Epic tales take over Warwick theatre

The autumn season at the company’s purpose-built theatre in Shelley Avenue, the Dream Factory, opens with Metropolis, a re-worked stage version inspired by the 1927 iconic silent film by Fritz Lang - but brought into the 21st century.

Performances take place from Thursday September 27 to Saturday September 29 and on Saturday October 6 at 7.30pm and on Sunday October 7 at 4pm. Playbox will then take the show to Santa Monica in the USA.

Next up is The Story of the Jaguar and The Old, Old Word, a new work by Toby Quash for under tens, which takes audiences deep into the rainforest to discover a world on the brink of change. The production comes to the Dream Factory on Saturday November 10 and Sunday November 11 at 4pm.

Shakespeare’s elegiac play about the destruction and subsequent effects following irrational jealousy, The Winter’s Tale, will be brought to the stage with a new and fascinating perspective designed to evoke the world of Princess Grace’s Monaco, from Thursday November 29 to Saturday December 1 at 7.30pm and on Sunday December 2 at 4pm.

Winter will be hailed by Playbox by an alternative to the pantomime as the company bring Charles Perrault’s production of Sleeping Beauty, a story of magic, curses, heroism and determination, to the Dream Factory. Performances take place from Thursday December 20 to Tuesday January 1.

And there’s more to look forward to in the spring of 2013, with productions of the Ramayana, Sir Gawain and Bacchae.

Emily Jane Quash, artistic director at Playbox, said: “The new season is exciting everyone here - there is a blend of experimental and original approaches to great stories from across the globe.

“With shows going to the US and playing here at home it is all rather breathless.”

Ticket prices vary between £7.50 and £12.50, with concessions available and discounts for Playbox members. Call 419555 ext 2 or go online.