Classic Thriller season goes on tour

Due to closure for building works over the summer, the Theatre Royal Nottingham’s annual Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season goes on tour to other venues in the city In a show of city support, Nottingham Playhouse and the National Justice Museum (formerly the Galleries of Justice Museum) will be hosting the Theatre Royal Nottingham’s annual Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season in July 2017. Phase II of the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall’s Royal Transformation Project will mean closure of both venues for most of July, August and September as building work takes place on the venue’s new entrance on South Sherwood Street.  The Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season, a month-long repertory season which has returned to the Theatre Royal every summer since 1988, would have fallen within this closure period so two alternative venues were found to house the popular annual murder mystery season. Nottingham Playhouse will host two plays; Dial M for Murder by Frederick Knott from 11-15 July and Dangerous Corner by J.B. Priestley from 18-22 July.  The National Justice Museum will host a new comedy drama, Marie Lloyd and the Music Hall Murder by Karen Henson, performed in the museum’s courtroom from 25-29 July. Jonathan Saville, Director of Sales Marketing and Development for the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, said: “Summer in Nottingham just wouldn’t be the same without the Theatre Royal’s Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season. We didn’t want our scheduled building work in summer 2017 to break our 29-year run so we are incredibly grateful to Nottingham Playhouse and the National Justice Museum for stepping in to support us.  It will be lots of fun taking our murder mysteries ‘on tour’ for the first time ever and I hope our loyal ‘Thrillers’ audiences will enjoy seeing their favourite actors return to perform in different venues across the city.  I think the courtroom drama at the National Justice Museum will be particularly unique and special, definitely one to catch if you can!” Stephanie Sirr, Chief Executive at Nottingham Playhouse, said: “Who doesn’t love a thriller? And Nottingham Playhouse has two of the finest ever in this year’s classic thriller season including by one of our favourite playwrights, J.B. Priestley. We can’t wait.” Nicola Burley, Executive Director of the National Justice Museum, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting this brand new play at the National Justice Museum. The Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season has built up a strong reputation over the years and it will be great to see this play performed in our original Victorian courtroom, which is steeped in history from times gone by and dates back to 1889. Previously a fully working courtroom, it is now used for education activities and as a dramatic backdrop for a range of corporate events. The room has certainly seen a lot of drama over the years but this is the first time it has hosted the world premiere of a brand new play! “We look forward to welcoming Classic Thriller Season audiences and we hope they will also be intrigued to come and explore our museum. Featuring the UK’s largest collection relating to law, justice, crime and punishment, the National Justice Museum will also include an exciting range of new exhibitions and interactive activities for all to enjoy.” Karen Henson, co-producer for Tabs Productions, said: “We feel genuinely privileged to be able to bring the same traditional recipe to other exciting venues in the centre of Nottingham this summer. Dial M for Murder and Dangerous Corner are perfect examples of the genre, whilst Marie Lloyd and the Music Hall Murder will have all the classic ingredients our loyal audience have come to expect in a unique and thrilling setting.” LISTINGS INFORMATION: Tabs Productions and Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham present THE COLIN McINTYRE CLASSIC THRILLER SEASON 2017 Tue 11 – Sat 15 July: NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE Dial M for Murder by Frederick Knott Tony married Margot for her money and now plans to arrange the perfect murder. But when the would-be murderer becomes the murdered Tony switches track in order to frame his wife for the murder of the man who tried to kill her. Tue 18 – Sat 22 July: NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE Dangerous Corner by J.B. Priestley A happy gathering of friends at a stylish country retreat is soon disrupted by a cigarette box and an ill-considered remark. Dangerous secrets are then exposed in Priestley’s fascinating play that combines murder mystery and psychological drama. Tue 25 – Sat 29 July: NATIONAL JUSTICE MUSEUM Marie Lloyd and the Music Hall Murder by Karen Henson Marie Lloyd, queen of the comedy stage, is detained by the Nottingham Constabulary for the wilful murder of magician, The Great Merconi. Watch as she is tried at the Galleries of Justice after The Great Merconi is found in his dressing room, apparently strangled by her garter. PERFORMANCE TIMES: Tue-Fri evenings 7.30pm, Wed matinees 2pm, Sat 3pm & 6pm TICKET PRICES: £16 - £24 plus discounts for TRCH Members* and Playhouse Pass**, Under 16s, Go Card Holders*** and Groups, See all three plays for £54 (evenings) or £45 (matinees) Book through Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall box office www.trch.co.uk 0115 989 5555 or Nottingham Playhouse box office www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk 0115 941 9419 ON SALE: On Sale to Premium TRCH Members* Thursday 5 January 9am, Standard TRCH Members* and Playhouse Pass Members** Friday 6 January 9am, General On Sale Friday 13 January 2017 9am *Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham Membership: Offering ticket discounts, exclusive pre-sales, meet the cast nights and more.  Find out more www.trch.co.uk/membership ** Playhouse Pass Membership: Offering advance booking, ticket discounts and more.  Find out more www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/membership ***Go Card: Free for under 26s offering ticket discounts and offers for selected Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham events www.trch.co.uk/gocard