Feel changed, affected, curious, uplifted, moved and connected. Feel alive at the Sherman. It’s everything you expect from the Sherman and more.
This is Welsh storytelling at its most original, emotional, thought-provoking and unifying.
Monument
Something unimaginable has happened… With the eyes of the world watching, the residents of Llanycoed gather in their Village Hall. An important decision needs to be made: should a memorial be built – a memorial that could define this village forever? As the question is debated, ideas of nationhood and community are tested and long-running tensions reach boiling point. When the time comes, which way will they and, as importantly, you, vote? Because with two alternative endings, your vote really does count.
Rhys Warrington’s enthralling drama, directed by Francesca Goodridge in her first production as Artistic Director, puts you at the heart of the action. Monument is an involving, kaleidoscopic portrait of a rural community; moving, witty, surprising and deeply human.
“I feel incredibly excited and deeply honoured to have written the very first play of Francesca Goodridge’s electric first season as the Sherman’s new Artistic Director. To have the opportunity to bring this big knotty complicated play home to Wales and for it to sit alongside so many other incredible artists, is a real dream come true. I can’t wait to get going.” Rhys Warrington
Sherman Theatre and Royal Court Theatre present
Monument
By Rhys Warrington
Directed by Francesca Goodridge
Supported by the Colwinston Charitable Trust
Rhys is the recipient of the second Davidson PlayGC Bursary, supported by PlayGC Theatre Company and the Alan Davidson Foundation.
29 January – 13 February
Macbeth [re]imagined
Ambition knows no limits in a digital world designed to reward outrage and spectacle. Francesca Goodridge brings Shakespeare’s tale of power, manipulation, and self-mythology crashing into today’s manosphere.
Dangerous and electrifying, experience Macbeth made for the generations raised in our online age. If you already know this great play, get ready for Macbeth like you’ve never seen it before.
Fusing real-time digital content creation, physical theatre, explosive movement, live music and spoken word; this is theatre with nothing held back.
A Made by Sherman production
By William Shakespeare
Additional scenes and dialogue by Rebecca Jade Hammond
Directed by Francesca Goodridge
Created as part of Craidd. Craidd is made possible by support from Arts Council of Wales.
12 – 27 March
Princess of Wales
The Royal Wedding, 1981. Diana, Princess of Wales’s funeral, 1997. These two momentous days we watched together are the backdrop for Daf James’ sweeping drama charting a Grangetown family’s unravelling.
Princess of Wales is a huge, funny, anarchic Welsh family drama. It’s a play that moves from farce to heartbreak, from domestic drama to something genuinely mythic, asking who gets remembered, who gets erased, and who gets to tell the story of who we are.
Written by the creator of BBC’s Lost Boys and Fairies and Tylwyth (Sherman Theatre & Theatr Cymru), Princess of Wales promises a hugely entertaining night out that’s wildly theatrical, politically sharp and gloriously entertaining.
A Sherman Theatre and Theatr Clwyd production
By Daf James
8 – 23 October
Treasure Island(ish)
Set sail on the adventure of a lifetime as you join Ianto on his swashbuckling voyage of discovery. Batten down the hatches for an adventure crammed with double-crossing pirates, parrots, sword fights, mermaids, rum and a dash of danger.
Once again, Hannah McPake (Alice: Return to Wonderland, Tales of the Brothers Grimm) makes irresistible Christmas entertainment with a fresh and distinctly Cardiff twist on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale. Treasure Island(ish) digs into Cardiff’s past as a haven for pirates and smugglers and pays affectionate tribute to classic 80’s treasure hunt films.
Brought to life by a brilliant actor-musician cast, this is the thrilling, fun-filled Main House Christmas show for ages 7+ that’s more than ship shape.
A Made by Sherman production
By Hannah McPake
26 November – 31 December
Civilisation
When Joe and Trina check into their penthouse hotel room the last thing they expect to find are two other occupants. When a host of other guests barrel in, sheltering from a cataclysm outside, things begin to take a sinister turn. As the world goes to hell outside, they’re forced to find a way to live together. Resources are fought over, territory lines are drawn and a hierarchy is formed. The guests descend from the heights of sophistication to the depths of savagery. When their society inevitably breaks down, will they be able to build a new future out of the wreckage? Or will they be destined to repeat the mistakes of their past?
Matthew Bulgo’s (Constellation Street) Civilisation is a ferocious mix of gritty realism and absurdist comedy. It is our twelfth collaboration with Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama for their NEW festival.
“When the Sherman asked if I’d consider pitching an idea for their NEW Season slot, I couldn’t reply quick enough. I’m so happy to be writing Civilisation for the Sherman and RWCM&D – two buildings with which I’ve had a very close working relationship throughout my career – and I’m particularly thrilled that Civilisation will be a part of Francesca’s maiden season at the Sherman theatre. It’s been such a joy to see her career really bloom in recent years and to see her visionary style of work become more and more honed and acute. In addition, as a huge advocate for youth arts and drama training I’m ecstatic to be writing a play to be performed by the graduating students at RWCMD.” Matthew Bulgo
Sherman Theatre in collaboration with Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
By Matthew Bulgo
Directed by Kwame Owusu
May
The Blue Bird
Everyone knows Cardiff City’s nickname is the Bluebirds. But where did that name come from?
In October 1911, Maurice Materlinck’s play The Blue Bird was a smash hit with Cardiff audiences when it ran at the New Theatre. The club had just recently changed its colours from the original Riverside FC chocolate and amber kit to blue and white. Such was the buzz for the play it gave rise to a new moniker for the team.
As part of our celebrations marking the centenary of Cardiff City’s FA Cup win, Sherman Youth Theatre are bringing this beautiful play to life once again on a Cardiff stage.
Two children embark on a quest to find a mysterious blue bird. Venturing far into magical lands, they come to realise that happiness doesn’t lie in what you own but instead the people you come to know. Radiating hope and optimism, The Blue Bird offers a truly uplifting trip to the theatre.
Sherman Youth Theatre
By Maurice Maeterlinck
22 – 24 July
Love, Cardiff: Football Stories
Real voices, real stories — woven together into a portrait of how the beautiful game has shaped, saved, and changed lives. Love, Cardiff: Football Stories is the latest in our series of plays bringing the stories and words of our communities to the stage.
As part of our celebrations of the centenary of Cardiff City’s FA Cup win, Sherman Players bring these stories to life on our Main House stage. You’ll hear about the origins of the club and their FA Cup-winning campaign, as well as having the chance to think about how access to sport can be a springboard for transforming lives.
Love, Cardiff: Football Stories is a compassionate, connecting shared theatre experience.
Sherman Players
Directed by Francesca Pickard
8 – 10 July
Billy Goats Gruff
Hanna Jarman’s new telling of the much-loved tale of Y Tri Bwch Gafr/Billy Goats Gruff is a celebration of kindness, togetherness and looking out for one another.
Full of warmth, humour and heart; Y Tri Bwch Gafr/Billy Goats Gruff is an entrancing introduction to the magic of live theatre for ages 3-6.
A Made by Sherman production
By Hanna Jarman
22 November – 31 December