The Kenton Theatre |
The Kenton Theatre web site is at www.kentontheatre.co.uk.
Box Office
01491 575698. Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 5:00, Saturdays from 10:00 to
noon. Recorded information at other times.
New Street, Henley on Thames, RG9 2BP. Click here
for a map.
Next productions
The Chocolate Box, 13th to 17th September, 19:45
A surreal and slightly dark romantic comedy by twice nominated debut
writer, producer and director Giulianna Morello for "Best
International Feature Script" with music by Queen, Sinatra, Aretha
Franklin and many more. When a man gives his wife and mistress each
a box of chocolates with the wife's box making a full circle through
four unrelated people's lives before coming back to her, through the
mistress. Everyone's life intertwines and takes different courses.
Not to mention the husband's but not as we would imagine.
Vertigo, 28th September, 20:00
Made famous by the Alfred Hitchcock film, experience the stage play
about a man trapped by his past and crippled by his fear of
heights... Join Dr Jacques Ballard as he introduces the fascinating
case of Roger Flavieres, a man whose compelling story of obsession,
murder, manipulation and deceit will have you on the edge of your
seat.
Frankenstein: the Year Without a Summer, 26th
October, 20:00
In May 1816 Mary and Percy Shelley travelled to Lake Geneva to stay
with the infamous Lord Byron. It was here; late at night by
candlelight that Mary discussed her fascination with the medical
experiments of the 18th century, specifically the ability of
restoring a corpse to life. Prompted by her imagination, Byron forms
a challenge… for Mary to create a ghost story entirely of her own.
Inspired by reality and driven by fiction the three of them unfold
Mary's tale creating one of the greatest stories of all time!
Voyage Round My Father, 19th to 23rd October,
19:45
Presented by Henley Players. John Mortimer was perhaps Henley’s most
famous writer and dramatist. His numerous plays and books continue
to enjoy huge success both on TV, the West End stage and cinema. His
most famous character is arguably the irascible and lovable TV
barrister, Rumpole of the Bailey. A Voyage Round My Father
tells the bittersweet story of the author’s life and relationship
with his eccentric father, who was a key influence throughout John's
life. The play is a gentle comedy told from the son’s point of view
of his search for his father’s love.
Strictly Musicals, 30th to 31st October
This Autumn, The Sainsbury Singers
invite you to a night of unrivalled musical splendour -
Strictly Musicals. Packed with songs from the most current
West End and Broadway hits, it promises to be an evening of emotion,
excitement and extravagance!
Defying Hitler, 1st November, 19:30
Sebastian Haffner’s best-selling autobiography charting his early
life growing up in Berlin between the two World Wars, adapted for
the stage by Rupert Wickham. A brilliant, moving and terrifying
evocation of the destruction of civilisation in Germany under the
Nazis.
Not About Heroes, 2nd November, 14:30 and 19:30
By Stephen MacDonald. Set in a Scottish war hospital during WW1,
this is the story of the meeting and developing friendship of the
celebrated writer, Siegfried Sassoon and the then unknown Wilfred
Owen who was suffering from shell shock. It was this profoundly
creative and liberating friendship that finally unlocked Owen's
poetic genius to express the horror and pity of war, a war which
claimed his life exactly one week before the armistice.
Raffles of Singapore, 12th to 14th and 17th to
20th November
Presented by Henley Amateur Operatic &
Dramatic Society. Stamford Raffles, man, lover, hero, the
founder of Singapore, London Zoo and freer of slaves. This is the
story of a remarkable man, his rise to knighthood and subsequent
bankruptcy by the East India Company. Encompassing all the romance
of the orient and the hard realities of the British Empire in the
seventeenth century, this is the European Premiere of this
fascinating musical.
Iolanthe, 24th to 27th November, 19:45 and 15:00
on Saturday
Presented by Woodley Light Operatic
Society. Iolanthe is a fairy who dared to marry a mortal man;
banished from the dominion of the magical creatures, Iolanthe was
forced to leave her husband and raised her son, Strephon, on her
own. Years later, Strephon has fallen in love with Phyllis, whose
guardian is the Lord Chancellor of the Court of Chancery. Phyllis is
in love with Strephon, but since he earns his living as a lowly
sheep herder, the Lord Chancellor opposes their marriage. Wanting
her son to be happy, Iolanthe conspires with her fairy friends to
overcome the Lord Chancellor's opposition, but this leads to even
further complications.
How the Koala Learnt to Hug, 28th November,
15:00
Adapted from Steven Lee’s children’s favourite book of short
stories. Written especially for parents to enjoy with their
children, How the Koala Learnt to Hug is a charming
new musical about the magic of family and, of course, the importance
of a nice warm hug! So join Steven and a host of wild characters
including Natascha the Witch, the reggae beavers and Karen the Koala
for some great stories, sing along songs, superb games and first
class hugging. All you need are your ears (and your arms!).
A Christmas Carol, 2nd December, 19:30
A reading and performance of Charles Dickens' A Christmas
Carol. Michael Bawtree has worked in Canadian theatre and
television for over forty years and is famous as a playwright, actor
and producer. Awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for service to the
community, the Oxford graduate returns to England to help raise
funds for various military charities, particularly those concerned
with the rehabilitation of servicemen and women wounded in
Afghanistan and Iraq.
Musical Medleys, 5th to 10th December, 19:00
Join StageWorks in this special performance as they celebrate ten
years in the performing arts industry and ten great years in Henley!
Charity Star Studded Celebrity Pantomime Based On
Cinderella, 14th to 16th December, 20:00
A Pantomime twinkling with stars to raise funds to support Headway,
the Kenton Theatre and Sue Ryder Care, with an auction every night
with a fantastic offering. Strictly for grown-ups.
Beauty and the Beast, 22nd to 26th December
Psst... Yes you!... Have you heard about the Beast? They say his
breath pongs like a five year-old brussel sprout and that he's so
hairy, he has to comb his teeth. And he's headed this way... From
the company that brought you last year's hit Christmas show,
Peter Pan, comes a brand new adaption of Perrault's classic
fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast. Chocked full of
fantastic, original music, exquisite storytelling and join-in
action, Beauty and the Beast is a sparkling family
show suitable for 'beauties' and 'beasts' young and old!
Puss in Boots, 29th December to 2nd January
Presented by Henley Children’s Theatre Group. Written by Mike Hurst
and performed by local youngsters, the story follows the fortunes
(misfortunes?) of a young lad and his cat. The hero of the tail
(sic!) falls in love with a beautiful Princess and with the help of
his talking cat, discovers he needs to rightfully claim the land and
riches of a nearby giant. Gallant knights, and some dopey Peasants
are encountered along the comical journey. Anyone new to Mike
Hurst’s scripts should expect a very witty show, with Monty
Python’esque humour and some good old fashioned tunes to roll in
along. This is a fun filled production that delights all ages with
its innocence and charm.
Alice in Wonderland, 20th to 22nd January, 21:15
and 14:00 on Saturday
Presented by Behind You
Productions. Journey through Wonderland with Alice to meet new
friends: White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Dormouse, March Hare, Caterpillar
and enemy - Queen of Hearts and her family. A colourful story with
song, dance and some slapstick for all the family. Join the Tea
Party and perhaps take some sweets home!
Previous drama festivals
39th Kenton Drama Festival, 4th to 8th May 2010
Kenton Drama Festival, 5th to 9th May 2009
35th Kenton Drama Festival, 9th to 13th May 2006.
33rd Kenton Drama Festival, 11th to 15th May 2004.
32nd Kenton Drama Festival, 14th to 17th May 2003. The details are in
the Archive.