NINE GREAT WELSH ACTRESSES TO PERFORM IN NATIONAL THEATRE WALES’ MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN

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THIS NEW, SOUTH WALES VALLEYS VERSION BY HINTERLAND’S ED THOMAS OF BRECHT’S CLASSIC PLAY WILL BE STAGED AT THE MERTHYR LABOUR CLUB

The cast has been confirmed for the first production in National Theatre Wales’ fifth season – an anarchic, all-female, new version of Bertolt Brecht’s 1939 anti-war play, Mother Courage and Her Children, performed in and around the Merthyr Labour Club in May 2015.

Hinterland creator Ed Thomas returns to the stage to adapt, NTW artistic director John McGrath will direct and My Name is Sue composer Dafydd James will write original music for this new production, mixing Brecht’s world with the Saturday-night spirit of Merthyr.

“According to the bigwigs, this war’s being fought in the name of God and all things lovely . But I think that’s bollocks. Every body in this war is out for what they can get, including a small businesswoman like me. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

Performed by a cast of nine Welsh actresses in the gutsy English of the south Wales valleys, supported by a chorus of women from Merthyr, and in the context of our own unending wars, this will be a 21stCentury version of what is often described as a 20thCentury classic.

The cast includes: Donna Edwards, Sara McGaughey, Gaynor Morgan-Rees, Rhian Morgan as Mother Courage herself, Sharon Morgan, Cathy Owen, Nicola Reynolds, Ri Richards and Eiry Thomas.

Artistic director John McGrath said: “Every director has a list of plays that they want to direct some day, and Mother Courage has long been up at the top of my list. The spirit of south Wales, particularly Merthyr Tydfil, feels very close to the questions of the play. To what lengths are we willing to go in order to survive? What kind of cunning and know-how might carry us through the worst of times? Brecht always encourages us to see why people behave in the way they do, and the questions he raises in this play are every bit as relevant today as they were when he sat down to write it in 1939.”

In 1988, Ed Thomas wrote his first play, House of America. The play won several awards as a play and a film (1996), on both a National and International level. His other works include Flowers of the Dead Red Sea (1991), East From The Gantry (1993), Song From a Forgotten City (1995), Gas Station Angel(1998) and Stone City Blue (2004). They have toured extensively across the world within the UK, Europe, Australia and South America, to theatres including The Royal Court, Donmar Warehouse and Tramway, Glasgow. They have been translated into more than ten languages. Ed is the founder and artistic director of Fiction Factory, and at present is working on Hinterland/Y Gwyll, a detective series produced in both English and Welsh for S4C and the BBC, and distributed worldwide by All3Media. Over the last ten years, Ed has written, directed and produced over a hundred and twenty hours of drama in several genres, winning over seventy nominations and prizes including those from BAFTA CYMRU and Prix Europa. His programmes have been distributed to over eighty countries. These include Satellite City, Silent Village, China, Mind to Kill, Caerdydd, Pen Talar, Y Pris, Cwmgiedd/Columbia andGwaith/Cartref. He lives in Cardiff.

Director John E McGrath is the founding Artistic Director of National Theatre Wales. He has also worked as a theatre director in New York, London and Manchester. From 1999-2008 he was Artistic Director of Contact Theatre, Manchester. He trained and worked in New York for several years, including a stint as Associate Director of leading experimental company Mabou Mines. As a director, he has worked with a wide range of artists including poet Lemn Sissay (Storm, Something Dark and Why I Don’t Hate White People) and hip-hop theatre artist Benji Reid (b like water). For National Theatre Wales, he has directed A Good Night Out in the Valleys, Love Steals Us From Loneliness, The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning, In Water I’m Weightless and The Opportunity of Efficiency(produced by the New National Theatre, Tokyo). In 2004 he published a book about art in the surveillance age, Loving Big Brother: Performance, Privacy and Surveillance Space, and in 2005 was awarded the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA) Cultural Leadership Award.

Musical Director Dafydd James is an award-winning writer, composer and performer, working in theatre, radio and television in both English and Welsh. His work has been performed across the UK and internationally in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Taiwan and the USA. Credits includePsychobitches (Tiger Aspect/Sky Arts), Terrace (BBC, Radio 3), Gwaith/Cartref (Fiction Factory/S4C)Heritage (National Theatre), The Village Social (NTW), Llwyth (Theatr Genedlaethol/Sherman Cymru) and My Name is Sue & Sue: The Second Coming (Dafydd James & Company). Currently, he has a musical project in development with NTW and Heritage is being translated for the National Touring Theatre of Sweden. He also has an original six-part drama series in development with Fiction Factory, and is one of four writers attached to ‘Y Labordy’, a visionary scheme for writers through which he’s developing a play, a television series and a feature film.

Full listings information:

MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN
By Bertolt Brecht
Translation by John Willett
Revised by Ed Thomas
Lyrics revised by Dafydd James &
Ed Thomas
Director John E McGrath
Music by Dafydd James
Designer Jean Chan
Lighting Designer Natasha Chivers
Sound Designer Mike Beer
Video Designer Ian William Galloway
Movement Director Jo Fong
Emerging Director Rhiannon White

Dates: 7-22 May 2015 (except Sat & Sun)
Times: 7.30pm, plus 1pm matinees on 14 & 21 May
Venue: Merthyr Labour Club, Court St, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8DU
Box Office: http://nationaltheatrewales.org/mother-courage-and-her-children
By phone: 029 2063 6464
Ticket Prices: £10-£16 (including local concession)

Recommended for ages 14+

For more information about Mother Courage and Her Children, go to:http://nationaltheatrewales.org/mother-courage-and-her-children

Follow Mother Courage and Her Children, on Twitter:
#ntwmother
@ntwtweets

National Theatre Wales was launched in November 2009, and creates invigorating theatre in the English language, rooted in Wales, with an international reach. The Welsh Government and the Arts Council of Wales are supporting National Theatre Wales. For more information on our shows, visit:nationaltheatrewales.org

“NTW have never been afraid to ask what theatre is and what it might be” The Guardian

 

MAMMA MIA! Turns 16!

“MAMMA MIA!”

TURNS 16 ON 6 APRIL

AT LONDON’S NOVELLO THEATRE

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The global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! at London’s Novello Theatre celebrates its 16th birthday in London on Monday 6 April. From West End to global phenomenon, MAMMA MIA! is Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with an enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolding on a Greek island paradise. To date, it has been seen by more than 54 million people in 49 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $2 billion at the box office. 

MAMMA MIA! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004. The musical re-opened at the Novello Theatre in 2012.

The London production of MAMMA MIA! has been seen by more than 10% of the entire UK population. The show has celebrated over 6,500 performances in London and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes. In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.

Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie, starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, is the highest grossing live action musical film of all time.

MAMMA MIA! in London stars Dianne Pilkington as Donna Sheridan, with Kim Ismay as Tanya and Rebecca Lock as Rosie, Richard Trinder as Sam, Alasdair Harvey as Harry, Charles Daish as Bill, Alice Stokoe as Sophie Sheridan and Lloyd Green as Sky. Also in the cast are Rosanna Bates as Ali, Brodie McBride as Lisa, James Alexander Gibbs as Pepper and James Evans as Eddie. At certain performances, the role of Donna Sheridan is played by Shona White.

With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.

MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Novello Theatre

Aldwych

London WC2B 4LD

Monday to Friday Prices: £65.00, £37.50, £20.00, £15.00

Saturday Prices: £67.50, £52.50, £39.50, £20.00*, £15.00 *£25.00 from 27 April 2015 

Please note: Saturday pricing applies to all performances 25-30 May and 27 July-29 August

A £2.25 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked online, and a £2.50 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked by phone. No booking fee on tickets purchased in person at the Novello Theatre Box Office.

All prices include £1 restoration levy, which will increase to £1.25 for performances from 27 April 2015.

Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking four months or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Thursday performances only) will be able to purchase top price tickets for £45, a saving of £20 on the regular top price, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online, in person at the theatre, or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

Performance Times:

Monday – Saturday 7.45pm

Matinees – Thursday & Saturday 3.00pm

Currently booking to 24 October 2015

The performance lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

Box Office: 0844 482 5115

http://www.mamma-mia.com/

http://www.facebook.com/mammamiamusical

http://twitter.com/MammaMiaMusical

TAKING NEWCASTLE AUDIENCES BACK TO MANDERLEY…

A stage adaptation of one of the world’s best-selling novels is coming to Newcastle Theatre Royal in May. Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca will be brought to life on stage by Kneehigh – the company local audiences will know from the hugely popular recent production of Brief Encounter.

 Emily Raymond - Imogen Sage

Conjuring Cornish romance and theatrical magic, Emma Rice’s production of Rebecca is a spellbinding adaptation of this famous novel, which has never been out of print since it first hit bookshelves in 1938. It plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from 11-16 May.

 

Following the mysterious death of his first wife, Maxim de Winter returns to Manderley with his new young bride. Surrounded by memories of the glamorous Rebecca, the new Mrs De Winter is consumed by jealousy. She sets out to uncover the secrets of the house and a past fiercely guarded by the sinister housekeeper Mrs Danvers. All is not what it seems in Manderley…

 

The cast is led by Tristan Sturrock as Maxim de Winter, Emily Raymond as Mrs Danvers with Richard Clews, Katy Owen, Ewan Wardrop, Andy Williams, Lizzie Winkler and introducing Imogen Sage as Mrs de Winter.

Imogen Sage - Tristan Sturrock

Tristan Sturrock originated the roles of Alec in Brief Encounter and Tristan in Tristan & Yseult and has gone on to play both in the West End and across the UK, America and Australia. His one man show Mayday Mayday has played successful seasons in Edinburgh and New York.

 

Kneehigh Theatre is one of the country’s most celebrated companies. Based in Cornwall, just a stone throw’s from Daphne du Maurier’s home, the company has grown from humble beginnings and has carved a global reputation for their extraordinary shows. They have created productions with the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company and their international hits include Trsitan & Yseult and Brief Encounter.

 

The multi-award winning creative team is led by Emma Rice, Kneehigh Theatre’s Joint Artistic Director. Known for her “remarkably inventive, eye-catching theatricality” (San Francisco Chronicle), Emma’s credits include The Red Shoes, Don John,Brief Encounter and Tristan & Yseult.

 

Rebecca appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Monday 11 – Saturday 16 May 2015. Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

 

Casting announced at REGENTS PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE

Regent’s Park
Open Air Theatre

  • FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR J.M. BARRIE’S PETER PAN AT REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE, WITH LEAD CASTING CONFIRMED FOR THE SEAGULL AND SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS
  • HIRAN ABEYSEKERA WILL PLAY PETER PAN ALONGSIDE DAVID BIRRELL AS CAPTAIN HOOK IN J.M. BARRIE’S PETER PAN
  • JANIE DEE WILL PLAY IRINA ARKADINA WITH SABRINA BARTLETT AS NINA AND MATTHEW TENNYSON AS KONSTANTIN IN THE SEAGULL
  • LAURA PITT-PULFORD WILL PLAY MILLY BRADON AND ALEX GAUMOND WILL PLAY ADAM PONTIPEE IN SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS

Casting for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s 2015 production of J.M Barrie’s Peter Pan has today been announced, with lead casting for The Seagull and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers also confirmed. The season opens for previews on 15 May.

The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is delighted to be unveiling a brand new impactful and atmospheric redesign of the Summer Café, Main Bar and Interval Café by B3 Designers in time for the 2015 season.

PETER PAN

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Hiran Abeysekera will play the title role alongside David Birrell as Captain Hook, who returns to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre following roles in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Ragtime. Also returning to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre will be Beverly Rudd (Smee) and George Bukhari (Nibs).Peter Pan will run from 15 May – 14 June.

Hiran Abeysekera recently performed in Behind the Beautiful Forevers at the National Theatre. Previous theatre credits include The Taming of the Shrew (RSC) and Rats’ Tales (Manchester Royal Exchange).

David Birrell previously appeared at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in 2012 as Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and as Father in Ragtime. He won Best Supporting Actor in the 2015 Manchester Theatre Awards for Journey’s End (Octagon Theatre), and won the Critics’ Award for Theatre in Scotland Best Male Performance for Sweeney Todd (Dundee Rep), for which he was also nominated for the TMA Award for Best Performance in a Musical.

Beverly Rudd previously appeared at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre as Little Red Ridinghood in Into the Woods, and as Lucy Lockit in The Beggar’s Opera.

George Bukhari previously appeared as Piggy in Lord of the Flies, and as Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Further casting includes Kae Alexander (Wendy), Patrick Osborne (John), Thomas Dennis (Michael),Rachel Donovan (Tinker Bell), Eben Figueiredo (Tootles), Thomas Pickles (Slighty), Richard James-Neale (Curly), Jacob James Beswick & Chris Lew Kum Hoi (Twins), Carl Prekopp (Gentleman Starkey), Okorie Chukwu, Owain Gwynn, Jonathan Holby and Arthur Kyeyune (Pirates), Melanie Pappenheim, Daniel Bradley, Candida Caldicot, Zands Duggan & Tamara Young (Musicians) and Joe Swain (Show Climber).

Peter Pan is directed by Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel, who have previously worked together for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre productions of Lord of the Flies, Into The Woods (Oliver Award, Best Musical Revival) and the 2015 Olivier Award nominated production of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. The set will be designed by Jon Bausor whose credits include Lord of the Flies, The Crucible, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ragtime and To Kill a Mockingbird (all for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre)and MAMETZ (National Theatre Wales) for which he won Best Design in the UK Theatre Awards 2014.

Peter Pan will have costumes designed by Olivier Award winner Jon Morrell, Puppet Design by Rachael Canning (Into The Woods), Composition and Sound Score by Nick Powell, Musical Supervision and Direction by Candida Caldicot, Lighting Design by Rick Fisher, Sound Design by Nick Lidster for Autograph and Polly Jerrold as casting director.

“I ran away the day I was born,” said Peter, “cause I heard Father and Mother talking of what I was to be when I became a man. I want always to be a little boy and to have fun, Wendy”. But this could not be for the Darlings; all children, except one, grow up.  1914 is a very different world. Faced with this reality, their only escape is to let imagination take flight to Never Land.

George Llewelyn Davies, killed in action in WW1, was one of the children who inspired this iconic character. Remembering him, and a generation of lost boys, Timothy Sheader and Liam Steelrediscover J. M. Barrie’s original stage play.

Recommended for all ages 9+. By arrangement with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

THE SEAGULL

Olivier Award winner Janie Dee will star as Irina Arkadina in Chekhov’s The Seagull, with Sabrina Bartlett as Nina and Matthew Tennyson as Konstantin. The Seagull will run from 19 June – 11 July and will be directed by Matthew Dunster with set design by Jon Bausor.

Janie Dee has previously starred in Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre productions including Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night. Janie won the Olivier, Evening Standard and Critic’s Choice Awards for Best Actress for Alan Ayckbourn’s Comic Potential which she performed in London and New York, and the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical for Carousel, directed by Nicholas Hytner at the National Theatre. She appeared alongside Angela Lansbury in Blithe Spirit, and has just finished a run as Helene Hanff in 84 Charing Cross Road (Salisbury Playhouse). She is currently in rehearsal for Ah, Wilderness! at the Young Vic and, following The Seagull, will play the title role in Mrs Henderson Presents at Theatre Royal Bath.

Sabrina Bartlett can currently be seen playing Keren Daniel in BBC1’s drama Poldark and recently starred in BBC1’s Passing Bells.

Matthew Tennyson won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Newcomer for Making Noise Quietly (Donmar).

Further casting for The Seagull to be announced.

Matthew Dunster’s directing credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Love Girl & The Innocent and You Can Still Make a Killing (Southwark Playhouse).  As a playwright, his play Children’s Children premiered at the Almeida Theatre in 2012 and his re-imagining of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Most Incredible Thing, a collaboration with The Pet Shop Boys and choreographer Javier de Frutos, opened at Sadler’s Wells in 2011.

As guests assemble at a country house for the staging of an avant-garde open air play, artistic temperaments ignite a more entertaining drama behind the scenes, with romantic jealousies, self-doubt and the ruthless pursuit of happiness confusing lives, loves and literature.

Celebrated as one of the most important plays of the nineteenth century, The Seagull will have movement by Charlotte Broom, Lighting Design by Philip Gladwell, Sound Design by Christopher Shuttand casting by Julia Horan and Lotte Hines.

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS

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Featuring Alex Gaumond as Adam and Laura Pitt-Pulford as Milly, director Rachel Kavanaugh reunites the creative team behind 2013’s award-winning production of The Sound of Music. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers will run from 16 July – 29 August.

Laura Pitt-Pulford played Maria in The Sound of Music at the Curve, Leicester and also appeared at the Curve in Piaf and Hello, Dolly!, as well as The Light Princess at the National Theatre.

Alex Gaumond recently played opposite Robert Lindsay in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy), and played Miss Trunchbull in Matilda The Musical (Cambridge Theatre). Previous credits include Top Hat, We Will Rock You and Legally Blonde.  He is currently playing Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd at the ENO.

Rachel Kavanaugh directed The Sound of Music (Best Musical Revival, WhatsOnStage Awards) for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and her production of Oklahoma! is currently on UK tour. Rachel was Artistic Director at Birmingham Rep, directing productions including His Dark Materials, Racing Demon,The Madness of George III and A Doll’s House, and for Chichester Festival has directed An Ideal Husband, The Way of the World and Love Story.

From the Golden Age of the movie musical, this much-loved musical includes Bless Your Beautiful Hide, Goin’ Courtin’, Wonderful, Wonderful Day, and the dance spectacular, Barn Dance.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers will have Set and Costume Design by Peter McKintosh, Choreography by Alistair David, Musical Supervision and Dance Arrangements by Gareth Valentine, Musical Direction by Stephen Ridley, Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell, Orchestration by Larry Blank, Sound Design byNick Lidster for Autograph and Casting by James Orange.

LORD OF THE FLIES

2015 dates have been confirmed for the UK tour of Lord of the Flies. William Golding’s classic story of survival, superstition and immorality, adapted for the stage by Nigel Williams. Timothy Sheader’s acclaimed 2011 production returns to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre for just 14 performances from 3 – 12 September prior to a UK tour which starts at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking on 16 September 2015. Tour dates can be found below.

Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel will reunite to co-Direct with Set Design by Jon Bausor and Music composed by Nick Powell. Lighting Design will be by Paul Keogan, Sound Design by Avgoustas Psillas for Autograph and Casting by Pippa Ailion.

Casting and 2016 dates are still to be announced.

The UK tour of Lord of the Flies is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 2015 season:

Box Office: 0844 826 4242
Online Bookings: www.openairtheatre.com

J.M. Barrie’s

Peter Pan

Directed by Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel

15 May – 14 June 2015

First Preview: 15 May

Press night: 21 May (7.45pm)

Performances: Tue – Sun (7.45pm); matinees Thurs, Sat & Sun (2.15pm)

No matinee on 16 or 21 May

Recommended for ages 9+. By arrangement with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity

The Seagull

By Anton Chekhov

In a new version by Torben Betts

Directed by Matthew Dunster

19 June – 11 July 2015

First preview: 19 June

Press night: 24 June (7.45pm)

Performances: Mon – Sat (7.45pm); matinees Thurs & Sat (2.15pm)

No matinee on 20 June

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Book by Lawrence Kasha and David S. Landay

Music by Gene De Paul   Lyrics by Johnny Mercer

New songs by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn

Based on the MGM Film and The Sobbin’ Women by Stephen Vincent Benét

Directed by Rachel Kavanaugh

16 July – 29 August 2015

First preview: 16 July

Press night: 23 July

Performances: Mon – Sat (7.45pm); matinees Thurs & Sat (2.15pm)

No matinee on 16 July

William Golding’s

Lord of the Flies

Adapted for the stage by Nigel Williams

Directed by Timothy Sheader

3 September – 12 September 2015

Performances: Mon – Sun (7.45pm); matinees Weds, Thurs & Sat (2.15pm)

No matinee on 3 September

Tickets

Peter Pan, The Seagull and Lord of the Flies

£25 – £48.50

(Premium Seats £60, including best seat, programme and glass of wine)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

£25 – £52.50

(Premium Seats £65, including best seat, programme and glass of wine)

A full performance schedule will be available from www.openairtheatre.com

__________________________________________________________________________

Regent’s Park Theatre Ltd, Fiery Angel, Adam Spiegel, William Village present

the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

Adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel

Based on the novel by Harper Lee

Barbican Theatre

24 June – 25 July 2015

Monday – Saturday 7.30pm

Matinee performances (Thurs & Sat) 2.30pm

Tickets £19-45
Premium seats £60
Schools £16 plus 1 free teacher with every 10 pupils, Monday to Thursday
Young people £15 ticket to 18-25 year olds who are members of the Barbican’s scheme
Groups £10 off top price for groups of 10 or more, Monday to Thursday

Box Office: 020 7638 8891

Online Booking: www.barbican.org.uk

__________________________________________________________________________

Regent’s Park Theatre Ltd presents the

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of

William Golding’s

Lord of the Flies

Adapted for the stage by Nigel Williams

2015 UK Tour dates:

Woking, New Victoria          Wed 16 Sep – Sat 19 Sep

Belfast, Grand Opera House Tue 22 Sep – Sat 26 Sep

Southampton, Mayflower     Tue 29 Sep – Sat 3 Oct

Cambridge, Corn Exchange  Tue 6 Sep – Sat 10 Oct

Edinburgh, Festival Theatre Tue 13 Oct – Sat 17 Oct

Truro, Hall for Cornwall      Tue 20 Oct – Sat 24 Oct

Birmingham, Rep               Tue 3 Nov – Sat 7 Nov

Sheffield, Lyceum              Tue 10 Nov – Sat 14 Nov

High Wycombe, Swan          Tue 17 Nov – Sat 21 Nov

Dublin, Bord Gais               Tue 24 Nov – Sat 28 Nov

2016 dates to be announced

 

Punchdrunk Announce First Ever Book

  • PUNCHDRUNK ANNOUNCE PUBLICATION OF THEIR FIRST EVER BOOK – A COFFEE TABLE SIZED COLLECTION OF PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIAN ABRAMS CAPTURING THEIR LANDMARK SHOW THE DROWNED MAN: A HOLLYWOOD FABLE

The Drowned Man A Hollywood Fable - Book

In the spirit of Mr Stanford’s wish that the cameras keep rolling and the action never stops, two years after the doors of Temple Studios first opened for The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable, Punchdrunk release their first ever book; a collection of extraordinary images by renowned interiors photographer Julian Abrams capturing the world of the show and its inhabitants.

The Drowned Man, Punchdrunk’s biggest show to date, was seen by over 200,000 people during its year long run.  Inspired by Büchner’s fractured masterpiece Woyzeck, the production took place in a vast building in Paddington transformed into a seedy Hollywood underworld filled with dreamers from the fringes of the movie industry.

Published to create a lasting memory of Temple Studios, the new hardback book, which will be 330mm x 280mm, will feature over 130 full colour and never before published photographs taken in the final few months before the doors of the studios closed forever.  It will be released in June as a Limited First Edition print run to mark the anniversary of the show. It is possible to pre-order copies of the book by visiting: http://www.tdmbook.bigcartel.com/

Drowned Man Book

Working in close collaboration with Punchdrunk, photographer Julian Abrams has perfectly captured the otherworldly aesthetic of Temple Studios in his strikingly cinematic images.  Specialising in photography for interiors and architecture, Abrams has a passion for light that evolved from a love of shooting nocturnal landscapes. Working with key architectural lighting practices he has developed a specialist technique which allows him to shoot projects without additional lighting.  This technique has enabled him to capture the atmospheric worlds created by Punchdrunk like never before.

Led by Felix Barrett, Punchdrunk is the internationally acclaimed theatre company whose previous award-winning productions include Faust, The Masque of the Red Death, Tunnel 228, It Felt Like A Kiss, The Duchess of Malfi, Sleep No More and The Crash of the Elysium. Their current New York show Sleep No More won a 2011 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience and a Special Citation For Design And Choreography at the 2010-11 Obie Awards.

New book The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable will be published as a landscape hardback with debossed cover.  The book is priced £49 + delivery – and as a self-published title, is available to buy athttp://www.tdmbook.bigcartel.com/

 

 

 

SOUL LEGENDS With special guest Jaki Graham

SOUL LEGENDS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK

Thursday 8 October at 7:30pm

 

SOUL LEGENDS With special guest Jaki Graham. Brand-new from the producers of Magic of Motown. . . it’s the smash-hit, Stateside spectacular featuring more soul classics than any other production.

Special guest Jaki Graham dips into her  collection of classic soul hits which includes Could it Be I’m Falling in Love, Ain’t Nobody and Set Me Free.

A huge, all-star cast of talented singers and musicians bring to life hits by Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Lionel Richie, Barry White, Wilson Pickett, Earth Wind & Fire, George Benson, Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd, The Emotions, Kool & the Gang, Chaka Khan, Edwin Starr in “soulsational” style.

Elaborate costumes and jaw-dropping choreography truly revive everyone’s favourite soul classics: Respect, Soul Man, Ain’t Nobody, Knock On Wood, Midnight Hour, Sex Machine, Proud Mary, You’re My First My Last My Everything, Best Of My Love, River Deep Mountain High, Ain’t No Stopping Us Now, Beat It, Three Times a Lady, Get Down on It, I Feel Good and more.

It’s all aboard the soul train for the show of the year, embarking from soul’s heady Sixties origins. . . steaming, non-stop, through to the present day. . .via everyone’s favourite Seventies and Eighties dance classics it’s the feel good show of the year!

www.easytheatres.com

“. . . a packed stage. Together they belted out Respect, Soul Man, Ain’t Nobody, Midnight Hour and Ain’t No Stopping Us Now. . . excellent musicianship and decent voices” Liverpool Echo

Jaki Graham – “She made it all look so easy as she showed off genuine star quality” Liverpool Echo

 Tickets: £25.50

Box Office: 0844 871 3024

Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/york