Dennis Kelly’s DNA revival to run at Ipswich’s The New Wolsey Theatre

A revival of Dennis Kelly play DNA is to run at The New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich.

The venue’s new chief executive Douglas Rintoul will direct his first production at the theatre, running 2 – 9 February 2023.

The cast features performers and emerging talent from Suffolk and East Anglia following an extensive call-out and audition process.

Making up the company are Ntabiso J Bhebhe (professional debut), Eireann Devlin (professional debut), Brayden Emmanuel (You & Me – ITV), Tom Houlton (Paranorman: Live Action Remake – Laika Studios/ Ridder Films), Shaun Jenkinson (The Kneebone Cadillac – Theatre Royal Plymouth), Jessica Laitt (Cinderella – Out Of The Box Productions), Gabriella Manning (professional debut), Mae Munuo (The Nutcracker – Bristol Old Vic), Charlie Shephard (professional debut) and Emily Tang (Claus the Musical – The Lowry)

A group of teenagers do something bad, something they can’t undo. Panicking, they concoct an elaborate cover-up, unleashing a series of events that twist and turn their young lives into a terrifying game of survival, putting not only their friendship, but their morality to the test.

Joining Rintoul on the creative and production team will be David Phillips as Lighting Designer and Production Manager, Kira Tisbury as Costume Supervisor, Peter Hazelwood as Technical Manager, Sally Jones as Company Stage Manager, Joseph Newport as Deputy Stage Manager and Jodie Hicks as Assistant Stage Manager.

Alongside the production the theatre has also announced an extensive range of masterclasses and workshops with Rintoul and the cast of the play for schools that will help students and teachers gain an insight into the production, that will support learning and a deeper understanding of the text.

Douglas Rintoul said: “As my first gig directing at NWT, I wanted to make something about young people, performed by young people and for young people. It comes from a desire to engage new audiences and to give emerging talent in the region the opportunity to have a professional job in their home theatre. I want young people to see their peers working in the profession.

“We’re also really excited to be putting together an extensive wrap around programme dreamt up by our Creative Communities team that will give schools and students studying the text a 360° insight into what it means to make a production of this brilliant text. We’re putting learning and development centre stage of our producing programme.”

For more information and tickets, visit www.wolseytheatre.co.uk