New Season, Haymarket theatre, Basingstoke
ACTORS Simon Callow and Geraldine James were on hand this week to give the Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke's latest season a high-profile launch.
The actors, who are both looking at opportunities to appear at the theatre, helped unveil the new season at the exclusive Club Teatro in London's Shaftesbury Avenue.
One of the highlights of the coming season is a co-production of Romeo and Juliet with Mu-Lan Theatre Company, which will see Shakespeare's classic tale of star-crossed lovers given a distinctly Oriental makeover.
The bold new production will be set in Shanghai, revolving around rival Chinese and European families.
Speaking passionately about the play at the launch, the company's artistic director Paul Courtenay Hyu said: "This is a unique production. For far too long, Chinese actors have been cast in stereotyped roles. This is their chance to demonstrate their talent in one of the finest plays in the English language."
The season also includes Alan Ayckbourn's witty comedy, Things We Do For Love, a stage adaptation of the classic Sidney Poitier film Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, a revival of Pickwick the musical as a Christmas family treat and, in January, the world premiere of the thriller Murder in Paris.
Haymarket subscribers can book tickets for all new productions from this week, but other theatregoers will have to wait until Monday. For more information, call the box office on 01256 465566.
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