Month: March 2015

ADAM SPIEGEL PRODUCTIONS, ROBERT G. BARTNER

AND THE AMBASSADOR THEATRE GROUP PRESENT

 

OPENING IN MANCHESTER ON FRIDAY 5 JUNE 2015

AHEAD OF A UK AND IRELAND TOUR

Adam Spiegel Productions, Robert G. Bartner and the Ambassador Theatre Group are delighted to announce the UK tour of “LOVE ME TENDER” – the new musical inspired by and featuring the music of Elvis Presley.The tour will open on Friday 5 June 2015 at the Manchester Opera House ahead of a UK and Ireland tour, which will include a week run at Grand Opera House York from Monday 17 until Saturday 22 August.

Full tour schedule below. Casting will be announced shortly. www.LoveMeTenderMusical.com

From the producers of Hairspray, Jersey Boys and West Side Story “LOVE ME TENDER” is a hilarious feel-good musical featuring Elvis Presley’s greatest hits. In a small town in 1950s America, a guitar-playing, hip-swivelling stranger rides his motorbike into town. Is he The Devil in Disguise or a Hound Dog in hisBlue Suede Shoes? The townsfolk are about to be All Shook Up and could be headed for Heartbreak Hotel, but for Natalie, the love-struck, tomboy mechanic, it really is Now or Never.

Packed with 25 of the best loved songs by The King himself, “LOVE ME TENDER”, by the writer of the award-wining West End and Broadway smash hit Memphis, is a funny and moving tale of hope, second chances and the healing qualities of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Producer Adam Spiegel said: “I’m delighted to be working with such a talented, award winning, Creative team to bring the UK this fantastic feel-good musical featuring some of the best music ever written – the greatest hits of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.”

 

“LOVE ME TENDER” is Written by Tony Award Winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis) and Directed and Choreographed by Olivier Award Winner Karen Bruce (Saturday Night Fever, Dance ’Til Dawn, Pacific Overtures) with Set Design by award nominated Morgan Large (Flashdance, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof), Lighting Design by James Whiteside (Never Forget, Footloose) Costume Design by Vicky Gill (Dance ‘Til Dawn, Strictly Come Dancing) and Casting by James Orange (The Producers, Sweeney Todd.)

STAGE ENTERTAINMENT

IN ASSOCIATION WITH SHEFFIELD THEATRES

ANNOUNCE FULL CASTIING

FOR THE SHEFFIELD THEATRES PRODUCTION OF

COLE PORTER’S CLASSIC MUSICAL COMEDY

“ANYTHING GOES”

AT GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK

FROM TUESDAY 2^nd – SATURDAY 6^thJUNE 2015

 

Stage Entertainment, in association with Sheffield Theatres, are delighted to announce full casting for the Sheffield Theatres production of Cole Porter’s classic musical comedy ANYTHING GOES at GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK from 2^nd to 6^th JUNE.

Leading the cast of 26 will be Debbie Kurup as Reno Sweeney and Matt Rawle as Billy Crocker. They are joined by Shaun Williamson as Moonface Martin and Kate Anthony as Evangeline Harcourt with Simon Rouse as Elisha Whitney and Zoë Rainey as Hope Harcourt.

The company also includes Michelle Andrews, Adam Dutton, Anouska Eaton, Jack Evans, Bob Harms, Victoria Hinde, Lauren Jade, Rebecca Jayne-Davies, Joanna Lee Martin, Nick Len, Michael Lin, Dylan Mason, Stephen Matthews, Ryan Pidgen, Adam Rhys-Charles, Rohan Richards, Andy Yau and Alex Young.

Debbie Kurup was most recently seen as Nicki in the West End hit musical “The Bodyguard”, a role for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award. Her other West End credits include Mimi in “Rent”, Velma in “Chicago” and “Sister Act”.

Matt Rawle’s many West End credits include “Les Misérables”, “Miss Saigon”, “Martin Guerre”, “Evita”, “Cabaret” and “Zorro”, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award. His other credits include “Pippin” and the European Premiere of “The Light in the Piazza”.

Shaun Williamson is best known to millions of TV viewers as Barry Evans in BBC1’s “EastEnders”. His other TV credits include “Extras” and “Life’s Too Short”. His theatre credits include “Never Forget” and “Guys and Dolls”.

Kate Anthony’s TV credits include Auntie Pam in “Coronation Street. Her theatre credits include “The Mousetrap” and “The Cherry Orchard”, both in the West End. She recently took the leading role in her latest film “Wavelengths”, which has already secured several industry awards.

Simon Rouse is best known to TV audiences for playing Superintendent Jack Meadows in “The Bill” for 18 years. His most recent theatre credits include “The Full Monty” and “When We Are Married”, both in the West End.

Zoë Rainey’s West End theatre credits include “Wicked”, “Hairspray” and “Parade” at the Donmar Warehouse. Her other credits include the World Premiere of the musical “Finding Neverland”.

When Billy Crocker discovers that his heart’s desire, debutante heiress Hope Harcourt is engaged to an English aristocrat, he stows away aboard the S.S. American to win her back. Aided by a string of eccentric passengers on board the luxurious transatlantic liner, can this web of love be untangled before they reach Southampton?

Cole Porter’s uplifting masterpiece of music and dance includes the magnificent songs I Get A Kick Out of You, You’re the Top, It’s De-Lovely and Anything Goes. Hop aboard for sassy heroines, mischievous mob bosses, comedy capers and tap dancing sailors in this hilarious tale of romance and hi-jinks on the high seas.

ANYTHING GOES has Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter, Original Book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. New Book by Timothy Crouse & John Weidman.

Originally produced by Lincoln Center Theatre, New York City. ANYTHING GOES is Directed byDaniel Evans, Designed by Richard Kent, Choreographed by Alistair David with Musical Supervision byNigel Lilley. Lighting Design is by Tim Mitchell, Sound Design by Simon Baker with Musical Direction by Tom Brady.

Director Daniel Evans is Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres. As director, he previously directed This Is My Family (UK Theatre Award for Best Musical Production), The Sheffield Mysteries, Oliver!, The Full Monty (UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production – also national tour and West End), My Fair Lady, Macbeth, Othello, Racing Demon as part of The David Hare Season and An Enemy of the People – the opening production of his inaugural season. As an actor, his previous work for the company includes Company, The Pride, Cloud Nine and The Tempest. An award-winning actor and director, Evans’ work includes Sunday in the Park with George (Menier Chocolate Factory, Wyndham’s Theatre and Broadway) – a role for which he won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical (his second Olivier Award, the first being for Merrily We Roll Along in 2001) and a Tony Award nomination. His extensive credits include work with the Donmar Warehouse, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Court Theatre and National Theatre. Evans is a Fellow of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

A View From The Bridge – Civic Theatre, Darlington

Posted by: The Reviews Hub – Yorkshire & North East  

https://www.thereviewshub.com/a-view-from-the-bridge-civic-theatre-darlington/

18/03/2015 

Writer: Arthur Miller

Director: Stephen Unwin

4*

A View from the Bridge is currently undergoing a major revival, with the multi nominated, award winning version playing at the National Theatre. This version from the Touring Consortium Theatre Company is (thanks to the Arts Council) showing at the Darlington Civic and six other regional theatres; and if it hasn’t won an award yet, it must surely do so soon.

The bridge is Brooklyn, a symbolic entry point into America for the Sicilian immigrants in the play, yet one they are never to cross.

Jonathan Guy Lewis plays Eddie Carbone, who starts the show a hard working family man but falls into despair from his over familiar feelings for his niece Catherine (Daisy Boulton) and her desire to marry the “unsuitable” Rodolpho (James Rastall). His obsession and pride are at the root of his unravelling, leading him to risk everything and face losing those who once loved him.

The story begins with Alfieri, played by Michael Brandon, breaking the 4th wall and explaining to the audience that he is a Lawyer and an Italian and that he is “inclined to notice the ruin in things” and “watch them run its bloody course”. He sits at his desk on the edge of the stage watching the show, allowing the events to unfold before his eyes, powerless to interfere.

Cabones wife Beatrice, wise, long-suffering and sexually frustrated, is portrayed perfectly by Teresa Banham; and niece Catherine, Daisy Boulton is exactly right – very young and innocent, oblivious to her Uncles feelings.

Miller’s narration is delivered with clarity and precision as well as some humour, dealing with uncomfortable topics and addressing the boundaries of love in a very intimate and intense way. The play is full of suggestion, all of which is played out in the audiences’ minds rather than addressed directly. But Philip Cairns is chillingly silent and still in a very well-measured performance as Marco and Rastall is enthusiastic without overplaying his differences as Rodolpho.

The whole performance is dark, Eddies descent to madness helped not only by the phenomenal acting of all on stage, but the simple and effective set designed by Liz Ascroft and the lighting, designed by Paul Pyant.

Written in 1955, A View from the Bridge is inspired by Miller’s knowledge of Italian-American families, gathered during his time as shipyard worker in Brooklyn as a young writer. This empathy and in-depth research is crucial to the success of the play’s plot, on the face of it a simple tale of a patriarch unable to come to terms with a young woman reaching adulthood.

THE INTERNATIONAL SMASH HIT MUSICAL

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT

STARRING DUNCAN JAMES AS ‘TICK’

 

TO TOUR THE UK

OPENING AT THE MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

ON FRIDAY 14 AUGUST 2015

 

TO PLAY SUNDERLAND EMPIRE MONDAY 31 AUGUST – SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2015

 

David Ian Productions and the Ambassador Theatre Group are delighted to announce that the international smash hit musical PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, starring Duncan James as ‘Tick’, will tour the UK opening at theManchester Opera House on Friday 14 August 2015 where it will play until Saturday 29 August 2015.

 

David Ian said today “I am absolutely thrilled that audiences have demanded more of Priscilla! The reaction the show gets at theatres everywhere is like something I’ve never witnessed before – it is truly a party not to be missed. Having Duncan James play Tick is just the icing on the cupcake!”

 

As one quarter of the pop band Blue, Duncan James has sold over 13 million records, had three number one albums and forty number one singles worldwide. His stage credits include playing Warner Huntington III in the West End production of Legally Blonde and Billy Flynn in Chicago. He was also a finalist on ITV1’s Dancing on Ice.

 

Get ready for the ride of your life! Based on the movie, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL is the heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could have ever dreamed of. With a dazzling array of outrageous costumes and a hit parade of dancefloor favorites including ‘It’s Raining Men’, ‘Say a Little Prayer’, ‘Go West’, ‘Hot Stuff’ and ‘Always on My Mind’, this wildly fresh and funny new musical is a journey to the heart of FABULOUS!

 

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL originally opened in Australia and after a sell-out two year run, opened in London’s West End followed by Broadway in the United States. It has won numerous awards all over the world, including prestigious Olivier and Tony awards.

 

York Stage Musicals present Hairspray

Grand Opera House York

Friday 27 March – Saturday 4 April

York Stage Musicals are looking to build on their recent success of Sister Act when they present West End and Broadway smash hit, HAIRSPRAY the musical. This production will mark the show’s very first time on a professional stage in York and will play at the Grand Opera House during Easter half term from 27 March to 4 April 2015.

As one of the city’s leading theatre companies YSM have a reputation for producing some of the best theatre in the region using predominantly local talent. This was reflected in their critically acclaimed production of Sister Act which attracted the talents of ‘I’d Do Anything’ finalist and West End star Cleopatra Rey who played ‘Deloris Van Cartier’.

 

Showcasing the very best local talent, newcomers Maya Tether will play Tracy Turnblad, Conor Mellor as Link Larkin and Maya Bartley O’Dea as Penny Pingleton. York stage regulars Joe Wawrzyniak and Toni Feetenby will make a change from their usual roles playing larger than life Edna, Tracy’s mother and villainous Velma Von Tussle, TV producer of The Corny Collins Show respectively. York singer/songwriter Jess Gardham will play DJ Motormouth Maybelle. Supporting them are professional actors Veronica Hart and Jemma Genaus who will play The Supremes-inspired Dynamites and Jemal Felix as Seaweed J. Stubbs who understudied the role in a recent professional touring production.

The acting company are complimented by a team of professional design and technical personnel, who have worked with Northern Ballet, Chichester Festival Theatre and York Theatre Royal among others.

Jessica Hardcastle, director and choreographer for HAIRSPRAY says; “We have attracted a team of talented individuals both on and off stage. Lighting is designed by Nick Duncan with Jo Keogh as wardrobe mistress, both of whom worked on the York Theatre Royal pantomime”. 

Hairspray follows the plight of loveable teen-dreamer Tracy Turnblad who is a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart who becomes the unexpected star of local TV dance program, The Corny Collins Show, much to the frustration of the TV station’s villainous producer, Velma Von Tussle.

The back drop for Hairspray is 1960’s Baltimore, US where black is black and white is white and ‘pleasantly plump’ girls certainly don’t dance on TV. Never shy of standing up for what she believes in, Tracy launches a riotous campaign to integrate The Corny Collins Show. As she dances her way into the nation’s hearts and helps her mother turn from frumpy 50’s house wife to swinging 60’s chick, Tracy falls for fellow TV star and teen-idol Link Larkin while her gawky, ever-loyal best-friend Penny Pingleton catches the eye of a guy from the ‘wrong side’ of town.

With an original soundtrack of swinging-sixties-style tunes, such as Good Morning Baltimore, Welcome to the 60’s and You Can’t Stop The Beat Hairspray will be sure to have audiences mash-potato-ing all the way home.

Winner of eight Tony Awards, HAIRSPRAY has played to sold out houses in London, Broadway and theatres across the globe.

“Ticket sales indicate this show is a very popular choice with the York audience, so buy yours now to avoid disappointment”, says YSM Artistic Director, Nik Briggs, to anyone wanting to come and see the show.

FOLLOWING A CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED WEST END RUN

AND A LIMITED SEASON TOUR

AYUB KHAN DIN’S

 

EAST IS EAST

 

STARRING THE AWARD-WINNING PAULINE MCLYNN

 

WILL EMBARK ON A 16 WEEK NATIONAL TOUR

COMMENCING 11 JUNE 2015 AT THEATRE ROYAL, BRIGHTON

 

Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, Shameless, EastEnders) will play Ella Khan in Ayub Khan Din’s critically-acclaimed play East is East, which was part of Jamie Lloyd’s second Trafalgar Transformed season, directed by Sam Yates, on a 16 week National Tour from 11 June 2015, commencing at Theatre Royal, Brighton. East is East is designed by Tom Scutt, with lighting by Richard Howell and sound and music by Alex Baranowski.

Pauline will be joined by some of the original cast from the West End production of East is East: Ashley Kumar (Tariq Khan), Darren Kuppan (Maneer Khan) and Sally Bankes (Auntie Annie). The full cast will be announced in due course.

Other confirmed venues for the East is East National Tour include the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury (22-27 June), New Victoria Theatre, Woking (29 June – 4 July), Churchill Theatre, Bromley (6-11 July), Princess Theatre, Torquay (13-18 July), Regent Theatre, Stoke (20-25 July), Theatre Royal, Nottingham (27 July – 1 August), Grand Opera House, York (3-8 August), Theatre Royal, Glasgow (10-15 August), The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (31 August – 5 September), Sheffield Lyceum (7 September – 12 September) and Bath Theatre Royal (14 September – 19 September) with further dates announced shortly.

Pauline McLynn said “I am very excited to be part of this production. The play by Ayub Khan Din is sparkling, funny and tender and I’m delighted to be working with the brilliant Sam Yates. I cannot wait to get out there with it!”

Jamie Lloyd, Artistic Director of Trafalgar Transformed, said “As a part of our drive to make our work accessible to all, I am very excited to present the first major tour of a Trafalgar Transformed production. I am thrilled that so many more people, all over the country, will get to see Sam Yates’ vivid production of this modern classic, and I’m delighted to welcome Pauline McLynn to the company.”

Pakistani chip-shop owner George Khan – “Genghis” to his kids – is determined to give his children a strict Muslim upbringing against the unforgiving backdrop of 1970s Salford. Household tension reaches breaking point as their long-suffering English mother, Ella, gets caught in the cross fire – her loyalties divided between her marriage and the free will of her children. 

 

East is East, Ayub Khan Din’s semi-autobiographical account of British Asian life in the 1970s and the clash of cultures between a multi-cultural family growing up in Salford, is a play that continues to resonate and provoke discussion. Starring award-winning screen icon Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, Shameless and EastEnders) as Ella and a host of the finest British acting talent as the remainder of the Khan family and friends, this long awaited revival of a modern comedy classic promises to be unmissable.

Pauline McLynn (Ella Khan) is best known for screen roles including Mrs Doyle in Father Ted (for which she won a British Comedy Award), Libby Croker in Shameless and her current role playing Yvonne Cotton inEastEnders. Pauline’s stage credits include most recently The Knight of the Burning Pestle, at The Globe,Happy Days at Sheffield Crucible, Playboy of the Western World at the Donmar Warehouse, The Trojan Women, Comedy of Errors, Yerma and Antigone all at the Abbey Theatre/National Theatre of Ireland, The Double Dealer, Tartuffe, Absurd Person Singular and School for Scandal all at the Gate Theatre, Dublin andOur Country’s Good, The Tempest, Top Girls and The Caucasian Chalk Circle for Rough Magic. Her other television credits include Father Figure (BBC), Threesome (Comedy Central), The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff(BBC) Pramface (BBC), three seasons of Jam and Jerusalem (BBC), Bremner, Bird and Fortune (Channel 4, six series), High Hopes (BBC), French and Saunders (BBC), TV To Go (BBC), The Dark Ages (ITV), It Happened Last Year, Dalziel and Pascoe, Family, Aristocrats and Ballykissangel (all for BBC).  Pauline’s film credits include Stephen Bradley’s Noble, Helen in Gypo, Sister Hilda opposite Brendan Blethyn in The Calling,Iris directed by Richard Eyre, Heidi directed by Paul Marcus, Angela’s Ashes directed by Alan Parker, The Most Fertile Man in Ireland directed by Dudi Appleton, An Everlasting Piece directed by Barry Levinson and When Brendan met Trudy directed by Kieron J. Walsh.  Other film work includes; Quills, Nora, Her Own Rules, Guilttrip. Pauline most recently completed shooting on Jim Sheridan’s feature Secret Scripture. She has also published eight best-selling novels, Something for the Weekend (1999), Better Than A Rest (2001), Right on Time (2002), The Woman on the Bus (2004), Summer in the City (2005), Bright Lights and Promises(2007), Missing You Already (2009) and The Time Is Now (2010). In 2012 she published her first novel for young people, Jenny Q, Stitched Up! with Puffin Books, and the sequel JENNY Q, Unravelled.

 

Ashley Kumar’s (Tariq Khan) stage credits include East is East at Trafalgar Studios/UK Tour, Tartuffe at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Commercial Road at the Hackney Empire and The Snow Queen at the Unicorn Theatre. Ashley’s screen credits include A Nice Arrangement, Omid Djalili’s Little Cracker, Summer In Transylvania, EastEnders, Spooks, Benidorm, The Bill, Doctors and MI High.

 

Darren Kuppan’s (Maneer Khan) stage credits include East is East at Trafalgar Studios/UK Tour, Rafta Raftaat the Bolton Octagon and the New Vic Theatre, Stoke, the latter of which he also performed in Arabian Nights, East is East at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, An August Bank Holiday Lark at the Northern Broadsides, Melody Loses Her Mojo at the Liverpool Playhouse, England Street at the Oxford Playhouse, The Bridge at Freedom Studios, Jamaica House at Duke’s Playhouse, Lancaster, Much Ado About Nothing at the RSC, Bollywood Jane at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and Pretend You Have Big Buildings at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester. Darren’s screen credits include Spooks, Britannia High, Emmerdale,Coronation Street, The Sweet Stall, Piggy, The Code, Winners And Losers and The Chaos Theory.

Sally Bankes’ (Auntie Annie) stage credits include East is East at Trafalgar Studios/UK Tour, That Day We Sang at The Royal Exchange Manchester (for which she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at The Manchester Theatre Awards), The Winter’s Tale at the RSC, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at the Octagon Theatre, Waiting for Gateaux on a UK tour, Everybody Loves a Winner at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, and Acorn Antiques on a UK tour. Her screen credits include Our Zoo, Pompidou!, Mount Pleasant, Prisoners’ Wives, Doctors, World Without End, In With The Flynns, Titanic, Housewife 49, Hollyoaks, White Van Man, Semi-Detached, Hoof and Safety with Nuzzle and Scratch, MI High, Nuzzle and Scratch, Scallywagga, Guantanamo Phil, Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Heartbeat, 2 Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Tittybangbang!, Where the Heart Is, Little Britain, Absolute Power, Twisted Tales, Coronation Street, Fat Friends, Stabat Mater, Line of Fire, Trained, Chicken Tikka Masala (for which she won Best Actress at the OutTakes Dallas Film Festival), Redemption Road and When It All Comes Down.

 

East is East, was Ayub Khan Din’s first play, following an initial career as an actor. It was staged at the Royal Court in 1997 and, subsequently, Ayub adapted the play into a hugely successful feature film, starring Om Puri and Linda Bassett.  For his screenplay, Ayub won a British Independent Film Award and a London Critics’ Circle Film Award, and was nominated for two BAFTAs for Best Adapted Screenplay and the Carl Foreman Award for Most Promising Newcomer, and a European Film Award for Best Screenwriter. Ayub was last seen on stage in the West End/National tour run of East is East at Trafalgar Studios as part of the Trafalgar Transformed season, playing for the first time, the role of George. Other stage credits include the title role of Bunty Berman Presents, under the wing of The New Group at the Acorn Theatre, Off-Broadway. The musical was co-authored by Ayub and Grammy and Emmy Award winner Paul Bogaev. He made his film debut in My Beautiful Laundrette, but is perhaps best known for the role of Sammy in Hanif Kureishi‘sSammy and Rosie Get Laid – both directed by Stephen Frears. His TV credits include Coronation Street, London Bridge, The Chief, Dangerfield, Boon, The Bill and Poirot. Additional writing credits include Last Dance at Dum Dum, Notes on Falling Leaves, All the Way Home, Rafta Rafta, which won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and ran at the National Theatre, West is West, All in Good Time, an adaptation of To Sir With Love, which recently completed a national tour, and Bunty Berman Presents.

 

Sam Yates most recently directed Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester and directed Ruth Wilson in The El Train at Hoxton Hall.  His other directing credits includeCornelius by J.B. Priestley at the Finborough Theatre and 59E59 Theatre, New York, and Mixed Marriage at the Finborough Theatre. He was Artistic Associate at Royal and Derngate Theatres from 2011-2013. He trained with directors Jamie Lloyd, Michael Grandage, Trevor Nunn, Josie Rourke and Phyllida Lloyd.

The National Tour of East is East follows the completion of the second season of work for Trafalgar Transformed, produced by Jamie Lloyd Productions, a partnership between acclaimed director Jamie Lloyd and Ambassador Theatre Group. Season Two included Richard III, starring Martin Freeman, East is Eaststarring Jane Horrocks and The Ruling Class, starring James McAvoy, which is running until 11 April 2015.

*Further tour venues/dates will be announced shortly

THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON

11 – 20 JUNE

0844 871 7650

WATERSIDE THEATRE, AYLESBURY

22 – 27 JUNE

0844 871 7607

NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING

29 JUNE – 4 JULY

0844 871 7645

CHURCHILL THEATRE, BROMLEY

6 – 11 JULY

0844 871 7620

PRINCESS THEATRE, TORQUAY

13 – 18 JULY

0844 871 3023

REGENT THEATRE, STOKE

20 – 25 JULY

0844 871 7649

THEATRE ROYAL, NOTTINGHAM

27 JULY – 1 AUGUST

0115 989 5555

GRAND OPERA HOUSE, YORK

3 – 8 AUGUST

0844 871 3024

 

THEATRE ROYAL, GLASGOW

10 – 15 AUGUST

0844 871 7647

THE ALHAMBRA THEATRE, BRADFORD

31 AUGUST – 5 SEPTEMBER

01274 432000

SHEFFIELD LYCEUM, SHEFFIELD

7 SEPTEMBER – 12 SEPTEMBER

0114 249 6000

BATH THEATRE ROYAL, BATH

14 SEPTEMBER – 19 SEPTEMBER

01225 448844

Website:                                              www.trafalgartransformed.com

Facebook                                             www.facebook.com/traftransformed

Twitter                                                            @traftransformed

RAY QUINN – “NUMBER ONE” HIT SINGER, ACTOR AND STAR WINNER OF HIT TV SHOWS  IS TO JOIN THE CAST OF JUDY – THE SONGBOOK OF JUDY GARLAND FOR THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED UK TOUR OF:

THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF A HOLLYWOOD LEGEND

JUDY

The Songbook of Judy Garland

STARRING LORNA LUFT AND LEADING WEST END MUSICAL THEATRE STARS WITH ARLENE PHILLIPS AS CREATIVE DIRECTOR

OPENING ON 8 MAY 2015 IN EDINBURGH

International theatre producer David King is delighted to announce that the singer-songwriter, actor and winner of hit TV shows Dancing On Ice , Dancing on Ice – All Stars,  Ray Quinn, will be joining  the UK Tour of JUDY – THE SONGBOOK OF JUDY GARLAND. Ray was runner up in The X- Factor in 2006, with his debut album going straight to number one in the UK charts and has starred in many West End musicals including Legally Blonde and Dirty Dancing.

JUDY – THE SONGBOOK OF JUDY GARLAND will tour some of the UK’s finest theatres, with the UK premiere of this new musical show at the Edinburgh Playhouse on May 8 2015. Highly-acclaimed choreographer and theatre director, Arlene Phillips, will be the Creative Director on the production. This will be the only Judy Garland Show in the world authorised by the Judy Garland Estate.

JUDY – THE SONGBOOK OF JUDY GARLAND stars Lorna Luft, Judy Garland’s daughter, together with leading West End musical theatre stars, including Louise Dearman, Rachel Stanley, Darren Bennett and more. Also appearing are Judy’s dancers – The Boyfriends, named after Judy’s original dancers of the same name.

JUDY – THE SONGBOOK  OF JUDY GARLAND will include never seen before film clips and interviews together with irresistible classic hit songs from some of Judy’s hugely popular films such as A Star is Born, Meet Me in St. Louis, Easter Parade and The Wizard of Oz. The set of songs will include I Got Rhythm, The Trolley Song, The Man That Got Away, Get Happy,Zing! Went the strings of my Heart, and the song that is synonymous with Judy Garland, Over the Rainbow.

JUDY – THE SONGBOOK OF JUDY GARLAND, has Arlene Phillips as Creative Director and is directed by Christopher Manoe.

Ray Quinn’s first acting role was in Brookside, the popular soap, based in Liverpool. He was announced as the runner-up in the X Factor to Leona Lewis in 2006 and subsequently released a a debut album which went to number in one in the UK charts and eventually became a platinum selling album. Ray has starred in many West End musicals including Grease, Dirty Dancing, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice andLegally Blonde. Ray was the winner of ITV’s Dancing on Ice in 2009 and went on to win the final All Stars series in 2014. Ray is currently recording an album and is inspired by by the “greats”, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the Rat Pack.

 

Lorna Luft is considered to be part of Showbiz Royalty, as the daughter of Judy Garland and the half sister of Liza Minnelli and a highly successful stage, film and TV actress and singer. She has appeared in numerous film, TV and stage shows, including White Christmas, They’re Playing My Son and Babes in Arms. Lorna appeared on stage regularly with her mother as a young girl and continues to maintain a high profile concert career.

Louise Dearman is the darling of the West End, and has performed in leading roles in many West End musicals including Wicked where Louise was the first actress to play both the good witch and the bad witch, Glinda and Elphaba. Louise also starred in Evita, Cats and Guys and Dolls to name just a few.

Darren Bennett has appeared in numerous productions in both the West End and on tour including the current production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Aladdin, Merrily We Roll Along,  Crazy for You, Fiddler on the Roof, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Singin’ in the Rain.

Rachel Stanley has recently finished starring as Betty Haynes in the hugely successful production of White Christmas at London’s Dominion Theatre, and  previously  played the role in Edinburgh, Manchester, Plymouth & Southampton. Rachel has also had lead roles in  Annie  (New Zealand and UK tour), Crazy for You  and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour).

Arlene Phillips (CBE) is one of the UK’s best known choreographers, and also works regularly as a theatre director and is a well know television personality. Arlene has worked on numerous stage productions, (The Wizard of OZ, Starlight Express, Grease) TV (So You think you can Dance) and films.

Confirmed Tour Dates for  JUDY – THE SONGBOOK OF JUDY GARLAND

Please check websites for performance times.

May 8^th – 9^th

Edinburgh Playhouse

Box Office: 0844 871 3014

www.atgtickets.com

 

May 11^th – 13^th

The Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl

Box Office: 01745 33 00 00

www.rhylpavilion.co.uk

 

May 14^th – 16^th

Grand Opera House, York

Box Office: 0844 871 3024

www.atgtickets.com

 

May 18^th – 19th

The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

Box Office: 01274 432000

www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

 

May 21^st – 23^rd

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Box Office: 0844 871 3011

www.atgtickets.com

 

 

May 26^th – 27^th

The Corn Exchange, Kings Lynn

Box Office: 01553 764864

www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk

 

May 28^th – 30^th

Palace Theatre, Manchester

Box Office: 0844 871 3019

www.atgtickets.com

 

June 2^nd – 6^th

Theatre Royal, Glasgow

Box Office: 0844 871 7647

www.atgtickets.com

 

 

June 8^th – 10^th

Liverpool Empire

Box Office: 0844 871 3017

www.atgtickets.com

 

June 12^th –13th

Princess Theatre Torquay

Box Office: 0844 871 3023

www.atgtickets.com

June 16^th– 20^th

New Wimbledon Theatre

Box Office: 0844 871 7646

www.atgtickets.com

 

June 23^rd – 24^th

Hall for Cornwall

Box Office: 01872 262466

www.hallforcornwall.co.uk

 

June 25^th – 27^th

Cardiff New Theatre

Box Office: 029 2087 8889

www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

 

June 29^th – July 4^th

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

Box Office: 0114 249 6000

www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

 

July 7^th – 11^th

Theatre Royal, Brighton

Box Office: 0844 871 7627

www.atgtickets.com

 

July 13^th – 14^th

Watford Collosseum

Box Office: 0845 075 3993

watfordcolosseum.co.uk

 

July 16^th – 18^th

The Churchill Theatre, Bromley

Box Office: 0844 871 7620

www.atgtickets.com

 

July 20^th – 22^nd

Darlington Civic Theatre

Box Office: 01325 486555

www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

 

July 23^rd – 25^th

New Theatre, Oxford

Box Office: 0844 8713020

www.atgtickets.com

 

 

July 28^th – August 1^st

New Victoria Theatre, Woking

Box Office: 0844 871 7645

www.atgtickets.com

 

August 14th -15th

The Cliffs Pavilion Southend

Box Office: 01702 351135

southendtheatres.org.uk

 

August 19th – 22nd

Congress Theatre, Eastbourne

Box Office: 01323 412000

[email protected]

The people of the North East can look forward to another jam-packed year of spectacular theatre as Newcastle Theatre Royal announces a breath-taking line-up for Summer/Autumn 2015, with highlights including a glorious new production of The Sound of Music and three huge hits straight from the West End – King Charles III, Handbagged, and Hetty Feather.

 

We can almost hear the hills ringing already as one of the greatest musicals of all time returns to the theatre Royal stage in The Sound of Music (1-12 Sep ‘15).  This magnificent new production from Bill Kenwright offers a lavish new staging which will enchant and enthral the young and the young at heart. Based on Baroness Maria von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography, the musical tells the true story of the world-famous singing family, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom as their beloved Austria becomes part of the Third Reich at the start of WWll and features some of the world’s most memorable songs.

 

In mid-September comes a new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar (14 -19 Sep ‘15) starring Glenn Carter and Tim Rogers with X-Factor finalist Rachel Adedeji.  A huge hit when it exploded onto the musical scene in 1971 – stunning audiences and changing the face of musical theatre forever, it tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus through an extraordinary, ground-breaking score.

 

His music defined an era and his story stunned the world, and now the life, fame and vanishing of America’s most famous big band leader is retold for the first time on stage in The Glen Miller Story (21 – 26 Sep ‘15). It’s been seventy years since Miller mysteriously disappeared over the English Channel and now rock n’ roll legend Tommy Steele will play the icon in this musical spectacular accompanied by a live 16-piece Glenn Miller orchestra.

 

Coming direct from a sold-out West End season, Jaqueline Wilson’s extraordinary Hetty Feather (8-11 Oct ‘15) visits in October.  Following the adventures of a little Victorian foundling with a big personality, it brings Wilson’s much loved children’s book thrillingly to life with live music, songs and circus skills and is a must see for  ‘tweenies’ everywhere.

 

Big, bold and beautiful comedy Hairspray (19-30 Jan ‘16) will be our first musical of 2016, kicking off the year in glorious 60s technicolour!  Set in Baltimore in 1962, it tells the story of larger-than-life Tracy Turnblad – a big girl with hair and a heart to match.  Tracy dreams of becoming a dancer on TV and is determined to defy the odds and follow her dream.  Based on the 1988 film of the same name it opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently went on to win multiple awards and become a worldwide hit.

 

Back again in time for Christmas and due to unwavering popular demand is Northern Ballet’s timeless The Nutcracker (10-14 Nov ‘15).  A classic production reimagined for a modern audience, it tells the magical tale of Clara, swept away on Christmas Eve by a Nutcracker Prince into a winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes and the famous Sugar Plum Fairy.  The ballet is performed to Tchaikovsky’s enduring score, played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia.  Northern Ballet are also bringing Elves and the Shoemaker (13 Nov) to run in repertoire with their main stage show. Adorable and whimsical, it runs for 45 minutes and is the perfect introduction to ballet for young children.

 

The darlings of the ballet world Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (6-7 Oct ‘15) are set to make a welcome return in October with two glittering performances full of playful comedy and breath-taking skill.  Founded in 1974 by a group of ballet enthusiasts presenting an entertaining view of classical ballet in parody form, the all-male troupe first performed in the late-late shows in Off-Off Broadway lofts and are now treasured all around the world.

 

Two of the biggest names in stand-up comedy are set to bring their respective hit shows to the theatre in the autumn.  Trevor Noah (27 Sep ‘15) is renowned for his sharp wit, intelligent commentary and unmistakable charm, and is undoubtedly one of the foremost young comedians of his generation. Dave Gorman (1 Nov ‘15) is a regular sell-out at the Theatre, and following his 2014 hit tour is back with a show that promises more of his unique blend of stand-up comedy and visual storytelling.

 

Following a sold-out run at the Almeida and in the West End, Mike Bartlett’s critically acclaimed new future history play King Charles III visits in the autumn (28 Sep – 3 Oct ‘15). Directed by Rupert Goold – the award-winning talent behind ENRON, King Lear at the Young Vic and the RSC’s Romeo and Juliet, it presents a future where the Queen is dead and Prince Charles has taken the throne. Provocative and entertaining, it puts the spotlight on the people underneath the crowns, the unwritten rules of our democracy, and the conscience of Britain’s most famous family.

 

To mark the 21^st anniversary of one of the most popular films ever made, prison thriller The Shawshank Redemption will hit the stage for the first time later this year and will visit Newcastle between 19 – 24 October ‘15.  Based on the short story by Stephen King, it tells the tale of Andy Dufresne, a young banker in the 1940s who is handed a double life sentence for the brutal murder of his wife and her lover despite protests of innocence.  Incarcerated at the notorious Shawshank facility, he strikes up an unlikely friendship with ‘fixer’ Red, and a desperate plan is quietly hatched.  Widely considered the number one all-time movie, this new production examines desperation, injustice, friendship and hope behind the claustrophobic bars of a maximum security penitentiary.

 

Moira Buffini’s West End smash hit Handbagged (26-31 Oct ‘15) offers a delectable dramatic treat which is wickedly funny and brilliantly astute. It takes two of the world’s most powerful women, the enduring British icons born in the same year Elizabeth 2nd and Margaret Thatcher, and speculates on what they really talked about behind closed palace doors, when the stiff upper lip softened and the gloves came off… Highly mischievous and utterly unmissable.

 

Another hit show who’s popularity will never wane, and our first drama to be programmed for 2016 (9-13 Feb ‘16) is J.B. Priestley’s classic thriller An Inspector Calls.  A Theatre Royal favourite hailed as the theatrical event of our generation, this landmark production has won more awards than any other play in history and thrilled audiences in the West End, on Broadway and throughout the world with its epic and wildly imaginative staging, raw emotion, evocative score, lashing rain and chilling suspense.

 

There are nine dramas already on sale for 2015, offering something for every taste.

From haunting thrillers – Daphne Du Maurier’s absorbing masterpiece Rebecca (11 – 16 May), Reginald Rose’s gripping courtroom thriller Twelve Angry Men (15 – 20 June), Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None (27 July – 1 Aug) and bestselling crime thriller novelist Peter James’ Dead Simple (26 – 30 May); to the historical and literary – Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird (20 – 25 April), John Boyne’s heart-wrenching tale The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (19 – 23 May) and Oscar Wilde’s much loved masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest  (8 – 13 June). The Royal Shakespeare Company is also here with its Younger Audiences production of The Famous Victories of Henry V (30 June) and from the award-winning Mischief Theatre Company is new comedy Peter Pan Goes Wrong (1-4 July).

 

Pop Princess and BBC Strictly Come Dancing sensation Pixie Lott has just been announced for Putting on the Ritz (2 – 6 June ‘15) – a star-studded musical extravaganza taking audiences on a wonderful journey through the hits of George Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Cole Porter.  Strictly stars Trent Whiddon, Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor also feature in the show.

 

From Strictly Come Dancing performers to one of the show’s hardest judges Craig Revel Horwood, who is gracing our stage as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan in the world premiere of a new production of Annie (11-18 July).  Meanwhile Alexandra Burke has also been announced for the Summer’s biggest show The Bodyguard (1 – 18 April), and Belinda Lang, Gary Wilmot and Ashley Day will add a dose of stardust to a true classic – Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (23 – 27 June).

 

There are two shows already on sale specifically for younger audiences – Judith Kerr’s much loved The Tiger Who Came To Tea(3-4 July), and, following a sell-out day of shows in March,  Sing-a-long-a Frozen (Sun 10 May) is back as an additional date due to overwhelming public demand.

 

Tickets are still available to be snapped up for Shrek The Musical , direct from the West End and here until 29 March, as well as Matthew Bourne’s internationally acclaimed dance thriller The Car Man (28 April – 9 May).  Plus, with a staggering 50,000 tickets already sold eight months before it opens, our 15/16 Pantomime Dick Whittington (24 Nov 2015 – Sun 17 Jan 2016) is set to be our biggest and fastest selling panto of all time.  Fans better be quick if they want to see Clive, Danny, Chris and the gang in another spectacular production jam-packed with fun, adventure, comedy and…cats!

 

The 2015 summer and autumn seasons at the Theatre Royal are kindly sponsored by Mill Volvo www.millnortheast.co.uk

 

Tickets for all new shows in the summer/autumn ‘15 season go on public sale on Friday 20 March.  Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or pay less online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

REBECCA LACHANCE CONFIRMED IN MACK & MABEL LEADING ROLE

Mack has found his Mabel! After an extensive search, American actress Rebecca LaChance has been confirmed to star alongside Michael Ball in Chichester’s forthcoming summer musical, Mack & Mabel, and will then tour across the UK and Ireland in the production.

Based on the true romance between Hollywood legends Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand, this musical comedy received eight Tony Award nominations when it opened on Broadway in 1974. The much-loved score includes Time Heals Everything and I Won’t Send Roses.

Rebecca LaChance’s credits include her recent Broadway debut in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical as a featured ensemble member while understudying Jessie Mueller in the title role. Other credits include Johnny Baseball directed by Gordon Greenberg, the director of Chichester’s acclaimed production of Guys and Dolls during Festival 2014, Central Avenue Breakdown and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

Michael Ball plays Mack Sennett. Recent credits include the BBC television drama That Day We Sang, which reunited him with Sweeney Todd co-star Imelda Staunton. Theatre credits include the title role in Sweeney Todd (Chichester’s Festival 2011 and West End), Hairspray, Les Misérables, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Passion, Aspects of Love, The Woman in White and The Phantom of the Opera. Ball co-produced Chichester Festival 2010’s West End transfer of Love Story. He also has a successful recording and broadcasting career, and will be embarking on a UK concert tour in Spring 2015.

Other casting includes Anna-Jane Casey as Lottie, Jack Edwards as Fatty, Alex Giannini as Mr Kleiman, Gunnar Cauthery as Frank and Mark Inscoe as William Desmond Taylor. The company also includes Michelle Francis, Emily Langham, Rebecca Louis, Joshua Lovell, Joseph Prouse, and Emily Shaw.

Further casting is to be announced.

The production is directed by Jonathan Church, Chichester’s Artistic Director. His Chichester credits include Festival 2014’s Taken at Midnight (also West End) which has just received three Olivier Award nominations. Other credits include Singin’ in the Rain (also West End, UK and international tour), which tours to New Zealand in March 2015.

Jonathan Church said: “Mabel Normand was ‘discovered’ by Mack Sennett and became one of the best loved female film stars of the era.  Partly for this reason Michael and I always hoped we might cast an emerging young actress to play Mabel. And we are thrilled that Rebecca will follow in the steps of Bernadette Peters and Imelda Staunton who played this role at the beginning of their careers.”

Mack & Mabel will be at the Festival Theatre, Chichester from 13 July – 5 September. Tickets from £10, with 16 – 25s tickets at £8.50.Visit cft.org.uk or contact the Box Office on 01243 781312 for more details. Following the Chichester dates there will be a UK and Ireland tour from 1 October – 6 December, visitmackandmabelmusical.com for further details.

 

METRO RADIO ARENA, NEWCASTLE MONDAY 13TH APRIL 2015

1.30PM & 4.45PM PERFORMANCES

TREAT YOUR LITTLE ONES TO AN UNFORGETTABLE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE THIS EASTER WITH JUSTIN & FRIENDS: MR TUMBLE’S CIRCUS

If you’re looking for a truly unforgettable day out this Easter then roll up, roll up to Justin & Friends: Mr Tumble’s Circus, a brand new arena spectacular starring Justin Fletcher MBE, a whole host of CBeebies presenters and characters as well as some outstanding speciality circus acts!

Joining Justin on stage will be Mr Tumble, CBeebies presenter Cat Sandion and Swashbuckle star Gemma Hunt, alongside dino-mad Andy Day, Robert the Robot played by Steve Kynman and Little Monster. Mr Tumble will be inviting a few family members along too including Aunt Polly as well as some familiar faces from Gigglebiz including Keith Fitt.

Justin Fletcher said: “For many youngsters their first experience of live theatre is at a CBeebies Live arena show and we want to make that experience as special as possible. The circus theme of this year’s show means that Mr Tumble will be in his element, and we’ve also been able to bring in some incredible circus performers including jugglers and tumblers, not to mention the UK’s Freestyle Unicycle Champion!”

Justin & Friends: Mr Tumble’s Circus is produced by the creative team behind the hugely popular Justin & Friends 2013 Easter Tour which was attended by over 105,000 people.

Tickets costing from £13.50 are available online, from the booking hotline number 0844 493 6666 or in person from the Metro Radio Arena Box Office.

Tickets costing from £13.50 are available from:-

Credit Card Booking and Information Line 0844 493 6666

The Metro Radio Arena Newcastle Box Office (Mon – Fri: 10.00am – 4.00pm, Sat: 11.00am – 2.30pm)

Internet Site:- www.metroradioarena.co.uk

Postal applications: Metro Radio Arena Newcastle, PO Box 304, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 4YJ

Group Bookers should call (0191) 260 6006

Special Needs bookings should call (0191) 260 6066 for further details