World Premiere
THE MIGHTY WALZER
Directed by Jonathan Humphreys
- 30 June 2016 - 30 July 2016
- The Theatre
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In my family we start out giants and end up pygmies, grandiosity runs in the blood.
Oliver Walzer is shy, bookish, Jewish. He doesn’t know how to talk to girls. But he can slice, flick and spin a ping pong ball better than any teenager in Manchester.
When Sheeny Waxman takes him under his wing on the Akiva Social Club Table Tennis team, Oliver channels his frustrated adolescent lust into the game he loves.
That is until the heartbreaking Lorna Peachley and the prospect of a place at Cambridge take his eye off the ball.
Man Booker Prize winner Howard Jacobson’s hilarious homage to the Manchester of his youth is brought to the stage for the first time in this dazzling new adaptation.
“an achingly funny book…an amazing achievement” The Independent
“When I first read The Mighty Walzer I had tears of laughter running down my face in the first 10 minutes. It’s a massive privilege to bring Howard Jacobson’s Manchester masterpiece to the stage. It will be a deeply eccentric and highly theatrical comedy about the savage reality of adolescence, sex and ping pong!” Jonathan Humphreys, Director
FOR THIS PRODUCTION
We are grateful for the support of the following who helped to bring this new adaptation to life.
HEADLINE SPONSOR
CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
The Peter Henriques Memorial Fund
MIGHTY WALZER SUPPORTER GROUP MEMBERS
Production Patrons
The Beaverbrooks Charitable Trust
Ben & Maggie Caldwell
The Eventhall Charitable Trust
Jack Livingstone Charitable Trust
Production Supporters
Anonymous
Derek & Barbara Calrow
Frank & Cheryl Cohen
John Kennedy CBE
The Sciama Family
Rochelle & Maurice Miller
The Walshaw Family
- Event Information
VENUE: The Theatre
PERFORMANCE DATES: Thursday 30 June - Saturday 30 July 2016
PERFORMANCE TIMES:
Monday – Saturday evenings, 7.30pm
Thursday & Saturday matinees, 2.30pm
EXTRA PERFORMENCES
Sunday 1 July, 2.30pm - book a Sunday Lunch
Wednesday 20 July, 5pm (no 7.30pm performance that evening)
Sunday 24 July, 2.30pm - book a Sunday LunchTICKET PRICES:
Standard tickets from £16
Half price previews from £8
Banquette tickets £10
View all ticket pricesBOOK TICKETS: Box Office 0161 833 9833 / online
RUNNING TIME: 2 hours (including interval)
AGE GUIDANCE: 11+
- Creative Team
DIRECTOR Jonathan Humphreys
DESIGNER James Cotterill
LIGHTING DESIGNER Lizzie Powell
MUSIC AND SOUND Ben and Max Ringham
MOVEMENT DIRECTOR Aline David- Related Events
CHESS IN SHORTS - TABLE TENNIS & GROWING UP IN MANCHESTER
30 June - 30 July
An exhibition by Howard Jacobson and Manchester Jewish Museum to accompany THE MIGHTY WALZER.
After Show Discussion... THE MIGHTY WALZER
Tuesday 26 July 2016, following 2.30pm show
Tickets not needed. To book tickets for 2.30pm show click here.Our after show discussions are a chance to see the latest production in a whole new light. After the performance, members of the cast and creative team return to the stage to answer questions from the audience - why not join the discussion, ask your own questions and enjoy an insider's glimpse into the production process?
Between the Lines… THE MIGHTY WALZER
Wednesday 20 July 2016, 11am-1pm
Ticket prices: £6 per session
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 / online
Between The Lines is our playreading and creative discussion group for everyone over 18, designed to accompany productions in the Theatre. At each session we choose a play that is connected in some way to the production, giving participants the chance to read a part, share their ideas and thoughts and gain a news perspective on the latest production. (Sessions do not require everyone to read aloud)
Introducing… THE MIGHTY WALZER
Thursday 7 July 2016, 10.30am-12noon
Ticket prices: £6 per session / £4 concessions
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 (individuals) or 0161 615 6702 (schools and groups) / online
Introducings are pre-show, talk-based introductions to each play and production, for up to 100 people. Led from the stage by the Participation and Learning team, participants will meet actors and members of the creative team and learn all about the process of bringing the play to the stage. These sessions are suitable for groups, schools and individual audience members.Theatre Café… THE MIGHTY WALZER
Thursday 28 July 2016, 11.30am-1pm
Ticket prices: £3 per session and includes one hot drink
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 / online
Theatre Café is a chance to talk about the work we stage here, the state of British theatre and why we make theatre at all. At each session we pose a question that somehow links to the show currently in production. The session starts with informal table conversations over a hot drink, before the opportunity to take part in a wider group discussion when we will be joined by a theatre guest. This is a chance to meet new people, join the discussion and share your thoughts on what theatre is and should be.
Unlock… THE MIGHTY WALZER
Thursday 28 July 2016, 5.30pm-7pm
Ticket prices: £6 per session
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 / online
Unlock workshops are for everyone over 18. These practical drama sessions are perfect for those who might be new to theatre or want to learn more about the play they are coming to see. At each session we use practical and creative activities to unlock the central ideas of the play currently in production.Wordplay... THE MIGHTY WALZER
Wednesday 6 July 2016, 11am - 1pm
Tickets prices: £6 per session
Book tickets: 0161 833 9833 / onlineWordplay Led by professional writers and theatre makers, Wordplay workshops draw on a selection of plays from our repertoire to gently introduce participants to creative writing, with an emphasis on writing for theatre. Each session explores a different aspect of playwriting, taking inspiration from the current Royal Exchange production.
IN CONVERSATION: HOWARD JACOBSON AND SHERRY ASHWORTH 
Join Howard Jacobson as he talks to lecturer, Sherry Ashworth about his novel as it comes to the stage for the first time, here in Manchester.
Monday 11 July 7pm, The Theatre
Tickets £5 BOOK
MORE INFORMATION- Accessible Performances
AUDIO-DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE: Saturday 16 July 2016, 2.30pm
BSL INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE: Friday 29 July 2016, 7.30pm
CAPTIONED PERFORMANCE: Tuesday 19 July 2016, 7.30pm
RELAXED PERFORMANCE: Tuesday 26 July, 2.30pm - more informationClick here for more information about our accessible performances
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Uncle Motty/Louis Marks/Royboy
Daniel Abelson
Sheeny Waxman
Joe Coen
Gershom Finkel
David Crellin
Aishky
Ilan Goodman
Oliver Walzer
Elliot Levey
Dolly/Dora
Ann Marcuson
Sadie Walzer
Tracy-Ann Oberman
Twink
James Parris
Lorna Peachley
Lily Sacofsky
Joel Walzer
Jonathan Tafler
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