Month: April 2015

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!!!!

Fresh from an acclaimed London run, OJSMTC present the iconic new musical, Dogfight – a story of war and loss, where love turns up in the ugliest of places.

It’s November 21, 1963. On the eve of their deployment to a small but growing conflict in Southeast Asia, three young Marines set out for one final boys’ night of debauchery, partying and maybe a little trouble. But when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of compassion.

What the critics are saying about Dogfight:

‘This is a cleverly written and hugely enjoyable show, with a lovely folky score.’ The Guardian

‘The most enjoyable, moving and stimulating new musical that I have seen in ages … a wonderful evening and one that, in any truly discriminating theatrical culture, would win awards.” The Independent

‘A production that is beautifully underscored…The flow of the narrative almost has a cinematic quality.’ The Stage

Philip Meeks actor, writer and Pantomime Dame extrodinaire answers 20 questions

Lets start with some favourites

STEPHEN WIGHT

&

DIANNA AGRON

STAR IN THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

McQUEEN

AT ST. JAMES THEATRE

FROM TUESDAY 12 MAY

Award-winning actor Stephen Wight takes on the title role of Lee McQueen and Dianna Agron will play Dahlia in the world premiere of James Phillips’s play McQUEEN directed by John Caird, which will run at St. James Theatre from 12 May, with press nights on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 May. The play will also star Tracy-Ann Oberman as Isabella Blow, Laura Rees as Arabella, and David Shaw-Parker as John Hitchcock, along with Sophie Apollonia, Amber Doyle, George Hill, Eloise Hymas, Jordan Kennedy, Rachel Louisa Maybank, James Revell and Carrie Willis.

Stephen Wight was named Outstanding Newcomer at the Evening Standard Awards for his performances in Michael Grandage’s production of Don Juan in Soho and Samuel West’s production of Dealer’s Choice. Other theatre includes Nicholas Hytner’s production of The Habit of Art at the National and Sean Foley’s production of The Ladykillers in the West End. On television, he has played Simon in Bluestone 42 (BBC 3), Sam in The Paradise (BBC 1), Mitch in Threesome (Comedy Central), Fletcher in Sherlock and Charles in the BBC mini-series Fingersmith. His films include Wilderness, Highlander: The Source, Weekender with Jack O’Connell, Henry Lloyd-Hughes and Zawe Ashton and Ashes with Jim Sturgess and Ray Winstone.

Critically acclaimed actress Dianna Agron’s breakthrough role was playing Quinn Fabray on the hit series Glee. Most recently, Agron was seen opposite Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer in the film The Family, directed by Luc Besson. This year, she will appear in several films, including the romantic comedy Tumbledown opposite Jason Sudeikis and Rebecca Hall, Bare directed by Natalia Leite, Zipper opposite Patrick Wilson, and the independent ensemble Conspiracy on Jekyll Island. McQUEEN will mark Agron’s British stage debut.

Tracy-Ann Oberman played Chrissie in EastEnders, Yvonne Hartman in Doctor Who, Lizzie Clapham in Monroe, Aunty Val in Friday Night Dinner, Mrs Purchase in Toast of London and Diana in the film Filth starring James McAvoy and Jamie Bell. In theatre, she has acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company and at the National, including playing opposite Kenneth Branagh in Edmond.

Laura Rees’s theatre credits include Ophelia in Ninagawa’s Hamlet at the Barbican, Christopher Luscombe’s Comedy of Errors, Lucy Bailey’s Titus Andronicus and Kathryn

Hunter’s Pericles at Shakespeare’s Globe, and Rupert Gould’s Macbeth and Philip Franks’s Twelfth Night at Chichester.

David Shaw-Parker began his career at the Royal Shakespeare Company, appearing in over 25 productions. His many other theatre credits include Trevor Nunn’s productions of My Fair Lady at the National Theatre and in the West End and Acorn Antiques in the West End, and Lucy Bailey’s production of Titus Andronicus last year at Shakespeare’s Globe.

McQUEEN is a journey into the visionary imagination and dark dream world of Alexander McQueen, fashion’s greatest contemporary artist.  Set on a single London night, it is more than a bio-play. It is stepping into the fairy story landscape of McQueen’s mind, the landscape seen in his immortal shows, where with a dress an urchin can become an Amazon, where beauty might just help us survive the night.  A girl has watched McQueen‘s Mayfair house for eleven consecutive days. Tonight she climbs down from her watching tree and breaks into his house, to steal a dress, to become someone special. He catches her, but, instead of calling the police, they embark together on a journey through London and into his heart.

McQUEEN will be directed by John Caird, with production design by David Farley, choreography by Christopher Marney, video design by Tim Bird, lighting design by David Howe, sound design by John Leonard, casting by Jayne Collins CDG & Kate Plantin CDG.

McQUEEN will be produced at St. James Theatre by Robert Mackintosh, AMIR Ltd, Hilary Williams, Deborah Negri, with Julian Stoneman as executive producer, for and on behalf of McQ Productions Ltd.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

From 12 May 2015

St. James Theatre

12 Palace Street

London SW1E 5JA

Performances: Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm*, Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm**

*7.00pm on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 May

**No 2.30pm performances on Thursday 14 and Thursday 21 May

Ticket Prices: £25, £35, £55, £65

Box Office: 0844 264 2140

Website: www.mcqueentheplay.com

Facebook: facebook.com/McQueenThePlay

Twitter: @McQueenThePlay

Newcastle Theatre Royal says it is responding to overwhelming feedback from parents of local children with autism and other sensory conditions, by offering a Relaxed Performance of upcoming children’s show The Tiger Who Came to Tea, outside of school hours.

The Theatre recently became the first in the UK to be awarded the Autism Access Award by the National Autistic Society, in recognition of its work with autistic audience members through the specially adapted relaxed performances.

The shows, which have a less formal, more supportive atmosphere in order to reduce anxiety levels and which include toned down lighting and special effects have been met with an overwhelming response from audiences, particularly parents of children with special needs.

Louise Relton’s son is autistic and has attended Newcastle Theatre Royal’s Relaxed Performances of their record-breaking Pantomime and the recent tour of Shrek The Musical. She said: “In the past I tried to take my son to a regular theatre performance but he was unable to manage. The Relaxed Performances at Newcastle Theatre Royal have introduced him into a whole new world in a magical place and for that I can’t thank their Relaxed Performance team enough.”

All of Newcastle Theatre Royal’s Relaxed Performances so far have been held during the school day and the Relaxed Performance of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, on Friday 3 July, will be held at 4pm. Director of Operations at Newcastle Theatre Royal, Dawn Taylor, explained: “Our Relaxed Performances are extremely popular and exceptionally well received but we have had a lot of feedback that the mid-afternoon slot means that local parents find it difficult to attend as a family and the parents of those children who don’t attend a school where a trip is organised, are unable to bring their child out of school for the performance.

“By offering The Tiger Who Came to Tea Relaxed Performance at 4pm, we hope that even more people who could benefit from attending a Relaxed Performance will be able to enjoy the experience of live theatre in this supportive setting. We still hope that schools will book to bring their children with extra needs to see the show as part of an out-of-hours school trip.”

The Tiger Who Came to Tea Relaxed Performance plays on Fri 3 July at 4pm, tickets are £8.50. For more information visitwww.theatreroyal.co.uk or call Group Bookings on 08448 11 21 22.

New hit British musical SUNNY AFTERNOON today announced new members of the cast to start from April 6 2015.  Originating cast members will be joined by Jason Baughan in the role of Eddie Kassner and Jo Servi as Gregory Piven. 

Nominated for five Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, SUNNY AFTERNOON is currently booking until 24 October 2015, at the Harold Pinter Theatre, London.

Olivier-nominated John Dagliesh and George Maguire will continue to play Ray Davies and Dave Davies respectively alongside Ned Derrington as Pete Quaife and Adam Sopp as Mick Avory, who complete the band.

Full cast (from 6 April 2015): Carly Anderson, Jason Baughan, Philip Bird, John Dagleish, Ned Derrington, Lillie Flynn, Emily Goodenough, Elizabeth Hill, Vince Leigh, George Maguire, Amy Ross, Jo Servi, Adam Sopp, Dominic Tighe and Tam Williams.

Also joining the company, as understudies, will be Lia Given, Lloyd Gorman, Vicki Manser, Kay Milbourne, Ryan O’Donnell, Robbie White and Silas Wyatt-Barke

Fifty years ago, The Kinks were sitting at Number One in the UK charts with their fifth single ‘Tired of Waiting For You’. The band’s popularity has not faded since the 1960s, with crowds of all ages filling the Harold Pinter Theatre night after night.

Featuring some of The Kinks’ best-loved songs, including You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset and Lola,Sunny Afternoon marks the 50th anniversary of the band’s rise to fame.

Following a sold-out run at Hampstead Theatre, this world premiere production, with music and lyrics by Ray Davies, new book by Joe Penhall, original story by Ray Davies, direction by Edward Hall, design by Miriam Buether and choreography by Adam Cooper, opened at the Harold Pinter theatre on 28 October 2014. Lighting is by Rick Fisher, sound by Matt McKenzie and the Musical Supervisor and Musical Director is Elliott Ware.

The official cast recording album, produced by Ray Davies at his Konk studios, is released on BMG Chrysalis and is available to buy at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sunny-Afternoon-The-Kinks/dp/B00NH8O7LU.

Sonia Friedman Productions commissioned Joe Penhall in 2011 to write the book based on Ray Davies’s original story. The company developed the production over the next four years, assembling the creative team and cast that presented Sunny Afternoon last year at Hampstead Theatre under the direction of Edward Hall, and now at the Harold Pinter Theatre.

Ray Davies is an influential and prolific rock musician and was co-founder and lead singer and songwriter for rock band The Kinks, and later a solo artist. He has an outstanding catalogue of hits from the earliest 1960s to the present day with estimated record sales in excess of 50 million. He has also acted, directed and produced shows for theatre and television.

Joe Penhall is an award winning playwright and screenwriter. Plays include Some Voices (Royal Court),Blue/Orange (National Theatre and West End), winner of Best New Play at the Evening Standard Awards, Olivier Awards and at the Critics Circle, and Dumb Show, Haunted Child and Birthday (all Royal Court). Screenplays include Enduring Love and The Road.

As Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre, Edward Hall’s productions include Wonderland, Sunny Afternoon, Raving, Chariots of Fire, No Naughty Bits, Loyalty and Enlightenment. As Artistic Director of Propeller, his work has toured worldwide, played the West End and Broadway and has won numerous awards both in the UK and overseas. Other theatre work includes A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (National Theatre), Edmond with Kenneth Branagh (National Theatre), Macbeth with Sean Bean (Albery), The Constant Wife (Apollo), Julius Caesar (RSC), Henry V (RSC) and The Deep Blue Sea(Vaudeville). Television work includes Downton Abbey, Spooks and Kingdom.  Edward is an Associate of the National Theatre and the Old Vic.

Sonia Friedman Productions

with Tulchin Bartner Productions, Greg Ripley-Duggan for Hampstead Theatre Productions, Tanya Link Productions, Just for Laughs Theatricals/Glass Half Full Productions, Rupert Gavin present

SUNNY AFTERNOON

In association with Hampstead Theatre and Arlon Productions

• Run ends 18 April 2015
• Two weeks left to see critically acclaimed play directed by Madani Younis, written by Marco Ramirez

The Royale, the story of Jay ‘The Sport’ Jackson, the first black heavyweight champion of the world, will end its run at the Bush Theatre on 18 April 2015. The production opened in March to public and critical acclaim, starring Nicholas Pinnock. 

Written by Marco Ramirez (Orange is the New Black), directed by Madani Younis (Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre), The Royale is loosely based on the true story of the boxer Jack Johnson.

Scripted in 12 rounds by Orange is the New Black writer Marco Ramirez, this play looks at the transcendence of sporting heroes as cultural icons of our time.

The production is designed by Jaimie Todd, with lighting by James Whiteside.

Jay ‘The Sport’ Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it’s 1905, and in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances are as good as knocked out. When a crooked boxing promoter hatches a plan for ‘the fight of the century’, The Sport just might land a place in the ring with the reigning white heavyweight champion.

Through the sights and sounds of the early 20th century boxing circuit, The Royale examines society’s relationship with our present-day cultural heroes and the responsibilities that are thrust upon them when they find themselves outside of the ropes.

The Royale is loosely based on the real-life story of Jack Johnson, whose story is one of great talent and triumph, but also racism and injustice. Despite Johnson being one of the greatest fighters who had ever lived, one newspaper wrote at the time of his first title fight: “If the black man wins, thousands and thousands of his ignorant brothers will misinterpret his victory as justifying claims to much more than mere physical equality with their white neighbors.”

Madani Younis took over as Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre in 2012. For 2013 he programmed the company’s most successful season to date, which saw the theatre play to 99% capacity, and for which the theatre was awarded the Groucho Club Maverick Award 2013. For the Bush Theatre he has previously directed Perseverance Drive and Chalet Lines. Prior to his appointment at the Bush, he was Artistic Director of Freedom Studios in Bradford, Yorkshire where his work included the site-specific work, The Mill – City of Dreams. He has also worked nationally and internationally as a theatre director, writer and practitioner. Whilst at Freedom Studios he collaborated with the Bush Theatre through workshops culminating in Freedom’s two week residency in 2010 at the theatre. He was previously Director of Red Ladder Theatre Company’s Asian Theatre School. He originally trained in film, and his debut short film Ellabellapumpanella, commissioned by the UK Film Council, was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2007. He was the recipient of the Decibel Award at the South Bank Awards show in 2006.

West Yorkshire Playhouse is pleased to announce that Robin Hawkes will join Playhouse Artistic Director James Brining in a new role as Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive of the theatre, creating a new joint leadership team for the Playhouse. The Playhouse is a leading venue in the UK’s theatre scene and together Brining and Hawkes will continue to develop an arresting programme of exceptional performance, innovative artist development programmes and pioneering community engagement projects, rooted in Leeds. Robin joins West Yorkshire Playhouse from his current role as Director of Artistic Administration at the National Theatre.

Artistic Director James Brining comments…
I am delighted that Robin will be joining the team to take up the position of Executive Director.  He brings a wealth of experience from an organisation with a world class pedigree.  He will help us continue to grow the scale and ambition of our work and our engagement with artists and audiences in the North and further afield.

Robin has been working at the National Theatre for seven years and has been responsible for the coordination of 20+ productions each year across the National’s three venues on the South Bank. His recent producing projects include the transfer of the Public Theater’s Here Lies Love in the newly re-opened Dorfman Theatre, the National Theatre’s 50th Anniversary celebration 50 Years on Stage, and the co-production with Punchdrunk Theatre Company of The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable.

Robin has also worked as a Producer for the NT’s production of War Horse, both in the West End and internationally. Prior to the National, he was an administrator at the Independent Theatre Council, an association of small and medium-size theatre companies across the UK. Robin was Chair of the Board of Trustees for The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick from 2012 to 2015.

Robin said of his new role,

I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining James and the team at West Yorkshire Playhouse, a theatre for which I have such admiration as a centre of artistic excellence and pioneering community engagement. I’m hugely excited by the ambitious reimagining that the Playhouse has started to deliver to audiences, staff and artistic collaborators, as well as to the wider community in and around the city over the past few years. I’m looking forward tremendously to joining James in leading the organisation, as I share the passion he has demonstrated over his first couple of years as Artistic Director for a world class and accessible theatre, which is grounded in the vibrant community and culture of Yorkshire, and works with partners both within the region and further afield to produce great and inspiring work.

I’ve spent seven hugely varied and enjoyable years at the National Theatre, and it’s been particularly exciting in the last year to play a part in developing Tessa Ross and Rufus Norris’s first season. I look forward to bringing skills and experience from my time at the National to my new role at the Playhouse.

Robin will take up this new role at the Playhouse in June, while former Chief Executive Sheena Wrigley joined HOME in Manchester in April and this position will be held for the next few months by Pat Weller on an interim basis.

Sir Rodney Brooke, Chairman of the Playhouse board comments

Our search for an Executive Director to replace Sheena Wrigley attracted an excellent field of candidates, a tribute to the reputation of the theatre under James Brining’s artistic leadership. I am delighted that we have secured the services of an outstanding talent in Robin Hawkes. He will bring with him experience at the highest level of the operation of the National Theatre. His partnership with James Brining promises a glittering future for the Playhouse.

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Guy James in association with
Jermyn Street Theatre present

JERRY’S GIRLS

A musical revue celebrating the works of Jerry Herman

TRANSFERRING FROM ST. JAMES STUDIO TO JERMYN STREET THEATRE
FOR A LIMITED THREE-WEEK RUN

FROM TUESDAY 12 TO SUNDAY 31 MAY 2015

EMMA BARTON JOINS THE CAST

Following a sell-out run at St. James Studio last month, musical revue Jerry’s Girls will transfer to Jermyn Street Theatre for a limited three week run from Tuesday 12 to Sunday 31 May 2015, with a press night onFriday 15 May.

Featuring songs from classic musicals including Hello Dolly!, Mame, and La Cage Aux Folles, Jerry’s Girlsbrings together an all-female cast to celebrate Jerry’s special gift for writing songs that capture the true spirit of the great American musical, honouring the legacy of the multi Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist of some of the greatest Broadway musicals of all time.

Jerry Herman’s many Broadway shows include Hello Dolly!, Mame, Dear World, Mack & Mabel, The Grand Tour and La Cage Aux Folles. His string of awards and honours includes multiple Tony, Grammy, Olivier and Drama Desk Awards, the Johnny Mercer Award, the Richard Rodgers Award, the Oscar Hammerstein Award, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Theatre Hall of Fame. Jerry also has the distinction of being the only composer-lyricist in history to have three musicals run for more than 1,500 performances on Broadway.

“Jerry Herman’s iconic songs are glorious and contemporary in this must-see revue

showcasing some incredible vocal talent”

THE STAGE

Emma Barton will join the cast, alongside Ria Jones and Sarah-Louise Young who both return to the production:

Emma Barton is best known to television audiences for playing the role of Honey Mitchell for three years in the BBC’s flagship drama EastEnders. Theatre credits include Dolly in One Man Two Guvnors (UK Tour), Roxie Hart in Chicago (Cambridge Theatre), Marty in Grease (Victoria Palace Theatre), Over the Moon (The Old Vic), Anyone Can Whistle (Savoy Theatre) and Annie (West Yorkshire Playhouse). Other television includes You, Me & Them (UKTV), Spooks (BBC1), Doctors (BBC1) and Secret History (Channel 4).

Ria Jones’ many West End credits include Grizabella in Cats, Fantine in Les Miserables, The Narrator inJoseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Svetlana in Chess. Other work includes the UK Tour of West End Women, 42^nd Street at Leicester Curve, Nine at the Donmar Warehouse and the UK Tours ofHigh Society, Acorn Antiques and The Witches of Eastwick. Ria also performs worldwide as a concert soloist.

Sarah-Louise Young has been voted one of Time Out’s Top Cabaret Acts and Best Musical Variety Act in the London Cabaret Awards. She has guested with Fascinating Aïda and is a member of Showstopper! The Improvised Musical. West End credits include her solo show Julie Madly Deeply at Trafalgar Studios. She has performed her other solo piece, Cabaret Whore at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Soho Theatre and Off-Broadway.

Created by Jerry Herman and collaborator Larry Alford in 1981, Jerry’s Girls originated as a modest cabaret presentation at Onstage, a nightclub located in New York’s theatre district in midtown-Manhattan. After La Cage Aux Folles opened to rave reviews two years later, a full-scale, all-star production was mounted which opened at Broadway’s St. James Theatre in 1985 with a cast including Chita Rivera, who received a Tony-Award nomination for her performance.

Jerry’s Girls is directed by Kate Golledge and choreographed by Matthew Cole. The musical director isEdward Court. It is presented by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Guy James, the team behind the 2014 London premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Marry Me a Little at the St. James Studio, which played a sold out run in August before returning in October due to popular demand.

@JerrysGirlsLDN