SUNDAY 19 JULY
Across the weekend, Orange Tree Theatre brings myths, monsters and legendary tales to life through
pop-up performances, storytelling and unexpected encounters across Richmond town centre, starting with an Opening Ceremony on Friday 17th July.
Sunday Programme:
The Muses
@Richmond Theatre
Performed by: Orange Tree Friday Company
The Muses assemble to rescue their imprisoned mother, but the price of her freedom is the return of another infamous figure from myth. A timeless story of memory, justice and the voices that shape our understanding of the past.
Writer: Hassan Abdulrazzak
Director:
Jess Haygarth
Gonna
be Gold
@Richmond Theatre
Performed by: Bridge Link Centre Junior Youth Club
With a party to organise and a kingdom to run, King Midas is sure he knows what matters most. Then a god grants his greatest wish, and everything he values is put to the test.
Writer: Lucy Phelps
Director:
Jess Haygarth
The Fire
We Give
@RHACC
(Richmond and
Hillcroft Adult Community
Collage)
Performed by: Orange Tree 12-14 Youth Theatre
It's an ordinary day: alarms ring, lessons begin and the myth of Promethius is on the curriculum. Between the routines of school and home, the story of stolen fire sparks questions about what we give, and how we look after one another.
Writer:
Carmen Nasr
Director:
Rrita Pula
She Was
the Land
@The Poppy Factory
Performed by: Orange Tree 15-18 Young Company
As a threatened community fights to save its land, a grandmother shares an ancient story with her granddaughter. The myth of Persephone reminds us what can happen when people refuse to let go of what they love.
Writer: Jack Fairey
Director:
Jordana Golbourn
Care for the Kingdom
@Museum of Richmond
Performed by: Richmond Young Carers
With Odysseus seemingly lost at sea, Penelope finds herself surrounded by those eager to take his place. Her clever plan to delay the suitors becomes a story about loyalty, patience and the many ways we show care.
Writer:
Sharon Kanolik
Director:
Fred Wienand
Odyssey UA
@Old Town Hall
Performed by: Ukrainian Social Club
Battles are fought, journeys are imagined and a new home sought as five children re-create their own Odyssey. Somewhere between play and reality, an ancient story finds new meaning in a changing world.
Writer:
Oleksander Zhyla
Director:
Yevheniia Shymshyrian
Our Monster
@Grove
Gardens
Chapel
Performed by: Richmond Shakespeare Society
Battles are fought, journeys are imagined and a new home sought as five children re-create their own Odyssey. Somewhere between play and reality, an ancient story finds new meaning in a changing world.
Writer:
Oleksander Zhyla
Director:
Yevheniia Shymshyrian
The Closing Ceremony:
@Hill Rise
By: The Richmond Myths company and a special guest.
As the weekend draws to a close, join us to greet The Oracle on Hill Rise. They will reflect on the weekend, celebrate the community, and look forward to the future of Richmond.
Writer:
Kwame Owusu
Director:
Georgia Green
Orange Tree Theatre
The Orange Tree is a local theatre with a global reputation.
A show at the Orange Tree is close-up magic: live, entertaining, unmissable. We’re an intimate theatre with the audience wrapped around the stage. We believe in celebrating what it means to be human. We believe in putting people at the centre of the stories we tell. And we believe in the power of a writer’s words, an actor’s voice, and an audience’s imagination to transport us to other worlds and other lives.
We punch above our weight to create world-class productions of new and contemporary drama, revitalise classics and re-discoveries, and introduce children and young people to the magic of theatre.
We are deeply rooted in our local community in South West London. We work with thousands of people aged 0 to 100 in Richmond and beyond through participatory theatre, bringing generations together to build confidence, connection, and joy. Our groundbreaking Primary Shakespeare and Shakespeare Up Close projects pack the theatre with children and ignite a spark to last a lifetime.
We’re a registered charity (266128). With only 180 seats and no regular support from Arts Council England, we rely on the generosity of our audiences and donors to raise £650,000 a year. These funds support our outstanding work on stage and in the community and invest in the next generation of talent.
The Orange Tree was named Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards in 2025.
Centre Stage: Richmond Myths is a co-production between HemingwayDesign and Orange Tree Theatre
Supported by Be Richmond and Richmond Council, using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Civic Pride Fund.