The new season at the Wickham Theatre brings a mix of provocative theatre to this intimate theatre studio and features some of the best in touring theatre.
The first event is an in-house production by third year Drama Department students, entitled decisions, decisions, decisions, led by Bristol-based professional director and choreographer Charlotte Hacker, with sound design by Matthew Olden. It runs from Thursday 25 to Saturday 27 January at 7.30pm. This new, experimental piece of theatre explores the process of decision-making, using contemporary performance techniques and physical theatre to intrigue and challenge audiences.
The highly regarded Third Angel make a return visit with their new piece Presumption on Saturday 17 February at 7.30pm. It peers in the lives of the generic thirtysomethings of our time. Uncomfortably perceptive, it explores those people in relationships who have gradually been talking less, but slowly wanting more. Third Angel creates striking theatre that is humorous, visually exciting and contemporary.
Fecund Theatre presents an exciting and intelligent production exploring male and female passion and sexuality in Special on Friday 2 March at 7.30pm. This is a contemporary love story with real edge about two people connecting through an intense sexual experience. Fecund have a reputation for their progressive, bold style. Two years in the making, this piece is a sincere and sympathetic investigation of an intimate relationship. Contains strong language and scenes of an explicit sexual nature.
Tim Crouch brings his award-winning play an oak tree to the Wickham following runs in Edinburgh, London and New York, on Tuesday 13 March at 7.30pm. Set in a stage hypnotist's act, an oak tree is a vivid and absurdly comic play, performed by Tim Crouch, a graduate of Bristol's Drama Department, and a second actor who has never read or seen the play before. It recently featured in The Guardian's top must-see arts events in 2007, described as a "brilliant, wayward show".
The second in-house student production is by studiospace, who present Arthur Miller's acclaimed play, The Crucible on Thursday 8 to Saturday 10 March at 7.30pm. This gripping drama focuses on the Salem witch-hunts of 1692.
The season also includes a programme of Public Lectures. Highlights include Dominic Dromgoole, Artistic Director of Shakespeare's Globe, who will deliver the Wickham Lecture on Thursday 15 March at 5.30pm. He presents a personal view of Shakespeare.
There will also be a talk by The Theatres Trust about its information resources on Thursday 8 February at 5.30pm.
Julian Stringer from Nottingham University will take a brief look at Short Korean Films on Thursday 1 March at 5.30pm.
Box Office 0117 987 7877 (via Bristol Old Vic).