Suffolk theatregoers are in for a treat as the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds announces its spring season

The world premier of acclaimed author Philippa Gregory’s first play, Richard, My Richard will feature in the Theatre Royal’s spring season, just announced.

The play, by the author of The Other Boleyn Girls and The White Queen, will be special in more ways than one. “For this exciting theatrical event, we will transform Theatre Royal into ‘the round’, providing audiences with a unique experience of our beautiful auditorium,” explained Artistic Director Owen Calvert-Lyons.

Richard, My Richard (April 11-27) is a Theatre Royal and Shakespeare North Playhouse production in association with Haverhill Arts Centre’s Creative Director Daniel Schumann. It’s a tender portrait of man in his time, surrounded by the women who determine his fate. Often funny, often poignant, underpinned by the facts of the past, Richard’s secrets may have died with him, here he rises up to tell us the story.

With an explosion of tarmac, a Leicester city car park erupts and Richard III crashes from his lost tomb to meet the character who has ruined his reputation: History – the record keeper who doesn’t always have his mind on the task.

The spring season is chock full of entertainment, from drama to comedy, music to family shows.

With the tragic news this week of the death of Friends star Matthew Perry, FRIEND: The One With Gunther (March 1), the entire 236 episodes of Friends retold through the eyes of Central Perk’s very own ‘seventh friend’, will have particular poignancy. . . and a lot of laughs.

Other comedy shows include The Canterbury Tales (March 5) and Houdini’s Greatest Escape (March 8-9), while stand-up comes from host of hit political podcast The Political Party, Matt Forde (February 2), Mark Watson (February 9) and Reginald D Hunter (March 22), among others.

Bring a little magic into your life with The Greatest Magician (January 27) or hear all about poet Luke Wright’s Silver Jubilee on February 7.

The sound of swing, rock, opera and more are showcased in a range of shows under the music banner, including Radio Gaga (January 26) and The Beautiful and The Damned (February 8), featuring opera classics with a live string section.

Family fun can be had at Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book (February 20-21), The Three Little Pigs (February 22-23) and Alice in Wonderland (March 10).

There’s lots more to enjoy, including getting involved with the new Theatre Club – a bit like a book club where you buy a Theatre Club ticket (no additional charge) to one of four selected shows and join like-minded theatre lovers in the bar for a pre-show chat, plus other benefits.

For more information and to see the full programme, visit www.theatreroyal.org