‘Audiences are back for new season at the Headgate Theatre'

It was a socially-distanced production of Jim Cartwright’s Two.

I love the theatre, and it’s a space that punches above its weight in terms of quality productions.

With social distancing now lifted, Headgate welcomes back audiences for a full season.

Some are productions that were postponed before the pandemic hit, while others are new.

Here is my pick of the season.

First up, an exciting new initiative, Headgate Young Company, the youth group, present their first production, Blue Stockings.

Jessica Swale’s play follows the fight for equality by four female students at Girton College, Cambridge, who, despite their academic excellence, are denied the same opportunities as their male counterparts.

It should launch the season, and the Young Company, in style (September 1-4).

Just a few weeks later, the Headgate’s postponed production of The Diary of Anne Frank finally takes to the stage, and promises a strong adaptation of the well-known factual diary (September 22-25).

Reject Theatre Company return with a new show, Honour Among Thieves, looking at the justice system, from September 29 to October 2, and their postponed Abigail’s Party will run from December 14 to 18.

Chameleon’s Web return with a new staging of Dennis Potter’s classic Brimstone and Treacle.

The TV production was banned by the BBC, so it will be interesting to see how the play has stood the test of time - and the cast are to die for!

Colchester Theatre Group’s delayed production of Jumpy takes place from November 10 to 13.Welcome back to Platform Musicals for the Sound of Rogers and Hammerstein runs from September 16 to 18.

Headgate Productions then stage a double bill of Noel Coward, including Still Life, which grew into the film Brief Encounter, from November 17 to 20.

The season ends with the much-anticipated return of panto, with Jack and the Beanstalk taking centre stage from December 3 to 11.

One exciting development is that the venue will host acts and productions performing as part of the first Colchester Fringe Festival, from October 21 to 24.

Details are to be announced, but does include a new play by yours truly! To view the full season, check out www.headgatetheatre.co.uk and book for the return of great theatre!

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