Arts Reviews
Holly Williams offers you a guide to the theatre venues on and around campus, and our book reviewers look at a selection of student guides and recipe books
On Campus
The Drama Barn
Probably the mostly aptly named venue on campus, the barn is also the most used. With an ambitous timetable of a production a week, a variety of shows gives lots of students a chance to get involved. But, yes, it really is like a barn. Difficult to find at first, I must admit, but do not give up your search! Check out Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in week 3 and The Crucible in week 9 for productions that take advantage of the intimacy of the venue.
Central Hall
For many students it’s just an exam hall in the shape of a spaceship, somewhere they prefer to stay away from, especially considering its looming presence over the lake. Yet, every now and then, Central Hall is home to large-scale performances. ‘Fusion’, an eclectic fashion show, and The Central Hall Musical Society both put on flashy shows here - look out for West Side Story next term.
Dixon Drama Studio
Much money is spent, but little is put on in this black box theatre, closely guarded by members of the Writing and Performance staff. Occasionally used for students to trial run their own work, or for department shows, offering a chance for the expensive lighting rig to be put to good use.
In York
York Theatre Royal
With £4 student tickets, York Theatre Royal is cheaper than the cinema, so there’s no excuse not to check out both its main house and more intense studio theatre.
One to watch this term is The English Touring Theatre Company’s production of Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children, on in the main house 21st October-5th November. This powerful anti-war play from an acclaimed company promises to provide a seriously good night of theatre, with award-winning actress Diana Quick in the lead role.
Grand Opera House
Another large venue, the Opera House hosts a range of musical and theatrical shows, including the much-loved Christmas panto that has aquired legendary status with locals.
Don’t be put off by the names - this term, the so-called Grand offers you the chance to see both Puppetry of the Penis (1st Nov) and The Vagina Monologues (6the Nov). Opera it ain’t. Expect audience participation and problem solving.
For more information, see: www.thisistheatre.com/regional/yorkgrandoperahouse.html.
There are also many smaller local theatres to support in York. Watch out for details of productions in local publicity.
A train ride away
The West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds
Getting some high profile performances, it’s worth the train fare to Leeds for a chance to see shows that might not make it to York. The innovative touring company Kneehigh Theatre present an irreverent new adaptation of Cymbeline in association with the RSC from 10th- 14th October. Promising to include ‘heart-stopping poetry, electrifying live music and characteristic madness’, Cymbeline sounds like essential viewing, especially given WYP’s £5 ticket deal for under 26s. Certainly a good excuse to venture to Leeds and embrace the multitude of shops and art galleries.
See: www.wyplayhouse.com for further details.
Crucible/Lyceum/Studio theatres, Sheffield
Further afield, but well worth the effort, Sheffield’s trio of theatres offer some of the best productions in the North. Particular highlights this season include Harold Pinter’s The Caretaker in the Crucible from 11th October, and the West-End smash hit The Play What I Wrote from 6th- 11th November. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the latter is a hugely succesful production which will include a mystery guest star. This sounds dubious, but given that past guests include Roger Moore, Ewan McGregor, Glenn Close, Kylie Minogue, and Sting, there’s every chance it could be someone unmissable.
