A season of ‘monsters and murder’ await audiences in Aberdeen as a string of thrilling new shows is announced by Aberdeen Performing Arts today.
A spellbinding musical, an enchanting programme for younger audiences, hilarious comedy, inspirational writers, iconic musicians, and the return of festive favourites are also among the highlights bound for His Majesty’s Theatre and the Music Hall.
Rona Munro’s adaptation of Frankenstein (Tuesday, February 4 – Saturday, February 8), Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller Dial M for Murder (Tuesday, February 18 – Saturday, February 22), and the Olivier Award-winning A Monster Calls (Tuesday, March 17 – Saturday, March 21) form the specially curated ‘monsters and murder’ season guaranteed to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end at His Majesty’s Theatre.
Musical theatre fans will be entranced by hit musical Once (Monday, March 30 – Saturday, April 4), while younger audiences will be treated to David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy (Wednesday, March 25 – Saturday, March 28), the Lemon Tree festive production, Ice House (Tuesday, December 3 – Sunday, December 22), and the welcome return to the Music Hall this Christmas of The Snowman with the RSNO (December 19).
The RSNO also opens the new Music Hall orchestral season with a special Proms Concert (September 15), with the diverse season of work also featuring contemporary dance company Rambert (February 25-27), a brand new show from local favourites The Flying Pigs (Wednesday, June 24 – Saturday, June 27 2020), and exclusive sessions with three top writers in the Music Hall Big Sky Big Horizons talks
The new season is completed by a spectacular programme of music and comedy at the redeveloped Music Hall including performances by amazing Scottish trad outfit Skippinish (December 21), the ever popular festive treat Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook (December 16), TV adventurer Ben Fogle (February 1), iconic musicians Paul Carrack (January 17) and Primal Scream (December 14), and amazing chart talent Bastille (December 1) and Jack Savoretti (November 18) and controversial comedian Frankie Boyle will visit HMT on August 27.
Aberdeen Performing Arts director of programming and Creative Projects Ben Torrie, said:
“We are thrilled to present a spectacular season of performances which demonstrates our commitment to providing a diverse and varied programme of quality productions for our audiences. Star-studded theatre, award-winning drama, cutting edge dance, hilarious comedy, brilliant writers and spectacular music, all in the surrounds of our wonderful A-listed venues, ensures there are countless opportunities for audiences from near and far to spend time in Aberdeen in the coming months.”
Rona Munro’s new adaptation of Frankenstein puts the writer amongst the action. An 18 year-old dreams up a monster. A scientist breathes life into a gruesome body. Banished into an indifferent world the creature embarks on a bloodthirsty hunt for revenge. This productions tours to Aberdeen having opened in the new Perth Theatre in September 2019.
TV and stage favourite, Tom Chambers, stars in this brand-new production of Dial M for Murder as the charismatic and manipulative Tony Wendice, a jaded ex-tennis pro who has given it all up for his wife Margot. When he discovers she has been unfaithful his mind turns to revenge and the pursuit of the ‘perfect crime’. Made famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s world-renowned film of 1950, this iconic story comes to Aberdeen as part of our own crime fiction festival Granite Noir in February 2020.
A Monster Calls is brought vividly to life in the Olivier-award winning production by visionary director Sally Cookson, having been inspired by the fantasy novel by Patrick Ness. One night, Conor is woken by something at his window. A monster has come walking. It’s come to tell Conor tales from when it walked before. And when it’s finished, Conor must tell his own story and face his deepest fears.
Once is celebrated musical based on the critically acclaimed and much-loved film, telling the uplifting yet yearning story of two lost souls - a Dublin street busker and a Czech musician – who unexpectedly fall in love. Following their relationship across five short days, big changes happen to both of them in little ways. The beautiful score includes the Academy Award-winning song Falling Slowly.
From the award-winning producers of Gangsta Granny and Awful Auntie, David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy tell the story of Joe Spud, who is 12 years old and the richest boy in the country. He has his own sports car, two crocodiles as pets and £100,000 a week pocket money! But what Joe doesn’t have is a friend. So he decides to leave his posh school and start at the local comp. But things don’t go as planned for Joe and life becomes a rollercoaster as he tries to find what money can’t buy!
Freshly Squeezed Productions in partnership with Alice Cohen and Sarah Corbett present the Lemon Tree Christmas Show, Ice House. It only appears in Winter, and whatever you put in, is gone by Summer. It’ll melt your heart, and everything else if you’re not careful.
A visual delight full of magic and mischief. Ideal for children aged under 7.
It isn’t Christmas until The Snowman has taken you on his magical journey through the winter sky. Expect seasonal favourites, carols old and new from the RSNO – and of course, a chance for everyone to sing along.
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra Prom Concert, featuring presenter Anne Marie Minhall, conductor Junping Qian, and the Ayoub Sisters. The 2019 Music Hall Orchestral Season kicks off in spectacular fashion with a concert of some of the best-loved classical music ever written. Classic FM’s Anne Marie Minhall guides us through a programme including Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Swan Lake, Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyrie’s, Sibelius’ Finlandia, Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves, and a joyous offering from the fabulously talented Ayoub sisters.
Rambert’s new show brings together moments of breakthrough from three great, distinctive choreographers. Presentient, an early work from Wayne McGregor, showcasing the extended lines and musical sensibility that would become trademarks; Rouge, a new creation from French hip-hop battler Marion Motin, in her first collaboration with a contemporary company; and In Your Rooms, a powerful blend of the personal and political that catapulted Hofesh Schecter onto the world stage.
Aberdeen’s own Flying Pigs have been delighting ever growing audiences with their mix of songs and sketches for two decades. Now the ‘punk Scotland the What?’ return to HMT for a new show packed with laughs. Fast, funny and with a distinctive North-East flavour, The Rothienorman Picture Show is sure to delight toonsers, teuchters and ab’dy in atween.
Situated in the Big Sky Studio, the beautifully intimate new space in the Music Hall, Big Sky: Big Horizons, is a series of fascinating discussions with a trio of best-selling authors. Chaired by writer, programmer and interviewer Lee Randall, these hour-long lunchtime chats feature a startling insight into the NHS with midwife-cum-writer Leah Hazard, Scottish musician and novelist Colin McIntyre and Sunday Times bestselling author Harriet Evans.
Tickets for all shows are on sale to APA Friends on Thursday (July 18) and for general sale on the following Tuesday (July 23). In addition to priority booking, APA Friends also receive discounts on all shows at His Majesty’s Theatre. To purchase a Friends membership and/or tickets go to aberdeenperformingarts.com, phone on (01224) 641122 or visit the Box Office at HMT and The Lemon Tree.
