Summer season at the Theatre Royal, in Bury St Edmunds, includes a promenade performance as well as music, drama, family shows and comedians like Harry Hill and Julian Clary
A one-of-a-kind promenade performance on the streets of Bury St Edmunds is just one of the shows the town’s Theatre Royal is putting on this summer.
A diverse programme of talented artists and engaging productions for all ages is promised from its theatre performances, music events and family shows.
Five years after the theatre’s last outdoor performance, romantic comedy Steve and Steff For Ever will parade through the streets and some businesses of Bury in August.
Artistic director Owen Calvert-Lyons said: “Ever since we staged A Christmas Carol on Angel Hill during the Covid 19 lockdown, audiences have been asking us when we will be returning to outdoor performance.
“So, this summer, the creative team behind A Christmas Carol will stage Steve and Steff For Ever, a new romantic comedy performed in the streets of Bury. With only 50 tickets available per performance, you’ll need to book quickly.”
Steve and Steff For Ever
August 1-30
A Theatre Royal Production, written by Ian Jarvis
Steff is impulsive, easily bored, easily distracted, always looking for where the fun is. Steve doesn’t like surprises, batch cooks his lunch for the week and chooses his clothes based on the weather.
They meet by chance on a heady summer evening when there’s magic in the air and, for all their differences, fall in love.
But when you’re in your mid-30a with some bad choices behind you and some big milestones ahead, making a choice on who to spend the rest of your life with is easier said than done. If only they could ignore the small print, jump in and let the current take them…
There’s also drama, comedy, dance and much more to be seen, so take a look and see what takes your fancy this summer season.
DRAMA
Just Between Ourselves by Alan Ayckbourn
June 3-7
London Classic Theatre
Five birthdays. Two unhappy marriages. One possessive mother. It is 1976. Dennis tinkers in his garage, cheerfully indifferent to wife Vera’s impending breakdown. Marjorie hovers in the background, making tea and finding fault. Neil has planned a birthday surprise for his wife, but Pam doesn’t share his enthusiasm, preoccupied by frustrations of her own.
Ayckbourn masterfully evokes a world of hidden tensions and suppressed hostility, skilfully navigating between comedy and tragedy towards a hilarious, yet chilling, finalé.
Sword In The Stone
August 21-23
A Theatre Royal production
With a darkness engulfing the world and their magic starting to fail, Merlin must hurry to find a pure heart to lift the sword from the stone and set things right.
When they meet down-on-their-luck teenager Art, things start to slot into place… but the pair have got a long way to go and very little time to spare.
Full of magic and mayhem, this is a production by the Theatre Royal’s Summer Young Company – a three-week summer experience giving young people aged 11-18 the opportunity to work with professional industry creatives on a new piece of theatre.
COMEDY
Appraisal
May 8
What seems like an ordinary work performance review quickly turns into a comical yet chilling power struggle. Featuring Tim Marriott (BBC’s The Brittas Empire) and Angela Bull (Coronation Street, DI Ray).
5 Mistakes That Changed History
June 13
A hilarious historical storytelling show performed by historian and comedian Paul Coulter about five people and how their mistakes (big and small) changed the world.
A sell-out success at both Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Adelaide Fringe Festival twice in 2023 and 2024.
A Shoddy Detective And The Art Of Deception
June 25-26
A laugh-out-loud slapstick whodunnit featuring four actors, a dozen characters and a whole load of chaos.
When a priceless painting goes missing, Detective Stuart Pidcock is called upon to uncover the mystery and work out who is the criminal.
STAND-UP
Royally Funny Comedy Night
May 7
With two big names from the UK touring comedy circuit, Jack Hester and Josh Weller, with up-and-coming Mags McHugh, this is set to be a hilarious night hosted by MC Thor Stenhaug.
Harry Hill: New Bits and Greatest Hits
May 10 (sold out)
Julian Clary: A Fistful Of Clary
May 21 (sold out)
ENTERTAINMENT & DANCE
An Evening of Burlesque Cabaret
June 14
A good old-fashioned night out with the ultimate variety show, blending stylish cabaret, comedy, music, circus and burlesque.
Ballet Central
June 19
A mixed programme of classical and modern ballet performed by the talented student from the Central School of Ballet’s graduating cohort of 2025.
AMATEUR COMPANIES
Bury St Edmunds Operatic and Dramatic Society
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
May 13-17
Irving Stage Company
A Musical Spectacular
June 1
CTC
The Wizard Of Oz
July 3-6
Suffolk Young People’s Theatre
Shrek The Musical
Jul 30-Aug 2
FAMILY SHOWS
Get three tickets for £40 or 4 tickets for £55. Available on The Very Hungry Caterpillar, There’s a Monster In Your Show and The Magic of Science. Tickets must be for the same performance.
The Little Mermaid
May 4
A fantastic bright family musical with original songs.
The Worst Princess
May 30-31
Based on the classic children’s story featuring laugh-out-loud comedy, cool puppets, sing-a-long pop anthems and a massive dragon!
MUSIC
Rat Pack Live!
May 9
Twist and Shout
May 23
The Eras Experience: Taylor Swift Tribute by Xenna
June 21
Bury St Edmunds Youth Concert Band
June 22
The band returns with special guests The Sebert Singers and Souparnika Nair.
LUNCHTIME CONCERTS
The Champagne Trio
May 14
Electric Alchemy Band with special guest musicians from Ellisons Solicitors
June 13
Tickets include refreshments after the show.
PARTICIPATION
Oliver: Musical Theatre Masterclass
May 27
Join professional performer Grace Wellfare for an action-packed morning of musical theatre inspired by the famous musical Oliver!
Stick To The Plan
June 17
Six pieces of new writing from the theatre’s Writer’s Room cohort on the theme ‘Stick to the Plan’ will be performed for the first time by a cast of professional actors from the region. Pay what you can.
For more information and to book tickets, see theatreroyal.org
