About Us
The New Wolsey Theatre is a 400 seat regional theatre with a national reputation for the quality, range and reach of its work and for embracing cultural diversity in the widest sense. It is central to the creative life of Suffolk and seeks to expand the horizons of audiences and artists by presenting a programme designed to entertain, enrich and challenge.
Nationally renowned for its producing work both as a sole producer and in collaboration with a diverse range of UK artists and companies the New Wolsey has a particular reputation for musical work, often employing actor-musicians. It is increasingly acknowledged as a leading player in the development of new musicals staging the world premieres of It’s A Wonderful Life, 20th Century Boy and Mods & Rox. In 2013, they produced a national tour of the Tim Firth and Madness musical Our House, using the same actor-musician formation, and have recently co-produced Brecht and Weill’s The Threepenny Opera alongside Graeae Theatre Company, Nottingham Playhouse, Birmingham Rep and West Yorkshire Playhouse.
The development of new talent is a priority for the New Wolsey and the annual PULSE Fringe Festival acts as a spring-board for fresh new artistic voices, as well as providing a home for risk-taking and cutting edge performance from more established artists.
Alongside its work on stage, the New Wolsey runs an extensive Creative Learning programme which aims to provide opportunities for individuals to access innovative high quality arts provision and develop their creative, personal and social skills.
The New Wolsey Theatre has a proven track record of championing disabled led theatre and has launched ‘Agent for Change’ an initiative to create a freelance post to extend its engagement with disability arts and artists in the eastern region and to provide a support network for artists and arts organisations.
The New Wolsey received the 2012 TMA award for Most Welcoming Theatre, and was nominated as The Stage Award’s Regional Theatre of the Year 2014. As a not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity, they rely on a variety of incomes streams such as part funding from the Arts Council, Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council as well as donations, individual giving and corporate support; all of which are invaluable.
Chief Executive: Sarah Holmes
Artistic Director: Peter Rowe
Press releases
Full Casting Announced For The New Wolsey Theatre’s Brand New Musical...
From T hursday 4 to Saturday 27 September 2014, Ipswich’s New Wolsey Theatre presents the World Premiere of their brand new musical MIDSUMMER... read more
22.07.2014 • By New Wolsey Theatre
NEW SPONSORSHIP PARTNERS FOR THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE
The New Wolsey Theatre is pleased to announce that it has recently partnered with three Suffolk businesses for 2014-2015 , whose corporate... read more
17.06.2014 • By New Wolsey Theatre
