Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre reveals its first in-house production for this summer season - here's what it is

A new version Noel Coward's classic love story Brief Encounter is the first in-house production of the summer season at Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre.
By Sue Wilkinson
Published 17th Jan 2022, 12:02 BST
Updated 17th Jan 2022, 13:04 BST

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Emma Rice's playful production turns Noël Coward’s film inside out, adding joyous musical numbers and physical comedy, while retaining the classic romance of the originalEmma Rice's playful production turns Noël Coward’s film inside out, adding joyous musical numbers and physical comedy, while retaining the classic romance of the original
Emma Rice's playful production turns Noël Coward’s film inside out, adding joyous musical numbers and physical comedy, while retaining the classic romance of the original

The play, which was turned into a film starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard, is a co-production with Octagon Theatre, Bolton, and Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, can be seen at the theatre from Friday July 22 to Saturday August 27

Laura and Alec are married – but not to each other. A chance meeting at a railway station hurls them headlong into a whirlwind romance that threatens to blow both their worlds apart. Will they give in to love’s first rush and risk everything? Has this relationship changed the course of their lives forever?

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This playful production turns Noël Coward’s film inside out, adding musical numbers and physical comedy, while retaining the classic romance of the original.

Brief Encounter ill be directed by the Stephen Joseph Theatre's artistic director Paul Robinson. He said: “Emma Rice has done an outstanding job of turning Coward’s film into a story for today."Brief Encounter ill be directed by the Stephen Joseph Theatre's artistic director Paul Robinson. He said: “Emma Rice has done an outstanding job of turning Coward’s film into a story for today."
Brief Encounter ill be directed by the Stephen Joseph Theatre's artistic director Paul Robinson. He said: “Emma Rice has done an outstanding job of turning Coward’s film into a story for today."

The show will be directed by the Stephen Joseph's artistic director Paul Robinson and has been written by Emma Rice.

“Emma Rice has done an outstanding job of turning Coward’s film into a story for today. It’s funny and colourful, brimming with warmth and wit, and whilst still paying heed to the steely moral core of the 1945 screenplay, it asks a question which is just as relevant today: do we risk everything for love?" said Paul.

Brief Encounter can be seen in the Round from Friday July 22 to Saturday August 27. It will then transfer to the Theatre by the Lake in Keswick in September and then to the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, in October.

Tickets for the Stephen Joseph Theatre production, priced from £10, go on general sale on Monday January 24 and are available from the box office on 01723 370541 and online at www.sjt.uk.com

Related topics:Stephen Joseph TheatreScarboroughPaul RobinsonBolton