White Rose Theatre is a small and innovative company based in the North of England specialising in engaging and accessible new writing. In 2007 White Rose was the winner of the Sunday Times NSDF Edinburgh Fringe Competition for TONY! THE BLAIR MUSICAL. In Edinburgh, TONY! Was one of The Telegraph’s top 20 shows and in The Independent’s top 5. In London it was pick of the day in The Evening Standard and The Metro, and No. 1 on The Sunday Times’ Culture Agenda.

We aim to produce a varied mix of original work, from satirical musicals and comedic revue to stimulating new drama, staging work at venues such as the York Theatre Royal, Edinburgh Festival and Pleasance Islington.

White Rose is dedicated to creating approachable and entertaining work across a range of genres and media, combining traditional theatre with puppetry, dance, music, film, video and devised work.

"well-written and compellingly directed and performed - a showcase oozing young, vibrant intelligence, talent and wit." Louise Hill, British Theatre Guide

THE ASH GROVE (2007)

'Nikolaus Morris has penned a story of dreams of transitions to maturity, power games and the devastating effect of a manipulative individual... Jamie Wilkes as the beleaguered Jenkin gave a stunning performance and his antagonist Matt Springett as Callum was a powerfully haunting stage presence...On the whole, ‘The Ash Grove’ conveys the brilliance of Morris’ innovation.' The Yorker

TONY! THE BLAIR MUSICAL (2007)

‘The ghost of Beyond the Fringe must be smiling benignly down on Tony!’ Fiona Mountford, Evening Standard (****)

'A joy to behold… writer/director Chris Bush is a master of the one-liner. Genius.’ The Scotsman (****)

‘Running through Blair’s rise and falls, the writing handles the more sensitive and debated subjects with care, taking occasional risks with the humour, but which ultimately add to the commendable intelligence of the play. … Layers of humour within the writing provide a platform of entertainment for every possible audience member. …. Sharp, engaging, original, and terrifically well performed, there just aren’t enough positive words to say about this production. The play itself is a shining example of honest comedy writing with both relevance and originality that theatre lovers can’t help but fall for. The likes of the big names in theatre should be clambering over one-another for this play.’ Rachel Wade, BBC

‘Sharp and slick… they hit their targets with unerring accuracy’ Robert Dawson Scott, The Times

‘Hugely funny yet surprisingly sensitive.’ Jonathan Brown, The Independent

‘zestily irreverent … benefits from greater lateral thought in the book. The most consistently funny of the three. [article comparing leading fringe musicals] Mark Monahan, The Telegraph

‘The script has claws. A perfect slice of Fringe comedy’ Lloyd Evans, The Spectator

‘Tony! The Blair Musical really nails the zeitgeist on the head. Quite simply, this is a knockout show. … A lightning-paced gossip rag rampage through the Blair story, packed with great laugh-out loud gags. … Chris Bush deserves enormous praise for producing not only a funny script, but genuinely funny lyrics too.’ Paul Lowman, York Press

‘Writer and director Chris Bush is clearly a talent for the future, and armed with his script the cast turn in superb performances.’ Sarah Freeman, Yorkshire Post

‘Political satire at its very best! Playwright Chris Bush has conceived a play that lays bare the humanity of a man who is loved and despised in equal measure. … The show interplays moments of perfectly timed and often inappropriate humour against the deeply moving moments of personal tragedy and betrayal. … As moving as it is funny. … A West End hit waiting to happen!’ Matthew Straw, Hairline (****)

‘Well written and compellingly directed… a showcase oozing young, vibrant intelligence, talent and wit.’ Louise Hill, British Theatre Guide (****½)

‘The lyrics are stunningly crafted, with a stomach-punch one-liner every 30 seconds. I find myself struggling to find enough superlatives to describe just how good this show is.’’ Pete Shaw, Broadway Baby (*****)

‘Perfect political satire’ Three Weeks (****)

 ‘****’ The Herald, Edinburgh Evening News, MusicOMH

‘A great piece of theatre. You capture the mood of the Blair years well, and the complexity of some of the interpersonal relationships – and it’s great fun.’ Hugh Bayley, MP.

MAN & GOD (2004/2006)

First performed by Blank Slate Theatre Company in Sheffield on May 5th – 7th 2004. Second production by Rotherham Rep on July 16th 2004 at the Rotherham Arts Centre as winner of the Rotherham One Act Playwriting Competition 2004. A revised version was performed by White Rose Theatre at the Smirnoff Baby Belly, Aug. 3-27 2006.

‘My God, this is bloody brilliant. …  Not only does this play have a wonderfully intelligent script and inventive direction, but it’s all by the same man, one Chris Bush. He’s award-winning, and justly so, if this show is anything to go by. … A perfect equilibrium of superior wit and hilarious cynicism.’ Three Weeks (****)

 ‘The play itself was the real star-turn of the evening … Chris Bush is a name to look out for in the future. He can only get even better.’ RANT Magazine

‘Utterly adroit and sophisticated … brilliantly drawn and highly sympathetic … infused with wit and poignancy. … This play demonstrates the rhythmic build-up and philosophical purity of Samuel Beckett, but in a highly engaging, inviting and accessible package. An audience would emerge from this play both stimulated, and with a freshened sense of what it means to be human. The humour is marvellous, dialogue never misses a beat, and it provides in all respects, a thoroughly unique theatrical event.’ [Extract from judge’s adjudication at Rotherham, Dr. Lauri Rainey, UCLA]