Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Play Without Words
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A seductively spellbinding carnival of intrigue, lust and power play
New Adventures in association with the National Theatre present
London, 1965. In a suave Chelsea house, an urbane master and his beautiful fiancée welcome their new manservant, Prentice. But behind the privileged façade of domestic social order lies a struggle for power and sexual domination. What follows will change their lives forever.
Sexy, chic and thrillingly original, Matthew Bourne’s Play Without Words is a seductively spellbinding carnival of intrigue, lust and power play inspired by the 1963 film classic, The Servant, and set to a superb jazz-influenced original score by Terry Davies played live onstage at every performance.
Returning to the Sadler’s Wells stage for an exclusive four-week season as part of New Adventures’ 40th anniversary celebrations, this deliciously scandalous and delightfully witty dance theatre masterpiece was an instant hit with audiences and critics alike when it was first produced by the National Theatre in 2002 and subsequently won two Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment and Best Theatre Choreographer.
Devised by Matthew Bourne, music by Terry Davies
Inspired by Joseph Losey’s film
By special arrangement with StudioCanal
Based on The Servant by Robin Maugham
Header image description: Four performers in vintage-inspired grey outfits with vivid pink accents strike playful, theatrical poses against a bold orange background. A tilted collage of London buildings sits behind them, creating a quirky, energetic composition.
Audio Described Performances
There are a limited number of Stalls seats reserved for partially sighted patrons, and headsets available for those wishing to listen to the audio description, please email tickets@sadlerswells.com if you wish to book these optionsTouch Tour
Visually impaired patrons can go on a Touch Tour before the performance. Your tour guide will take you backstage, or onto the stage itself, to feel costumes and pieces of the set and learn more about the production.An evening of brilliant theatre. There is nothing else quite like this
★★★★★ DAILY MAIL
Probably the most flawless and intricate thing that Bourne has ever choreographed. A major event in British theatre
FINANCIAL TIMES
A vibrant, wicked satire of class conflict and sexual desire set in Swinging Sixties London
THE TIMES
Funny, sexy, stylish and blazingly original
DAILY TELEGRAPH
You won’t want to avert your eyes from the stage in case you miss one tantalising second
SUNDAY EXPRESS
DID YOU KNOW:
Play Without Words will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2027, having premiered in August 2002 at the National Theatre. This will also be its second appearance at Sadler’s Wells since its 2012 revival.
Performances
Priority booking opens soon.
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Priority booking dates
Patrons: Monday 9 November
Rehearsal Members: Wednesday 11 November
Members: Friday 13 November
General public on sale date: Monday 16 November
Book online from 10am but remember to log in to your account first.
Audio Described Performances
There are a limited number of Stalls seats reserved for partially sighted patrons, and headsets available for those wishing to listen to the audio description, please email tickets@sadlerswells.com if you wish to book these optionsTouch Tour
Visually impaired patrons can go on a Touch Tour before the performance. Your tour guide will take you backstage, or onto the stage itself, to feel costumes and pieces of the set and learn more about the production.
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