The Wedding Review

Cast Theatre, Doncaster – 27th February 2018.  Reviewed by Sophie Dodworth

5*****

Cast Theatre in Doncaster is a suitable venue for this production; modern, fresh, clean and inviting, just like the superb eighty minute performance that you receive from Gecko. Gecko is an award winning, internationally acclaimed, physical theatre company, led by Artistic Director Amit Lahav. Amit is clearly a man of many talents, as the theatre that he produces will blow you away.

There are that many sides to this performance, truly multi-faceted. The performance takes you on an emotive journey focusing on relationships, marriage, divorce and all other aspects of relationships that we find ourselves in. The Wedding is essentially a contemporary dance piece, dressing the stage in the luscious language of captivating movement.

We meet many different characters, introduced on to the stage in an almost birth-like entrance, down a slide on to a pile of childrens teddies and toys, symbolising the embryonic stages of a personal story beginning. You are then take though the stages of the individuals lives, through their working lives in the busy office environment, meeting the one you fall in love with, through nights out clubbing with friends, through marriage and then divorce. You witness domestic altercations between couples and this is acted with such gust that at times, you almost feel like you are intruding.

The performance is so relevant to our world right now, right up to speed and embraces all the issues and diversities that we encounter within our lives. The majority of the show has dialog in languages other than our native tongue, so you have no idea what is being said but you almost don’t need to, as it is all so well directed and the scenes are self explanatory. Music from all different cultures and countries fills the auditorium, always leaving you wondering what style will come next.

The cast are an accomplished fantastic team, clearly equipped for this type of movement theatre, all with healthy experience and strong training.

Stand out moments must include the homeless man, living (and also entering the stage) out of a suitcase with his wife and friend, entertaining the crowds for ‘Euros’. He has the crowd in stitches and I am sure that at that point there weren’t many people in the audience without smiles on their faces. And the finale, my word, what a finale that is, the entire cast on their portable chairs with table lamps over their heads, singing for the first time, along with stamps, slaps and claps. The scene makes you wish they had sung before and will leave you wanting to stay in your seat for more. The long standing ovation at the end was well deserved and a true reflection of an impeccable performance.

If contemporary theatre is your thing then you must get to see this performance. A piece that will have you leaving the theatre with that fire lit inside of you.

Bobby Crush Cast In ‘Summer Holiday’ UK Tour

David King for Summer Holiday Theatre Ltd presents

VETERAN ENTERTAINER BOBBY CRUSH

JOINS THE 2018 UK TOUR OF

 

BRAND NEW STAGE MUSICAL

 

SUMMER HOLIDAY

 

Brand new stage musical Summer Holiday is set to tour the UK from May 2018, with the famous red double-decker bus making its first stop at the Liverpool Empire on Tuesday 8th May.

Based on the iconic 1960’s film of the same name, starring Cliff Richard and The ShadowsSummer Holiday will include all of the number one hits from the movie, plus some additional Cliff Richard classics.

Joining previously announced singer-songwriter Ray Quinn is 70s legend Bobby Crush, who will be playing the role of Jerry for the first eight weeks of the UK tour.

Few entertainers can claim to have had as varied a career as Bobby Crush. Famous in the UK for 45 years primarily as a pianist, but also as a songwriter, actor, broadcaster and television presenter,Bobby rose to fame after six winning appearances on Opportunity Knocks (ITV). West End successes include three seasons at the London Palladium alongside Jack Jones, Vic Damone and Dame Julie Andrews. He also spent a year with Max Bygraves in SwingalongaMax at the Victoria Palace and was chosen to appear for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother at The Royal Variety Performance. Bobby has also appeared in four musicals starring as Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, Vernon Gersch in They’re Playing Our Song, L.M. in Pump Boys and Dinettes and Billy Flynn in Chicago at top theatres around the United Kingdom. Bobby’s debut album ‘Bobby Crush’ reached the UK top 20, and he plays the role of Pharaoh on Pickwick’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. TV credits include two series of Sounds Like Music (ITV) as the show’s host, and most recently, Bobby has been playing Billy Sparkle in the popular TV comedy Benidorm (ITV). In April Bobby will be seen on a major new series for ITV called Last Laugh in Vegas, which documents Bobby’s American debut alongside 7 other legendary British acts and their adventure to star in a Las Vegas show.

Summer Holiday tells the story of Don and his fellow London Transport mechanics as they journey together in a red double-decker bus through Paris, the Alps, Italy and Greece. Along the way they pick up a girl singing group and a young American pop star who is on the run from her domineering mother!

This hit – filled musical features many of 1960’s biggest songs including In the CountrySummer HolidayTravellin’ LightBachelor BoyMove ItLiving DollThe Young Ones and On the Beach.

Tickets for Summer Holiday are on sale now. Further casting to be announced in due course.

 

WEBSITETWITTER

 

SUMMER HOLIDAY

 

Stage Adaptation by Michael Gyngell and Mark Haddigan

 

Based on the film SUMMER HOLIDAY, Directed by Peter Yates

Screenplay by Ronald Cass and Peter Myers

By special arrangement with StudioCanal

 

Orchestrations by Keith Strachan

 

Presented by arrangement with

Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited

On behalf of Josef Weinberger Limited

 

Executive Producer

David King

 

Director and Choreographer

Racky Plews

SUMMER HOLIDAY – 2018 UK TOUR DATES

Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 May                                                     Box Office: 0844 871 3017

Liverpool Empire                                                                              Website: www.atgtickets.com/liverpool

Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 May                                                   Box Office: 0844 871 7652

Milton Keynes Theatre                                                                  Website: www.atgticket.com/miltonkeynes

Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 May                                                   Box Office: 0844 871 7645

New Victoria Theatre, Woking                                                    Website: www.atgtickets.com/woking

Tuesday 29 May – Saturday 2 June                                           Box Office: 0844 871 3024

Grand Opera House, York                                                             Website: www.atgtickets.com/york

Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 June                                                       Box Office: 020 3285 6000

Churchill Theatre, Bromley                                                          Website: www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 June                                                  Box Office:  0844 871 3011

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham                                      Website: www.atgtickets.com/birmingham

Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 June                                                  Box Office: 0844 871 3014

Edinburgh Playhouse                                                                     Website: www.atgtickets.com/edinburgh

Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 June                                                  Box Office: 01752 267222

Theatre Royal, Plymouth                                                              Website: www.theatreroyal.com

Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 July                                                    Box Office: 0844 871 7650

Theatre Royal, Brighton                                                                 Website: www.atgtickets.com/brighton

Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 July                                                    Box Office: 0844 856 1111

Blackpool Winter Gardens                                                           Website: www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

Tuesday 30 July – Saturday 4 August                                        Box Office: 0844 848 2700

Leeds Grand Theatre                                                                      Website: www.leedsgrandtheatre.com

Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 August                                              Box Office: 029 2063 6464

Wales Millennium Centre                                                             Website: www.wmc.org

Tuesday 22 – Saturday 27 August                                               Box Office: 01702 351135

Cliffs Pavilion, Southend                                                                Website: www.southendtheatres.org.uk

Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 September                                          Box Office: 01322 220000

Orchard Theatre, Dartford                                                           Website: www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

Tuesday 11 – Saturday 15 September                                     Box Office: 01244 409113

Chester Storyhouse                                                                        Website: www.storyhouse.com

Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 September                                     Box Office: 0844 871 7646 ON SALE SOON

New Wimbledon Theatre                                                             Website: www.atgticket.com/wimbledon

Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 September                                     Box Office: 01325 405405 ON SALE SOON

Darlington Hippodrome                                                                Website: www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 October                                                Box Office: 0844 871 7649 ON SALE SOON

Regent Theatre, Stoke                                                                   Website: www.atgtickets.com/stoke

Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 October                                           Box Office: 0844 871 7607 ON SALE SOON

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre                                                     Website www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury

Tuesday 30 October – Saturday 3 November                       Box Office: 0844 871 7647 ON SALE SOON

Kings Theatre, Glasgow                                                                 Website: www.atgtickets.com/glasgow

FURTHER DATES FOR 2018 AND 2019 TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR NUFFIELD SOUTHAMPTON THEATRES, THEATR CLWYD AND ENGLISH TOURING THEATRE’S PRODUCTION OF A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR NUFFIELD SOUTHAMPTON THEATRES, THEATR CLWYD AND
ENGLISH TOURING THEATRE’S PRODUCTION OF A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
 
A Nuffield Southampton Theatres, Theatr Clwyd and English Touring Theatre co-production
Supported by a grant from The Royal Theatrical Support Trust
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
by Tennessee Williams

Directed by 2017 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award winner Chelsea Walker
 
23 – 31 March & 5 – 16 June
 
Nuffield Southampton TheatresTheatr Clwyd and English Touring Theatre today announce casting for their co-production of Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece A Streetcar Named Desire. 2017 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award winner Chelsea Walker directs Nicole Agada (Magician/Nurse), Will Bliss (Steve), Dexter Flanders (Mitch), Kelly Gough (Blanche), Amber James (Stella), Patrick Knowles (Stanley), Marai Louis(Eunice) and Joe Manjón (Pablo). The second production in the inaugural season at NST City, A Streetcar Named Desire opens at Nuffield Southampton Theatres on 28 March with previews from 23 March, running until 31 March. The production will tour the UK with English Touring Theatre ahead of opening at Theatr Clwyd, where it plays from 15 March until 2 June, before returning to NST City.
 
“Every man is a king.” Stanley is no exception.
 
Until one summer, when his sister-in-law Blanche comes to stay.
Anxious, seductive and fiercely clever, Blanche is just about keeping it together.
But her arrival threatens Stanley’s entire way of life.
 
As the summer heats up, and the games turn savage, a burning desire threatens to tear their world apart.
 
After the run at Nuffield Southampton Theatres, and preceding a run at Theatr Clwyd, A Streetcar Named Desire tours to Theatre by the LakeMalvern TheatresBristol Old Vic, New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich,Cambridge Arts Theatre and Oxford Playhouse before returning to Southampton.
 
Tennessee Williams (1911 – 1983) was one of the greatest American playwrights. His principal works include A Streetcar Named Desire (Pulitzer Prize), The Glass Menagerie (New York Critics’ Circle Award), The Rose Tattoo (Tony Award for Best Play), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Pulitzer Prize), Suddenly Last Summer, Sweet Bird of Youth, Orpheus Descending and The Night of the Iguana(New York Critics’ Circle Award).
 
Nicole Agada plays Woman/Nurse. For theatre her credits include Ivanov (National Theatre); and for television The Commuter.
 
Will Bliss plays Steve. Theatre credits include Dido, Queen of Carthage, Titus Andronicus, Antony and Cleopatra, The Alchemist, Doctor Faustus and Don Quioxte (RSC) and Magnificence (Finborough Theatre). For television his credits include Lucky Man, Mr Sloane, Jo, Utopia, Dave Shakespeare, Heat and Oh My God.
 
Dexter Flanders plays Mitch. For theatre his credits include King Lear (National Theatre), What Happens Behind the Bar and Market Boy (Lost Theatre). For television his credits include Not Going Out; and for film,Kat and the Band.
 
Kelly Gough plays Blanche. For theatre her credits include All in the Timing (Inis Theatre), Big Love (Abbey Theatre), Falling Out Of Love (Yew Tree Theatre), The Playboy Of The Western World (Druid Theatre) andPhaedra, Vinegar Tom, Terrorism, Three Sisters, Twelfth Night and Yeats Trilogy (Samuel Beckett Theatre). For television her credits include Call the Midwife, The Fall, Strike Back, Broadchurch, Vera, Law & Order, Class,Country Woman, Raw, Scup, Belonging to Laura, This is Night Live and The Clinic; and for film, Taking Stock, Cry Rosa, Out Of Innocence, Kill Command and Jump.
 
Amber James plays Stella. Her theatre credits include Antony and Cleopatra, Titus Andronicus and Dido, Queen of Carthage (RSC), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare’s Globe & international tour), Much Ado About Nothing (Queen’s Theatre) and The Gathered Leaves (Park Theatre).
 
Patrick Knowles plays Stanley. For theatre his credits include ImperiumTwo Noble Kinsmen and Titus Andronicus (RSC), Look Back in Anger (Derby Theatre), Saturday Night Sunday Morning and The Grapes of Wrath (Mercury Theatre Colchester), In Quest of Conscience and The Northerners (Finborough Theatre) andParadise Regained (Royal Court Theatre). For television his credits include Call the Midwife, Murder on The Home Front and Mutual Friends; and for film, The Rizen, Deny Everything, Pelican Blood and Heart of the City.
 
Marai Louis plays Eunice. Her theatre credits include Chicken Palace and Selfie Rules (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Free (Southwark Playhouse/ Director’s Cut) and Low Level Panic (The Albany/ StoneCrabs Theatre Company). For television his credits include White GoldKiss of DeathCoconut and People Just Do Nothing; and for film, Six From Eight and Follow Me.
 
Joe Manjón plays Pablo/ Doctor / Paperboy. In Spain his theatre credits include Muros and Articulo 47 (Teatro a Voces), Como Si No Hubiera Mañana (Paraninfo 58), El Patito Feo (Mulambo) and El Mar (Bemfica Sentado).For television his credits include Reinas, Still Star-Crossed, The Refugees, Webcam, Space Invaders Invaders, El Internado; and for film Nasty Woman, After the Lethargy, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, Framed andClavius.
 
Chelsea Walker directs A Streetcar Named Desire as the winner of the 2017 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award. She directed the first major revival of Low Level Panic by Clare McIntyre at the Orange Tree Theatre last year. Her previous directing credits include P’yongyang by In-Sook Chappell and Chicken Dust by Ben Weatherill (Finborough Theatre), Klippies by Jess Sian (Southwark Playhouse) and Lean by Isley Lynn (Tristan Bates Theatre). She was also the Assistant Director on Wild by Mike Bartlett (Hampstead Theatre), Routes by Rachel de-lahay (Royal Court Theatre) and The Little Mermaid, adapted by Joel Horwood (Bristol Old Vic). She was a runner up in the JMK Young Directors’ Award 2016, is a director on the Old Vic 12, and is a script reader for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize.
 
Royal Theatrical Support Trust
The Royal Theatrical Support Trust (RTST) operates an annual award scheme for up-and-coming theatre directors, the RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award Scheme. The Scheme provides a rare opportunity for an up-and-coming director who succeeds in a competitive process to direct a fully-funded production of a play as part of a main season of productions at a British regional theatre. The RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award Scheme is designed for the benefit of directors who have already built up a track record of professional directing experience and who are ready for the opportunity provided by the Scheme to progress to directing a production in the main house, or a comparably high-profile auditorium, of a regional theatre.
 
The Scheme involves a collaboration between the RTST and a regional theatre selected by the RTST. The RTST makes a significant grant to the participating regional theatre to be applied towards the costs of the Award winner’s production. It is a condition of the grant that the regional theatre facilitates the implementation of the Scheme and the realisation of that production. 
 
This year, the RTST ran the Scheme with Nuffield Southampton Theatres. At the end of a rigorous competitive process, Chelsea Walker was selected as the winner of the 2017 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award by a highly distinguished panel of panel of theatre professionals comprising Sam Hodges (Director of Nuffield Southampton Theatres), Howard Brenton, Tamara Harvey (Artistic Director of Theatr Clwyd), Patricia Hodge, Stephanie Street, Richard Twyman (Artistic Director of English Touring Theatre) and Danny Lee Wynter.  Walker won the opportunity to direct A Streetcar Named Desire. The RTST is making a significant grant to Nuffield Southampton Theatres towards the production costs.
 
A Streetcar Named Desire
Listings
NST City, Studio 144, Above Bar, Southampton SO14 7DU
Monday – Friday: 10am – 6pm / Saturday: 10am – 4pm
 
Twitter: #Streetcar
 
NST City
23 – 31 March
Box Office: 023 8067 1771 / www.nstheatres.co.uk 
 
Theatre By the Lake, Keswick
3 – 7 April
Box Office: 017687 74411 / www.theatrebythelake.com
 
Malvern Theatre
10 – 14 April
Box Office: 01684 892277 / www.malvern-theatres.co.uk
 
Bristol Old Vic
17 – 21 April
Box Office: 0117 987 7877 / www.bristololdvic.org.uk
 
New Wolsley Theatre, Ipswich
24 – 28 April
Box Office: 01473 295900 / www.wolseytheatre.co.uk
 
Cambridge Arts Theatre
1 – 5 May
Box Office: 01223 503333 / www.cambridgeartstheatre.com
 
Oxford Playhouse
8 – 12 May
Box Office: 01865 305305 / www.oxfordplayhouse.com
 
Theatr Clwyd, Mold
15 May – 2 June
Box Office: 01352 701521 / www.theatrclwyd.com/en/
 
NST City
5 – 16 June
Box Office: 023 8067 1771 / www.nstheatres.co.uk

Star Studded Comedy Gala Comes To Storyhouse This Sunday

STAR STUDDED COMEDY GALA COMES TO STORYHOUSE THIS SUNDAY

Some of the best names in live stand-up will be at Storyhouse Chester this Sunday4 Mar in the hilarious Our RITA’s Comedy Gala.

Promising a fantastic evening of entertainment, the amazing star-studded line-up includes headline performances from Mock the Week star James Acaster and Xtra Factor presenter Matt Richardson.

James Acaster is one of the UK’s finest and award-winning stand-up comedians who audiences will know from his countless appearances on Mock the Week, as well as Live From The BBC, Live At The Apollo and Would I Lie To You?

Joining James is TV presenter, broadcaster and all round funny man Matt Richardson. The star presented the 2013 series of The Xtra Factor with Caroline Flack and has also appeared as a guest on Celebrity Juice and Comedy Central’s Drunk History. In 2016 he became the drive time presenter on DAB radio station Virgin Radio UK.

The full line-up also includes sets form support acts Lou Conran (Sarah Millican – Tour Support) and Mrs Barbara Nice (Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights).

Keeping the audience on their toes, the host for the evening will be MC Danny McLoughlin who has previously supported Sarah Millican, Sean Lock and Micky Flannigan on their recent tours.

Do not miss this sensational line-up, be sure to get on down to Our RITA’s at Storyhouse for a night guaranteed to make audiences roll in the aisles with laughter!

The line-up may be subject to change.

Suitable for ages 16+

LISTING INFORMATION

 

Our RITA’s Comedy Gala

Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

Date: Sunday 4 March

Time: 8pm

Tickets: £17.50 (plus £1.50 per ticket booking fee)

 

HOW TO BOOK

Online:            Visit www.storyhouse.com

By Phone:       Call 01244 409113

In person:       Visit the Ticket Kiosks at Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

Visit Chester Visitor Information Centre

LONDON THEATRE ATTENDANCES TOP 15,000,000 FOR THE FIRST TIME

LONDON THEATRE ATTENDANCES TOP 15,000,000 FOR THE FIRST TIME

Society of London Theatre (SOLT) has announced that 2017 was a record year for the capital’s theatre industry with attendances topping 15,000,000 for the first time since the organisation began collecting audience data in 1986. Box office revenues also exceeded £700,000,000.

The record year for London theatre was driven by a strong performance in the first two quarters but also noticeable for a fall in both attendance and revenue in the final quarter of 2017.

2017 highlights:

· Attendances of 15,094,573 (up 5.35% compared to 2016)

· Gross revenue of £705,006,928, (up 9.35% compared to 2016)

· Average ticket price paid £46.71

· Sales generated VAT receipts for the Treasury of £117,501,155

· 77.5% of available seats filled (up 0.8% compared to 2016)

Kenny Wax, President of the Society of London Theatre, said:

The box office figures are a testament to the creative strength of London theatre and cements the city’s status as the world’s theatre capital. The industry has many reasons to celebrate but must remain cautious as we look ahead to the rest of 2018. It is heartening to have seen growth in audiences for both plays and musicals, however, the year is a tale of two halves with the industry operating in a tougher climate in the final two quarters.”

2017: Attendances and Revenue by Genre (with percentage comparisons to 2016):

Musicals: Attendance 8,744,590 (+8%). Revenue £436,611,108 (+9%)

Plays: Attendance 4,468,105 (+7%). Revenue £176,436,089 (+16%)

Other (Opera, Dance, Performance, Entertainment): Attendance 1,881,878 (-7%). Revenue £91,959,731 (+1%)

Take That Dolls take over theatre social media

Where’s Jason?

Hull New Theatre launches search for missing Doll.

Fans of 90s boyband Take That are being invited to join the search for missing Jason as Hull New Theatre launches a new social media initiative ahead of the arrival of smash hit musical The Band, next week.

Paying homage to teen magazine photo stories of decades past, The Dolls, which launches on the theatre’s Facebook page at 8pm tonight (Wednesday 28 February 2018), sees Take That’s action figures descend on the city in a bid to locate Jason who has somehow become separated from the rest of the pack and Five To Five.

As The Dolls take in the sights and sounds of the city, regular viewers will be treated to clues as to Jason’s whereabouts and encouraged to contact the theatre to help them locate him. Their efforts will not be in vein however, as one lucky person will be selected at random from all the correct answers to receive a pair of tickets to the opening night of the show in Hull on Tuesday 6 March.

A number of local firms have embraced the idea, willingly inviting The Dolls into their businesses and helping with their quest, but you’ll need to keep checking Facebook to see exactly who.

Book for The Band at the Hull City Hall box office, call 01482 300 306 or visit our new website www.hulltheatres.co.uk to book online

National Theatre returns to Hull

NATIONAL THEATRE & RUFUS NORRIS’ NEW PRODUCTION OF

Macbeth comes to Hull

The National Theatre is set to return to Hull in 2019 with Shakespeare’s most intense tragedy, Macbeth.

Following on from the company’s success with Hedda Gabler in 2017, this epic and visually daring production comes to Hull, one of only two Yorkshire venues, from 5-9 February 2019, as part of an 18-date tour of the UK and Ireland.

Sleep no more…The ruined aftermath of a bloody civil war. Ruthlessly fighting to survive, the Macbeths are thrust towards the crown by forces of elemental darkness.

Directed by NT Artistic Director Rufus Norris (Cabaret, London Road) and designed by Rae Smith (War Horse, This House) this new production propels Shakespeare’s classic title into a post-apocalyptic world of anarchy and uncertainty.

Rufus Norris said: “I’m delighted that Macbeth will be touring the UK and Ireland following its run in the Olivier Theatre earlier in the year. We’re really excited by what is coming out of the rehearsal room and it’s particularly rewarding to be able to take this brilliant play to so many towns and cities. We fully intend to give audiences a fresh and dynamic view of this timeless classic.”

Casting to be announced. Tickets for Macbeth will be on sale from 6 March from the Hull City Hall box office or by calling 01482 300 306. Visit our new website www.hulltheatres.co.uk to book online.

 

Cast announced for Devil With The Blue Dress | The Bunker | March – April 2018

Cast Announced for Devil With The Blue Dress
The Bunker, 53A Southwark Street London SE1 1RU
Thursday 29th March – Saturday 28th April 2018

The world premiere of Kevin Armento’s thrilling political drama Devil With The Blue Dress will star: Emma Handy (Handbagged, Tricyle Theatre; Miss Julie, Chichester Festival Theatre; Flare Path, Theatre Royal Haymarket), Dawn Hope (Follies, National Theatre; The Scottsboro Boys, Young Vic Theatre and Garrick Theatre; Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, New Players Theatre and National Tour), Daniella Isaacs (Hear Me Raw, Soho Theatre, Arcola Theatre, Underbelly Edinburgh; Fleabag, BBC/Amazon; Mush and Me, The Bush, Holden Street Theatre Award winner at Adelaide Fringe, Underbelly – Ideas Tap Underbelly Award winner), Flora Montgomery (Gaslight, Royal Alexandra Toronto; Arcadia, English Touring Theatre; Quirk, BBC1) and Kristy Philipps (Hush, Paines Plough; Clean Break, ITV1; Vera, ITV)

Directed by The Bunker’s Artistic Director Joshua McTaggart, this exciting new production interrogates America’s biggest political sex scandal of all time: The Monica Lewinsky Scandal. The production unfolds across two timelines – in 1995 when the affair took place and in 1998 when it burst into public view and almost took down the Clinton presidency. In Armento’s dramatisation of this shocking scandal, we are taken along the corridors of power and through the closed doors
behind which the abuse of that power took place

Slyly exhuming the little blue dress that launched the biggest media circus of a generation, the five women who were at the centre of this infamous scandal collide on stage: A First Lady, a secretary, a daughter, a confidant, and an intern. A theatrical battle emerges over how it all went down, who were the heroes and villains, and why, twenty years later, we’re only beginning to grapple with one
of the most challenging questions in American political history: How do we respond to women seeking power, and the men who abuse that power?

Kevin Armento comments, England boasts such a rich tradition of political theatre and I’m thrilled to share this American story in that context at one of London’s most exciting new venues. This scandal was an even crazier spectacle than people remember and some of the most surprising details have been forgotten by history – in no small part because of who got to write that history. As both our countries pass through this major moment of cultural reckoning regarding abuses of power and the gender norms those abuses have enforced, it’s a story that merits new interrogation. The Bunker has been a fantastic partner in helping shape the play and setting a vision for how this unique spin on a political drama might unfold on stage.

Insightful New Production ‘Faceless’, Comes To Park Theatre

PMJ Productions in association with Park Theatre presents the European Premiere of
FACELESS

Written by Selina Fillinger

Directed by Prav MJ  

17 Apr – 12 May 2018 | Park Theatre

“I think I’m ready to convert– I know I need two witnesses for it to count so I Googled it”

 

After a sell-out run of Sket in 2016, PMJ Productions are proud to return to Park Theatre with the European premiere of Selina Fillinger’s play, Faceless.

 

Directed and designed by returning director Prav MJ, Faceless highlights the power of the internet and its far reaching consequences in the 21st century. Inspired by a true court case¹, this insightful play follows the life of Susie, a suburban Chicago teenager who converts online from Christianity to Islam and tries to reach Syria. In the ensuing court case she finds herself portrayed as an enemy of the State and is prosecuted by a young female Muslim lawyer. 

Selina Fillinger is a Chicago-based actor and playwright, who recently graduated from Northwestern University, USA. Faceless was commissioned by Northlight Theatre and the subsequent Chicago production (2017) was nominated for a Joseph Jeff Award. Selina Fillinger is a 2018 recipient of South Coast Repertory’s Elizabeth George commission.

Accompanying the play are a series of free post-show talks with speakers including playwright Selina FillingerJohn Cameron OBE, Head of Helplines at NSPCC, barrister Tunde Okewale MBE and journalist James Fergusson, the author of “Al-Britannia, My Country – A Journey through Muslim Britain”. PMJ Productions are also partnering with the NSPCC, a young people’s health and wellbeing charity in order to inform the public about the help that they can access.

Faceless also inspired the curation of an art exhibition (curated by director Prav MJ) with YOUTH CLUB. The images reflect complex issues highlighted in the play including self-identity and the relationship of young women to digital technology in the 21st Century. These images are part of an art exhibition, “GLOW”, celebrating women from across the world. The exhibition is curated by Melli Marie (Creative Director, Park Theatre) in Park Theatre’s gallery.

Cast and Creative Team

Written by Selina FillingerDirected and Designed by Prav MJ, Composed by José Albela,

Lighting Designed by Gareth Prentice, Sound Designed by Joe Dines

Cast: Fiona GentPaige RoundSam Thorpe-SpinksMatt Mella and Fearon McElroy

 

LISTINGS

FACELESS

Venue: Park 90, Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, N4 3JP

Dates: 17 Apr – 12 May 2018

Age guidance: Suitable for 11+

Performances: Tue – Sat Evenings 7.45pm, Thu & Sat Matinees 3.15pm

Relaxed Performance: Tue 8 May, 3.15

Prices: Previews £14.50, Standard £18, Concessions £16.50, Child (Under 16) £13, Young Patrons (17 -24 Apr) £10, Groups – buy 1- ticket, get the 11th free.
Booking: www.parktheatre.co.uk / 020 7870 6876

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Casting Announced for World Premiere of AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN THE MUSICAL

JAMIE WILSON

with

GAVIN KALIN, JASON HAIGH ELLERY, ANTHONY CLARE and BROADWAY BABY PRODUCTIONS

present

CURVE’s production of

PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH PARAMOUNT PICTURES

AND WARNER BROS THEATRE VENTURES

 

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD PREMIERE

 

EMMA WILLIAMS AS ‘PAULA POKRIFIKI’

JONNY FINES AS ‘ZACK MAYO’

RAY SHELL AS ‘FOLEY’

IAN MACINTOSH AS ‘SID WORLEY’

JESSICA DALEY AS ‘LYNETTE POMEROY’

 

DIRECTED BY NIKOLAI FOSTER

CHOREOGRAPHED BY KATE PRINCE

 

BOOK BY DOUGLAS DAY STEWART AND SHARLEEN COOPER COHEN

BASED ON THE ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY BY DOUGLAS DAY STEWART.

 

OPENING AT CURVE
ON FRIDAY 6 APRIL 2018

 

The full cast for the World Premiere of “AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN – THE MUSICAL” is officially announced. Emma Williams will play ‘Paula Pokrifiki’, Jonny Fines is ‘Zack Mayo’, Ray Shell as ‘Foley’, Ian Macintosh as ‘Sid Worley’ and Jessica Daley as ‘Lynette Pomeroy’. The production will open at Curve onFriday 6 April 2018 with a national press night on Thursday 19 April before playing at theatres across the UK and Ireland until 15 September 2018. Full tour schedule below.

 

Nikolai Foster, Artistic Director of Curve and Director of ‘An Officer and Gentleman – The Musical’ said today “Douglas Day Stewart wrote An Officer and a Gentleman in response to his time serving in the American Air Force and the challenges he faced during training. It is a visceral, uncompromising and ultimately tender portrait of the these personal experiences and the lives of folk living near the training facility in the early 1980s.

 

“We are proud to have assembled such an accomplished company of actors, led by Emma, Ray, Jonny, Ian and Jess to create our production and realise this beautiful portrait of working class lives. All of us at Curve are excited to tell this story – set to a fantastic 80s playlist – and to be working with the talented team at Jamie Wilson Productions. Productions like this couldn’t be made without the support of our collaborators and we are thrilled to be working with Jamie and his team. Officer will certainly be a memorable moment in our theatre’s 10th birthday year.”

 

Four-time Laurence Olivier Award nominated actress Emma Williams will play ‘Paula Pokrifki’. Emma’s previous credits include ‘Truly Scrumptious’ in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, “Mrs Henderson Presents” and “Love Story”, all in the West End. This year Emma won the What’s On Stage Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for playing ‘Helen’ in Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of “Half A Sixpence” at the Noel Coward Theatre.

 

Jonny Fines will play the iconic role of ‘Zack Mayo’ – the role made famous by Richard Gere in the beloved 80s film. Jonny most recently played the role of ‘Rooster’ in the West End production of “Annie” at The Piccadilly Theatre.  Other theatre credits include the UK Tours of “The Sound of Music” and “Avenue Q”.

 

Ray Shell will play ‘Foley’. Ray is probably most famous for creating the roles of ‘Rusty’ in “Starlight Express” and ‘Nomax’ in “Five Guys Named Moe”, both in the West End.  His other theatre credits include the iconic productions of “Miss Saigon” and “Jesus Christ Superstar”.

 

Ian Macintosh will play ‘Sid Worley’. Ian is an Olivier nominated actor for his role in the West End production of “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical”, his other credits include “The Commitments” and “Rock of Ages”.

 

Jessica Daley will play ‘Lynette Pomeroy’. Jessica was a finalist on the BBC 1’s “Over The Rainbow” and previous theatre credits include “Mamma Mia!” In the West End and the UK Tour of “The Sound of Music”.

 

The cast also includes Keisha Atwell (“Legally Blonde” and “Grease” at Curve, “Annie”) who will play ‘Casey Seegar’, Andy Barke (“Nativity! The Musical” and “Legally Blonde” at Curve) in the role of ‘Louis Perryman’,Darren Bennett (“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and “The Importance of Being Earnest”, “Grease” and the title role in “Scrooge the Musical” at Curve) in the role of ‘Bryon Mayo’, James Darch in the role of ‘Troy’, Nathaniel Landskroner (“Grease”, “Legally Blonde” and “Scrooge the Musical” at Curve) in the role of ‘Craig’, George Loannides (“Grease” at Curve and “Annie” and “Mamma Mia!”) in the role of  ‘Eduardo Cortez’, Joe Maxwell(“Jersey Boys” and “Scrooge the Musical” at Curve) in the role of ‘Fin Hooper’, Corinna Powlesland in the role of ‘Aunt Bunny’ and Rachel Stanley (“Legally Blonde” and “Scrooge the Musical” at Curve, White Christmas”) will play ‘Esther Pokrifki’.

 

Joining them will be David BurrowsVanessa Fisher, Aimee Hodnett, Keiran McGinn and Rhys Whitfield.

 

This brand-new musical is based on the 1982 Oscar-winning film starring Richard Gere which tells the story of Zack Mayo who is in training to become a US Navy Pilot. When Zack rolls into boot camp with a bit too much of a swagger, drill Sergeant Foley doesn’t make life easy for him. When he falls for local girl Paula Pokrifki and tragedy befalls his friend and fellow candidate, Zack realises the importance of love and friendship and finds the courage to be himself and win the heart of the woman he loves. It’s only then he can truly become both an Officer and a Gentleman.

 

The musical includes the hit song from the movie ‘Up Where We Belong’ along, with 80’s classics such as‘Alone’, ‘Don’t Cry Out Loud’, ‘You’re the Voice’, ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’, ‘Heart of Glass’, ‘Toy Soldiers’and ‘Material Girl’ and features one of the most iconic romantic scenes ever portrayed on screen.

 

“AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN” is one of the highest grossing films of all time. The screenplay is by writer and director Douglas Day Stewart which was based on his personal experience as a Naval Officer Candidate. The book is co-written by Douglas and Sharleen Cooper Cohen. It is directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (“Annie”, “What the Butler Saw”, “Calamity Jane” and “Sunset Boulevard”), Choreographed by Kate Prince (Old Vic Associate Artist, “Everyone’s Talking About Jamie”, “Into The Hoods” and ZooNation), has Musical Supervision by Tony Award-winning Sarah Travis (Curve Associate Artist, “Sweeney Todd”, “Sister Act”) with Set and Costume design by Olivier Award nominated designer Michael Taylor (“The Winslow Boy”, “Scrooge the Musical” at Curve, “The Dresser”). Orchestrations are by George Dyer, Lighting Design is by Ben Cracknell, Sound Design by Tom Marshall and Video Design by Douglas O’Connell.

“AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN”

2018 UK TOUR

 

FRIDAY 6 APRIL – SATURDAY 21 APRIL

CURVE, LEICESTER www.curveonline.co.uk

 

TUESDAY 24 APRIL – SATURDAY 28 APRIL

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE www.leedsgrandtheatre.com

TUESDAY 1 MAY – SATURDAY 5 MAY

MAYFLOWER THEATRE, SOUTHAMPTON  www.mayflower.org.uk

MONDAY 7 MAY – SATURDAY 12 MAY

WYCOMBE SWAN www.wycombeswan.co.uk

TUESDAY 15 MAY – SATURDAY 19 MAY

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME www.birminghamhippodrome.com

MONDAY 21 MAY – SATURDAY 26 MAY

LIVERPOOL EMPIRE www.atgtickets.com/liverpool

TUESDAY 29 MAY – SATURDAY 2 JUNE

BORD GAIS ENERGY THEATRE, DUBLIN www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

MONDAY 4 JUNE – SATURDAY 9 JUNE  

LYCEUM THEATRE, SHEFFIELD www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

MONDAY 18 JUNE – SATURDAY 23 JUNE

THEATRE ROYAL NEWCASTLE www.theatreroyal.co.uk

 

MONDAY 25 JUNE – SATURDAY 30 JUNE

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE www.wmc.org.uk

MONDAY 2 JULY – SATURDAY 7 JULY

EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE www.atgtickets.com/Edinburgh 

MONDAY 9 JULY – SATURDAY 14 JULY

MILTON KEYNES THEATRE www.atgtickets.com/Miltonkeynes

MONDAY 23 – SATURDAY 28 JULY

THEATRE ROYAL, NOTTINGHAM  www.trch.co.uk

MONDAY 30 JULY – SATURDAY 4 AUGUST

BRISTOL HIPPODROME www.atgtickets.com/bristol

MONDAY 6 AUGUST – SATURDAY 11 AUGUST

THE MARLOWE THEATRE, CANTERBURY www.marlowetheatre.com

 

MONDAY 13 AUGUST – SATURDAY 18 AUGUST

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE  www.atgtickets.com/manchester

MONDAY 20 AUGUST – SATURDAY 25 AUGUST

THEATRE ROYAL, PLYMOUTH www.theatreroyal.com

 

MONDAY 27 AUGUST – SATURDAY 1 SEPTEMBER

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

MONDAY 3 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 8 SEPTEMBER

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

MONDAY 10 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 15 SEPTEMBER

GLASGOW KING’S THEATRE www.atgtickets.com/glasgow