Smaller is better for play series

A sparkling series of summer plays at a new venue in Wolverhampton have been unveiled.

The Charles Vance Summer Rep Season, sponsored by the Express & Star, attracted more than 100 advance ticket sales before the shows were even announced.

The productions - a mixture of comedy and drama - will be performed at the smaller Arena Theatre instead of the Grand Theatre, which is undergoing a major refurbishment.

Organisers warned theatre-goers to get in quick to snap up a seat because the move from the Grand to the Arena in Wulfruna Street means a significant drop in audience numbers.

Only 168 tickets will be available for each performance but there will be more choice, with more than 10 shows per week.

Plays by Harold Pinter and Alan Ayckbourn form part of the season, which runs from July 17 to September 8.

Actor, producer and director Mr Vance, who has been putting on the rep season since 1993, said: “It really is first come, first served. It’s the most popular theatre ticket in town.”

Mr Vance said the move to the Arena Theatre gave him the chance to bring different types of plays to Wolverhampton.

Mr Vance, aged 77, first came to Wolverhampton as a young actor in the 1950s alongside the likes of Sean Connery.

Keith Harrison, deputy editor of the Express & Star, said the paper was delighted to be supporting the season.

He said: “The Arena has got a fantastic atmosphere and we are looking forward to some great shows.”

The season’s shows are: Edge of Darkness between July 17 and 21; Abigail’s Party (July 23-27); House on the Cliff (July 31-August 4); The Marriage Go-Round (August 7-11); A Toe in the Water (August 14-18); Five Finger Exercise (August 21-25); How the Other Half Loves (August 27-31), and The Caretaker (September 4-8).

For tickets, costing between £10.50 and £17.50, call 01902 321321.

By Stuart Pollitt