One of the best-loved and most versatile opera stars of the last 40 years, Sir Willard White's illustrious career has taken him to the most prestigious opera houses and concert halls throughout the world.

Now audiences have the opportunity to share an evening with Sir Willard as he reminisces about his life on stage & screen and sings some of the songs that have been important to him from the Nat King Cole of his youth in Jamaica, through the first truly complete recording of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess in 1976 to the songs that made the Bass-Baritone singer Paul Robeson famous in the 1920s and '30s.

Sir Willard will be accompanied by the Kymaera guitar duo comprising Shane Hill and Simon James who have been performing together for over twenty years. Highlights of the partnership which features guitarists Shane Hill and Simon James have included appearing with the classical vocal legend Maria Ewing as well as the late UK jazz vocal legend Frank Holder.

Presented in association with Clive Conway Productions

www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/evening-sir-willard-white-and-kymaera-duo

Featuring The Lindy Hop Dance Company and The Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra

Take a step back into 1920/30s New York City and through the doors of Harlem's hottest nightclub, The Cotton Club!

For one night only, Swinging at the Cotton Club celebrates the breathtaking dance and music of the legendary nightclub. Where dancers such as Bojangles Robinson and the Nicholas Brothers lit-up the stage with their breathtaking routines, whilst the music greats of the era, such as Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Ella Fitzgerald, would have had the club swinging.

In this show, the exhilarating dance and music of the Cotton Club is recreated by the fabulous?Lindy Hop Dance Company, alongside The Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra featuring American vocalist Marlene Hill?and compere/vocalist Megs Etherington.

So brush off your dancing shoes, and get ready to be transported back to a glamorous era of Speakeasies, Flappers, and Lindy Hop, with Swinging at the Cotton Club!

www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/swinging-cotton-club

A laugh-out-loud slapstick whodunnit featuring four actors, a dozen characters and a whole load of chaos.

When a priceless painting goes missing at a private auction, Detective Stuart Pidcock is called upon to uncover the mystery. However, when he cannot solve it himself he is forced to enlist the help of an old nemesis.

Together, the pair must interrogate the many characterful suspects that reside at the manor, in order to catch the conniving culprit and solve the crime of the century!

Fresh from selling out their run at The Ed Fringe, Camden Fringe, New Normal Festival and a 2022 Spring Tour.

Shoddy are back with their hit show A Shoddy Detective. Grab your tickets now for the slapstick comedy that's taking the country by storm.

www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/shoddy-detective-and-art-deception

After the "jaw-droppingly stupendous" (Musical Opinion) Dragon of Wantley, NSO's same team has created the UK première production of The Silver Bell (Le Timbre d’argent) by Camille Saint-Saëns, in a newly commissioned English translation.

A poor, tormented artist, consumed with passion and ambition, is given a silver bell that will provide all his heart desires. But in this story from the librettists behind Faust and The Tales of Hoffmann things could never be so simple. It is fantastical and compelling tale, illuminated by a sumptuous and sensual score: NSO presents an unmissable first chance to discover this masterpiece by Saint-Saëns, one of the greatest composers of his time.

New Sussex Opera Chorus is joined by St Paul's Sinfonia. Conductor Toby Purser, Director Paul Higgins, Designer Mollie Cheek, Dramaturg Ben Poore.

The cast includes Anthony Flaum as Conrad, Sky Ingram as Hélène, Arshak Kuzikyan as Spiridion, Lucy Farrimond as Rosa and Harun Tekin as Bénédict. The central role of Circé / Fiametta is danced by Namiko Gahier-Ogawa.

www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/silver-bell

Nicoll Entertainment present a Rose Theatre, Lowry, Northern Stage, Unicorn Theatre and MAST Mayflower Studios production.

Based on the book by Rachel Bright & Jim Field, directed and co-adapted by Emma Earle, composed & co-adapted by Eamonn O’Dwyer.

Based on the bestselling picture book about taking a chance

An empowering and chuckle-out-loud story about embracing change — whether we like it or not.

"In a wonderful place, at the breaking of dawn, where the breezes were soft and the sunshine was warm, a place where the creatures ran wild and played free… A Koala called Kevin clung to a tree."

Join Kevin, King of the staying-still-kings, and his friends kangaroo and wombat in an Australian Outback adventure, as they learn that "life can be great when you try something new!"

Based on the award-winning book by Rachel Bright & Jim Field published by Hachette Children’s Group, this brand-new adaptation for stage is directed by Emma Earle (Oi Frog & Friends!), with music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer (The Lion Inside).

www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/koala-who-could

Who is Vince Cable (aka the Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable)? He is best known as a politician who was a key figure, for five years, in the Coalition Cabinet as Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, and then as Leader of the Liberal Democrats.

He is now retired from Parliament after 20 years as MP for Twickenham and is a writer of books on political and economic matters (and a novel); a Visiting Professor at the LSE; a Distinguished Fellow of the Overseas Development; and Director of a company creating a hydrogen refueling network as part of the net zero economy.

When not working, he is a father (of 3) and grandfather (of 3); happily married to Rachel (a second marriage; he was widowed); a competitive ballroom and dancer (who once earned 10/10 from Len and Craig on the Xmas edition of Strictly); and a keen cyclist and hiker.

Before becoming an MP he was Chief Economist for Shell and before that worked in the Kenya Treasury, researched in Latin America and India, and served in the Diplomatic Service, the Commonwealth Secretariat and as Special Adviser to the late John Smith.

Presented by Clive Conway Productions

www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/audience-vince-cable

Feisty Sue is not your everyday fairy tale superstar, in fact she's The Worst Princess. After being rescued by her twit of a prince she’s ready to start her happy end. But first she’ll have to make friends with a dragon, escape from a tower and set the Prince’s pants on fire with her new fire-breathing bestie. Will Sue find her happily ever after?

Full House Theatre's new family show is about to explode into Theatre Royal Winchester bringing this bestselling picture book to life on stage. The whole family will enjoy laugh-out-loud comedy, cool puppets, sing along pop anthems and a dazzling larger-than-life dragon.

From the Producers of David Walliams 'Mr Stink', Sam Bradshaw Productions presents Spot's Birthday Party.

Words and Songs by Guy Unsworth, based on the Books by Eric Hill.

Spot had such fun celebrating his birthday last year that he is back to celebrate again and everyone’s invited!

Join Spot and his friends for this engaging and interactive show for everyone age 2 plus and their grownups.

With integrated Makaton, catchy songs, dancing and lots of interactive party games, this is going to be the best birthday party ever!

Based on the beloved Eric Hill classic Happy Birthday Spot, this brand-new adaptation is the perfect introduction to theatre for children – they’ll be encouraged to sign and dance along with Steve the Monkey, Tom the Crocodile, Helen the Hippo and Sally and Sam, Spot’s parents, to say a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPOT!

Spot has been an integral part of childhood for over 40 years and with his inquisitive nature, sense of curiosity, boundless energy, and simple shapes and colours, Spot helps families, babies and toddlers explore the world around them.

Every Ticket comes with a free party hat and Meet and Greet with Spot after the show!

www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/spots-birthday-party

Blackeyed Theatre in association with Theatre Royal Winchester (part of Play to the Crowd) and South Hill Park presents Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty

Adapted by Nick Lane from the work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, with composer Tristan Parkes.

"When you have one of the first brains of Europe up against you, and all the powers of darkness at his back, there are infinite possibilities"

London, 1901. As the British Empire wages war in the name of a Queen whose health is failing, a series of mysterious events reveals a crack in the high corridors of power. A crack that threatens to destabilise monarchy, government and Empire. And at its centre, controlling the flow of information and influence, a shadowy figure plans a final deadly move.

Drawn into the game and unsure who to trust, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson find themselves confronting figures from their past in a desperate race against time, aware that the most powerful person in the world could be in the pocket of one of the most corrupt. But just how much is Holmes willing to sacrifice as he faces 'checkmate'?

A thrilling adventure, Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty is a world premiere combining powerful performances, a haunting soundscape and innovative design for an exhilarating theatrical experience.

www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/sherlock-holmes-and-hunt-moriarty

Performed by Anton Lesser, Lucia Bonbright, and Orchestra of the Swan.

Starring Anton Lesser, A Beautiful Thread weaves Hardy's life – dramatic as any of his books – with his beautiful poetry and great novels, including Far From the Madding Crowd, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, and Jude the Obscure. Hardy put more music into his work than any other writer, and Orchestra of the Swan's Artistic Director, David Le Page has devised a musical programme of shimmering beauty - a Mellstock folk band style, that combines West Gallery music with Holst, Warlock and contemporary folk. Adapted by Deirdre Shields, Hardy's extraordinary writing shines bright as ever.

Anton Lesser and Lucia Bonbright bring a hugely varied cast to dazzling life: from Hardy, his mother, Jemima and his wives, Emma and Florence, to George Bernard Shaw, and Virginia Woolf, along with the immortal characters from his novels. The show also highlights Hardy’s humour (often overlooked!), his modernity, the astonishing time-span he lived through, and his global reach, from Hollywood to Japan.

Anton Lesser says: "Words and Music is a kind of unique genre, neither pure reading, nor acting, but with an immediacy that comes from the huge emotional impact the music has upon the words, and vice versa, and the interplay we as actors enjoy with the musicians on-stage. Quite simply, it’s the most enjoyable thing I’ve ever done!"

Narrators Anton Lesser, Lucia Bonbright, with Orchestra of the Swan

Director Judy Reaves, Music Director David Le Page, Producer Hambletts

www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/beautiful-thread-thomas-hardy-words-and-music

Sevens, a triple bill of Bharatanatyam and Kathak dance with live music from one of the UK's leading choreographers Nina Rajarani MBE.

Seven Snags: A flirtatious courtship, the choreographic equivalent of an obstacle race, this fast-paced ensemble is rhythmic, full of exciting dynamics and laced with challenging cross-rhythms.

Seven Steps: A duet by Nina Rajarani MBE and vocalist/composer Y Yadavan, based on 'saptapadi' (seven steps) With each step, the couple take a vow that is beautiful, simple and timeless.

Seven Sins: This thought-provoking, nuanced piece questions the social norms, performed by the full ensemble of seven dancers and musicians.

Concept, Choreography & Direction Nina Rajarani MBE

Music Composition Y Yadavan & Shammi Pithia

Dramaturgy Lou Cope Costum

Design Sandhya Raman

Lighting Design and Technical Management Chris Cuthbert @acquismedia

Photography Vipul Sangoi, Lucy Barriball, Bheem Adavikolanu

www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/sevens