Month: June 2016

Casting announced for Monty Python’s Spamalot at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium

Director and Choreographer JOANNE HAND

Musical Director JOHN HUDSON

Seven performances only – October 24 to 29

Tickets now available

Casting for the DarlingtonOS upcoming production of Monty Python’s Spamalot, the parody of the Arthurian Legend which won the Tony for Best Musical in 2005, can now be announced.

The cast includes Julian Cound as King Arthur with company newcomer Ruby Hoggarth as the Lady Of The Lake. King

Arthur’s hard-done-to side-kick Patsy will be played by Eddie Jones while the Knights of the Round Table are made up of Leighton Taylor as Sir Lancelot, Neil Harland as Sir Galahad, Jason Slater as Sir Bedevere, and another company newcomer Richard Hamilton as Sir Robin. Alisdair Wilson will play Sir Bors and Hamish Sams will appear as Sir Not Appearing In This Show.

Director Joanne Hand said “I feel so fortunate to have been asked to direct Spamalot for DarlingtonOS. The show is hilarious and full to overflowing with larger than life characters and I can’t wait to start working with this fabulous cast.

DarlingtonOS never fail to put on a spectacular show and Spamalot will be no exception.”

Joanne continued, “It’s easy to understand just why Spamalot is so popular. It’s been touring almost constantly since 2006 with productions taking place in Las Vegas, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand and Hungary. Millions have seen and enjoyed this show because laughter is universal. Even if you’ve never seen the movie or have any idea of what Monty Python is, you can still appreciate the show and its downright silliness. And I think, especially now, we all need a little laughter and silliness in our lives.”

Monty Python’s Spamalot will have seven performances at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium this autumn – Monday 24 to Saturday 29 October at 7.30pm with a 2pm matinee on Saturday 29 October.

Monty Python’s Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and their quest for the Holy Grail. The show features lusty maidens, dancing divas, a killer rabbit and a legless knight. It has been honored with dozens of awards, including the Grammy for Best Original Cast Recording and three Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Tickets are priced £16 for adults and £10 for children (aged 14 and under) and can be purchased online at www.darlingtonos.org.uk, or by phone on 01325 244659.

Monty Python’s Spamalot has book and lyrics by Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez & Eric Idle. Lovingly ripped off from the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail, by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin, Spamalot had its Broadway debut in 2005, directed by Mike Nichols.

 

REHEARSAL FOR MURDER OPENS NEXT WEEK

STARRING GARY MAVERS, ALEX FERNS, SUSIE AMY, ANITA HARRIS, MARK WYNTER, LAUREN DRUMMOND AND BEN NEALON

 

From the pen of award-winning writing team Richard Levinson and William Link, the creators of the unsurpassable mystery series Murder She Wrote and TV detective series Columbo comes a classic ‘whodunnit’ murder mystery. Rehearsal for Murder opens at Leeds Grand Theatre on Monday July 4th for one week only.

TV favourites ALEX FERNS (Eastenders, Legend) and SUSIE AMY (Footballers’ Wives, Echo Beach) join a cast of much-loved Agatha Christie Theatre Company regulars including GARY MAVERS (Peak Practice, Emmerdale),  60’s pop legend MARK WYNTER (Cats, Dreamboats and Petticoats, The Phantom of the Opera) and BEN NEALON (Solider Solider). Entertainment icon ANITA HARRIS, Holby City’s LAUREN DRUMMOND, GWYNFOR JONES and GEORGIA NEVILLE complete the cast.

Following the decade-long success of The Agatha Christie Theatre Company, Bill Kenwright Ltd began an exciting new chapter in January this year with the launch of The Classic Thriller Theatre Company and its first production REHEARSAL FOR MURDER adapted for the stage by David Rogers.

Playwright Alex Dennison is left heartbroken when his fiancée and leading lady Monica Welles is found dead from an apparent suicide after the opening night of her stage debut. On the anniversary of that ill-fated night, Alex assembles the same cast and crew in the same theatre, for a reading of his new play. But as the reading progresses, the play’s similarity to actual events becomes increasingly uncomfortable for the participants, and it soon becomes clear that Alex believes Monica was murdered and his new play is a devious cat-and-mouse chase to uncover her killer.

Rehearsal for Murder is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 4^th to Saturday 9^th July

Tickets are on sale now priced from £22 to £36

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call box office on 0844 848 2700

DIRTY DANCING – THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE

 

HITTING THE ROAD WITH A BRAND NEW PRODUCTION FROM AUGUST 2016 – IT’S BACK AND SEXIER THAN EVER!

 

·       £5MILLION ALREADY TAKEN!

·       150,000 TICKETS ALREADY SOLD!

·       MANY PERFORMANCES ALREADY SOLD OUT!

 

EVEN MORE DATES IN 2017 ADDED FOR THE

WORLDWIDE PHENOMENON

 

Producers Karl Sydow and Paul Elliott are delighted to announce that due to overwhelming demand for tickets around the country, even more dates have now been added to the UK and Ireland tour of the brand new production of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage. Many performances have already sold out, and since originally going on sale in October 2015, over 150,000 tickets have been snapped up, with over £5million taken.

 

The classic story of Baby and Johnny, featuring the hit songs ‘Hungry Eyes’, ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’ and the heart stopping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’, returns to the UK this summer, following two blockbuster West End runs, two hit UK tours, and various sensational international productions. Lewis Griffiths will star as ‘Johnny Castle’, one of the most iconic roles in popular culture. Lewis has had a prolific career in musical theatre, most recently starring as ‘Nick Massi’ on the UK tour of Jersey Boys. Other roles in UK tours include Ghost and Legally Blonde, and West End credits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Rent and Whistle Down the Wind. Katie Hartland will make her professional musical theatre debut carrying the watermelons as she takes on the role of ‘Baby Houseman’, having graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2015. Carlie Milner will star as ‘Penny Johnson’. Carlie is part of the Dirty Dancing family; starting as a member of the ensemble in 2014, she covered and subsequently took over the role of ‘Penny’ in 2015.

 

Joining Lewis, Katie and Carlie will be Julian Harries as ‘Jake Houseman’, Simone Craddock as ‘Marjorie Houseman’, Roger Martin ‘as Max Kellerman’, Jo Servi as ‘Tito Suarez’, Lizzie Ottley as ‘Lisa Houseman’, Michael Kent as ‘Billy Kostecki’, Greg Fossard as ‘Neil Kellerman’, Tony Stansfield as ‘Mr Schumacher’, and Daniela Pobega as ‘Elizabeth’, and Camilla Rowland as ‘Vivian’. Also joining the company are Gabby Antrobus, Imogen Brooke, Simon Campbell, Robert Colvin, Katie Eccles, Beth Highsted, Megan Louch, Ashley Rumble, Callum Sterling, Austin Wilks and Karl James Wilson.

Full of passion and romance, heart-pounding music and sensationally sexy dancing, the record-breaking show has been reconceived in an all new production created by an innovative new creative team; directed by Federico Bellone, choreographed by Gillian Bruce and with design re-imagined by top Italian set designer Roberto Comotti. The production premiered in Milan in July 2015, subsequently packing out the 15,000 seat Roman Arena in Verona, and then played a season in Rome.

 

Tour Dates for the UK production are as follows, Blackpool Opera House (11 – 30 August 2016), Orchard Theatre, Dartford (1 – 10 September), Grand Theatre, Swansea (12 – 17 September), Aylesbury Waterside (19 – 24 September), New Theatre, Wimbledon (26 September – 1 October), Palace Theatre, Manchester (10 – 15 October), Grand Opera House, York (17 – 22 October), Carlisle Sands Centre (24 – 29 October), Northampton Derngate (31 October – 5 November), Regent Theatre, Stoke (7 – 12 November), Kings Theatre, Southsea (14 – 19 November), Reading Hexagon (21 – 26 November), and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (28 November – 3 December). Southend Cliffs Pavilion (10 – 21 January), Belgrade Theatre Coventry (30 January – 4 February), Dublin Bord Gais Theatre (6 – 11 February), Millennium Forum, Derry (13 – 18 February), Grand Opera House Belfast (20 – 25 February), INEC Killarney (27 February – 4 March), Ipswich Regent (20 – 25 March), Cardiff New Theatre (27 March-1 April), Wycombe Swan (3 – 8 April), Leicester De Montfort Hall (10 – 15 April), Hall for Cornwall Truro (17 – 22 April) [on sale soon], Milton Keynes Theatre (24 – 29 April), and Birmingham Alexandra (29 May – 3 June).

 

The new tour dates for 2017 are as follows: Churchill Bromley (6 – 11 March), Bradford Alhambra (1 – 6 May), Inverness Eden Court (8 – 13 May), Grimsby Auditorium (22 – 27 May), Sheffield Lyceum (5 – 10 June) [on sale soon], Edinburgh Playhouse (12 – 17 June), Glasgow Kings Theatre (19 – 24 June), Bristol Hippodrome (3 – 8 July), Grand Theatre Leeds (24 – 29 July) [on sale soon], and the Princess Theatre Torquay (31 July – 5 August).

Summer Season| 28th June – 10th July 2016

Flux Theatre in association with the Etcetera Theatre present The World Premiere

DINOSAUR DREAMS

by Will Adolphy.

Directed by Will Adolphy. Assistant Directed by Adam Irving. Designed by Giulia Scrimieri. Lighting Design by Petr Vocka. Sound Design by Sam Glossop. Cast: Ben Manz. Ella Road. Leigh-Anne Gilbert. Louise Lingwood. Nigel Fyfe.

“It’s like Christopher Columbus searching for the continent, he has no idea where he’s going but he knows something’s there.”

The world premiere of Dinosaur Dreams opens at the award-winning Etcetera Theatre on Tuesday, 28th June 2016 (Press Night: Thursday, 30th June 2016 at 7.30pm) for a limited 13 performances, playing June 28th 2016 to 10th July 2016.

Developed with the help of psychologists and mental health advocates, Dinosaur Dreams is a visceral insight into the mind of someone grappling with a fractured past.

The story follows Charlie, a film student who, after what is determined as a ‘psychotic episode’, gets hospitalised. As we step into a world of therapy, medication and daytime TV, Charlie must find a way to cope. Entertaining as well as darkly engaging and ultimately moving, the play aims to humanise mental health and prevent stigma.

Following a successful run of scratch performances with his directorial debut, Dinosaur Dreams, director and playwright Will Adolphy returns to the Etcetera Theatre Camden for an extended and developed run of the same work. Will trained at The University of Central Lancashire, completing a BA (Hons) in Acting. After graduating in July 2015, Will founded Flux Theatre. Credits include: ‘Dinosaur Dreams’ (Etcetera Theatre), ‘The Crazy Locomotive’ (The Cockpitt Theatre), ‘The Sun Dream Team Comedy Sketch Team’, Peter Pan (New Wimbledon Theatre).

Returning alongside director Will Adolphy is Assistant Director Adam Irving. Adam trained at The University of Central Lancashire, completing the Contemporary Theatre and Performance BA (Hons). Credits include: Assistant Director, Dinosaur Dreams (Etcetera Theatre), Crawler (Film Short) Patricia Guerra Ovin, Co-director, Any Minute Now (Independent Company).

The cast includes:

Ben Manz

Ben trained under Christopher fettes, Liana Nyquist and Giles Foreman at Drama Centre London and the GFCA. Since graduating Ben has worked in Film, Theatre, Musical Theatre and Television. Theatre credits include: FAME (Popular Productions Dubai), One Month Early (Big Bold Theatre), L’Olympiad (Bath international music festival), Chalk Legend (Bournemouth and London HMV Forum), Sugar and Spice (Studio Soho), The Balcony (Studio Soho), Amphitryon (Theatro Technis), Rhinoceros (Studio Soho), and Fuente Ovejuna (Studio Soho). Film credits include: D is for Detroit, Ashridge, Wake, The Trip, The Woods, The Bagpiper and The Victorious. Ben can also be seen in HSBC’s My Money Campaign, GQstyle Magazine, Menenti Magazine and was the cover of Future Faces Magazine 2013.

Ella Road

Ella trained at The Oxford School of Drama after her English degree at Oxford University. Stage credits include work with The Old Red Lion, Theatre 503, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Rose, The Oxford Playhouse and the Soho Theatre. Screen work includes Joseph’s Reel, The Wyrd, Tiny Bible and Genius. Since graduating Ella has been involved in the development of a number of pieces of new writing (for Flux, The Molino Group, Tangled Thread, Khona Productions & Boxing Rabbit, among others).

Leigh-Anne Gilbert

Leigh-Anne trained at East 15 Acting School. Theatre includes The Assembly Women (VAULT Festival), A Stitch In Time (Ye Olde Rose & Crown, Walthamstow), Fog, Vapour, Wisp. (VAULT Festival), A Light Shining In Buckinghamshire (Cockpit Theatre), Doubles (Corbett Theatre, Loughton), All My Sons (Crescent Theatre, Birmingham), Much Ado About Nothing (Barn Theatre, Welwyn Garden City)

Nigel Fyfe

Nigel trained at City Lit and the Impulse Company. Theatre includes Fragments (Tristan Bates), The Trial (Edinburgh Fringe), Compulsion (Edinburgh Fringe), Three Sisters (White Bear), Love’s Labour’s Lost (Rosemary Branch), Professor Bernhardi (Bart’s Pathology Museum), Hamlet (The Rose, Bankside) and a rehearsed reading of What Flows Past the Baltic (Arcola). Film includes Fare, The Golden Steps and Once Tasted. Radio includes Apocalypse Slough (Wireless Theatre).

Louise Lingwood

Louise trained at Court Theatre Training Company and Mountview. Theatre credits includes: Strangers Welcome (Tabard and White Bear); Street Scene (Young Vic); Chartists Rising (Hayley-D tour); Closer (Chelmsford Civic); Perfect Wedding, Volcano, A Christmas Carol (Palace Westcliff); Butterflies Are Free (Vienna’s English Theatre); Mayor of Casterbridge (Salisbury Playhouse); Pied Piper, Dawn to Dusk, Tess of the d’Urbevilles, The Last Dragon, Beauty and the Beast (Forest Forge); Gold Tree and Silver Tree (Invergordon Arts); Can’t Stand Up for Falling Down (Palace Watford).

Film & TV includes: Looking for Dexter, Tom’s Day Out (A2 Films); Barren (Just Boom Productions); Are You Proud of Me? (Shadab Omar Productions); Caught in Amber (VolVentures); Labels (Orpheos Productions); The Real Bronson (First Fire Films); Waiting for a Stranger (Lucid Film); Cuckoo (Kneejerk Productions).

Other projects: Singer at the London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony; Cloud Boat’s Carmine music video; co-founder of Theatre Leopard with touring productions of Skirmishes and Inside the Dream.

Audience members on the scratch performances of Dinosaur Dreams

“Thought provoking, challenging, yet entertaining. That was really good. Ben Manz and Ella Road outstanding in the parts of Charlie and Ruby respectively. Superb script and direction by Will Adolphy. The show was performed by Flux Theatre who are well worth supporting if you get the chance.” Geraint Johnes, Professor of Economics at Lancaster University.

“Massive props and respect to all involved in Dinosaur Dreams. There is so much average theatre saying nothing that it was refreshing and engaging to watch.” Sope Dirisu, Actor (Humans, Channel 4).

“Just seen Dinosaur Dreams for the 2nd time tonight, inspiring!” Diana Dimitrovici, Actress (Criminal, Off the Kings Road).

PRESS NIGHT: Thursday, 30th June 2016 at 7.30pm

265 Camden High Street, NW1 7BU London, United Kingdom

Box Office: 020 7482 4857 or Email the box office at [email protected]

To Book online follow: https://www.ticketea.co.uk/tickets-theatre-dinosaur-dreams/

Performance Dates: Tuesday, 28th of June – July 10th

28th June – 2nd July at 7:30pm 3rd July – 10th July at 6:30pm

Ticket Prices: £10 across the board

Performance Length: 55 minutes (No Interval)

For more information about Flux Theatre’s work and creatives please visit: http://fluxtheatre.wix.com/fluxtheatre

LONDON’S HIT COMEDY IS MOVING HOUSE!

HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES

EXTENDS ITS WEST END RUN FOR 12 WEEKS AT THE DUKE OF YORK’S

7 JULY – 1 OCTOBER 2016

 

DCI BANKS ACTRESS ANDREA LOWE JOINS THE CAST AS ‘TERESA PHILLIPS’

 

One secret love affair. Two disaster-bound dinner parties.

Three couples headed for trouble.

 

 

Bill Kenwright’s West End production of Alan Ayckbourn’s farcical tale of matrimonial mishaps How The Other Half Loves is moving house. The comedy, which has enjoyed huge public and critical acclaim since it opened in March, will extend its West End run, transferring from the Theatre Royal Haymarket to the Duke of York’s from 7 July – 1 October.

Praise for the production includes:

**** ‘ONE OF THE FUNNIEST SHOWS IN TOWN’ THE TIMES

**** ‘THE PERFORMANCES ARE AN ACROSS-THE-BOARD TRIUMPH’ DAILY TELEGRAPH

 

As Bob and Fiona clumsily try to cover up their affair, their spouses’ intervention only adds to the confusion. William and Mary Featherstone become hopelessly stuck in the middle, falsely accused of adultery and with no idea as to how they’ve become involved. The plot culminates in two disastrous dinner parties on successive nights, shown at the same time, after which the future of all three couples seems in jeopardy…

 

Olivier Award nominated star of stage and screen Nicholas Le Prevost will continue to play ‘Frank Foster’ opposite Jenny Seagrove as ‘Fiona Foster’. Jenny starred in Ayckbourn’s Absurd Person Singular in the West End in at the Garrick in 2007, and is best known for her role as ‘QC Jo Mills’ in ITV’s Judge John Deed.

**** ‘NICHOLAS LE PREVOST IS MARVELLOUS …THE LINCHPIN’ FINANCIAL TIMES

 

Jason Merrells – one of TV’s most popular actors from roles in Lark Rise to Candleford, Cutting It andWaterloo Road, and recently seen as ‘Juror Number 8’ in Twelve Angry Men, plays ‘Bob Phillips’.

****‘COMIC GENIUS… IT’S ALL A HOOT WITH SUPERLATIVE PLAYING FROM JENNY SEAGROVE AND JASON MERRELLS’

SUNDAY TIMES

Matthew Cottle, star of BAFTA nominated Game On, and most recently seen in Ayckbourn’s A Small Family Business at the National Theatre in 2014, plays ‘William Featherstone’ opposite Gillian Wright as ‘Mary Featherstone’. Gillian is nationally known for her award-winning role as ‘Jean Slater’ in EastEnders.

**** ‘MATTHEW COTTLE – OUTSTANDING’ THE METRO

****‘GILLIAN WRIGHT IS SUBLIME’ THE STAGE

Joining the cast in the role of ‘Teresa Phillips’ will be Andrea Lowe, best known for playing DS Annie Cabbot in the popular ITV series DCI Banks.

EASTENDERS’ JESSIE WALLACE TO JOIN CAST OFCHICAGO IN LEEDS

Leeds Grand Theatre is delighted to announce that one of Britain’s most love soap stars, Jessie Wallace (Kat Slater, EastEnders) is to join the cast of CHICAGO when it takes to the stage from Tuesday 22^nd to Saturday 26^th November.

Cast already announced are John Partridge as Billy Flynn, Hayley Tamaddon as Roxie Hart, Sophie Carmen-Jones as Velma Kelly, Neil Ditt as Amos Hart and A.D. Richardson as Mary Sunshine.

 

Other cast include Daniele Arbisi,  Nicola Coates, Frances Dee, Adam Denman, Francis Foreman, Waylon Jacobs, Justin-Lee Jones, Dann Kharsa, Chelsea Labadini, Ellie Mitchell, Peter Nash, Helen Siveter, Kerry Spark, Lindsey Tierney and Emily Warner.  

 

Jessie Wallace is best known for playing Kat Slater in EastEnders, a role for which she has won numerous awards. Her other TV credits include Amy Kriel in Wild at Heart and Pat Phoenix in The Road to Coronation Street, for which she was nominated for a Bafta Award. Her theatre credits include Maureen in Rent Remixed in the West End, Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be at the Theatre Royal Stratford East and Sylvia in the national tour of Stepping Out.

John Partridge is probably best known for playing the role of Christian Clarke in EastEnders. His many musical theatre credits include Rum Tum Tugger in Cats in the West End, on tour and the official film of the show, John in Miss Saigon on the first UK national tour and most recently Zach in A Chorus Line at the London Palladium. John was also a judge on BBC1’s Over the Rainbow, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search to find a Dorothy for the musical The Wizard of Oz.

Hayley Tamaddon has just finished playing Andrea Beckett in Coronation Street. She also played Del Dingle in Emmerdale. Her numerous theatre credits include The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot and Janet in The Rocky Horror Show. Hayley also won the 5^th series of ITV1’s Dancing on Ice. Sophie Carmen-Jones’ many West End credits including Jersey Boys, Wicked and We Will Rock You. She will also appear in the forthcoming Disney film Beauty and the Beast. Neil Ditt has appeared in many West End productions including Mary Poppins and Betty Blue Eyes. His other theatre credits include creating the role of George Mole in The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole at Leicester Curve and High Society and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, both at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. A.D. Richardson’s many theatre credits include the International tour of The Pirates of Penzance, the UK tour of HMS Pinafore, the RSC’s Cyrano De Bergerac and Scrooge The Musical at the New Theatre Oxford.

Based on real life events back in the roaring 1920s, nightclub singer Roxie Hart shoots her lover and along with cell block rival, double-murderess Velma Kelly, they fight to keep from death row with the help of smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn.

Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander (music), Fred Ebb (lyrics) and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, CHICAGO’s sexy, sassy score includes All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle. With 6 Tony, 2 Olivier, 1 Grammy, 2 Bafta and 6 Academy Awards, CHICAGO truly is “The sharpest, slickest show on the block” (The Times). A nightclub singer, a double-murderess, a smooth-talking lawyer and a cell block of sin: it would be a crime to miss it.

CHICACO is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 22^nd to Saturday 27^th November

 

Tickets are on sale now priced from £23 to £47

 

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700

TREVOR ASHLEY

IN

LIZA’S BACK! (IS BROKEN)

At the London Wonderground

From Wednesday 31 August to Saturday 3 September 2016

After wowing audiences in Liza (on an E) in 2013, Trevor Ashley is bringing everyone’s favourite diva back to London in a brand new show Liza’s Back! (is broken), playing at the London Wonderground at the Southbank Centre for three performances only from Wednesday 31 August to Saturday 3 September 2016.

 

There is no doubt about it; Liza Minnelli is a true Broadway legend. But her appearances on the musical stage have been few and far between. So what would happen if Liza decided to perform all the great Broadway roles she never got to play, in one special night?  Liza’s Back! (is broken) explores the parts that Minnelli should have played over the last forty years – those great leading lady roles from Grizabella to Norma Desmond, and all the others in between. Ever wanted to see Liza tackle Wicked? Then this is the show for you!

 

Direct from rehab, and live with a 7-piece big band, don’t miss Liza singing Broadway’s greatest hits, including I Have Confidence, Memory, Send in the Clowns, Le Jazz Hot plus her own classics Maybe This Time, Cabaret and New York, New York!

 

Trevor Ashley is an Australian performer and cabaret artist.  His musical theatre credits in Australia include creating the role of Miss Understanding in the world premiere production of Priscilla Queen of The Desert – The Musical; Edna Turnblad in Hairspray and Monsieur Thenadier in Les Miserables. Trevor also created and starred in his one-man-show Diamonds are for Trevor, a tribute to Dame Shirley Bassey. Liza (On an E) has played sell-out seasons all over the world, including a week-long residency at the Vaudeville Theatre in the West End.

 

“Ashley is a master of his art. He catches every essence of Minnelli.”

GAY TIMES

 

Presented by Showqueen and MEI theatrical.

20TH ANNIVERSARY OF JONATHAN LARSON’S

PULITZER PRIZE- & TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL

RENT

BREAKS BOX OFFICE RECORDS AT

ST. JAMES THEATRE, LONDON

 

The 20^th Anniversary production of Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning musical RENT is the fastest selling show in the history of the St. James Theatre, having sold the most tickets not only in a 24-hour period after on-sale, but also in the first week of an on-sale period. RENT also breaks the record for the most amount of money taken on the first day of sales, beating the theatre’s previous fastest selling show record-holders, Sideways and The Pianist of Willesden Lane.

Producer Robert Mackintosh said, “I am delighted that the reaction to the 20^th Anniversary production of RENT, by way of ticket sales, has been so strong, especially for my first venture with co-producers Ingrid Sutej and Miguel Esteban.”

RENT will play the St. James Theatre in London from 8 December 2016 to 28 January 2017, with a press night on Tuesday 13 December, following a limited run at Theatr Clwyd and a three-week tour.  2017 tour dates are to be announced.

The cast includes Ross Hunter as Roger Davis, Billy Cullum as Mark Cohen, Ryan O’Gorman as Tom Collins, Shanay Holmes as Joanne Jefferson, Layton Williams as Angel Schunard, Philippa Stefani as Mimi Marquez and Lucie Jones as Maureen Johnson, with Katie Bradley, Jordan Laviniere, Bobbie Little, Christina Modestou, Jenny O’Leary and Kevin Yates. Casting for the role of Benjamin Coffin III will be announced shortly. 

Jonathan Larson’s musical, inspired by Puccini’s opera La Bohème, won four Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1996. Ben Brantley’s New York Times review was a love letter to the show, calling RENT an “exhilarating, landmark rock opera”. RENT ran on Broadway for 12 years, from 1996 to 2008. The show premiered in London’s West End in 1998 at the Shaftesbury Theatre, where it ran for 18 months. It was adapted into a film in 2005.   

                                                          

Larson’s world is inhabited by a group of bohemian artists who struggle to maintain their friendships and their non-conformist ideals in New York’s East Village. Facing their problems head on, they make personal self-discoveries and find what really matters most in life. The poignancy of the story was heightened when Jonathan Larson died of an aortic dissection on 25 January 1996, the night before the show’s first off-Broadway performance at New York Theatre Workshop.

The much-loved score features songs such as Seasons of Love, Take Me or Leave Me, One Song Glory, La Vie Bohème, Without You, I’ll Cover You, Out Tonight, I Should Tell You and the title song.

RENT is produced by Robert Mackintosh and Idili Theatricals Limited, in association with Theatr Clwyd and Wales Millennium Centre.

The new production will be directed by Bruce Guthrie with Choreography by Lee Proud, Set Design by Olivier Award-winner Anna Fleischle and Costume Design by Loren Elstein, with Lighting Design by Olivier and Tony Award-winner Rick Fisher, Sound Design by Olivier Award-winner Mike Walker, Video Design by Andrzej Goulding, Musical Supervision and Direction by Phil Cornwell and Casting by Will Burton Casting.  

RENT has Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson, Musical Arrangements by Steve Skinner, Original Concept and Additional Lyrics by Billy Aronson, Music Supervision and Additional Arrangements by Tim Weil, and Dramaturg is Lynn Thomson.  RENT was originally produced in New York by New York Theatre Workshop and on Broadway by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Alan S. Gordon and New York Theatre Workshop. 

RENT is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Ltd.

For more information, visit www.RentOnStage.co.uk

Twitter:  @RentOnStage

Instagram:  Instagram.com/RENTsonstage

Facebook:  facebook.com/RENTonstage  

                                                                                           

LISTINGS INFORMATION

21 October to 12 November 2016

Theatr Clwyd

Mold

Flintshire

CH7 1YA

Box Office:  01352 701521

Website:  www.theatrclwyd.com

On sale soon

 

15-19 November 2016

His Majesty’s Theatre

Rosemount Viaduct

Aberdeen AB25 1GL

Box Office:  01224 641122

Website:  www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/venues/his-majestys-theatre

Now on sale

22-26 November 2016

Malvern Festival Theatre

Grange Road

Malvern WR14 3HB

Box Office:   01684 892277

Website:  www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

Now on sale

29 November to 3 December 2016

Wycombe Swan

St. Mary Street

High Wycombe HP11 2XE

Box Office:  01494 512 000

Website:  www.wycombeswan.co.uk

Now on sale

 

8 December 2016 to 28 January 2017

St. James Theatre

12 Palace Street

London SW1E 5JA

Box Office:  0844 264 2140

Website:  www.stjamestheatre.co.uk

Now on sale