Month: March 2018

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE RETURN OF KISS ME, KATE

• 2018 tour includes dates in London, Leeds, Edinburgh and Ravenna

 

• Includes many of Cole Porter’s greatest hits, including ‘ANOTHER OP’NIN, ANOTHER SHOW’, ‘SO IN LOVE’, ‘ALWAYS TRUE TO YOU (IN MY FASHION)’ and ‘TOO DARN HOT’

 

An outstanding cast has been announced for the return of Opera North’s award-winning production of Cole Porter’s classic musical comedy, Kiss Me, Kate, opening at Leeds Grand Theatre in May, then touring to the Ravenna Festival, to the London Coliseum for a two-week run in June, and moving to the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh in July.

 

Cole Porter’s riotously inventive homage to the sparkling wit of Shakespeare, Kiss Me, Kate is an irresistible celebration of the joy and madness of working in theatre.

On the opening night of a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew in 1940s Baltimore, the tempestuous love lives of actor-manager Fred Graham and his leading lady (and ex-wife) Lilli Vanessi are set to collide. Throw in Fred’s current paramour Lois Lane and her gambler boyfriend Bill – plus a couple of gun-toting gangsters who somehow get caught up in the show – and the stage is set for a funny and farcical battle of the sexes!

Stephanie Corley joins the cast of Kiss Me, Kate for the first time, in the role of Lilli Vanessi/ Kate. Stephanie has previously sung the title role in Opera North’s The Merry Widow, and has most recently played Tina in Jonathan Dove’s Flight at Scottish Opera.  In a role which he made his own in the original 2015 production, Quirijn de Lang is back as Lilli’s ex-husband and tormentor-in chief, Fred Graham/Petruchio. His many recent roles at Opera North include Sam in Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti and Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro.

 

Turning Fred’s head, Zoë Rainey comes to the role of Lois Lane/Bianca flushed with the success of An American in Paris at the Dominion. As well as knowing her way around the Great American Songbook, Zoë is an accomplished dramatic actor, and was a member of the stellar company assembled by Sir Kenneth Branagh for his 2015 residency at the Garrick.

 

Dancer, singer and actor Alan Burkitt returns as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio, having played the role during Welsh National Opera’s run of Kiss Me, Kate in 2016 – which he followed with another trip to Tin Pan Alley in the lead role of Top Hat. Also returning from previous runs, Joseph Shovelton and John Savournin will reprise their scene-stealing turn as the dopey mobsters gifted one of Cole Porter’s most brilliant works, ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’.

 

Recently seen in the UK tour of Sister Act, Aiesha Pease exchanges her habit for Hattie’s apron and ‘Another Op’nin’, Another Show’. Talented singer and dancer Stephane Anelli, recently Dandini in Hackney Empire’s celebrated Cinderella, will lead the ensemble in ‘Too Darn Hot’ as Paul. His other West End roles have included Cosmo in Singin’ in the Rain and Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever.

 

A veteran of stage and screen, James Hayes has the distinction of having appeared in more National Theatre productions than any other living actor. He returns as Harry Trevor/Baptista, after making his first foray into musicals in Opera North’s original production. Another An American in Paris alumnus, Jack Wilcox, plays Hortensio, while Malcolm Ridley, who has previously worked with the National Theatre (War Horse, West End) and Donmar (Ivanov) plays Harrison Howell.

 

Richard Mantle, General Director, Opera North comments:

 

“Kiss Me, Kate is a real treat of a show, boasting what is probably Cole Porter’s richest, most accomplished theatrical score. It’s serious fun, and Opera North’s landmark production approaches it with the respect it demands, benefiting from David Charles Abell’s critical edition of the score and recognizing the huge range of musical and dramatic skills that it calls for.

 

“It’s with this in mind that we have brought together a formidably gifted cast from the worlds of opera and musical theatre, to join the internationally-acclaimed forces of the Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North. We’re thrilled to be bringing this stunning production back to the stage in 2018, and to perform for audiences in Leeds, Ravenna, London and Edinburgh.”

 

Kiss Me, Kate is conducted by James Holmes (Carousel, 2012/2015), a former Head of Music at Opera North and a leading exponent of musical theatre, and directed by Jo Davies, who is responsible for a string of five-star successes for Opera North, including Ruddigore, Carousel, The Marriage of Figaro and of course, Kiss Me, Kate itself. Sets and costumes are designed by Colin Richmond, while the “sizzling” choreography is by Will Tuckett (Royal Ballet, English National Ballet) whose recent shows include West Side Story (Sage Gateshead), The Wind in the Willows (ROH and West End transfer) and Elizabeth (ROH and Barbican Theatre).

 

kissmekatethemusical.co.uk

 

KISS ME, KATE

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter

Book by Bella and Samuel Spewack

Critical edition by David Charles Abell and Seann Alderking

For full casting and creative listing please see release attached

 

Performance dates:

 

Leeds Grand Theatre

Box office: 0844 848 2720 or kissmekatethemusical.co.uk

Wed       23 May 2018                       Kiss Me, Kate                     7.15pm

Thu        24 May 2018                       Kiss Me, Kate                     2.15pm

Thu        24 May 2018                       Kiss Me, Kate                     7.15pm

Fri           25 May 2018                       Kiss Me, Kate                     7.15pm

Sat          26 May 2018                       Kiss Me, Kate                     2.15pm

Sat          26 May 2018                       Kiss Me, Kate                     7.15pm

Teatro Alighieri, Ravenna, Italy

Box office: ravennafestival.org

Thu        7 Jun 2018                           Kiss Me, Kate                     8.30pm

Fri           8 Jun 2018                           Kiss Me, Kate                     8.30pm

Sat          9 Jun 2018                           Kiss Me, Kate                     3.30pm

Sat          9 Jun 2018                           Kiss Me, Kate                     8.30pm

London Coliseum

Box office: 020 7845 9300 or londoncoliseum.org

Wed       20 Jun 2018                         Kiss Me, Kate                     7.30pm

Thu        21 Jun 2018                         Kiss Me, Kate                     2.30pm

Thu        21 Jun 2018                         Kiss Me, Kate                     7.30pm

Fri           22 Jun 2018                         Kiss Me, Kate                     7.30pm

Sat          23 Jun 2018                         Kiss Me, Kate                     2.30pm

Sat          23 Jun 2018                         Kiss Me, Kate                     7.30pm

Tues       26 Jun 2018                        Kiss Me, Kate                     7.30pm

Wed      27 Jun 2018                        Kiss Me, Kate                     7.30pm

Thu        28 Jun 2018                        Kiss Me, Kate                     7.30pm

Fri           29 Jun 2018                        Kiss Me, Kate                     7.30pm

Sat          30 Jun 2018                         Kiss Me, Kate                     2.30pm

Sat          30 Jun 2018                         Kiss Me, Kate                     7.30pm

 

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Box office: 0131 529 6000 or edtheatres.com

Wed       4 July 2018                          Kiss Me, Kate                     7.15pm

Thu        5 July 2018                          Kiss Me, Kate                     7.15pm

Fri           6 July 2018                          Kiss Me, Kate                     7.15pm

Sat          7 July 2018                          Kiss Me, Kate                     2.15pm

Sat          7 July 2018                          Kiss Me, Kate                     7.15pm

Kiss Me, Kate is a co-production with Welsh National Opera.

Salisbury Playhouse – until 17 March.  Reviewed by Jo Gordon

5*****

Set in a lavish retirement home for aged musicians, Quartet introduces us to four senior opera singers who are struggling to settle into old age and the changes it brings with it. Wilfred Bond (Paul Nicholas) a rather randy fellow with an eye for the ladies, Reginald Paget (Jeff Rawle) a quiet man that just wants the simple pleasure of marmalade at breakfast and Cecily Robson (Wendi Peters) an eccentric, sweet woman who is struggling more and more to define past memories from the present and vehemently welcoming people home from Karachi all happily reside together chatting about the old days, coping with the new chapter in their lives and past loves lost. When a new resident arrives in the form of Reginald’s ex wife, the once revered singer Jean Horton (Sue Holderness)  causes quite a stir and some upset until they plan to  perform at an annual concert to celebrate Giuseppi Verdi’s (AKA Jo Green) birthday.

As strained relationships are healed and the four, in all their eccentric glory come together and overcome their fear of leaving their younger selves behind to the rally cry of “NSP” (no self pity), the show must go on!

A simple but beautiful set where I could easily imagine kaftan wearing, velvet clad thespians and opera stars wafting around regaling stories of the days they were at their peak and adored by the masses.

With an incredibly experienced cast (OK I will admit… I had a childhood crush on Paul Nicholas in his Just Good Friends era,I was more than excited to be in the same space as him!) and lots of very funny comedy moments, it makes for a wonderful production. Wilfred and Reginald deliberated about what is art and came to the conclusion that “Art is meaningless if it doesn’t make you feel” and I have to agree, you will experience a range of emotions throughout the play that will make you question your own outlook on growing older but it reminds you that despite the wear and tear on the outside there will always be a a 20 something soprano’s spirit within.

Empire Cinema Haymarket – until 2 September.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

5*****

Emma Rice’s musical adaptation of Brief Encounter returns to the Empire Cinema after ten years, and still has the power to entrance and excite. Noel Coward’s oh so British love story, set in the stifling social order of post war Britain has been lampooned for many years, but Emma Rice’s loving treatment of the story is filled with nostalgia, passion and gentle knowing humour.

When Laura gets some grit in her eye on the station platform, doctor Alec assists her. A tentative romance blossoms, but they are both married, and cannot escape their responsibilities without being harshly judged by society. Rice keeps this central romance very true to Coward’s original characters, with stilted language and lingering silent glances, but introduces two contrasting love affairs highlighting the class divide. The darkness of Coward’s film remains, but the supporting characters are brought to live in vibrant and exuberant colour.

The mix of projection and live action still impresses, with the cinematic scenes feeling perfect in the large cinema auditorium. There is the hint of the technicolour magic experienced when Dorothy goes to Oz as the black and white films dissolve and the bright colours onstage shine through. Thrown in with the technical wizardry is Kneehigh’s signature homespun ethos, charming the audience with model trains and scene stealing toy dogs. Noel Coward’s songs are used to glorious effect, with Stu Barker’s music perfectly fitting the period setting. A standout sequence involves Laura and Alec silently interacting as Jos Slovick sings Go Slow Johnny with an amazingly luxurious tone that wouldn’t have been out of place at one of Coward’s soirees. In familiar Kneehigh style, before the show begins, the musicians and cast (in vintage usher outfits) wander around the auditorium, playing, singing and exchanging banter with the audience. The cast are superb, with Isabel Pollen heartbreakingly brilliant as Laura and Jim Sturgeon decent and dashing as Alec. Comic relief comes from Jos Slovak and Beverly Rudd as young flirty couple Stanley and Beryl, and Lucy Thackeray and Dean Nolan as Myrtle Bagot and Albert. Thackeray is hysterical as Myrtle, capturing the swift slips between the pretentious accent used for customers and her true working-class roots. Her not quite clandestine romance with Albert is a refreshingly physical, and funny, antidote to the frustrating stiffness Laura and Alec must show.

Charming, nostalgic, witty, clever, and touchingly romantic, Brief Encounter blends the best of cinema and theatre to create an unforgettable magical experience – and they even provide a hanky.

For King and Country
The Colab Factory, 84 Long Lane, London SE1 4AU
Wednesday 18th April – Sunday 10th June 2018

It’s December 1940 and a Nazi invasion force has landed on the south coast of England

For King & Country offers audiences a chance to immerse themselves in this gaming style experience where decisions taken in the bunker will shape the course of history! Reinventing the wheel of immersive theatre, Parabolic Theatre present an escape room-like experience with a high level of interaction where the audience determine the direction and flow of the story

This exciting interactive production offers audiences a chance to live through Britain’s ‘Darkest Hour’, making many of the tough decisions that Churchill himself made. With London in crisis, parliament is recalled and with all the members of both houses meeting in Westminster, the audience represent a small group of backbench MPs and their families – designated survivors – who have been taken to a secure location. They are completely unaware of the imminent events that will thrust them into the limelight and put the fate of the country in their hands. Can you save the British people from Hitler and his Third Reich, or will the war be over by Christmas?

For King & Country is an immersive theatre experience where every single night is different. The actors have no scripts, just a complete understanding of the alternative world they are creating aided by in-depth historical research. The audience are not just watching; at some point everyone will play the protagonist in one way or another

Director Owen Kingston comments, This is a show about making tough decisions and prompting debate. It’s like parliament at its worst and at its best all rolled into one. It’s a model of modern democracy with the pressure turned all the way up until the pipes start to burst. And you know what? People rise to the challenge. It’s an impossible scenario, yet people bust a gut to win because the fate of the whole country is on the line. History itself is on the line. They won’t let history fall apart on their watch

SIMON BEAUFOY’S AWARD-WINNING STAGE PLAY

THE FULL MONTY

FINAL EVER UK & IRELAND TOUR

BEGINS 3 SEPTEMBER 2018

TO STAR GARY LUCY, ANDREW DUNN, LOUIS EMERICK,

JOE GILL, KAI OWEN AND JAMES REDMOND

David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers’s presentation of the Sheffield Theatres production of Simon Beaufoy’s THE FULL MONTY, which won the UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production, will tour the UK & Ireland for the final ever time in 2018/19, opening at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham on 3 September 2018.  Further tour dates include Chester, Dublin, Killarney, York, Bromley, Swindon, Birmingham, Darlington, Stoke, Norwich and Sheffield with more dates to be added.

The cast will be led by Gary Lucy (Luke Morgan in Hollyoaks, Danny Pennant in EastEnders, DS Will Fletcher in The Bill, Kyle Pascoe in Footballer’s Wives, winner of Dancing on Ice) as Gaz, along with Andrew Dunn (best known as Tony in Dinnerladies and for his regular appearances playing Alastair Campbell on Bremner, Bird and Fortune) as Gerald, Louis Emerick (Norman the Doorman in Benidorm, Mick Johnson in Brookside, PC Walsh in Last of the Summer Wine and soon to be seen as Mike in Coronation Street) as Horse, Joe Gill (Finn Barton in Emmerdale) as Lomper, Kai Owen (Rhys in Torchwood and Pete in Hollyoaks) as Dave and James Redmond (Finn in Hollyoaks and Abs Denham in Casualty). Further casting is to be announced.

The 2018/19 tour will be directed by previous THE FULL MONTY cast member and Coronation Street actor Rupert Hill.

The Full Monty is one of the most acclaimed British films ever and THE FULL MONTY stage play has become one of the most phenomenal theatrical productions ever.

This chuffing brilliant production about six out-of-work, impoverished steelworkers from Sheffield with nothing to lose took the world by storm and has become one of Britain’s most successful shows.

Based on his smash hit film and adapted for the stage by Oscar-winning writer Simon Beaufoy, this hilarious and heartfelt production has received standing ovations every night and features the iconic songs from the film by Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones.

 

THE FULL MONTY is Simon Beaufoy’s first work for the theatre. His screen credits include The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Salmon Fishing in Yemen, Battle of the Sexes and Slumdog Millionaire, as well as The Full Monty.

 

The UK & Ireland Tour of THE FULL MONTY has design by Robert Jones and choreography by Ian West, with casting by Marc Frankum.

The 2018/19 UK & Ireland Tour of Simon Beaufoy’s THE FULL MONTY, based on the Fox Searchlight Pictures motion picture, is presented by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and is a Sheffield Theatres production.

For further details, visit www.fullmontytheplay.com

Facebook:       The Full Monty UK
Twitter:                        FullMontyPlay / #fullmonty

2018/19 TOUR SCHEDULE

6 – 15 September                Cheltenham Everyman                                                    01242 572573

                                             www.everymantheatre.org.uk                                          On sale

17 – 22 September              Cambridge Arts Theatre                                                   01223 503333

                                             www.cambridgeartstheatre.com                                      On sale soon

24 – 29 September              Storyhouse, Chester                                                         01244 409 113

                                             www.storyhouse.com                                                       On sale soon

1 – 6 October                       Dublin Gaiety Theatre                                                      0818 719388                                                                             www.gaietytheatre.ie                                                                                                   On sale soon

                                                    

8 – 13 October                     INEC, Killarney                                                                 00 353 (0)64 66 71555

                                             www.inec.ie                                                                      On sale soon

15 – 20 October                   Grand Opera House, York                                               0844 871 3024

                                             www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york    On sale 15 March

22 – 27 October                   Churchill Theatre, Bromley                                              020 3285 6000                                                      www.churchilltheatre.co.uk                                                                                           On sale soon

29 October – 3 November   Wyvern Theatre, Swindon                                                01793 524 481

                                             www.swindontheatres.co.uk                                            On sale

5 – 10 November                 Birmingham Hippodrome                                                 0844 338 5000

                                             www.birminghamhippodrome.com                                  On sale soon

12 – 17 November               Darlington Hippodrome                                                    01325 405405                                                                         www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk                                                                                On sale 3 April

19 – 24 November               Stoke Regent Theatre                                                      0844 871 7649

                                             www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre                    On sale soon

26 Nov – 1 Dec                    Norwich Theatre Royal                                                    01603 630000

                                             www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk                                       On sale soon

4 – 9 February 2019            Nottingham Theatre Royal                                               0115 989 5555

                                             www.trch.co.uk                                                                On sale soon

11 – 16 February                 Mayflower Theatre Southampton                                    02380 711811

                                             www.mayflower.org.uk                                                    On sale soon

7 – 18 May 2019                  Sheffield Lyceum Theatre                                                0844 6565 147

                                             www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk                                            On sale soon

Further venues to be added

Lowry, Salford – 10 March 2018.  Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

5*****

Un Ballo In Maschera is the third and final show from Opera North’s Fatal Passions, that I had the honour of watching. The opera, written by Verdi, follows a king who is doomed to die by the hand of his best friend. The visuals in this play are beautiful and are given this 1950s sense from the costumes.

I was impressed by the other two operas a lot, so Un Ballo In Maschera had a lot to live up to. The lead character Gustavo played by Rafael Rojas, is a king who is adored and equally hated, his vocals commanded the stage and took on this heavy role that is built with depth and personality. The King is in love Amelia played Adrienn Miksch, who is married to Count Anckarström played by Phillip Rhodes, this tale of forbidden lust is what leads to the Kings death. The vocals that the whole cast gave to the show was absolutely stunning, the very large chorus made scenes such as the ball fantastic, I was blown away by the attention and perfection each actor had on stage when there was a lot happening, nothing seemed out of place. The actor who stood out for me was Tereza Gevorgyan who played the kings assistant, Oscar, when in stage she brought this energy and made the scenes interesting and we as an audience could laugh at points during the tragedy.

The stage was just as amazing as the characters, with a tilted stage that has secrets that made it able to have lots of sofas on stage and a red curtain that becomes a wall during a scene where the king gets its fortune read. The music by Verdi is powerful and gave these scores that brought the emotion of love, power and tragedy. The conductor Richard Farnes led the Orchestra and made sure that they honoured Verdi, they worked in time and complimented the vocals perfectly.

I have enjoyed all three shows by Opera North very much, the fatal passion theme captured how love can be deadly.  There is something so beautiful about the opera, from the visuals to the vocals, the shows always blow me away, but this time I was blown off this planet, the company has a lot to be proud of and I hope to see more of their shows in the future.

THE NATIONAL THEATRE AND

SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCE THE WEST END TRANSFER OF

C O N S E N T

WITH OVER 14,000 TICKETS AT £25 OR UNDER FOR THIS

STRICTLY LIMITED 12-WEEK RUN

Sonia Friedman Productions and the National Theatre today (12 March 2018) announce the West End production of Nina Raine’s Consent following the 2017 critically acclaimed sell-out run at the Dorfman Theatre.  Directed by Roger Michell and originally co-produced and commissioned by Out of Joint, Consent will begin previews at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 18 May for a strictly limited 12-week run.  Opening night will take place on 29 May with booking through to 11 August 2018.  Tickets for this West End transfer – with over 14,000 priced at £25 or under – will go on public sale on Thursday 15 March 2018 at 10am.

The cast includes Claudie Blakley, Stephen Campbell Moore, Heather Craney and Adam James with further casting to be announced. Set is by Hildegard Bechtler, with costumes by Dinah Collin, lighting by Rick Fisher, music by Kate Whitley, sound by John Leonard and casting by Amy Ball CDG.

Nina Raine’s ‘blistering new play’ (New York Times), directed by Roger Michell, makes a triumphant and timely transfer to the Harold Pinter Theatre this May, following a sold out season at the National Theatre.

Why is Justice blind? Is she impartial? Or is she blinkered?  Friends take opposing briefs in a contentious legal case. The key witness is a woman whose life seems a world away from theirs. At home, their own lives begin to unravel as every version of the truth is challenged.

This ‘tense, entertaining modern-day tragi-comedy’ (Daily Telegraph) takes a searing look at the law whilst putting modern relationships into the dock.

 

Nina Raine’s other plays include Tiger Country, Rabbit and Tribes as well as an adaptation of The Drunks by the Durnenkov Brothers.  She was shortlisted for the 2004 Verity Bargate Award and awarded the 2006 Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Awards for Most Promising Playwright for her debut play Rabbit.  Tribes won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play, the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Foreign Play and the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Play and has been performed in eighteen different countries. Nina has been nominated for a Susan Blackburn Smith Award for Consent.

Roger Michell’s many productions include Waste, Landscape with Weapon, Honour, Blue/Orange, Under Milk Wood, The Homecoming and The Coup all for the National Theatre, Farewell to the Theatre and Some Sunny Day both for Hampstead Theatre, Rope for the Almeida Theatre, Tribes and Birthday both for the Royal Court, Betrayal, Old Times and My Night with Reg for the Donmar Warehouse, the latter transferring to the Apollo Theatre in the West End. Michell’s film credits include My Cousin Rachel, Le Week-End, Hyde Park on Hudson, Morning Glory, Venus, Enduring Love, The Mother, Changing Lanes, Persuasion, My Night With Reg, Titanic Town and Notting Hill.  On television his credits include The Buddha of Suburbia, Downtown Lagos, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jeffries, Birthday, Ready When You Are, Mr Patel and Michael Redgrave – My Father.

 

Claudie Blakley’s theatre credits include Once in a Lifetime for the Young Vic, The Painkiller at the Garrick Theatre, Chimerica for the Almeida Theatre and in the West End, Rules for Living, The Cherry Orchard, Comedy of Errors, Attempts on Her Life and Rosencrantz & Guildernstern are Dead for the National Theatre, Macbeth and Lear for the Sheffield Crucible, Di and Viv and Rose and The Good Samaritan for the Hampstead Theatre, Love and Money for the Young Vic and Royal Exchange, All’s Well That Ends Well for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Kosher Harry for the Royal Court, The Lady from the Sea for the Almeida and Billy & the Crab for Soho Theatre. Her television credits include Grantchester, Silent Witness, The Driver, What Remains, The Night Watch, New Tricks, Nativity, Blue Geranium, Lark Rise to Candleford, Cranford Chronicles, Fallen Angel, Fear of Fanny, Vital Signs, Dirty Filthy Love and Inspector Linley Mysteries. Her film credits include Bright Star, London to Brighton, Severance, Pride and Prejudice, Gosford Park and The Cat’s Meow.

 

Stephen Campbell Moore’s theatre credits include Photograph 51 at the Noël Coward Theatre, Chimerica for the Almeida and in the West End, Berenice for the Donmar Warehouse, Clybourne Park for the Royal Court and in the West End, All My Sons at the Apollo Theatre, The History Boys for the National Theatre and on Broadway, Much Ado About Nothing and Antony and Cleopatra both for the Royal Shakespeare Company, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Albery, Richard II and Coriolanus for the Almeida. His film credits include Goodbye Christopher Robin, How To Talk To Girls At Parties, The Lady in the Van, The Ones Below, Burnt, Moonwalkers, Man Up, Complicit, Johnny English Reborn, Season of the Witch, Sea Wolf, The Children, The Bank Job, Amazing Grace, The History Boys, A Good Woman and Bright Young Things. His television credits include The Child in Time, The Last Post, Stag, The Wrong Mans, The Go Between, Our Zoo, Hunted, Just Henry, Titanic, Sleepyhead, Pulse, Ben Hur, Lark Rise to Candleford, A Short Stay in Switzerland, Ashes to Ashes, Rough Crossings, Hustle, Wallis and Edward, He Knew He Was Right and Byron.

Heather Craney originated the roles of Gayle and Laura in Consent for the National Theatre. Her other theatre credits include The Vote and Passion Play both for the Donmar Warehouse, Made in Dagenham at the Adelphi Theatre, Handbagged, Pink and You Me & Wii all for the Tricycle Theatre, I Like Mine with a Kiss at the Bush Theatre, Joe Guy at Soho Theatre, Sugar Mummies and Stoning Mary both for the Royal Court. For film, her recent credits include Child 44, Dangerous Parking, Mark of Cain and Vera Drake which earned her a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. On television her credits include Line of Duty, Life of Riley, Torchwood, In the Dark, Ahead of the Class, Holby City, Doctors, Silent Witness, Eastenders.

 

Adam James is an award-winning actor who has worked extensively on stage and screen. Currently in Olivier nominated Girl from the North Country at the Noël Coward Theatre, Adam originated the role of Jake in Consent for the National Theatre, where his previous credits have included 13, Gethsemane and Blood and Gifts. He is recognisable on screen for his roles in Dr Foster, King Charles III, The Crimson Field, Hustle and Extras amongst others. Other theatre credits include An Enemy of the People for Chichester Festival Theatre, Bull for the Young Vic, Now or Laterand My Child both for the Royal Court and King Charles III at the Almeida Theatre. His film credits include The Kill Team, Johnny English III, Hunter Killer, A Little Chaos, Last Chance Harvey, Mother of Tears and Road To Guantanamo. His more recent television credits include Home From Home, Eric, Ernie and Me, Endeavour, Grantchester and Coalition.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre:                           Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton St, London SW1Y 4DN

Dates:                              18 May – 11 August 2018

Press Night:                       29 May 2018 at 7pm

Running time:                    Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes including a 20 minute interval

Box Office:                         ATG Tickets 0844 871 7622

National Theatre 020 7452 3000

Performances:                    Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm

Prices:                              From £15

Website:                           www.consentwestend.com

Twitter:                           @consentwestend

Facebook:                         @consentwestend

ENGLISH TOURING THEATRE ANNOUNCES 2018-19 SEASON AHEAD OF 25TH ANNIVERSARY

NED BENNETT’S BOLD NEW INTERPRETATION OF PETER SHAFFER’S ACCLAIMED PLAY EQUUS OPENS IN LONDON AHEAD OF UK TOUR

NATIONAL TOUR OF ETT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR RICHARD TWYMAN’S REIMAGINING OF OTHELLO INCLUDING MULTI-ARTS FESTIVAL THE OTHELLO PROJECT

2017 RTST SIR PETER HALL DIRECTOR AWARD WINNER CHELSEA WALKER’S CONTEMPORARY STAGING OF A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

NATHANIEL MARTELLO-WHITE, NADIR NAHDI AND ELIZABETH FREESTONE ANNOUNCED AS NEW ASSOCIATE ARTISTS

EXPANSION OF ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, ETT FORGE

 

Richard Twyman, Artistic Director of English Touring Theatre, today announces the 2018-19 season ahead of the company’s 25^th anniversary in September, with further productions and events to be announced throughout the year. This follows ETT and Mercury Theatre Colchester’s co-production of The Weir collecting the 2018 Manchester Theatre Award for Best Visiting Production on Friday.

The season begins with the previously announced A Streetcar Named Desire directed by 2017 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award winner Chelsea Walker, a co-production with Nuffield Southampton Theatres and Theatr Clwyd, which opens at Nuffield Southampton Theatres on 28 March 2018 with previews from 23 March prior to a UK tour. This is followed by a revival of Twyman’s critically acclaimed reimagining of Othello (“a marvellous production – one of the best I have seen” Susannah Clapp, The Observer), a co-production with Oxford Playhouse and Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory (originally co-produced with Tobacco Factory Theatres), which opens at Oxford Playhouse on 20 September 2018, with previews from 18 September prior to a UK tour; and a new production of Peter Shaffer’s Equus directed by Ned Bennett, a co-production with Theatre Royal Stratford East, as part of Nadia Fall’s inaugural season at the theatre. The production opens at Theatre Royal Stratford East on 21 February 2019, with previews from 15 February, prior to a UK tour.

 

Richard Twyman said today, “As we approach ETT’s 25^th anniversary we look excitedly to the future, re-defining ETT for a new generation of artists and audiences. The first three shows to be announced for 2018-19, will reimagine classic work for audiences throughout the country, and I’m thrilled to be sharing the work of two of the most exciting and accomplished directors to emerge in recent years on main stages across the nation – Chelsea Walker, who directs A Streetcar Named Desire and Ned Bennett, who directs Equus. I’m delighted that alongside the tour of Othello, our nationwide multi-arts festival, The Othello Project, curated by journalist and cultural organiser Abdul-Rehman Malik, furthers our commitment to making work with diverse communities.

Alongside bold productions of seminal plays, reaching over 20 cities nationwide, we will further ETT’s support of new artists and approaches to touring. This year sees the expansion of ETT Forge to a country-wide platform for emerging touring theatre makers; the launch of ETT Forge Associates, our new yearly commitment to grow the touring work of three brilliant companies and producers; and three new Associate Artists joining the company – Nathaniel Martello-White, Nadir Nahdi and Elizabeth Freestone. All three are exceptional artists in their field, original, fearless voices that will help shape ETT’s future.”

 

To accompany the UK tour of Othello, ETT, alongside journalist and activist Abdul-Rehman Malik,will curate a multi-art festival in response to the production at each venue. The festivals will give a platform to some of the most exciting Muslim artists and writers working in the UK today, shining a light on the contemporary relevance of the play, breaking down barriers to Shakespeare and championing cross-cultural dialogue amongst communities. The project will feature work from spoken word artist, Tanya Muneera Williams and is presented in association with Amal – a project of the Said Foundation. Further details about the festivals will be announced soon.

 

ETT announces three new Associate Artists joining the company in its anniversary year, Nathaniel Martello-White, Nadir Nahdi and Elizabeth Freestone. Nathaniel Martello-White is a playwright and actor, whose play Torn was staged at the Royal Court in 2016 in a production directed by Richard Twyman, and who will support the development of new voices at ETT. Nadir Nahdi is a filmmaker and the founder of BENI, a You Tube channel highlighting young people from diverse backgrounds, who previously worked with ETT on The Othello Project and will help to shape the company’s digital strategy. Director Elizabeth Freestone is the former Artistic Director of Pentabus and a Mentor for Women in the Arts, she brings with her a wealth of experience in touring, specifically to rural communities.

 

The company also announces the expansion of ETT Forge, including the launch of ETT Forge Associates, a scheme designed to establish a deep rooted and meaningful relationship with three exceptional companies or individuals each year from across the UK who are looking to grow in scale and ambition, building stronger national relationships. This year’s ETT Forge Associates are Antic Face, Common and Alison Holder.

The expansion of ETT Forge broadens the reach of the programme regionally and enhances the support available to companies and producers with a proven commitment to touring. Through skills workshops and peer to peer networking opportunities, online resources, development time in ETT’s studios and curated industry sharing’s, ETT Forge provides a toolkit to support the future of touring in the UK. The new scheme opens for registration today, Monday 12 March, and will be open to all UK based companies and producers who can demonstrate a commitment to touring their work.

 

An English Touring Theatre, Nuffield Southampton Theatres and Theatr Clwyd co-production

Supported by a grant from The Royal Theatrical Support Trust

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

by Tennessee Williams

Director: Chelsea Walker; Designer Georgia Lowe

 

UK tour 23 March – 16 June 2018

 

Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece A Streetcar Named Desire is directed by 2017 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award winner Chelsea Walker with a cast including Nicole Agada (Woman/Nurse), Will Bliss (Steve), Dexter Flanders (Mitch), Kelly Gough (Blanche), Amber James (Stella), Patrick Knowles (Stanley), Maria Louis (Eunice) and Joe Manjón (Pablo/Doctor/Paperboy).

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.

 

A bold new revival of Tennessee Williams’ timeless classic, this is a raging portrayal of what it means to be an outsider, in a society where we’re all desperate to belong.

 

After the run at Nuffield Southampton Theatres, and preceding a run at Theatr Clwyd, A Streetcar Named Desire tours to Theatre by the Lake, Malvern Theatres, Bristol Old Vic, New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, Cambridge Arts Theatre and Oxford Playhouse before returning to Southampton.

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.

 

English Touring Theatre, Oxford Playhouse and Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory present   

Othello

By William Shakespeare

 

UK tour 18 September – 24 November 2018

Director: Richard Twyman; Designer: Georgia Lowe; Creative Advisor: Abdul-Rehman Malik

Following a critically acclaimed Bristol and London run, English Touring Theatre revives Richard Twyman’s vital production of Othello in a co-production with Oxford Playhouse and Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory. The production opens at Oxford Playhouse on 20 September and tours to Harrogate Theatre, Cast in Doncaster, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham, Oldham Coliseum Theatre, The New Wolsey Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre and Lighthouse Poole.

Othello is one of Shakespeare’s most startlingly contemporary plays – a masterful depiction of a life torn apart by prejudice.

 

Venice; a western colonial power employs the newly-married Othello, a Muslim general, to lead their army against the impending Turkish invasion. The strain of fitting into a society riven by discrimination and fear soon take their toll. Manipulated by Iago, Othello’s life quickly unravels as he turns on everything he holds dear.

 

Originally co-produced with Tobacco Factory Theatres.

 

Richard Twyman is Artistic Director of English Touring Theatre for which he has directed Othello (also Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory/Tobacco Factory Theatres). Prior to this he was Associate Director (International) at the Royal Court Theatre between 2013-2016, where his directing work included Torn, Harrogate (also HighTide and UK tour), You For Me For You, Fireworks, The Djinns of Eidgah and PIIGS. His other theatre credits include Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Tokyo) Henry IV Pt II (RSC), Ditch (Old Vic Tunnels and HighTide), Dr Marigold & Mr Chops (Theatre Royal Bath and UK tour), Sixty-Six Books (Bush Theatre) and Give Me Your Hand (Irish Rep, New York – nomination for the Drama Desk Award 2012 for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Experience). Between 2003 and 2008 he worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he was Associate Director to Michael Boyd on the multi-award winning Histories Cycle and for which he directed Henry IV Pt II.

 

 

English Touring Theatre and Theatre Royal Stratford East present

Equus

By Peter Shaffer

UK tour from 15 February 2019

Director: Ned Bennett

 

Award winning director Ned Bennett brings Peter Shaffer’s psychological thriller Equus to the stage in a bold new production of the critically-acclaimed classic. The co-production with Theatre Royal Stratford East opens at Theatre Royal Stratford East on 16 February before embarking on a UK tour, with venues and dates to be announced.

 

When teenager Alan Strang’s pathological fascination leads him to blind six horses, psychiatrist Dr. Martin Dysart is tasked with uncovering the motive behind the boy’s violent act. As Dysart delves into Alan’s world of twisted spirituality, passion and sexuality, he begins to question his own sanity and motivations in a world driven by consumerism.

Sir Peter Shaffer’s (1926 – 2016) plays include The Salt Land, The Prodigal Father, Balance of Terror, Five Finger Exercise (Evening Standard Drama Award), The Private Ear, The Public Eye, The Royal Hunt of the Sun, Black Comedy, White Lies, The Battle of Shrivings, Yonadab, The Gift of the Gorgon, Lettice and Lovage and Amadeus (Evening Standard Drama Award and Tony Award for Best Play). His plays adapted for film include Five Finger Exercise, The Royal Hunt of the Sun, Equusand Amadeus (Academy Award for Best Picture), for television The Salt Land and Balance of Terror,and for radio The Prodigal Father and Whom Do I Have the Honour of Addressing?. In 1994, Shaffer was Visiting Professor of Contemporary Drama at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford. He was awarded the CBE in 1987 and was knighted in 2001.

 

Ned Bennett directs Equus. He is an award-winning theatre director, who trained at the Royal Court, the National Theatre and LAMDA. His work includes the Evening Standard Award-winning An Octoroon, which opened at the Orange Tree Theatre in Spring 2017 and will transfer to the Dorfman in Summer 2018, and Buggy Baby which opened at the Yard Theatre in March of this year. He directed the Bruntwood Prize-winning Yen at the Manchester Royal Exchange which transferred to the Royal Court in 2016, and Pomona which was commissioned by the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and transferred to the Orange Tree, and then to the National Theatre. Pomona and Yen won Bennett the UKT Best Director award 2015. Pomona won four Off-West End awards: Best Director, Best Production, Best New Play and Best Lighting Design.

English Touring Theatre

English Touring Theatre is one of the UK’s leading touring companies, winning the UK Theatre Awards Best Touring Production in 2014, 2015 and 2016. ETT works with exciting artists to stage an eclectic mix of new and classic work for audiences throughout the UK and overseas; theatre that is thrilling, popular and engaged in the contemporary world. At the heart of everything ETT does is the passionately held belief that everyone, wherever they are in the country, deserves to have access to world class theatre. In 2017 ETT toured to 40 venues throughout the UK, with productions including Sam Holcroft’s Rules for Living, Richard Twyman’s critically acclaimed production of Othello and the 20^th anniversary tour of The Weir, which finished its nationwide tour this year, winning the Manchester Theatre Award for Best Visiting Production. 2018 sees the company celebrate its 25^th anniversary.

www.ett.org.uk 
@ETTtweet

 

ETT Associate Artists

Nathaniel Marthello-White’s first play Blackta was produced at the Young Vic in a sold-out (and extended) run directed by David Lan, for which Nathaniel was nominated for the Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright. Torn, his second play, was produced at the Royal Courtdirected by Richard Twyman. He wrote and directed a short film Cla’am for Acme Films/ Creative England/ BBC Films, which premiered at SXSW 2017, where it was nominated for a Grand Jury Award. The film went on to win Best UK Short at London’s Raindance Festival.

 

Nadir Nahdi is the founder of BENI, a YouTube Channel highlighting young people from diverse backgrounds through meaningful and unique content. His YouTube channel aims to celebrate the power of human connection, as he presents his fans with an intimate insight into misrepresented people and their cultures. After finishing his MSc in‎ International Relations at the London School of Economics, Nadir spent time working in London for Chatham House and Amman for the United Nations. He then did a U-turn and began working for various media start-ups and other YouTube channels, with the plan to build a career using digital platforms to combat misunderstanding and promote diversity.

 

Elizabeth Freestone is a British director whose current productions include Henry V (Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory) and The Rape of Lucrece (Gate Theatre, Dublin). From 2012-16 she was Artistic Director of Pentabus Theatre Company, for whom she commissioned and directed many new plays and created a pioneering playwriting programme. World premières include As The Crow Flies by Hattie Naylor, Here I Belong by Matt Hartley, The Lone Pine Club by Alice Birch, Each Slow Dusk by Rory Mullarkey, Milked by Simon Longman and In This Place by Lydia Adetunji. Her previous directing credits include Here Lies Mary Spindler, The Tragedy of Thomas Hobbes, The Comedy of Errors and The Rape of Lucrece (RSC), House and Garden (Watermill), The Duchess of Malfi, Doctor Faustus, The School for Scandal and Volpone (Greenwich Theatre) and Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare’s Globe and European tour). Elizabeth has also worked as Artist in Residence and Director on Attachment at the National Theatre Studio and as Senior Reader at Hampstead Theatre and the RSC. Elizabeth is a Mentor for Women in the Arts, supporting female students in emerging leadership roles, and is also a Board Member for the National Rural Touring Forum. She did a major study on the gender imbalance in theatre published in The Guardian and has also written pieces about the impact of live-streaming on live theatre, the funding disparity between urban and rural companies, and the importance and difficulties of touring.

 

 

 

ETT Forge Associates

 

Antic Face was founded by Co-Artistic Directors Emma Hall and Charlie Parham. The company was formed with twin aims: to redress a gender imbalance that persists in all fields of theatrical practice and to provide a collaborative platform for young people seeking to enter the profession in any capacity. With a strong focus on the text, the company is committed both to revisiting the classics and bringing them to a young audience, and to promoting new writing.

www.anticface.com

@anticface

Alison Holder is an independent producer with her own audio production company, LunAH Productions. She is also company producer for Helen Chadwick Song Theatre and is currently based at the Bush Theatre. Current projects include Booby’s Bay (Finborough Theatre, Wardrobe Theatre), TRUTH (Birmingham Rep and National tour) and audio project Barnardo’s Black History. Previously Alison has worked with The Shout (Tête-à-Tête Opera Festival) and has also worked in various positions at the Almeida Theatre and Young Vic under the artistic directorship of Michael Attenborough and David Lan respectively.

@AL_Holder

COMMON is an arts organisation which exists to support the UK theatre industry in achieving greater socio-economic diversity, and ensure that artists from working-class backgrounds have equal opportunity to build sustainable careers in theatre. Through direct engagement with working-class artists across the country, they identify structural barriers that these artists face, which can be directly attributed to their socio-economic status. They then collaborate with partner organisations to create practical opportunities aimed at supporting the professional development of working-class artists in specific regions. Their support gives artists, who may not have the resources to do so independently, the crucial skills and experience they need to build progressive and sustainable careers in theatre, helping make the arts more accessible to those from less advantage backgrounds. COMMON is led by David Loumgair, a working-class theatre director and production dramaturg from the Scottish Borders, alongside Executive Producer Ailbhe Treacy.

www.commontheatre.co.uk

@COMMONTHR

 

 

Tour Dates

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE – 2018

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

 

NST City

5 – 16 June

Box Office: 023 8067 1771 / www.nstheatres.co.uk

 

OTHELLO – 2018

Oxford Playhouse

18 September – 22 September

Box Office: 01865 305305 / www.oxfordplayhouse.com

 

Harrogate Theatre

25 – 29 September

Box Office: 01423 502 116 / www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk

 

Cast in Doncaster

2 – 6 October

Box Office: 01302 303 959 / www.castindoncaster.com

 

Lawrence Batley Theatre

9 – 13 October

Box Office: 01484 430528 / www.thelbt.org

 

Everyman Theatre Cheltenham

16 – 20 October

Box Office: 01242 572573 / www.everymantheatre.org.uk

 

Oldham Coliseum Theatre

23 – 27 October

Box Office: 0161 624 2829 / www.coliseum.org.uk

Wolsey Theatre Ipswich

30 October – 3 November

Box Office: 01473 295900 / www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

 

 

Warwick Arts Centre

6 – 10 November

Box Office: 024 7652 4524 / www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

 

Lighthouse Poole

20 – 24 November

Box Office: 01202 280000 / www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

 

EQUUS – 2019

 

Theatre Royal Stratford East

15 February – 23 March 

Box Office: 020 8534 0310 / www.stratfordeast.com 

Further dates and venues to be announced.

 

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR CHICAGO

AT THE PHOENIX THEATRE, LONDON

OPENING ON WEDNESDAY 11 APRIL 2018

Joining the previously announced Cuba Gooding Jr, Sarah Soetaert, Josefina Gabrielle and Ruthie Henshall in the multi award-winning CHICAGO at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End, will be Paul Rider as Amos Hart.  Following a successful UK and international tour, and after a 5½-year absence from London, CHICAGO, the winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy, will open at the Phoenix Theatre on Wednesday 11 April 2018, following previews from 26 March.

Paul Rider previously played Amos in Chicago at the Adelphi and Cambridge Theatres.  His recent theatre work includes A Woman of No Importance (Vaudeville), The Tempest, Cymbeline, Measure for Measure, Julius Caesar, The Duchess of Malfi, Henry IV Parts 1 & 2 and Henry V(Shakespeare’s Globe), and Wilbur in the UK Tour of Hairspray.  His television credits includeDinnerladies, Victoria Wood with all the Trimmings, French and Saunders, The Catherine Tate Showand EastEnders.  Films include Topsy-Turvy and A Cock and Bull Story.

The cast will also feature Alan Richardson, Michelle Antrobus, Natalie Bennyworth, Nicola Coates, Frances Dee, Zoe Gappy, Emma Harris, Chelsea Labadini, Joanna Rennie, Abramo Ciullo, Francis Foreman, Luke Jarvis, Matt Krzan, Charles Ruhrmund, Todd Talbot, Callum Macdonald, Chris Warner Drake and Matthew Wesley.

 

CHICAGO originally ran in London for 15 years, making it the West End’s longest running revival.  It first opened at the Adelphi Theatre on 18 November 1997 to rave reviews and immediately became a sell-out hit.  CHICAGO won the 1998 Laurence Olivier Award for ‘Outstanding Musical Production’ as well as the 1998 Critics Circle Drama Award for ‘Best Musical’.  CHICAGO transferred from the Adelphi Theatre to the Cambridge Theatre in April 2006, where it ran for five years until 27 August 2011.  The show then opened at the Garrick Theatre on 7 November 2011, where it ran until 1 September 2012.

Since it opened in New York in 1996, CHICAGO has played in 36 countries worldwide, and been performed in English, Dutch, German, Swedish, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, French, Danish, Japanese and Korean.  It has grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide and has played over 30,000 performances worldwide, with an estimated 31 million people around the world having seen CHICAGO.

CHICAGO continues to play on Broadway, where it recently celebrated its 21^st birthday, and around the world in multiple languages.  It is the world’s longest running American musical.

CHICAGO, which is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.  The 1996 Broadway revival of CHICAGO was choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse, directed by Walter Bobbie, and produced by Barry and Fran Weissler.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Phoenix Theatre

110 Charing Cross Road

London WC2H 0JP

Box Office: 0844 871 7629 / www.atgtickets.com/shows/chicago/phoenix-theatre

Ticket Prices: From £20.00

Performances: Monday-Saturday 8pm, Wednesday & Saturday 3pm

Booking Period:  Currently Booking Until 23 June 2018

Running Time:  2 hours, 25 minutes (with interval)

 Website: ChicagoWestEnd.com

Twitter: @ChicagoOnStage

Tumble Tuck
King’s Head Theatre, 115 Upper Street, Islington, N1 1QN
Tuesday 24th April – Saturday 12th May 2018, 7pm

Daisy’s swimming the relay, but Daisy’s legs still jiggle… and her front crawl is ‘a bit f***ing feminine’. She shouldn’t be here…

Following a highly-acclaimed run at Edinburgh Fringe 2017, Tumble Tuck, written by Sarah Milton and presented by BackHere! Theatre, now transfers to London to headline the Who Runs the World? season at the King’s Head Theatre. This exciting season showcases work by female playwrights in direct response to the under-representation of female voices on stage.

Tumble Tuck is a funny, brutal and heartfelt one-woman show that seeks to examine the selfworth of young women today and emphasis we place on winning when sometimes just taking part is the real achievement. A bronze medal to one person is someone else’s gold; a C grade is someone else’s A. Tumble Tuck questions the system that tells us that if we’ve not got the best result we’ve failed.

With original music by Harry Blake and direction by Tom Wright, the show tells the story of Daisy – a young woman struggling to accept herself and realise her strength. Her relationship with water is complex: it’s the only place she feels safe so why must she be judged for how well she performs in it?

Writer Sarah Milton comments, The pressure on young people, and particularly women, to look a certain way, achieve life goals and fit in with social expectations is enormous. Tumble Tuck explores the journey of a young woman going through exactly these pressures and is inspired by my own experiences of managing my mental health through swimming. Tumble Tuck is a play I wish I’d seen as a young adult and I’m ecstatic that the show has been chosen to transfer to The King’s Head Theatre, to headline its all-female festival. We received a fantastic response from audiences that saw the play at Edinburgh Fringe and I can’t wait to introduce Daisy to London.

In her black swimsuit and swimming cap, Sarah Milton plays Daisy with drive and focus, at one with the rhythms of her own script and never missing a beat. She glides gracefully into the cast of supporting characters. … It is an excellent performance in a play that holds much promise (The Scotsman).

Tumble Tuck was first presented by the Old Vic New Voices at Wilderness Festival in August 2016 and then at Soho Theatre in October 2016, as part of their Soho Rising Season. It then had a run at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017.