
Work together and form a performance group
who, through a series of fun exercises and tasks,
will devise a Christmas-themed showing that
will be performed at the Blue Orange Theatre
on Wednesday 2nd December. This will be done
through a process of creative play, using a
variety of stimulus.
WHEN: Wednesday Evenings 9pm - 10:30pm
WHERE: Blue Orange Theatre, The Studio
COST: £110 per term*
TUTOR: Kaz Luckins
IMPROVISATION
The course will explore the techniques that
make improvisation games and scenes fly! We
will spend time on trust, acceptance, focus, flow
and group mind, as well as character, stage,
status and object work.
WHEN: Monday Evenings 7.30pm - 9:30pm
WHERE: Blue Orange Theatre, The Studio
COST: From £65 per term*
TUTOR: Jon Trevor from Box of Frogs
YOUTH THEATRE
Blue Orange Youth Theatre classes aim to
provide an exciting, enjoyable and creative
platform for local young people to learn skills
in creating excellent quality theatre. The classes
are divided into age catagories and meet on a
Saturday. Parents are welcome to stay, have a
coffee and a chat.
age 3 -6: 1pm - 2pm
age 7-9: 9:30am - 11am
age 10-13: 11:15am - 12:45pm
age 14-18: 1pm - 2:30pm
WHERE: Blue Orange Theatre, The Studio
COST: From £45 per term*
TUTOR: Simon Ravenhill
NEW: YOGA
An uplifting session that promotes physical
health and mental well-being. You will get a
good foundation to basic yoga poses, breathing
techniques and overall personal awareness.
Modifications and easier versions of exercises
are always available. This dynamic yoga session
will build stamina, strength and flexibility.
WHEN: Thursday Evenings 6.30pm - 7.30pm
WHERE: Blue Orange Theatre, The Studio
COST: £7.50 per class or £60 for 10 classes*
TUTOR: Michela Barberio
NEW: DANCE FIT
Keep your summer body with some of our
industry choreographers and dancers. This 1
hour class will push your stamina and make your
workout fun! Face off those winter blues!
WHEN: Monday Evenings 6.15pm - 7.15pm
WHERE: Blue Orange Theatre, The Studio
COST: £7.50 per class or £60 for 10 classes*
MAMT EVENING COURSE
Our links with the industry, particularly London’s
West End, mean that we can introduce students
to key concepts you need if you want to pursue
a career in, or train full-time for, either straight
acting or Musical Theatre. Aimed at those with
exceptional potential but lacking in experience
or advanced training, the Fundamental Musical
Theatre course will offer you classes in:
- Vocal technique & Singing
- Dance: including Ballet & Musical Theatre
- Acting through song
- Audition pieces/repertoire selection
WHEN: Tuesday Evenings 6pm - 10pm
WHERE: Blue Orange Theatre, The Studio
COST: on application, contact box office
*Places are limited. Prices correct at the time of
going to print but are subject to change. Please
contact box office for further information.
Classes can be booked online at
www.blueorangetheatre.co.uk

11
Drama

12
Starring:
No one famous
The Hound of the Baskervilles
2nd - 14th September
This inventive and hilarious comedy mystery
features 2 fearless actors playing every role in this
fast paced farce.
Cultural Highlight of 2018 – Mayor of London
(Presumably drunk!)
Created by:
Thomas Moore
Aditional Material by:
Oliver Hayes & Bibi Lucille
Designed by:
Stephanie O’Hara
“Fantastic, farcical, clever fun… a romp of a play.”
Living Edge Magazine
“The Hound of the Baskervilles is an absolute
must-see!” Manchester’s Finest
Follow Sherlock Holmes and his incomparable
sidekick Dr. Jane Watson on their journey from the
streets of London to the Devonshire Moors as they
attempt to solve the mystery of… The Hound of
the Baskervilles!
Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic mystery, The Hound
of the Baskervilles is brilliantly brought to life on
stage in this acclaimed production.
​Book your tickets today for this inventive and
hilarious comedy mystery feature 2 fearless actors
playing every role in this fast paced farce.
WARNING
Please note that this production includes
more sexual references and innuendo then
you can shake a sausage at and is not
suitable for those under the age of 16 or
those of a sensitive disposition.
Performance Times:
Please see website
Tickets from:
£15.00
Performance Type:
Comedy

13
Drama
First Aid
23rd - 25th September
First Aid is a new play penned by Midlands’s playwright Laura Liptrot
which takes a comedic look at what happens when a group of people
are thrown together on a first aid course, to study a subject none of
them have any knowledge about! Somehow each of them discovers
what is missing from their lives…besides a first aid qualification!
A retired teacher; a DJ; an alternative therapist; a hen-pecked
husband; an office worker; her workmate’s ex-boyfriend; a play
station addict; a young woman lost in love; a mother who can’t put
down her mobile phone and a troubled teenager all led by a tutor
who flees at the first sign of illness.
Heart-warming, fast, farcical, funny and familiar to everyone! Heads
roll, tensions as tight as bandages snap and dilemmas it will take
more than a sticking plaster to heal are uncovered.
Tickets from:
£10.00
This exploration of human interaction and triumph over adversity is
guaranteed to leave you in stitches!

Drama
14
Strange Encounters of a Social Kind
26th - 28th September
An encounter group sounds like a good idea. Arrange for an
assortment of lonely people to meet up at the local community centre
with the intention of making new friends.
What could possibly go wrong?
Each character that joins the group has their own story to tell and
issues to deal with – why would they be there otherwise?
Enter a mad tea lady and a very unexpected guest and the evening
may turn out rather differently than originally planned!
A comedy drama exploring what happens when a bunch of strangers
are thrown together and have to deal with a tricky situation.
How do they cope and will any lasting friendships be made?
Tickets from:
£10.00
Having penned six pantomimes and a number of comedy sketch
shows, this is the first ever full length play written and directed by
Phill Liptrot .

15
Magic
Jay Adkins: A State of Mind Tour
4th October
After the success of the 2018 Mind Magician Live Tour, Jay Adkins asks
you to get ready once more for his State Of Mind Tour in 2019!
A State of Mind Tour will see award-winning Mentalist and Magician
Jay Adkins return to the stage once more with two hours of mind
splitting mentalism and a generous helping of comedy, Jay is sure to
amaze and delight.
This year’s show is all about the audience, what they are thinking,
what they experience, and the audience will be involved every step of
the way.
The State Of Mind tour has been built from the ground up with brand
new material never before seen on the stage. Based around audience
participation It’ll leave you thinking one thing if anything…
“How did he do it?”
Based around audience participation with many more
revealed mysteries throughout.
Directed By
Mark Evans
Starring
Jay Adkins
Tickets from:
£13.00

Samantha Pressdee
10th October
Comedy
The only thing crazier than Sammie was the welfare state supposed to
be helping her! Getting your needs met in austerity Britain is a game of
Russian roulette. Will she beat the system?
‘Excellent storytelling, very funny’
‘Cheeky jokes intertwined with a startlingly honest account of her struggles’
‘Free-thinking, hard-hitting and anarchic, but delivered with a twinkle in the eye’ (Fringepig). Telegraphs
‘Best Jokes’ of 2016. Huffington Post ‘Must See Show’ 2016.
As seen on RT and heard on Talk Radio.
Appearing as part of Birmingham Comedy Fest, on World Mental Health Day.
16
TICKETS FROM £7.50
Matt Hollins
10th October
Many years ago, deadpan comedian Matt Hollins got nominated for a coveted
national comedy award whilst he languished as an inpatient on a Psychiatric
Ward. A month later he was discharged and performed in the live
final… and won it! Adding his name to a list of former winners including
Rhod Gilbert, Jason Manford and Johnny Vegas. Surely anything was possible
after that. Or was it? £1000 prize money, his first comedy agent and
being paid to perform at the best clubs in the country isn’t a magical cure to
health problems, especially when you’re on the wrong medication! A tale of
falling down, getting up and falling down again – one comedians battle with mental health problems.
“Strikingly Original” Chortle.
“Wonderful and Unique” Joe Lycett.
Appearing as part of Birmingham Comedy Fest, on World Mental Health Day.
TICKETS FROM £7.50

17
Drama
Jack the Ripper: the Victims
24th October - 2nd November
August 1888, London sees the first of five brutal murders, the callous
cruelty of which sends shock waves far and wide and etches the
name of the most infamous serial killer into the minds of the public
from that day until this. His identity still remains a mystery baffling
historians the world over.
An all female cast focus on the stories of the five canonical victims of
Jack the Ripper highlighting their senseless and cruel slayings and
depicting the depravity and violence which formed part of the daily
lives of the residents of Whitehall.
Naturalistic dialogue contrast with a fast-paced stylistic story telling
approach and moments of brutal violence making this a telling not to
be missed.
Tickets from:
£10.00

Music
18
Ultramarine
8th November
Formed in 1989, their early releases were issued on the seminal
Brussels-based label Les Disques du Crépuscule and shortly afterwards
by Brainiak Records, a label closely affiliated to The Brain club
(an early purveyor of regular House music nights in Soho, London).
Their debut album ‘Folk’ was issued by Crépuscule in 1990 but the
group are better known for their classic second album ‘Every Man
And Woman Is A Star’, initially released on Brainiak in 1991 and given
a wider audience with the release of an expanded version on
Rough Trade in 1992
Fiat Lux
9th November
West Midlands Synth Network
10th November
TICKETS FROM £15
Steve Wright’s emotive vocals. Multi-instrumentalist David Crickmore
and Ian Nelson (brother of Be-Bop Deluxe guitarist/vocalist
Bill Nelson). The trio released one single – “Feels Like Winter Again”
on the Cocteau label – before soon choosing to sign to Polydor.
There, they delivered five singles from August 1983 to January
1985; landed several U.K. TV and radio appearances; opened for
Howard Jones, Thomas Dolby, and John Cale; and had two minor
hits (“Secrets” and “Blue Emotion”) before calling it quits. Their fulllength
album debut remained
shelved… until now.
TICKETS FROM £15
FREE event in November at The Blue Orange from 12.00 noon up
until around 10.00 pm and it will include a Modular Meet (in the
bar) and there will an opportunity for artists to play live sets / be
part on an Electronic Music Open Mic event in the main theatre
……. if you want to bring your modular or synth set up along as
part of the ‘meet’ or you want to be able to ‘perform’ live in the theatre
space please contact the Box Office
FREE EVENT

19
Drama
The Miller’s Story
21st November
The Miller’s Story is a ‘Priming of the Cannon’ adaptation based on
Canterbury Tales by Chaucer. However, as opposed to retelling the
original narrative, here Simon Thompson creates a life for the Miller
before his night of bawdy storytelling.
Influenced by the traditions of Commedia del Arte and
Punch and Judy, we find out who the Miller is and why
he making this Holy pilgrimage.
In an audience engaging, fun filled romp of Medieval naughtiness the
lonely and ageing Miller leaves his home in Manchester and journeys
to Canterbury, stopping off at The Tabard Inn, in London Town for a
night of revelry and storytelling with his fellow pilgrims.
Using Physical Comedy, Mask, Music and Song the audience are
invited to join the Miller sharing in the highs and the lows
of the journey.
Written by:
Simon Thompson
Directed by:
Eva Birdthistle
Tickets from:
£13.00

Drama
20
George’s Marvellous Medicine
21st - 29th December
Blue Orange Arts presents
Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine.
George Kranky’s Grandma is a miserable grouch.
George really hates that horrid old witchy woman.
One Saturday morning, George is in charge of giving
Grandma her medicine.
So-ho! Ah-ha! Ho-hum! George knows exactly what to do.
A magic medicine it will be.
One that will either cure her completely . . . or blow off the top of her
head.
Tickets from:
£10.00

Our New Look!
The Blue Orange Theatre was officially opened in 2011 by Birmingham based theatre
producer Mark Webster. JW Theatres are delighted to be taking over the management of
the venue from September 2019, whilst staying true to the principles set out by Mark. We
have a strong passion for ensuring that the theatre stays inclusive for all and would like
to see some of the shows which are created here go on to have future lives elsewhere, as
many previous Blue Orange shows have!
We hope you enjoy the look of our new season and the adaptations we’ve made. We love
our new logo; we tried very hard to settle on a logo that shows our industrial surroundings
here in the heart of the historic Jewellery Quarter . We are a theatre that ‘make things’ - sometimes from
scratch and sometimes we reimagine classics, with new ideas and developments. Do let us know what
you’re looking forward to and if there’s something you would like to see here in the future. We’re open to
all ideas!
Keep up to date with our developments at www.jwtheatres.co.uk and on Twitter @JWTheatres

Accessibility
The Blue Orange Theatre is commited to making
theatre accessable for all. We would encourage
our access patrons book tickets as far in advance
as possible to allow us to provide assistance where
required. Please ask if you need anything!
Flat floor access to all spaces
Enhanced Hearing System when available
This brochure is available in large print
Booking Fees
We do not charge booking fees at Blue Orange
Theatre. We do sometimes retain a portion of the
ticket price for our box office services but this is
included within the advertised ticket price and you
customers do not pay anything extra on top.
Concessions
Concessions are subject to availability, should be
booked in advance and can be withdrawn from
sale at any point. Concessions do not apply to all
shows. Where available, they apply to the following
groups: under 16s, students in full time education,
over 60s, those on job seekers allowance, MAMT
staff and/ or alumni. Please bring proof of status.
Refunds
Tickets are non-refundable in all circumstances
except event cancellation. Tickets can sometimes
be exchanged for another performance of the
same production, subject to a £1 per ticket fee.
Schools & Colleges
Teacher-led school and college groups are entitled
to free tickets for accompanying teachers on all JW
Theatres’ productions. Please call the Box Office for
full details.
Group Bookings
We offer one free ticket for every ten purchased by
a group for the same performance. This offer is only
available on JW Theatres’ productions. Please call
the Box Office for full details.
Resale of Tickets
To protect everyone from ticket touts, we don’t
allow the resale of our tickets for commercial gain.
Tickets are sold for use by the buyer and his or her
party. We can cancel tickets if there’s any breach of
this condition, and refuse entry without refund. For
your own peace of mind, please only buy from
official outlets – which is directly from us or from
one of our approved agents.
Payment
We accept most major credit and debit cards. We
do not accept cheques. Bank transfer can be
arranged for schools shows and group bookings.
After payment, tickets will be emailed to your
email address. Tickets must be printed and shown
at the venue. We do not accept SOLT Theatre Tokens.
Customer Service
To ensure everyone can enjoy a memorable visit to
the theatre in comfort, we reserve the right to
refuse admission to anyone who is behaving in a
disruptive manner. It is a criminal offence under
the Licensing Act 2003 to refuse to leave a licensed
presmises when requested to do so by staff.
Latecomers will only be admitted during a suitable
break in the performance, which may be the interval.
Sometimes with live performance, unavoidable
changes to the advertised programme and
casting may occur, and we reserve the right to
make changes without notice.
Please note that for your security, on occasions we
may carry out bag searches on arrival to the venue.
Signs will indicate if authorised photography or
filming is taking place during your visit in the
foyers or auditorium. If you don’t wish to be
featured, please inform a Duty Manager.
Photographs and recording of any kind are
strictly prohibted during performances, unless
advised otherwise.

MUST END 8th DECEMBER!