PREVIEW: Malory Towers, Theatre Royal, Brighton
Beloved boarding school adventures, midnight feasts, fierce friendships and Cornish cliff-top drama come to Brighton Festival this May as acclaimed theatre-maker Emma Rice brings her exuberant stage adaptation of Malory Towers to Theatre Royal, Brighton.
Running from Tuesday 19th to Saturday 23rd May, this lively, music-filled production reimagines authour Enid Blyton’s much-loved school stories for a new generation, while retaining all the high spirits, nostalgia and adventure that made the books enduring favourites.
At the heart of the story is Darrell Rivers, a bright and determined new pupil arriving at Malory Towers with a fierce heart and a quick temper. As she navigates new friendships, rivalries and school life, Darrell must learn to get along with the infuriatingly spoiled Gwendoline Lacey, recognise the quiet strength of kind-hearted Sally Hope, and discover what friendship, courage and loyalty really mean. Expect midnight feasts, dramatic storms, school theatricals and plenty of mischief along the way.
In September 2025, the UK-based theatre company Wise Children rebranded to the Emma Rice Company to better communicate the nature of its work and avoid confusion with children’s theatre. Led by director Emma Rice, the company, based in Frome, will continue its focus on touring productions, education, and development.
Known for her imaginative, joyful and deeply theatrical productions, Artistic Director Emma Rice returns to Brighton following the huge success of North by Northwest at the 2025 festival, as well as memorable previous productions including the brilliant Wuthering Heights, The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk and Tristan & Yseult, as well as last year’s festival production North by Northwest. Her productions are known for blending bold visual storytelling, live music, humour and emotional depth, and Malory Towers promises all of that in abundance.
With choreography by Alisdair David, music by Ian Ross and design by Lez Brotherston, the production transforms Blyton’s world into a vibrant theatrical adventure for contemporary audiences.
Described as ‘nostalgic, naughty, and perfect for now’, Malory Towers is aimed at children aged eight and over, but should also delight grown-up readers who still dream of midnight feasts, boarding school escapades and windswept Cornish landscapes.
Alongside the production, families and aspiring theatre-makers can also take part in two FREE companion events on Wednesday 20 May: a Malory Towers Technical Taster Workshop and a Malory Towers Theatre Maker Taster, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how theatre magic is made.
Details
Malory Towers runs at Theatre Royal Brighton as part of Brighton Festival
Dates: Malory Towers runs Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 May, with evening performances at 7.30pm and matinees on Thursday 21 and Saturday 23 May at 2pm.
Venue: Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, Brighton
Tickets: £15, £22.50, £28.50, £35, Member’s Matinees Offer £27.50, Under 30s £20*
See more events with Under 30s pricing. Schools £15 Thu 21 May Matinee 2pm (not top price)
Accessible: Venue details here
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