Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre has announced a new slate of shows for 2019 in association with Aria Entertainment.

The season opens in March with a new production of Stephen Schwartz’s RAGS. The musical, which features a script by FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’S Joseph Stein, lyrics by WICKED’S Stephen Schwartz and music by ANNIE’S Charles Strouse, follows Rebecca, a Russian immigrant, who travels with her son to pursue a new life in America. It was a notorious flop when it opened on Broadway in 1986, closing after only four performances. The Hope Mill production, directed by Bronagh Lagan, marks the piece’s first fully staged outing in the UK.

Lyricist Stephen Schwartz’s said: ‘I’m delighted that Katy Lipson and Hope Mill Theatre will be presenting our newly revised version of RAGS in its first production. The show feels more timely than it ever has been, and my co-authors and I are enthusiastic about all the improvements we have made and excited to be sharing the show with the Manchester audience’. RAGS runs from 2nd March until 9th April.

From 27th September, Olivier Award winner Tracie Bennett is to start in a new production of Jerry Herman’s MAME. This production marks the first time the piece has been performed in the UK since the original West End production in 1969.

Set in New York City through the Great Depression at WW2, the musical follows the madcap life of eccentric bohemian Mame Dennis. Tracie Bennett, soon to reprise her Olivier nominated role in the National Theatre’s FOLLIES plays the title role, played by Ginger Rogers in the original production.

MAME features music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, famous for the classic musicals HELLO, DOLLY! and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, and book by Robert E Lee and Jerome Lawrence. Directed and choreography by Nick Winston, MAME runs at the Manchester venue until 9th November.

Running over Christmas 2019, Hope Mill will present the premiere of new musical THE ASTONISHING TIMES OF TIMOTHY CRATCHIT. Featuring a book from LITTLE WOMEN’S Allan Knee and music and lyrics by Andre Catrini, the musical serves as a sequel to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol following the life of Tiny Tim after the story. Directed by PIPPIN’S Jonathan O’Boyle, THE ASTONISHING TIMES OF TIMOTHY CRATCHIT runs from 22nd November to 29th December.

Booking for the new season is on sale now.