Month: September 2017

The Lowry will host Elf The Musical for a limited seven week run this winter.

West End star and ITV ‘Superstar’ winner Ben Forster will reprise the key role of Buddy the Elf, a role which he originated in the UK première in 2014 in Plymouth and continued to perform throughout the record-breaking 2015 Christmas run in the West End.

He is a West End ‘leading Man’ and most recently performed the prestigious role of the Phantom of the Opera in London’s West End.

He was the first actor to take on the role of Buddy the Elf outside of the USA. A role which he garnered considerable critical acclaim for his portrayal of, receiving a nomination for Best Actor in a Musical at the What’s on Stage Awards.

Ben Forster won the 2012 ITV1 show Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s TV talent search for the rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar, and went on to play the title role in the UK arena tour. Other recent theatre roles include starring as Brad Majors in the reinvented 40th anniversary production of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show and Magaldi in Evita at the Dominion Theatre.

Liverpudlian chart topper Liz McClarnon will star in the production as ‘Jovie’ and much loved British TV actor Louis Emerick will take on the role of ‘Santa Claus’. They will appear alongside previously announced Joe McGann as ‘Walter’ and Jessica Martin as ‘Emily Hobbs’, who all reprise their roles from the record-breaking 2015 Christmas run in the West End.

Liz McClarnon is well-known for being one third of British chart topping girl group Atomic Kitten. As part of the group Liz accumulated countless awards and a multitude of chart topping hits including “The Tide is High”, “Eternal Flame” and “Whole Again”. Atomic Kitten’s number one hit “Whole Again” spent four weeks in the UK charts as well as topping the charts in seventeen countries.

Liz has starred in an array of theatre productions including Legally Blonde, War Of The Worlds and more recently in the hit musical SHOUT. She is also a regular on both TV and radio including Celebrity Masterchef (2008 champion), Hotter Than My Daughter (BBC 3) and Heart North West Breakfast.

Louis Emerick is best known for his portrayal of Mick Johnson in the soap opera Brookside and for his recurring role of PC Walsh in Last of the Summer Wine. Numerous television and film credits also include Cold Feet, The Bill, Holby City, Doctors and Layer Cake (alongside Daniel Craig).

Alongside his numerous screen credits, Louis has proven himself as a highly accomplished and critically acclaimed stage actor. Notable theatre credits include; The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui alongside Mark Rylance (Contact Theatre, Manchester); On the Ledge (Royal Court, Liverpool), Basil and Beattie (Royal Exchange), the National Tour of Soap Opera, Bouncers (The Royal Court, Liverpool) and most recently the role of Horse in the National Tour of The Full Monty.

Elf: The Musical returns to Theatre Royal Plymouth for one week only, from Sat 11 – Sat 18 November before heading to The Lowry, Salford. The Salford venue will host the show’s first Christmas season outside of London from Fri 24 November 2017 until Sun 14 January 2018.

Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit starring Will Ferrell, Elf is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Michael Rose in association with the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin present the Theatre Royal Plymouth production of Elf at The Lowry. Elf: The Musical features a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer). The production will feature direction and choreography by Morgan Young (Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), set design and costumes by Olivier Award winner Tim Goodchild, lighting design by Olivier Award winner Tim Lutkin, orchestrations by Doug Besterman, video design by Ian William Galloway and sound design by Avgoustos Psillas & Terry Jardine for Autograph. Musical supervision will be by Stuart Morley.

Listing info

Elf: The Musical Dates: Fri 24 November 2017 – Sun 14 January 2018 Times: 7.30pm, Wed, Sat & Sun 2pm Ticket price: £25.50 – £58.50 (including booking fee) www.thelowry.com/events/elf-the-musical

CELEBRATED LONDON ENGAGEMENT OF

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

PLAYS FINAL 14 WEEKS

PRODUCTION FILMED FOR CINEMA RELEASE

The new musical, An American in Paris, was uniformly critically acclaimed when it opened earlier this year. Inspired by the Hollywood classic, it is now playing its final 14 weeks at theDominion Theatre. The last performance of this celebrated engagement will be on Saturday 6 January 2018.

The London production of An American in Paris has been filmed for future release in cinemas, featuring the original cast led by Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope. Further international engagements of the musical are planned and a major North American tour is currently playing.

Written by Craig Lucas, it features the timeless music and lyrics of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, including the songs I Got Rhythm, ‘S Wonderful, I’ll Build a Stairway To Paradise andThey Can’t Take That Away from Me, together with George Gershwin’s sweeping compositions including ‘Concerto in F’ and ‘An American in Paris’.

An American in Paris premiered in 2014 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris to ecstatic reviewsbefore transferring to the Palace Theatre on Broadway, where it received 12 Tony® nominations and won 4 for Best Choreography, Best Orchestrations, Best Set Design and Best Lighting Design. The musical also won four Drama Desk Awards, four Outer Critics Circle Awards including Best Musical, the Drama League Award for Best Musical, three Fred and Adele Astaire Awards and two Theatre World Awards.

Jerry Mulligan is an American GI pursuing his dream to make it as a painter in a city suddenly bursting with hope and possibility. Following a chance encounter with a beautiful young dancer named Lise, the streets of Paris become the backdrop to a sensuous, modern romance of art, friendship and love in the aftermath of war…

The cast is led by Ashley Day (as Jerry Mulligan) and Leanne Cope (as Lise Dassin) with Haydn Oakley as Henri Baurel, Zoë Rainey as Milo Davenport, David Seadon-Young as Adam Hochberg and Julie Legrand as Madame Baurel. The company also features Julian Forsyth andAshley Andrews, Sophie Apollonia, Zoe Arshamian, Sarah Bakker, James Barton, Alicia Beck, Chrissy Brooke, James Butcher, Jonathan Caguioa, Jennifer Davison, Katie Deacon, Rebecca Fennelly, Sebastian Goffin, Alyn Hawke, Nicky Henshall, Genevieve Heron, Amy Hollins, Frankie Jenna, Justin-Lee Jones, Robin Kent, Kristen McGarrity, Julia J. Nagle, Daniela Norman, Pippa Raine, Aaron Smyth, Todd Talbot, Max Westwell, Jack Wilcox, Carrie Willis, Stuart Winter and Liam Wrate.

With music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and a new book by Craig Lucas, the new musical An American in Paris is directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon with set and costumes designs by Bob Crowley, lighting by Natasha Katz, sound byJon Weston and projection designs by 59 Productions. The musical score is adapted, arranged and supervised by Rob Fisher with orchestrations by Christopher Austin and Bill Elliott,dance arrangements by Sam Davis and musical supervision by Todd Ellison. The UK Musical Director is Steve Ridley. The Associate Director/Choreographers are Jacquelin Barrett andDontee Kiehn.

An American in Paris is produced in London by Stuart Oken, Van Kaplan, Roy Furman,Michael McCabe and Joshua Andrews by special arrangement with Elephant Eye Theatrical, the Pittsburgh CLO and Théâtre du Châtelet.

LISTINGS

FINAL PERFORMANCE SATURDAY 6 JANUARY 2018

Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7AQ

Box Office: 0845 200 7982

@AmericanParisUK

Official UK Website: AnAmericanInParisTheMusical.co.uk

Twitter: twitter.com/AmericanParisUK

Performance schedule:

Monday to Saturday 7:30pm

Wednesday & Saturday matinees 2:00pm until Saturday 30th September

From Wednesday 4th October 2017: Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2:30pm

Running time: 2 hours and 35 minutes, including one 20-minute interval.

Principal casting is subject to change at all performances. The producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness, injury and statutory leave entitlement.

THEATRE ROYAL VOTED WARMEST WELCOME IN THE NORTH EAST

 

Newcastle Theatre Royal has been voted the North East’s ‘Most Welcoming Theatre’ for the third year in succession and is now shortlisted for ‘Most Welcoming in the UK’ as part of a major industry competition.

 

The UK Theatre Awards are the only nationwide awards to honour achievement in regional theatre throughout the UK.  Over 170 theatres of all sizes from across the country have entered the award, which is voted for entirely by the public. As North East winner, Newcastle Theatre Royal will join 11 other regional venues at the national finals in London in October where the overall winner will be announced.

 

Philip Bernays, Newcastle Theatre Royal chief executive said:  “To be the North East regional winner is just fantastic and we really hope we can go all the way to win the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre title too.  We have an extremely hardworking team here who always go that extra mile to make customers and visiting companies feel welcome and ensure they have a great experience at the theatre, and it’s wonderful to be recognised for this.

 

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who has taken the time to vote for us, from our loyal and generous audiences to touring companies, sponsors, partners and participants. This award means a great deal because we are constantly striving to raise the bar in terms of the customer experience – we want everyone who comes through our doors or who interacts with our staff to be made to feel well looked after and right at home.”

 

Bill Midgley OBE, chairman of Newcastle Theatre Royal Trust said:  “A huge thank you must be given to all the team at the theatre who always ensure a wonderful welcome is extended to every person who visits.  To be named as the North East’s Most Welcoming Theatre once again is a very richly deserved honour.”

 

Julian Bird, Chief Executive, UK Theatre, added: “Theatres play a vital role in communities across the UK, so it has been wonderful to see so many votes cast. This campaign brought together audiences, theatres, performers and producers and gave everyone the opportunity to celebrate their local venue.”

 

The UK winner will be announced on Sunday 15 October at London’s Guildhall.

Mark Goucher and David Ian present a

Cheltenham Everyman Theatre Production
QUARTET
A comedy by Ronald Harwood

Directed by Peter Rowe
Designed by Phil R Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith

• MARK GOUCHER AND DAVID IAN PRESENT A CHELTENHAM EVERYMAN THEATRE PRODUCTION OF RONALD HARWOOD’S CLASSIC COMEDYQUARTET

• PAUL NICHOLAS, WENDI PETERS, SUE HOLDERNESS AND JEFF RAWLE STAR IN THIS CHARMING TALE OF FOUR AGEING OPERA SINGERS GROWING OLD DISGRACEFULLY, WHICH OPENS IN CHELTENHAM PRIOR TO A NATIONAL TOUR

Following the West End revival last year of The Dresser, Mark Goucher is presenting Quartet. This will be the first production that the producer will mount in his new role as CEO of the Cheltenham Everyman Theatre. This Everyman Theatre production will then be presented on a UK tour by Mark Goucher and David Ian.  Paul Nicholas (The Real Marigold Hotel, Just Good Friends andEastEnders), Wendi Peters (Coronation Street and Oh What A Lovely War), Sue Holderness (Only Fools and Horses and The Green Grass) and Jeff Rawle (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Drop the Dead Donkey) star in a production to be directed by Peter Rowe and designed by Phil R Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith. The production will play at the Cheltenham Everyman Theatre from February 8th to 17th 2018 with a press night on February 13th. Tickets are now on sale.

Quartet is the charming tale of a group of ageing opera singers. Cecily, Reggie and Wilfred reside in a magnificent retirement home in Kent. The rumour circling the halls is that the home is soon to play host to a new resident. Word is it’s a star. Jean arrives and old rivalries resurface, secrets are revealed and chaos unfolds, but in true theatrical tradition – the show must go on.

Oscar-winning writer Sir Ronald Harwood has been nominated for several Tony and Olivier Awards in a long and distinguished career. His play The Dresser, recently completed a highly successful West End run and tour.

Mark Goucher said: “After The Dresser I wanted to tour another of Ronald Harwood’s plays and in my new role at Cheltenham I felt that Quartet would be a perfect show for this theatre to produce and then tour. I am delighted that I will be working with David Ian on this production.”

The tour will visit Sheffield, Ipswich, Birmingham, Salisbury, Brighton, Cambridge, Richmond and Bath.

LISTINGS

QUARTET
Written by Ronald Harwood
Directed by Peter Rowe
Designed by Phil R Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith

Cheltenham Everyman Theatre
Regent Street
Cheltenham
GL50 1HQ

First performance: 8th February 2018
Final performance at Cheltenham Everyman Theatre: 17th February 2018
Final performance on tour: 21st April 2018
Press performance: 13th February 2018

Mondays – Saturdays 7.30pm
Matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 2pm
Box office details
www.everymantheatre.org.uk
01242 572 573

Prices from £22 – £32

Twitter: @Everymanchelt
Instagram: @Everymanchelt
Facebook: /EverymanTheatreCheltenham

www.everymantheatre.org.uk/

TOUR

February 19th – 24th
Sheffield Theatres
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

February 26th – March 3rd
New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

March 5th – 10th
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

March 12th – 17th
Salisbury Playhouse
www.salisburyplayhouse.com

March 26th – 31st
Theatre Royal Brighton
www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton/

April 3rd – 7th
Cambridge Arts Theatre
www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

April 9th – 14th
Richmond Theatre
www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre/

April 16th – 21st
Bath Theatre Royal
www.theatreroyal.org.uk

The Lowry is set to be the first stop on Acosta Danza’s UK tour

The new dance company founded by Carlos Acosta

Acosta Danza, the new dance company founded by acclaimed Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta, receives its UK premiere at Sadler’s Wells this Autumn ahead of a UK tour beginning at The Lowry (Thu 12 – Sat 14 Oct).

Carlos Acosta is an internationally acclaimed star of the ballet world who set up Acosta Danza in Havana after retiring from The Royal Ballet in 2015. Under his artistic directorship, Acosta Danza features a mixture of the finest ballet and contemporary dancers Cuba has to offer. Launching at a time when Cuba is opening up to the world, Acosta Danza highlights the vibrancy and richness of Cuban culture and its artists. The company is an International Associate Company of Sadler’s Wells, and the tour is co-produced by Sadler’s Wells and Valid Productions.

Acosta himself makes a guest appearance as part of the programme, which features the UK premieres of works by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Goyo Montero, Jorge Crecis, Justin Peck and Marianela Boán.

El Cruce Sobre El Niágara (The Crossing over Niagara) by Cuban choreographer Marianela Boán is a duet for two male dancers. Boán danced and choreographed for Danza Contemporanea de Cuba for 15 years. This is one of her most acclaimed works, created in 1987 using Peruvian dramaturg Alonso Alegria’s 1969 written work of the same name.

Imponderable by award-winning Spanish choreographer Goyo Montero is a new work for 12 dancers inspired by the work of pre-eminent Cuban folk musician Silvio Rodriguez, known colloquially as the Cuban John Lennon. The score is created from selected works in the Rodriguez oeuvre, deconstructed and rearranged by Owen Belton, who composes regularly for Crystal Pite, National Ballet of Canada, Nederlands Dans Theater and Ballet BC.

New York City Ballet (NYCB) soloist and resident choreographer Justin Peck’sBelles-Lettres is a work for nine dancers, performed mostly en pointe. The piece was originally made for NYCB and is one of Peck’s most amorous ballets, replete with swooning pas de deux that build into an emotional climax.

Twelve by UK-based Spanish choreographer Jorge Crecis is an athletic piece performed by 12 dancers. Crecis is an associate artist at Déda in Derby.

Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, whose contemporary choreographies include Sutra and milonga for Sadler’s Wells, creates a new classical duet for Carlos Acosta and Marta Ortega in Mermaid.

Sadler’s Wells’ Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Alistair Spalding CBE said: “I am delighted to present the UK premiere of Acosta Danza at Sadler’s Wells and across the UK, and work with Carlos Acosta and Valid Productions on producing these performances. It is exciting to see Carlos work with a range of dancers and leading choreographers to celebrate Cuba’s rich history and culture and share it with the world.”

Carlos Acosta said: “Acosta Danza has been founded with the intention of paying tribute to the wealth of Cuban culture. The Company will develop its contemporary work, whilst also using elements of classical ballet. It is an aspiration that has grown out of my vision as an artist, incorporating all that I have learned during the past twenty-five years of my professional career.”.

In addition to the UK tour, Acosta Danza tours internationally to Peralada Festival in Spain, Neuss in Germany and Festspielhaus St Pölten in Austria.

Produced by Sadler’s Wells and Valid Productions

A co-production with The Movement and Festspielhaus St Pölten

The new commissions in Debut are produced as part of The Movement, a dance producing partnership between Birmingham Hippodrome, The Lowry and Sadler’s Wells. Supported by Arts Council England, The Movement aims to nurture talent and bring large scale dance productions to even wider audiences.

Acosta Danza is a Sadler’s Wells International Associate Company

Listings Information 
Acosta Danza
Debut
Dates: Thu 12 – Sat 14 October
Times: 7.30pm
Tickets: £21.50 – £38.50 (inclu booking fee)
Website

CLAIRE SWEENEY TO JOIN THE CAST OF

THE WATERMILL THEATRE’S ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF  
“CRAZY FOR YOU”

PRESENTED BY JAMIE WILSON AND GAVIN KALIN

FROM 16 JANUARY 2018

Jamie Wilson and Gavin Kalin are delighted to announce that Claire Sweeney will take over the role of ‘Irene’ in the national tour of the Watermill Theatre’s acclaimed production of “CRAZY FOR YOU”. Claire joins Tom Chambers who plays ‘Bobby’ and Charlotte Wakefield who plays ‘Polly’ from the 16 January 2018 at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury. Tour listings below. www.crazyforyoutour.com.

 

Claire Sweeney has a television and theatre career which spans over 20 years. She is probably best known for playing the role of ‘Lindsey Corkhill’ in “Brookside”.  Other television credits include “Clocking Off” and “Merseybeat” along with a presenting role on “60 Minute Makeover” and a panellist on ITV’s “Loose Women”. Claire’s West End roles include ‘Roxie Hart’ in “Chicago” and ‘Miss Adelaide” in “Guys and Dolls”. Claire previously played the title role in “Educating Rita” at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory and prior to that, played ‘Paulette’ in the UK tour of the award winning “Legally Blonde”. She most recently appeared as ‘Baroness Bomburst’ in the National Tour of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”.

 

Tom Chambers created the role of Jerry Travers in the West End musical “Top Hat”, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. In 2008 he won the 6^th season of “Strictly Come Dancing”. He can currently be seen in the hit BBC drama “Casualty” and his other TV credits include “Holby City” and “Waterloo Road”. His recent stage credits include “Private Lives” and “White Christmas” in the West End.

Charlotte Wakefield made her West End debut as ‘Wendla’ in “Spring Awakening”, for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award. She played ‘Maria’ in the critically acclaimed production of “The Sound of Music” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre receiving nominations for Best Actress in a Musical at both the Evening Standard and Olivier Awards. Her other theatre credits include ‘Sophie’ in “Mamma Mia!” in the West End, ‘Truly Scrumptious’ in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and Laurey in “Oklahoma!”, both on national tour.

The cast is completed by Arthur Boan, Daniel Bolton, Hollie Cassar, Neil Ditt, Kate-Anne Fenton, Cristopher Fry, Stacey Ghent, Matthew James Hinchliffe, Kieran Kuypers,  Kate Milner-Evans, Emma Jane Morton, Kate Robson-Stuart, Ned Rudkins-Stow, Seren Sandham-Davies, Mark Sangster and Abi Casson Thompson.

High energy, high kicking and gloriously glamorous, “CRAZY FOR YOU” is the ultimate feel-good musical with a fabulous score from the Gershwin brothers’ songbook. Mistaken identities, plot twists, heartbreak, happiness and a wealth of memorable tunes, including I Got Rhythm, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Nice Work If You Can Get It and Embraceable You, all feature in this exhilarating celebration of the great Broadway musicals.

 “CRAZY FOR YOU” is directed by The Watermill’s Artistic Director, Paul Hart, with musical arrangements byCatherine Jayes (The Color Purple, Broadway). It is choreographed by Nathan M. Wright (High Society, Old Vic) and is designed by Diego Pitarch (The Addams Family). Lighting design is by Howard Hudson (In the Heights) with sound design by Tom Marshall (Legally Blonde).

“CRAZY FOR YOU” has Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, Book by Ken Ludwig, co-conception by Ken Ludwig and Mike Ockrent. It is inspired by material by Guy Bolton and John McGowan.“CRAZY FOR YOU” was originally produced on Broadway by Roger Horchow and Elizabeth Williams. Original Broadway Choreography by Susan Stroman.

“CRAZY FOR YOU” UK TOUR 2018

www.crazyforyoutour.com

TUESDAY 16 JANUARY – SATURDAY 20 JANUARY 2018

THE MARLOWE THEATRE, CANTERBURY www.marlowetheatre.com

TUESDAY 23 JANUARY – SATURDAY 27 JANUARY

ORCHARD THEATRE, DARTFORD www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

TUESDAY 30 JANUARY – SATURDAY 3 FEBRUARY

MALVERN THEATRE http://www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

TUESDAY 6 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 10 FEBRUARY

WYCOMBE SWAN www.wycombeswan.co.uk

TUESDAY 13 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 17 FEBRUARY

HALL FOR CORNWALL, TRURO www.hallforcornwall.co.uk

TUESDAY 20 FEBRUARY –  SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY

REGENT THEATRE, IPSWICH https://apps.ipswich.gov.uk

TUESDAY 27 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 3 MARCH

VENUE CYMRU, LLANDUDNO www.venuecymru.co.uk

TUESDAY 6 MARCH – SATURDAY 10 MARCH

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon

TUESDAY 20 MARCH – SATURDAY 24 MARCH

MILTON KEYNES THEATRE www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

TUESDAY 27 MARCH – SATURDAY 31 MARCH

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE, ABERDEEN www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/venues/his-majestys-theatre

TUESDAY 3 APRIL – SATURDAY 7 APRIL

EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse

TUESDAY 10 APRIL – SATURDAY 14 APRIL

THE ALHAMBRA THEATRE, BRADFORD www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

TUESDAY 24 APRIL – SATURDAY 28 APRIL

SUNDERLAND EMPIRE www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire

TUESDAY 1 MAY – SATURDAY 5 MAY

GRAND THEATRE, SWANSEA www.swansea.gov.uk/grandtheatrewhatson

TUESDAY 8 MAY – SATURDAY 12 MAY

GRAND THEATRE, WOLVERHAMPTON www.grandtheatre.co.uk

TUESDAY 15 MAY – SATURDAY 19 MAY

NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING www.atgtickets.com/woking

WICKED 2018 UK & IRELAND TOUR

 

ANNOUNCES FULL CAST

 

AMY ROSS AND HELEN WOOLF TO PLAY ELPHABA AND GLINDA

 

JOINING PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED AARON SIDWELL AS FIYERO

 

WICKED, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is delighted to announce that Amy Ross (Elphaba), Helen Woolf (Glinda),Steven Pinder (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), Kim Ismay (Madame Morrible), Emily Shaw(Nessarose), Iddon Jones (Boq) and Nikki Bentley (Standby for Elphaba) will join the previously announced Aaron Sidwell (Fiyero) to lead the cast of the forthcoming return engagement of the spectacular, critically acclaimed and multi record-breaking UK & Ireland Tour in 2018.

 

Amy Ross (Elphaba) has most recently been starring as ‘Nicola’ in the hit musical Kinky Boots in the West End. She previously appeared in Sunny Afternoon, playing ‘Joyce’, at both the Hampstead Theatre and in the West End; Helen Woolf (Glinda) has most recently been appearing in the London production of WICKED and was also part of the original 2013 UK & Ireland Tour company. She has played the role of ‘Glinda’ on many occasions; Aaron Sidwell (Fiyero) has just finished playing ‘Steven Beale’ in the BBC’s EastEnders, a role he originally played in 2007/08. His many acclaimed musical theatre appearances include Grey Gardens (Southwark Playhouse), American Idiot (Arts Theatre, London) and the leading role of ‘Michael Dork’ in Loserville The Musical (West Yorkshire Playhouse and in the West End); still best remembered as ‘Max Farnham’ in Brookside, Steven Pinder (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond) starred in the UK & Ireland Tour (joining in 2014) and on the International Tour of WICKED. He also played Doctor Dillamond in the West End. Kim Ismay(Madame Morrible), Emily Shaw (Nessarose) and Iddon Jones (Boq) all recently starred in the International Tour of WICKED; Nikki Bentley (Standby for Elphaba) has recently appeared in the Asian Tour of Ghost The Musical, the UK & Ireland Tour of Shrek the Musical and in Monty Python’sSpamalot in the West End.

 

The full UK & Ireland Tour cast is confirmed as Amy Ross (Elphaba), Helen Woolf (Glinda), Aaron Sidwell (Fiyero), Steven Pinder (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), Kim Ismay (Madame Morrible), Emily Shaw (Nessarose), Iddon Jones (Boq), Nikki Bentley (Standby for Elphaba),Charli Baptie, Jason Broderick, Samantha Brown, Hannah Cadec, Grace Chapman, James Davies-Williams, Howard Ellis, Amy Goodwin, Daniel James Greenaway, Jack Harrison-Cooper, Charlie Karlsen, Nicole Lupino, Stuart MacIver, Stacey McGuire, Sara Morley, Emily Olive Boyd, Georgia Rae Briggs, Paul Saunders, James Titchener, Helen Walsh, Amy Webb,Luke Woollaston and Benjamin Yates.

The tour will visit: Bristol Hippodrome (Wednesday 31 January – Saturday 3 March 2018);Liverpool Empire (Wednesday 7 – Saturday 31 March 2018); Birmingham Hippodrome (Wednesday 4 – Sunday 29 April 2018); Edinburgh Playhouse (Tuesday 8 May – Saturday 9 June 2018); Leeds Grand Theatre (Wednesday 13 June – Saturday 7 July 2018); Dublin Bord GáisEnergy Theatre (Tuesday 17 July – 1 September 2018); Sunderland Empire (Thursday 6 – Saturday 29 September 2018); Southampton Mayflower Theatre (Wednesday 3 – Saturday 27 October 2018,tickets on general sale from 29 September 2017); Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre (Wednesday 31 October – Saturday 24 November 2018) and Manchester Palace Theatre (Tuesday 4 December 2018 – Saturday 5 January 2019). For further details visit: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

 

Acclaimed as “one of the greatest musicals of our time” (Daily Mail), “the hit musical with brains, heart and courage” (The Sunday Telegraph) and “a magical adventure that casts its spell on young and old” (Metro), WICKED tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students and their extraordinary adventures in Oz, which will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Based on the acclaimed, best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire that ingeniously re-imagines the stories and characters originally created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’,WICKED has become a global phenomenon featuring astounding technical wizardry, stunning costumes, a compelling ‘untold’ story and show-stopping songs, including the incredible ‘Defying Gravity’.

 

A three-time winner of the theatregoer-voted WhatsOnStage Award for ‘Best West End Show’ and a two-time winner of the Olivier Audience Award, WICKED played a fifteen-city tour of the UK & Ireland from September 2013 – July 2015, winning five-star rave reviews at every venue. It resumed touring in July 2016 to embark on a major international tour including engagements in Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Shanghai and Beijing. This spectacular production will also play an engagement in Zurich immediately prior to its return to the UK & Ireland.

 

WICKED is shortly to become the 15^th longest running show in West End theatre history and is now in its 12^th year at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it continues an open-ended run. Around the world, WICKED has been seen by over 53 million people in 15 countries, and won over100 major awards.

 

WICKED has music and lyrics by multi Grammy and Academy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz(Godspell, Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Enchanted and, for DreamWorks, The Prince of Egypt) and is based on the novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ by Gregory Maguire and adapted for the stage by Winnie Holzman (My So-Called Life). Musical staging is by Tony Award-winner Wayne Cilento and the production is directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello.

 

WICKED is produced around the world by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone. Executive Producer (UK & Ireland) Michael McCabe.

  

Official website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

 

Twitter: @WickedUK  |  Facebook: /WickedUK  |  Instagram: @WickedUK

 

“A magical mystery tour through the fantasyland of Oz.”

London Evening Standard

 

“Wicked will entrance every generation in wonder, wit and suspense.”

Time Out London

 

“A prequel shaped for our Harry Potter era, Wicked dares to subvert the whole Wizard of Oz myth.

The story is inventive and suspenseful.”

Financial Times

«««««

“Blockbuster entertainment, sophisticated comedy
and thought-provoking drama – it is magnificent to see a musical that manages

to be both populist and intelligent at the same time.”
The Sunday Telegraph

 

“We must all be off to see this wicked and wonderful vision of Oz.
A remarkable kaleidoscope of magical shocks, surprises and sensations, Wicked works like a dream.”
London Evening Standard

 

“Prepare to be spellbound by spectacular costumes, thrilling technical wizardry and phenomenal songs – all wrapped up in a topical tale.”

Metro

 

 

2018 UK & IRELAND TOUR SCHEDULE

 

Tickets are on sale at all venues except where indicated*

 

BRISTOL Hippodrome

31 January – 3 March 2018

Box Office: 0844 871 3012

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/wicked/bristol-hippodrome/

 

LIVERPOOL Empire

7 – 31 March 2018

Box Office: 0844 871 3017

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/wicked/liverpool-empire/

 

BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome

4 – 29 April 2018

Box Office: 0844 338 5000

https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/wicked/

 

EDINBURGH Playhouse

8 May – 9 June 2018

Box Office: 0844 871 3014

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/wicked/edinburgh-playhouse/

 

LEEDS Grand Theatre

13 June – 7 July 2018

Box Office: 0844 848 2700

www.leedsgrandtheatre.com

 

DUBLIN Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

17 July – 26 August 2018

Box Office: +353 (1) 677 7999                           

http://www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/

 

SUNDERLAND Empire

6 – 29 September 2018

Box Office: 0844 871 3022

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/wicked/sunderland-empire/

 

*SOUTHAMPTON Mayflower Theatre [TICKETS ON PUBLIC SALE FROM 29 SEPTEMBER 2017]

3 – 27 October 2018

Box Office: 02380 711811

www.mayflower.org.uk

 

CARDIFF Wales Millennium Centre

31 October – 24 November 2018

Box Office: 029 2063 6464

www.wmc.org.uk

 

MANCHESTER Palace Theatre

4 December 2018 – 5 January 2019

Box Office: 0844 871 3019

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/wicked/palace-theatre-manchester/

 

 

Gregory Maguire’s ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ is published by Headline.

The book is recommended for readers aged 16+

 

The Grammy Award-winning Original Broadway Cast recording on DECCA BROADWAY

 

The producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness, injury or statutory leave entitlement.

PHOENIX DANCE THEATRE COME HOME FOR THE WEEK

 

PHOENIX AT HOME: A CELEBRATION OF FEMALE CHOREOGRAPHERS OPENS TOMORROW

 

27-30 September, Stanley and Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds

Leeds-based Phoenix Dance Theatre returns to its home stage tomorrow with a production that celebrates it the female talent within the company.

Led by its Artistic Director and Yorkshire Woman of the Year, Sharon Watson, the vibrant showcase of dance includes a never-before-seen excerpt of a major new piece that is set to have its World Premiere in Leeds in February.

Windrush: Movement of the People will commemorate the 70^th anniversary of the arrival of the ship SS Empire Windrush which brought the first generation of Caribbean immigrants to England in large numbers; it was 1948 and it would mark the start of the post-war immigration boom which was to radically change British society.

Choreographed by Sharon herself, Windrush is the first ever piece of contemporary dance to mark this historical event.

“I am really excited about Windrush,” says Sharon. “It highlights both the struggles and the good times the Jamaican community experienced during those early years.  It’s an uplifting production and has a great soundtrack with everything from Calypso to RnB.”

Calyx is a piece by Company Dancer and Choreographer Sandrine Monin commissioned by Sharon Watson last year.  Inspired by and based on the book of poems The Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire, Calyx explores the themes of beauty, desire and decadence.

Alongside Calyx and the exclusive Windrush excerpt is an original solo by Dancer Carmen Vazquez Marfil; a tongue-in-cheek collaboration between Dancer Vanessa Pang and Rehearsal Director Tracy Tinker set in the audition room, and a new piece choreographed by dancers Natalie Alleston and Vanessa Pang for the rising stars of the Phoenix Youth Academy.

Phoenix At Home: A Celebration of Female Choreographers is at The Stanley and Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds from Wednesday 27^th to Saturday 30^th September

 

Tickets are priced at £15, £12 concession

 

Book online at www.theatreleeds.com or call box office on 0113 220 8008

 

For more information about Phoenix Dance Theatre visit www.phoenixdancetheatre.co.uk

 

Twitter: @phoenixleeds Instagram: @phoenixdancetheatre Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhoenixDanceTheatre/

Slung Low’s epic tale Flood returns to Hull

Last chance to experience dazzling storytelling presented
on floating stage in historic dock

26-29 September and 4-8 October 2017

 

One of the theatrical highlights of Hull 2017, Flood by ground-breaking Leeds-based theatre company Slung Low, is returning to Hull to help kick off the UK City of Culture’s fourth season, Tell the World.

An epic adventure about the end of the world, Flood tells the story of what happens when the deluge comes.

Written by award-winning playwright James Phillips and directed by Slung Low’s artistic directorAlan Lane, this parable for our times begins with a girl being brought up alive from the depths of the ocean. Her discovery triggers a series of life-changing global events, which result in the displacement of people across the world, leading to a refugee crisis on a global scale.

Taking place on a floating stage in a Hull dock against the night time sky, this unmissable work shows the impact on individuals and communities when their city is destroyed. After the rains, after the explosions, after the terror, those who have survived try to make sense of what has happened to them and find a way to make the world new again.

Since it was first staged to sell-out audiences earlier this year, events across the world have givenFlood even greater significance. With performances on 26-29 September and 4-8 October, it is the last chance to experience this exhilarating production in its daringly dramatic Hull setting by the Humber.

Martin Green, Director of Hull 2017, said: “Flood is an extraordinary and thought-provoking work that asks questions of the audience and of society. At a time when nationhood and identity are fiercely contested it becomes increasingly important for art to help us make sense of the world we live in. Slung Low are at the forefront of producing theatre with a social conscience and a political edge. Added to that is the experimentalism of Flood’s staging and this becomes one of the Hull 2017 highlights that should not be missed.”

Alan Lane, artistic director of Slung Low, said: “The appetite amongst audiences here in Hull for political, ambitious, demanding theatre performed with spectacle has been consistently overwhelming as we’ve moved through the year with each previous part of Flood. Preparing for the omnibus performances it’s so very clear that it’s only through a combination of the opportunities provided by Hull 2017 and the enthusiastic support of the people of the city that we’re able to create this epic adventure.”

Slung Low, working with Hull 2017, have taken a unique approach to the telling of Flood. It first appeared digitally, when a film emerged online in January (Part One: From the Sea). The play was then staged as a live performance in April (Part Two: Abundance) and in August it was shown on television (Part Three: To the Sea) as part of the Performance Live series on BBC 2. Part Four: New World is the tale of a society devastated by natural catastrophe and how it comes together to build the world anew. Each part can be watched as a standalone story.

For four nights only, from 4-8 October, there will be a special omnibus presentation of Flood that brings together parts two and four, with part three being shown in the interval.

Adding to this unique theatrical experience we are delighted to be joined by Hull Pie and Shoot the Bull, who will be providing delicious food for sale during the interval.

Tickets for the omnibus performances are priced from £20-£25.

There are also standalone performances of Part Four: New World from 26-29 September priced from £10-£12.

Tickets are available now from www.hull2017.co.uk.

Flood has been produced with support from The Space, Arts Council England, BBC Arts and Spirit of 2012.

Debbie Lye, Chief Executive, Spirit of 2012, added: “Spirit of 2012 is delighted to help bring Flood to Hull. This hugely ambitious theatre piece further raises Hull’s profile on the cultural map during 2017 and will resonate in the memory far beyond. It is bold, world class art that people across the entire city can also recognise as part of their unique heritage and enjoy together. I’m excited that Spirit is a part of it.”

STOMP

CELEBRATES 15 YEARS IN LONDON’S WEST END

CURRENTLY BOOKING AT LONDON’S AMBASSADORS THEATRE

UNTIL 15 APRIL 2018

On Monday 25 September 2017, the cast of STOMP celebrated the show’s 15th Birthday in London’s West End, with cast member Andrew Patrick bringing a birthday cake onto the stage at the end of the show. The audience then sang Happy Birthday to the cast and crew of one of Britain’s greatest exports and longest running shows in London. STOMP is currently booking until 15 April 2018 at London’s Ambassadors Theatre, where it has broken all previous box office records.

STOMP was created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas and was first performed in 1991 in Edinburgh. The show played Sadler’s Wells Theatre in January 1994 and won the Olivier Award for Best Choreography, before opening in New York in February of the same year. The European company was created in 1997 and began the show’s London run at the Vaudeville Theatre on 25 September 2002, transferring to the Ambassadors Theatre on 27 September 2007.

One of Britain’s greatest exports, STOMP has toured the globe for 26 years, playing to more than 12 million people in 53 countries across 6 continents. There are currently four STOMP companies performing worldwide, including New York, where the show has been running for over 23 years, London, now in its 16th year, a world tour and a North American tour.

STOMP is presented in London by Yes/No Productions and Glynis Henderson Productions Limited.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Ambassadors Theatre

West Street

London WC2H 9ND

Box Office: 020 7395 5405

Tickets from £26 (subject to £2.50 transaction fee)

Performances: Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 6pm, with matinees Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 3pm

Extra Performances at 3pm & 8pm on Wednesday 18 & 25 October 2017, Wednesday 14 February, Wednesday 4 & 11 April 2018

Christmas/New Year booking period:

Mon Dec 18 2017 8:00 PM

Wed Dec 20 2017 3:00 PM

Wed Dec 20 2017 8:00 PM

Thu Dec 21 2017 3:00 PM

Thu Dec 21 2017 8:00 PM

Fri Dec 22 2017 8:00 PM

Sat Dec 23 2017 3:00 PM

Sat Dec 23 2017 8:00 PM

Sun Dec 24 2017 1:00 PM

Wed Dec 27 2017 3:00 PM

Wed Dec 27 2017 8:00 PM

Thu Dec 28 2017 3:00 PM

Thu Dec 28 2017 8:00 PM

Fri Dec 29 2017 8:00 PM

Sat Dec 30 2017 3:00 PM

Sat Dec 30 2017 8:00 PM

Sun Dec 31 2017 3:00 PM

Sun Dec 31 2017 6:00 PM

Mon Jan 1 2018 8:00 PM

Running Time: 100 minutes with no interval

Current Booking Period: to 15 April 2018

www.theambassadorstheatre.co.uk www.stomplondon.com

@StompLDN