A dozen classic plays in company’s line-up - with special event this week.

Sidmouth Herald: Paul Taylor-Mills with his Olivier award.Paul Taylor-Mills with his Olivier award. (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth’s 2016 Summer Rep Season will be launched at the Manor Pavilion Theatre on Thursday (May 19) with tickets for a dozen classic plays on sale today on Friday (May 20).

One company will present 12 shows from Thursday, June 23, to Friday, September 23.

The 2016 season will feature:

• June 23 – 29: Deadly Night Cap, by Francis Durbridge.

• June 30 – July 6: One Man, Two Guv’nors, By Richard Bean.

• July 7 – 13: My Cousin Rachel, by Daphne Du Maurier.

• July 14 – 20: Bedroom Farce, by Alan Ayckbourn

• July 21 – 27: Pygmalion, by George Bernard Shaw.

• July 28, 29 & August 6 – 10: The Lady Killers, by Ray Cooney.

• August 11 – 17: Stone Cold Murder, by James Cawood.

• August 18 – 24: Pools Paradise, by Philip King.

• August 25 – 31: An Ideal Husband, by Oscar Wilde.

• September 1 – 7: Not Now Darling, by Ray Cooney.

• September 8 -14: Flare Path, by Terrence Rattigan.

• September 15 – 23: Private Lives, by Noel Coward.

There will be an official launch night for the season on Thursday at 8pm, with a presentation by producer Paul Taylor-Mills and members of the company about this year’s plays, followed by drinks in the bar. This is a free event, but booking is advised (box office 01395 514 413/www.manorpavilion.com).

Fresh from scooping a trio of Olivier Awards for his musical In the Heights, producer Paul has also taken on a newly-created role as Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s advisory producer and will work with him on the programming of London’s St James Theatre.

Paul is looking forward to spending the summer in Sidmouth and said: “The season continues to go from strength to strength and I’m happy to report that we have managed to double the amount of season tickets that we now sell.

“This is testament to the incredible actors and production staff that we are able to attract to Sidmouth.

“We are all gearing up to embrace our most ambitious season yet and I think that the plays reflects a programme that is both faithful to the heritage of the Season yet also boasts new plays that harness our commitment to present exciting work that challenges and nurtures a new wave of theatregoers. “We’re also proud to have an under 16’s rate which ensures that we do our bit to keep theatre alive and ensure that tomorrow’s audience is nurtured.”

The Summer Rep Season 2016 company is: Andrew Beckett; Anton Tweedale; Bridget Lambert; Ceris Hine; Charlotte Haines; Chris Casey;

Christopher Elderwood; Chris Kiely; Daniele Coombe; Danny Lane; Ellie Ann Lowe; Ethan Chapples; Hannah Vesty; Hans Magnus

Rye; Hilary Harwood; James Pellow; Jessica Lucy Kent; Jonathan Hunt; Julie Ross; Kate Bell; Mark Laverty; Natalie Stephenson;

Nicola Cross; Paul Lavers, Robert Hannouch; Robert Rees; Russell Anthony; Sally Lofthouse; Sarah Dungworth; Stanley Eldridge; Toby Joyce and Tom McCarron.

The season is produced by Paul Taylor-Mills and Lillie Collier, with associate producer Kylie Vilcins. The

directors for 2016 are: Paul Taylor-Mills; Lillie Collier; Claire Evans; Max Reynolds and Alastair Knights, with designs by David Shields and lighting from Tony Hill.

Tickets are on sale at the Manor Pavilion box office on 01395 514 413.