Acclaimed actor Warren Mitchell continues the standard of classy drama set by Sir Peter Hall's Uncle Vanya - the opening play at the Rose Theatre which runs until February 9 - with Visiting Mr Green, a poignant and gripping kitchen sink drama.
Visiting Mr Green, which opens at the Rose on February 11, chronicles the accidental friendship which develops between a cantankerous, 86-year-old widower living in New York, and a high-flying, 25-year-old corporate executive, brought together by a court order after the younger man drives into Mr Green as he crosses the street.
What starts off as a comedy about two people who resent being in the same room together, develops as tensions rise when family secrets are revealed and old wounds are opened.
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Mitchell, best known for his role as Alf Garnett in TV's Till Death Us Do Part, has worked extensively in the theatre where his credits include Death of a Salesman at the National Theatre and most recently The Price for which he won the prestigious Olivier Award.
The play also stars Gideon Turner, whose theatre credits include Laertes in Hamlet and Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, both for the Royal Shakespeare Company, and most recently in the English Touring Theatre's production of The Changeling.
This globally acclaimed play by Jeff Baron was first performed in 1996. In the past 10 years, it has been seen in 37 countries in 22 languages in well over 300 separate productions.
It is directed by former Chichester Festival Theatre director Patrick Garland.
Visiting Mr. Green runs at the Rose from February 11-16.
Sweet William, a highly original and illuminating show devised and performed by actor Michael Pennington, weaves together the life and work of the Bard while giving a rare and personal insight into Pennington's own life over his expansive 40-year career.
The actor, who has played a wide variety of roles for the RSC, the National Theatre and the English Shakespeare Company, which he co-founded in 1986, celebrates the rich diversity of Shakespeare's vision, giving voice to a wealth of characters in Shakespeare's plays, and demonstrates his continuing relevance to our everyday lives.
Sweet William comes to the Rose on Sunday, February 17.
If you prefer some razzamatazz as your entertainment, then Blonde Bombshells of 1943 could be right up your street.
Direct from a sell-out success in London and based on the award-winning film The Last of the Blonde Bombshells starring Judi Dench, this hilarious musical play about an all-girl band is filled with live performances of 1940s hits performed by a sensational eight-piece swing band.
Alan Plater's Blonde Bombshells of 1943, directed by Mark Babych runs from February 19-23.
On Sunday, February 24, comedians Ben Norris, Kitty Flanagan, David Hadingham, Sean Collins and Pete Johansson take to the stage in the second of the Comedy Store's monthly residencies at the Rose.
With over 25 years experience in the business and as the premier name in comedy, the Store is renowned as a breeding ground for new comedy talent and remains the place to see tomorrow's stars today.
To round off its February programme, Tara Arts brings Shakespeare's The Tempest to the Rose.
Directed by Jatinder Verma, and designed by Claudia Mayer, this imaginative and pared down version of one of the Bard's most poetic and atmospheric plays brings the themes of colonialism and confinement to the fore.
The Tempest marks 30 years for Tara Arts as Britain's leading Asian theatre company. The play runs from February 25 to March 1.
Details of times and ticket prices for all the productions can be obtained by phoning the box office on 0871 230 1552 or by visiting rosetheatrekingston.org. The Rose Theatre is at 24-26 High Street, Kingston.
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