Month: August 2018

• THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY ANNOUNCES NEW CHILD CASTING FOR THE UK & IRELAND TOUR OF MATILDA THE MUSICAL
• SOPHIA ALLY AND SCARLETT CECIL WILL JOIN ANNALISE BRADBURY AND NICOLA TURNER IN THE TITLE ROLE OF MATILDA FROM 29 AUGUST

The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced new child casting for the Matilda The Musical UK and Ireland Tour with Sophia Ally and Scarlett Cecil joining Annalise Bradbury and Nicola Turner in sharing the title role of Matilda from 29 August. The West End production will continue to play at the Cambridge Theatre, where it is now in its seventh year and is booking until 20 October 2019.

The other young performers announced today will join the UK and Ireland Tour in the three teams who play the roles of Bruce, Lavender, Amanda and the rest of the pupils at Crunchem Hall and are as follows: Evie Allen, Joseph Black, Georgia Mae Brown, Jessica Chalmers, Cuba Kamanu, Tom Lomas, Adam Lord, Maddison Lowe, Ilan Miller, Felicity Mitson, Toby Mocrei, Ashton Murphy, Joely Robertson, Ruaridh Sinnott, Kit Swaddling, Chantelle Tonolete and Harry Wilson.

The previously announced adult cast includes Craige Els who, having played Miss Trunchbull in the West End for three years from 2014 to 2017, reprised the role when the tour began in March and will remain in the company until 12 January. Carly Thoms (Miss Honey), and Sebastien Torkiaand Rebecca Thornhill (Mr and Mrs Wormwood) will continue in their roles until the tour concludes its run at Norwich Theatre Royal on 17 August 2019.

The full adult cast includes Joe Atkinson, Nina Bell, Peter Bindloss, Oliver Bingham, Emily Bull, Samara Casteallo, Matthew Caputo, Craige Els, Matt Gillett, Michelle Chantelle Hopewell, Sam Lathwood, Steffan Lloyd-Evans, Charlie Martin, Anu Ogunmefun, Carly Thoms, Rebecca Thornhill, Sebastien Torkia, Taylor Walker, Adam Vaughan and Dawn Williams.

Winner of over 85 international awards, including 16 for Best Musical, Matilda The Musical opened at Leicester Curve on 15 March 2018 to rave reviews and is currently playing at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 8 September 2018. The tour will play at Manchester Palace(18 September – 24 November), Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre (4 December – 12 January 2019), Theatre Royal Plymouth (15 January – 16 February 2019), the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (19 February – 23 March 2019), Edinburgh Playhouse (2 – 27 April 2019), TheBristol Hippodrome (7 May – 8 June 2019), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (11 June – 6 July 2019) and Norwich Theatre Royal (16 July – 17 August 2019).

Matilda The Musical is written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and direction by Matthew Warchus. The production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and the special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.

Matilda The Musical has now been seen by 8 million people worldwide, having toured to over 65 cities and played more than 6000 performances in the West End, on Broadway and on tour across North America, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Matilda The Musical will have its first non-English language production at the LG Arts Centre in Seoul, South Korea from September 2018.

Inspired by the incomparable Roald Dahl’s beloved book, Matilda The Musical was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and premiered at the RSC’s Stratford-upon-Avon home in November 2010, before transferring to London’s West End in October 2011, where it opened to rave reviews. The New York production of Matilda The Musical opened in April 2013 at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre and was celebrated on 10 “Top Ten” lists for 2013, including TIME Magazine’s #1 Show of the Year.

Matilda The Musical swept the board at the 2012 Olivier Awards, with a record-breaking seven awards, and won four Tony Awards and a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater for the four girls sharing the title role on Broadway.

The North America production toured 52 cities. The Australian and New Zealand production won a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Musical in 2015, and played sold-out seasons in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Auckland. The show broke further records in July 2016 by winning all 13 Helpmann Awards for which it was nominated.

Matilda The Musical is produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company with André Ptaszynski and Denise Wood as Executive Producers. The production was developed with the support of Jeanie O’Hare and the RSC Literary Department.

The production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and the special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.

 

TOUR LISTINGS

Birmingham Hippodrome 
Tuesday 3 July – Saturday 8 September 2018
Box Office: 0844 338 5000**
www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Manchester Palace Theatre
Tuesday 18 September – Saturday 24 November 2018
Box Office: 0844 871 3019*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff / Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru
Tuesday 4 December 2018 – Saturday 12 January 2019
Box Office: 029 2063 6464
www.wmc.org.uk

Theatre Royal Plymouth
Tuesday 15 January – Saturday 16 February 2019
Box Office: 01752 267 222
www.theatreroyal.com

The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
Tuesday 19 February – Saturday 23 March 2019
Box Office: 01274 432 000
www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

Edinburgh Playhouse
Tuesday 2 – Saturday 27 April 2019
Box Office: 0844 871 3014*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/

The Bristol Hippodrome
Tuesday 7 May – Saturday 8 June 2019
Box Office: 0844 871 3012*
www.atgtickets.com/bristol-hippodrome

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
Tuesday 11 June – Saturday 6 July 2019
Box Office: 02380 711 811
www.mayflower.org.uk

Norwich Theatre Royal 
Tuesday 16 July – Saturday 17 August 2019
Box Office: 01603 630 000
www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

* Calls cost 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.
** Calls cost 4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

www.matildathemusical.com
#matildaontour

WEST END LISTING

MATILDA THE MUSICAL
Cambridge Theatre
Earlham Street
London WC2H 9HU

New performance times will take effect from 12 September
Tuesday – Friday 7pm
Wednesday 2pm
Saturday 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Sundays 3pm

Current performance times until 12 September
Tuesdays 7pm
Wednesday – Saturday 7:30pm
Wednesday & Saturday 2:30pm
Sundays 3pm

Box Office: Cambridge Theatre 020 7087 7745 / RSC Ticket Hotline 01789 403493
No booking fee.

Booking until 20 October 2019
www.matildathemusical.com

Twitter: @MatildaMusical
Facebook: @MatildaTheMusical
Instagram: @MatildaTheMusical

People Like Us
By Julie Burchill and Jane Robins
Union Theatre, 204 Union Street, London SE1 0LX
Tuesday 2nd October – Saturday 20th October 2018, 7.30pm

Brexit…it’s the first thing in ages that’s actually made me FEEL something. So BIG – yet so personal. Visceral, even…

This autumn, Emmy-winning writer Julie Burchill (Sugar Rush; Ambition) and acclaimed journalist and writer Jane Robins (Rebel Queen; White Bodies) bring the world premiere of their debut play People Like Us to the Union Theatre. Looking at how politics and Brexit have invaded conversations, Burchill and Robins ask the question – can we only ever really be friends with people like us?

Set in a North London book club, People Like Us follows five friends as they find themselves discussing the unavoidable topic of Brexit. In the two years since the vote to leave, endless discussion has all but eradicated any middle ground. What remains is opposing views and the arguments which have strained relationships between husband and wife, brother and sister, parent and child – and friends.

Although written in support of the Leave campaign, People Like Us will uniquely provide an argument for both sides of the debate. With theatre and the arts predominantly representing a single view of Brexit, this nuanced look presents the politics and views of both sides.

How far would you go to save your closest friendships from being pulled apart by political beliefs? This is the question these friends must answer as the fight for the future of Europe becomes a domestic battleground of secrets and lies. In this London book club, the personal and the political clash and implode.

Julie Burchill comments, Brexit has fascinated me more than any other political phenomenon of recent decades – and having the chance to write this play with the brilliant Jane Robins has truly been the icing on the Victory Cake. As a hardcore Brexiteer, I’m extremely curious as to what will happen and very much hope that People Like Us will add to the lively discussion around this topic

Jane Robins adds, Since Brexit, people seem to be dropping their friends with surprising alacrity. It’s not only the political arguments causing the damage – it’s also the thrill of condemnation and shunning, of pointing fingers at old friends and expelling them from your society. That’s our subject-matter – Julie and I have had tremendous fun with it.

The Pleasance wins eight Comedy
Award Nominations

This afternoon The Edinburgh Comedy Awards announced their thirteen nominees for Best Newcomer and Best Comedy Show including eight of the Pleasance’s performers. Among those nominated for Best Newcomer are Ciarán Dowd, Olga Koch, Sarah Keyworth and Sindhu Vee. Best Comedy Show nominees include Alex Edelman, Kieran Hodgson, Rose Matafeo and Felicity Ward.

Head of Comedy, Ryan Taylor says, It’s another brilliant year for comedy at the Pleasance and we’re thrilled to see so many of our acts nominated – congratulations to them all! Every year at the Pleasance we look to nurture new talent and support them as they develop into household names. With equal recognition in today’s nomination for those who are making their debut with us and acts who have been part of the Pleasance family for years, it’s a wonderful demonstration of how this support can help harness the very best in comedy

After receiving a Herald Angel Award for his new show, Alex Edelman’s Just for Us has been nominated for The Edinburgh Comedy Awards’ Best Comedy Show. Just for Us ricochets through his past year but, at its centre, is an astonishing and unfortunately timely encounter. After a strong anti-Semitic strain of online abuse was directed at Alex, he decided to covertly attend a meeting of those same anti-Semites. The result was an unexpected and revealing confrontation.

Nominated for Best Comedy Show, ’75 is Kieran Hodgson’s dissertation stand-up hour tackling one of the biggest debates in the United Kingdom at the moment: Europe. Following his hilarious attempts to reconcile his mother and her closest friend after they were driven apart by the referendum, Kieran’s masterful storytelling takes us deep into the roots of Brexit, on both a historical and personal level which leaves the audience as informed as they are entertained.

Also nominated is Rose Matafeo: Horndog which sees the New Zealand comic and millennial find humour in everything from break-ups to race to sex drive. Her high-energy hour is unrelenting, painfully relatable and unapologetically fun. With her polished set and equally polished dance moves, Rose’s show makes you feel like you’re watching your best friend on stage.

After appearing in the Pleasance’s Opening Gala, Felicity Ward has burst back on to the Fringe after her two-year hiatus with Busting a Nut which has also been nominated for Best Comedy Show. With real energy and quick-wit, even as she tackles darker and more difficult issues, Felicity is a firecracker on stage: impossible to look away from. The audience are invited to revel with her in the painfully hilarious predicaments she finds herself in.

Nominated for Best Newcomer is character comedian Ciarán Dowd for his solo debut, Don Rodolfo. Total butthead, shameless libertine and incomparable swordsman, Don Rodolfo is the spoof swashbuckler with an uncanny resemblance to Inigo Montoya. A 17th Century Lothario on a mission to avenge his father’s death, he still has time to share his top seduction tips and a
couple of sugar cubes with the audience.

Receiving one of the first Herald Angels of the Fringe, Sarah Keyworth’s semi-autobiographical show, Dark Horse, about discovering her own sexuality and gender identity has today seen her nominated by The Edinburgh Comedy Awards. This refreshingly insightful journey about expectations, gender and self-acceptance makes her debut hour one of the most thought provoking and entertaining at the Fringe.

Also nominated is Olga Koch with Fight. In 2014, Olga’s father got stopped by authorities on the Russian border, which resulted in the most surreal years in her family’s life. In her debut hour, she will try to dissect this real-life spy drama with her projector to take audiences on an insider tour through the making of modern Russia, where the political is always personal. Fight is the battle cry for a generation that takes freedom for granted, inspired by a generation that grew up
without it.

Born and raised in India with degrees from Delhi, Oxford, McGill and Chicago Universities and even half a PHD, Sindhu Vee completes the Pleasance’s nominees with Best Comedy Newcomer for Sandhog. Finally platforming the outrageous and belly-achingly funny transgressions families make in the name of pragmatism, Sindhu Vee takes on the joys of teenage children, the interference of elderly parents and the unenviable position of the sandwich generation caught
between them both.

The Edinburgh Comedy Awards in their various incarnations have been celebrating those who make us laugh since 1981. They present both the Best Comedy Show and Best Newcomer Award every year. The prestigious Panel Award is presented, or not, entirely at the discretion of the panel: everyone is eligible, only the exceptional receive it. All the award winners will be
announced on Saturday 25 August before the ceremony on Sunday 26 August.

Tickets for all the nominated Pleasance shows are available from www.pleasance.co.uk, 0131 556 6550 or Pleasance Box Office.

Organ Showcase Returns to Hull City Hall

Following the summer break, Hull City Hall’s Lunchtime Organ Showcase returns next month with former Beverley Minster Assistant Organist Colin Wright at the keys.

Colin is a well-respected musician who moved to the East Riding of Yorkshire in 1974 after studying organ and choral practice at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. After many years performing and teaching, in 1991 he became Accompanist to the East Riding County Choir and more recently took over as their Musical Director. He is also currently the President of the Hull and East Riding Organ Group (HEROG).

The mighty City Hall instrument, which dates back to 1911, is the third largest in England. Over the years it has entertained a fine roster of guests including Queen Elizabeth and King George VI and continues to attract large audiences.

The Organ Showcase returns to Hull City Hall on Tuesday 4 September at 12.30pm. Tickets priced £4.50 are on sale now. Book at the Hull City Hall Box Office, call 01482 300 306 or visit our website www.hulltheatres.co.uk.

Kings Theatre, Southsea – until 25 August

Reviewed by Nicky Wyatt

4****

What a lovely fun show! Adapted from the DreamWorks motion picture to a new stage musical.

It’s often said that movies to shows is a difficult transition, I have never watched the movie, however all the parents and children around me clearly had as they all knew who was who and what was happening next.

For those that don’t know the story, it’s about a group of animals in New York Zoo. They are used to being fed at a certain time putting on a show at the same time of day and they are bored especially Marty (Antoine Murray-Strachan) who plays the Zebra. It’s his birthday and as all his friends gather around him with a cake, he makes a wish to go to the wild for a trip on the wild side. Now his friends
although a bit bored are used to their routine and are fairly happy where they are, that is until Marty decides tonight’s the night and he escapes. It’s not long before best friend Alex (Matt Perry -X factor winner 2016) the Lion who is the main attraction at the zoo discovers him missing and along with good friends Melman (Jamie Lee -Morgan) the hypochondriac Giraffe and Gloria (Timmika Ramsay) the Hippo with a rear J Lo would be proud of all take off in hot pursuit of their dear friend. This is where the adventure begins.

Throughout the show are some funny quips that had the adults laughing out loud, Melmans gift of a rectal thermometer and talking steaks to name just a couple. Fabulous costumes that must be so hot to wear under theatre lights, brightly coloured sets all make for a wonderful family experience.

Of course things don’t go quite to plan and they are caught and packed in to shipping crates not knowing where they are going, they all blame Marty as he wished for change. Little do they know that their zoo friends the Penguins have also made the trip. The penguins bring extra humour to the show. Reaching their destination Marty is thrilled by what he calls Paradise, Alex is not so impressed
to start with there is no steak! Lions need meat and Marty’s rear end becomes tempting to him, although he does resist. They are of course now on the island of Madagascar!

Every land has it’s ruler and this island is run by King Julian ( Jo Parsons) not only is he king but he also directs this show. As king he knows what he wants and he wants them to stay on his island. He has some brilliant one liners which had the audience roaring at times. The island party including ‘crack a lacking’ and ‘Move it Move’ it’s were full of high energy, crazy dance moves including The
Floss!

Overall I thought this was a fab family show not too long for little ones, a great introduction to theatre for them . My only word of warning is at the start of both acts there are very bright light flashing lights which might cause an issue for some. Other than that it’s a ‘Crack a Lackin’ show

R O Y A L P H I L H A R M O N I C O R C H E S T R A

C O L O U R F U L C L A S S I C S

AT CHURCHILL THEATRE BROMLEY

Sunday 23 September 2018, 7:30pm

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra returns to Churchill Theatre this September for a lovingly-curated program of symphonic gems, titled ‘Colourful Classics’. Audiences can expect to see (and hear!) the full instrumentation of the orchestra perform Grieg’s energetic Holberg Suite and Rimsky-Korsakov’s enchanting May Night Overture. The concert closes with Sibelius’ magnificent Symphony No.5, featuring the elegant, swaying swan motif.

When asked, “why should people come and see the RPO perform in Churchill Theatre?” Elle Docx, Audience Development Manager for the orchestra said “to hear the full-force of a symphony orchestra, like the RPO, is an electrifying experience. From that first note, audiences will experience a real energy behind the music. We’re especially excited to welcome to the stage our guest artist, the esteemed cellist Michael Petrov.” Michael won the Guildhall School of Music gold medal in 2014; first prize in the Trondheim Competition in 2015 and the Wigmore prize in 2017. Nominated by the Barbican as ECHO Rising Star in 2015, Michael has performed all over the world including the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Cité de la Musique Paris, Musikverein Vienna, Budapest Palace of Arts, Kölner Philharmonie, Laeiszhalle Hamburg, Carnegie’s Weill Hall and throughout China.” Michael will take centre stage in the September concert for Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations, full of charm and grandeur.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is the nation’s busiest orchestra. Last year alone they performed 143 concerts across the UK, attended by a staggering 304,226 music lovers. Their concerts ranged from exquisite renditions of Russian Masters; the world premiere of Sony PlayStation in concert featuring soloists from across the globe. The orchestra also participated in 102 audio recording sessions in the last year, including most recently on an album featuring music with The Beach Boys.

Experience the power and beauty of a world-class symphony orchestra for yourself on Sunday 23rd September, 7.30pm at Churchill Theatre, Bromley. Tickets available online at churchilltheatre.co.uk and through the ticket office on 020 3285 6000.

Declaration
UK Tour: October – November 2018

After winning the ADHD Foundation Partnership Award in 2017, Art with Heart return with a brand new tour of Declaration, a comic and candid look at Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. Developed in consultation with medical professionals and mental health support groups, Declaration challenges the stereotypes of mental health and gender in the 21st century.

Instinctive, curious, bold and bouncy, Sarah is a mighty proud square peg – which wouldn’t be such a problem if the hole wasn’t so damn round. Her childhood doctor thought it was sugar. Her current doctor thinks its ADHD. Sarah still feels different, so what will a label do? Declaration is a vibrant and daring adventure of school day survival tactics, super-hero alter-egos and the stumbling blocks to self-acceptance.

Filled with great tunes, dancing and humour, Declaration is an upbeat autobiographical piece about the challenges Sarah Emmott faced as she sought diagnosis in her 30s. ADHD Action reports that about 1.5 million adults in the UK have the condition but only 120,000 have been formally diagnosed. A complex, frustrating and isolating process, Sarah discovered that you often need to be living in the extremities of the condition to receive support.

With boys nearly 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls, many girls go undiagnosed. Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) reported ‘the lack of appropriate identification and treatment of ADHD in women is a significant public health concern’. Declaration addresses social attitudes and gendered stereotypes, placing ADHD in women on the public agenda.

Director Rachel Moorhouse comments, They say that variety is the spice of life, until they can’t decipher what flavour you are. Then you’re a problem to be solved. Declaration is a celebration of difference, and asks how much society might grow if it made space for diversity and difference. Declaration challenges those who underestimate us square pegs and shares the joy of finding your tribe.

Declaration possesses the power to comfort, evoke joy and help people through a colourful,vibrant and inviting experience. The work of Art with Heart Theatre is a must see, the positive change they are making is incredible. (★★★★★ The Reviews Hub)

Declaration tours with SPACE, a mobile well-being room for audiences to take time to consider their personal well-being. Developed with The Lowry with the 2018 tour produced in association with the ADHD Foundation, a patient-led charity which are the leading provider of training on ADHD in the UK. Funded by Arts Council England and Sir Andrew Martin Trust. Supported by Greater Manchester Combined Authority Culture and Social Impact Fund and Unity Theatre Trust. This project has been made possible by a grant from Postcode Community Trust, a grant giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery

Performance Dates

12th – 13th October Stratford Circus Arts Centre
Theatre Square, Stratford, London, E15 1BX

16th October Midlands Arts Centre
Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH

18th October Princess Theatre and Arts Centre
Princess Street, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, TA8 1EH

24th October The Met
Market Street, Bury, BL9 0BW

25th October York Theatre Royal
St Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD

27th October The Pound
Pound Pill, Corsham, Wiltshire, SN13 9HX

30th October Castle Theatre
Castle Way, Wellingborough, NN8 1XA

2nd November Attenborough Arts Centre
University of Leicester, Lancaster Road, Leicester, LE1 7HA

7th November The Fisher Theatre
10 Broad Street, Bungay, NR35 1EE

9th November Pegasus Theatre
Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1RE

15th November Sheffield Theatres Studio
55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA

17th November Derby Theatre
15 Theatre Walk, St Peter’s Quarter, Derby, DE1 2NF

22nd November Arena Theatre
Wulfruna Street, Wolverhamptom, WV1 1LY

UK PREMIERE ANNOUNCED FOR THE
HIT BROADWAY MUSICAL

Book by Jessie Nelson
Music and lyrics by six-time Grammy Award-nominee Sara Bareilles
Based upon the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelley
Directed by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus

• Opening at London’s Adelphi Theatre spring 2019
• Waitress serves up the first all-female creative team on a West End musical
• Tickets will go on sale this autumn please visit waitressthemusical.co.uk for more information

It is announced today that the Tony Award-nominated smash hit musical Waitress will have its official UK premiere in the West End next spring. Currently playing its third year on Broadway, the show will bring with it an all-female creative team – a West End musical first – when it begins performances at the Adelphi Theatre in February 2019. The London cast, along with full booking information, will be announced in due course.

Waitress opened on 24 April 2016 at Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theater. Based on the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress is the first Broadway musical in history to have four women in the four top creative team spots, with a book by Jessie Nelson, a score by six-time Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus. The production is currently touring the US and has also recently announced it will have its Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.

Waitress tells the story of Jenna, an expert pie maker in a small town, who dreams of a way out of her loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a new life, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes to happiness. But Jenna must find the courage and strength within herself to rebuild her life. This American musical celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

Sara Bareilles said: “I cannot contain my excitement that we will be bringing Waitress to the West End!! This is a dream come true! And I must say, to be hosted in a theatre co-owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Nederlander Group makes this very sweet moment even sweeter. We are so proud of this beautiful show, and can’t wait to share the story of Jenna with a whole new audience and welcome them into the world of Waitress with open arms and plenty of pie.”

Diane Paulus said: “I am absolutely thrilled that Waitress is coming to the beautiful Adelphi Theatre! It is a dream come true to share this musical with London audiences.”

Andrew Lloyd Webber, who co-owns the Adelphi Theatre with the Nederlander Group, said: “I am a massive fan of Sara Bareilles both as a writer and a performer.  I’m thrilled that she has earned an Emmy nomination for her performance as Mary Magdalene in NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Liveearlier this year and absolutely delighted that Waitress is to be seen in the West End.”

On its Broadway opening, Waitress was nominated for four Outer Critics’ Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical; two Drama League Award Nominations, including Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical; six Drama Desk Nominations, including Outstanding Musical; and four Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical.

Waitress is produced by Barry and Fran Weissler and Norton and Elayne Herrick.

LGBT+ short plays take to the stage at The Lowry

Mon 17 & Tue 18 September 2018

After a sell-out run in 2017, OutStageUs returns to Greater Manchester next month with six new short plays that showcase the region’s unique LGBT+ community.

Produced by Hope Theatre Company, OutStageUs will take place at The Lowry on Mon 18 – Tues 19 September.

This year will feature the latest instalment of Jock Night– Adam Zane’s sexy theatrical soap opera set on the night of Eagle Bar’s legendary club night. It will also premiere short plays by Joel & Anthony Sadler-Puckering, Daniel Waterhouse and Xenia Lily.

Rob Ward will showcase his comedic short, There’s Something I To Say,following critical success at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with Gypsy Queen. An excerpt from Connor Hunt’s play Kings of Idle Land will explore young love set against a backdrop of the 2001 Oldham Race Riots.

Mike Lee, producer of OutStageUs for Hope Theatre Company said: “Greater Manchester is teeming with talented LGBT+ writers and performers; we really want to take this opportunity to showcase how diverse and exciting our community’s stories are.

“We were thrilled with the number of submissions we received and although we can’t present them all, we think we’ve shown the full breadth of the LGBT+ community” he added.

OutStageUs will be Hope Theatre Company’s first production at The Lowry in almost six years.

Commenting on the production Adam Zane, Artistic Director of Hope Theatre Company said: “This is going to be a celebration of Greater Manchester’s rich LGBT+ community; we’ve found six brilliant short plays which highlight the talent we have across the region.

“So many voices are all too often forgotten and we want to allow those voices to be heard and the stories to be told. We’re thrilled we can do this at The Lowry” he concluded.

Listings Information 
OutStageUs
Date: Mon 17 & Tue 18 September
Times: 8pm
Tickets: £12 (£10 Concs)
Website

TROUPE ANNOUNCES FULL CAST FOR THE WORLD PREMIÈRE OF JOY WILKINSON’S THE SWEET SCIENCE OF BRUISING

AT SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE

 

Troupe presents

The World Première of

THE SWEET SCIENCE OF BRUISING

By Joy Wilkinson

Directed by Kirsty Patrick Ward; Fight and Movement Direction by Alison de Burgh

Designed by Anna Reid; Lighting Design by Tim Deiling

Sound Design and Original Composition by Max Perryment

Southwark Playhouse

3 – 27 October 2018

Troupe today announces the full cast for the World Première of Joy Wilkinson’s The Sweet Science of Bruising.Kirsty Patrick Ward directs Bruce Alexander (Professor Charlie Sharp), James Baxter (Paul Stokes), Sophie Bleasdale (Violet Hunter), Joe Coen (Gabriel Lamb), Ashley Cook (Doctor James Bell), Caroline Harker (Aunt George), Kemi-Bo Jacobs (Anna Lamb), Alice Kerrigan (Emily), Jessica Regan (Matilda ‘Matty’ Blackwell) and Fiona Skinner (Polly Stokes). The production opens at Southwark Playhouse on 5 October, with previews from 3 October, and runs until 27 October.

”When that bell rings, your life is entirely in your hands.”

London, 1869. Four very different Victorian women are drawn into the dark underground world of female boxing by the eccentric Professor Sharp. Controlled by men and constrained by corsets, each finds an unexpected freedom in the boxing ring. As their lives begin to intertwine their journey takes us through grand drawing rooms, bustling theatres and rowdy Southwark pubs where the women fight inequality as well as each other. But with the final showdown approaching only one can become the Lady Boxing Champion of the World…

Based on historical research into 19^th century women’s boxing, The Sweet Science of Bruising is a fascinating new play by Joy Wilkinson (Verity Bargate Award winner). Featuring an ensemble cast and thrilling up-close boxing matches, this is an epic tale of passion, politics and pugilism.

Joy Wilkinson is an award-winning writer working across theatre, film, television and radio. Her stage plays have been widely produced in the UK and internationally, and she has won prizes including Soho Theatre’s Verity Bargate Award and the International Student Playscript Competition. Her plays include Fair (Finborough Theatre/Trafalgar Studios/UK tour), Now is the Time (part of the Tricycle Theatre’s Olivier Award-nominated ‘Afghanistan’ season which toured the USA and was revived in 2017 by Teatro Elfo Puccini, Milan), Acting Leader (‘Women Power and Politics’ season, Tricycle Theatre) and Britain’s Best Recruiting Sergeant (Unicorn Theatre). She has been awarded two attachments at the National Theatre Studio and is published by Oberon Books and Nick Hern Books. For television, Wilkinson was a graduate of the first BBC Drama Writers Academy, and her screen credits include Casualty, Holby City, Doctors and Land Girls. She will also be a writer on the upcoming series of Doctor Who. In addition she wrote Nick Nickleby, a critically-acclaimed five-part modernisation of Nicholas Nickleby for BBC1. Wilkinson’s extensive work for BBC Radio 4 includes a five-part spin-off from the hit Danish drama Borgen as well as numerous adaptations and original plays.

Bruce Alexander plays Professor Charlie Sharp. His theatre credits include Wild Honey, Life After Scandal (Hampstead Theatre), A View from Islington North (Arts Theatre), Accolade (St. James Theatre), A View from the Bridge (Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres), Ciphers (Bush Theatre), The White House Murder Case, The Company Man, The Beggar’s Opera (Orange Tree Theatre), Plenty (Sheffield Theatres), Waste, The Tempest (Almeida Theatre), The Reporter, The History Boys, The Mandate (National Theatre), Pravda (Chichester Festival Theatre/Birmingham Rep), Carver (Arcola Theatre), Pericles (Lyric Hammersmith), King Lear (Shakespeare’s Globe) and The Knickers (Bristol Old Vic). His television credits include Love and Marriage, Coming Home, Into the Storm, A Short Stay in Switzerland, The Trial of the King Killers, The Innocents, A Christmas Carol, Beyond Fear, Murder in Mind, Head Over Heels, Specials, Thatcher: The Final Days, Waterfront Beat and Tiny Revolutions; and for film, Between Two Women, Dead, Tomorrow Never Dies, Ladybird, Ladybird, Nostradamus, Century and The Long Good Friday.

James Baxter plays Paul Stokes. His theatre credits include Petrification (UK tour), Silk Road (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Old Vic New Voices: The 24 Hour Plays (The Old Vic), Present Tense, Jump!, Swansong (Live Theatre), The Christmas Office Party (Hull Truck Theatre), Scarborough (Live Theatre/Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Pink Floyd’s The Wall (The Customs House, South Shields) and Fine Fine Fine (Gala Theatre, Durham). His television credits as series regular include Leroy in Still Open All Hours and Jake Doland in Emmerdale. Other television credits include Harriet’s Army, Love Life and Joe Maddison’s War.

Sophie Bleasdale plays Violet Hunter. Her theatre credits include A Crazy Little Thing Called Love (RADA Festival), Mr Foote’s Other Leg (Hampstead Theatre/Theatre Royal Haymarket), Mock Tudor (Pleasance London/Latitude Festival/Old Red Lion Theatre/Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Under the Whaleback (Royal Court Theatre) and A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Harold Pinter Theatre). Her television credits include Close to the Enemy and Six Wives with Lucy Worsley.

Joe Coen plays Gabriel Lamb. His theatre credits include A Dark Night in Dalston (Park Theatre), The Mighty Walzer, Edward II (Royal Exchange Theatre), The Rubenstein Kiss (Nottingham Playhouse/Yvonne Arnaud Theatre), Bad Jews (Theatre Royal Bath/St. James Theatre/Arts Theatre), The Black Diamond (Punchdrunk) and Birdsong (Comedy Theatre). His television credits include The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies; and for film, Son of God and City Rats.

Ashley Cook plays Doctor James Bell. His theatre credits include The Cardinal (Southwark Playhouse), Flowering Cherry and F***ing Men (Finborough Theatre), Absent Friends, The Importance of Being Earnest (UK tour), The White Carnation (Finborough Theatre/Jermyn Street Theatre), The Art of Concealment, How to Cook a Country (Riverside Studios), The Mousetrap (St. Martin’s Theatre), A Doll’s House, The Importance of Being Earnest (New Theatre Royal Lincoln), The Bootmaker’s Daughter (Brighton Festival), Stonewall (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/The Drill Hall), Romeo and Juliet (Derby Playhouse), Love and Understanding (Battersea Arts Centre) and King Lear (The Old Vic/UK tour). His television credits include Patrick Hamilton: Words, Whisky and Women; and for film, Llar and A Mind of Her Own.

 

Caroline Harker plays Aunt George. Her theatre credits include The Chalk Garden, Entertaining Angels (Chichester Festival Theatre), Sean Hughes’ Blank Book (Soho Theatre), Blithe Spirit (York Theatre Royal), Pride and Prejudice (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), The Village Bike (Sheffield Theatres), Tusk Tusk, The Strip, The Editing Process (Royal Court Theatre), All Mouth (Menier Chocolate Factory), Present Laughter (Theatre Royal Bath), Battle Royal (National Theatre), Falling (Hampstead Theatre), Things We Do For Love (Duchess Theatre), A Mongrel’s Heart (Royal Lyceum Theatre) and Hidden Laughter (Vaudeville Theatre). Her television credits include The Commander: The Devil You Know, The Man Who Lost His Head, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a Fairy Tale, I Saw You, Armadillo, Keeping Mum, Holding On, Harry Enfield and Chums, The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders, Honey for Tea, Middlemarch, Riders and Growing Rich; and for film, Lady Godiva: Back in the Saddle and The Madness of King George.

Kemi-Bo Jacobs plays Anna Lamb. Her theatre credits include Betrayal (Derby Theatre), Hedda Gabler (Salisbury Playhouse) and All My Sons (Royal Exchange Theatre). Her television credits include McMafia,Delicious, Thirteen, The Honourable Woman; and for film, London Has Fallen.

Alice Kerrigan plays Emily. Her theatre credits include Boomerang (Blue Shop Cottage), The Forest (Arcola Theatre) and Julius Caesar (Bristol Old Vic).

Jessica Regan plays Matilda ‘Matty’ Blackwell. Her theatre credits include Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Bristol Old Vic/Wyndham’s Theatre/Brooklyn Academy of Music/Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts), Henry V (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Liolà, The Cherry Orchard, The Kitchen, Blood and Gifts (National Theatre), Coalition (Pleasance, London/Edinburgh Festival Fringe), All That Fall (Jermyn Street Theatre/59E59 Theaters, New York), Stars in the Morning Sky (Belgrade Theatre), The Flags (Liverpool’s Royal Court), and The Yellow Wallpaper and Striking Distance (Granary Theatre). She was series regular Dr Niamh Donoghue in Doctors. Other television credits include Nowhere Fast, Halloween Comedy Shorts: It Should Have Been Me, Ill Behaviour, Execution, No Signal and Ladies and Gentlemen.

Fiona Skinner plays Polly Stokes. Her theatre credits include The Dark Room, My Imaginary Friend Patrick Stewart (Theatre503), The Full Monty (UK tour), Our Ajax (Southwark Playhouse), Old Vic New Voices: The 24 Hour Plays (The Old Vic), Brave New Worlds (Soho Theatre), ‘Ave It (The Old Vic Tunnels) and People Like Us(Vineyard Theatre, New York). Her television credits include Taboo and Our Girl; and for film, A Royal Night Out.

 

Kirsty Patrick Ward directs. Her credits include Exactly Like You (VAULT Festival Spirit Award at Edinburgh Festival Fringe/The Vaults), Chef (Scotsman Fringe First Award at Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Soho Theatre), I’m Not That Kind of Guy (The Vaults and Paines Plough), Mary Louise (The Vaults), Evita (MT4Uth, Belfast), People Like Us (Pleasance, London), Snow White (UK tour for The Old Vic), A Writer’s Response to ‘Chavs’ by Owen Jones (Lyric Hammersmith), Present Tense (Live Theatre), Brave New Worlds (Soho Theatre), Life Support (York Theatre Royal) and Old Vic New Voices: The 24 Hour Plays (The Old Vic). Work as Associate Director includes The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (Criterion Theatre), Brideshead Revisited (York Theatre Royal/UK tour) and Young Pretender (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/UK tour). Work as Assistant Director includes Othello, King Lear(Shakespeare’s Globe), Our New Girl (Bush Theatre) and Bunny which won a Scotsman Fringe First Award (nabokov/Edinburgh Festival Fringe/UK tour).

Troupe’s recent production of Rasheeda Speaking by Joel Drake Johnson starred Tanya Moodie and Elizabeth Berrington at Trafalgar Studios and was nominated for five Off West End Awards. Troupe returns to Southwark Playhouse after its critically acclaimed productions of Dear Brutus by J. M. Barrie, which starred Miles Richardson, and The Cardinal by James Shirley, which starred Stephen Boxer and Natalie Simpson for which she won the Ian Charleson Award. It was supported by an inaugural MGCfutures Bursary Award. Troupe’s previous rediscoveries at the Finborough Theatre – Rodney Ackland’s After October, Robert Bolt’s Flowering Cherry and R. C. Sherriff’s The White Carnation, which later transferred to Jermyn Street Theatre – have been nominated for a total of five Off West End Awards.

www.troupe.eu

The Sweet Science of Bruising

Listings

Southwark Playhouse

77-85 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6BD

Nearest Tube: Borough/ Elephant and Castle

Wednesday 3 October – Saturday 27 October 2018

 

Monday to Saturdays at 8pm
Tuesday and Saturday matinees at 3.30pm

 

Box Office: 020 7407 0234

www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

 

Twitter:

@Troupe_Theatre

@swkplay

#SweetSciencePlay

Ticket Prices

Previews 3 and 4 October: all tickets £12
From 5 October: £20, £16 (conc.)