Month: August 2018

Can’t get a ticket for Hamilton…

THE UK PREMIÈRE OF SPAMILTON: AN AMERICAN PARODY

EXTENDS DUE TO PUBLIC DEMAND

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces that the run of Gerard Alessandrini’s Spamilton: An American Parody extends due to public demand – the production now runs until 15 September.

‘The best parody hugs its target close, the better to stick in the skewer. Here that skewer goes in with a very satisfying squelch.’ Daily Telegraph

Alessandrini directs Marc Akinfolarin, Jason Denton, Eddie Elliott, Liam Tamne and Julie Yammanee, with special guests Sophie-Louise Dann and Damian Humbley. The production renews Alessandrini’s collaboration with the Menier following Forbidden Broadway which ran both at the theatre and in the West End.

‘Laugh? You will. My entire row was rocking with giggles for much of the night.’ The Times

Hamilton – Olivier, Tony, Pulitzer and Grammy Award-winning musical. Very few tickets available.                                                                      

Spamilton: An American Parody – Hamilton and much more. With more tickets now available…

Gerard Alessandrini brings his singular wit to the all-conquering musical Hamilton – in the words of its creator Lin Manuel Miranda, “I laughed my brains out”. Following the success of Forbidden Broadway, Alessandrini returns to the Menier to lampoon the multi-award-winning Hamilton, with Spamilton: An American Parody, which not only takes target at Broadway’s biggest export, but a host of the theatre world’s biggest names and musicals.

Described by the New York Times as “smart, silly and convulsively funny”, Spamilton: An American Parody runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory, where unlike the Victoria Palace, there are tickets available — at a fraction of the price.

‘Spamilton is shorter, funnier, and cheaper (tickets and staging) than the show from which it openly and gleefully admits it parasites.’ BBC News Online

Gerard Alessandrini is best known for creating and writing all 25 editions of Forbidden Broadway in New York, Los Angeles, London and around the world. He features in the original 1982 cast of Forbidden Broadway, and can be heard on four of the show’s twelve cast albums. He also sings on the soundtracks of the Disney classics Aladdin and Pocahontas. Television credits include writing comedy specials for Bob Hope, Angela Lansbury and Carol Burnett. Directing credits include Maury Yeston’s musical In the Beginning, and a revue focusing on Yeston’s songs Anything Can Happen (In the Theatre). Recent musicals which he co-wrote and/or directed include Madame X (NYMF 2011) and The Nutcracker and I (a complete Tchaikovsky score with all new lyrics by Alessandrini). He is the recipient of an Obie Award, two Lucille Lortel Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Drama League and seven Drama Desk Awards – including two for Best Lyrics, and two Special Lifetime Awards. He was also awarded an Honorary Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre.

Choreography is by Gerry McIntyre, set design by Morgan Large, costume design by Dustin Cross, lighting design by Tim Lutkin, sound design by Gregory Clarke and Jonathan Everett, musical arrangements by Fred Barton and musical direction by Simon Beck.

Spamilton is presented in association with John Freedson, David Zippel and Christine Pedi.

 

Listings Information

Spamilton

Venue:                                Menier Chocolate Factory

Address:                             53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU

Dates:                                 Until 15 September

Times:                                Tue – Sat 8pm, matinees Sat and Sun 3.30pm

Box Office:                         020 7378 1713 (£2.50 transaction fee per booking)

Website:                        www.menierchocolatefactory.com (£1.50 transaction fee per booking)

Tickets:                               Prices vary, as below from discounted preview tickets to premier seats. With the emphasis on ‘the sooner you book, the better the price’:

                                             Prices from £19.50

A meal deal ticket includes a 2-course meal from the pre-theatre menu in the Menier Restaurant as well as the theatre ticket.

www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Twitter: @MenChocFactory

JOHN STAHL AND CATHY TYSON JOIN CHARLES LAWSON IN

THE WORLD PREMIÈRE UK TOUR OF REBUS: LONG SHADOWS

 

Daniel Schumann, Lee Dean and Cambridge Arts Theatre

in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre present

The world première of

Rebus: Long Shadows

By Ian Rankin and Rona Munro

Director: Roxana Silbert; Designer: Ti Green; Lighting Design: Chahine Yavroyan and Simon Bond
Composition and Sound Design: Garth McConaghie; Casting: Ginny Schiller CDG

On tour: 20 September – 24 November 2018

Daniel Schumann, Lee Dean and Cambridge Arts Theatre in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatretoday announce John Stahl (Big Ger Cafferty) and Cathy Tyson (Siobhan Clarke) will join Charles Lawson (John Rebus) in Rebus: Long Shadows, a brand new Rebus story written exclusively for the stage by author of the original novels, Ian Rankin and playwright Rona Munro. Further casting to be announced shortly.

 

In addition, full tour dates are announced – the production which premières at Birmingham Repertory Theatreon Thursday 20 September will then tour to Edinburgh, Malvern, Nottingham, Manchester, Northampton,Aberdeen before completing its run in Guildford on 24 November. 

Detective Inspector John Rebus is retired but the shadows of his former life still follow him through the streets of Edinburgh. Whisky helped but now he’s denying himself that pleasure. But when the daughter of a murder victim appears outside his flat, he’s back on the case and off the wagon.

Rebus will need help from his ex-colleagues but one of them is already looking for him. DI Siobhan Clarke was Rebus’ greatest ally on the force but is worried that his past actions may stop them finally convicting a dangerous killer. Soon Rebus is caught between two cases and can only turn to one person to help him – the man he spent his career trying to arrest.

Ian Rankin is the internationally bestselling author of the Inspector Rebus and Detective Malcolm Fox novels, as well as a string of standalone thrillers. His books have been translated into 36 languages and are bestsellers on several continents. Rankin has won multiple awards including four The Crime Writers Association Dagger Awards, and in 2004 received America’s celebrated Edgar Award. He is also the recipient of the OBE for services to literature.

 

Rona Munro has written extensively for stage, radio, film and television. Her theatre credits include The James Plays, Scuttlers, Iron – which won the John Whiting Award, The Last Witch and Little Eagles. Her television credits include Rehab, Bumping the Odds (BAFTA nomination), and Doctor Who; and for film, Ladybird Ladybirdand Oranges and Sunshine.

Charles Lawson plays John Rebus. His theatre credits include Corrie! (The Lowry, Salford), The Blue Hen, Educating Rita (Citizens Theatre, Glasgow), Rain Man, Annie Get Your Gun (UK tour), Bloody Sunday (Tricycle Theatre), Art, Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Murderers (National Theatre), Diary of a Hunger Striker (Hull Truck Theatre), Julius Caesar, Henry VIII, Romeo and Juliet, The Shepherd’s Tale, The Comedy of Errors, Volpone and Breaking The Ice (RSC). His television credits include playing series regulars Jim McDonald in Coronation Street and Yizzel in Bread. Other credits include Doctors, Titanic: Birth of a Legend, Four Days in July, Joyce in June and Harry’s Game; and for film, Puckoon and Wilt.

 

John Stahl plays Big Ger Cafferty. His theatre credits include 549:Scots of the Spanish Civil War (Citizen’s Theatre, Glasgow), Waiting for Godot (Tobacco Factory Theatre), A Lie of the Mind (Southwark Playhouse), The Winter’s Tale (Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh), Father Comes Home From the War, The Alice Trilogy, The Weir(Royal Court Theatre), The James Plays, Mary Stuart (National Theatre of Scotland), The Crucible, Ghosts (Bristol Old Vic), Much Ado About Nothing, The Globe Mysteries (Shakespeare’s Globe), Frankenstein (National Theatre), Memory Cells (Pleasance, London), The Whisky Taster (Bush Theatre), Macbeth (Royal Exchange Theatre) and Blue Eyes and Heels (Soho Theatre). His television credits include playing Rickard Karstark in Game of Thrones. Other credits include Shetland, High Road and Resort to Murder; and for film, Mary Queen of Scots, Victoria and Abdul and Loch Ness.

 

Cathy Tyson plays Siobhan Clarke. Her theatre credits include The String Quartet’s Guide To Sex And Anxiety (Birmingham Repertory Theatre),The Listening Room (Theatre Royal Stratford East), The Importance Of Being Earnest (Curve/Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Red Snapper (Belgrade Theatre Coventry), Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie (Tabard Theatre), Golden Girls (RSC), The Vagina Monologues (UK tour), Antony and Cleopatra (Hackney Empire), The Merchant Of Venice (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Pygmalion, Educating Rita (Theatr Clwyd), Stand (Battersea Arts Centre) and Mum’s The Word (Albery Theatre). She is a Golden Globe and BAFTA nominated actress, her television credits include series regular Carol Johnson in Band Of Gold. Other credits include Gold, Scully, Always and Everyone, Night & Day, Grange Hill, Bonkers, The Liverpool Nativity, Perfect and Rules Of Engagement; and for film, Together, The Fight, The Marker, ChickLit, Mona Lisa – for which she won the Los Angeles Film Critics’ Award for Best Supporting Actress, Priest, The Lost Language of Cranes, The Old Man Who Read Love Stories, Ollie Kepler’s Expanding Purple World and Business As Usual.

 

Roxana Silbert directs. She is Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre and was previously an Associate Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Artistic Director of Paines Plough Theatre Company (2005-2009), Literary Director at the Traverse Theatre (2001-2004) and Associate Director at Royal Court Theatre (1998-2000). For Birmingham Repertory Theatre her credits include What Shadows, The Government Inspector (in association with Ramps On The Moon), Anita and Me (with Theatre Royal Stratford East), The King’s Speech (with Chichester Festival Theatre), Of Mice And Men; Khandan (Family) (with Royal Court Theatre), Dunsinane (National Theatre of Scotland/RSC), A Life Of Galileo (with RSC and Bath Theatre Royal) and Tartuffe.

 

Notes to Editors

Daniel Schumann

Recent productions include Quiz by James Graham (Noël Coward Theatre), Ladies in Lavender with Hayley Mills, Duet for One starring Belinda Lang (UK tour) and Bully Boy starring Anthony Andrews (St James Theatre, London) and 84 Charing Cross Road starring Stefanie Powers (UK tour).

Schumann was previously Producer for the Almeida Theatre and was responsible for The Oresteia (Almeida Theatre/Trafalgar Studios), The Bakkhai with Ben Whishaw, King Charles III (UK tour, New York/Sydney), Hamletwith Andrew Scott (Almeida Theatre/Harold Pinter Theatre/BBC Two), Richard III with Ralph Fiennes and Vanessa Redgrave (Almeida Theatre), Ink with Bertie Carvel (Almeida/Duke of York’s Theatre) and Richard Eyre’s Little Eyolf.

While working as Producer for Bill Kenwright Dan was responsible for producing Dreamboats and Petticoats(Playhouse Theatre/UK tour), Blood Brothers (Phoenix Theatre/UK tour), Chin Chin, The Butterfly Lion, Fame, Black Coffee, Fallen Angels, The Sound of Music, And Then There Were None (UK tour), Cabaret, Soul Sister(Savoy Theatre) and Volcano (Vaudeville Theatre).

Lee Dean

Lee Dean has more than 100 producing credits, winning 36 major awards. Recent West End productions include Gypsy with Imelda Staunton at the Savoy; Mark Hayhurst’s Taken at Midnight with Penelope Wilton at Theatre Royal Haymarket and Jennifer Haley’s The Nether at the Duke of York’s. In 2014, he was responsible for bringing Angela Lansbury back to the West End after forty years to play Madame Arcati in Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit. The production subsequently played in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto and Washington.

National Theatre Productions Dean has produced in the West End: Joe Penhall’s blue/orange with Bill Nighy; Moira Buffini’s Dinner with Harriet Walter; Tom Stoppard’s The Invention of Love with John Wood and two Michael Frayn plays Copenhagen and Democracy. Other West End work includes: Oliver Cotton’s Daytona with Maureen Lipman; Peter Quilter’s End of the Rainbow; All the Fun of the Fair with David Essex; Tom Kempinski’s Duet for One with Juliet Stevenson; Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? with Kathleen Turner and The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? with Jonathan Pryce; Michael Frayn’s Alarms & Excursions with Felicity Kendal; six Alan Ayckbourn plays – Things We Do for Love with Jane Asher; Bedroom Farce with Richard Briers and June Whitfield; Comic Potential; and his trilogy Damsels in Distress; Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party; Peter Quilter’s Glorious! with Maureen Lipman; Alistair Beaton’s Feelgood with Henry Goodman; Terry Johnson’s Dead Funny; David Farr’s Elton John’s Glasses with Brian Conley; Shelagh Stephenson’s The Memory of Water with Alison Steadman; Charlotte Jones’ In Flame and Sandi Toksvig’s Bully Boy with Anthony Andrews. Broadway includes: King Charles III; End of the Rainbow; Copenhagen; Democracy; blue/orange; Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

 

Cambridge Arts Theatre

Cambridge Arts Theatre is a proudly independent theatrical charity that exists to inspire and nurture a lifelong love of the performing arts. A thriving regional showcase, it is an outstanding theatre, a beacon for the development of arts professionals and a much-loved regional and national institution, whose history is rooted in the city of Cambridge.

Today it is one of the country’s leading playhouses, presenting the cream of national touring theatre and its own highly-successful homegrown productions. It is the home of traditional pantomime in Cambridge, producing the city’s annual festive production that regularly attracts schools and family audiences in their tens of thousands from across the region.

Recent Productions include: Pressure (UK tour/The Ambassadors Theatre), Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thingstarring Laurence Fox (UK tour), La Strada (UK tour/The Other Palace), Death of a Salesman, 84 Charing Cross Road starring Stefanie Powers and Clive Francis and The Shakespeare Revue (UK tour).

 

Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company is one of Britain’s leading producing theatre companies. Its mission is to inspire a lifelong love of theatre in the diverse communities of Birmingham and beyond. As well as presenting over 60 productions on its three stages every year, the theatre tours its productions nationally and internationally, showcasing theatre made in Birmingham.

 

The commissioning and production of new work lies at the core of The REP’s programme and over the last 15 years, the company has produced more than 130 new plays. The theatre’s outreach programme engages with over 7000 young people and adults through its learning and participation programme, equating to 30,000 individual educational sessions. The REP is also committed to nurturing new talent through its youth theatre groups and training for up and coming writers, directors and artists through its REP Foundry initiative. The REP’s Furnace programme unites established theatre practitioners with Birmingham’s communities to make high quality, unique theatre.

Many of The REP’s productions go on to have lives beyond Birmingham. Recent tours and transfers include Brief Encounter, Nativity! The Musical, What Shadows, LOVE, The Winslow Boy, The Government Inspector, Of Mice and Men, Anita and Me, Penguins and The King’s Speech. The theatre’s long-running production of The Snowman celebrates its 25th anniversary this year as well as its 21st consecutive season at London’s Peacock Theatre.

Tour Dates

Birmingham Repertory Theatre

20 September – 6 October

Press night: Tuesday 25 September, 7pm

Box Office: 0121 236 4455

www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

King’s Theatre, Edinburgh

8 – 13 October

Box Office: 0131 529 6000

www.capitaltheatres.com/kings

Malvern Theatres

15 – 20 October

Box Office: 01684 892277

www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

 

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham

22 – 27 October

Box Office: 0115 989 5555

www.trch.co.uk

Manchester Opera House

29 October – 3 November

Box Office: 0844 871 3018

www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester

Royal & Derngate Northampton

5 – 10 November

Box Office: 01604 624811

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen

12 – 17 November

Box Office: 01224 641122

www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/venues/his-majestys-theatre

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

19 – 24 November

Box Office: 01483 440000

http://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/

Proud Haddock, in association with the Finborough Theatre, present
Tony Harrison’s all-female war drama
Square Rounds
Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 9ED
Tuesday 4th September – Saturday 29th September 2018

This autumn, Proud Haddock will bring Tony Harrison’s lyrical play Square Rounds to the Finborough Theatre for its first UK production in nearly 30 years since its rediscovery. This all-female ensemble cast will star Gracy Goldman (Sense8, Netflix; Doctor Who, BBC1; Richard II, RSC), Letty Thomas (The
Divide, The Old Vic; Mary Stuart, Almeida Theatre; The Beasts, The Lyric Hammersmith), Eva Feiler (Othello, RSC; The Merchant of Venice, RSC; Father Brown, BBC), Amy Marchant (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Lyric Hammersmith; Shakespeare in Love, Noel Coward Theatre), Philippa Quinn
(Control, Gielgud Theatre; Because We Want To, Rose Theatre; Writers Block, Battersea Arts Centre) and Rujenne Green (The Dog Beneath The Skin, Jermyn Street Theatre; Cookies, Theatre Royal Haymarket)

Based on true events, this highly original play explores the devastating impact of chemical warfare and weapons of mass destruction. In the year that marks the centenary of the end of the First World War, this revival has never been more timely

Performed entirely in verse, Square Rounds follows the lives of Fritz Haber, a German Jewish chemist, and American inventor Hudson Maxim, brother to Hiram Maxim – the inventor of the machine gun. Through their experiences, this play will shine a light on the intricacies of escalating tensions between nations in the build up to the First World War

Fritz has been ordered by the Kaiser in Germany to develop a deadly poison gas to help Germany win the First World War but Hudson is concerned for his country, his brother, and the frightening technological advances employed by America’s new European enemies. Believing his new invention will be an opportunity to escape his status as an outsider in German society, Fritz is unaware that his work will go on to be used to exterminate his own people in the Holocaust just 25 years later

Director Jimmy Walters comments, We are delighted to be back taking on another Tony Harrison play, not least because it will be the first of two plays we are staging to mark the 100 year anniversary of the First World War. The content of this play is so fascinating that we all cannot wait to begin rehearsals and explore these characters in even further detail

Beware people of York, Dracula is in town, a stranger in a strange land.  Come and escape the mundane to a show full of laughter, surprises and absurdity. Grand Opera House staff member Alice Tones gets in the mood and flies high in York this week.

Le Navet Bete, in association with Exeter Northcott Theatre, presents

 

DRACULA: THE BLOODY TRUTH

Grand Opera House York

Saturday 29 September 2018

A lightning quick and flawless comedic exhibition. Dracula: The Bloody Truth is side-splittingly funny and is, by far, the best new comedy I’ve seen this year.   Broadway World

STOP! It is of vital importance that you stop what you’re doing and read this very carefully. Your life may depend on it…

You must have all heard by now of the recent novel, ‘Dracula’, that was released three years ago in 1897 by that dreadful man Bram Stoker, yes? I gave that money grabber, Mr Stoker, all of my research notes, letters, diary entries to write up to warn you…It wasn’t a fictional story at all, no! It was fact, true, real, I was there! I saw the madness, the supernatural. I saw the vampire.

Excuse me, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Professor Abraham Van Helsing, MD, D.Ph., D.Litt., etc, etc, of Amsterdam. I have put together a theatrical performance, along with three other actors I have hired, to warn you all of the dangers of vampires and how to deal with one if the situation arises. Now what are you waiting for? It is imperative that you book your tickets right this instant! It’s a matter of life and death.

Exeter based Le Navet Bete (Dick Tracy, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz) are committed to creating hilarious, physical and totally accessible comedy theatre using creative and engaging storytelling. This brand new comedy theatre show will take audiences on a journey across Europe from the dark and sinister Transylvanian mountains to the awkwardly charming seaside town of Whitby whilst the frantic Van Helsing and his three amateur actors try to stage a life-changing, factual theatrical production of the events of Dracula. Directed by one of the UK’s most exciting comedy directors, John Nicholson (Peepolykus) and designed by Phil Eddolls (Mark Bruce Company, Improbable Theatre), Dracula: The Bloody Truth promises to have the vampires back in the ground and leave audiences flying high.

This show has been supported by Arts Council England.

Tickets from £22.50

Box Office: 0844 871 3024

Online Booking: ww.atgtickets.com/york

A Park Theatre and Theatre by the Lake co-production in association with Abinger Productions
THE OTHER PLACE

19 September – 20 October 2018 | Park Theatre

Casting has been confirmed for the UK Premiere of psychological thriller, The Other Place, in which a brilliant neurologist descends into disorientation. Directed by Claire van Kampen and written by Sharr White, the cast includes Karen Archer, Eliza Collings, Okon Jones and Rupinder Nagra.

 

Confident, intelligent and highly successful neurologist Juliana Smithton is at the top of her game.

But while delivering a lecture to a roomful of doctors, she’s interrupted by a series of disturbing events. With her husband filing for divorce and her health in the balance, Juliana’s life suddenly starts unravelling.

 

As details emerge of a ten-year-old mystery, fact blurs with fiction, the past collides with the present, secrets are spilled and slowly the elusive and shocking truth is revealed. Nothing is as it seems in the UK Premiere of Sharr White’s brilliantly crafted and emotionally charged psychological thriller.

 

Karen Archer stars as Juliana. Her theatre credits include: The Mousetrap (West End), The Hundred We Are (Yard Theatre), Happy Ending (Arcola), Four Days in Hong Kong (Orange Tree Theatre), As You Like It, Hamlet,All’s Well That Ends Well, The God’s Weep (RSC), Town (Royal & Derngate Theatre), Hamlet, Twelfth Night(Southwark Playhouse) and Mourning Becomes Electra (National Theatre). Her television credits include: Law & Order UK, Holby City, New Tricks, Doctors, Panorama: Fifa’s Dirty Secrets, Elizabeth, Casualty, The Bill, The Chief(4 series), The Ruth Rendell Mysteries, Chancer, EastEnders, Rockliffe’s Babies, On the Line, The Secret Garden, Hannay, Brookside, Juliet Bravo, Mitch, Father’s Day, Jury, The Cleopatras, BBC2 Playhouse, Play for Today: Billy, The Crezz, Shadows. Her film credits include: Wasted, Forever Young, Giro City and The Mouse and the Woman.

Eliza Collings plays The Woman. Her theatre credits include: Great Expectations (Malvern Theatres/UK Tour), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (National Theatre UK Tour), The One That Got Away (Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath), The Miser (Watermill Theatre), Lady Windermere’s Fan, The Country Wife(Manchester Royal Exchange), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Unicorn Theatre), Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes, Vaudevillains Sideshow, The Ceremony (Les Enfants Terrible), From The Life Of Marionettes (Theatre Collection), News Revue (Canal Cafe Theatre), Hobson’s Choice, The Taming Of The Shrew (RADA Enterprises), On The Razzle, The Lost World (Bristol Old Vic), The Man Of Mode (Circomedia), Cider With Rosie (West Country Tour), Festen, Tonight At 8.30 (Bristol Old Vic Studio), Oh! What A Lovely War (Tobacco Factory, Bristol), On This Site (Roustabout). Her screen credits include: Doc Martin, Lambeth, Collector and Homeless Joe.

 

Okon Jones plays Ian. His theatre credits include: A Chorus Line, Chicago, Talk of the Town, The Wiz (West End), Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet (Young Vic), The American Clock, Jean Seberg (National Theatre), Emperor (Royal Court), Sugar Hill Blues (Warehouse Croydon and Hampstead Theatre), Trinidad Sisters, Spell No 7 (Donmar Warehouse), A Long Way from Home (Tricycle Theatre) and Plays Umbrella (Riverside Studios). His television credits include: Smiley’s People, Bandung File, Boon, The Bill, Casualty, Perfect Scoundrels and Stone Cold.

Rupinder Nagra plays The Man. His theatre credits include: My Brothers & Sisters (Mad’ed Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Tivoli Arts) and Swing Time to Remember (Hamilton Arts). His screen credits include: Bollywood Star, Mayday, Sue Thomas F.B. Eye, The Associates, C.I.D, Amal (Winner of over 30 international awards), Omertà (official TIFF 2017 selection), Simran, The Etruscan Smile, Hush Hush, De Ontsnapping, Continuum, Kurbaan, 678910 and Bollywood/Hollywood.

Sharr White’s plays have been developed and produced at theatres across the United States, Europe, Australia and Brazil, including The New Group, MCC Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Nationaltheater Mannheim, Melbourne Theatre Company, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and more. White was most recently a writer and co-executive producer on Showtime’s The Affair.

The Other Place received its world premiere Off-Broadway with MCC Theatre, featuring Laurie Metcalf (Lucille Lortel and Obie awards) and directed by Joe Mantello (Lucille Lortel nom). The Other Place subsequently received its Broadway premiere at Manhattan Theatre Club with Joe Mantello again directing Laurie Metcalf (Tony nom). The Other Place was also a recipient of the 2010 Playwrights First Award; the 2011 Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation’s Theatre Visions Fund Award; and was an Outer Critics Circle Award nominee for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play.

www.parktheatre.co.uk

Box office: 020 7870 6876*

Soho Theatre – until Sat 4 August

Reviewed  by Elizabeth J Smith

4****

Ardent8’s new production of Sacrifice, ask the question ‘Is it worth it?’ and follows a group of young outsiders trying to adjust to city life that only seems to accommodate the privileged and the sacrifices they make to survive. The aim of the company is to make the theatre industry more accessible and has provided 8 recent graduates from outside London artistic support to progress in their careers within a professional environment.

The reality of finishing your dramatic studies, leaving the comfort of college or university and launching yourself and your talents on the world. Where do you go , what do you do? Sacrifice is a stark reality piece on how difficult it is to make your way in the performing arts if your not living in London, the capital of the Arts. Where you not only have to compete with all the other hopefuls but contend with trying to find a place to live, find a job that allows you to live and still pursue your chosen career. Sacrifice looks at 7 characters that were at university together, all moving to London and living together in a dark, dank, basement that doesn’t even have the basic amenities and costing the earth. Which only one of them can afford and the rest are in arrears. The only thing they find the money for is a landline that could, potentially, ring and change their prospects with a chance of an audition or casting. One evening after a night at the local pub they all awake to find a stranger in their midst, who challenges each one to re evaluate what they are doing and where they are going.

Sam Weston plays Sam the stranger. A local boy who has inherited an ex council house that his parents bought during the right to buy offer and he is annoyed that all these outsiders come into his town and change the dynamics. He challenges each of them to re evaluate they decision to pursue their chosen career. Sam plays the part well being angry, defensive, charming and
aggressive.

Nathan Linsdell plays Nathan the posh lad who’s family’s money make him able to stay but he is in conflict with himself and his dead Father who drummed into him what a waste of time studying the performing arts would be. Unsure of his sexuality and offended by the racist remark the other occupants make regarding him being Jewish. Nathan portrays this confused young man with great feeling. Showing his venerability but trying to hide it with aggression that he can’t quite carry through with.

Jamie Parker plays Jamie who is working as a tour bus guide while waiting for the call. She never has any money and continually borrows from her boyfriend Nathan. Jamie’s part wasn’t there to set the world alight but portrait how racism can creep in without the racist realising they are saying such shocking things. Jamie played her role with an innocence that an ‘out of towner’ may have. However, on occasion she did react to the laughter from the audience, dropping character briefly.

Garry Skimins plays Garry the yoga loving hippy type, who has slept with everyone. Garry is laid back but wants to spice his life up by experiencing new things like becoming a vegan. But a trip to the local shop leaves him traumatised while watching a ‘Yuppy Couple’ who ooze confidence while picking up a bottle top. Garry portrays this laid back character with understated passion, so you can believe all the girls would fall for his charms.

Angela Crispin plays Angela, Garry’s hippy dippy girlfriend. She is also affected by racist, throw away comments, being half Portuguese, that leave her wondering how the rest of the world perceive her. Angela plays this role with emotion and you can appreciate how a person may feel when subjected to racist remarks.

Clare Hawkins plays Clare who’s daily run through the local up and coming area with its coffee shops and yummy Mummy’s leave her feeling that she will never be part of that world. Clare portrayed her character with disappointment and a sense of hopelessness.

Henry Holmes plays Jordan, who works in education and doesn’t hold back the punches with the children in his care, as they need to know what a horrible world is out there, which obviously  doesn’t go down to well with his employers. Henry delivers a believable character portraying the character’s slightly sleazy side with the girls.

Sophie Coulter plays Sophie. The girl with no money and lacking ambition to change things, retreating into herself by drawing pictures that, according to her flatmates, are abstract or just not very good. Sophie makes you believe her character is slightly detached from the real world and chooses to hide away.

The audience found the dialogue funny and the set was so simple it did give the impression of a dark, dank, basement. The play is short but deliver’s a powerful message about the disappointment most performing arts hopeful’s will experience in the real world. All the characters left you feeling the hopelessness in their lives until the phone rings and hope reappears.

ALAN BENNETT’S ALLELUJAH! TO BE SHOWN IN CINEMAS THIS NOVEMBER WITH NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE

****

“Singalongs and Bennett’s stinging wit light up a state-of-the-nation play”

The Guardian

****

‘’Alan Bennett’s new hospital drama is just what the doctor ordered”

The Telegraph

****

“Extremely funny”

Time Out

Allelujah! reunites the award winning writer/director team of Alan Bennett and Nicholas Hytner, who were responsible for smash hits The History Boys andMadness of King George III

Bennett’s first new work in the theatre for six years

National Theatre Live currently screens to 2500 venues across 65 countries including 700 in the UK

Allelujah! – the new play by Alan Bennett which received its world premiere at the Bridge Theatre last month – will be in cinemas on 1^st November with National Theatre Live.

The Beth, an old fashioned cradle-to-grave hospital serving a town on the edge of the Pennines, is threatened with closure as part of an NHS efficiency drive. Meanwhile, a documentary crew eager to capture its fight for survival follows the daily struggle to find beds on the Dusty Springfield Geriatric Ward, and the triumphs of the old people’s choir (newest member: the Pudsey Nightingale).

Allelujah! is the tenth collaboration between the award winning Bennett and Hytner. They first worked together on Bennett’s adaptation of The Wind in the Willows for the National Theatre in 1990. Then followed The Madness of King George III, The Lady in the Van and The History Boys, all of which were also seen on film, The Habit of Art, People and the double bill Untold Stories.

The ensemble cast comprises  Samuel Barnett (The History Boys), Sam Bond (Coronation Street),Jacqueline Chan (Sherlock), Jacqueline Clarke (Last of the Summer Wine), Sacha Dhawan (The History Boys), Rosie Ede (A Streetcat Named Bob), Patricia England (Last of the Summer Wine),Deborah Findlay (Cranford), Peter Forbes (Follies), Julia Foster (Dad’s Army), Manish Gandhi(Driftwood), Colin Haigh (The History Boys), Richie Hart (The Bloody Mary Show), Nadine Higgin(The Lion King West End), Nicola Hughes (Porgy and Bess Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Anna Lindup (Tenko), Louis Mahoney (Holby City), David Moorst (Grantchester), Jeff Rawle (Drop the Dead Donkey), Cleo Sylvestre (Doctors), Gwen Taylor (Heartbeat), Sue Wallace (Coronation Street), Simon Williams (Upstairs, Downstairs), Duncan Wisbey (The Hive) and Gary Wood(Wicked West End). Design by Bob Crowley with choreography Arlene Phillips, lighting by Natasha Chivers and music by George Fenton.

Allelujah! will be filmed live during a performance at the Bridge Theatre where it runs until 29^thSeptember 2018. Allelujah! marks the third collaboration between NT Live and the Bridge followingYoung Marx and Julius Caesar.

Since launching in 2009, National Theatre Live broadcasts have been seen by an audience of over 8 million people at 2500 venues in 65 countries. The first season began in June 2009 with the acclaimed production of Phédre starring Oscar winner Helen Mirren. Recent broadcasts include Julius Caesarwith David Morrissey and Ben Wishaw, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Sienna Miller, Follies withImelda Staunton, Yerma with Billie Piper, Angels in America with Andrew Garfield and Russell Tovey, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? with Imelda Staunton and Conleth Hill, Rosentcrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead with Daniel Radcliffe and Hedda Gabler with Ruth Wilson. Sky Arts is the UK sponsor for National Theatre Live.

The Bridge Theatre opened its doors in October 2017, co-founded by Nicholas Hytner and Nick Starr, situated on the River Thames by Tower Bridge and City Hall. Its auditorium is a collaboration with Haworth Tompkins and Tait-Stage Technologies. The Bridge focuses on the production of new work as well as staging the occasional classic.  Alan Bennett’s Allelujah! is followed by the world premiere of Martin McDonagh’s A Very Very Very Dark Matter which runs from 12 October 2018 to 6 January 2019. 

To find your nearest cinema and more National Theatre Live broadcasts go to http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk

For more on the Bridge theatre go to https://bridgetheatre.co.uk/

York Theatre Royal – until Saturday 25th August 2018.

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

4****

Based around Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 novel of The Secret Garden, The Theatre by the Lake production has hit York Theatre Royal, showing for the next four weeks.

Mary Lennox (Ella Dunlop), a spoilt rich girl, loves to run free mixing with the local children in India, much to the disgust of her shockingly racist, privileged, uncaring and unloving parents who are too busy partying to bestow any parenting or love. After they are killed in an earthquake, this bit differs from the book but has more of an impact on stage, she is carted off to her uncle in Yorkshire and Misselthwaite Hall. Quite fitting that it was also Yorkshire Day on press night.

Her uncle doesn’t want to see her and when he does he can’t bear to look at her, she looks so much like his dear departed wife. Frosty and stuck up at first, Mary thaws and is befriended by the maid Martha (Coral Sinclair), her brother Dickon (Matthew Durkan), who has a gift as an animal whisperer, and the gardener Ben Weatherstaff (Keith Bartlett). Enchanted by tales about a secret garden, Mary is determined to discover its whereabouts. All is not quite right, she often hears screams which no one else acknowledges.

Exploring, she stumbles across a pale, weak boy strapped to a bed. This is her cousin Colin (Steven Roberts), a sickly boy who has been bedridden for years under the order of his doctor, who also happens to be his uncle, Dr Craven (Anthony Jardine). He is the one who has been screaming after undergoing shock treatment inflicted upon him by his greedy uncle.

The set was really quite striking with the centre stage being dominated by a bank of large worn mirrors, with trees and woodland on either side. Once the mirrors opened we got to see Colin’s bedroom (torture chamber) up above, and below was Archibald Craven’s (Chris Jack) study, but next time the doors open it would be the secret garden. The greenery slowly creeps around the stage as the flowers blossom, the colours becoming more vibrant as the magic takes hold, both within the garden and the household. Puppets are used to depict the wildlife in the woodland, from a robin, to a squirrel to a fox, actors switching to puppeteers and back again with ease.

Not shying away from the more disturbing parts of the story. The first act at times is quite dark, especially the figure in white crying out in agony accompanied with haunting music. You could hear family members reassuring the younger members of the audience, but by the time the show ended all I could hear was delight, and to see the joy on everyone’s face was magical.

With a strong cast and staging, the magic of the Secret Garden is really bought to life. A summer must see full of vibrancy and colour. Suitable for over 6 year old’s, perfect for those school holidays.

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED

FOR

THE CLASSIC SCREEN TO STAGE THEATRE COMPANY’S PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF

RAIN MAN

STARRING THE PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED

MATHEW HORNE AND ED SPELEERS

BY DAN GORDON

Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle

 

Based on the MGM motion picture · Story by Barry Morrow · Screenplay by Ronald Bass and Barry Morrow ·

Produced by special arrangement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

 

 

Full casting has been announced for Rain Man, the inaugural production of Bill Kenwright’s Classic Screen to Stage Theatre Company. Joining the previously announced Gavin and Stacey’s Mathew Horne (Raymond) and Downtown Abbey’s Ed Speleers (Charlie) is: Mairi Barclay (Pippin), Hannah Barker, Elizabeth Carter (Dreamboats and Petticoats), Adam Lilley (The 39 Steps), Neil Roberts(Mamma Mia!) and Joe Sellman Leava (Monster).

 

Rain Man opens at Windsor Theatre Royal on 20 August, with press night on 28 August. It will then visit: Milton Keynes, Cardiff, Eastbourne, Southend, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Brighton, Guildford,Leeds, Richmond, Derby and Northampton, with further dates to be announced.

 

TWO BROTHERS. ONE DESTINY.

 

When self-centered salesman Charlie Babbitt discovers that his long-lost brother

Raymond, an autistic savant with a genius for numbers, has inherited the family fortune; he sets out to get ‘his half’.

 

Charlie ‘borrows’ Raymond from the institution where he has spent most of his life and the two brothers embark on a trip across America where Charlie soon discovers that Raymond is worth more than he could have ever imagined…

 

 

Inspired by the heart-warming Oscar-winning film, which famously starred Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman and won Oscar’s for Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Actor, Rain Manfollows previous acclaimed Bill Kenwright productions of films to the stage such as A Few Good Men,The Shawshank Redemption and Twelve Angry Men.

 

The production will be directed by Jonathan O’Boyle whose credits include Rasheeda Speaking(Trafalgar Studios), This House (UK Tour); Pippin (Hope Mill Theatre/Southwark Playhouse); and Hair(Hope Mill Theatre/The Vaults) winner of the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Off West End Production.

 

 

BILL KENWRIGHT

Presents

The Classic Screen to Stage Theatre Company

MATHEW HORNE                                           ED SPELEERS

IN

RAIN MAN

BY DAN GORDON

 

DIRECTED BY JONATHAN O’BOYLE

Based on the MGM motion picture · Story by Barry Morrow · Screenplay by Ronald Bass and Barry Morrow ·

Produced by special arrangement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

 

Designed by Morgan Large

Lighting by Jack Weir

Sound by Dan Samson

LISTINGS

 

BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS THE CLASSIC SCREEN TO STAGE THEATRE COMPANY

RAIN MAN

BY DAN GORDON

21 AUGUST – 24 NOVEMBER 2018

UK TOUR

 

Website: www.kenwright.com

Twitter: @BKL_Productions

 

DATES AND VENUES

 

WINDSOR Theatre Royal – theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk – 01753 853 888

Tues 21 Aug – Sat 1 Sept                                                                

 

MILTON KEYNES Theatre – atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes – 0844 871 7652

Mon 3 Sept  – Sat 8 Sept                                                                            

 

CARDIFF New Theatre – newtheatrecardiff.co.uk – 029 2087 8889

Mon 10 Sept – Sat 15 Sept                                                             

 

EASTBOURNE Devonshire Park Theatre – eastbournetheatres.co.uk – 01323 412 000

Tue 18 Sept – Sat 22 Sept                                                               

 

SOUTHEND Palace Theatre – southendtheatres.org.uk – 01702 351 135

Mon 24 Sept – Sat 29 Sept                                                             

 

EDINBURGH King’s Theatre – capitaltheatres.com/kings – 0131 529 6000

Mon 1 Oct – Sat 6 Oct                      

 

CAMBRIDGE Arts Theatre – cambridgeartstheatre.com – 01223 503 333

Mon 8 Oct – Sat 13 Oct                                            

 

BRIGHTON Theatre Royal – atgtickets.com/Brighton – 0844 871 7650

Mon 15 Oct – Sat 20 Oct                                                                  

 

GUILDFORD Yvonne Arnaud – yvonne-arnaud.co.uk – 01483 440 000

Mon 22 Oct – Sat 27 Oct                                                                  

 

LEEDS Grand Theatre – leedsgrandtheatre.com – 0844 848 2700

Mon 29 Oct – Sat 3 Nov                                                                   

 

RICHMOND Theatre – atgtickets.com/Richmond – 0844 871 7651

Mon 5 Nov – Sat 10 Nov                                                                  

 

DERBY Theatre – derbytheatre.co.uk – 01332 593 939

Mon 12 Nov – Sat 17 Nov    

 

NORTHAMPTON Royal & Derngate – royalandderngate.co.uk – 01604 624 811

Mon 19 Nov – Sat 24 Nov