Casting Announced for UK Tour of BEAUTIFUL

BRONTÉ BARBÉ TO PLAY CAROLE KING
 
IN THE UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF THE
OLIVIER, TONY AND GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING
 
BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL
 
PRESENTED BY PAUL BLAKE, SONY/ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING AND MIKE BOSNER
IN ASSOCIATION WITH MICHAEL HARRISON
 
OPENING AT THE BRADFORD ALHAMBRA
ON 9 SEPTEMBER 2017
 
 
Paul Blake, Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Mike Bosner in association with Michael Harrison are delighted to announce that Bronté Barbé will play ‘Carole King’ in the UK and Ireland tour of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. Bronté will be joined by Kane Oliver Parry as King’s husband and song-writing partner ‘Gerry Goffin’, Amy Ellen Richardson as song-writer ‘Cynthia Weil’,Matthew Gonsalves as song-writer ‘Barry Mann’, Carol Royle as King’s mother ‘Genie Klein’ and Adam Howden as music publisher and producer ‘Donnie Kirshner’. At certain performances, ‘Carole King’ will be played by Leigh LothianBEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL opens at the Bradford Alhambra onSaturday 9 September 2017
 
Bronté Barbé was a finalist in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s BBC1 television series “Over The Rainbow” in 2010. Since then she has appeared on stage in both London’s West End and around the UK. Previous credits include “Cool Rider” in the West End and ‘Princess Fiona’ in the UK Tour of “Shrek -The Musical”. She most recently starred in “The Wild Party” at The Other Palace.
 
Kane Oliver Parry has starred in “Carousel” and “Sweeney Todd” at London’s Coliseum. West End credits include “Wicked” and “Urinetown”. Kane also appeared in “The Light Princess” at the National Theatre and the International Arena Tour of “We Will Rock You”.
 
Amy Ellen Richardson’s West End theatre credits include “Merrily We Roll Along”, “Crazy For You” and “Les Misérables”. After appearing in the UK Tour of “Singin’ in the Rain”, Amy recently reprised the role of Kathy Selden in Tokyo at Theatre Orb.
 
Matthew Gonsalves is currently appearing in the West End production of “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical”. His other theatre credits include “Dirty Dancing” and “Dreamboats and Petticoats” both on UK Tour. Matthew has also been a singer and vocal arranger for artists including Florence and the Machine, Westlife, Will Young, Leona Lewis, and Barry Manilow.
 
Carol Royle’s theatre credits include “Moonlight” at the Donmar and the UK Tour of “An Ideal Husband”. Carole has also appeared in many television series including “Crossroads”, “Casualty”, “Doctors” and “Life Without George”.
 
Adam Howden’s previous theatre credits include Offie nominated “The Talented Mr Ripley”, “Romeo & Juliet”, “Richard III” and “Spring Awakening”. Television credits include “Doctors”, “The Interns”, “Whitechapel”, “New Tricks” and “Holby City”.
 
Leigh Lothian is currently appearing in “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical” at the Aldwych Theatre. Her other West End credits include “Chariots of Fire” at the Gielgud Theatre. Leigh has also appeared in “The Beautiful Game” at the Union Theatre and “Avenue Q” and “Kiss Me, Kate”, both at the Gatehouse Theatre.
 
The cast is completed by Merryl Ansah, Lauren Byrne, Matt Campbell, Khalid Daley, Jessica Joslin, Esme Laudat, Emma Lucia, Grant McConvey, Jacob McIntosh, Paige Miller, Matt Mills,  Simeon Montague, Ben Morris, David O’Mahony and Saran Webb.
 
BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation, including one of the best-selling albums of all time, Tapestry, and countless classics such as (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Take Good Care of My Baby, You’ve Got a Friend, So Far Away, It Might as Well Rain Until September, Up on the Roof andThe Locomotion. The show also includes the Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann hit songs You’ve Lost that Lovin Feeling, On Broadway and We Gotta Get out of This Place.
 
BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL is based on the early life and career of legendary singer/songwriter Carole King. It has a book by Douglas McGrath with words and music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
 
 
BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL – UK AND IRELAND TOUR 2017/2018
www.beautifulmusical.co.uk/tour
 
2017
 
SATURDAY 9 – SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER
BRADFORD ALHAMBRA www.bradford-theatres.co.uk
 
TUESDAY 19 – SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER
THEATRE ROYAL, PLYMOUTH www.theatreroyal.com
 
TUESDAY 26 – SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER
MAYFLOWER SOUTHAMPTON www.mayflower.org.uk
 
TUESDAY 3 – SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER
NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
 
TUESDAY 10 – SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER
SOUTHEND CLIFF’S PAVILION www.southendtheatres.org.uk
 
TUESDAY 17 – SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER
NOTTINGHAM THEATRE ROYAL www.trch.co.uk
 
TUESDAY 24 – SATURDAY 28 OCTOBER
GRAND OPERA HOUSE, BELFAST  www.goh.co.uk 

MONDAY 30 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER
WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF www.wmc.org.uk
 
TUESDAY 7 – SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER
BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME  www.birminghamhippodrome.com
 
TUESDAY 14 – SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER
NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL www.theatreroyal.co.uk
 
TUESDAY 21 – SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER
HULL NEW THEATRE 
www.hulltheatres.co.uk
 
TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 2 DECEMBER
 
2018
 
TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2017 – SATURDAY 6 JANUARY 2018
 
TUESDAY 9 – SATURDAY 20 JANUARY
BORD GAIS ENERGY THEATRE, DUBLIN www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie
 
TUESDAY 23 – SATURDAY 27 JANUARY
HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE, ABERDEEN www.aberdeenperformingarts.com
 
TUESDAY 6 – SATURDAY 10 FEBRUARY
SHEFFIELD LYCEUM www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
 
TUESDAY 13 – SATURDAY 17 FEBRUARY
 
TUESDAY 20 – SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY
 
TUESDAY 27 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 3 MARCH
 
TUESDAY 6 – SATURDAY 10 MARCH
 
TUESDAY 27 – 31 MARCH
MARLOWE THEATRE, CANTERBURY www.marlowetheatre.com
 
TUESDAY 3 – SATURDAY 7 APRIL
 
TUESDAY 24 – SATURDAY 28 APRIL
REGENT’S THEATRE STOKE-ON-TRENT – www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre
 
TUESDAY 8 – SATURDAY 12 MAY
 
TUESDAY 5 – SATURDAY 9 JUNE
DARTFORD ORCHARD THEATRE www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
 
FURTHER DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

COMEDY AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE AND CITY VARIETIES

COMEDY AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE AND CITY VARIETIES

 

** JOE PASQUALE ** ANDY PARSONS ** PHIL JUPITUS** JON RICHARDSON** DARA Ó BRIAIN

 

In-keeping with their history as reputable comedy venues, Leeds Grand Theatre and City Varieties Music Hall (CVMH) bring several notable names to Leeds in September and announce two new acts for 2018.

September 2017 at CVMH will see Joe Pasquale take to the stage on Saturday the 2nd in his one-man show, The Devil in Disguise, that apparently ‘defies description’. Andy Parsons urges people to put on their lucky pants and party shoes, and get out for the night to see his show, Peak Bullsh*t, on Wednesday 20th, and comedian, poet, improviser and TV stalwart Phill Jupitus, will entertain crowds with tales, laughs and diversions on Thursday 28th. Audiences are encouraged to watch in delight and/or horror as the experienced funny man drags laughs out of the chaos of his own life and the uncertain world that surrounds it in Juplicity.

2018 will see comedy giants Jon Richardson and Dara Ó Briain take to the Leeds Grand Theatre stage.

Jon Richardson, British Comedy Award nominee and star of Live At The Apollo and 8 Out Of 10 Cats, is embarking on a nationwide tour to complain about the state of the world and offer no solutions. Since Jon’s last show he has become a husband and father, seen the UK vote to leave the EU and watched the rise of Donald Trump, all of which leaves him asking one question, why does it seem that no one else alive can correctly load a dishwasher?

 

Jon will be appearing at Leeds Grand Theatre in The Old Man on Sunday 8th April 2018. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday 2nd August 2017.

 

Dara is one of the most recognisable faces on British TV as host of the hugely successful Mock The Week, Star Gazing Live, Robotwars and Go8Bit. Catch one of the most charismatic, intelligent, fast-talking and downright funny live performers On Sunday 6th and Monday 7th May 2018 in his new stand-up show, Voice of Reason. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday 2nd August 2017.

For more information about all shows, comedy or otherwise, at Leeds Grand Theatre and City Varieties Music Hall visit leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700 / cityvarieties.co.uk or call Box Office on 0113 243 08 08.

Deena Payne and George Sampson star in Tim Firth’s Our House

DEENA PAYNE AND GEORGE SAMPSON STAR IN TIM FIRTH’S OUR HOUSE

 

Tim Firth’s Olivier Award winning production of Our House, featuring the music of Madness, visits the Lyceum Theatre from Monday 14 – Saturday 19 August starring Emmerdale’s Deena Payne and Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson.

Our House tells the story of Joe on the night of his 16th birthday when takes the girl of his dreams, Sarah, out on their first date.

In an effort to impress her with bravado, Joe breaks into a building site overlooking his home on Casey Street. When the police turn up, a split-second decision forces him to choose between himself and his heart as the story splits in two: one which sees Joe stay to face the music, and the other which sees him flee and leave Sarah to run from the police. As two very different paths unfold before him, the consequences of that choice will change his life forever.

George Sampson plays the local bad boy Reecey. Having won the second series of Britain’s Got Talent with his rendition of Singin’ In The Rain, George has gone on to star in films Street Dance 2and Street Dance 3D and the television series’ Waterloo RoadMount Pleasant and Emmerdale. He made his stage debut in Into The Hoods.

Deena Payne plays Kath Casey.  Deena is best known for her portrayal of Viv Windsor in ITV’sEmmerdale, a role which she played for 18 years. On stage she has previously appeared in Tim Firth’s Calendar Girls (UK Tour) and the original West End production of They’re Playing Our Song.

Set to a score of Madness hits including It Must Be LoveHouse of FunBaggy Trousers and Our House, this hilarious, high energy musical will have you singing and dancing in the aisles… welcome to the house of fun!

Our House comes to the Lyceum Theatre from Monday 14 – Saturday 19 August. 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 £14.00.

Sergei Polunin Presents Project Polunin at London Coliseum this December

RENOWNED BALLET STAR

SERGEI POLUNIN PRESENTS

PROJECT POLUNIN

AT THE LONDON COLISEUM

FROM 5 DECEMBER 2017

PUBLIC ON SALE 10:00 WEDNESDAY 2 AUGUST 2017

Ukrainian ballet star Sergei Polunin’s company, Project Polunin, will present a mixed programme of new and revived work at the London Coliseum from 5 to 10 December 2017.  The programme will feature an international cast and creative team, including Polunin himself.  Full casting and details of the programme are to be announced later this year.

At 19, Sergei Polunin was the youngest ever dancer to become a Principal with The Royal Ballet. After four years in the company, he went on to perform in Russia with the Stanislavsky Theatre and Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre.  Earlier this year, Sergei’s story was made the subject of documentary feature film Dancer produced by Gabrielle Tana.  The documentary is book-ended with Sergei’s Take Me To Churchvideo, directed by David LaChapelle, which has now amassed nearly 20 million views.  Later this year, Sergei will be seen in the new Kenneth Branagh film adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express, due for release in November.

With Project Polunin, Sergei aims to create new dance and ballet works for both stage and film, through the collaboration between dancers, contemporary artists, musicians and choreographers from all creative backgrounds.  Project Polunin will strive to make dance accessible to people of all ages and incomes, and to inspire, nurture and support young people to be more creative.  

Project Polunin is produced in collaboration with David Banks and Gabrielle Tana.


Website: https://londoncoliseum.org/projectpolunin

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sergeipolunin.dancer

Twitter: @SergeiPolunin_

LISTINGS INFORMATION

5 – 10 December 2017

 

London Coliseum

St Martin’s Lane

London

WC2N 4ES

Performances:  Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pmSaturday & Sunday at 2.30pm

Tickets:  from £12.00 (subject to booking fees)

Box Office:  020 7845 9300

Coming Clean Review

King’s Head Theatre 28 July – 26 August.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

The 35th anniversary production of Kevin Elyot’s first play is a triumph. Even before the action starts, Amanda Mascarenhas’s brilliantly authentic set design whisks you back to the 1980s. Older members of the audience were reminiscing about the magazines and albums on view, and I got a bit miffed at Santa all over again when I saw the amazing Walkman that never turned up on Christmas morning.

It is 1982, and Tony and Greg live together in Kentish Town. They have been together for five years, and have an open relationship, with the unspoken rule that they don’t sleep with the same man twice. When Tony hires actor Robert as a cleaner, their relationship is put to the test.

Replace the discos and bars where Tony and William go cruising with modern social media, and Coming Clean is still topical, with the sexuality of the characters irrelevant to the emotional core of the story. Fidelity and monogamy, love or sexual gratification, domestic bliss or exciting and possibly dangerous encounters – what choices and compromises would you make in the name of love? Elyot’s writing still feels fresh, and even the darkest moments in the play are shot through with wit and warmth.

Adam Spreadbury-Maher’s direction is spot on, with superb sound and light design choices, and brings out the best from a fine cast, with superb timing and chemistry – especially between best mates Tony and William. Lee Knight’s Tony and Elliot Hadley’s William are every girl’s dream GBFs, with Knight keeping Tony likeable and strong despite the hairspray and occasional histrionics in a fine performance. Hadley steals the show as William, revelling in the flirtatious and outrageous role, but allowing the underlying vulnerability to trickle through. Tom Lambert, making his London debut, is suitably wide eyed and seemingly innocent as Robert, and Jason Nwoga is imposing in the difficult role of Greg. At first it is very unclear what Tony sees in the gruff Greg, but Nwoga reveals his softer, almost paternal side with consummate skill.

Coming Clean just works on every level – a fascinating story about relationships with superb writing and acting in a brilliant production that will enthral audiences, whatever their age, gender or sexuality.

My Mind Is Free Review

Waterloo East Theatre 27 July and Venue 405, Edinburgh 7 – 18 August.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Human trafficking is big business, with estimates of 20,000 people a year being trafficked in the UK. Rah Rah Theatre Company’s My Mind Is Free aims to highlight the plight of victims through stories that will make you realise that they could be working in plain sight, in your neighbourhood.

Four people are travelling, hidden, in the back of a van. They don’t know each other, and they don’t know where they are going, or what will happen when they get there. One by one, they tell their story to the audience, each of them having travelled very different paths to get in the van. Beatritz (Emma Miller), a Brazilian mother from the favelas, who signed up with an agency to work as a cleaner in London in order to raise enough money to allow her son a future other than joining a gang; Giang (Mark Ota), a Vietnamese boy whose family’s lives are threatened if he does not work for a gang growing cannabis in the UK; Violeta (Amy Balmforth), a Romanian teenager whose devotion to her seedy boyfriend has led to her being sold to any man who wants her; and Colin (David Sayers), a homeless army veteran suffering from PTSD.

The characters’ stories unfold gently at first, with increasing physical theatre and rising tempo as their jeopardy grows. This is especially effective in Giang’s story, as he runs back to the gang, away from a safe and happy foster home, in fear of the repercussions for his family in Vietnam. Colin’s story is the most harrowing, recreating the IED explosion in Afghanistan where he is trapped watching his friends die around him. His PTSD is portrayed by the rest of the cast flopping limply to the floor around him as he speaks to them – the only thing that stops him thinking about, and seeing, the dead is drink.

Some of the characters’ choices seem naïve on the surface, but their motivations are all believable, and their actions ARE credible if you imagine yourself in their predicament. Violeta’s continuing devotion to her groomer boyfriend, despite all he’d put her through, caused a lot of discussion after the show, but when only one person in your life has shown you what you think is love, a whole lot of therapy is needed to convince you that it’s a toxic relationship.

Jude Spooner’s astute direction keeps the play from straying into melodrama and preaching. This is a worthy production, about a dreadful issue that needs to be tackled, but it is still highly entertaining – admittedly not a laugh a minute, but a thought-provoking, sobering and stimulating evening’s entertainment.

Darlington Hippodrome announces a grand opening season

Darlington Hippodrome unveils a packed spectacular opening season following a multi-million pound restoration.

Following 18 months of expectation the opening season of the newly restored Darlington Hippodrome can finally be revealed. As a curtain-raiser and emotional homecoming we welcome DarlingtonOS with Strictly Musicals 2 – a song and dance extravaganza featuring some of the best-loved musicals of all time including Mamma Mia, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Jersey Boys and many, many more. Be one of the first to see inside the new venue from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 November.

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a pantomime, and this year we have the fairest of them all – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Starring boy band and soap star Lee Ryan alongside Darlington’s own West End leading lady Zoe Birkett this year’s pantomime will be packed full of comedy, songs, dance numbers and the usual Darlington pantomime magic between Saturday 9 December and Sunday 14 January.

On Monday 1 January, we usher in the New Year in style with New Year in Vienna 2018 which will whisk you away to a fairy-tale world as a host of singers showcase the very best of popular Viennese music, from waltzes and polkas to uplifting marches.

Just because it’s January it doesn’t mean it’s too late for a party! The music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is as popular today as it was back in the 60s and 70s. New Jersey Nights is a spectacular show direct from the USA and takes the audience on a nostalgic musical journey through the career of one of the biggest selling groups of all time from Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 January.

From Friday 2 to Sunday 4 February celebrate the re-opening of Darlington Hippodrome with a specially created show, Anywhere, performed by the theatre’s own acting company. Step through the doors of the theatre and go behind the scenes to explore the amazing stories that lie within the theatre.

A spectacular new musical is heading to Darlington from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 February. Son of a Preacher Man is an all-new production directed and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood who won critical acclaim for his productions of Sister Act, Chess and Sunset Boulevard. This sparklingly funny and touching new musical features the greatest hits of Dusty Springfield including ‘The Look of Love’, ‘I Only Want To Be With You’ and of course, the classic ‘Son Of A Preacher Man’.

If you are a fan of Andy Williams or The Osmonds then we have a real treat on Monday 12 February as Jimmy Osmond presents his own tribute to Andy Williams in Moon River and Me. Featuring award-winning music, nostalgic footage and special memories, this brand new show will touch your heart.

Just in time for Valentines, That’ll Be The Day returns with a brand new show for 2018 for two nights only on Tuesday 13 & Wednesday 14 February. This hugely entertaining line-up of classic gold hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s provides both laughs and nostalgia.

We are delighted to welcome The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia back to Darlington with three great ballet masterpieces: Romeo & Juliet (Thursday 15 Feb), the tragic Swan Lake (Friday 16 and Saturday 17 Feb) and family favourite The Nutcracker (Sunday 18 Feb).

Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as the multi award winning Blood Brothers (Tuesday 20 – Saturday 4 February). Written by Willy Russell, this legendary story tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks only to meet again with fateful consequences. The superb score includes ‘Bright New Day’, ‘Marilyn Monroe’ and the emotionally charged ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’.

Having first appeared in Darlington back in the 1960s we welcome back the world class orchestra The Hallé on Monday 26 February.

March strides in with the stage adaptation of Awful Auntie – another classic from David Walliams. When Stella visits London she has no idea her life is in real danger. Waking up three months later only Aunt Alberta can tell her what has happened. Awful Auntie runs from Tuesday 27 February to Saturday 3 March.

The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society is back with their multi award-winning production The Play That Goes Wrong from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 March. Hailed a ‘gut-busting hit’ by the New York Times, Mischief Theatre’s sell-out West End comedy is now taking Broadway by storm. Don’t miss this brilliantly funny comedy that’s guaranteed to leave you aching with laughter.

Following recent productions of To Sir, With Love, Brassed Off, A View From The Bridge, Brave New World and Of Mice and Men, The Touring Consortium Theatre Company presents Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde from Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 March. Phil Daniels (Les Miserables, This House, EastEnders) stars in the title role in a story of human nature, love and the power of pure evil.

On Monday 19 March the world’s official number one Eagles tribute Illegal Eagles returns for another outstanding show promising more of their trademark musical prowess, acute attention to detail and incredible showmanship followed on Tuesday 20 March by a night of comedy with Stewart Lee with his stand-up show Content Provider, his first full-length show since the award-winning Carpet Remnant World.

Ellen Kent returns with Madama Butterfly on Wednesday 21 March and the smash-hit 70s band Smokie will raise the roof on Thursday 22 March. For the younger theatre fans Peppa Pig has a wonderful adventure on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 March. The opening season draws to a close as Middleground Theatre Company bring the Ruth Rendell classic Gallowglass to the stage from Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 March.

Tickets for the Darlington Hippodrome opening season are on sale now; brochures are available from our Cornmill box office and in venues across the region.

For further information and to book contact the box office on 01325 405405, or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk to choose your own seats online.

 

Bush Theatre announces casting for Autumn productions

CASTING ANNOUNCED TODAY FOR OF KITH AND KIN AND RAMONA TELLS JIM

  • Casting is announced today for two new plays as part of the Bush Theatre’s Autumn Winter season by Sophie Wu (Ramona Tells Jim) and Chris Thompson (Of Kith and Kin)

Ramona Tells Jim
Written by Sophie Wu
Directed by Mel Hillyard
Designed by Lucy Sierra

Cast includes: Ruby Bentall (Ramona), Joe Bannister (Jim) and Amy Lennox (Pocahontas).

Bush Theatre Studio
20 September – 21 October 2017

It’s 1998. Ramona, of Englandshire, is 15 and she’s totally cool. Honestly. She’s completely cool.

On a wet, midge-riddles geography field trip she meets Jim, a local laddie wearing an anti-pill fleece. He’s obsessed with hermit crabs, rock erosion and making homemade Irn-Bru cocktails.

Deep in the Scottish Highlands, Ramona falls for Jimmy’s awkward charm but gets caught in a scandal that will haunt them both for years to come.

Fast forward fifteen years and Jim, of the shittest village in Scotland, has got a girlfriend and something like a functional life. But Ramona still can’t shake the consequences of that fateful trip. Determined to clear her conscience, she heads back to the Highlands to find that neither her nor Jim’s lives have turned out how they had planned.

Ramona Tells Jim is a darkly comic play about confession and the gravity of young love, from Bush Theatre Emerging Writers’ Group graduate and actor Sophie Wu (Kick AssWild Child), directed by Mel Hillyard and designed by Lucy Sierra.

Supported by Peter Wolff Theatre Trust.

A Bush Theatre and Sheffield Theatres co-production
Of Kith and Kin
Written by Chris Thompson
Directed by Robert Hastie
Designed by James Perkins

Cast includes: Joanna Bacon (Lydia and Carrie), Donna Berlin (Arabelle), James Lance (Daniel), Chetna Pandya (Priya) and Joshua Silver (Oliver).

Sheffield Theatres
14 September – 7 October
Press Night 19 September, 7.45pm

Bush Theatre
18 October – 25 November 2017

Daniel and Oliver are about to have their first baby. With their best friend, Priya, acting as surrogate, they’ve turned the study into a nursery and the bottles are sterilised. All that’s missing is the bundle of joy they’ve been pining for.

But when Daniel’s chaotic mother gatecrashes the baby shower with a few home truths, the cracks in Daniel and Oliver’s relationship begin to show. Are they as ready for this as they think they are? And more importantly, is Priya?

Sheffield Theatres Artistic Director Robert Hastie (Julius CaesarMy Night With Reg) directs this gripping new comedy by Chris Thompson (Albion).  The pair previously collaborated onCarthage at the Finborough Theatre.  Of Kith and Kin will be designed by James Perkins, with lighting by Prema Mehta, sound by Ella Wahlström and casting by Vicky Richardson.

Of Kith and Kin opens at Sheffield Studio Theatre on 15 September with a press night on 19 September.

Casting update for Of Kith and Kin, Desire Under the Elms and Uncle Vanya – as part of Robert Hastie’s inaugural season as Artistic Director

CASTING UPDATE FOR OF KITH AND KIN, DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS AND UNCLE VANYA – AS PART OF ROBERT HASTIE’S INAUGURAL SEASON AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres Robert Hastie today announces casting for three productions in his inaugural season – Of Kith and KinDesire Under the Elms and Uncle Vanya.

 

Hastie renews his collaboration with playwright Chris Thompson for the world première of Of Kith and Kin – they previously worked together on Thompson’s first full length play Carthage at the Finborough Theatre. Of Kith and Kin is a co-production with the Bush Theatre, and the production will run there after performances at Sheffield Theatres. Hastie directs Joanna Bacon (Lydia and Carrie), Donna Berlin (Arabelle), James Lance (Daniel), Chetna Pandya (Priya) and Joshua Silver (Oliver).

 

Director Sam Yates makes his Sheffield Theatres debut with Eugene O’Neill’s Desire Under the Elms. He directs a cast including Me’sha Bryan (Young Girl), Emma Darlow (Fiddler), Aoife Duffin(Abbie), Matthew Kelly (Ephraim), Theo Ogundipe (Peter), Sule Rimi (Simeon) and Michael Shea(Eben).

 

Tamara Harvey returns to Sheffield Theatres to direct Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya in a new version byPeter Gill. This is a co-production with Theatr Clwyd where Harvey is Artistic Director and will open in Wales ahead of its run in Sheffield. She directs Jamie Ballard (Vanya), alongside Robert Blythe(Telyegin), Oliver Dimsdale (Astrov), Sharon Morgan (Mariya), Sian Owens (Worker), Shanaya Rafaat (Elena), Veronica Roberts (Marina), Rosie Sheehy (Sonia) and Martin Turner (Serebryak).

Studio

World Première

A Sheffield Theatres & Bush Theatre co-production

Of Kith and Kin

By Chris Thompson

Thu 14 September – Sat 7 October

Press night: Tue 19 September at 7.45pm

Cast: Joanna Bacon (Lydia and Carrie), Donna Berlin (Arabelle), James Lance (Daniel), Chetna Pandya (Priya), Joshua Silver (Oliver)

Directed by Robert Hastie; Designed by James Perkins; Lighting Design by Prema Mehta

Sound Design by Ella Wahlström; Casting by Vicky Richardson

‘He can’t call you both Dad. One of you should be Dad and the other one Daddy, surely?’

You can choose your friends… Chris Thompson’s gripping new dark comedy takes us to the heart of what happens when we choose our family too.


Crucible

Desire Under the Elms

By Eugene O’Neill

Wed 20 September – Sat 14 October

Press night: Mon 25 September at 7.00pm

Cast includes: Me’sha Bryan (Young Girl), Emma Darlow (Fiddler), Aoife Duffin (Abbie Putnam),Matthew Kelly (Ephraim), Theo Ogundipe (Peter), Sule Rimi (Simeon), Michael Shea (Eben),

Directed by Sam Yates; Designed by Chiara Stephenson; Lighting Design by Jon Clark

Composer Alex Baranowski; Sound Design by Nick Greenhill; Video Design by Luke Halls;

Movement by Kim Brandstrup; Casting by Vicky Richardson

‘If I could, in my dyin’ hour, I’d set it afire an’ watch it burn…’

Ephraim Cabot’s sons work from morning till night, believing his farm will one day be theirs. But everything changes when the old man returns from town with a new wife. This haunting and erotic tragedy is one of the great American plays from Nobel Prize-winning playwright Eugene O’Neill.

Studio Theatre

A Sheffield Theatres & Theatr Clwyd co-production

Anton Chekhov’s

Uncle Vanya

in a new version by Peter Gill
Wed 18 October – Sat 4 November
Press night: Thu 19 October

Cast: Jamie Ballard (Vanya), Robert Blythe (Telyegin), Oliver Dimsdale (Astrov),

Sharon Morgan (Mariya), Sian Owens (The Worker), Shanaya Rafaat (Elena), Veronica Roberts(Marina), Rosie Sheehy (Sonia), Martin Turner (Serebryak)

Directed by Tamara Harvey; Design by Lucy Osborne; Lighting Design by Ric Mountjoy

Sound Design and Music by Jared Zeus; Casting by Stuart Burt CDG

‘My life has gone completely off course…’ 

 To what, and to whom, do we devote our lives? And what happens when we ask, was it worth it?

Kelsey Grammer to star in the London Premiere of BIG FISH THE MUSICAL

LONDON PREMIERE

 

KELSEY GRAMMER

TO STAR AS ‘EDWARD BLOOM’

IN A NEW PRODUCTION OF
JOHN AUGUST AND ANDREW LIPPA’S
BIG FISH

THE MUSICAL

DIRECTED BY NIGEL HARMAN

AT

THE OTHER PALACE

FROM WEDNESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2017

TO SUNDAY 31 DECEMBER 2017

 

TICKETS ON SALE 31 JULY 2017

Kelsey Grammer will star as ‘Edward Bloom’ in a new production of John August and Andrew Lippa’s BIG FISH THE MUSICAL. Based on the novel BIG FISH by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Pictures film screenplay by John August, this new production will be the London premiere of the musical and also marks Kelsey’s first time on the London stage.

Directed by Nigel HarmanBIG FISH THE MUSICAL will play at The Other Palace from Wednesday 1 November 2017 – Sunday 31 December 2017, with a Press Night on Tuesday 7 November and a Gala Night on Wednesday 8 November. Tickets on sale 31 July 2017.

The Other Palace opened in February 2017 as a home for musical theatre. Discovering, developing and reimagining musicals is at the heart of what The Other Palace is about. The spaces are used to nurture the next generation of musicals, and the creatives behind them; celebrating the very best of the art form, from the established to the brand new.

Kelsey Grammer played the role of Dr. Frasier Crane in the NBC sitcoms “Cheers” and “Frasier” for which he has won five Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe awards. In 2010 Kelsey made his Broadway musical debut playing the lead role of ‘Georges’ in “La Cage Aux Folles”, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. He also originated the roles of ‘Charles Frohman’ and ‘Captain Hook’ in the Broadway premiere of the musical “Finding Neverland”.

BIG FISH THE MUSICAL will be directed by Nigel Harman, director of the upcoming tour of “Shrek The Musical” and perhaps better known to audiences for his stage and TV work as an actor. Nigel first met with writers John and Andrew in 2016 and the vision and creativity they shared for this new version was evident.  Nigel said When I first encountered the piece I was struck by its depth of humanity and it’s zest for life.  A story that celebrates life in all of its wonders and despairs. A simple tale told in the most extraordinary way. It has been wonderful to revisit the music, book and lyrics with John and Andrew”

Joining Kelsey Grammer will be Matt Seadon-Young (Les Misérables, Beautiful, Pride) as ‘Will Bloom’, Frances McNamee (Little Shop of Horrors) as ‘Josephine Bloom’, Forbes Masson (Travesties, Dr.Faustus) as ‘Amos/Don’, Jamie Muscato (Lazarus, Bend it Like Beckham)as ‘Edward’, Laura Baldwin (Shrek, Alice in Wonderland) as ‘Sandra’,  Landi Oshinowo (Shrek, Sister Act) as ‘Witch/Jenny Hill’, Dean Nolan (Fiddler on the Roof) as ‘Karl’, and George Ure (Sweeney Todd, Wicked) as ‘Zaki’. They are joined by Sophie Linder-Lee (The Rocky Horror Show, Wicked), Gemma McMeel (Titanic and Candide) and Jonathan Stewart (Guys and Dolls).

Meet Edward Bloom, an ordinary man, and an extraordinary father. He has always told his son tall tales filled with beauty, love and imagination but when his son confronts him about what is make believe, they both discover that the truth is more wonderful than fiction.

BIG FISH THE MUSICAL is a love story that will take you on an exhilarating and heart-warming journey deep into the heart of what it means to be human. Blending fairy-tale, romance and adventure it celebrates the true meaning of life, and reminds us that the love for our family and friends will live on within them, long after we have gone.

Adapted from the much-loved book by Daniel Wallace and Tim Burton movie, BIG FISH THE MUSICAL has a beautiful score by Tony nominee Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, The Wild Party) and a new book by John August (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).

BIG FISH THE MUSICAL will be presented at The Other Palace by Big Fish Productions, Selladoor Worldwide and Baiyue Culture Creative with associate producers Dominic May and Underbelly Productions.

Originally produced on Broadway by Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen and Stage Entertainment with Roy Furman, Broadway Across America/Rich Entertainment Group, John Domo, The Nederlander Organization and Edward Walson in association with CJ E&M, Dancing Elephant Productions, Parrothead Productions, Harvey Weinstein/Carole L. Haber, Peter May/Jim Fantaci, Ted Liebowitz/Joe Piacentile and Columbia Pictures.

LISTINGS

BIG FISH THE MUSICAL – Wednesday 1 November – Saturday 31 December 2017

 

www.theotherpalace.co.uk

Box Office 020 7087 7900

Twitter and Facebook @londonbigfish

Instagram @londonbigfish

THE OTHER PALACE

12 Palace Street, Westminster, London, SW1E 5JA

 

PREVIEWS

Wednesday 1 November        7.30pm

Thursday 2 November             7.30pm

Friday 3 November                  7.30pm

Saturday 4 November             7.30pm

Monday 6 November              7.30pm

FROM THURSDAY 9 NOVEMBER TO SUNDAY 24 DECEMBER

Performance Times      Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm and Sunday at 3.00pm (excluding Sunday 12 November).

FROM WEDNESDAY 27 DECEMBER

Wednesday 27 December      2.30pm             7.30pm

Thursday 28 December                                      7.30pm

Friday 29 December                2.30pm             7.30pm

Saturday 30 December           2.30pm             7.30pm

Sunday 31 December             2.30pm