Month: July 2017

Summer Festival 2017 at The Other Palace

BACHARACH and SATER’s SOME LOVERS

+ West End stars join FPTS shows & concerts

Ben Richards, Carolyn Maitland, Oliver Tompsett, Shona White, Miranda Wilford

 

Ben Richards returns to musical theatre in the premiere of Burt Bacharach and Steven Sater‘s SOME LOVERS – the head line show for Aria Entertainment’s From Page To Stage (FPTS) Summer Festival at The Other Palace. With just 12 performances, the seats will be some of the hottest musical theatre tickets in Town this summer (Thursday 24 August – 2 September 2017)!

SOME LOVERS is the new musical from Tony and Grammy Award winning writer Steven Sater (Spring Awakening), and Academy Award, Grammy Award winning pop legend Burt Bacharach – his first score for the theatre since 1968’s Promises Promises. A valentine to New York SOME LOVERS is a contemporary parable about the gifts we give one another — a love story, set over twenty years.

Four actors play two characters, Ben and Molly, caught between the present and past. Ben will be played by Ben Richards (The Bodyguard, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert – West End, Footballers’ Wives, Hollyoaks); Molly by Gemma Wardle (Betty Blue Eyes – West End, Eponine in Les Miserables – West End); Young Molly is Jenna Innes (Charlotte Donne in Animus – The Bridewell Theatre); and making his professional debut as Young Ben is Aaron Kavanagh who graduates from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland this month (July 2017.)

Steven Sater says: “Burt and I came to recognise how distinct our love songs were from those ubiquitous pop anthems of young love. Our love songs seemed invariably to express a sort of disaffection, a disappointment, a dark joy, or the renewed determination of a more mature, mid-relationship romance. What if we revisited that Depression-Era classic story, The Gift of the Magi? What became of those young Christmas lovers, twenty years after their happily ever after? And that was the beginning of SOME LOVERS.”

Burt Bacharach says: “Writing songs with Steven has been a different process for me because most of the time it’s the lyrics that come first and then I set them to music. Steven is a very musical lyric writer and it is always a pleasure to take his lyrics with consummate ease and set them and feel very good about the result.”

The creative team for SOME LOVERS: Director – Katherine Hare (Co-founder of Triptic, Resident Dir Sunny Afternoon – West End); MD – Jordan Li-Smith (Ragtime – Charing Cross Theatre); Choreographer – Philip Thomas (Tick Tick Boom! – Park Theatre); Designer – Nik Corrall (Tick Tick Boom! – Park Theatre, Ass Designer Marlowe Theatre); Lighting Designer – James Smith (Ass LD Wind In The Willows – London Palladium); Sound Designer – Chris Bogg (Yank! The Musical – Charing Cross Theatre.) SOME LOVERS is produced in association with SENBLA.

Also confirmed is a terrific cast of West End performers for You Know How To Love Me – A Charles Miller Celebration including: Carolyn Maitland (Ghost, Miss Saigon), Oliver Tompsett (Guys & Dolls, We Will Rock You, Wicked), Shona White (Mamma Mia, Wicked) and Miranda Wilford (Remembering Fred, Thriller Live!) in the Studio (18/08–19/08.) MD/Piano – David Randall and Cello – Sarah Bowler. Co-producer Guy James.

Aria Entertainment’s From Page To Stage (FPTS) – a ground breaking International Summer Musical Festival for new musicals at the start of their musical theatre life, runs for three weeks at The Other Palace from MONDAY 14 AUGUST to SUNDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2017.

FPTS Summer Festival: Monday 14 August – Sunday 3 September 2017.

The Other Palace – 12 Palace Street, Westminster, London SW1E 5JA.

Ticket prices from £7.50 – £20. (SOME LOVERS: ALL tickets £20)

Box Office: theotherpalace.co.uk / 020 7087 7900

www.frompage2stage.com

FPTS twitter: @FromPage2Stage

SOME LOVERS: Dates and Performance Times – All tickets £20

THURSDAY 24th AUGUST 8pm

FRIDAY 25th AUGUST 8pm

SATURDAY 26th AUGUST 3pm and 8pm

MONDAY 28th AUGUST 8pm

TUESDAY 29th AUGUST 8pm

WEDNESDAY 30th AUGUST 8pm

THURSDAY 31st AUGUST 3pm and 8pm

FRIDAY 1st SEPTEMBER 8pm

SATURDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER 3pm – 8pm

Cast announced for Sid and Viv
Theatre503, The Latchmere, 503 Battersea Park Road, London SW11 3BW
Wednesday 30th August – Saturday 30th September 2017

Charlie Hardwick (Emmerdale, ITV; Cooking with Elves, Live Theatre/Adam Kenwright; Cabaret, Live Theatre) and Patrick Driver (A Tale of Two Cities, Regent’s Park Theatre; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Apollo Theatre; The Office, BBC) have been announced as the leads in Philip Correia’s exciting, edgy new production Sid and Viv. They will be joined by, Aimee Kelly (Wolfblood and Wolfblood 2 BBC; Care, Warp Films), Joe Blakemore (Stan Lee’s
Lucky Man; Vera, ITV; The Car, Jamie Childs), Ryan Nolan (Neil, Alphabetti Theatre; Sunshine on Leith, Sage Productions; Road, Project A) and Sarah Balfour (Valhalla, Theatre503; Burning Bridges, Theatre503; Herstory 2, N16).

Everyone says Sid and Viv’s house is dangerous, weird and a bit freaky. So why does Dunney think it feels so much like home? Dunney is a young lad who doesn’t fit in and to make matters worse he lives in Blyth, Northumberland, voted ‘the second worse town to live in Britain 1992’. His school, the police, even his parents don’t want him. Nobody does. That is until he meets Sid and Viv. Sid and Viv are pensioners who don’t act their age. They introduce Dunney to a side of life he’s never seen before. Their house has a secret code, a left-wing dog and a 6ft python. Unbeknownst to Dunney, joining the apparently secretive gang at Sid and Viv’s house has consequences he could never have imagined.

Sid and Viv is a story about lost kids and coming of age in an uncertain world – one of post truth, ethical uncertainty, ‘broken’ families and impending war.

This electrifying play premieres at Theatre503 in London before transferring to Northern Stage in Newcastle in October. Producers NorthSEE Theatre create cutting edge productions which provide opportunities for the best in new and established regional talent.

This is the debut play from Philip Correia, best known for his work as an actor with the National Theatre, West End, regionally and on screen. Philip was a member of the Orange Tree Writer’s Collective 2015/16. Sid and Viv was a runner up in the 2015 Papatango Prize and has since been performed as a rehearsed reading at the NT Studio and at the Live Theatre! Newcastle upon Tyne.

Playwright, Philip Correia comments, We’ve gotten so accustomed to the message of division in the U.K. we’ve forgotten how to imagine. We can change the message through inclusion. That’s the story of Sid and Viv. This play is about community. It’s about inclusion and laughter and people. Arts participation in the North East is around 31%. This is a play to change that. Our cast our North Eastern. We’re showcasing them in London and then taking them back home.

Scamp Theatre and Freckle Productions present
Stick Man
Based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
UK Tour: September 2017 – January 2018

Following six consecutive Christmas seasons in London’s West End and multiple UK and international tours, the joyful adaptation of Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling book, Stick Man, is back on the road again for another enchanting UK tour.

‘Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three…’.But the world outside the family tree is a dangerous place for Stick Man. What starts off as a morning jog becomes quite the misadventure – a dog wants to play fetch with him, a swan builds a nest with him and he even ends up on a fire! How will Stick Man ever get back to the family tree?

Touching, funny and utterly original, this fantastic production features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves.

Stick Man is produced by the recently founded Freckle Productions – the team behind Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales. Freckle’s shows aim to be vigorous and challenging; firing the imaginations of young audiences who may be experiencing theatre for the very first time but also changing the
awareness of what performance can be for regular followers.

Producer Jennifer Sutherland comments, Freckle Productions are delighted to be taking everyone’s favourite stick man back on the road for an exciting autumn and winter tour, in co-production with Scamp Theatre. The Stick Man family will be going north to south and east to west, bringing one of Julia Donaldson’s most loved books to life.

★★★★ Julia Donaldson’s miniature epic. Sally Cookson and her team recreate the book with vigour and imagination (The Times).

Performance Dates
2nd – 3rd September Wycombe Swan
St Mary Street, High Wycombe HP11 2XE

4th – 5th September Cambridge Corn Exchange
2 Wheeler Street, Cambridge CB2 3QB

9th – 10th September Hertford Theatre
The Wash, Hertford SG14 1PS

11th – 14th September Gulbenkian
Gulbenkian, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NB

16th – 17th September Watford Palace Theatre
20 Clarendon Road, Watford WD17 1JZ

18th – 19th September Trinity Tunbridge Wells
Church Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 1JP

22nd – 23rd September King’s Theatre
297 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JN

24th – 25th September Alhambra Theatre
33-35 Canmore Street, Dunfermline KY12 7NX

26th – 27th September Falkirk Town Hall
Westbridge Street, Falkirk FK1 5RS

30th September – 1st October The Lowry, Salford
Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ

2nd – 3rd October Tyne Theatre & Opera House
117 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4AG

6th – 7
th October King George’s Hall
Northgate, Blackburn BB2 1AA

8th – 9th October Middlesbrough Theatre
The Avenue, Middlesbrough TS5 6SA

10th – 11th October Nottingham Theatre Royal
Theatre Square, Nottingham NG1 5ND

13th – 15th October Winchester Theatre Royal
Jewry St, Winchester SO23

16th October Spa Pavilion, Warwick
Newbold Terrace, Leamington Spa CV32 4HN

18th – 19th October Marina Theatre
Marina, Lowestoft, NR32 1HH

21st – 22nd October artsdepot
5 Nether Street, North Finchley, London N12 0GA

23rd – 24th October Theatre Royal Portsmouth
20-24 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth PO1 2DD

26th – 27th October Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
Westgate Street, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1QR

28th – 29th October Palace Theatre
430 London Road, Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 9LA

1st – 2nd November Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre
Westover Road, Bournemouth BH1 2BU

4th – 5th November Bristol Old Vic
King Street, Bristol BS1 4ED

6th – 7th November Forum Theatre
Grange Road, Malvern WR14 3HB

8th November Roses Theatre
Sun Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5NX

12th – 14th November Theatre Royal
Guildhall Road, Northampton NN1 1DP

17th – 18th November The Atkinson
Lord Street, Southport PR8 1DB

19th November The Forum
Bullamoor Road, Hambleton, Northallerton DL6 1LP

18th – 24th December The Stables
Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes MK17 8LU

26th December – 12th January Birmingham Town Hall
Victoria Square, Birmingham B3 3DQ

TICKETS ON SALE FOR THE LYRIC HAMMERSMITH’S
FUNDRAISING GALA, LYRIC FEST, FEATURING JUDE
LAW ONSTAGE WITH LYRIC YOUNG ARTISTS

On Sunday 24 September, the Lyric Hammersmith celebrates their life-changing work with young people with a night of entertainment hosted by Mel Giedroyc. Lyric Fest, the Lyric’s biennial Fundraising Gala will raise funds to deliver and grow the Lyric’s important work in supporting a diverse new generation of artists and creatives. For one night only, the main auditorium will be transformed into a festival setting to showcase the Lyric’s world-class work onstage and its innovative programmes with and for young people.

The show curated by the Lyric’s Artistic Director, Sean Holmes and hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Lyric alumni, writer and Benidorm star Nathan Bryon, will feature performances from Jude Law, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Joe Stilgoe, Vikki Stone and Deanna Rodger alongside the Lyric’s young artists.

The Lyric is committed to working with exciting artists and young people to create innovative and exceptional performances and projects. Over the past decade the Lyric has established a national and international reputation for its work with young people. The Lyric celebrated 10 years of START last December, a theatre based programme for vulnerable young people struggling to engage with education, employment or training.

The Lyric is profoundly committed to giving young people from all backgrounds access to the arts in order to develop their creative, social, personal and economic potential. In particular they recognise the power of bringing young people into the Lyric to create work in a professional theatre alongside professional artists.

Sean Holmes, Artistic Director said: “This Gala celebrates the unique vision of the Lyric as a home to the highest quality theatre and the best inspirational work with young people.

“In a glorious synthesis of these two strands, leading theatre, comedy and music artists will partner with our young performers to deliver a Gala show of surprise, delight and collaboration across the generations.

“At the centre of this, in a splendid showcase of his acting mettle – Jude Law will perform in six two character mini plays written by our young writers. Each of the plays will feature one of our Young Lyric actors, giving them the chance to share the main stage with Jude.

“All that is great about the Lyric celebrated over one great night and securing a fundraising legacy that will support the next generation of diverse young artists.”

GWB Entertainment UK

Presents

 

Britney Spears: The Cabaret

At The Other Palace

From Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 September 2017

 

After sell-out seasons in Australia, Britney Spears: The Cabaret arrives in London for one week only this Summer, playing in the Theatre at The Other Palace from Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 September.

 

Not so much a cabaret as a cry for help, Britney Spears: The Cabaret charts the rise and fall of the true Princess of Pop, and takes a satirical look at the perils of fame. Transforming her greatest hits into cabaret standards, and weaving them into the fabric of her life story, Britney Spears: The Cabaret is at turns site-splittingly funny and strangely touching.

 

Star of Australian stage and screen Christie Whelan Browne reprises her critically acclaimed performance as Britney. Her stage work in Australia includes Company, The Producers, Xanadu, The Drowsy Chaperone(Helpmann Award Nomination) and playing opposite Geoffrey Rush in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. Later this year Christie will star in the world premiere stage adaptation of Muriel’s Wedding: The Musical for Sydney Theatre Company.

 

“Whelan-Browne is remarkable”

Sydney Morning Herald

 

“Whelan Browne delivers with laser precision, switching in a nano-second

from dumb broad to sweet innocent. Brilliant!”

The Australian

 

Britney Spears: The Cabaret is written and directed by Dean Bryant, whose directing work in Australia includes Sweet Charity (Hayes Theatre Company, Helpmann Award for Best Director of a Musical), and Skylightand Next to Normal (Melbourne Theatre Company). Writing credits include Prodigal (Off Broadway) and Liza (on an E) (Vaudeville Theatre, West End). Musical direction and arrangements are by Mathew Frank.

 

Recommended for ages 15+

 

LISTINGS

 

TUESDAY 5 – SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2017

THE OTHER PALACE

12 Palace Street, London, SW1E 5JA

Press Night: Wednesday 6 September, 8.00pm

Performances: Tue – Fri 8.00pm, Sat 6.00pm and 9.00pm

Tickets: £15-30

Box Office: 0844 264 2121 | www.theotherpalace.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

SUMMER FUN FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE AND CITY VARIETIES

 

 

Children aged 0 to 17 are invited to participate in a wide range of activities this August at Leeds Grand Theatre and City Varieties Music Hall (CVMH).

Organised by a creative group of 11-15-year olds, the Summer Festival promises to both inspire and entertain children by offering them a chance to get involved in activities that they might otherwise not experience, including puppetry, vlogging, animation and song-writing. It also provides an opportunity to explore two of Leeds’s iconic cultural venues.

Catherine Hayward, Learning Manager, said: “Created by young people, for young people, the Summer Festival offers children of all ages and abilities, first-timers or regular attendees, the chance to make friends, have fun and learn new skills.

“We hope that by opening our doors throughout the summer, that some, if not all of the children, will want to get involved year-round through our Youth Theatre, projects or workshops.”

Run in collaboration with Leeds groups and industry professionals, the programme runs as follows:

Who:     7-11 years

When:  10am to 3pm, Monday 14^th to Friday 18^th August

What:    Performing Arts Summer School in collaboration with Duck Egg Theatre

7-11-year olds are invited to learn new skills in drama, dance, music and more whilst exploring the sights and sounds of the CVMH famous stage. The week ends with a performance for friends and family on Friday 18^th August.

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Who:     0-3 years

When:  10.30am to 12pm on Monday 21^st August

What:    Down in the Jungle in collaboration with Boomchikkaboom

An exciting adventure exploring the jungle through sensory play, props, singing and story-telling.

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Who:     3-6 years

When:  1.30pm to 3pm on Monday 21^st August

What:    My Mind, My Body, My Imagination in collaboration with Boomchikkaboom

A fast-paced, energetic workshop for little adventurers exploring voice and movement with crafts.

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Who:     7-11 years

When:  10am to 3pm, Tuesday 22^nd to Friday 25^th August

What:    Summer Workshop

Four days of creative activity planned by young people and delivered by arts professionals. Activities include dance, music-making, puppetry and song-writing.

—

Who:     11-17 years

When:  10am to 3pm, Tuesday 29^th August to Friday 1^st September

What:    Summer Workshop

Four days of creative activity planned by young people and delivered by arts professionals. Activities include dance, vlogging, animation and singing.

 

Places for each activity are limited. For more information and to book call Box Office on 0113 243 0808 or visit www.cityvarieties.co.uk.

Costs range from £4 to £100 depending on activity

Full Casting Announced for Brand New Arena Spectacular

Heaven on Earth

UK Arena Tour 2017 – 2018

 

Starring Kerry Ellis and Hugh Maynard

Featuring the Voice of Russell Watson

Full casting has been announced for the brand-new arena spectacular Heaven on Earth which will be touring arenas across the UK from December 2017 to May 2018.

The greatest story ever written comes spectacularly to life in a brand new musical experience. This epic and inspirational journey of Adam and Eve is told through state of the art digital technology, innovative staging and stunning choreography.

Joining the previously announced star cast of Kerry Ellis as Eve (Wicked, Cats, Les Miserables, We Will Rock You) and Hugh Maynard as Adam (Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar, Lion King), and featuring the voice of the UK’s award winning and bestselling classical artist, Russell Watson as God, are:

Richard Carson as Enoch (Mamma Mia, Miss Saigon, Wicked), Lisa Bridge as Isla (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Bend It Like Beckham, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Neil Moors as Serpent, (Jesus Christ Superstar, Shrek, The Sound of Music), Denis Grindel as Cain (The Commitments), Michael Colbourne as Abel (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Les Miserables) and Albert Simon Hart as Young Enoch (Oliver).

The ensemble is:

Alice Baker, Laura Benazaize, Tom Brandon, Charlie Bull, Carly Cook, Martin Dickinson, Mike Fellows, Taofique Folarin, Loula Geater, Richie Gooding, Kelly Hampson, Zoe Innes, Abbi Kennedy, Victoria Lamm, Nick Len, Adam Margilewski, Stephanie Rojas, Craig Ryder, Guy Salim, Hayley Ellen Scott, Spin, Sam Varley and Sharon Wattis.

The greatest story ever told will come to life with Heaven on Earth, a classic re-telling of the story of Adam and Eve and their fall from Paradise.  It is an exhilarating story of love, loss, and redemption, and an exploration of the universal search for the meaning of life.

eHeaven

The creative team behind Heaven on Earth includes director & choreographer Racky Plews – American Idiot (West End and Tour), Footloose (West End and Tour), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Tour), set designer Jacqueline Pyle – Robbie Williams (Take The Crown Tour), Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremony (UK), Take That (Progress Live Tour), and arranger Adam Langston – (Alien Covenant, Les Miserables, Independence Day Resurgence, Walking With Dinosaurs) and musical director Richard John – Sinatra (London Palladium), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Legally Blonde (Savoy Theatre).

For further details about Heaven on Earth go to www.heavenonearththemusical.co.uk

Follow Heaven on Earth:

Twitter: @heavenearthtour

Facebook: @heavenonearthtour

Heaven on Earth Tour Dates

• Birmingham Barclaycard Arena 4 – 7 December 2017
• Cardiff Motorpoint Arena 15 – 18 Jan 2018
• Nottingham Motorpoint Arena 27 -30 Jan
• Leeds First Direct Arena 9th – 12 Feb
• Manchester Arena 22 – 25 Feb
• Sheffield Arena 7 – 10 March
• Edinburgh Royal Highland Centre 14 – 17 March
• Liverpool Echo Arena Liverpool 22 – 25 March
• Aberdeen AECC Arena 28 – 31 March
• Portsmouth Guildhall 4 – 7 April
• Newcastle Radio Metro Arena 11 – 14 April
• Glasgow Clyde Auditorium 18 – 21 April
• Exeter Westpoint Arena 26 – 29 April
• The SSE Arena, Wembley 9 – 12 May

BBC Let it Shine’s Matt Knight announced as Akela in street dance version of
Jungle Book at The Lowry.

Matt Knight, known for his performance on BBC’s Let it Shine, will star as Akela in a new urban version of Jungle Book at The Lowry (Tue 29 Aug – Sat 2 Sept). Fans of the show will remember the 27 year old who performed ‘Wake Me Up’ by Avicii in his audition and later joined boyband Iron Sun.

The radical re-imagining of Kipling’s much loved classic Jungle Book will also star some of the UK’s leading dancers and circus performers when it comes to Salford later this summer. Starring alongside Matt Knight are aerial artist Alfa Marks (Mowgli), dancer and actor Ellen Wolf (Raksha), Kloé Dean(Bagheera/ Messua) who is founder of all-female Hip Hop dance company Myself, circus performer Nathalie Alison (Kaa/ Vee), dancer and choreographer Stefano Addae (Baloo / Buldeo) and Dancer Kaner Scott(Shere Khan).

Award-winning Metta Theatre’s new version of Jungle Book uses street dance, circus and spoken word. It is a contemporary urban jungle of skateboarding wolves, street dancing monkeys, a beat-loving bin man Baloo and graffiti artist Bagheera. With choreography from acclaimed hip hop artist Kendra J Horsburgh. Kipling for the 21st century – this production astonishes with its physical virtuosity and provokes with its politics.

Metta Theatre are known for their powerful visual storytelling and exploration of multicultural stories often from a female perspective. In Jungle Book we follow Mowgli on her search for identity and belonging – vulnerable, isolated and trying to find her place in an alien environment. The story transcends boundaries and resonates with audiences young and old, urban and rural.

Composer Filipe Gomes has created a beat-driven score using real world sounds of the city. Add to this designer William Reynolds’ trademark minimalism and an urban jungle is created – a stark forest of streetlamps disguising circus equipment on which these recognisably human animals cavort and contort themselves. The show uses street dance and circus to explore the search for identity and belonging in contemporary multicultural Britain.

Listings Information
Jungle Book 
Dates: Tue 29 Aug – Sat 02 Aug
Times: 7pm, Matinees Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets: £20.50. Conc £4 off. Family ticket £68.
Age Guidance: 8+
Website