Artistic Director: Paul Johnson

Chairman: Philip Hogarth

Welcome to the 2014/15 season at the Lace Market Theatre

Being asked to put together a season for our theatre is both a demanding challenge and an incredible honour. Finding the right mix of comedies, classics and contemporary plays to suit our intimate theatre is a process which has taken a whole year to achieve but we are confident we've found something for everybody.

Our season kicks off with the sharp and witty newsroom drama Damages from the pen of award-winning writer Steve Thompson after which we continue to mark the centenary of World War I with Somerset Maugham's poignant masterpiece For Services Rendered. The darkest of black comedies is presented in Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman whilst fans of John Godber have the chance to catch his bittersweet comedy Happy Jack.

For those of you seeking an alternative to pantomime this year we present our seasonal treat, Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Full of well loved songs, colourful costumes and guaranteed snow this popular classic will run for an extended period this December.

We were delighted last year to be selected by the Royal Shakespeare Company to participate in their Open Stages programme which provides directors, actors and technical crew from a select number of amateur theatres the opportunity to work with industry professionals in the development of a production of their choice. To coincide with the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, you can witness the result in our April production of Shakespeare's rarely performed King John. Continuing the theme earlier in the season you can also see a younger Prince John in the acclaimed royal family comedy The Lion in Winter made famous by the Oscar-winning film of the same name.

January sees an exciting first for The Lace Market Theatre with the performance of the winning entry in our first ever new writing competition. A surreal comedy entitled One Act Play, you can read all about it in my interview with writer Matt Fox on page 16 of the season brochure.

If you need to shake off the winter blues come February then Bedroom Farce by the ever-popular Alan Ayckbourn may be just the ticket whilst Three Short Classics brings together the delights of Shaw, Strindberg and Chekhov in one evening of entertainment. We're extremely proud of the achievements of our award-winning Youth Theatre who this March will present Bertolt Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

In the wake of General Election fever, look out for comic thriller Dead Ringer set in the PM's suite on the verge of a landslide victory, followed by Jumpy - a contemporary comedy exploring mother-daughter relationships and midlife crises. Our season continues with Yerma, Lorca's tragic tale of longing for motherhood and concludes with the J.B. Priestley classic When We Are Married.

We strive to achieve the highest possible standards at The Lace Market Theatre and I warmly welcome any suggestions or feedback you might have to me. I hope you enjoy our new season as much as we have enjoyed putting it together. Happy theatregoing!

- Paul Johnson, Artistic Director