AWARD-WINNING theatre company RABBLE have announced a new production just weeks after a coronavirus outbreak forced the group to cancel a previous show.

The Snow Queen, the inspiration behind Disney hit Frozen, is set to be played at South Street Arts Centre from 3rd-24th December 2021.

The last production, Who Killed Alfred Oliver, was cancelled after just five shows due to two positive cases within the camp.

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The production was a stage show centred around a real-life local murder mystery.

Oliver was a tobacconist in Reading and was brutally attacked in his shop in 1929. He died the next day in hospital. 92 years later the crime remains unsolved.

Community work and media interest had been huge for this show, with five of Oliver’s family having coming forward to support and excitedly discuss the show. 

They had also installed exhibitions across three floors of Reading Central Library, ran a tour of associated artefacts in Reading Museum and had booked out three walking tours in association with local tour guide, Terry Dixon.

To add salt into the wounds, the community group have racked up losses in excess of £35,000 as RABBLE Theatre does not receive core funding from Reading Borough Council or Arts Council England, so the financial success of this production was dependent on ticket sales alone.

Thankfully, the company has bounced back strong, and in just over a weeks’ time the loyal followers of RABBLE will be able to enjoy another high-acclaimed show.

Directed by Anna Wheatley, writer of RABBLE’s 2018 and 2019 productions, she was partly chosen because of her ‘wicked sense of humour’.

Emma Lawrence, General Manager of RABBLE, said: “We all just need to laugh at this time of year, don’t we?”

“We’ve seen some tough times recently, but I can’t wait to watch this show with family – young and old -- and enjoy the beauty of imaginative, live theatre”. 

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South Street is hosting RABBLE for a third time, and director of South Street Arts Centre, John Luther, cannot wait to have them.

He said: “To have RABBLE back with us for the third year is so exciting. Their A Christmas Carol was unforgettable, and Hansel & Gretel also received amazing praise from our audiences, so we’re looking forward to this epic adventure. 

“Everyone’s had a tough time with the pandemic, but none more so than RABBLE. 

“We’re delighted to be hosting them at this important time."

RABBLE are once again offering a Pay What You Can performance, discounts, a signed performance and free tickets for those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend. 

To find out more, just email tash@rabbletheatre.com.

To book for the show, you can visit https://whatsonreading.com/snow-queen.