Our House Review

Churchill Theatre, Bromley until 28 October, touring until 25 November.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

3***

This moral tale is kept afloat on a wave of high energy, nifty footwork and the unmistakable music of Madness.

Tim Firth’s book uses the Sliding Doors conceit showing the two possible lives that Joe Casey (Jason Kajdi) leads after a pivotal decision on his 16th birthday. After committing a petty crime to impress his girlfriend, one version of Joe runs away from the police, and the other stays to face the consequences. This is all watched over by his dead father, urging him to take the moral choice. This dual storyline means there are plenty of quick changes for Kajdi, between a white and black outfit, and spotting when a replacement slipped into a dance routine becomes the main interest of the show. That’s one of the main problems, the staging is so slick and clever that it seems wasted on such a simplistic plot. Luckily, the lyrics of each (brilliantly placed) song add some vigour and the cast belt them out while Fabian Aloise’s fun choreography creates the illusion of a much larger company, especially in The Sun and The Rain and Wings of a Dove. Unfortunately, some sound issues resulted in many lyrics being drowned by the band last night, but I am sure that any hiccups will soon be ironed out at this theatre.

Callum McArdle as Dad ties the show together, and his stunning clear tones are in a class of their own. Kajdi is a likeable leading man, full of boyish charm and cockiness, and ably supported by Billy Roberts and Will Haswell as his two comedy mates. Sophie Matthew as Sarah makes the most of her big numbers, in an underwritten role, again supported by two great comedy mates, Etisyai Philip and Jessica Niles. Matthew and Kajdi’s sweet duet in It Must Be Love is staged beautifully. Deena Payne is also underused as Joe’s mum, bringing lots of warmth and heart to the role. George Sampson as bad boy Reecey dances effortlessly, and Aloise’s choreography mixes his street dance with familiar Madness moves to great effect.

Our House is an enjoyable, high-octane night of entertainment – let’s face it, with music like this, you can’t help but smile.

Qdos Entertainment Pantomime Season 2017/18

Q D O S   E N T E R T A I N M E N T

 

NATIONWIDE PANTOMIME SEASON

28 NOVEMBER 2017 – 28 JANUARY 2018

 

ALADDIN, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, CINDERELLA, DICK WHITTINGTON,

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, PETER PAN, ROBIN HOOD, SLEEPING BEAUTY AND

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS

 

ABERDEEN, BELFAST, BIRMINGHAM, BRADFORD, BRISTOL, BROMLEY, CARDIFF, CREWE, DARLINGTON, DARTFORD, EDINBURGH, GLASGOW, HASTINGS, HAYES, HIGH WYCOMBE, HULL, LIVERPOOL, LLANDUDNO, LONDON, MANCHESTER, MILTON KEYNES, NEWCASTLE, NORTHAMPTON, NOTTINGHAM, PLYMOUTH, RICHMOND, SOUTHAMPTON, SOUTHEND, STOKE, SWANSEA, SWINDON, WIMBLEDON, WOKING AND WOLVERHAMPTON

QDOS WELCOMES NINE NEW VENUES TO THIS SEASON’S PROGRAMME

 

Beginning next month, a host of stars from the world of entertainment will light up the stages in thirty-five theatres around the UK for this year’s Qdos Entertainment pantomime season. Dick Whittington will lead the season’s programming at the London Palladium with a cast led by Julian Clary, Elaine Paige and Nigel Havers whilst nationwide John Barrowman, Christopher Biggins, Cannon & Ball, Michelle Collins, Brian Conley, Darren Day, Gareth Gates, Gary: Tank Commander, Sherrie Hewson, Duncan James, Claire King, Beverley Knight, The Krankies, Danny Mac, Tony Maudsley, Steve McFadden, Lee Mead, Al Murray, Paul Nicholas, Coleen Nolan, Jimmy Osmond, Joe Pasquale, Marti Pellow, Jodie Prenger, Craig Revel Horwood, Ben Richards, Shane Richie, Lisa Riley, Lee Ryan, Suzanne Shaw, Elaine C Smith, Stacey Solomon, Louie Spence, Allan Stewart, Count Arthur Strong, Gareth Thomas, Ryan Thomas, Jessie Wallace, Gok Wan, Simon Webbe, Jonathan Wilkes, Samantha Womack are amongst those treading the boards around the UK.

This year will also see nine new venues join the Qdos Entertainment family; Bristol Hippodrome,Glasgow KingsLiverpool EmpireManchester Opera House, Milton Keynes Theatre, Richmond Theatre, Regent Theatre Stoke-on-Trent, New Wimbledon Theatre and the New Victoria Theatre Woking.

Renowned for staging high-quality productions which are both contemporary and true to the traditions of pantomime every year Qdos Entertainment bring festive magic to stages across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales every year. Working closely with star names and creative collaborators each production is meticulously staged with lavish production values, dazzling choreography and spectacular special effects.

 

Nick Thomas, Chairman of the Qdos Entertainment Group, said: “Nationwide this season we will have over 1000 actors, singers, dancers and musicians entertaining families around the country continuing the unique British tradition of pantomime. This year we are presenting seven productions of Aladdin, one of Beauty and the Beast, six of Cinderella, two of Dick Whittington, five of Jack and the Beanstalk, six of Peter Pan, one of Robin Hood, two of Sleeping Beauty and five of Snow White and we are welcoming nine new venues to our family making 2017/18 a record-breaking season for Qdos Entertainment!”

As the world’s biggest pantomime producer, over the past 35 years Qdos Entertainment has established itself as one of the largest entertainment companies in Europe. Over the past three decades the pantomime giant has staged 684 pantomimes and this season expects over 2 million people will see one of its shows. Aside from the company’s credentials in pantomime, Qdos Entertainment, through its venues division HQ Theatres & Hospitality, is the UK’s second largest regional theatre and concert hall operator, and employs 1,500 full time staff.

 

Qdos Entertainment has been fund-raising for Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Theatres for Theatres Appeal since 2010. Thanks to the generosity of theatre-goers, as well as fund-raising byQdos Entertainment staff, over £1 million has been raised to date, with fundraising continuing this festive season.

 

Full season details and further information on Qdos Entertainment is available at pantomime.com

Click here 2017/2018 season brochure www.pantomime.com/2017season

FIRST LOOK AT FAT FRIENDS THE MUSICAL REHEARSAL IMAGES

FIRST LOOK AT FAT FRIENDS THE MUSICAL REHEARSAL IMAGES

Leeds audiences can now get their first glimpse of Fat Friends the Musical, premiering at Leeds Grand Theatre in November 2017, as rehearsal images are released.

 

Starring Freddie Flintoff, Sam Bailey, Jodie Prenger, Natasha Hamilton, Natalie Anderson and Kevin Kennedy, Fat Friends the Musical has now started rehearsals in Leeds, home of the original TV series, with two weeks until the first performance.

 

Fat Friends, the award-winning TV drama has been adapted for the stage by its creator, and one of the UK’s most prolific writers, Kay Mellor, whose extensive television credits include the hit series Band of Gold, The Syndicate, In the Club and whose stage credits include A Passionate Woman.

 

Produced by Joshua Andrews and Adam Spiegel, with original music and songs composed by Nicholas Lloyd WebberFat Friends The Musical sees the nation’s favourite group of dieters reunited as they are put through their Zumba paces at their local branch of Super Slimmer’s by the lovelorn Lauren, whilst Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams. Fat Friends The Musical is packed full of warmth, life and weight loss.

 

Fat Friends hit television screens in October 2000, following the lives of a group of overweight friends as they struggle with the absurdities of modern dieting. Entertaining millions of viewers for five years on ITV, the show starred Alison Steadman, Gaynor Faye and Lisa Riley and launched the careers of James Corden and Ruth Jones. The show was nominated for multiple awards including the BAFTA for Best Drama Series.

 

 

Fat Friends The Musical is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 7th Nov to Saturday 2nd Dec 2017

Tickets are priced from £20 (RV) to £50

(prices include a £3 booking fee. Postage charge £1 where applicable)

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700

MEERA SYAL JOINS WEST END CAST OF ANNIE TO PLAY MISS HANNIGAN

MEERA SYAL JOINS WEST END CAST OF

A N N I E

TO PLAY MISS HANNIGAN

Michael Harrison and David Ian, Producers of the West End production of Annie are delighted to announce that from 27 November 2017, Meera Syal will join the Company to play the role of Miss Hannigan for the duration of the run which concludes, as previously announced, on 18 February 2018 at the Piccadilly Theatre.

Nikolai Foster’s West End production opened in May this year with Miranda Hart as Miss Hannigan and last month Craig Revel Horwood joined the Company to play the role.  Following the conclusion of the West End run Annie will embark on a five week visit to the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto.

British comedian, actor and writer Meera Syal was last on stage earlier this year in a profoundly affectionate, passionate devotion to someone (-noun) at the Royal Court Theatre where her previous credits include Serious Money and The Great Celestial Cow.  Her other theatre credits include Romeo & Juliet at the Garrick Theatre, Behind the Beautiful Forevers and Rafta Rafta for the National Theatre, Much Ado About Nothing for the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Killing of Sister Georgeat the Arts Theatre, Shirley Valentine for the Menier Chocolate Factory, Bombay Dreams at the Apollo Victoria, My Girl for Theatre Royal Stratford East and Goodness Gracious Me on tour.  On television, she is best known for her work in the BBC’s comedy series The Kumars at No. 42 and Goodness Gracious Me as well as roles in Midsomer Murders, Broadchurch, The Boy in the Dress, Silk, Bollywood Carmen, Doctor Who, The Amazing Mrs Pritchard, The Secretary Who Stole £4 Million, Linda Green and Life Isn’t All Ha Ha Hee Hee.  Her film credits include Absolutely Anything, Desert Flower, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, Beautiful Thing, It’s Not Unusual as well as the forthcoming The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.  As a writer, her work includes My Sister Wife and Anita & Me.  Syal was made an MBE in 1997 and a CBE in 2015.

The West End Company of Annie also includes Alex Bourne as Daddy Warbucks, Holly Dale Spencer as Grace Farrell, Jonny Fines as Rooster and Djalenga Scott as Lily.  The title role of Annie is shared by Madeleine Haynes, 14-years old from Hadley Wood, Barnet, Lola Moxom, 12-years old from Rochester, Kent and Ruby Stokes, 12-years old from Hampshire. They are joined by three teams of young performers who play the girls in Miss Hannigan’s orphanage.  Amber, a 4 year-old Labradoodle, plays Annie’s dog Sandy.  Completing the adult company are Russell WilcoxBobby DelaneyKeisha AtwellSophie Ayers, Nic GibneyPatrick HarperBen Harrold,George IoannidesMegan LouchBenjamin MundyBen Oliver, Heather Scott-MartinAnne SmithKate Somerset How and Katie Warsop.

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family…

 

Annie has book by Thomas Meehan adapted from the comic strip Little Orphan Annie, music byCharles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin.  The West End production has sets and costumes designed by Colin Richmond, choreography by Nick Winston, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Richard Brooker and orchestration and musical direction by George Dyer. 

 

Foster’s production arrived in the West End 40 years after the original Broadway production opened in 1977 and received seven Tony awards including the Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.  The last West End production of Annie opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre in 1998. In 1982, Anniewas adapted for the big screen directed by John Huston with a cast including Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters and Albert Finney and in 2014 a further feature film was released, directed by Will Gluck, with a cast including Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx.  The much-loved score includes the classics It’s A Hard Knock Life, Tomorrow and Easy Street.

 

IMAGES

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ecdpmlgm1tqxpn9/AADrqrMW25vfcPTDIonbwARqa?dl=0

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre:                  Piccadilly Theatre, 16 Denman St, Soho, London W1D 7DY

Dates:                    booking to 18 February 2018

Performances:          Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7.30pm, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm

Prices:                    Tickets from £20 which include a restoration levy of £1.75.  No booking or transaction fees through official sales outlets, Children Go Free (Children must be accompanied by a full paying adult and be 16 years or under at the time of the performance. One free ticket per full paying adult, valid on Band A seats only. Monday to Friday performances, excluding peak weeks and subject to availability)

Box Office:              0844 871 7630

Twitter:                   @AnnieMusicalUK

Facebook:               AnnieMusicalUK

Instagram:              anniemusicaluk

Website:                 www.AnnieWestEnd.com

1st London Revival in 20 Years of Kander & Ebb’s THE RINK

KANDER AND EBB’S

THE RINK

TO PLAY A LIMITED SEASON AT SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE

FROM 25 MAY TO 23 JUNE 2018

 

Jack Maple Productions will stage the first London revival in 20 years of THE RINK by the Tony and Olivier Award-winning John Kander (music) and Fred Ebb (lyrics), the creators of musicals such asChicago, Cabaret, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and The Scottsboro Boys, and a book by Tony Award-winning Terence McNally (Ragtime, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Master Class).  The new production of THE RINK will play at Southwark Playhouse for a limited season from 25 May to 23 June 2018, with a national press night on Tuesday 29 May. This new production will be directed by Adam Lenson and choreographed by Fabian Aloise, with casting, to be announced, by Jacob Sparrow.

 

Anna, an Italian housewife who runs a roller-skating rink on the Eastern seaboard, is about to sell it to developers until her estranged daughter, Angel, returns after a long absence, hoping to save the rink and patch things up with her mother.

 

THE RINK originally premiered on Broadway on 9 February 1984, starring Chita Rivera as Anna and Liza Minelli as Angel.  Rivera won the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for her performance. The show premiered in London at the Cambridge Theatre on 17 February 1988, starring Josephine Blake and Diane Langton as Anna and Angel respectively.

 

Adam Lenson most recently directed 35mm: A Musical Exhibition (The Other Palace) andSuperhero (Southwark Playhouse). His other recent directing credits include Whisper House (The Other Palace), Songs For A New World (St James Theatre, 20th Anniversary Production), The Sorrows of Satan (Tristan Bates Theatre), Disgraced (English Theatre Frankfurt) and Dark Tourism(Park Theatre). In 2016, Adam was the recipient of a Kevin Spacey Artist of Choice Award, for which he is currently developing Wasted, a new rock musical based on the Brontës which had a workshop production at West Yorkshire Playhouse in October 2016.

Adam said of directing THE RINK, “I have long admired the ingenious work of Kander and Ebb and to get to direct this rarely seen masterpiece is a true privilege. Most people are only familiar with their most popular hits Chicago and Cabaret, but The Rink is as innovative as it is underrated and truly pushes the form of musical theatre. I cannot wait for audiences to see this beautiful and complex story.”

Fabian Aloise most recently choreographed the UK National Tour of Our House and the European Premiere of Stephen Schwartz’s Working at Southwark Playhouse. Fabian was resident choreographer on Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre, and associate choreographer on the Australian production. Prior to this, Fabian was associate choreographer to Arlene Phillips on We Will Rock You in Belgium, and associate choreographer to Ann Reinking for US and International tours of Fosse.  He choreographed The 24 Hour Musical at The Old Vic for Kevin Spacey and Jamie Lloyd, and Off-West End productions of Bright Lights Big City and The Drowsy Chaperone.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

25 May to 23 June 2018

Southwark Playhouse
77-85 Newington Causeway
London SE1 6BD

Performance Times:
Monday – Friday 7.30pm
Saturday and Tuesday 3.00pm & 7.30pm
N.B Tuesday 29 May – no matinee performance

Tickets: £25 and £20 concessions (from £14 during previews)

Box Office:  020 7407 0234

Website: southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SouthwarkPlayhouse
Twitter: @TheRinkMusical @swplay

UK TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED FOR DUSTY THE NEW DUSTY SPRINGFIELD MUSICAL

Book by Jonathan Harvey
Directed by Maria Friedman
Designer Tom Pye

Choreographer Tim Jackson

  • NEW MUSICAL CHARTING THE LIFE OF DUSTY SPRINGFIELD TO PLAY LIMITED ENGAGEMENTS IN BATH, SHEFFIELD, NEWCASTLE, AND SALFORD FROM JUNE 2018.
  • KATHERINE KINGSLEY TO STAR IN THE TITLE ROLE OF DUSTY SPRINGFIELD.

DUSTY, the landmark new musical based on the authorised biography of Dusty Springfield will have its world premiere at Theatre Royal Bath in June 2018 before dates at The Lyceum in Sheffield, Newcastle Theatre Royal, and The Lowry in Salford.

With a fiercely funny and emotionally charged script from BAFTA and Olivier nominated writerJonathan Harvey (Beautiful ThingCoronation Street), DUSTY will be directed by OlivierAward-winner Maria Friedman (Merrily We Roll AlongStepping Out) and star KatherineKingsley (PiafSingin’ in the Rain) in what promises to be a career-defining performance celebrating the music of a lifetime. Further casting will be announced in due course.

Featuring many of Dusty Springfield’s blazingly soulful pop hits, including I Only Want to Be With You, Son of a Preacher Man and You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me, DUSTY celebrates the extraordinary and vivacious woman whose timeless voice immortalised her as “one of Britain’s most successful female singers” (The Telegraph)

DUSTY originates from the notes and memoirs of the late singer’s close friend and manager Vicki Wickham, as well as conversations with her lifelong personal assistant Pat Rhodes, and friend and record company executive Tris Penna.

London born Dusty Springfield’s career started in the late 1950’s. She soon became known across the world for her soulful voice and iconic look with hits spanning four decades. Her 1969 masterpiece ”Dusty In Memphis’ is considered one of the greatest albums of all time and Dusty has been inducted into both the US Rock and Roll and UK Music Halls of Fame.

Jonathan Harvey wrote his first play in 1987, and has since written over 15 more, including BabiesBoom Bang-A-Bang and Beautiful Thing, which was later made into an acclaimed film. He has been the recipient of the Evening Standard, George Devine and John Whiting Awards, and his work has been both Bafta- and Olivier-nominated. Jonathan’s extensive television writing includes Coronation Street, on which he has worked since 2004, Beautiful People and Gimme, Gimme, Gimme. He has also written for shows as diverse as RevShamelessAt Home With The BraithwaitesThe Catherine Tate Show and Tracey Ullman’s Show. He has also published five novels and been hailed as ‘the new theatrical voice of his generation’.

Best known as a three-time Olivier Award winning star of the musical stage, director Maria Friedman made an astonishing directorial debut in 2012 with a hugely acclaimed production of Merrily We Roll Along which won Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards 2013, the Olivier Awards 2014 (for which Maria was also nominated for Best Director of a Musical), and the Critic’s Circle Award 2013. She went on to direct High Society at The Old Vic in 2015 and recently Stepping Out at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Katherine Kingsley has received widespread critical acclaim and multiple Olivier and WhatsOnStage award nominations. Theatre credits include playing Marlene Dietrich in Piaf (Donmar), Christine Colgate in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy Theatre London, Manchester Opera House and Aylesbury Waterside Theatre), Helena in Michael Grandage Company’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Noël Coward Theatre), Lina Lamont in Singin’ In The Rain (Palace Theatre London and Chichester Festival Theatre) and The 39 Steps (Criterion Theatre). On screen credits include the film Genius as well as appearances on The Bill, Casualty and Bad Education.

DUSTY is produced by Eleanor Lloyd Productions in association with Tris Penna and Vicki Wickham. Eleanor Lloyd Productions is currently presenting Witness for the Prosecution at London County Hall. Recent projects include Nell Gwynn with Gemma Arterton, Olivier Award for Best Comedy (Apollo), Fantastic Mr Fox Winner Best Presentation of Touring Theatre – UK Theatre Awards (NST Theatres & Tour), 1984 (Playhouse, 2014, 2015 & 2016, Hudson Broadway), My Night with Reg, Olivier Nomination for Best Revival (Apollo) and Handbagged, Olivier Nomination for Best Comedy (Vaudeville and UK tour).

LISTINGS

DUSTY
THE NEW DUSTY SPRINGFIELD MUSICAL
Book by Jonathan Harvey
Directed by Maria Friedman

Designer Tom Pye
Choreographer Tim Jackson

WEBSITE : DustySpringfieldMusical.com
SOCIAL: @DustyTheMusical

TOUR SCHEDULE

Saturday 23 June – Saturday 7 July 2018
THEATRE ROYAL BATH 
*Online booking from 2 November 2017*
www.theatreroyal.org.uk | 01225 448844
Tickets from £23.00
Evenings performances at 7.30pm
Matinee performances on Saturday 30th June, Thursday 5th July and Saturday 7th July at 2.30pm.(no performance Monday 25th June).

Wednesday10 July – Saturday 14 July 2018

SHEFFIELD LYCEUM THEATRE
*On Sale from early 2018*
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk | 0114 249 6000
Tickets from £18.00
Evening performances at 7.45pm
Matinee performances on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm

Tuesday 17 July – Saturday 21 July 2018
NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL 
* General on sale from 10 November 2017*
www.theatreroyal.co.uk | 08448 112 121
Tickets from £19.50
Evening performances at 7.30pm
Matinee performances on Wednesday and Thursday at 2pm and Saturday at 2.30pm

Tuesday 24 July – Saturday 28 July 2018
THE LOWRY, SALFORD
* General on sale from 20 October 2017*
www.thelowry.com | 0843 208 6000
Tickets from £14.50
Evening performances at 7.30pm
Matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm

UNSPOKEN STORIES TOLD IN ROYAL REMEMBRANCE DAY PERFORMANCE

Newcastle Theatre Royal will debut a very special performance this Remembrance Sunday, 12 November. Created by the UK’s military community Unspoken is based on real-life stories and is the heart-breaking tale of lives shattered and changed forever by war. 

The one-off production will be the culmination of a five week theatre project run by the Bravo 22 Company, The Royal British Legion’s recovery through the arts programme, and is being delivered in partnership with the Newcastle Theatre Royal and The Drive Project.

 

The cast includes veterans who’ve suffered life-changing injures as well as family members with a loved one in the forces. Writer Gary Kitching has based the script on their real life memories and experiences and created a rare theatrical work, a hilariously heart-wrenching tale of love, loss, loneliness and hope.

 

Kitching, who has 20 years’ acting experience, including projects with young offenders said: “It’s their stories and if I can write something they are proud to perform then my job is done. It’s their ability to get on and deal with whatever is thrown at them, and their ability to find humour in the darkest places. I think they will surprise, entertain and move a lot of people.”

 

Ray Winstone, Bravo 22 Company Ambassador, met with the Unspoken cast on location last week to give them some acting tips ahead of their Remembrance Sunday performance.
ITV news at 10
Left to right: Dave Griffin, Graham Limb, Gary Kitching (writer), Tip Cullen, Luke Delahunty, Ian Rudge, Jono Farrelly, Jez Scarratt, Ray Winstone, Mick Carroll, Larraie Smith, Kim Hoffmann (Producer), Simon Graham, Alice Driver (The Drive Project) & Matt Wightman

Unspoken follows in the footsteps of several hugely successful theatre and art projects that Bravo 22 company has run over the past six years. Its debut, The Two Worlds of Charlie F, received standing ovations throughout its West End run in 2012 and went on to tour the UK and Canada, including a critically acclaimed visit to Newcastle Theatre Royal in 2014. Furthermore, in December last year, 30 members of Newcastle’s Armed Forces community performed and produced sell-out show Wor Stories at the Theatre, another breathtaking production based on real life experiences.

 

Bravo 22 Company was created by Alice Driver in partnership with The Royal British Legion, the Ministry of Defence and the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2011 to help improve self-awareness, confidence, self-esteem and motivation in order to aid personnel with individual paths to recovery.

 

Directing the show will be Newcastle Theatre Royal Artistic Director Phil Hoffmann.

Phil said: “For the last two years, the Learning Department has been working in partnership with The Drive Project and The Royal British Legion (RBL) to deliver projects for Wounded, Injured and Sick Service Personnel, veterans and their families. Last year we delivered Wor Stories – a regional project with participants from the NE, but in January we began working on Unspoken – a much larger project.”

 

Most of the cast of Unspoken have taken part in previous Bravo 22 Company projects and one of the stars is former Royal Marine Tip Cullen.  After 30 years as a commando Tip left the army in 2015.  His first acting break came in Bravo 22’s Boots at the Door in Plymouth in 2015, but he has since gone on to appear in various Hollywood films including Spielberg’s ‘Ready Player One’ and Kingsmen 2. He’ll join this Bravo 22 cast fresh from filming in Canada.

 

Alice Driver, Founder and Managing Director for The Drive Project, commented; “The Bravo 22 Company journey has been incredible to oversee.  Six years on from our first performance and around 230 people have been through this process. Reuniting cast members from all over the country for this performance is really special for me. What makes this type of theatre unique is not only what the audience gets out of seeing a show based on real life experiences but also how the cast grow in confidence, form new friendships and use the stage as a platform for their voice”

 

Unspoken was commissioned to support RBL’s national campaign of Remembrance, moving into 2018 which marks 100 years since the end of WWI.

 

As such, Newcastle Theatre Royal will be used as a focus for the regional Remembrance campaign which will feed into the national campaign. As well as having official RBL poppy sellers outside the theatre in the run up to the production on the 12 November, a major new art installation will be positioned on the Theatre’s terrace between 25 October – 13 November. Created by award-winning artist Mark Humphrey the sculpture features a 3m tall ‘Centenary Soldier’ standing on a plinth of limestone sourced from the Somme.  The figure is inspired by the iconic ‘Unknown Soldier’ in Paris and will provide a centre point for the city’s Remembrance activities.

 

Unspoken is also one of the cultural highlights of Newcastle Freedom City 2017, a city-wide programme commemorating the 50th anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King being awarded an honorary degree by Newcastle University.

 

Unspoken is at Newcastle Theatre Royal for ONE NIGHT ONLY on Sunday 12 November 2017 at 7pm. Tickets are from £10 and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge) or book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Steven Berkoff’s masterpiece East opens 2018 at the King’s Head Theatre

King’s Head Theatre, 115 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 1QN
Wednesday 10th January – Saturday 3rd February 2018

In an exciting new revival from the winners of the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award 2016 (Life According to Saki), Steven Berkoff’s masterpiece East opens 2018 at the King’s Head Theatre, where it made its London debut in 1975.

Full of wit, lust, and fury, East remains a startlingly original and influential piece of theatre – a triumphant shout of youth and energy. Its language veers from Shakespearean verse to the depths of profanity without missing a beat, teeming with life in all its murk and glory.

East catapults us into the rowdy youth of Mike and Les as they fight over Mike’s girl Sylv and become unexpected allies. Assaultive, riotously funny, and entirely unapologetic, we are lured into their tall-tales of felony and bravado and we come to recognise their brutal kind of charm. Sylv knows her most potent weapon is her sexuality, but she still has the spit and pluck to level with the boys. Meanwhile, Mum and Dad live separate inner lives, both coming alive in the flickering light of memories, recalling lives they once led – or wish they had.

Bringing East to life at the King’s Head Theatre will be Russell Barnett (Hamlet, The Riverside Theatre; The Tempest, The Drayton), Jack Condon (Housed, The Old Vic; Clybourne Park, RADA; Scuttlers, RADA), James Craze (The Beginning of the End, Hull Truck Theatre and Theatre N16; Home Theatre, Theatre Royal Stratford East; Ernie – a One Man Play by James Craze), Debra Penny (Our Country’s Good, National Theatre; Flowers of the Forest, Jermyn Street Theatre; Martha Josie
and the Chinese Elvis, Bolton Octagon and tour) and Boadicea Ricketts (professional debut). Carol Arnopp (Freelance keys, RTÉ Concert Orchestra; Children’s Musical Director, The Magic Flute, Cork Opera House) will take the role of the pianist and musical director.

Director Jessica Lazar comments, East’s characters are violent and relentless and sometimes grotesque, but they are also electrically funny, brutally charming. They leap from frustrated dreams and fantastic nightmares to punch-drunk reality and back again. They don’t ask to be pitied. East resonates so powerfully in the mood of 2017/18 because Berkoff sought to turn “a welter of undirected passion and frustration into a positive form”. But it is also, put simply, a
brilliant play.

Berkoff’s East still feels amazingly relevant today as it yanks us into interior worlds, rioting in unfulfilled dreams and explosions of longing, leaving no room for polite middle ground. Although set in Berkoff’s hometown of London, he has explained that East could be set on any east side of any city.

East will be directed by Life According to Saki director Jessica Lazar. Set and costume will be by Anna Lewis, a Jerwood Young Designer, MGC Futures Bursary Holder, and Offie Nomine (Costume Design – After October, Finborough). Sound and lighting will be by Dublin-based David Doyle, previous winner of the Best Theatre Award at the Adelaide Fringe and the NSDF Commendation for Lighting Design at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Last chance to see Stockard Channing in Apologia: Trafalgar Studios until 18 November

Last chance to see

Tony and Emmy Award Winner

STOCKARD CHANNING in

Final weeks

Strictly limited season ends 18 November

 

                                                                        “Absorbing, finely acted”           “Deeply satisfying drama”

                                                     ★★★★                              ★★★★

                                                                                                                                                    The Daily Telegraph                                                                       Mail on Sunday

 

“Intelligent, genuinely funny and human”

★★★★★

The Upcoming

 

Also starring

FREEMA AGYEMAN, LAURA CARMICHAEL

JOSEPH MILLSON & DESMOND BARRIT

 

By ALEXI KAYE CAMPBELL

Directed by JAMIE LLOYD

Trafalgar Studios until 18 November 2017

 

Audiences have until 18 November to see Hollywood and Broadway icon Stockard Channing star in the new critically acclaimed production of Olivier Award winner Alexi Kaye Campbell’s drama Apologia, (“sharply satirical and searching” Mail on Sunday) at Trafalgar Studios. Directed by the multi-award winning Jamie Lloyd (“with flair” The Times), Apologiahas received standing ovations throughout its run and is not to be missed.

 

Tony and Emmy Award winning actor Channing (“superb” Evening Standard) performs in this haunting play about family and its secrets alongside co-stars Freema Agyeman (“terrific oomph” The Times) and Laura Carmichael, (“excellent” The Guardian) who was recently nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a New Production of a Play in the BroadwayWorld UK Awards for her role.  Completing the cast are Joseph Millson (“powerfully restrained”British Theatre) and Olivier Award winner Desmond Barrit (“hilarious” Mail on Sunday)

 

Apologia sees Channing performing in the West End for the first time in over a decade.  Channing’s hugely popular film and TV credits include starring roles in The West WingThe Good Wife, her Oscar® and Golden Globe nominated role in Six Degrees of Separation, and the iconic role of Rizzo in the film Grease. An acclaimed Broadway and West End star, Channing’s most recent performances on Broadway, It’s Only a Play and Other Desert Cities(a “peerless” performance – NY Times, for which she was nominated for her seventh Tony Award), have affirmed her position as a true theatrical legend.

 

Apologia is a compelling, witty, topical and passionate play about the importance of family, generations, secrets and warring perspectives. Critics have been overwhelmingly positive in their response, and Apologia has received four star reviews across The Arts Desk, City AM, The Daily Express, Daily Telegraph, Evening Standard, Mail on Sunday, Metro, and The Times. London Theatre calls it “smart, powerful and poignant”, The Stage describes it as“funny, defiant and moving,” while Metro says, “Channing triumphs. Gripping.”

 

Kristin Miller (Channing) a firebrand liberal matriarch of a dynamic family is presiding over her birthday celebrations. An eminent art historian, Kristin’s almost evangelical dedication to her career and her political activism has resulted in her sons – Peter, a merchant banker, and Simon, a writer – harbouring deeply rooted and barely suppressed resentments towards her. The fissures in her relationship with them are brought to the fore by the recent publication of her memoir.

 

As the evening unfolds through barbed humour, Kristin’s family and friends, and ultimately Kristin herself, question their achievements and choices, and whether they were worth the sacrifices they made. In the increasingly fragmented political turmoil of today’s landscape these questions have never seemed more relevant and will strike a chord with audiences.

 

Apologia is produced by Howard Panter for Trafalgar Entertainment Group, DB Productions and Broadway’s Dodger Theatricals.

 

The producers of Apologia are also delighted to continue Jamie Lloyd’s pioneering commitment to ensuring that tickets to the highest quality West End dramas remain affordable and accessible, particularly to younger audience members: 

 

·         TODAYTIX £15 RUSH EXCLUSIVE: In partnership with TodayTix, a daily rush scheme sees the front row for every performance sold at £15, allowing people to access the best seats via the app.  

 

·         £25 UNDER 25 RATE: A general under 25s rate of £25 (redeemable for any standard-priced seat, subject to availability at time of booking) is also available throughout the run forevery performance Monday – Thursday. This rate is available through ATG Tickets.

 

Dates:                                 Runs until Saturday 18th November
Performances:                 Monday – Saturday at 7:30pm, Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2:30pm

Access Performances:   Wednesday 13th September and Wednesday 4th October
Box Office:                        
www.atgtickets.com/trafalgarstudios / 0844 871 7632                                
Ticket Prices:                    From £15
Twitter:                            @ApologiaPlay  @TrafStudios        

Insignificance Review

Arcola Theatre, 18 October – 18 November.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Over one night in a 1953 New York hotel room, the lives of four American icons collide. None of the characters are ever named, simply billed as The Actress, The Professor, The Senator and The Ball Player – as the public defines them by their fame. Albert Einstein is being badgered by Senator McCarthy to testify before the House Committee for Un-American Activities while Marilyn Monroe is nearby posing for that iconic subway grate photo. She bursts into Einstein’s room determined to impress with her knowledge. The scenes between the unlikely pair aren’t quite When Albert met Marilyn, although her breathless reaction after she has demonstrated the theory of relativity (using toy trains, balloons and Mickey Mouse ears) rival THAT diner scene.

The cast don’t attempt impressions or caricatures, instead using subtle nods to the public image of Monroe and Einstein. Alice Bailey Johnson effortlessly shows Monroe’s vulnerabilities and sad understanding of the image she has built, making her reversion to this image in front of McCarthy even more touching. Simon Rouse’s Einstein is a masterclass in stillness. He allows the showier roles to shine, then steals the scene with a shrug and an arch one-liner. Rouse also reveals Einstein’s guilt and despair at life to seep through without losing the determined twinkle in his eyes. Oliver Hembrough is full of bluster as the fading baseball star, a ball of frustrated energy and anger who longs for a quiet family life with his wife. Tom Mannion is simply vile as McCarthy – that’s a compliment, honestly – smarmy and wheedling but occasionally slipping and spitting out threats as his true character emerges. His dislike of the famous, and probably everyone on earth who doesn’t think as he does, leads him to solipsism (once he’s discovered the word in his daily quest for knowledge), resulting in a fantastically ridiculous confrontation with DiMaggio as the sportsman tries to prove he is real.

When Terry Johnson wrote Insignificance, an aging wooden actor was president, now an aging orange TV reality show creation is president, but director David Mercatali doesn’t need to up the Trump stakes in this play. Sadly, nothing seems to have changed – McCarthy snarling about being a God-lovin’, gun-totin’ Wisconsin boy says it all really. Mannion does use the Trump finger loops when he is being most duplicitous, making the character even more unpalatable, but also highlighting the long line of political pantomime villain personas that the public love to hate. Fame is fleeting, and there’s always someone waiting to take your place in the public arena.

There’s not much action in this wordy play, just bedroom farce style entrances and exits, but the script is so good, and the cast so convincing that it doesn’t matter. There are lovely moments with Einstein’s friend’s cat, and the riffs on Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle are the plays main message – that we change what we are observing – and Marilyn Monroe is surely one of the saddest examples of that fact.