Simpsons star, snow gorilla, Ruth Rendell and Douglas Adams adaptation in autumn Rose line-up

A Simpsons star, regency theatre and a Christmas circus show lie ahead for audiences at the Rose Theatre.

The Autumn line-up features a host of surprises, including a new youth theatre and an alternative Christmas performance.

Building on last years’ departure from the traditional pantomime, the theatre will play host to the Snow Gorilla.

A spokeswoman for the Rose Theatre said: "Once again it is not going to be a pantomime.

"It will be an alternative show.

"There will be actors and circus performers. It will be a magical event.”

Described as a love story set in a circus, the show follows a runaway and a mysterious snow gorilla he discovers on his journey.

The autumn season begins with a play starring the voice of The Simpsons’ Mr Burns.
Harry Shearer will join Maureen Lipman in Daytona, a quirky comedy about a ballroom dancing couple, from September 2-7.

Murder mystery writer Ruth Rendell will be giving a talk on her new novel, No Man’s Nightingale, on September 8.

Douglas Adam fans will be able to watch a live radio show adaptation of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy on October 20.

Comic caper Stewart Lee, director of Jerry Springer: The Opera and self-styled as ‘the 41st best stand-up ever’, will be entertaining crowds on September 10.

Two Ancient Greek plays will be featured. The first is Bowie-esque ’anarchic’ comedy Oedipussy, from physical theatre aficionados Spymonkey, from October 15-19.

It was the critic’s choice as voted by Timeout last year.

A Rose spokesman said: “It is going to be insane, it is really surreal. It is classic slapstick at its best.”

And in a more faithful take on Greek drama, the Actors of Dionysus will be performing Medea on November 12-15.

Coming from the company who brought Lysistrata to the stage two years ago, the show promises to be another modern re-envisioning of a classic Greek play.

Well into the season, school students and Austen fans can see a stage translation of Mansfield Park, from the Bury St Edmund’s Theatre.

A Rose spokesman said: “Bury St Edmunds is one of the last regency theatres, and they are very experienced in making these plays.”

Alongside developments to the culture cafe, now known as ‘cafe at the Rose’, which features furniture from set designs, the theatre will also be adding an acting workshop to the youth company for budding dramatists.