Escape the cold this autumn and winter with gripping drama from HOME

This autumn there is a wealth of incredible drama on offer for audiences of all ages at HOME. Exceptional home-grown co-productions sit alongside some of the best theatre shows from across the UK. Matched with an exceptional Cinema and Visual Arts programme, HOME is the perfect place to escape to this autumn and winter.

Fences, directed by award-winning director Daniel Bailey (Red Pitch) is a co-production with pioneering company Headlong, Leeds Playhouse and Lyric Hammersmith that arrives at HOME from 3 – 7 Nov and marks the first major revival of this American blockbuster in over a decade.

Taking on the role of Troy Maxson is Ray Fearon (Othello – RSC, Fleabag – BBC, Coronation Street – ITV), he is joined by Madeline Appiah (In the Long Run – Sky, The Winter’s Tale – RSC, Tina Turner The Musical – West End) as Rose, Michael Ahomka-Lindsay (Choir Boy – Theatre Royal Stratford East & Bristol Old Vic, Cabaret – Kit Kat Club, Playhouse Theatre) as Lyons and Josh Tedeku (Boarders – BBC, Supacell – Netflix) as Cory.

Ray Fearon said: “I’m so excited to be part of Fences. August Wilson is one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century, I’ve always been drawn to his writing. Troy is such a rich, complex character, and it’s a real joy to get the chance to play him. Fences is one of those plays which stays with you, it captures a powerful honesty about pride, dreams and missed opportunities which resonates deeply.”

Madeline Appiah added: “Anyone who knows me will know what this moment means to me. I first discovered Fences in drama school and fell in love with it and with the role of Rose. The chance to now play her is truly a dream. I’m so excited to get working on Daniel Bailey’s exciting vision for this powerful piece. Daniel is one of the most important directors of our time and I am thrilled to be working with him.”

From August Wilson, one of one of America’s most influential 20th century writers, this landmark play is a story of ambition for our time, exploring ever-present themes including masculinity, motherhood, music and the abiding hope for a different future. Troy Maxson has cheated death once, but the past keeps closing in. On Pittsburgh’s streets, he cracks jokes and spins stories, yet at home, the pressure is building. His wife, Rose holds the family together. She sees a changing world and hopes their son Cory might step into it with more freedom than Troy ever had. But when dreams collide, and tempers flare, the Maxson’s edge towards a reckoning that could reshape everything they know.

The creative team for Fences includes Set & Costume Designer Lily Arnold, Composer and Sound Designer Khalil Madovi, Lighting Designer Jai Morjaria, Movement Director Shelley Maxwell, Fight Director Kev McCurdy, Design Associate Emily King, Casting Director Heather Basten CDG, Voice and Dialect Aundrea Fudge and Associate Director Amber Ruby.

This festive season a new British musical The Sorcerer’s Apprentice takes to the main stage at HOME. Emma Salvo and Olivier Award Nominee Sophie-Louise Dann star in this magical family show inspired by Goethe’s classic poem and immortalised in the Disney animation Fantasia and by Paul Dukas’ famous symphonic work. This gender-swapped reimagining explores the extraordinary world of a powerful sorcerer and his budding apprentice. This magical new production has its world premiere at HOME this Christmas and runs from 27 Nov to 2 Jan 2027.

Playing Lamia is Olivier Award-nominated West End star Sophie Louise Dann (Madame Morrible in Wicked, West End, 2022-25, Olivier nominated as Celia in The Girls, Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables), and alongside her, taking on the role of Greta, is Emma Salvo (The Toxic Avenger, Grease) who originated the role of Janice in the Olivier Award-winning West End production of Come From Away.

Joining them in the company are Imogen Craig as Eva (Starter for Ten); Kai Davies as Erik (Clarkston); Mateo Oxley as Fabian (The 39 Steps, UK tour; Angels in America National Theatre); Mark Rice-Oxley as Johan (Blood Brothers, EastEnders). Completing the company in the ensemble are Jacob Beresford (Marty McFly in Back to the Future: The Musical, We Will Rock You); Mountview graduate Adriana Da Cunha; Sharlise Fitzgerald (professional debut) and Josh Rosewood (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Watermill).

Against the backdrop of the ethereal Northern Lights, a Scandinavian town has been pushed to the brink of collapse in a bid for progress and prosperity. To rescue Midgard from certain destruction, the sorcerer and his apprentice must work out how to make magic together – and fast. Brooms come to life and love blossoms anew as our apprentice discovers the explosive possibilities of newfound magical powers, leaving havoc, catastrophe and joy in their wake.

The fully staged world premiere follows an earlier digital version that won international acclaim on its release in 2021. The musical is produced by Olivier Award winner James Seabright, who commissioned it in 2015 and has presented concert and digital versions of it prior to this world premiere staging.

Touring:

Alongside these two co-productions a wealth of incredible touring work is on offer including, Actors Touring Company with Darkling, by Titas Halder in a co-production with the Bush Theatre running from 11 – 14 Nov. Directed by ATC’s Olivier-award-winning Artistic Director Matthew Xia and starring international screen actor Linnea Berthelsen known globally for her breakout role as Kali Prasad (008) in Netflix’s worldwide phenomenon Stranger Things, Darkling exposes the human impact of the 1984 Bhopal gas leak disaster. The production weaves memory and trauma into a visceral narrative that serves as a powerful indictment of corporate malpractice. This human story confronts the systemic impact of industrialisation on poorer nations, raising urgent questions about environmental exploitation and the fight for justice in the global South.

Other productions include; The Littlest Yak a spectacular musical adaptation of the beloved childres book by LAStheatre; Bright Places the award-winning play by Rae Mainwaring, a three-woman, one-woman show about growing up in the shadow of Multiple Sclerosis; Deepest Fears, two classic tales of terror live on stage and A Christmas Carol both from The Book of Darkness & Light; Louise Orwin’s Famehungry a smash-hit show about life, death and social media; The Hale present A Queermas Carol, a drag twist on a Christmas classic while a younger audience can be thrilled by puppets, projections and amazing visual storytelling in Mika and the Polar Bear from Caolesce Dance Theatre.

For more information, visit here.