THE GARRICK BRINGS THE SUNSHINE THIS SPRING

Springing onto Midlands theatre-soil for the first time, the Garrick will be the first professional home of Disenchanted! — an all-new-vaudeville-style musical that smashes away stereotypical fairytale characters, replacing them with a rebellious troop of women unified in their thirst for independence. “Our audiences love a great night out and something a bit different; so Disenchanted! is perfect” says Gemma East, Chief Operating Officer at the Garrick... With use of strong language, this one comes at an age rating of 14+ (parental discretion advised). They say girls want nothing more than their Happily Ever After— from April 29, the Garrick starts telling a different tale. 

And there’s plenty to keep us singing throughout spring season at the Garrick, with hit musicals Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story & Willy Russell’s ubiquitous classic Blood Brothers. Let the former take you on a triumphant journey through the incredible life & times of a pioneering figure of rock and roll, whilst the latter asks us to reflect on how one decision can change the trajectory of countless lives forever. Buddy will hit the Main Auditorium from March 2, before Blood Brothers makes its triumphant return to the Garrick stage on May 19. 

If you’re looking for novelty, the Garrick’s Director’s Picks always offer something fresh (and lower cost) for those wanting to try something new. There’s some unmissable storytelling happening in the intimacy of the Garrick’s Studio with an adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s much-loved Private Peaceful: a stark reminder of the impacts of war on family life in an unmissable one-person tour de force. If you find yourself split in the middle with what to come and see, Tom BraceSaws Himself in Half so you won’t have to. If it’s gritty drama you’d like, be the serpent under the innocent flower with Flabbergast theatre’s rigorous rendition of Shakespeare’s blood-soaked tragedy, Macbeth. Lastly, embracing something new can be quite tricky. Join Ana as she navigates the early days of starting her new life in the UK as a Croatian-born woman in Pepper & Honey; while it’s not always easy, this poignant tale asks all of us whether it’s necessary to neglect parts of ourselves when venturing into new territory. 

Following last year’s visit from comedy titan Michael McIntyre, the Garrick also brings unbeatable live comedy to the heart of Staffordshire. This season, it’s the turn of Live at the Apollo veteran, Ivo Graham who’ll be painting the town orange this October (for his latest show Orange Crush). Social media phenomenon Jonny Cole extends his record-breaking Armagudd’n tour both at the Garrick this October, alongside a sold-out show at Burntwood Memorial Institute this May as part of Creative Burntwood (the Garrick’s three-year outreach initiative in partnership with Burntwood Town Council and Lichfield District Council, aiming to bring more arts initiatives to the town of Burntwood). 

As ever, the Garrick continues to welcome some familiar faces through its doors. From enriching educational talks, to all-singing, all-swinging strictly stars—there’s bound to be someone you’ll recognise this season. Step into the world of the Tudors with acclaimed historian Tracy Borman OBE in Tudors on Tour on Oct 5. TV charmer, Ore Oduba, gets us jivin’ with the sounds of the 50s and 60s Rock ‘n’ Roll, in his Vintage Boys show on 13 October. Bringing the X Factor, handsome hunk Jake Quickenden makes his Garrick debut in Wham! The Show, this April. Poetry legend Michael Rosen (We’re Going on a Bear Hunt) looks back at a lifetime in poetry in a wholesome reflection of his life and times in his 80th year. Elsewhere, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown star and viral sensation Josh Pugh swings by the Garrick with Ha Ha Yeah Sound on Oct 6. If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a funny side to anaesthetics, Ed Patrick is on hand with his new hit show Numb & Number. While the spotlight firmly rests on the royal family, join Professor Kate Williams for The Truth About Royal Women- Secrets & Scandals, Politics & Power on Jun 2. 

And who can question the immeasurable impacts live theatre can have on young people? For the youngsters, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s smash-hit picture book, The Gruffalo’s Child, is brought mesmerizingly to life on the Garrick stage this March. There’s a tiger knocking at the door with Judith Kerr’s generational classic, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, this May. If you need something of mammoth proportions to keep the little ones entertained, Ice Age Adventure Live! smashes through the Garrick doors this October, promising the coolest adventure with some sabre-tooth surprises along the way. You might even catch sight of a dodo if you’re lucky! 

Finally, once the kids are put to bed, could it be time to crank up the heat? Unleash those inhibitions with Forbidden Nights on 2 July, promising to be a wild night to remember. If you’re after something that’ll leave you a little less hot under the collar, but equally enthused, P*ssed Up Panto: Cinderella, showcases the same captivating set, costume, and talent as an ordinary pantomime, but with plenty of booze thrown in to keep us going! Expect tears of laughter with this one... And, if anyone frequents the recently refurbished (and FSA 5-star rated bar), you might just spot a familiar face!