After being closed by the floods in January, The Attic Theatre at Cox’s Yard, Stratford, is reopening with bumper programme in June.
DICK Whittington was on his way to London when the Avon burst its banks and stopped him in his tracks.
That was the disaster that befell Tread the Boards Theatre Company in early January as they put on their panto at their Attic Theatre base at Cox’s Yard, next to the river in Stratford.
Although the floods have kept the site closed (boo!) the good news is that the theatre is reopening with a bumper programme in June (hurrah!).
Looking back at what happened, Tread the Boards artistic director John-Robert Partridge explained: “We were in the process of performing Dick Whittington when the river flooded and the site was forced to close. We were incredibly fortunate that the Bear Pit Theatre allowed us to continue our week of sold-out performances, and that no children were left disappointed.
“Following the initial flooding, the site flooded twice more and the choice was made to close the entire site and to undergo a deep clean of the complex as several parts of it were under water and certain areas needed urgent work.”
That work is nearing completion and Wells & Co, the brewery that operates the Cox’s Yard site and pub, told the company they can back get back into the theatre on 22nd May.
The long wait has been a challenging time for John-Robert and his wife Catherine Prout, Tread the Boards’ producer, who have run the company together since founding it in 2008.
“The waiting has been incredibly difficult and the not knowing,” said John-Robert. “Personally I have been running the company for 15 years and very rarely get a huge amount of time off, so it has been a big adjustment.”
As Catherine also works as a digital inclusion co-ordinator for Coventry City Council, it has meant that John-Robert has spent his downtime looking after the couple’s daughters, Alexandra, five, and Éireann, two.
“At least the enforced closure had given me some real quality time with our girls, which has been so wonderful,” said John-Robert. “Alexandra is definitely going to direct in the future as she orders me around like a pro, and Eireann has a flair for the dramatic.”
It’s not all been play, though: “I also have been directing and lecturing at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in acting, directing their foundation showcase production and I am currently in the final weeks of directing Richard III for them.”
Working through adversity is not exactly new to Tread the Boards.
“One day I plan to write a book about my time as artistic director of the company as, during the last few years, you would not believe the things that have happened to us,” joked John-Robert. “Four burglaries, flooding, a two-year closure due to Covid, which necessitated performing pantomime in a car park in minus-three temperatures on Christmas Eve on the back of a truck, and now more flooding.”
Nonetheless, the team have resiliently stuck to the old adage ‘the show must go on’.
“The adversity has made us stronger, we bounce back. We’ve had many years of fighting to be seen and have our work respected, including having to be self-funded. That’s the thing that keeps us going, as well are the incredible team around us who are always so positive and supportive of our work.”
He continued: “Having Catherine always on hand to discuss projects and solutions is invaluable. We’ve come back so many times – I guess we have become good at defying the odds!”
Now it’s all hands on deck to get the theatre back in shape for the 6th June opening, with 2024’s delayed programme.
“We open with The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged which is a hilarious production,” said John-Robert. “Three actors perform all 37 plays and 154 sonnets in 97 minutes. It’s fast paced and completely off the wall but great fun! We bring Noel Coward to the Attic in July with Private Lives, Treasure Island will be our family summer show. Full of pirate shanties, wooden legs and buried treasure - this show will delight all ages.
“September sees us return to a classic production Jane Eyre. Our Halloween productions are always incredibly popular as we try to adapt various gothic novels and this year is no exception. We will be transforming the Attic into the Paris Opera House as we meet Erik, better known as The Phantom of the Opera in this haunting production.
“November also sees a familiar face back again. We bring you The Return of Sherlock Holmes – following on directly from the events at the Reichenbach Falls involving Professor Moriarty. And then, rounding off the year, we have Sleeping Beauty, our pantomime, alongside Robin Hood which will be performed at The Cidermill Theatre in Chipping Campden. So plenty to see!”
It is understood that Cox’s Yard with also open on 22nd May although not serving food. The Herald is awaiting confirmation and further information from Wells &Co.
