Storyhouse has announced an exciting and thought-provoking series of new shows to add to an already busy spring programme of productions and events.
Chester’s cultural centre will play host to a wealth of new and returning companies and talented performers to entertain audiences during 2022.
Gecko brings The Wedding to Storyhouse from 16-19 February. The internationally acclaimed physical theatre company is making its Hunter Street debut with this, its seventh touring production, which combines movement, imagery and provocative narratives.
The Wedding is inspired by the complexities of human nature. In a blur of wedding dresses, Gecko’s ensemble of international performers will plunge into a dystopian world in which we are all brides, wedded to society.
American radio star Ira Glass invites audiences to spend an evening in his company on 29 March when he’ll talk about Seven Things I Have Learned.
The creator and host of the radio and TV series American Life will use audio clips, music and video to share lessons from his life and his career in storytelling, giving his audience a fascinating insight into the creative process behind one of the most famous radio shows in the world.
Meanwhile the bold and brilliant Balletboyz return to Storyhouse for three unmissable nights of performance from 30 March to 1 April. Deluxe, which is co-produced by Sadler’s Wells, features work by some of the world’s most exciting artists, including choreographer Xie Xin and jazz musician Cassie Kinoshi, and will be delivered in the award-winning company’s trademark thrilling style.
Kate Bush fans should make a date for 8 April when Sarah-Louise Young brings her unmissable one-woman show An Evening Without Kate Bush to the main stage.
The stunning cult cabaret performance celebrates the songs, style and story of the influential British singer-songwriter in unique and memorable fashion, from releasing Wuthering Heights at the age of 19 to selling out the Hammersmith Apollo 40 years later.
And Motionhouse presents its emotional and uplifting dance-circus adventure Nobody on 15 June. The show uses striking and spellbinding choreography to tell the story of seven characters, finding strength and support as they each embark on a journey of self-discovery while a group of curious crows looks on.
The new announcements join a host of great shows which are already on sale and which involve everything from drama to dance, music and family shows.
They include a return for Storyhouse favourites Mischief Theatre (The Play That Goes Wrong, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery), this time with the comedy catastrophe Magic Goes Wrong which runs from 15-20 March, and David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny from 14-17 April.
Ahead of that, Storyhouse has teamed up with Chester-based leading independent label Mai 68 Records to present Storyhouse Sessions from 21-23 January, featuring around 30 bands, singers and musicians performing in spaces all across the building.
Britain’s Got Talent finalist, West End star and multi award-winning magician Ben Hart brings Wonder, his first solo tour, to the venue on 22 March, and bushcraft and survival expert Ray Mears will visit Storyhouse on 26 March with We Are Nature.
In the last two years we have all learned to value our green spaces more than ever, and in this fascinating and inspiring show Mears will explain how we can all do our bit to protect and celebrate the environment that surrounds us.
Spring and summer 2022 also feature a fabulous line-up of funny men and women including Dara O Briain (2-3 March), Paul Chowdhry (23 March), Rob Beckett (24-25 March), Joel Dommett (21 April), Sandi Toksvig (25 June), Sarah Millican (15 July) and Jon Richardson (10-11 September).
Meanwhile shows by Jason Manford (4-5 March), Josh Widdicombe (6 March), Fascinating Aida (11 March), Russell Kane (12 March), Kiri Pritchard-Mclean (13 March) and Stewart Lee (2 April) are already sold out.
CEO Andrew Bentley says: “We’re really excited to be able to bring our audiences such a rich and diverse range of productions, concerts and events for 2022.
“The ongoing pandemic has led to a difficult and challenging two years, but we know there’s a real appetite in Chester for entertaining and thought-provoking live performance and we’re confident our new season programme delivers something for everyone, whatever their interests and passions might be.”