Month: September 2019

Captain Flinn and the Pirate
Dinosaurs: The Magic Cutlass
Christmas in Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LU
Saturday 7th December 2019 – Sunday 5th January 2020

This cracker of a show will have you sparkling with excitement this Christmas as Captain Flinn is back and is, once again, ready for a rollicking adventure! Following two highly successful runs at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and an extensive UK tour, it’s all aboard for a non-stop action-packed theatrical experience with catchy live music, spectacular puppetry and dastardly dinosaurs! This is a Christmas event for all the family to treasure

When Flinn, Pearl and Tom are in the middle of their school play their old nemesis, Mr T the TRex, appears and kidnaps the children, forcing them to hunt for the secretive Magic Cutlass – a sword that grants the holder any wish! The children are whisked away for another fantastic adventure to a world of devious dinosaurs, deep sea dangers and smelly sausages! Will fearless Flinn be able to outwit the pirate dinosaurs? Will pirate Pearl be brave enough to battle the dangerous dinos and will terrified Tom be back in time for tea?

Based on the award-winning book by Giles Andreae and Russell Ayto, this daring sequel has been adapted by Oliver Lansley, the Artistic Director of Les Petits Theatre and Les Enfants Terribles Theatre Company and writer of 2019 smash-hit TV series Flack. He is also co-writer of BBC2’s Whites starring Alan Davies, and actor in the BAFTA-winning show Best Possible Taste where he was nominated for Best Actor at the RTS Awards

Captain Flinn will be brought to life by the magical cast of incredible talent: Mark Middleton (Henry II, RBL; A Christmas Carol, RBL; The 39 Steps, Fiery Angel National Tour), Ellie Pawsey (Beauty and the Beast, West End In Schools; Mother Goose, Tour), Stephan Boyce (Macbeth, Iris Theatre; PC Fletcher in EastEnders, BBC; Romeo and Juliet, Salisbury Playhouse) and Tom Myles (Ricky Riddlegang And The Riddlegang, New Wimbledon Theatre; Playboy Of The Western World, Theatre Clwyd; Buddy, The Gate Theatre)

Lansley comments, I’m very lucky to have the privilege of a diverse range of projects for a diverse range of audiences – from my television work on shows like Flack, immersive stuff like Alice’s Adventures Underground, but the children’s work we do always holds a special place because you know how much impact the power of a story can have on young minds. A fun trip to the theatre as a child is nearly always what people cite as their reasons for getting into our business, so it’s a lot of responsibility! I’m thrilled that Captain Flinn continues to entertain little people
across the country. As at the heart of the show is a story of friendship and fun. And what better message for us to be spreading to our young mind right now that that

Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs: The Magic Cutlass is brought to life by Les Petits (David Walliams’ The First Hippo on the Moon and Adventures in Wonderland), the exciting children’s theatre company from the team behind internationally acclaimed theatre company, Les Enfants Terribles (Alice’s Adventures Underground)

An overwhelming sense of fantasy and fun (★★★★ Edinburgh Festivals Magazine)

Audiences can download a free Captain Flinn activity pack online from
www.lespetitstheatre.com

New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme – until Saturday 28 September 2019

Reviewed by Joanne Hodge

4****

Handbagged, written by Moira Buffini, and on this outing directed by her sister, Fiona, examines the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher, the British Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990. It imagines the conversations that might have taken place between Britain’s two most powerful women [at that time] during their behind-closed-door meetings.

For the most, the conversations are shown ‘as they happened’ with the feisty females brought to life by Zoe Aldrich as Mags and Melissa Collier as Liz. A narrative, yet reflective take on these exchanges is given by the older, maybe wiser, versions of themselves, with Jan Goodman as ‘T’, and Louise Bangay as ‘Q’. The ladies are all superb in their roles, cut-glass accents and pomp and circumstance in abundance.

As the tales unravel, guest appearances are made from Prince Phillip, Dennis Thatcher, Michael Hesseltine and Ron and Nancy Reagan, all played by Paul Mundell and Ashley Gerlach. The sheer number of characters being portrayed made for super-speedy costume changes, but the fact that this was comically referred to by the cast made you feel like everyone was in on the joke.

As someone who isn’t a royalist, or particularly interested in politics, the subject matter was quite educational for me, with the right mix of satire and witticism. The cast all displayed excellent comic timing, and the synchronicity between the younger and older versions of our leading ladies was sublime.

Whilst the interjections of the supporting cast – there to remind Mags/T and Liz/Q of events they’d rather have forgotten or glossed over – were, in the beginning, light-hearted and amusing, they soon became slightly annoying and somewhat preachy, and I felt they hindered, rather than helped the flow of the show.

That one minor bugbear aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the play. Added interest came from being in-the-round, giving Q the opportunity to circulate and engage with her subjects, which they seemed to appreciate. Credit must go to designer Olivia du Monceau, whose large golden crown hung over the ensemble like the Sword of Damacles. Though the set was minimal, with props mainly moved by the cast themselves between scenes, it was extremely effective, and aided beautifully by Daniella Beattie’s lighting.

For anyone thinking this play may go against their political leanings, or their feelings around the monarchy, I’d say give it a shot, it certainly surprised me

TICKETS GO ON SALE FOR THE JAMIE LLOYD COMPANY‘S

CYRANO DE BERGERAC STARRING JAMES McAVOY –

ALSO FURTHER INFORMATION ANNOUNCED FOR

THE 15,000 £15 AND 15,000 FREE TICKETS OFFERED ACROSS THE SEASON

The Jamie Lloyd Company presents

Edmond Rostand’s

Cyrano de Bergerac                                                                                                    

Freely adapted by Martin Crimp

Directed by Jamie Lloyd

Design: Soutra Gilmour; Lighting Design: Jon Clark; Sound and Composition: Ben and Max Ringham Fight Direction by Kate Waters; Casting by Stuart Burt CDG

Playhouse Theatre

27 November 2019 – 29 February 2020

Tickets go on sale at 8.30am today to ATG Theatre Card Members and British Airways Executive Club Members for The Jamie Lloyd Company’s production of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, freely adapted by Martin Crimp, directed by Jamie Lloyd and starring the Golden Globe and Olivier Award nominated James McAvoy. The Jamie Lloyd Company is the successful partnership between Ambassador Theatre Group, the UK’s leading theatre company, and artistic director Jamie Lloyd.

Public booking opens tomorrow, Tuesday 17 September at 8.30am.

Fierce with a pen and notorious in combat, Cyrano almost has it all – if only he could win the heart of his true love. There’s just one big problem: he has a nose as huge as his heart. Will a society engulfed by narcissism get the better of De Bergerac – or can his mastery of language set Roxane’s world alight?

Cyrano de Bergerac marks the first in a new season directed by Jamie Lloyd at the Playhouse Theatre from November 2019 to August 2020 – with further productions to be announced.

Also announced today are further details of The Jamie Lloyd Company and Ambassador Theatre Group’s offer of 15,000 free tickets and 15,000 £15 tickets for under 30s, key workers and those receiving job seeker’s allowance and other government benefits, supported by British Airways.

£15 tickets

These will be available for specific Monday evening and Thursday matinee performances across the season. The first four of these performances will go on sale on Monday 4 November at 12pm, and take place on 2 December (evening), 12 December (matinee), 16 December (evening) and 6 January (matinee).

Please note that these tickets must be booked via a special link on the ATG Tickets website and can only be picked up from the theatre box office 45 minutes prior to the show, and valid ID must be presented upon collection, or entry will be denied.

Free tickets

A dedicated outreach manager will be distributing these tickets amongst both secondary state schools and community organisations who otherwise would not have access to the theatre. If you work with a group who does not have the means or opportunity to visit the theatre, please register your interest here.

Martin Crimp’s theatre credits include When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other, In the Republic of Happiness, Play House, The City, Fewer Emergencies, Cruel and Tender, The Country, Attempts on Her Life, The Treatment, Play with Repeats, Dealing with Clair, Definitely the Bahamas, Four Attempted Acts and Living Remains. His work in the UK has been produced by Orange Tree Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Stephen Joseph Theatre, RSC, Young Vic and the Royal Court Theatre where he was writer-in-residence in 1997. In New York his work has been seen at the Public Theater and the Classic Stage Company, as well as on Broadway.

James McAvoy plays Cyrano de Bergerac. His theatre credits include The Ruling Class, Macbeth (Trafalgar Studios), Three Days of Rain (Apollo Theatre), Breathing Corpses (Royal Court Theatre), Privates on Parade (Donmar Warehouse) and Out in the Open (Hampstead Theatre). His television credits include Watership Down, Shameless, Early Door, State of Play and the upcoming His Dark Materials. His film credits include It 2, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Glass, Sherlock Gnomes, Submergence, Atomic Blonde, Split, X-Men: Apocalypse, Victor Frankenstein, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Filth – for which he won BIFA Best Actor Award, London Critics Circle Best British Actor Award, British Academy Scotland Best Actor Award andEmpire Award for Best Actor, X-Men: First Class, The Conspirator, Gnomeo and Juliet, The Last Station, Atonement – for which he won Best Actor at the London Film Critics Circle, Best Actor at Empire Film Awards and Richard Attenborough Film Awards; and was nominated for a BAFTA and Golden Globe, Becoming Jane, Starter for Ten, The Last King of Scotland – for which he won Best Actor BAFTA Scotland Award, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Bright Young Things.

Jamie Lloyd directs. His credits for the company include Betrayal (Pinter at the Pinter, Harold Pinter Theatre/Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre), Pinter One, Two, Three, Six and Seven (Pinter at the Pinter, Harold Pinter Theatre), Doctor Faustus (Duke of York’s Theatre), The Maids, The Homecoming, The Ruling Class, Richard III, The Pride, The Hothouse, Macbeth (Trafalgar Studios). Other theatre credits include Evita (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Apologia (Trafalgar Studios), Guards at the Taj (Bush Theatre), The Pitchfork Disney, Killer (Shoreditch Town Hall), Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory), Urinetown (St James Theatre/Apollo Theatre), The Commitments (Palace Theatre), The Duchess of Malfi (The Old Vic), She Stoops to Conquer (National Theatre), The Faith Machine, The Pride (Royal Court Theatre – Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre), Inadmissible Evidence, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Polar Bears, Passion (Donmar Warehouse – Evening Standard Award for Best Musical and Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Musical Revival), Piaf (Donmar Warehouse/Vaudeville Theatre – Olivier Award nomination for Best Musical Revival), The Little Dog Laughed (Garrick Theatre), Three Days of Rain (Apollo Theatre – Olivier Award nomination for Best Revival), The Lover, The Collection (Comedy Theatre), Elegies: A Song Cycle (Arts Theatre), The School for Scandal (Theatre Royal Bath), Salome (Headlong), Eric’s (Liverpool Everyman) and The Caretaker (Sheffield Theatres). Lloyd was Associate Director of the Donmar Warehouse from 2008 to 2011 and is a former Associate Artist of Headlong.

Listings                                                                                                                                                                                

Cyrano de Bergerac is on sale to ATG Theatre Card Members and British Airways Executive Club Members today 8.30am; public booking opens tomorrow, 17 September 8.30am.

CYRANO DE BERGERAC

Playhouse Theatre

27 November 2019 – 29 February 2020

Tickets: http://thejamielloydcompany.com

Twitter: @JamieLloydCo

Instagram: @jamielloydco

Howard Panter for Trafalgar Theatre Productions

and Eilene Davidson Productions

In association with Mallory Factor for Hill Street Productions,

Rupert Gavin for Incidental Colman and Cheryl Lachowicz

present

TRAFALGAR STUDIOS

PREVIEWS FROM SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

DISABLED ACTOR CAST IN DISABLED ROLE FOR

THE FIRST TIME IN PLAY’S WEST END HISTORY

FULL CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED

When Peter Nichols wrote the ground-breaking playA Day in the Death of Joe Egg in 1967, it was inspired by his own personal experience of bringing up his disabled daughter. A story about family, the funny and moving play shines a light on her parents’ caring for their daughter, who is affectionately nicknamed Joe Egg.

Now more than five decades later, a revival of this funny and moving masterpiece is to open at Trafalgar Studios next week, with the part of Joe Egg being played by Storme Toolis, an actor who herself suffers from cerebral palsy.  This is the first time in the play’s West End history that a disabled actor has been cast in this pivotal role.

Storme Toolis said: “I definitely feel that as a disabled actor there are interesting familiar relationships in this play, but I don’t draw a lot on my own experiences. Everybody is different, so my job is to portray Joe’s story. I’m interested in understanding how a family in an era that is not 2019 would deal with having a disabled child and whether what they would go through and what we go through now would be kind of similar.

I was really interested in the attitudes that were so prevalent towards disabilities in the 1960’s, but the play touches on so many other things, not just disability. It’s about how you put one foot in front of the other every single day, whatever your Joe Egg might be. Everybody has something that makes their life a little bit more difficult and it’s about what you use to help you get through that point.”

Toolis, best known for playing the daughter of Nicholas Lyndhurst’s retired policeman Danny Griffin in BBC ONE’s comedy crime drama New Tricks and firm favourite in The Inbetweeners Movie, has enjoyed a varied career on both the big and small screen. Her recent theatre work saw her partner with both The Barbican and RSC for Redefining Juliet, which proved so popular with audiences it was also filmed for a BBC documentary.

Further casting has also been announced with Clarence Smith (The Firm, RSC) taking the role of Freddie and Lucy Eaton (Daisy Pulls It Off, A Midsummer Night’s Dream) as Pam, completing the company alongside Toby Stephens (Oslo, Lost In Space), Claire Skinner (Outnumbered) and Patricia Hodge (Miranda, Downton Abbey).

Howard Panter said: “Storme is a brilliant actor and we are delighted she is joining the company alongside Toby, Claire, Patricia, Lucy and Clarence. At a time when there is so much division and despair in this country, Joe Egg shows that if we find a way to care, we all eventually find redemption.”

Other cast members include Athena Stevens (Scrounger, Redefining Juliet), Harry Attwell (Maleficent, Testament of Youth) and Rebecca Hands-Wicks (Monkey Bars, Portia’s Julius Caesar).

Directed by Simon Evans (Killer Joe, Arturo Ui), A Day in the Death of Joe Eggis abittersweet and startlingly funny, celebrated play which will break your heart one minute and fill it with warmth the next. The production is designed by Olivier Award winner Peter McKintosh, with lighting design by Prema Mehta and sound design and composition by Ed Lewis.

It opens on Saturday 21 September for a limited season until Saturday 30 November.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Performances: Monday – Saturday at 7:30pm, Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2:30pm
Box Office: www.atgtickets.com/trafalgarstudios / 0844 871 7632

Ticket Prices: From £25

Access performance dates to be confirmed

Website: www.JoeEggPlay.com 

Grand Opera House York – until Saturday 21 September 2019

Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

5*****

York has a thriving theatre scene, and York Stage Musicals is one of the big reasons to thank for that. I have now seen a few of their shows and am very rarely disappointed, Shrek did not disappoint whatsoever. Pretty much everyone alive knows and loves the film Shrek, with iconic characters and unforgettable scenes, appealing to both young and old. The musical adaptation of Shrek was well received when it first came to stage, and YSM have certainly done it justice, continuing the legacy.

The cast are made up of actors who have a large background in theatre, and those who dabble in theatre from York area. The principal cast generally had some form of academic training. Nik Briggs, who played the character of Shrek and is also the shows producer, has been involved with YSM for several years, becoming the Artistic Director in 2014. Briggs did a good job with the character, both acting wise and singing, fully encapsulating the role of the loveable ogre. We mustn’t forget his sidekick Donkey, played by Chris Knight, who managed to pull off the Eddie Murphy accent for the whole show, with just the same amount of swagger.

Jacqueline Bell as Fiona, was one of the reasons I loved the show, her vocals were amazing and she created such an hilarious character with just the right amount of sass. Talking about singing, both Emily Ramsden as Dragon, and Alicia Roberts, loved her Gingerbread scenes, also gave stunning performances. Joe Wawrzyniak bought a pantomime feel to the stage with his portrayal of Lord Farquaad. It was so very camp, dastardly and over the top, lovely. Another stand out performer was Sam Rippon, who played Pinocchio. Having been in several YSM shows before, I’ve seen a fair share of him on stage, however I feel like this show really let him shine as the toy who so desperately wanted to be a boy. The whole entire cast did wonderfully though and I’m incredibly impressed with the level of professionalism that they held.

The set is something else, it really felt like we were watching a touring show that isn’t from an ‘Am-Dram’ company, it was so impressive and eye-catching, especially the stained-glass window. The costumes were superb, and so much better than I anticipated, especially Dragon. The only thing that brought the show down was the fact that the band, fab as they were, was just a bit too loud, which meant you couldn’t always hear the singing in some songs, hopefully this is changed in the other performances, but this is a minor niggle.

I’m so glad that York has such a good theatre scene, and this show is one of the reasons why I love it so much. YSM have the reputation of putting on some great shows, but this one is by far the best I’ve seen. This was as good as any professional show, the bar how now been set.

This is obviously is a family show and I would suggest it to anyone, especially those with children, you will not be disappointed. I loved the film and I’m glad that I also loved it on stage, “I’m a Believer”!

CAMERON MACKINTOSH ANNOUNCES

THE EXCITING NEW CAST OF

LES MISÉRABLES

THAT WILL OPEN AT THE SONDHEIM THEATRE,

SHAFTESBURY AVENUE

ON 18 DECEMBER 2019, AFTER ITS MAJOR RENOVATION

Cameron Mackintosh announced today casting for the exciting new cast of Boublil and Schönberg’s LES MISÉRABLES at the newly restored Sondheim Theatre, when the theatre re-opens on 18 December 2019 following its major renovation.

Jon Robyns will play ‘Jean Valjean’, Bradley Jaden ‘Javert’, Gerard Carey ‘Thénardier’, Carrie Hope Fletcher ‘Fantine’, Shan Ako ‘Eponine’, Josefina Gabrielle ‘Madame Thénardier’, Ashley Gilmour ‘Enjolras’ and Lily Kerhoas ‘Cosette’. Rachelle Ann Go will return to the role of ‘Fantine’ for 7 weeks in the Spring and will take over the role next Summer.

They will be joined by Kelly Agbowu, Ciarán Bowling, Richard Carson, Rodney Earl Clarke, Matthew Dale, Matt Dempsey, Harry Dunnett, Jessie Hart, Jessica Joslin, Sarah Lark, Georgie Lovatt, Ellie Ann Lowe, Luke McCall, Leo Miles, Claire O’Leary, Shane O’Riordan, Kathy Peacock, Sam Peggs, Mark Pearce, Emma Warren, Sake Wijers, Mared Williams and Samuel Wyn-Morris. 

Cameron Mackintosh said today “As Les Mis enters its 35^th year in London, I am thrilled that we have found a brilliant and exciting cast to open my new production at the Sondheim theatre , many of whom were not even born when the show first opened! I am particularly delighted that Jon Robyns will be leading the company as Jean Valjean. Jon originally  played the role of Enjolras when I first produced this new production in 2010. He also starred in Avenue Q for me in the West End and is currently having a huge success as King George in Hamilton at the Victoria Palace. His Inspector Javert will be played by Bradley Jaden, who is currently a sensational Enjolras in the sell out staged Concert version of Les Mis next door at the Gielgud Theatre having previously played Javert to great acclaim at the Queen’s. Other current stars of the Concert who will be reprising their show stopping roles at the Sondheim are Carrie Hope Fletcher as Fantine and West End newcomers Shan Ako and Lily Kerhoas as Eponine and Cosette. I am delighted to announce that Rachelle Ann Go, one of the incredible stars of both the Original and current London cast of Hamilton and a previously acclaimed Fantine, will return to this role for 7 weeks in the Spring before taking the role over from Carrie Hope Fletcher next Summer. The irresistibly grasping Thénardiers will be in the hilarious hands of Gerard Carey and Josefina Gabrielle. I last worked with Gerard when he portrayed the scene stealing photographer in my recent production of Half a Sixpence and Josefina who starred in my productions of Carousel, Witches of Eastwick and Oklahoma! opposite Hugh Jackman. Though our search for Marius continues, it’s terrific to be reunited with Ashley Gilmour as Enjolras – after his recent success playing Chris in my international tour of Miss Saigon. It is a testament to Víctor Hugo’s timeless masterpiece and Boublil & Schönberg’s brilliant musical adaptation that Les Misérables continues to attract such stellar talent to the world’s longest running musical.

Jon Robyns can currently be seen playing King George in Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre. His many other credits include creating the roles of Princeton and Rod in the London production of Avenue Q. He has played Marius and Enjolras in Les Misérables on stage at the Queen’s Theatre in London and the 25^th Anniversary International Tour respectively, as well as taking part in the 25^th Anniversary Concert at the O2. His West End credits also include Spamalot at the Harold Pinter and Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre.  

Bradley Jaden is currently playing Enjolras in the concert of Les Misérables at the Gielgud Theatre, a role he played in the 30^th anniversary cast of the show at the Queen’s Theatre. Bradley recently played Javert in the final cast of the musical at the Queen’s Theatre. His other credits include Fiyero in Wicked at the Victoria Apollo Theatre, the UK tour of Ghost The Musical; Shrek The Musical at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and Stiles and Drewe’s Peter Pan at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.  His TV credits include Emmerdale on ITV and Sugar Rush on Channel 4.

Gerard Carey originated the role of Robertson Ay in Mary Poppins and played James Walsingham and the Photographer in Half A Sixpence, both at Chichester Festival Theatre and the Noël Coward Theatre. His other credits include A Christmas Carol for the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Jungle at the Playhouse Theatre, Master Class at the Vaudeville Theatre and the national tour of Shrek The Musical.

Carrie Hope Fletcher is currently playing the role of Fantine in the concert of Les Misérables at the Gielgud Theatre. She previously played Eponine in the show at the Queen’s Theatre. Her many other credits include starring in Heathers at both The Other Palace and the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Carrie has also appeared in the Arena Tour of The War of the Worlds and the UK tour of The Addams Family.

Rachelle Ann Go is currently playing Eliza Hamilton in Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre, a role she has played since the show opened in London. Rachelle played Gigi in Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre in 2014, a role she reprised when the show opened on Broadway in 2017. She has also played Fantine in Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre.

Carrie Hope Fletcher will play Fantine from 18 December 2019 until 29 February 2020 and then again from 20 April 2020 until 25 July 2020. Rachelle Ann Go will play the role from 2 March 2020 until 18 April 2020 and then again from 27 July 2020.

Shan Ako is currently playing the role of Eponine in the concert of Les Misérables at the Gielgud Theatre where she made her West End debut. She recently graduated from the Brit School.

Josefina Gabrielle was most recently seen as Velma Kelly in Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre. Her many other West End credits include Olivier nominated performances in Sweet Charity, Merrily We Roll Along and as Laurey in Oklahoma! She has also played Roxie in Chicago at the Adelphi theatre, Irene Molloy in Hello Dolly! at Regent’s Park and Mrs Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Ashley Gilmour recently played the lead role of Chris in the International tour of Miss Saigon. He also appeared in the West End production at the Prince Edward Theatre. His other theatre credits include Link Larkin in the national tour of Hairspray.

Lily Kerhoas is currently playing the role of Cosette in the concert of Les Misérables at the Gielgud Theatre where she made her West End debut.

Since Cameron Mackintosh first conceived this acclaimed new production of LES MISÉRABLES in 2009 to celebrate the show’s 25^th anniversary it has taken the world by storm. It is the only version of the show produced by Cameron Mackintosh that has been seen around the world, in the last ten years, having enjoyed record-breaking runs in Australia, Japan, Korea, France, Spain, Dubai, Manila, Singapore, Brazil, Mexico, Broadway and two North American tours. The current American tour continues to play across the United States with dates announced up to May 2020. The show is currently on tour throughout the UK and Ireland playing to sell out business, with dates already announced until November 2020.

Boublil and Schönberg’s magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the songs, I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master Of The House and many more.  Seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 52 countries and in 22 languages, LES MISÉRABLES is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of LES MISÉRABLES is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. Orchestrations are by Stephen Metcalfe, Christopher Jahnke and Stephen Brooker with original orchestrations by John Cameron. The production is directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo with costumes by Andreane Neofitou and Christine Rowland, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, musical staging by Michael Ashcroft and Geoffrey Garratt, and music supervision by Stephen Brooker and Alfonso Casado Trigo.

Southwark Playhouse – until 12 October 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

5*****

Described as a musical fantasia set in the hypnotised mind of Sergei Rachmaninoff, Dave Malloy’s weird and wonderful musical is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

After his first symphony failed to set the musical world alight, Rachmaninoff spiralled into depression, unable to compose until his therapy with Nicolai Dahl, following which his glorious Piano Concerto no.2 was completed.

Malloy splits Rachmaninoff into two separate entities – the calm composed pianist performing centre stage (Tom Noyes – superb) and Rach (Keith Ramsey – astonishingly raw), the tormented soul who is struggling to find music or joy in his life. Rach is wild-eyed, big-haired and looks like he’s escaped from the Bat out of Hell cast – completely out of time and place in his isolated mental state. Natalya (Georgia Louise), his fiancée/cousin, and Chaliapin (Norton James), his opera singer friend and constant supporter are shown to be present at pivotal moments in Rach’s composing career through flashbacks/therapy, alongside the ominous presence of The Master (Steven Serlin), who takes on the personas of Rach’s (and Russia’s) heroes, always disappointing Rach, and never giving him the affirmation he so desperately needs. Watching all this, hawk-like, is Dahl (Rebecca Caine – just wait until she sings!).

Director Alex Sutton, Rebecca Brower (set design), Christopher Nairne (lighting design) and Andrew Johnson (sound design) have created a nightmarish dreamscape for Rach. A set of concentric trapezoid frames light and pulse with appropriate colour and pulse as Rach’s self-doubt and psychosis ebb and flow. Keyboard players Jordan Li-Smith and Billy Bullivant sit either side of the stage with Rachmaninoff’s grand piano an oasis of calm in the centre (This is where Rach retreats when things get too much – curled up under the piano.) Rachmaninoff’s music is performed as solos by Noyes on the piano, but also overlain with electronic keys and electro beats depending on Rach’s mental state. Some of the arrangements are beautiful, making your heart soar, while others set your teeth on edge and are very uncomfortable to listen to, accompanied by disturbing light effects and surreal performances that make you question your own sanity.

Rach’s journey back to self-belief and peace after such public failure isn’t easy to watch, it is horrifying, frustrating, repetitive and unsettling, but also uplifting, life-affirming and simply beautiful. Just like life itself. Malloy has managed to distil so much familiar trauma and emotion into this show that it can speak to everyone who is lucky enough to see it. One of this Autumn’s must-see shows.

• THIS WEEK PRODUCERS HAVE HELD A WORKSHOP FOR A BRAND-NEW MUSICAL BASED ON THE LIFE OF GLOBAL ICON BOB MARLEY
   
• PROVISIONALLY TITLED BOB MARLEY THE MUSICAL THE SHOW WILL GO INTO FULL PRODUCTION IN 2020 WHICH MARKS WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MARLEY’S 75TH BIRTHDAY

Producers, theatre owners and investors gathered today to watch a workshop production of a brand-new musical based on the life of the global icon Bob Marley. The musical which features the singer’s greatest hits and has the full backing of the Marley family is written by Lee Hall and will be directed by Dominic Cooke. The producing team is Playful Productions, Stage Play and Kwame Kwei Armah.

The workshop was held over a fortnight in London and presentations of the show were given to invited audiences over two days. The producers are planning to mount a full production of the new show in 2020 which marks what would have been Bob Marley’s 75th birthday.   
 

Bromley Churchill Theatre – until 14 September 2019

Reviewed by Adam Craddock

4****

JB Priestley’s classic thriller An Inspector Calls is one of the all time literary classics. Combining suspense and intrigue with the occasional bit of comedy and lightheartedness, this play is one of the best to come out of the 20th century. I was initially a bit apprehensive about picking up this review as I have seen a couple of productions of this play staged before and they have missed the ball, however this new production from Stephen Daldry well and truly hits the mark. Daldry has assembled a cast of some of Britain’s best natural actors and they deliver quite possibly the best performance of this text that I have seen!

Alasdair Buchan is strong as Gerald Croft, with a great command of the stage and a beautiful sense of his heightened state. Chloe Orrock was brilliant as Sheila Birling. She had an amazing youthful energy that really shone out on stage and her performance really captured me. Ryan Saunders was good as Eric Birling, with some beautiful acting at the end of the show, although I did struggle to hear him sometimes at the beginning. Christine Kavanagh was fair as Sybil Birling, portraying her as brilliantly awful and really hitting a good spot with this awful character. Jeffrey Harmer was strong as Arthur Birling, with some brilliant control over his space on show and a real sense of status with his character. Bravo! However my absolute highlight in this show was Liam Brennan as Inspector Goole. Brennan was absolutely captivating in this performance, beautifully teetering on the edge of clinical and madman. His performance was one of those where from now on I can only imagine one man in this role.

As you can see I absolutely loved this production, however I do have one criticism. When they mentioned they were setting the production in Bromley (the town it is currently showing in) it was a nice little nod to the audience and got a good reaction. However proceeding to mention it multiple times thereafter felt like it was forcing this down my throat and really just felt a little bit silly in the end, as if it was almost a pantomime. A shame because otherwise I could not fault this production. An Inspector Calls closes in Bromley on 14th September 

Ovation is delighted to present the London Fringe premiere of
           
    THE HIT BROADWAY MUSICAL

Music by HARRY WARREN  Lyrics by AL DUBIN
Book by MICHAEL STEWART & MARK BRAMBLE

Based on the Novel by BRADFORD ROPES

Original Direction and Dances by GOWER CHAMPION

Originally Produced on Broadway by DAVID MERRICK

42^nd Street…  the all-singing, all-dancing Broadway musical. 

One of show business’s most classic and beloved tales, 
42^nd Street tells the story of Peggy Sawyer, a talented young performer with stars in her eyes.
She arrives in New York City from Allentown, Pennsylvania, armed with her tap shoes and big dreams.
When the leading lady drops out of the show, Peggy gets her big break on Broadway.

 Musical numbers include: ‘We’re in the Money’, ‘Lullaby of Broadway’,

‘You’re Getting to be a Habit with Me’ and the title song, ‘42nd Street’.

Casting details to be announced

11^th December 2019 – 26^th January 2020