Ustinov
MORE THAN JUST THEATRE …
In 2022, acclaimed theatre and opera director DEBORAH WARNER took over as Artistic Director of the USTINOV STUDIO. She proposed a radical new programming model for the theatre where OPERA, DANCE and SONG would be programmed alongside THEATRE.
Deborah Warner’s third and final season as Artistic Director features an equally exciting and eclectic line up of productions.
The season begins with SONG and the return of internationally renowned tenor Ian Bostridge and pianist Julius Drake in a staging of Schubert’s Winterreise (Winter Journey) directed by Deborah Warner.
The season continues with DANCE and Echo and Narcissus, a brand new work by Kim Brandstrup completing his trilogy of works inspired by Greek mythology. THEATRE follows with a new production of Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party directed by Richard Jones.
The RECITAL series returns led by the season’s Head of Music and Head of Music at the Royal Opera House, conductor and pianist Richard Hetherington, who performs Bach’s Ich habe genug with Mezzo soprano Catherine Wyn-Rogers. To close, countertenor Iestyn Davies with Sergio Bucheli offer an evening of Lute Songs including works of John Dowland.
“One of the most exciting seasons in the country is to be found in one of our smallest theatres… all part of a season that feels like no other on the theatrical landscape” Metro
The multi-genre programme has triumphed across two thrilling seasons with highly successful productions of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Benjamin Britten’s Phaedra and The Turn of the Screw, Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, Sophie Treadwell’s Machinal, Kim Brandstrup’s Minotaur and Metamorphoses and Dickie Beau’s Showmanism, plus a series of song recitals from some of the most important names in classical music.
Beyond the Ustinov Studio, in 2023 Deborah Warner and Kim Brandstrup’s double bill of Phaedra and Minotaur transferred to the Edinburgh International Festival. This spring Richard Jones’s hugely successful production of Machinal heads to The Old Vic for a limited run.
Alongside Deborah’s seasons, the Ustinov Studio continues to present highly-acclaimed programmes of world and UK premieres, alongside the best in small-scale touring theatre, comedy, music and dance.
Winterreise
4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13 June & 8, 9, 10 September - Ian Bostridge and Julius Drake perfrom Franz Schubert's stunning song cycle, directed by Deborah Warner
Echo and Narcissus
19 June - 6 July - a brand new dance work from Kim Brandstrup, completing his mythological trilogy
A Spiritual Life in Music
19 July - Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo soprano) and Richard Hetherington (piano) perform a selection of sacred songs including Bach's Ich habe genug
The Birthday Party
2 - 31 August - Harold Pinter's classic comedy of menace, directed by Richard Jones (last season's Machinal)
Lute Songs
2 & 3 September - Iestyn Davies (counter tenor) and Sergio Bucheli (lute), wih a programme of lute songs, featuring works by John Dowland
