NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE LAUNCHES 2017 SEASON

 

  • NYT LAUNCHES 2017 SEASON TODAY WITH 50 PLAY READINGS IN A DAY OF NYT COMMISSIONS ACROSS THE UK – FROM THE NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE IN LEICESTER, TO A FURNITURE SHOP IN FINSBURY PARK – STREAMED VIA NYT’S CHANNELS AS THEY CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF COMMISSIONING NEW WRITING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE   
  • 2017 PROGRAMME A NEW SEASON IN THE EAST END, A FIFTH SEASON IN THE WEST END, A PARTNERSHIP WITH FRANTIC ASSEMBLY, AND A RESTAGING OF THEIR FIRST EVER COMMISSION AT WILTON’S MUSIC HALL
  • THREE – A NEW PLAY BY SOPHIE ELLERBY PERFORMED BY SOCIAL INCLUSION COURSE, ‘PLAYING UP’ MEMBERS AT THE ARCOLA FROM 20 – 22 JULY
  • FOUR PLAYS TO BE STAGED IN AN ‘EAST END SEASON’ AT THE YARD THEATRE AND WILTON’S MUSIC HALL
  • AT THE YARD THEATRE FROM 8-26 AUGUST:
    • THE STAGE ADAPTATION OF MOHSIN HAMID’S MAN BOOKER SHORTLISTED NOVELTHE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST WILL RETURN
    • JESSICA SWALE’S BLUE STOCKINGS ABOUT THE PIONEERS OF FEMALE EDUCATION IN THE UK, DIRECTED BY ALICE KNIGHT
    • THE HOST, A NEW PLAY FOLLOWING A SYRIAN REFUGEE IN SOUTH EAST LONDON BY NESSAH MUTHY, DIRECTED BY ZOE LAFFERTY
    • A RESTAGING OF THE DEFINITIVE PLAY ON FOOTBALL HOOLIGANISM, ZIGGER ZAGGER, FOR ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY AT WILTON’S MUSIC HALL FROM 6 – 9 SEPTEMBER
  • FOR A FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR THE FREE NYT REP COMPANY OF SIXTEEN 18-25 YEAR-OLDS WILL PERFORM IN REPERTORY IN LONDON’S WEST END FROM 26 SEPTEMBER – 8 DECEMBER 2017
    • A BRAND NEW FEMALE-LED ADAPTATION OF JEKYLL AND HYDE BY EVAN PLACEY, DIRECTED BY ROY ALEXANDER WEISE
    • FRANTIC ASSEMBLY’S OTHELLO DIRECTED BY SIMON PITTMAN
    • A THIRD PLAY DIRECTED BY THE 2017 BRYAN FORBES BURSARY RECIPIENT STILL TO BE ANNOUNCED
  • JAMES BOND PRODUCER BARBARA BROCCOLI BECOMES NEW PRESIDENT OF NYT
  • TICKETS FOR THE WEST END SEASON GO ON SALE AT 10AM ON 4 APRIL, TICKETS FOR THE YARD GO ON SALE ON 5 APRIL AND TICKETS FOR WILTON’S GO ON SALE 10 APRIL.MORE INFORMATION AT WWW.NYT.ORG.UK
  • TWITTER: @NYTOFGB | FACEBOOK: NATIONALYOUTHTHEATRE

 

Paul Roseby, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain (NYT) has today announced its new season of work.  2017 marks 50 years of the organisation commissioning new work for young people and in celebration 50 play readings are taking place in weird and wonderful locations across the UK today. Some notable writers who received early commissions from NYT, such as James Graham (This House, Finding Neverland), Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and The Cursed Child) and Zawe Ashton have plays being showcased.

The ‘50 Plays in a Day’, performed by NYT members and presented by young producers include, amongst others, James Graham’s political drama Tory Boyz at the Houses of Parliament with NYT alumni Ben Aldridge (Our Girl), Al Smith’s 1960s based The Astronaut Wives Club at The National Space Centre Leicester, The Host, part of the NYT 2017 season, by Nessah Muthy inCalais at a Help Refugee Warehouse and The World’s Wife by Carol Ann Duffy in Cannock Chase Forest, Staffordshire where Duffy is from. Other readings are taking place at Kenilworth Castle, Birmingham Shakespeare Memorial Library, Porthcawl Comprehensive School in Wales, Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, Wycombe Museum, Govanhill Baths in Glasgow, as well as a pub in Doncaster and a furniture shop in Finsbury Park. The full line up can be found atwww.nyt.org.uk/whats-on/50plays. Selected plays will also be broadcast on Facebook Live and can be accessed via the National Youth Theatre’s social media (Twitter/ Facebook) and website.

The initiative marks the launch of NYT’s 2017 season which will include their first ever ‘East End season’ at the Yard Theatre this summer after the sell out success of their season of new writing at the Finborough Theatre last year. The East End Season will feature Olivier Award-winningJessica Swale’s Blue Stockings, the premiere of The Host, a new play commission by NYT in response to 23 June 2016 and the European refugee crisis by Nessah Muthy and the return ofMohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist. In October they will take a 50-strong cast to Wilton’s Music Hall to bring back Peter Terson’s iconic play about football hooliganism, Zigger Zagger, 50 years after it was first commissioned by them. For autumn, following the success of four previous West End REP Seasons, the company will return to the Ambassadors Theatre for a fifth year in September with a brand new female-led adaptation of Jekyll and Hyde exploring women’s roles and rights in Victorian society, by Evan Placey who wrote their 2015 hitConsensual. The second REP show, which marks an exciting new collaboration, will see NYT present Frantic Assembly’s award-winning modern-day Othello under the direction of Frantic’s Associate Director Simon Pittman. NYT’s social inclusion course will also run at the Arcola Theatre with a new play by Sophie Ellerby.

It is also announced today that Barbara Broccoli will succeed Lord Waheed Alli as President of the National Youth Theatre. Broccoli is a one of the entertainment industry’s most successful female producers, perhaps best known for her work on the James Bond film franchise, includingSkyfall and Spectre. Stage producer credits include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chariots of Fire, Once and The Kid Stays in the Picture.

Paul Roseby said: “In 2017 we celebrate our growing diverse cohort by marking 50 years of new writing and I’m delighted to see our entrepreneurial young creatives simultaneously stage 50 plays in 50 locations across the UK today from our catalogue of past commissions. I’m also a champion of the need for theatre to have greater parity with sport in education so it’s timely that we bring the passion for the beautiful game and passion for theatre together once more in re-staging Zigger Zagger. With seven further  productions and work at over 100 sites nationwide, including a record 44 audition centres, NYT remains a vital and relevant contributor to our cultural landscape. We will continue to strive to do more to make sure that talented young people can access our opportunities regardless of where they’re from or their background.”

Barbara Broccoli said: “I’m delighted to be working with the National Youth Theatre in developing and celebrating the most talented and diverse young people that the UK has to offer.”

Scott Graham, Frantic Assembly’s Artistic Director said: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with this brilliant, young ensemble, engaging again with the fire, rage and beauty at the heart of this classic text. We can’t wait to see this young company take hold of it and make it their own.”

NYT and leading theatre publisher Nick Hern Books is delighted to announce the upcoming publication of National Youth Theatre Monologues: Speeches for Young People, a new collection of audition speeches drawn from material produced by world-leading youth arts organisation the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain. The book, edited by National Youth Theatre Associate Artist Michael Bryher and published on 6 July, contains over 75 monologues all taken from plays performed by the NYT, by writers such as Zawe Ashton, Moira Buffini, Carol Ann Duffy, Brian Friel, James Graham, Dennis Kelly, Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Gbolahan Obisesan,Evan Placey and Jack Thorne. The collection also offers tips on performing the speeches from current and former NYT members, plus advice on preparing for auditions.

 

SOCIAL INCLUSION AT THE ARCOLA THEATRE
Arcola Theatre
Three
20 – 22 July
By Sophie Ellerby
Directed by Anna Niland

Outside of the West End, NYT will stage Three by Sophie Ellerby (HighTide First Commissions Writer and NYT REP Company 2013), starring social inclusion participants at the Arcola Theatre as part of NYT’s ‘Playing Up’ course, which is now in its eighth year. The course, for 19 – 24 year olds not in full time education, employment or training, creates productions and commissions new work. It has an 85% success rate of moving young people into higher education, further training or employment, with recent alumni including Seraphina Beh, who after joining NYT’s 2016 REP Company was spotted for a role in EastEnders, where she is currently starring as Madison Drake, Gavi Singh Chera who’s currently appearing in Headlong Theatre’s Pygmalion and Ria Zmitrowicz from ITV’s Mr Selfridge. Ellerby’s urban and domestic new drama following three sisters will be directed by NYT Associate Director Anna Niland(Pigeon English).

 

EAST END SEASON AT THE YARD THEATRE
The Yard Theatre
8 – 26 August 2017
Press Nights: 9, 16, 23 August 2017

The Reluctant Fundamentalist
8 – 12 August
By Mohsin Hamid
Adapted by Stephanie Street
Directed by Prasanna Puwanarajah

Blue Stockings
14 – 19 August
by Jessica Swale
Directed by Alice Knight

The Host
22 – 26 August
By Nessah Muthy
Directed by Zoe Lafferty

After the sell-out success of their new writing season at the Finborough Theatre in West London last year, a new venture for NYT this summer will be a season of work at East London’s the Yard Theatre. The programme includes two new productions (one new play) and the return of one of the successes from the Finborough season.

The stage adaptation of Mohsin Hamid’s Man Booker Prize shortlisted novel and Hollywood blockbuster film, The Reluctant Fundamentalist will return, having received its world premiere in NYT’s season of new writing at the Finborough Theatre in 2016. The production looks at the ironies of prejudice and representation in a post 9/11 New York. It follows Pakistani native Changez’s disenchantment with the West and his journey back to Lahore. The production was adapted for stage by Stephanie Street (Sisters) and will be directed by Prasanna Puwanarajah (Moth).

Following its world premiere at the Globe Theatre in 2013, NYT present the first play by Olivier Award winning playwright Jessica Swale (Nell Gwynn) for which she was nominated for the Evening Standards’ Most Promising Playwright Award. Blue Stockings follows the battle at Girton College, Cambridge in 1896 to earn women the right to graduate. Challenging gendered views about women’s moral judgement and suitability to academia the play has heavy parallels with the fight for female suffrage. The brand new production will be directed by Alice Knight, recipient of the 2014 Bryan Forbes Director Bursary Fund.

NYT has also commissioned its most recent play, The Host by Nessah Muthy (recently listed by BBC as a one-to-watch), directed by Zoe Lafferty (Queens of Syria). Commissioned in response to 23 June 2016 and the European refugee crisis, The Host is set on a South East London council estate and tells the story of Riam, a Syrian refugee as she forges new relationships with the family who have taken her in all the while battling the memories of her journey to England.

 

NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE PRESENT ZIGGER ZAGGER BY PETER TERSON

Wilton’s Music Hall
6 – 9 September
Press Night: 7 September
By Peter Terson
Directed by Juliet Knight

The original football hooliganism play is back.

Widely considered one of the definitive plays on football hooliganism, Zigger Zagger is to return 50 years after becoming the National Youth Theatre’s first ever new writing commission.Peter Terson’s widely studied play will receive a special anniversary production at Wilton’s Music Hall marking half a century since its world premiere. The production is set to have cast of 50 under the direction of Juliet Knight (White Boy).

An irreverent tale of tribalism, the play follows the story of Harry Philton, a passionate fan of the local football team, who struggles between the life of sex, violence and drink football offers and a stable future.

 

NYT’S 2017 WEST END REP SEASON

Ambassadors Theatre
26 September – 8 December
Press Nights: 10 and 11 October

Jekyll and Hyde
In a new version by Evan Placey
Based on the novella by Robert Louis Stevenson
Directed by Roy Alexander Weise

NYT present Frantic Assembly’s
Othello

By William Shakespeare
Adapted by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly
Directed by Simon Pittman

Now in its fifth consecutive year, the NYT REP is inspired by the traditional repertory theatre model and was set up by Artistic Director Paul Roseby in 2012 to provide a much needed free alternative to expensive formal training. The course is a unique free talent development initiative allowing the best young talent to work for nine months with leading institutions culminating in three months of performances in the West End. REP company alumni includeSope Dirisu (2013) who is about to play Coriolanus at the RSC, Seraphina Beh who is starring inEastEnders after being spotted in the REP and beginning filming the following week (2016),Ellise Chappell who is set to play a lead role in BBC One’s series of Poldark (2015) and Lauren Lyle (2015) who is filming a major role for a new Amazon series. Mentors to REP members this year include Denise Gough (People Places Things), Paterson Joseph (Peep Show), Shane Zaza(Happy Valley) as well as the Heads of Casting at the Royal Court Theatre and National Theatre.

Everyone has another face they hide behind…

Evan Placey (Consensual for the 2015 NYT REP, Girls Like That) will adapt Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Victorian novel Jekyll and Hyde. Placey’s female-led adaptation will interrogate the Victorian separate spheres domestic–public dichotomy putting women centre stage where they are completely absent in the novella. The production will explore late nineteenth century society’s relationship to women’s destinies, properties and bodies, against the backdrop of the tumultuous drive for women’s suffrage and first wave feminism. The production will be directed by Roy Alexander Weise (JMK 2016 Winner), who most recently directed the Young Vic’s acclaimed production on The Mountaintop.

This is a mating ground. A dog-eat-dog kind of place.  And it’s about to kick off…

In brand new collaboration for 2017, NYT are working in partnership with Frantic Assembly to present their award-winning adaptation of Othello. Their electrifying take on Shakespeare’s thriller is set in 21st century Britain and is celebrated for its physical and collaborative theatre, bringing the sex, violence and jealousy of the tragedy into the modern day. The production will be directed by Simon Pittman (Associate Director, Frantic Assembly).

Alongside NYT’s annual theatre courses engaging 1500 young people from all over the UK, this year the charity is also offering young people not in education or employment free film workshops in Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Nottingham through new initiative Shortflix. Shortflix is led by Creative England in partnership with NYT and Sky Arts with support from Creative Skillset’s Film Skills Fund and seeks to give young people from backgrounds underrepresented in the industry a voice.

Shirley Valentine Review

Leeds Grand Theatre.  3 – 8 April 2017.  Reviewed by Lindsay Sykes

I fell in love with Willy Russell when I covered the play version of Blood Brothers in my school drama lessons in the 80’s.  Here was a man who understood and created strong women.

Shirley Valentine is a classic display of a strong woman, 40 years since it was written and 30 years since it was first performed, the play doesn’t show much sign of ageing thanks to the fact that many women are still locked into situations where their obligations to families and husbands stifle individuality and where routine overwhelms one’s sense of identity.

Jodie Prenger’s Shirley is a passionate, strong-willed role model that transcends generations – a woman emboldened by female friendship to take a leap, thus creating a new life for herself. Of all the varying formats in the theatre, the one-actor show has to be the scariest for the performer and the toughest to bring off. When things go wrong, there’s no-one to hide behind and nobody else to take the blame. Not that any blame is required here, because Prenger’s performance is totally absorbing and she kept the entire audience pretty-well riveted for the best part of 2 hours of entertainment  Prenger is incredibly relatable, guiding us through this mammoth monologue as though we are old friends, catching up over a cup of tea, or a nice glass of wine.   Her easy-going, natural approach tugs at the heartstrings; she represents countless women who have fallen out of love with themselves.

Transporting the audience from her kitchen in Liverpool to a beautiful beach in Greece, 42-year-old Shirley Bradshaw’s life is thrown out of balance by an unexpected holiday, causing her to question the mundane, limiting life she finds herself leading.  We see the complexities of Shirley’s character – the housewife-robot, the comic storyteller; the deeply-felt regret for the life she should have lived and the strength of character and courage it takes to choose sun over sorrow.

With a range of accents and postures, Prenger embodies the characters that feature in Valentine’s life, transforming from bewildered nativity play innkeeper to selfish daughter, uncomfortable Brits Abroad to passionate Greek lover, all the while rearranging the furniture on the beach or cooking chips and egg live on stage.  She brings to life her ungrateful husband Joe, who “gets jet-lag going to the Isle of Man” and their son Brian, who’s living in a squat in Kirkby though she’d prefer it to be in Childwall.

A plain black backdrop brings life into Shirley’s kitchen in a simple but affective set for the first act – a simple yellow kitchen, with pine cupboards and the ever present wall who Shirley talks to as a constant companion.  In the second, the deep-fat frier and washing machine are swapped for a Mediterranean scene, complete with turquoise water and sandy beach.  But here she talks to rock (should that be βράχος) who doesn’t understand her or speak back as he is Greek.  It is here that she rediscovers herself, in an conclusion that is uplifting without being sugary.

There should be something almost unbelievable about Russell’s account of a bright, dynamic woman who has somehow become such a taken-for-granted wife and mother – no job, no other identity – that she simply puts up with a bullying husband who barely gives her the time of day; a woman for whom the prospect of a two-week package holiday in Greece seems like a major act of rebellion.

Yet however distant in theory, in practice this image of a female life still seems to strike a huge chord with generations of women who find themselves infinitely relied on for the practicalities of domestic life, but often barely noticed as people.  And as you sit through the incredibly poignant second half you find yourself thinking that you are a 45 year mother of three grown up children and wondering where your passport is

Shirley Valentine is a wonderful, passionate, comedic, poignant monologue that shows the true joy of Willy Russell’s words and the versatility of Jodie Prenger.  In Leeds until Saturday 8 April and on tour around the UK this is show that must NOT be missed

Empire Cinemas takes part in Ben & Jerry’s free cone day for charity

Empire Cinemas to raise money for charities nationwide with Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day

Empire Cinemas will be taking part in Ben & Jerry’s Annual Free Cone Day for the 13th year running – this year raising money for UK charities nationwide.

The 38th ice cream celebration will run in Empire Cinemas nationwide from 12pm – 8pm on Tuesday 4thApril across all sites (with the exception of Slough and Sutton Coldfield). Each Empire Cinemas will be choosing their own local charity with all donations being passed on to fantastic causes. Free Cone Day has become one of the most prevalent days in the calendar at Empire Cinemas. 2016 saw thousands of people around the country come and get their free cone and, in-turn, raised money for MediCentre in the process. Empire Cinemas are hoping to raise even more money across a range of charities this year.

1979 marked the first ever Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day in the history of history!  It was their way of thanking everyone for all the love and support they showed Ben & Jerry’s during their first year of business in a renovated petrol station in Burington, Vermont, USA.  Since then, Free Cone Day has only got bigger and better and is now celebrated all over the world!

Those involved can show their support by donating and tweeting @EmpireCinemas with #freeconeday.

Gordon MacDonald, Retail Manager for Empire Cinemas, said “Ben & Jerry’s are a key part of our cinema experience and we’re delighted to welcome Free Cone Day again to our cinemas. This is a fantastic way to raise money for charity and we are honoured to support so many great causes and give back to our amazing customers.”

THE BAND box office takes £2m in first two hours of on-sale

IT’S A KNOCKOUT!

THE BAND MUSICAL

BECOMES THE FASTEST SELLING THEATRE TOUR EVER

WITH THE BOX OFFICE TAKING £2 MILLION

IN FIRST 2 HOURS OF GOING ON SALE

The UK Tour of David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and Take That’s production of Tim Firth’s new musical, THE BAND, with the music of Take That, went on sale at 12.00noon today, Monday 3 April, and, within the first two hours, the Box Office took £2 million, making it the fastest selling theatre tour ever.

 

The musical was launched yesterday, Sunday 2 April, on stage at the Manchester Apollo (where Take That first performed in 1992), at a rehearsed reading in front of an audience of invited guests, from fans to friends.

 

The UK Tour will begin at Manchester Opera House on 8 September, with a national press night on Tuesday 26 September 2017.

 

THE BAND is a new musical about what it’s like to grow up with a boyband.  For five 16 year-old friends in 1992, ‘the band’ is everything.  25 years on, we are reunited with the group of friends, now 40-something women, as they try once more to fulfil their dream of meeting their heroes.

 

The Band will be played by AJ Bentley, Nick Carsberg, Yazdan Qafouri Isfahani, Curtis T Johns and Sario Watanabe-Soloman, who, as Five to Five, won BBC’s Let It Shine.  Playing the parts of Rachel and Young Rachel will be Rachel Lumberg and Faye Christall respectively.  Further casting is to be announced.

 

THE BAND will be directed by Kim Gavin and Jack Ryder, designed by Jon Bausor and choreographed by Kim Gavin, with lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, video design by Luke Halls and sound design by Terry Jardine and Nick Lidster.

 

THE BAND will be produced by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Robbie Williams.

 

Website – www.thebandmusical.com

Twitter – @TheBandMusical

Instagram – BandMusical

Facebook – /TheBandMusical

 

TOUR SCHEDULE

 

Manchester Opera House

8 September 2017 – 30 September 2017

 

Sheffield Lyceum Theatre

4 October 2017 – 14 October 2017

 

Bradford Alhambra Theatre

17 October 2017 – 28 October 2017

 

Southampton Mayflower Theatre

31 October 2017 – 11 November 2017

 

Llandudno Venue Cymru

14 November 2017 – 25 November 2017

 

Stoke Regent Theatre

28 November 2017 – 9 December 2017

 

Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre

9 January 2018 – 20 January 2018

 

Liverpool Empire Theatre

23 January 2018 – 3 February 2018

 

Norwich Theatre Royal

6 February 2018 – 17 February 2018

 

Canterbury Marlowe Theatre

20 February 2018 – 3 March 2018

 

Hull New Theatre

6 March 2018 – 17 March 2018

 

Leeds Grand Theatre

20 March 2018 – 31 March 2018

 

Newcastle Theatre Royal

3 April 2018 – 14 April 2018

 

Bristol Hippodrome

17 April 2018 – 28 April 2018

 

Birmingham Hippodrome

1 May 2018 – 12 May 2018

 

Plymouth Theatre Royal

15 May 2018 – 26 May 2018

 

Northampton Royal & Derngate

29 May 2018 – 9 June 2018

 

Nottingham Theatre Royal

12 June 2018 – 23 June 2018

 

Glasgow King’s Theatre

26 June 2018 – 7 July 2018

 

Edinburgh Playhouse

10 July 2018 – 14 July 2018

Northern Ballet brings history’s greatest lover to Salford with Casanova

Northern Ballet brings history’s greatest lover to Salford with the
World Première Tour of
Casanova

At The Lowry Wed 3 – Sat 6 May

Northern Ballet is bringing history’s most notorious lover to Salford in May 2017 with its sensual new ballet Casanova. The internationally acclaimed company will transport audiences to 18th century Venice, telling the story of the infamous Italian adventurer in a seductive masquerade of passion and politics. Northern Ballet will perform Casanova at The Lowry in Salford from Wed 3 – Sat 6 May 2017 as part of its World Première Tour.

In Northern Ballet’s Casanova the fiercely intellectual Giacomo Casanova leads a controversial life consumed by his desires. He dabbles in careers as a scam artist, violinist, alchemist and church cleric but with a penchant for gambling and women, his exploits lead him into a whirlwind of scandal and excess resulting in imprisonment and exile. A true story so sensational you won’t believe it’s real.

watch

Casanova will be choreographed by award-winning Kenneth Tindall who was most recently nominated for Best Classical Choreography and the Emerging Artist Award at the 2015 National Dance Awards. In addition to creations for Northern Ballet and other international organisations including John Neumeier’s Bundesjugendballett and English National Ballet’s Emerging Artist Competition, he recently collaborated with celebrated artist Linder Sterling and the British Art Show on Children of the Mantic Stain.

With a stellar creative team, Kenneth Tindall will co-create the scenario with actor, dramatist and historical biographer Ian Kelly, author of the 2008 Sunday Times Biography of the Year Casanova. The production will be set to an original score by modern classical, film and television composer Kerry Muzzey, played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia. Sets and costumes will be designed by Tony and Olivier award winningChristopher Oram, whose recent credits include Hughie for the Booth Theatre, New York and The Winter’s Tale for the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company at the Garrick Theatre. Lighting will be designed byAlastair West whose Northern Ballet credits include Giselle, I Got Rhythm, Jane Eyre and Kenneth Tindall’s Luminous Juncžture and The Architect.

Casanova is the first of an unprecedented three full-length World Premières to be held by Northern Ballet in 2017. It will be followed by the upcoming World Premières of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in May 2017 and The Little Mermaid in September 2017.

ACCLAIMED OTHELLO COMES TO WILTON’S MUSIC HALL

ACCLAIMED OTHELLO COMES TO WILTON’S MUSIC HALL
·         Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory and English Touring Theatre present a contemporary reimagining of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy
·         A modern retelling that focuses on anti-Muslim prejudice and ‘alternative facts’
·         Following a critically-acclaimed run at Bristol’s Tobacco Factory Theatres
·         16 May – 3 June, Wilton’s Music Hall
Wilton’s Music Hall is set to play host to one of Shakespeare’s most startlingly contemporary plays, Othello. A masterful depiction of a life torn apart by racism and the destructive nature of prejudice, this modern retelling takes the timeless tale of love, jealousy and injustice and reimagines it in the present day. Following on from a critically acclaimed run at the renowned Tobacco Factory Theatres in Bristol, Richard Twyman’s urgently relevant production comes to London for a limited run.
“Marvellous production of Othello – one of the best I have seen. It does not impose: it unlocks”
★★★★ The Observer Susannah Clapp

“Riveting…Abraham Popoola and Norah Lopez Holden are outstanding as the doomed lovers”
★★★★ The Guardian Lyn Gardner

“Articulate, dynamic and thrilling”
★★★★ The Stage Jeremy Brien
 
The tale of a Muslim general employed by a western colonial power to lead their army against Turkish invasion, the tragic play sees Othello face the difficulties of assimilating into a society riven by discrimination, fear and mistrust. Manipulated by Iago and his whispered mistruths, this begins to take its toll and his life quickly unravels as he turns on all he holds dear as paranoia and delusion take over.
 
This stellar cast includes two outstanding RADA graduates, Abraham Popoola and Norah Lopez Holden as the ‘electrifying’ fated lovers (★★★★, Female Arts) and Mark Lockyer who ‘plays the dance of nuance that haunts Iago with dazzling deftness’ (★★★★ The Arts Desk) with the ‘wonderful’ Katy Stephens as Emilia (★★★★, What’s On Stage).
Director Richard Twyman says “Othello is one of Shakespeare’s plays that speaks most directly to our world today. This production interrogates one of the burning tensions of our age, the fear of the ‘other’ and the perception that their identity may threaten our own.”

 
Othello
Dates: 16 May – 3 June
Times: 7:30pm and 2:30pm
Prices: £12.50 – £25
 
Box Office: 020 7702 2789

‘The Gap in the Light’ – Engineer Theatre put psychological horror on stage in brand new show

Engineer Theatre Collective presents…
THE GAP IN THE LIGHT
 
·        2-27 May 2017, New Diorama Theatre
·        Brand new show for the producers of Missing & Run
·      Devising company Engineer Theatre Collective turn to psychological horror for latest production
 
Engineer Theatre Collective, who have turned heads and earned critical praise for bringing real-life issues to the stage in verbatim, Lecoq-influenced human dramas, will turn their attention to a brand new genre, psychological horror, with their latest production The Gap in the Light, which premieres at New Diorama in May.

The Gap in the Light tells the story of two climbers making a deep descent into somewhere they don’t belong. What they encounter in the dark feels real, but what they bring back with them, into the light, will change everything.

As we grapple with a changing world – divisive politics, unstoppable climate change, never ending wars – Engineer Theatre Collective explore what it is to be truly afraid. The Gap in the Light traces the nightmares that disturb the sleep of our modern world and asks, how far do we have to fall, and who will catch us when the rope snaps?

 
The show is the third production by Engineer Theatre Collective, whose burgeoning reputation is forged on the ability to bring rich imagination and human drama to seemingly heavy, esoteric real world topics, with 2013’s Missing looking into missing persons investigations and 2015’s Run exploring the world of financial sector internships.
 
The Gap in the Light is a different offering entirely, inspired by classic horror, the show will use a series of inventive production techniques to create a dense, claustrophobic atmosphere which will allow both performers and audience to really get to grips with the nature of fear.
 
Praise for Engineer Theatre Collective:
 
                         “a small but sparkling play” – The New Yorker on Run
 
“A potent piece by a promising company” – Time Out on Run
 
“Intelligent production with fine performances and its finger on the pulse” ✮✮✮✮
The Stage on Run
 
“Engineer’s Missing is an incredibly important piece of theatre at this year’s fringe… There’s something about knowing that the words and emotions on stage are real that heightens everything.” ✮✮✮✮✮ –The Skinny on Missing
LISTINGS
New Diorama Theatre
15-16 Triton Street
 
Regent’s Place
London NW1 3BF
 
BOOKING INFORMATION
 
For the best tickets, book online at www.newdiorama.com
To book by telephone, ring 020 7338 9034
 
THE GAP IN THE LIGHT – Engineer Theatre Collective                                    Tue 2 – Sat 27 May @ 19:30
TICKETS
£15.00; £12.50 Concessions

THE WIPERS TIMES TO TOUR THE UK THIS AUTUMN

CURRENTLY WOWING WEST END AUDIENCES,

IAN HISLOP AND NICK NEWMAN’S SATIRICAL PLAY

THE WIPERS TIMES

TO TOUR THE UK THIS AUTUMN

 

Following a sold-out UK tour in 2016, and a fast-selling limited season in the West End – currently playing until 13 May at the Arts Theatre –the producers of The Wipers Times are pleased to announce that the production will once again tour the UK this autumn.  It will open at the New Theatre Cardiff on 12 September 2017, and visit Oxford, Richmond, Southend, Guildford, Salisbury, Manchester, Cheltenham and Glasgow. Full tour dates at www.wiperstimesplay.co.uk with casting to be announced.

 

Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s The Wipers Times – a stage adaptation of their award-winning BBC film – tells the true and extraordinary story of the satirical newspaper created in the mud and mayhem of the Somme, interspersed with comic sketches and spoofs from the vivid imagination of those on the front line.

 

Ian Hislop and Nick Newman said:

Following an amazing audience and critical reaction in the West End which was almost over the top, Wipers Times is on manoeuvres again around Britain. We look forward to sharing the remarkable trench humour of the Wipers Times with new theatre-goers around the country. We are delighted it is not Journey’s End but the tour will all be over by Christmas.

 

In a bombed out building during the First World War in the Belgian town of Ypres (mispronounced Wipers by British soldiers), two officers discover a printing press and create a newspaper for the troops.

 

Far from being a sombre journal about life in the trenches they produced a resolutely cheerful, subversive and very funny newspaper designed to lift the spirits of the men on the frontline.

 

Defying enemy bombardment, gas attacks and the disapproval of many of the top Brass, The Wipers Times rolled off the press for two years and was an extraordinary tribute to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.

 

The production originally launched one hundred years after the Battle of the Somme and publication of The Wipers Times.

 

The Wipers Times is directed by Caroline Leslie, designed by Dora Schweitzer, with lighting design by James Smith, sound design by Steve Mayo. The composer is Nick Green, and Musical Director Paul Herbert.

 

THE WIPERS TIMES – FULL TOUR DATES

 

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 September                                                                    Cardiff New Theatre

Monday 18 – Saturday 23 September                                                                    Oxford Playhouse

Monday 25 – Saturday 30 September                                                                    Richmond Theatre

Monday 9 – Saturday 14 October                                                                          Palace Theatre, Southend-on-Sea

Monday 16 – Saturday 21 October                                                                        Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

Monday 23 – Saturday 28 October                                                                        Salisbury Playhouse

(Tickets on sale Saturday 13 May)

Tuesday 31 October – Saturday 4 November                                                        Manchester Opera House

Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 November                                                                       Glasgow Theatre Royal

Monday 13 – Saturday 18 November                                                                    Cheltenham Everyman Theatre

 

Take That and David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers announce UK Tour of new musical THE BAND

TAKE THAT AND DAVID PUGH & DAFYDD ROGERS PRESENT

THE NEW MUSICAL

THE BAND

WRITTEN BY TIM FIRTH WITH THE MUSIC OF TAKE THAT

UK TOUR OPENS AT MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

ON 8 SEPTEMBER 2017

 

David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and Take That have announced that the UK Tour of Tim Firth’s new musical, THE BAND, with the music of Take That,  will have a major UK Tour, beginning at Manchester Opera House on 8 September, with a national press night on Tuesday 26 September 2017.

The producers made the announcement yesterday, Sunday 2 April, on stage at the Manchester Apollo (where Take That first performed in 1992), following a rapturous reception to a rehearsed reading of the new musical in front of an audience of invited guests, from fans to friends.

Take That said, “We are incredibly proud and excited that our first production as theatre producers is THE BAND – a musical that we think will touch the hearts of not just our fans, but everyone.”

THE BAND is a new musical about what it’s like to grow up with a boyband.  For five 16 year-old friends in 1992, ‘the band’ is everything.  25 years on, we are reunited with the group of friends, now 40-something women, as they try once more to fulfil their dream of meeting their heroes.

The Band will be played by AJ Bentley, Nick Carsberg, Yazdan Qafouri Isfahani, Curtis T Johns and Sario Watanabe-Soloman, who, as Five to Five, won BBC’s Let It Shine.  Playing the parts of Rachel and Young Rachel will be Rachel Lumberg and Faye Christall respectively.  Further casting is to be announced.

THE BAND will be directed by Kim Gavin and Jack Ryder, designed by Jon Bausor and choreographed by Kim Gavin, with lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, video design by Luke Halls and sound design by Terry Jardine and Nick Lidster.

THE BAND will be produced by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Robbie Williams.

 

Website – www.thebandmusical.com

Twitter – @TheBandMusical

Instagram – BandMusical

Facebook – /TheBandMusical

TOUR SCHEDULE

 

Manchester Opera House

8 September 2017 – 30 September 2017

Sheffield Lyceum Theatre

4 October 2017 – 14 October 2017

Bradford Alhambra Theatre

17 October 2017 – 28 October 2017

Southampton Mayflower Theatre

31 October 2017 – 11 November 2017

Llandudno Venue Cymru

14 November 2017 – 25 November 2017

Stoke Regent Theatre

28 November 2017 – 9 December 2017

Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre

9 January 2018 – 20 January 2018

Liverpool Empire Theatre

23 January 2018 – 3 February 2018

Norwich Theatre Royal

6 February 2018 – 17 February 2018

Canterbury Marlowe Theatre

20 February 2018 – 3 March 2018

Hull New Theatre

6 March 2018 – 17 March 2018

Leeds Grand Theatre

20 March 2018 – 31 March 2018

Newcastle Theatre Royal

3 April 2018 – 14 April 2018

Bristol Hippodrome

17 April 2018 – 28 April 2018

Birmingham Hippodrome

1 May 2018 – 12 May 2018

Plymouth Theatre Royal

15 May 2018 – 26 May 2018

Northampton Royal & Derngate

29 May 2018 – 9 June 2018

Nottingham Theatre Royal

12 June 2018 – 23 June 2018

Glasgow King’s Theatre

26 June 2018 – 7 July 2018

Edinburgh Playhouse

10 July 2018 – 14 July 2018

Oyster Boy Review

York Theatre Royal – 1 April 2017.  Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

Based on The Melancholy Death Of Oyster Boy, a novel written by Tim Burton, Haste Theatre decided to adapt the wacky story line to the stage. Through the use of devising they came out with an oddly sad but hilarious play

Now excuse me if my review is less than detailed, as there was no programme and I had to spend some time researching. The play was set in 1950s America, where dreams can come true for anyone.  It’s the bittersweet tale of ice cream sellers Jim and Alice who fall in love, on the beach. However, their lives are turned upside down by the arrival of their son Sam, born with an oyster shell shaped head!  The play explores the issues Sam faces growing up, we see before his birth and throughout his life. This was an amazing way to explore issues that are controversial as it takes away race and swaps it with something else.

The all female cast of 6 took an abstract approach to an abstract story.  4 of the women worked creating characters with a mainly comical setting; from two doctors who are on the incompetent side, to a pair of twins who becomes Sam’s friends they see through his condition and represent childhood purity.  The other actors played the parents of Sam, One who went to the USA from Italy to make a living and Sam’s mother a plain American gal.  At points the acting was very funny and made me laugh, but at other points it did feel rather flat, and I couldn’t hear some of them speak on stage especially when there was music playing.

I left the theatre very bewildered as its not something you see every day and it was hard to process. The style was very interesting to watch as it relied a lot on the actors with skills that you don’t always use in normal commercial theatre, I loved the story as it was a great way to explore the issues. If you can I would say go and see the show, as it’s important to expose yourself to the wacky and bizarre, and it was good to watch the set of actresses bring this story to life