Chelmsford Theatre what’s on spring 2023

Chelmsford Theatre reopens to the public in early 2023 following an exciting refurbishment of its front of house spaces. With its reopening comes a new season of diverse, exhilarating shows and performances. Lee Henderson, Theatre Director, says there’s something available for every age and mood.

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"This season we’ve got such a huge range of shows for our audiences to enjoy. From drama to comedy to music, you’ll find something to make you laugh, cry, sing, dance or to give you those chilling goosebumps.

"My team really can’t wait to welcome you back and to share the theatre’s beautiful, refreshed spaces with you."

Lee Henderson, Theatre Director, Chelmsford Theatre

Dreamcoat Stars

Stars from the sensational production Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat come to Chelmsford Theatre for this vibrant show. Produced by Red Entertainment in association with Chelmsford Theatre, the show kicks off at Chelmsford Theatre on 3 March at 7.30pm before continuing on a whistle-stop tour of the UK.

Expect Broadway and West End glamour as you’re taken on a journey of energetic songs from the nation’s most loved musicals including Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar, SIX, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You, Jersey Boys, Les Misérables, Moulin Rouge and more!

Tickets are still available for this colourful show. Book now if you fancy an evening of smash hits that’s bound to raise your spirits!

First-rate comedy

Top comedy acts this season include former BBC Radio 4 comic songwriter Mitch Benn. Mitch has toured the UK and overseas for more than 20 years and is considered one of the finest musical comedy writers in the UK. He brings his latest melodic tour ‘It’s About Time’ to Chelmsford Theatre Studio on 21 January at 8pm.

Comedy fans will also be delighted by the appearance of Eshaan Akbar on 30 March, 8pm. Eshaan is known from Mock The Week, QI, LBC, Radio 4 and as the voices of Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid on the Spitting Image podcast. In his hilarious debut tour – The Pretender – he confronts the real truth: none of us really know what we’re doing.

Social media sensation Tom Houghton’s Absolute Shambles tour comes to Chelmsford Theatre Studio on 2 February from 8pm. Join Tom as he recounts hysterical stories of his unbelievable experiences navigating the pitfalls of online celebrity and his life after leaving the Tower of London.

The stand-up appearances don’t end here – visit Chelmsford Theatre’s website for information on other comedy acts and to book tickets.

Wodehouse In Wonderland

Cahoots Theatre Company presents marvellous tales and spectacular tunes in Wodehouse In Wonderland – a touring production of William Humble’s play. Based on the life and writings of P.G. Wodehouse, expect plenty of humour and buffoonery as the author attempts to write his latest instalment of Jeeves and Wooster while facing many distractions.

The show stars none other than Robert Daws, who played Tuppy Glossop in the long-running TV series Jeeves and Wooster, and starred in Poldark, The Royal, Rock and Chips and How the Other Half Loves.

The play runs for three nights between 17 and 19 April. If you’re a fan of the exceptional P.G. Wodehouse, you’ll want to book your space now.

The return of live screenings

For the first time since before the pandemic, live screenings are returning to Chelmsford Theatre in 2023. Expect classic performances of opera and ballet streamed live from the comfort of Chelmsford Theatre Studio. Productions from the Royal Opera House and The Royal Ballet include Puccini’s dramatic ‘Turandot’ (26 March, 2pm), Mozart’s comic opera ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ (27 April, 6.45pm), the emotional ‘Like Water for Chocolate’ (19 January, 7.15pm) and family-favourite ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ (24 May, 7.15pm).

Throughout the spring season, Seventh Art productions will also bring blockbuster exhibitions from around the world. Save yourself a lengthy journey to Amsterdam and enjoy a private view of the largest Vermeer exhibition in history from Chelmsford (18 April, 7.30pm). The Exhibition on Screen film features talks from the director of the Rijksmuseum and the exhibition curator. The Ashmolean’s popular exhibition Tokyo Stories will also be screening (23 May, 7.30pm), presenting 400 years of dynamic Japanese art.

Tickets are still available, so get booking if you’re looking to immerse yourself in some classic art and performances.

A selection of National Theatre shows will also be screened live from Chelmsford Theatre on selected dates in early 2023. Full details and tickets will be released on our website on Friday 9 December.

Fun for your little tots

Plenty of joy, surprise and laughter is in store for little ones to enjoy at the theatre in 2023.

Twirlywoos Live is brought to life on stage in an inventive and colourful puppet show from the producers of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show. Join Great BigHoo, Toodloo, Chickedy, Chick and their friends on 30 March at 1.30pm or 4pm for an enchanting introduction to theatre for your little one.

The well-beloved fairy tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears comes to Chelmsford Theatre in pantomime style on 8 April. KD Theatre Productions and Harlow Playhouse provide all the ingredients for a fun family show that is ‘just right’! Two performances will take place at 1pm and 5pm and families will have an opportunity to meet the characters after the show.

For full details on upcoming family shows and to book tickets, check out Chelmsford Theatre’s website.

Mousetrap comes to Chelmsford for its 70th

The world’s longest-running play, Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap, celebrates its 70th anniversary this year having premiered in October 1952. To mark this milestone, Mousetrap will be visiting 70 venues across the UK and Ireland in 2022 and 2023, including Chelmsford Theatre for six days from 3 July 2023.

This record-breaking West End production is the genre defining murder mystery from the best-selling novelist of all time. As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of strangers find themselves snowed in at a remote countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover that a killer is in their midst! Can you solve this world-famous mystery for yourself?

Make sure you don’t reveal the play’s secrets so that the mystery can be enjoyed by future theatregoers! To be part of this epic legacy, book your tickets now.