Month: December 2016

WHAT’S ON AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE 2017

leedsgrandtheatre.com / 0844 848 2700

Twitter: @grandtheatrels1 

THURSDAY 15^th DECEMBER TO SATURDAY 7^TH JANUARY

NORTHERN BALLET PRESENT

BEAUTY & THE BEAST

NATIONAL THEATRE PRODUCTIONS PRESENT

JANE EYRE

This innovative reimagining of Charlotte Brontë’s masterpiece is a collaboration between the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic.

**********************

TUESDAY 22^ND TO SATURDAY 26^TH AUGUST

THE WEDDING SINGER

STARRING RAY QUINN, CASSIE COMPTON, ROXANNE PALLETT AND RUTH MADOC

It’s 1985. Hair is huge, greed is good and rock-star wannabe Robbie Hart is dumped by his fiancé. Will he follow a career on Wall Street or get back into the groove and follow his dreams?

Craig Revel Horwood directs million selling X Factor winner Alexandra Burke in the hit musical comedy Sister Act at the Lyceum Theatre from Monday 16 – Saturday 21 January. 

Based on the smash-hit movie starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith, Sister Act tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier (Alexandra Burke), a disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder and under protective custody, is hidden in a convent. Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious eye of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.

Alexandra Burke recently seen on the Lyceum stage in The Bodyguard, originally rose to fame after winning the fifth series of The X Factor. Her debut number one single Hallelujah sold over one million copies in the UK, a first for a British female soloist.

Featuring original music by Tony and eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Enchanted), dazzling dance routines and songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, Sister Act is the funniest and funkiest musical around.

Sister Act comes to the Lyceum Theatre from Monday 16 – Saturday 21 January.  Tickets can be purchased from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office in-person, by phone on 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk and are priced from £28.00 – £49.00 (a transaction fee of £1.50 (£1.00 online) applies to all bookings made at the Box Office, excluding cash).  Concessions and group discounts are available.

STRICTLY COME DANCING

10TH ANNIVERSARY LIVE TOUR

20 JANUARY – 12 FEBRUARY 2017

TOUR LINE-UP CONFIRMED

Louise Redknapp & Kevin Clifton

Danny Mac & Oti Mabuse

Ore Oduba & Karen Clifton

Ed Balls & Katya Jones

Daisy Lowe & Aljaž Skorjanec

Lesley Joseph & Gorka Marquez

AND SPECIAL GUEST STAR IN MANCHESTER – JUDGE RINDER

The final line-up for the 2017 Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour is today announced and the pairings are Louise Redknapp and Kevin Clifton; Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse; Ore Oduba and Karen Clifton; Ed Balls and Katya Jones*; Daisy Lowe and Aljaž Skorjanec; Lesley Joseph and Gorka Marquez.

Completing the line-up for group numbers and professional dances are six of this series’ fabulous professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Janette Manrara, AJ Pritchard and Chloe Hewitt, Oksana Platero and Neil Jones.

The celebrities and professional dancers will be joining tour judges Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood (who also directs the show) and Karen Hardy, along with 2017 tour host, Anita Rani.

Manchester fans are in for a special treat, as Judge Rinder will perform at all three shows at Manchester Arena (4 & 5 February), dancing with his partner from the TV series, Oksana Platero. The criminal barrister and television court judge said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Strictly tour in Manchester and I’m particularly excited to be performing in such an enormous arena. I can’t wait to share my love of dance in such an amazing city.”

The 30 show spectacular, Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour, will open at the Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham on 20 January 2017. The tour will then visit the biggest entertainment venues across the UK: Metro Radio Arena Newcastle, Sheffield Arena, The SSE Arena Glasgow, Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, First Direct Arena Leeds, Manchester Arena on 4th and 5th February, Liverpool’s Echo Arena, The SSE Arena Wembley, before culminating at The O2 in London on 12 February.

Tickets for STRICTLY COME DANCING THE LIVE TOUR 2017 are on sale now

20 – 22 January Birmingham: The Barclaycard Arena 0844 338 8000

(Friday 20th at 7.30pm, Saturday 21st at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 22nd at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

24 January Newcastle: Metro Radio Arena 0844 493 6666

(Tuesday 24th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm)

25 – 26 January Sheffield Arena 0114 256 5656

(Wednesday 25th at 7.30pm, Thursday 26th at 7.30pm)

27 – 29 January Glasgow: The SSE Hydro 0844 395 4000

(Friday 27th at 7.30pm, Saturday 28th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 29th at 1.30pm)

31 January – 1 February Nottingham: Motorpoint Arena 0843 373 3000

(Tuesday 31st at 7.30pm, Wednesday 1st at 2.30pm & 7.30pm)

2 – 3 February Leeds: First Direct Arena 0844 248 1585

(Thursday 2nd at 7.30pm, Friday 3rd at 7.30pm)

4 – 5 February Manchester Arena* 0844 847 8000

(Saturday 4th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 5th at 1.30pm)

7 – 8 February Liverpool: Echo Arena 0844 8000 400

(Tuesday 7th at 7.30pm, Wednesday 8th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm)

9 – 10 February London: The SSE Arena, Wembley 0844 815 0815

(Thursday 9th at 7.30pm, Friday 10th at 7.30pm)

11 – 12 February London: The O2 0844 856 0202

(Saturday 11th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 12th at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

*Please note that due to prior commitments, Ed Balls will not be appearing at Manchester Arena (4th – 5th February). Special guest star Judge Rinder will be performing.

Ticket costs: £35 – £65 (bands venue dependent)

The O2 prices are £36 – £66 (Inclusive of a £1 per ticket venue facility fee)

All ticket prices are subject to a booking fee

To book tickets please contact the venue or call 0844 875 8758 For online bookings visit www.ticketzone.co.uk or www.ticketmaster.co.uk For more information visit www.strictlycomedancinglive.com

Twitter: @scd_live_tour Facebook: www.facebook.com/strictlylive

STRICTLY COME DANCING THE LIVE TOUR is produced by Stage Entertainment and Phil McIntyre Entertainments, in association with BBC Worldwide.

Grand Opera House, York.  Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

The Grand Opera House in York chose Aladdin for this years pantomime, traditionally set in China. The new script was tailored for the city of York with various jokes about Acomb, this made a lot of the audience laugh (the ones from York).

The celebrity cast were there for the traditional pantomime feel of getting famous people in and chucking them on stage. The staging was one of the best aspects of the play, with the flying carpet, I was completely mind blown; as I was expecting to see a video of Aladdin on the carpet, but they used a lift in the pitch black and lit up the carpet and Aladdin. what made this panto so different from the others was the use of 3D video in the second half, everyone loved it and I mean loved it; people were jumping out of their seats out of amazement.

Acting was good on the most part, Aladdin played by Carl Tracy from a children musical group called ‘Go!Go!Go!’ Was surprisingly good, his vocals giving him a lot of the power, the main thing to note is his stage presence; he was so confident and played it like a panto hero should to do. Suzanne Shaw played the Princess Yasmin, Aladdin’s love interest, who was from the mid 2000s pop group Hear’say. She. Can. Sing. She was an absolutely amazing singer with powerful songs requiring so much power and effort. Stuart Wade was by far the best when interacting with the audience and making them join in the action, his energy was so high it made such a big difference and branch the night up 10 notches. And the Dame, Widow Twanky played by Steve Wickenden, was hilarious, with the banter between her and Dennis (an unfortunate audience member) she had various costumes that made people laugh and he played her, whist also being him very well.

However I love a panto villain as much as the next person, but Paul Sinha from the quiz show ‘The Chase’ did not have a lot of dimension, it felt like he was reading from a script for the first time. The character felt very static and flat, was this because of nerves? I hope so because you can have so much fun playing the villain. He just needs to enjoy the stage and become the guy that we know from The Chase.

The night over all was really good, I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and the production itself, claiming to be ‘York’s Biggest Panto Ever’ might have been an overstatement, but it did entertain the kids and families in the audience. Do not compare it to the York Theatre Royals Panto, as they are both very good and this one is the more traditional panto, which some people prefer and some don’t.

Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield.  Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood

Cinderella opens at Huddersfield’s Lawrence Batley Theatre with a ball – there is a festive atmosphere of Christmas songs being played and a glittering stage greeting the audience. This is the theatre’s first ever professional pantomime, written by Andrew Pollard and directed by Joyce Branagh.

A traditional pantomime is always based on a tale and in this case, Cinderella. This popular fairy tale is loved by many – a story of rags to riches. Cinderella (Nisa Cole) is a slave to her wicked stepmother and her ugly stepsisters. However with her friend, Buttons, and the magical mentoring from her Fairy Godmother, anything is possible including going to the ball and meeting her Prince Charming.

This production has everything one expects and loves about a traditional pantomime. The Fairy Godmother (Natasha Magigi) serves as a narrator as well as Cinderella’s saviour. Buttons, servant and only friend of Cinderella, interacts and entertains the audience who shouts his arrival “bing bong bang, you’re in Buttons’ gang!” throughout. Magigi doubles up as the unpopular wicked Baroness Hardup, Cinderella‘s stepmother, and the audience reacts appropriately when she refers to them as “Huddersfield’s horrors and hillbillies”. Kylie and Miley Hardup, the stepsisters, (Richard Hand and Michael Hugo) make an unorthodox entrance with their outrageous costumes and they capture the audience’s attention with their nonsensical innuendoes and tongue in cheek.

Pantomimes are known to be localised and this production is no exception with references to Prince Charming (Adam Barlow) known as the “Prince of Dewsbury” and that “best ladies reside not in Wakefield but in Huddersfield”. Dandini (Stephanie Hackett) is originally “Danielle from Huddersfield” and the stepsisters’ shopping at Kirkgate’s shopping centre and their association with the “Mirfield Majorettes”. There are also references to celebrities, current affairs and pop stars which everyone can relate to and its puns and connotations that fit in the script.

Well known songs, some arranged as medleys, and familiar live music is arranged effectively by Rebekah Hughes and its performances are choreographed by Rachel Root. Sing-a-longs are obviously encouraged which guarantees maximum participation from the audience and also the usual pantomime lines such as “oh no it wasn’t”, “oh yes it was”, “it’s behind you” and so on.

The Fairy Godmother poetically summaries the moral of the story and this is relayed at the beginning and at the end of the pantomime. This shines through the character of Cinderella and how the good conquers the evil combined with self belief as summed up by the cast singing the cover of Neil Diamond’s I’m a Believer.

Cinderella certainly has something for everyone. With stunning sparkling sets and colourful costumes, courtesy of Glitter Pantomimes, this talented cast certainly delivers a pantomime fitting for royalty and a night at the “ball” is guaranteed. A festive treat waits at the Lawrence Batley Theatre.

RAISING MARTHA

NEW CASTING ANNOUNCED

WASTED, MISFITS & GAME OF THRONES’ ACTRESS GWYNETH KEYWORTH JOINS CAST AS MORGANA ROBINSON WITHDRAWS FROM PRODUCTION FOR PERSONAL REASONS

OLIVIER AWARD WINNER FOR SHOCKHEADED PETER & DR WHO’S ‘DAVROS’

JULIAN BLEACH ALSO JOINS CAST

TO STAR ALONGSIDE HARRY POTTER & DROP THE DEAD DONKEY STAR JEFF RAWLE, TOM BENNETT, JASPER BRITTON & GAME OF THRONES’ JOEL FRY

IN DARK NEW COMEDY

Animal Rights. Family Secrets. Grave Consequences. 

Raising Martha, a brand new dark comedy by award-winning writer David Spicer, and directed by Michael Fentiman, will have its world premiere at Park Theatre from 12 January 2017, playing until 11 February, with a press night on Tuesday 17 February.

Morgana Robinson has unfortunately had to withdraw from the production due to unforeseen personal reasons, but the producers are happy to announce that Gwyneth Keyworth will join the cast to play ‘Caro’. Keyworth has most recently starred as ‘Alison’ in E4’s cult show Wasted, with other notable screen appearances in Channel 4’s Powder Monkeys, HBO’s Game of Thrones, ITV’s Dr Thorne and E4’s Misfits. Described by The Guardian’s Lyn Gardner as ‘heartbreakingly good’ in the Bristol Old Vic production of The Life and Times of Fanny Hill, she was most recently seen in the Globe’s acclaimed revival of The Heresy of Love.

Julian Bleach, co-creator and MC of Shockheaded Peter (2002 Olivier Award for Best Entertainment), best known for his role as the evil ‘Davros’ in Dr Who, and recently seen in the acclaimed Grinning Man at the Bristol Old Vic, joins the company to play ‘Roger’. Other screen credits include Torchwood, The Sarah-Jane Adventures, Psychovilleand The Borgias, whilst his stage credits include Oliver! (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), The Firework Maker’s Daughter(Sheffield) and Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (NT)

Gerry and Roger’s mum has gone missing. Well, most of her has…

The unwitting victims of animal rights activists campaigning for the freedom of the family frog farm’s slimy inhabitants, the brothers must bring in the hapless Inspector Clout to establish the whereabouts of their long-dead mother. An absurdly funny, dark comedy starring the finest comedy ensemble live on stage, Raising Martha tackles terrorism, animal rights and six-foot frogs!

As previously announced, Tom Bennett (Netflix’s Mascots, E4’s Phone Shop) will play ‘Marc’; Jasper Britton (Richard II, RSC, The Libertine, Theatre Royal Haymarket), will play ‘Gerry’; Joel Fry (ITV’s Plebs, HBO’s Game of Thrones, Sky’s You, Me and the Apocalypse) will play ‘Jago’; and Jeff Rawle, (Channel 4’s Drop the Dead Donkey, Handbagged, Tricycle / West End, Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire) will join the cast to play ‘Inspector Clout’.

Raising Martha is produced by Michael James Cox and Tom O’Connell, directed by Michael Fentiman, with set and costume design by Rebecca Brower, sound design by Max Pappenheim, lighting design by Eliot Griggs, costume supervision by Ryan Walklett, and casting by Anne Vosser.

Michael James Cox said, “I’m very excited and proud to be producing this hilarious new comedy along with Tom O’Connell Productions. This project has been very close to my heart for a long time and I’m thrilled to be working with such a wonderful theatre.”

Tom O’Connell said, “After our sell-out success with The Boys in the Band, we are thrilled to be working on a brand new piece of theatre with a stellar comedy cast who I know will be electric to watch in the intimate Park Theatre. We send on our best wishes to Morgana, who was a pleasure to work with, and are thrilled that the very talented and hilarious Gwyneth Keyworth is joining the family.”

REVIEW: SLEEPING BEAUTY (Sunderland Empire) ★★★

December 12, 2016 

For: West End Wilma 

https://www.westendwilma.com/review-sleeping-beauty-sunderland/

Empire Theatre Sunderland’s annual pantomime, this year, comes from the reliable UK Productions stable providing all the traditional ingredients such a glitzy show should offer. Sleeping Beauty was warmly received by a packed auditorium of excited youngsters on press night.

Sleeping Beauty tells the well-known story of a Princess (Amy-Leigh Hickman) who is cursed by evil witch Carabosse (Vicky Entwistle) and is in danger of death if she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel before she turns 18. Thankfully the Princess has a Fairy Godmother (Faye Tozer) that changes the curse so that if the Princess does prick her finger, she’ll go to sleep for 100 years rather than die.

As is tradition with panto, the plot is merely a vehicle to hang the set pieces and jokes on whilst keeping the audience’s attention. The show mixes in pop culture references with well-known songs, regional mentions such as Fairy Primarni from Marley Pots to the brilliantly-named King Winston of Witherwack and topical jokes.

The first act of this well known fairy tale whizzes along at breakneck speed, the cast are on fire and the chemistry between them is fun, it’s great to see them all attacking the show with plenty of energy and commitment. None more so than from the excellent Andrew Agnew as Silly Billy, he whizzes around the stage like a Duracell bunny on speed, he has a great rapport with the audience and never fails to bring a sense of mischief to proceedings with his slapstick humour and infectious audience interaction.

Vicky Entwistle’s delightfully evil Carabosse steals the show and performs brilliantly whenever she’s onstage – on the ground, in the air, singing. Imagine Janice Battersby playing Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent and you’ll get the idea. She can sing and she has a fabulous pair of legs for her high kicking dance number.

With Princess Rose kissed and awoken ten minutes into the second act, extra plot is required to fill the remaining scenes. Here, in the lead up to the Royal Wedding, Carabosse decides to kidnap the Happy Couple and marry the Prince, only to be thwarted when Princess Rose escapes and revives Prince Phillip with true love’s kiss.

Marcus Knibbs, as the King, gives a jolly performance and his rap attack with Silly Billy is a real highlight. Amy-Leigh Hickman and Arthur Boan as Sleeping Beauty and the Prince are a well matched and a believable couple. And Bobby Crush is outstanding as Nurse Nelly, the outfits are as fabulous as a Dame should be and his flirting with Danny in the audience is hilarious. For me, it was a shame, that he only had a tiny segment in which he could play piano – and I would have liked to have seen and heard more. Faye Tozer’s Fairy Snowflake was good – with her script packed with Step’s references and she got to sing a Steps medley during the show.

The Kathleen Davis Stage School, Muriel Harrison School of Dance and Drama and the Shameem Karim School of Performing Arts provided the dancing village children – including a tiny tot who played an adorable lamb.

Packed to the rafters with joke after joke and obligatory digs at the local area the humour is well balanced for the children as well as the adults in the audience. The visual highlight of the show is during the Prince’s time travelling journey, utilising a clever use of lighting and projections. Directed by Andrew Agnew he has delivered a fast-paced and slickly produced pantomime that provides plenty of fun – the magic mirror scene is a hoot and a stunning lighting design brings plenty of colour to the proceedings. An enjoyable evening in Pantoland with a first-rate cast. At two hours forty five minutes including the interval it is a little long and some of the younger members of the audience start to lose their attention spans towards the conclusion of the evening. But for an evening of family fun it would be hard to beat.

Mark Goucher and Mark Rubinstein present
THE MISER
Written by Molière
Freely adapted by Sean Foley and Phil Porter
Directed by Sean Foley

• MATHEW HORNE WILL JOIN GRIFF RHYS JONES AND LEE MACK IN THE MISER IN LONDON’S WEST END

• FULL CAST ANNOUNCED TODAY AND BRAND NEW IMAGES RELEASED

• THE MISER WILL PLAY AT THE GARRICK THEATRE IN THE WEST END WITH PREVIEWS FROM 1 MARCH, FOLLOWING PERFORMANCES IN BATH AND RICHMOND, TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW

Full casting has today been announced for a major West End revival of Molière’s classic comedy The Miser. The full cast, which includes Mathew Horne, join previously announced Griff Rhys Jones who returns to the West End stage after a five year absence and Lee Mack who makes his West End debut. The play has been newly adapted by Sean Foley and Phil Porter, and will be presented at Bath Theatre Royal and Richmond Theatre, prior to opening at the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End on Wednesday 1st March 2017, with an opening night on Monday 13th March 2017.

The full West End cast includes: Griff Rhys Jones, Lee Mack, Mathew Horne, Saikat Ahamed, Ryan Gage, Simon Holmes, Andi Osho, Michael Webber, Ellie White and Katy Wix.

Griff Rhys Jones is a two-time Olivier award-winning actor, writer, presenter and comedian. On stage, he has appeared as Fagin in Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver! (West End), the title role in Charley’s Aunt (West End) and in Feydeau’s An Absolute Turkey (The Globe). In a long-lasting comedy partnership with Mel Smith, his television credits include Not the Nine O’Clock News(BBC), Alas Smith and Jones (BBC), The World According to Smith and Jones (ITV), Smith and Jones in Small Doses (BBC) and Smith and Jones (BBC).

Best known for television and stand-up work, Lee Mack is widely recognised as one of the country’s favourite comedians and has won multiple awards. He is the writer and star of hit BBC One comedy, Not Going Out, which has run for seven series and holds the accolade of being the BBC’s longest running sitcom.  He is a team captain on popular BBC panel show Would I Lie to You, the host of Duck Quacks Don’t Echo on Sky One and a regular guest on panel shows, including Have I Got News for You, Nevermind the Buzzcocks and 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Lee has also toured the country with multiple sell-out stand up shows.

Mathew Horne has worked extensively in television where his credits include Are You Being Served?, Agatha Raisin, Worried About the Boy, Nan, Bad Education, Gavin & Stacey, Teachers and The Catherine Tate Show. His stage work includes Pride (Trafalgar Studios/ tour), Charley’s Aunt (Menier Chocolate Factory/ Theatre Royal Bath) and Entertaining Mr.Sloane /Trafalgar Studios).

Saikat Ahamed’s recent theatre credits include Peter Pan (National Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich), Strictly Balti (UK tour), 101 Dalmatians (Bristol Tobacco Factory) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bristol Old Vic). Television credits include Nadeem, Trollied, Being Human and Afterlife. Film work includes This Must be the Place and East is East.  

Ryan Gage’s television and film credits include King Louis XIII in BBC One and BBC America drama The Musketeers as well as the feature film series The Hobbit and the film Serial Thriller: Angel in Decay. His stage credits include Ghost Stories (Lyric/ West End), The Lawes of War(Royal Court) and numerous credits with the RSC.

Simon Holmes’ recent theatre credits include Ghost Stories (West End), Yes Prime Minister(Chichester Festival Theatre/ UK tour), Romeo & Juliet (Chocolate Factory) and The Cherry Orchard (Manchester Lowry). Film work includes V for Vendetta and Private Moments. Television credits include Doctors, Casualty, Silent Witness and Bad Blood.

Andi Osho has worked across stage, stand-up comedy, television and feature film. Her theatre credits include Breakfast with Mugabe (Theatre Royal Bath) and Yellowman (Theatre Royal Liverpool/ UK tour). She has performed on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Stand Up For The Week and Live At The Apollo. Recent television work includes Finding Carter, Psychoville, Life of Riley and The Andi O Show. Film credits include Swinging with the Finkels and Lights Out.

Michael Webber’s theatre credits include Cyrano (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Cause Celebre (Old Vic). His extensive film credits include Hysteria, Sherlock Holmes 2, The Scouting Book for Boys, Children of Men and Stormbreaker. Television work includes Black Mirror ‘The Waldo Moment’, What Remains, Little Dorrit, Wire in the Blood and Hustle.

Ellie White recently appeared in The Windsors on Channel 4. Other television credits include Carters Get Rich, Class Dismissed, Murder in Successville and House of Fools. Humans, her debut solo show, ran at Edinburgh Festival with the Invisible Dot. She also works on ITV 2’s current affairs comedy show @ELEVNISH and has filmed a comedy sketch pilot for BBC3.

Katy Wix is best known for her television work and has appeared regularly alongside Lee Mack in Not Going Out as Daisy. Her other television work includes Decline and Fall, Sherlock, Agatha Raisin, Miranda all for the BBC, Anna and Katy and The Windsors for Channel 4. She has also appeared on panel shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Would I Lie to You. Her previous stage work includes Holes (The Invisible Dot) and Psister Psycho (Edinburgh Fringe). Her writing credits include Anna and Katy for Channel 4 and Bird Island for the BBC.

Sean Foley is an award-winning actor, writer and director. He co-founded The Right Size, creating over 10 original comedies for the theatre including the Olivier Award-winning and Tony-nominated production of The Play What I Wrote (Best Comedy 2002), Do You Come Here Often? (Best Entertainment 1999), and Ducktastic! (Albery Theatre – Best Entertainment nomination 2006). As director his work includes The Dresser, The Painkiller, Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense (Best New Comedy 2014), The Walworth Farce (The Olympia Theatre, Dublin), the multi Olivier-nominated The Ladykillers (Liverpool Everyman, Gielgud Theatre, UK Tour), A Mad World My Masters (Royal Shakespeare Company & Barbican), What The Butler Saw (Vaudeville Theatre), The Painkiller (The Lyric Theatre, Belfast), Arturo Brachetti – Change (Garrick – Best Entertainment nomination 2010) , The Critic/The Real Inspector Hound (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Armstrong and Miller Show Live UK Tour and I Can’t Sing! (London Palladium). Foley’s first film Mindhorn was released this autumn.

Mark Goucher has previously collaborated with Sean Foley, most recently on The Dresser at the Duke of York’s Theatre, as well as on the hugely successful production of Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense which played in the West End and on tour and is currently under option for a Broadway season.

The Miser will be produced with long term producing partner Mark Rubinstein Ltd.

David King for Spirit Productions Ltd presents

BROADWAY’S MULTI AWARD WINNING MUSICAL COMEDY

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE

TO TOUR THE UK IN 2017

WITH STRICTLY COME DANCING’S JOANNE CLIFTON AS MILLIE

LEADING TELEVISION AND STAGE ACTRESS MICHELLE COLLINS AS MRS MEERS

Award winning musical Thoroughly Modern Millie is set to tour the UK in 2017 opening at New Wimbledon Theatre on Tuesday 17 January.

2016 Strictly Come Dancing finalist, World Ballroom Showdance Champion and Professional Dancer Joanne Clifton will take on the title role of Millie Dillmount, a Kansas girl determined to make it big in New York City! Joanne’s credits include Face the Music, Burn the Floor, Strictly Live Tour and Marilyn Monroe in Norma Jeane Musical.

Michelle Collins will join the cast of Thoroughly Modern Millie until Saturday 4 March as Mrs Meers. She has worked extensively in television and theatre for the last 30 years and is perhaps best known for her roles as Cindy Beale in EastEnders and Stella Price in Coronation Street. Her theatre credits include Calendar Girls (West End), The Play What I Wrote (West End), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour) and most recently Kindertransport (Chickenshed, London).

The cast is completed by Sam Barrett (Jimmy Smith), Graham McDuff (Trevor Graydon), Katherine Glover (Miss Dorothy), Jenny Fitzpatrick (Muzzy), Catherine Mort (Miss Flannery), Damian Buhagiar (Ching Ho), Andy Yau (Bun Foo), Emma Housley, David Muscat, Alice Baker, Lottie Summers, Laura Marie Benson, Bobby Williams, Marios Nicolaides and Laura Wilson.

Winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie is based on the 1967 Academy Award-winning film. Taking you back to the height of the Jazz Age in 1920s New York City, when ‘moderns’ including a flapper named Millie Dillmount were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce and rewriting the rules of love.

From explosive tap numbers to a ‘Fred and Ginger’ dance routine on a window ledge, and featuring hit songs including Gimme Gimme, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Not for the Life of Me Thoroughly Modern Millie is a brilliantly funny and entertaining show for all the family.

Tickets for Thoroughly Modern Millie are on sale now.

WEBSITE | TWITTER

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE

Book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan

New Music by Jeanine Tesori

New Lyrics by Dick Scanlan

Original Story and Screenplay by Richard Morris for the Universal Pictures Film

Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited

Director and Choreographer Racky Plews

Musical Director Robert Wicks

Casting Director Sue Talbert

Celebrity Casting Advisor Bambi Haines

Executive Producer David King

Lead Producer Graham King

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE – 2017 UK TOUR DATES

Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 January                                            Box Office: 0844 871 7646

New Wimbledon Theatre                                                             Website: www.atgtickets.com

Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 January                                            Box Office: 0844 871 7652

Milton Keynes Theatre                                                                  Website: www.atgtickets.com

Monday 30 January – Saturday 4 February                           Box Office: 0844 871 3014

Edinburgh Playhouse                                                                     Website: www.atgtickets.com

Monday 6 – Saturday 11 February                                            Box Office: 0844 871 7648

Glasgow, King’s Theatre                                                               Website: www.atgtickets.com

Monday 13 – Saturday 18 February                                          Box Office: 0844 871 3011

Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre                                                Website: www.atgtickets.com

Monday 20 – Saturday 25 February                                          Box Office: 0844 871 3017

Liverpool, Empire Theatre                                                            Website: www.atgtickets.com

Monday 27 February – Saturday 4 March                              Box Office: 0844 871 3024

York, Grand Opera House                                                            Website: www.atgtickets.com

Monday 6 – Saturday 11 March                                                 Box Office: 01494 512 000

High Wycombe, Swan Theatre                                                   Website: www.wycombeswan.co.uk

Monday 20 – Saturday 25 March                                               Box Office: 023 9282 8282

Southsea, King’s Theatre                                                              Website: www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk

Monday 27 March – Saturday 1 April                                       Box Office: 0844 871 7607

Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre                                                   Website: www.atgtickets.com

Monday 3 – Saturday 8 April                                                       Box Office: 0844 871 7650

Brighton, Theatre Royal                                                                Website: www.atgtickets.com

Monday 10 – Saturday 15 April                                                   Box Office: 01322 220000

Dartford, Orchard Theatre                                                           Website: www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

Monday 17 – Saturday 22 April                                                   Box Office: 0844 848 2700

Leeds Grand Theatre                                                                     Website: www.leedsgrandtheatre.com

Monday 8 – Saturday 13 May                                                     Box Office: 0844 871 7645

Woking, New Victoria Theatre                                                   Website: www.atgtickets.com

Monday 22 – Saturday 27 May                                                   Box Office: 0844 871 3019

Manchester, Palace Theatre                                                       Website: www.atgtickets.com

Monday 5 – Saturday 10 June                                                     Box Office: 020 3285 6000

Bromley, Churchill Theatre                                                          Website:  www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

Monday 19 – Saturday 24 June                                                  Box Office: 0844 871 3012

Bristol Hippodrome                                                                         Website: www.atgtickets.com

More dates to be announced soon.

ATG OFFERS MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS TO BRITISH TROOPS

Thousands of members of the Armed Forces will be laughing their socks off this Christmas as they flock to pantos all over the country thanks to Tickets For Troops and the Ambassador Theatre Group.

The theatre group, which is a long term supporter of the military charity, have offered troops tickets for pantomimes up and down the country including in Woking, Stoke-On-Trent, Torquay, Glasgow, Bristol and London.

Troops will have the opportunity to take their loved ones along to a whole host of musical comedy productions including Cinderella, Aladdin and Sleeping Beauty, enabling families to spend some well-deserved time together after another busy year for the British Armed Forces.

Director of Operations at Tickets For Troops, Veronica Bamford said: “As one of our loyal supporters, ATG have been generously supporting our soldiers, sailors, airmen and women for the last seven years. We are once again extremely grateful to them for coming together as a company for the festive season and providing even more fun and magical experiences for our troops and their families to enjoy together.”

Group Chief Executive Officer at The Ambassador Theatre Group, Mark Cornell said: “Tickets for Troops is a worthy charity and I’m delighted that ATG is continuing to support its annual festive campaign by providing the opportunity for members of the Armed Forces and their families to enjoy a magical night out at one of our pantomimes around the UK this Christmas.”

Many troops who benefit from Tickets For Troops (www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk) endure long periods of separation from their families due to operational tours and training exercises or living apart from their families during the week.

Tickets For Troops was set up in 2009 to provide free tickets to the Armed Forces for sports, music, theatre, cultural and entertainment events across the UK.

The charity has distributed over 950,000 free tickets in the last seven years and is proud to offer tickets to troops which they can share with their loved ones, as a small acknowledgement and reward for the work they do for our country.

Organisations who would like to get involved with the charity and donate free tickets to benefit our servicemen and women can get in contact with Tickets For Troops by emailing [email protected] or calling 0207 932 0808