Month: April 2018

Cast Announced for Sasha Regan’s
Iolanthe
By W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan
UK Tour: April – July 2018

A dynamic all-male cast have been announced for the return of Sasha Regan’s most critically acclaimed production, Iolanthe – one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most famous operettas

Torches flash in the darkness as a party of naughty schoolboys adventure into the magical surroundings of an old theatre. Amid all the backstage paraphernalia they discover a Narnia-like wardrobe and a dusty copy of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe. What follows is pure magic!

The exciting cast are: Reece Budin (Matilda the Musical, The Civic in Australia; Man of La Mancha, Seymour Centre; Pacific Overtunes, Theatre Works), Michael Burgen (Spamalot, Playhouse Theatre; All-Male H.M.S. Pinafore, UK Tour; The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, New Vic Theatre), Richard Carson (Mamma Mia, Novello Theatre; Miss Saigon, Prince Edward Theatre; Wicked, UK and Ireland Tour), Christopher Finn (Alice’s Adventures Underground, The Vaults; Molly Wobbly’s Tit Factory, Leicester Square Theatre; All-Male Iolanthe, Union Theatre and Wilton’s Music Hall), James Gulliford (Salad Days, Theatre Royal Bath; Labyrinth, Hampstead Theatre; Luna Park, Tristan Bates Theatre), Dominic Harbison (Annie Get Your Gun, Union Theatre; Sunset Boulevard, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre; Aladdin, Stratford Arts House), Joe Henry (Cats, UK/International Tour; Miracle on 34th Street, Madinat Theatre in Dubai; LIFT The Musical, whilst training), Alastair Hill (Dreamboats and Petticoats, UK Tour; Dreamboats and
Miniskirts, UK Tour; The Fix, Union Theatre), Jack Hinton (Christmasaurus: Live!, Eventim Hammersmith Apollo; Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, Universal Pictures), Jamie Jukes (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, UK Tour; The Rocky Horror Show, European Tour; All-Male Mikado, UK Tour), Sam Kipling (The Habit or Art, National Theatre; Archibald Craven, whilst training; Bullets Over Broadway, whilst training), Daniel Miles (All-Male Mikado, UK Tour; One Man Two Guvnors, Welsh Tour; Grease, Scandinavia), Benjamin Mundy (Annie, Piccadilly Theatre; Grease, Dubai; Cats, London Palladium), Adam Pettit (The 12 Tenors 10th Anniversary Tour, European Tour; Beauty and the Beast, Palace Theatre in Newark; Out There, Union Theatre), Richard Russell Edwards (All-Male H.M.S. Pinafore, Union Theatre; All-Male Pirates of Penzance, UK Tour; All-Male Mikado, UK Tour) and Duncan Sandilands (Carousel, Barbican; South Pacific, Kilworth House; Thursford Christmas Spectacular, Thursford)

Universally regarded as Sir Arthur Sullivan’s most beautiful score, Iolanthe is a topsy-turvy love story between the most unlikely of couples… fairies and members of the House of Lord’s! Sasha Regan’s inimitable inventiveness combined with Gilbert and Sullivan’s inherent barminess make for an unmissable night out

Sasha Regan comments, Iolanthe is a beautiful piece to direct and I can’t wait to revisit it after nearly eight years. Mark Smith and I wanted to make a world of elegant and magical fairies so Mark, as a deaf choreographer, has incorporated sign language into all the movement – it’s definitely a challenge for the company to learn but the end result is worth it. This is a hilarious and tender piece that is simply a joy to direct

When it premiered in 2011 Iolanthe was nominated for numerous Off West End Awards – Best Director, Best Choreographer, Best Production, Best Costume Design and Best Male Performance. Iolanthe broke all box office records on its transfer to Wilton’s Music Hall in 2011

Brought to you by the same team who created the award winning, all-male The Pirates of Penzance, this absurdly silly but sweetly touching version of Iolanthe is a comic pleasure. If there is a message, it is that everyone needs to release their inner fairy… Irresistible (* * * * The Guardian)

Performance Dates
30th April – 5th May Theatre Royal Winchester
Jewry Street, Winchester, SO23 8SB

11th – 12th May Hall for Cornwall
Back Quay, Truro, TR1 2LL

15th – 19th May Richmond Theatre
Little Green, Richmond TW9 1QJ

21st – 22nd May Theatre Royal Windsor
32 Thames Street, Windsor, SL4 1PS

28th – 30th May East Riding Theatre
10 Lord Roberts Rd, Beverley HU17 9BE

31st May – 2nd June Bridlington Spa
South Marine Drive, Bridlington, YO15 3JH

5th – 9th June Exeter Northcott Theatre
Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QB

12th – 16th June Theatre Royal Bath
Sawclose, Bath, BA1 1ET

19th – 23rd June Theatre Royal Brighton
New Road, Brighton, BN1 1SD

3rd – 7th July Cambridge Arts Theatre
6 St Edward’s Passage, Cambridge, CB2 3PJ

10th – 14th July Festival Theatre Malvern
Grange Road, Malvern, WR14 3HB

19th – 21st July Theatre Severn
Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury, SY3 8FT

23rd – 28th July Greenwich Theatre
Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ES

The Kings are Back!

Playwright John Godber brings new play to Hull New Theatre

Malcolm King returns to Hull New Theatre, in playwright John Godber’s hilarious sequel to last year’s record-breaking hit, The Kings of Hull.

Commissioned as part of Hull’s UK City of Culture celebrations, we first met the Kings family at Malcolm and Becky’s golden wedding anniversary as they reflect on the city’s past, from the 1960s through to Brexit and beyond. Now we rejoin them as Malc and his family embark on a P&O Ferries’ Dutch Dash, where they discover it’s not only the sea that gets rough. It could be Rotterdam or anywhere, but when you take the Kings out of Hull, the sparks still fly. Whoever said that family was dead?…

Honorary Hullensian John Godber made a name for himself, and a place in the local history books, after steering Hull Truck Theatre from the brink of bankruptcy in the 1980s to international success as its Artistic Director. Today, his unique writing style, packed with in-jokes and local references continue to shape truly memorable theatrical experiences. Long Live The Kings marks the continuation of the partnership between Hull New Theatre and the John Godber Company to produce bespoke work for the city’s audiences.

Tickets for Long Live The Kings of Hull at Hull New Theatre from 5 – 15 September 2018, will be on sale from 10am on Thursday 5 April to Extra Members and from 10am on Friday 6 April to the general public. Book at the Hull City Hall Box Office, call 01482 300 306 or visit our website www.hulltheatres.co.uk to book online

SOCIETY OF LONDON THEATRE AND UK THEATRE ANNOUNCE NEW PLANS TO SUPPORT DIGNITY AT WORK

Today, the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre announce their plans to support dignity at work.  The new set of principles and zero-tolerance guidance is in direct response to the systemic issues revealed over past months in many workplaces including the entertainment industry.

They have been developed specifically with organisations and individuals within the performing arts industry including; Association of British Theatre Technicians, BECTU, Casting Directors Guild, Equity, Federation of Scottish Theatre, Independent Theatre Council, Musicians’ Union, Standing Council University Drama Departments, Theatre NI, One Dance UK and Writers’ Guild of Great Britain to prevent and tackle harassment and abuse of power, and ensure that theatres are an even safer, more supportive and inclusive working environment for all.

The results from industry-wide conversations have led to the formation of these plans:

• A Set of Ten Principles (see Notes to Editors for full info) which offer a shared vision to promote a safe and inclusive workplace environment that everyone – employers, employees, workers, freelancers, volunteers, directors and trustees – should adhere to.  These include a shared responsibility for creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace that is positive and supportive and where bullying and harassment, including sexual harassment, is not tolerated.  The emphasis is to embed these principles during the early stages of people’s careers to ensure that a safer and more inclusive working culture becomes the norm.
• A Support Line from Connect Assist for people working in the performing arts industry resourced by the Theatre Development Trust, UK Theatre and SOLT.  This free of charge, phone line will act as a resource to anyone needing support and advice re bullying and/or harassment, or has any other issue affecting them in their workplace (see Notes to Editors for additional info).
• Resources and Guidance UK Theatre and SOLT will provide Dignity at Work training delivered by Challenge Consultancy and will share good practice from across the UK and ensure that members can have easy access to clear up to date policies and procedures for preventing and dealing with harassment and bullying.

This work sits alongside the UK Theatre and SOLT’s on-going commitment to support the performing arts workforce.  More info here: https://uktheatre.org/theatre-industry/guidance-reports-and-resources/theatre-workforce-review/

The Olivier Awards with MasterCard 2018, which are produced by SOLT, are proud to be working in partnership with Time’s Up Theatre UK ahead of, and during, the event on Sunday 8 April to support an end to sexual assault, harassment and inequality across all industries.

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, said, “The UK’s theatre scene is one of the most respected and renowned arts industries in the world.  We want to ensure that those working within it, receive the same due respect and ensure that all our colleagues are safe and supported in their workplace.”

Cassandra Chadderton, Head of UK Theatre, added, “The support from within the UK theatre and performing arts industry to address and enable positive change has been overwhelming.  Theatre is collaborative and we believe these plans can help bring about meaningful change together.”

Mimbre presents
The Exploded Circus
UK Tour: May – November 2018
The big top at the end of the world

Featuring a breath-taking mix of acrobatics, surprising aerial feats and masterful juggling, The Exploded Circus weaves a story without words, where six women come together to seek order in the chaos and create a new normal. In this new production, Mimbre’s Joint Artistic Director Lina Johansson joins forces with critically-acclaimed designer Loren Elstein and experimental composer Quinta

The Exploded Circus invites audiences into a moment where an explosion has been frozen in time, the remnants of a big top caught mid-air – with everything from the circus ring, sequins and fairground horses suspended above the ground.  With striking imagery and subtle humour, the show explores themes around change, hope and belonging

Director Lina Johansson comments, With a feeling that the world around us is on the cusp of big changes, I want to create a performance reflecting on this in a microcosm. Be it Brexit, global warming or the refugee crisis, there is a strong feeling of change and upheaval around us. I want to use the show to reflect, as well as imagine what could come from this change and how we can use it to grow. I want audiences to feel the palpable uncertainty around us, but also nurture a feeling of hope. The Exploded Circus mixes spectacle and visual impact with heart and personal stories. The risk and trust inherent in circus – the falls and the balances of the performers – allows me to explore a physical narrative that the audience feel in their bodies as well as follow with their minds

Mimbre’s work pushes the boundaries of contemporary circus with a cast made up of six versatile artists: French performer Alice Allart on trick bike and slack rope (Stumble Dance Circus, Keziah Serreau, Ilmatila, Osborne&What); physical theatre actor and aerialist Farrell Cox (London 2012 Olympic Ceremonies, Charles Chipperfield Circus, LAS Theatre); aerialist and contortionist Ruby Gaskell (Circa, Circumference, Jackson’s Lane), Canadian acrobat Arielle Lauzon with Chinese hoops and slack rope (Festival Montreal Complètement Cirque, Cirque Eloize), aerialist Rebecca Rennison (Upswing, The New Vic Theatre, The London Cabaret Club) and juggler Lynn Scott (Gandini Juggling, Upswing)

Composer Quinta (The Paper Cinema, Rambert/Cunningham, Ockham’s Razor) creates an ethereal score – combining her flair for improvisation, non-conventional scoring, electronic interfacing and work with new instrumentation. Designer Loren Elstein (Rent, Hangmen, The End of Longing) ingeniously creates a three-dimensional world inspired by artworks such as Cornelia Parker’s Exploded Shed, David Spriggs’ Half Explosion and Ori Gersht’s Time after time
photographs

The show is supported by Arts Council England through a Strategic Touring grant, Foyle Foundation, PRS Foundation, 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space, Worthing Theatres, Imagine Luton, Merchant City Festival, Brewhouse Arts Centre Burton upon Trent, Lancaster Arts and Circus250

REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE CONFIRM THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

OF JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, AND FULL CASTING FOR THE PRODUCTION AT THE LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO

 

• Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s Olivier and Evening Standard Award-winning production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR commences a North American Tour in Autumn 2019.
• Directed by TIMOTHY SHEADER, Artistic Director of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, the tour will be produced by THE REALLY USEFUL GROUP and WORK LIGHT PRODUCTIONS.
• The LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO announce full casting for their production which opens on 27 April 2018.

 

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre have today confirmed the announcement by Stephen Gabriel, President and Executive Producer of Work Light Productions, that their Olivier and Evening Standard Award-winning production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical Jesus Christ Superstar will commence a North American Tour in the Autumn of 2019.

 

“Superstar speaks to both theatre audiences and concert music fans. This production pays tribute to the historic 1971 Billboard Album of the Year while creating a modern, theatrical world that is uniquely fresh and inspiring,” said Stephen Gabriel, President of Work Light Productions.

Directed by Timothy Sheader, the creative team also includes Tom Scutt (set and costume design), Drew McOnie (choreography), Tom Deering (music supervision) and Lee Curran (lighting design).  The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and Evening Standard Award for Best Musical, selling out two consecutive engagements in 2016 and 2017.

Jesus Christ Superstar is a proven musical phenomenon with a world-wide fan base. As demonstrated byNBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, this epic work attracted over 9.6 million viewers, earned the highest ratings in its time period, and received the highest critical ranking of any live musical event on network TV. Now, almost 10 years after the last major tour in the US, this award-winning Regent’s Park production will play over 50 markets throughout North America.

The Really Useful Group (Producer) is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theatre producing and rights licensing company and controls the theatrical rights for all of Andrew’s works, including The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Sunset Boulevard and School of Rock – The Musical.  The Really Useful Group reached over 20 million people across the globe last year from live theatre and concert audiences, cinema goers, television viewers and music fans, to social media and art lovers.  This year The Really Useful Group continues to work across film, television and theatre as it produces and develops new projects and partnerships worldwide alongside its ongoing work in education, amateur licensing and music publishing.

 

Work Light Productions (Producer) is dedicated to creating and producing live entertainment. Current productions include Motown, Something Rotten!, Rent 20th anniversary tour, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, White Christmas, and they are currently developing Clue, a new stage play based on the Paramount movie. They also produced Julie Andrews, The Gift of Music at The Hollywood Bowl and London’s O2 Arena. Other recent touring productions include the Tony Award-winners American Idiot, In the Heights, Avenue Q, and Mamma Mia!. WLP is led by founding partner and President Stephen Gabriel and Vice President Nancy Gabriel. www.worklightproductions.com

Full creative team, casting, and cities to be visited during the North American Tour to be announced at a later date.

Facebook & Instagram: @JesusChristSuperstar | Twitter: @JCSTheMusical

 

IN CELEBRATION OF TURNING 19

“MAMMA MIA!”

ANNOUNCES NEW BOOKING PERIOD

TO SATURDAY 2 MARCH 2019

AT LONDON’S NOVELLO THEATRE

ON SALE NOW!

NEW CAST FROM MONDAY 11 JUNE 2018

The global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! is celebrating the show’s 19^th birthday in London today, Friday 6 April, by opening a new booking period from Monday 22 October 2018 to Saturday 2 March 2019.  The cast celebrated with a birthday cake on stage at London’s Novello Theatre – see photo attached. 

 

In addition, the producers are delighted to announce some major cast changes in the London production from Monday 11 June 2018.  Joining Sara Poyzer as Donna, Kate Graham as Tanya, Richard Trinder as Sam and Damian Buhagiar as Pepper, will be Ricky Butt as Rosie, Neil Moors as Harry, Stephen Beckett as Bill, Georgia Louise as Sophie, Alec Porter as Sky, Charlotte O’Rourke as Ali, Leah St Luce as Lisa and Eamonn Cox as Eddie.  Caroline Deverill continues to play the role of Donna Sheridan at certain performances.

 

Also new to the cast will be Chloe Ames, Chloe-Jo Byrnes, Adam Davidson, Luke Hall, Lauren Hampton, Jack Heasman, Zoe Humphryes, Chanel Mian, James Willoughby Moore, Dean Read, Beth Relf and Annie Southall, who will be joining Adam Clayton-Smith, Jennifer Hepburn, Stuart Hickey, Mark Isherwood, Tyler Kennington, Robert Knight, Natasha O’Brien and Katy Stredder.

 

From West End to global phenomenon, MAMMA MIA! is Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with an enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolding on a Greek island paradise.  To date, it has been seen by over 60 million people in 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $2 billion at the box office.  In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.  MAMMA MIA! is currently on its first ever UK Tour, receiving great critical and public acclaim.

 

MAMMA MIA! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004.  The musical re-opened at the Novello Theatre in 2012. 

 

The London production of MAMMA MIA!  has been seen by over 8.9 million people, played over 7,750 performances and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes.

 

Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie, starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, became the highest grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008.  A second film, MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN, will open in July 2018.  

With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.

MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.

 

 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

 

Novello Theatre

Aldwych

London WC2B 4LD

 

Ticket Prices: From £15.00

 

A £2.25 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked online, and a £2.75 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked by phone. No booking fee on tickets purchased in person at the Novello Theatre Box Office.

 

All prices include £1.25 restoration levy.

 

Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking four months or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Thursday performances only) will save £20 on Band A and Premium tickets, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online, in person at the theatre, or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

 

Performance Times:

Monday – Saturday 7.45pm

Matinees – Thursday & Saturday 3.00pm*

*extra Tuesday matinees 7 & 21 August 2018

 

Currently booking to 2 March 2019

The performance lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

Box Office: 0844 482 5115

http://www.mamma-mia.com/

http://www.facebook.com/mammamiamusical

http://twitter.com/MammaMiaMusical 

New Adventures is searching for the brightest young dance
talent from the region to audition for the chance to perform in a
major new work by Matthew Bourne

New Adventures is currently in the process of creating a major new production and they are now looking for young dancers who will have the opportunity to perform at their local theatre, including the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford.

The talent search for the young people to perform in this brand new production alongside New Adventures dancers is now underway.

New Adventures are searching for the next generation of young dancers with exceptional technique, powerful performance skills and a passion for storytelling to work with them over the course of 2018 and 2019 to become part of Matthew Bourne’s next major dance production. This unique opportunity will nurture and develop young talent prior to embarking on a career in dance.

New Adventures are looking for 10 dancers to perform in Bradford on the Alhambra Theatre main stage alongside New Adventures professional dancers. Dancers must be aged between 16 and 19 on 1 February 2019 and will ideally have had at least 3 years of dance training or experience and a solid grounding in contemporary and classical technique, preferably from within CAT schemes or independent dance schools. They do, however, accept and celebrate that not everyone’s path into dance is traditional, so encourage applications from those with a natural gift and aptitude in dance and performance. Above all, they must be expressive, creative, dynamic performers and actors.

Matthew Bourne says:
“We are now on a countrywide search for exceptional young dance talent from all backgrounds to join us in each of the cities where we will be staging this bold new production. This unique project builds on the ground-breaking tour of Lord of the Flies that proved to be successful in 2014. Only this time we are looking for young men and women who dream of a career in dance to join the professional dancers of New Adventures as an integral part of our latest production, as it tours across the UK.”

It is essential that all applicants are able to commit to all of the dates of this project. All of the project dates are outlined on the New Adventures website where dancers can register for local auditions:

new-adventures.net/young-cast
Deadline to apply: Monday 23 April 2018, midday

It’s a mark of something wonderful that sees a theatre full at 5pm on a Friday afternoon, but the new musical The Band, based on the songs of Take That, did just that.

fairypowered was happy to be invited to interview cast members Rachel Lumberg and Faye Christall. Both actors play the same character, Rachel, at 16 (Faye) and 40 something (Rachel).

fairypowered wondered what career the actors envisioned at sixteen. Unsurprisingly, both wanted to perform, with Rachel adding, “I started to do fashion but 6 weeks in and I was bored so I went to performing instead. I’d been doing Youth Theatre from around 15 and I’d done backstage and everything and then I ended up in David Copperfield.”

And did you always want to perform?  “Yes always” answered Faye, with Rachel adding “I wanted to be a Nurse when I was around 8, but I was always the one who got up and did a “turn” and then joining the Youth Theatre… it was a natural progression to perform.”

So, what advice would you give your 16 year old self?  “Save for tax!” laughed Rachel, “seriously though I’d tell myself to listen more and be bold and follow your dreams” “I think I’d tell myself to be more brave in future, don’t overthink too much” added Faye

We see Rachel at two very different points in her life – how do you see yourself when you are a 40 something? “Still enjoying life, be happy, maybe children, but most of all be happy” smiled Faye.  “I agree with being happy” said Rachel, “I’m a 40 something now and I’m not doing what I thought I would be doing at this age, but I am enjoying what I am doing”

How you describe your character Rachel? Faye answered, “Young Rachel is a loyal friend, she has Debbie in her life and that stops her being timid and afraid. She loves life and she wears her heart on her sleeve” Rachel agreed “she is a loyal friend. I don’t think she ever really grieved for Debbie so lots of unfinished issues. She doesn’t argue with her partner Jeff because she grew up with her parents arguing. The friends all split when they hit a major tragedy instead of holding on to each other and she still has that struggle”

The Band is loosely based on a true story and the cast had been quite emotional when they had the chance to meet some of the people involved in the story when the show was in Leeds.

The casting of the show is amazing with the younger and older girls being a perfect match.  Something that is hi-lighted during Back For Good. “Its fabulous isn’t?” said Rachel, “My family saw Faye on stage and were amazed because it was exactly me when I was 16”

How are you enjoying touring? “I’ve toured before but never in anything as long as this” said Faye.  “Yes” answered Rachel “it’s the longest our I’ve ever done. But I do love an Open Top Bus Ride – and with the show being in theatres for 2 weeks at a time I have the chance to learn all about whichever place I am in!”

And finally, how do you feel about performing with Take That?  “It’s very surreal” answers Faye, “but they are very genuine and treat everyone equally. My sisters are huge Take That fans, so they were more excited than I was.”  Rachel added, “It was a real “pinch me” moment. The show is very much an ensemble piece though. Take That were very hands on from the very beginning, moving around songs that don’t work until it became the show they wanted”

With the songs fitting so perfectly into the show its hard to believe they weren’t written especially for the show. With the book written by Gary Barlow’s childhood friend Tim Firth, maybe the idea was already there when 16 year old Gary was writing A Million Love Songs in his bedroom.

The Band is currently at Newcastle Theatre Royal until Saturday 14 April and then on tour around the UK.  More details are available at www.thebandmusical.com

 

The Old Red Lion Theatre – until 21 April.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Jackie Kennedy is quoted as saying “If school days are the happiest days of your life, I’m hanging myself with my skip-rope tonight.” The pressures of walking the social tightrope between school superstar and school freak can still send shivers of painful mortifying remembrance down the spine well into adult life, but most of us use these experiences to grow stronger. But what if something happens that stops your life in its tracks, leaving you scarred and haunted by memories of a single terrible choice made on one fateful school day for the rest of your life?

Kenneth Emson’s Plastic is the story of just such a day. Ben (Thomas Coombes) and Jack (Louis Greatorex) have been best mates forever, and in senior school Ben’s peculiarities mean they are easy targets. Their friend Lisa (Madison Clare) has been accepted by the popular girls and is leaving the boys behind as she gets involved with Kev (Mark Weinman) an older lad who’s already left school. As Kev prepares for the evening that he and Lisa will finally have sex, the three youngsters meet at the school gates to bunk off.

The story is told through a mix of verse and prose, playing with the idea of shared memories and spread of urban myth. The more lyrical, flowing moments are often recurring – the shared memories of the school children with the easy rhythm of a tale often retold. The overlapping monologues, handled deftly by the stellar cast, twist and turn around each other, building each protagonist’s view of events and keeping the audience guessing. Amid the drama there are plenty of laughs, some of recognition, and lots at great one-liners. The petty little things that had such importance and impact at school are brought up – wearing the wrong shoes, having the wrong collar on your shirt – all the things that can make and break reputations.

Director Josh Roche keeps the cast moving around the monochrome football pitch as the plot unfolds, with the cast controlling some of the lighting effects themselves through an intriguing system of colour changing bulbs on runners. The cast all manage to capture the spirit of their characters in the short running time – Mark Weinman is sweet but pitiful as the star of the football team who just can’t get a break in the real world and can never quite leave school behind, while Thomas Coombes is in turns heart-breaking and horrifying as Ben, harbouring so much pent up anger and hatred that is released through feral howls. Louis Greatorex is fantastic as Jack, seemingly laid back and loyal and full of school boy banter, and Madison Clare makes a stunning debut portraying the turmoil of a teenage girl who just wants to be accepted by people she doesn’t even like.

There will be something recognisable in Plastic for every audience member, but this isn’t a nostalgia-fest, it’s a smart, mesmerising production that plays with the cycle of memory and myth grounded in everyday, ordinary lives. A must-see.