Christmas beckons – sorry to mention it! But while you’re booking up that festive treat, check out the alternatives to panto that are popping up. The National Theatre is staging Bryony Lavery’s Treasure Island, directed by Polly Findlay at the Olivier Theatre. Ooh arrr! Derby Theatres is turning spooky with A Christmas Carol (www.derbytheatre. co.uk) while Anything Goes will be wowing punters at Sheffield Theatres (www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk).
We have heard about an interesting new interactive production: Sherlock Holmes: A Working Hypothesis written by Alexander Wright. York Theatre Royal’s associate company The Flanagan Collective have teamed up with Hartshorn-Hook to present an adventurous stage adaptation of Sherlock Holmes stories, which is on at The Council Chamber of York’s Guildhall until 21st September before heading off around the country. Wright has drawn on elements of Conan Doyle’s famous works and developed a new adventure. A cast of three will take on the roles of Holmes, Watson and Moriarty. Dominic Allen will tackle the iconic role of Sherlock. Tickets available from www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
From new to old…and a revival of Alan Bennett’s Single Spies, the award-winning double bill of An Englishman Abroad and A Question of Attribution. This major production at the Rose Theatre, Kingston, presents Bennett’s exploration of the murky shadows lying behind familiar facades – a theme that has particular resonance today – with the stories of Guy Burgess and Anthony Blunt. From September 25, get your tickets at www.rosetheatrekingston.org
Much celebrated travelling theatre company, Footsbarn, present their original adaptation of Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at Wales Millennium Centre on September 18th-20th. The company, formed in 1971 in Cornwall is now based in central France and will be performing the moving story in its travelling theatre tent in Roald Dahl Plass (Oval Basin). ‘Cuckoo’s Nest’ will combine puppetry, masks, music and projection to offer an imaginative interpretation of Kesey’s cult novel. More information and tickets from 029 2063 6464, or www.wmc.org.uk