Month: November 2019

Union Theatre – until 23 November 2019

Reviewed by Alexandra Sykes

4****

Set in the fictional Green Fairy pub, The Green Fairy tells the story of Jo, and how she slowly became an alcoholic.

The story starts with Wendy performing in the pub singing a song about her daily experiences living in London and getting to and from central London. Pub owner Toby is proud of her and announced that her mum, Jo, is in the audience. After a brief conversation Wendy leaves and Toby allows Jo to sleep on the sofa of the pub, something she does frequently as she states the sofa hasn’t changed in 20 years. Whilst in the bar after closing Jo comes across a bottle of Absinthe and opens it, causing the green fairy to appear. The fairy takes Jo on a trip to her past to work out where her problems started, from her first meeting with Daniel and Eliza, to her marriage to Daniel, birth of Wendy, affair with Eliza and Daniels death which leads to Wendy being raised by Toby whilst living above the pub. Jo realises she has a problem with the drinking and promises the fairy she will give up now she knows the grown up Wendy is pregnant.

With a small cast of only 6, the musical works well. Julie Atherton as Jo and Emma Whittaker as the younger Jo works well as they can copy the others mannerisms and both play the part of an in denial alcoholic well. David Perkins and Harry F. Brown play Daniel and Toby respectively and both play their parts, and guitars well. Georgina Hellier is fabulous as both the green fairy and Eliza, hiding her fairy head piece under a hat when she is Eliza.

The set works well as it is made to look like the inside of a pub, complete with staircase heading up to the living quaters. The costumes are basic but work, with the green fairy outfit consisting of a ripped t-shirt and a green tutu.

All in all the play is good as the intimacy of the theatre helps to set the atmosphere but the lack of microphones means some parts are hard to hear and in some songs the music is louder than the singing which means song lyrics are lost but all in all a good night out.

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield- until 9 November 2019

Reviewed by Katie Goldsbrough

4****

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is one of the best known and loved musicals for a reason, this is a great production full of great catchy songs and an exciting story.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat tells the story of Joseph, played by Union J’s Jaymi Hensley, who is the favourite son of 12 brothers. His brothers, not being a fan of this favouritism do something awful to Joseph and we follow his story to see them meet again in very different circumstances.

Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams helps him on his way and get him out of trouble, leading to the Pharoah of Egypt, played by Andrew Geater. A favourite part of the show for many is the Pharoah’s entrance, at the start of the second act, which I won’t spoil for anyone who has yet to see the show.

For many people this show has a certain nostalgia as it’s a show often put on in schools. In this production the narrator, played by Alexandra Doar, introduces us to the story, she is fantastic throughout, always in the background with a great singing voice. A group of children sit on stairs on the main stage throughout, they start at very young age and are brilliant, keeping in time with all their choreography and singing beautifully throughout.

All 11 of the brothers have their own personalities and their individuality stands out. Benjamin, Joseph’s youngest brother and the only one that doesn’t agree with what the brothers do to Joseph stands out from the group. Alex Hetherington who plays Benjamin was fantastic throughout, he was an excellent dancer and actor, drawing the audience’s attention to him.

The choreography by Henry Metcalfe was great throughout, with actors having to contend with narrow stairs with young children sat to one side, you could tell a lot of work had been put in to exactly where everyone needed to be stood.

This is a great production, full of well-known songs including ‘Go, Go, Go Joseph’ ‘Close Every Door’ and of course ‘Any Dream Will Do’. The finale consists of a Joseph Megamix Reprise featuring all the previous songs in the show and it had the whole audience up on their feet clapping, dancing and singing along. This is a great feel good musical, suitable for all the family and a must see if you get the chance.

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh – until 9 November 2019

Reviewed by Hannah Plumb

5*****

Wilkommen and Bienvenue to Rufus Norris’s electric new tour of Tony Award winning musical Cabaret. Set in the ‘smokey, sexy’ Berlin nightclub scene, the piece begins as the clock strikes in the New Year of 1931. The story swirls in and out of the infamous Kit Kat Club ran by Emcee (John Patridge) as aspiring American novelist Cliff Bradshaw (Charles Hagerty) meets captivating cabaret star Sally Bowles (Kara Lilly Hayworth).  In the setting of their boarding house sparks fly between industrious landlady Fraulein Schneider (Anita Baker) and well-mannered grocer Herr Schultz (James Paterson) against all mounting political tension. As the piece moves into its second half and the rise of Nazism is unignorable we see the loves of those surrounding the Kit Kat change for ever as the world they know comes to an end.  

Performing as the enigmatic Master of Ceremonies, award winning actor John Patridge sets the scene in the infamously cool cabaret scene of Berlin, helping the audience to step into the world of the piece. He is assisted by Katrina Lindsay’s stage which uses the large Festival Theatre stage expertly to communicate the vastness and grittiness in this city of change. Patrdige performs perfectly as this ring master of Berlin debauchery and really bring the fun out of the piece. Which makes his performance at the end of act 2- when the grim realities of Nazism are presented even more powerful which managed to hold an audience of over 900 people in stunned silence.

All performances in this piece were fantastic and Hayworth’s rendition of the titular song left you with an optimistic melancholy that made you wish the piece would end differently. Alas, it doesn’t. Furthermore, it is this decision by Norris to not sugar coat nor gloss over the stark reality of the Nazi’s rule in Germany that really separates this production from others. This production lulls the audience into a false sense of security, the belief that they are enjoying a classic musical, whilst simultaneously edging towards the rise of the far right. A perfect metaphor really for post-Weimar Germany. Finally, when the pretence is dropped and the piece climaxes the audience is left with a horrifying tableau that keeps them in a state of unavoidable tension.  Shedding a light on the hideous reality of living in a far right, extremist society- a masterpiece.

JESS ROBINSON: THE JESS ROBINSON EXPERIENCE AT CHRISTMAS IN LEICESTER SQUARE

·        Sunday 17 November at 7pm

·        The Leicester Square Spiegeltent, part of Christmas in Leicester Square

·        Multi-award-winning Jess Robinson returns to London with her live band for a one-off special show

Jess Robinson, multi award-winner, Edinburgh fringe favourite and Britain’s Got Talent 2017 semi-finalist is bringing The Jess Robinson experience to London with her live band Jessington World of Adventures for a one-off special show on November 17, part of Underbelly’s Christmas in Leicester Square.

After appearing on some of the biggest UK comedy shows in TV & Radio such as The Last Leg, Murder in Successville, Dead Ringers, and The Now Show, The Jess Robinson Experience delivers a unique blend of comedy, music and vocal fireworks while also giving the audience some of her own personal backstory.

Jess’s ‘human jukebox’ styled performance delivers improvised musical mashups and immaculate impressions – from TV celebs to stars of the silver screen, via Cardi B and Lady Gaga. The experience is a fun and energetic event that will have something for everyone.

Christmas in Leicester Square is produced by Underbelly on behalf of Westminster Council and returns for a fourth year this winter. One of London’s most iconic locations will once again be transformed into a festive fun land with something for all ages. In addition to a stellar line-up of entertainment, the pop-up festival will play host to a Santa’s Grotto, Winter Windows and a beautiful European-style Christmas market offering gifts, food and drinks.

Leeds Playhouse – until 9 November 2019

Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood

4****

One Under, a Graeae Theatre Company and Theatre Royal Plymouth’s production comes to the Leeds Playhouse. This play premiered in Plymouth and is currently on a national tour visiting nine theatres including this one. Graeae Theatre Company takes pride in making their productions accessible and this performance is captioned and described audibly.

Written by Winsome Pinnock and under the direction of Amit Sharma, One Under is about Cyrus (Stanley J. Browne) who is drawn to finding the young man who jumped in front of the train that he was driving. Ridden with guilt and his driven search for recompense he is led to Christine (Clare-Louise English), a laundrette worker, and other characters including Nella (Shenagh Govan) and Zoe (Evlyne Oyedokun) whose lives are changed forever following what happened to Sonny (Reece Pantry).

The play explores how fragile and vulnerable human relationships are and highlights that one doesn’t know what is happening people’s lives behind closed doors. This production includes strong emotions such as guilt and regrets which interlink with mental health and wellbeing, relationships, circumstances and timings. The 90 minute play unravels with the past prior to the tragedy and how it directly and indirectly affects the characters concerned, evocatively linking with the past and the present.

Set to Amelia Jane Hankin’s staging there is a lot of content packed into this short play which gives one food for thought particularly around mental health and the importance to look out for one another particularly any signs or triggers. It reminds that appearances don’t exclusively sum up to how one feels and an awareness to support those personally and professionally who are affected.

An intensive play layered with meaning and emotion, One Under, is well delivered by a five person cast who portray the characters well. One Under is part of three plays that specifically focuses on men’s health and wellbeing, which are being staged during November up to the run up of the Northern Man Festival. This festival is produced jointly with the Playhouse and a partnership consortium of Leeds community development organisations and is going to take place on 16th November 2019.

Octagon Theatre Bolton presents

First Bite Series

Family Trees by Clare Bayley

Wilt by Kieran Knowles

Burkas and Bacon Butties by Shamia Chalabi and Sarah Henley

Bolton Audiences will Have Stars in Their Eyes as Matthew Kelly Leads an All-Star Line-up for First Bite Play Reading Series This Month!

Full cast announced for three events in the series.

A collection of new play readings will be presented by The Octagon Theatre this November as part of their First Bite series.

Over three consecutive Fridays, commencing on Friday 15 November, audiences are invited to attend the script-in-hand readings taking place at Market Place Shopping Centre.

Performances include thegripping drama Family Trees by Clare Bayleyon Friday 15 November; funny and moving ‘state of the nation’ play Wilt by Kieran Knowles on Friday 22 November; and Wigan-based comedy Burkas and Bacon Butties by Shamia Chalabi and Sarah Henleyon Friday 29 November.

The works will be performed by an impressive collection of talented actors, including the legendary TV presenter and actor Matthew Kelly. The star of stage and screen will play the role of Alan in Wilt on Friday 22 November.

Renowned for hosting ITV’s Stars in Their Eyes from 1993-2004, Matthew has had an extensive stage career including the role of Lennie in Of Mice and Men at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, West End and UK tour; UK tour and New York production of Toast; and previous Octagon Theatre productions Oh What A Lovely War and Blue Remembered Hills.

On performing as part of the First Bite series, Matthew Kelly said: “I am delighted to be returning to Bolton and being part of this new series of play readings at The Octagon Theatre. I have wonderful memories of performing here, my last visit was appearing in the 40^th Anniversary production of Oh What A Lovely War in 2007, so it will be lovely to be back!”

Joining Matthew in Wilt is Hollyoaks actor Darren Jeffries who starred as OB in the Channel 4 soap. His stage credits include HOME Manchester’s production of This is Where We Are At and As If We Just Held Hands at Hope Mill Theatre. Completing the cast is Chris Jack who returns after performing in the recent production of Beryl and Coral Sinclair whose credits include Pramkicker at Postcard Theatre and The Secret Garden at York Theatre Royal.  This reading will be guest directed by Liz Stevenson, artistic director of Theatre by the Lake in Keswick.

Opening the series on Friday 15 November in the reading of Family Trees will be: Brookside star Susan Twist (who appeared as Rosie Banks); Brookside and Emmerdale’s John McArdle (who starred as Billy Corkhill and Ronnie Hale respectively); Hollyoaks’ Greg Kelly (appeared as Freddie Watson); Alice Proctor (Do You Want A Bag With That, Hope Mill Theatre); Simona Bitmate (Hamlet, Leeds Playhouse); Nakib Narat (Afterthought, Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester); Esh Alladi (Hobsons Choice, Royal Exchange Theatre – for which he won the UK Theatre Awards for Best Supporting Performance 2019); Amy Drake (Tinned Up, Oldham Coliseum); and recent graduate of ALRA North, Sue Radcliffe. 

Cast confirmed for Burkas and Bacon Butties on Friday 29 November include:Emmerdale actor and star of The Octagon Theatre’s 2018 production of East is East, Shila Iqbal; Wendy Albiston who has recently appeared in Coronation Street as part of Sinead’s heartbreaking cancer storyline; Dean Michael Gregory (Debris, Despite The Monkey Theatre Company); Dana Haqjoo (Not Moses, Art Theatre); Nadia Emam (Belonging, Hope Mill Theatre); and Amirul Hussain (Monologue Slam Golden Ticket Contestant selected at the Birmingham Rep).  Both Family Trees and Burkas and Bacon Butties will be directed by the Octagon’s Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham.

The First Bite series will give audiences an exciting opportunity to get an exclusive look at these new plays that could later be developed in to full scale productions.

Artistic Director, Lotte Wakeham commented: “We’ve lined up a hugely talented pool of actors for this very exciting series of play readings, featuring a mix of Octagon regulars as well as first time performers for the venue.  It promises to be a wonderfully entertaining offering for Bolton audiences and a chance for people to give feedback on these new plays.”

There will be a Q&A following each performance.

Tickets for the events are limited.

First Bites will be performed over three consecutive Fridays, commencing on Friday 15 November at Market Place Shopping Centre. Tickets are priced at £5 which includes a free drink. Visit octagonbolton.co.uk/whats-on for more information.

National Theatre backing national initiative to increase and diversify new talent in the creative industries

The National Theatre is one of over 500 organisations taking part in Discover! Creative Careers Week (18-22 November), a national initiative backed by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in England to encourage diverse new talent for the country’s booming creative industries.

The creative industries employ over 3 million people and the sector is growing three times faster than the rest of the UK economy. During Discover! Creative Careers Week, part of the Creative Careers Programme, employers will open their doors to 40,000 young people aged 11+ to inform and inspire them about the opportunities in the sector and encourage people to take a career in the creative industries who may not have previously been aware of these opportunities.

The National Theatre will be welcoming 130 state secondary school students from across Greater London on Wednesday 20th November to an action-packed day that will shine a light on backstage and offstage roles to inspire the next generation of talent.

Students taking part in the NT’s Creative Careers Day will take part in demonstrations, workshops and hands-on activities led by top industry professionals across lighting, sound, costume, stage management, prop-making and set design.

The day involves:

• A stage management and technical demonstration on the set of The Antipodes in the Dorfman Theatre followed by a Q&A with the backstage team
• Practical workshops including creating set models with a Designer, building sound boards with the NT’s Head of Sound, creating blood bags with the Wigs, Hair and Make-Up team and exploring VR and storytelling in the Immersive Storytelling Studio
• Opportunity for teachers and pupils to talk to current and former apprentices, technical staff and the NT Learning team about career routes and training opportunities

Also during Discover! Creative Careers Week, Make Theatre Days will introduce local primary school pupils to theatre-making and the backstage world of the NT and 14-18-year-olds currently on the NT’s Young Technicians Programme will be learning about off-stage roles from top industry professionals through technical workshops and shadowing opportunities.

The NT will also be participating in industry careers fairs TheatreCraft and Skills London to talk directly with teachers, careers advisors and students about career routes and upcoming opportunities.

Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre said, “As the National Theatre, we have a responsibility to do all we can to inspire new talent in theatre and across the arts sector. There are so many talented individuals across many different departments that are vital to the running of a theatre so by taking part in Discover! Creative Careers Week we hope to make careers in the creative sector more accessible to a wider range of people and keep inspiring the next generation of creative talent”.

Syeda Bukhari, former NT Prop Making Apprentice and current freelance prop maker said, “During my apprenticeship I learnt skills from metalwork and carpentry to sculpture, which has given me a strong foundation for my career. I knew I wanted to take on a more practical approach to learning rather than university, without the burden of student debt. I’d encourage every young person to consider an apprenticeship if you are looking to be a part of the creative industry. Nothing replaces the hands-on experience and real-life working environment an apprenticeship provides, not to mention the qualifications you gain along with it.  No two days are ever the same in my job, and that’s what I love about it.”

Young people interested in finding out more about creative careers can visit Get into Theatre and Discover Creative Careers with current job and training vacancies, videos and advice.

The NT Apprenticeships scheme is currently running and will open for applications in 2020. Work placements are offered across a broad range of disciplines and departments and the Young People’s Programme includes workshops, practical training courses and events.

PAUL BLAKE, SONY/ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING, MIKE BOSNER

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

MICHAEL HARRISON

ANNOUNCE FULL CASTING

FOR THE RETURN OF THE

OLIVIER, TONY AND GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING

EMBARKING ON A UK AND IRELAND TOUR

OPENING AT THE CHURCHILL THEATRE BROMLEY

ON 11 JANUARY 2020

Following a highly successful West End run of two and a half years and a sell-out tour in 2017/18, Paul Blake, Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Mike Bosner in association with Michael Harrison are delighted to announce full casting for the forthcoming UK and Ireland tour of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL opening at the Churchill Theatre Bromley on 11 January. Tour schedule below. beautifulmusical.co.uk

Daisy Wood-Davis will play Carole King. She will be joined by Adam Gillian as King’s husband and song-writing partner Gerry Goffin, Laura Baldwin as song-writer Cynthia Weil, Cameron Sharp as song-writer Barry Mann, Susie Fenwick as King’s mother Genie Klein and Oliver Boot as music publisher and producer Donnie Kirshner. At certain performances, Carole King will be played by Vicki Manser.

The cast is completed by Toyan Thomas-Browne, Reece Budin, Ronald Brian, Carly Cook, Julia Dray, Jordan Fox, Louise Francis, Chloe Gentles, Katrina May, Grant McConvey, Jacob McIntosh, Samuel Nicholas, Leah St Luce, Mica Townsend and Damien Winchester.  

Daisy Wood-Davis is probably best known as Kim Butterfield in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks. Her other TV credits include Tansy Meadow in EastEnders and Phoebe Crowhurst in Holby City. Daisy’s theatre credits include Laura in Dreamboats and Petticoats in the West End and on tour, Janet in the European tour of The Rocky Horror Show and most recently Sheila in the UK tour of Hair.

Adam Gillian trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He has appeared in Hadestown at the National Theatre and Refresh at the Underbelly Festival.

Laura Baldwin can currently be seen as Dawn in the original London company of Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre. Her other theatre credits include Janey in Eugenius! and Story Sandra in Big Fish, both at The Other Palace.

Cameron Sharp played Theo in the original London cast of School of Rock at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. His other West End credits include Drew in Rock of Ages at the Garrick Theatre. He has also appeared in Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the national tour of Avenue Q.

Susie Fenwick’s many West End credits include Sister Margaretta in The Sound of Music at the London Palladium, The Woman in White at the Palace Theatre, Jennyanydots in Cats at the New London Theatre, Beauty and the Beast at the Dominion Theatre, Copacabana and Aspects of Love, both at the Prince of Wales Theatre and Les Misèrables at the Palace Theatre. 

Oliver Boot’s many credits include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the National Theatre and on tour, the European premiere of Finding Neverland at Leicester Curve, Antony and Cleopatra, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and King Lear, all at Shakespeare’s Globe and the national tours of Hay Fever and Bedroom Farce.

Casting by Jill Green CDG.

Long before she was Carole King, the chart-topping music legend, she was an ordinary girl with an extraordinary talent.

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation, including one of the best-selling albums of all time, Tapestry, and countless classics such as (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Take Good Care of My Baby, You’ve Got a Friend, So Far Away, It Might as Well Rain Until September, Up on the Roof and The Locomotion. The show also includes the Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann hit songs You’ve Lost that Lovin Feeling, On Broadway and We Gotta Get out of This Place.

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL is based on the early life and career of legendary singer/ songwriter Carole King. It has a book by Douglas McGrath with words and music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL ran on Broadway for nearly six years and is currently selling out in cities across the US throughout its North American tour.

BEAUTIFUL UK TOUR LISTINGS 2020

SATURDAY 11 JANUARY – SATURDAY 18 JANUARY

The Churchill Theatre, Bromley

www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

TUESDAY 21 JANUARY – SATURDAY 25 JANUARY

Hull New Theatre

www.hulltheatres.co.uk

TUESDAY 28 JANUARY – SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY

His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen

www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/his-majestys-theatre

MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 8 FEBRUARY

Royal & Derngate, Northampton

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY

Congress Theatre, Eastbourne

www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/venue/congress-theatre

TUESDAY 18 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY

New Victoria Theatre, Woking

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre

TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 29 FEBRUARY

Bristol Hippodrome

www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome/

TUESDAY 3 MARCH – SATURDAY 7 MARCH

The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/venues/the-alhambra-theatre

MONDAY 9 MARCH – SATURDAY 14 MARCH

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

www.wmc.org.uk

TUESDAY 17 MARCH – SATURDAY 21 MARCH

Sunderland Empire

www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire/

TUESDAY 24 MARCH – SATURDAY 28 MARCH

New Wimbledon Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre/

TUESDAY 7 APRIL – SATURDAY 11 APRIL

Milton Keynes Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/

TUESDAY 14 APRIL – SATURDAY 18 APRIL

Venue Cymru, Llandudno

www.venuecymru.co.uk

TUESDAY 21APRIL – SATURDAY 25 APRIL

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

www.marlowetheatre.com

TUESDAY 28 APRIL – SATURDAY 2 MAY

Cliffs Pavilion, Southend

www.southendtheatres.org.uk

TUESDAY 5 MAY – SATURDAY 9 MAY

Edinburgh Playhouse

www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/

TUESDAY 19 MAY – SATURDAY 23 MAY

Liverpool Empire

www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/

TUESDAY 26 MAY – SATURDAY 30 MAY

King’s Theatre, Glasgow

www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre/

TUESDAY 2 JUNE – SATURDAY 6 JUNE

Royal Concert Hall Nottingham

www.trch.co.uk

TUESDAY 9 JUNE – SATURDAY 13 JUNE

Manchester Palace Theatre

ON SALE 6 NOVEMBER

www.atgtickets.com/manchester

TUESDAY 30 JUNE – SATURDAY 4 JULY 2020

New Theatre Oxford

ON SALE 6 NOVEMBER

www.atgtickets.com/oxford

TUESDAY 14 JULY – SATURDAY 18 JULY 2020

The Alexandra Birmingham

ON SALE 6 NOVEMBER

www.atgtickets.com/birmingham

TUESDAY 21 – SATURDAY 25 JULY

Southampton Mayflower

www.mayflower.org.uk

Newcastle Theatre Royal – until 9 November 2019

3***
This genteel comedy of manners is very much a play of its time.  Written and set in the 1970’s by Alan Ayckbourn, Ten Times Table is the first production of The Classic Comedy Theatre Company

Essentially a series of committee meetings, we witness a group of villagers prepare a pageant based on a somewhat vague event, with arguments from the very beginning.   Robert Daws, as committee chairman Ray, anchors the first act with his portrayal of a man watching his pet project disintegrate before his eyes. Deborah Grant as his wife Helen, who sees herself as the guardian of tradition and moral decency, is clearly a woman used to getting her own way

The re-enactment of ‘The Massacre of the Pendon Twelve,’ an alleged group of 18th century tax reform radicals put down by the army, gets hijacked by Eric, a left-wing teacher, and a self proclaimed Marxist.  Craig Gazey portrays Eric’s growing identification with Jonathan Cockle (the supposed agricultural martyr who is the focus of the pageant), with energy and an odd charm. And it’s that charm that makes it plausible that two women would fall for him. Rhiannon Handy is his very meek (almost silent) live in lover and Gemma Oaten is unlucky in love Sophie, who breeds dogs with her slightly mad brother, ex- army officer Tim (Harry Gostelow).  Gostelow’s fanatical soldier is one of the highlights of the second half of the play 

The play follows their riotous deliberations and, leading up to a chaotic final scene on Pageant Day itself, we witness characters that will be familiar to anyone who has ever served on a committee.  Donald (Mark Curry), the self-important local councillor who is on every committee imaginable. His aged mother Audrey (Elizabeth Power), taking the minutes despite being almost completely deaf and relying on lip reading. Power manages to steal every scene she is in and, for me, was the star of the show.   And Robert Duncan is the drunk Lawrence who is going through a marriage breakup.

All the action takes place in  the faded 3 star ballroom of the Swan hotel. In its heyday it was the place to be seen, but not any more but still an ideal place to hold committee meetings of this sort. Even if it is cold, the lights don’t work and during one meeting, there is extensive hammering going off.  The committee table dominates the set for the whole of the first half. This is convincingly realistic but at almost 90 minutes long it does begin to drag – despite some laugh out loud funny moments.  The second half, at only just over 30 minutes, is hysterical and pure farce – the “horse” needs to be seen to be believed.  

This was every committee meeting I have ever attended, slow, long winded but completely farcical.  In Newcastle until Saturday 9 November and on tour around the UK

INTERNATIONAL STAR SARA BAREILLES WILL REUNITE WITH BROADWAY PARTNER GAVIN CREEL TO MAKE HER WEST END DEBUT IN HER HIT MUSICAL

• MULTI GRAMMY AWARD NOMINATED SINGER SONGWRITER SARA BAREILLES AND OLIVIER AND TONY AWARD WINNER GAVIN CREEL WILL PERFORM AS JENNA AND DR POMATTER FROM 27 JANUARY 2020
   

Waitress is delighted to announce that international bestselling artist Sara Bareilles who wrote the music and lyrics for the hit musical will be making her West End debut next year and will be reuniting with Olivier and Tony Award-winning actor Gavin Creel following their hugely acclaimed reception in the Broadway production. Sara Bareilles will perform in the lead role of Jenna with Gavin Creel as Dr Pomatter from 27 January to 7 March 2020 for a strictly limited six-week run.

Sara Bareilles first achieved mainstream critical praise in 2007 with her widely successful hit Love Song, which reached No. 1 in 22 countries around the world from her debut album Little Voice. Since then, Sara has gone on to receive seven Grammy® nominations, two Tony nominations and three Emmy nominations.  Her book, Sounds Like Me: My Life (So Far) in Song, was released in the fall of 2015 by Simon & Schuster and is a New York Times bestseller. Making her Broadway debut, Sara composed the music and lyrics for Waitress, and made her Broadway acting debut in 2017 by stepping into the shows lead role.  Recently, Sara teamed up with Apple as an executive producer for Little Voice a 10-episode series, which she will create the original music for. On April 5, 2019 Sara released her fifth full-length and first album of original material since 2013, entitled Amidst The Chaos, to rave reviews.  For this latest body of work, she joined forces in the studio with legendary Academy® Award-winning producer T Bone Burnett.  As a result, the album spotlights her voice as a singer and storyteller like never before, while making an enduring statement. She is currently on her Amidst The Chaos North American tour.

Gavin Creel received a Tony Award for his performance as Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly! starring Bette Midler and David Hyde Pierce. He made his Broadway debut originating the role of Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie, for which he received his first Tony Award nomination. He has since created such memorable performances on Broadway as Claude in Hair, which earned him a second Tony Award nomination, Jean-Michel in La Cage Aux Folles, and Stephen Kodaly in the Roundabout Theater Company’s production of She Loves Me, which was filmed live and is available on BroadwayHD. No stranger to London audiences, Gavin most notably originated the role of Elder Price in the West End production of The Book of Mormon, for which he received the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He also starred as Bert in Disney’s Mary Poppins and reprised his performance as Claude in Hair. As well as starring opposite Sara Bareilles in the Broadway production of Waitress, his other stage credits include The Book of Mormon (on Broadway and originating the First National Tour), and the world premieres of Stephen Sondheim’s Bounce (at The Goodman Theatre and The Kennedy Center) and Prometheus Bound at A.R.T. On television, Gavin co-starred alongside Julie Andrews in ABC’s Eloise at the Plaza and Eloise at Christmastime. He has released three original albums GoodTimeNation, Quiet (which landed on Billboard’s Top Heat Seekers) and Get Out, and his single Noise raised money and awareness for marriage equality. Creel was a co-founder of Broadway Impact, the first and only grassroots organization to mobilize the nationwide theater community in support of marriage equality. A native of Findlay, Ohio, he is a proud graduate of University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance.

Lucie Jones and David Hunter will return to the roles of Jenna and Dr Pomatter on 9 March.

Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams her way out of a loveless marriage. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated. With the support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness.

Waitress celebrated its official opening night at the Adelphi Theatre on 7 March 2019 and the Tony-nominated musical is now booking until 28 March 2020. 

Brought to life by a ground breaking, female-led creative team, Waitress features an original score by seven-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland) and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The production is also currently touring the US and Canada and has announced an Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre with further productions to open in Holland next year and Japan in 2021.

Waitress premiered on Broadway in March 2016 and has since become the longest running show in the history of the Brooks Atkinson Theater. The production is also currently touring the US and Canada and has announced an Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre with further productions to open in Holland next year and Japan in 2021.

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.