Musicals, comedies, ballet and opera among Theatre Royal’s 2020 vision

The Theatre Royal is set to launch a new era as it unveils its list of shows for next year.

Marta Dusseldorp in Archipelago Productions’ The Bleeding Tree.

THE Theatre Royal’s 2020 season, announced tonight, marks a new chapter in the company’s history, with a significant proportion of the programmed shows to be held in the Studio Theatre performance space within the new Hedberg arts centre.

The season of 29 shows opens on January 17 with The Show Company Tasmania’s musical Mamma Mia !, and includes comedies, ballets, opera, dance, children’s and family shows and some significant Australian and Tasmanian dramas.

Bell Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors.

One of Australia’s most awarded plays of the decade, Angus Cerini’s The Bleeding Tree, will be presented in The Studio by actors Marta Dusseldorp’s and Ben Winspear’s Archipelago Productions, starring Dusseldorp (of A Place to Call Home, Jack Irish and Crownies fame), Jane Johnson and Kartanya Maynard.

“Of the 29 productions, eight are made by Tasmanian producers,” said the Theatre Royal’s chief executive officer, Tim Munro.

“That’s more than one-quarter of the program made here. There are three musicals, seven dramas – most of it new Australian or new Tasmanian work – five children and family shows, five ballets, contemporary dance and physical theatre.”

He said the new Studio space was “revolutionary”. “It gives the audience more comfort and access and the performers more facilities.”

Mandy Lowrie and Maggie James will play the leads in the upcoming performance of Mamma Mia !. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

The first shows in the Studio Theatre include Jessie Lloyd’s Mission Songs Project, which opens on April 17, Nathan Maynard’s A Not So Traditional Story, and The Bleeding Tree.

Mr Munro said the season includes offerings by three flagship Australian arts companies – Opera Australia (Carmen), Bell Shakespeare (The Comedy of Errors) and the Australian Ballet (Regional Tour 40th Anniversary Gala) – as well as shows by Tasmanian and emerging arts companies such as the youth dance company, DRILL (Leviathan).

John X’s production of The Rocky Horror Show opens on Wednesday, September 30.

Tickets for 2020 shows are on sale now.