Month: October 2020

Leeds Playhouse – until 17 October 2020

Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood

5*****

It is a delight to see the Leeds Playhouse re-open their doors since they had to close them in March due to COVID-19 Lockdown. This season they are presenting a series of short works which includes Connecting Voices. This is co-produced with Opera North and is taking place over three weekends in safe settings. La Voix Humaine is one of the three works which is part of Connecting Voices.

Some solo excerpts from Francis Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine are presented by Annette Saunders’ piano accompaniment and solely sung by Gillene Butterfield, portraying Elle. The work explores the solo voice with expression and power and is excellently portrayed by Butterfield. The set up is creative with the use of telephones, from different eras, being used as props for vocal expression. This resonates very much how staying at home was not an option during lockdown and how such communication, telephone and digital, are crucial inclusively for keeping in touch with friends and loved ones and also a lifeline for situations.

This production, under the direction of Sameena Hussain, is approximately 45 minutes but packed with powerful and expressive vocal and musical content. It is definitely a welcome back production with maximum engagement.

It was announced tonight on Britain’s Got Talent that the concert production of Les Misérables will be performed across the Christmas period from 5 December at the Sondheim Theatre.

Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Ball made the announcement after a performance of songs from Mary Poppins, Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables

Starring Michael Ball, Matt Lucas, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Amara Okereke, Shan Ako, Rob Houchen, Bradley Jaden and more, the piece will have a company of over 50, according to reports. John Owen-Jones will also perform for some nights in the six-week season.

Until lockdowns began, Les Misérables was running at the venue, starring Jon Robyns, Rachelle Ann Go, Bradley Jaden, Shan Ako, and Lily Kerhoas. The show is penned 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 with additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird.

The concert production was last seen in the West End last year, when it played for four months while the Sondheim Theatre was being renovated.

Further details and on-sale dates are to be revealed.

DISNEY THEATRICAL GROUP LAUNCHES WELLBEING RESOURCE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS

To mark the forthcoming opening of Disney’s Frozen the Musical in the West End, Disney Theatrical Group has created a resource for primary schools that supports wellbeing. Designed to be used flexibly at Key Stage 2, and using the much-loved Frozen characters, pupils can explore the landscape of emotions, helping them build resilience, create strong friendships and celebrate the fact that we are all unique.

With wellbeing now a key part of the curriculum, this brand-new resource examines a variety of areas which impact primary age children, including emotions, trust, friendship and uniqueness. It also provides teachers with an adaptable framework to help support and deliver the resource’s four lesson plans.

Through fun and engaging activities, pupils will be enabled to gain confidence in speaking positively about their feelings, and given the vocabulary to do so in a safe environment. They will explore different scenarios through the eyes of the familiar Frozen characters in the form of puppets. On the way, they will learn how to manage emotions, resolve conflict and celebrate what makes them special.

After participating in these activities, the pupils will create their own short drama, which can be performed in a peer-led assembly.

Nancy Shakerley, Education and Outreach Manager at Disney Theatrical Group, “With wellbeing now a vital part of the curriculum, Frozen the Musical has delivered a creative resource with content that supports teachers to deliver lessons around sensitive topics. Utilising the characters of Frozen, known and loved by children nationwide, it provides them a shorthand to understand the topics being explored. Whilst meeting the classroom objectives and curriculum, this resource gives the children the freedom to explore emotions, friendships, trust and uniqueness in a fun, interactive way, using the structure of four adaptable lesson plans.”

Jake Philpott,  member of Disney Theatrical Group’s Teacher Advisory Board commented, “The Frozen the Musical Wellbeing materials are a brilliant resource, and definitely fit with the new objectives and nationwide focus on children’s wellbeing and the spotlight on the child as a ‘whole’, with research showing that the earlier you can get children talking about their emotions, the better. The ability to use it flexibly is essential, given the demands on the timetable – and making the questions focused on Olaf gives the distance and the freedom for children to respond freely as they can reflect their feelings.”

To sign up for the resource, please go to: www.nationalschoolspartnership.com/initiatives/frozenmusicalwellbeing.

The first 100 schools that sign up will receive the resource in hard copy, including the puppets which can be assembled using split pins.

 With music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, book by Jennifer Lee, and directed by Michael Grandage, Disney’s Frozen opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 14 April 2021, with previews from 2 April, and is booking until 24 October 2021. The cast includes  Samantha Barks (Elsa) and Stephanie McKeon (Anna), Craig Gallivan (Olaf), Oliver Ormson (Hans), Obioma Ugoala (Kristoff), Richard Frame (Weselton), and alternating the role of Sven, Mikayla Jade and Ashley Birchall; with Jeremy Batt, Cameron Burt, Lauren Chia, Laura Emmitt, Emily-Mae (Bulda), Danielle Fiamanya, Hannah Fairclough, Matt Gillett, Joe Griffiths-Brown, Emily Lane, Justin-Lee Jones, Jason Leigh Winter, Jacob Maynard, Leisha Mollyneaux, Gabriel Mokake (King Agnarr), Sarah O’Connor, Jemma Revell, Jacqui Sanchez (Queen Iduna), Jak Skelly (Oaken/Bishop), Jake Small, Isabel Snaas, Joshua St. Clair (Pabbie), Monica Swayne, and Anna Woodside.

Frozen – produced by Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher – opened on Broadway in March 2018 to box office records, and three Tony Award® nominations including for Best Musical. In addition to the opening in London, the musical recently embarked on a North American tour, and new productions will open in Australia later this year, and in Japan and Hamburg within the next year.

Frozen was released in cinemas in 2013, winning multiple awards, including two Academy Awards® for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (“Let It Go”), the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film and the BAFTA for Best Animated Film. It was written and directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, withmusic and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Frozen 2, which debuted in November 2019, had the biggest-ever opening for an animated film worldwide and is the highest grossing animated film of all time. 

Twitter @FrozenLondon

Facebook /FrozenLondon

Instagram @FrozenLondon

FrozenTheMusical.co.uk

DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS (DTP) operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher bringing live entertainment events to a global audience of more than 20 million people a year in more than 50 countries. Current London: The Lion King, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary at The Lyceum, and Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre.  Other London credits: Aladdin, the Olivier-nominated play Shakespeare in Love and DTP’s inaugural production Beauty and the Beast, which won the Olivier Award for Best Musical.  Other productions on Broadway and around the world: Newsies, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh, TARZAN® and Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida.  Other successful stage musical ventures have included productions of Disney’s High School Musical, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame in Berlin, and King David in concert.

Worldwide, its ten Broadway titles have been seen by over 200 million theatregoers, and have been nominated for 20 Olivier Awards, winning the honour five times. When performances resume worldwide, Disney Theatrical Productions’ slate of 20 produced or licensed productions will mean a Disney musical is being performed professionally somewhere on the planet virtually every hour of the day.

THE STARS TURN OUT TO SUPPORT THEATRE ROYAL
WINDSOR AS IT RE-OPENS FOR AN AUTUMN/WINTER 2020
SEASON

Star casting has now been completed for Theatre Royal Windsor’s
Autumn/Winter Season which will reopen the theatre after more than seven
months of closure.

A.R GURNEY’S LOVE LETTERS
MARTIN SHAW & JENNY SEAGROVE

“WINDSOR ON AIR SEASON”

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S LOVE FROM A STRANGER
IAIN GLEN & CHARLOTTE EMMERSON

ALAN BENNETT’S THE LADY IN THE VAN
JENNY SEAGROVE, ROBERT DAWS & MATTHEW COTTLE

WILLIAM DOUGLAS HOME’S
LLOYD GEORGE KNEW MY FATHER
FELICITY KENDAL, TOM CONTI & CHARLIE STEMP

HERB GARDNER’S A THOUSAND CLOWNS
WILL YOUNG

SEASON DIRECTED BY ROY MARSDEN

FURTHER STAR CASTING ANOUNCED FOR
“WINDSOR ON AIR”

We are thrilled to announce more special guest stars joining us for our Windsor
On Air Season, presenting shows in the style of vintage radio broadcasts.

GAME OF THRONES’ IAIN GLEN TO STAR ALONGSIDE HIS
WIFE CHARLOTTE EMMERSON IN
LOVE FROM A STRANGER – Tue 20 – Sat 24 October

Iain Glen, from mega-hit TV series Game of Thrones, is to star alongside his
wife Charlotte Emmerson in Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie’s gripping
psychological thriller Love from a Stranger.

Screen star Iain is best known for his appearances in the Resident Evil film series and for his role as Ser Jorah Mormont in Game of Thrones. Iain was
Olivier Award nominated for his performances in The Blue Room opposite
Nicole Kidman and the RSC’s The Crucible. Charlotte performed alongside Martin Shaw at Theatre Royal Windsor last year in Gaslight. Charlotte made her West End debut in Tennessee Williams’ Baby Doll

The pair are joined by TV and Stage favourite Liza Goddard and Soldier Soldier’s Ben Nealon in this adaptation by Frank Vosper.

JENNY SEAGROVE WILL STAR AS THE LADY IN THE VAN
ALSO CONFIRMED: ROBERT DAWS, MATTHEW COTTLE, SARA
CROWE, ELIZABETH COUNSELL & ASHLEY D GAYLE
THE LADY IN THE VAN – Tue 27 – Sat 31 October

Leading film, stage and TV actress Jenny Seagrove will be joined by prolific
stage and screen actor Robert Daws and TV and theatre regular Matthew
Cottle who will perform as the two Alan Bennetts, along with West End star
Sara Crowe, whose credits include Private Lives, Hay Fever and The Constant
Wife, and Ashley D Gayle who starred in last year’s West End production and
UK Tour of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and the UK Tour of Holes.

We are also delighted to have Elizabeth Counsell joining us – the stage, screen
and TV actress holds an extra special connection to Theatre Royal, as her
father John Counsell, and actress mother Mary Kerridge, ran the theatre for
more than 50 years.

FELICITY KENDAL AND TOM CONTI STAR IN
LLOYD GEORGE KNEW MY FATHER
WITH SPECIAL GUEST STAR CHARLIE STEMP
LLOYD GEORGE KNEW MY FATHER – Tue 03 – Sat 07 November

Legendary TV and theatre actress, The Good Life’s Felicity Kendal; iconic film
and stage actor Tom Conti; and Charlie Stemp, double Olivier nominated ‘Best
Actor in a Musical’ for his roles in Half a Sixpence and Mary Poppins, will star in
classic comedy Lloyd George Knew My Father written by William Douglas
Home. They are joined by Robert Duncan (Drop the Dead Donkey), Eric Carte
(Johnny English Reborn) and Elizabeth Carter (Rain Man, Dreamboats and
Petticoats).

WILL YOUNG MAKES HIS WINDSOR DEBUT IN A THOUSAND CLOWNS
WITH: ANDREW LANCEL AND HIS REAL-LIFE SON ISAAC LANCEL-WATKINSON
A THOUSAND CLOWNS – Tue 10 – Sat 14 November

Olivier-award nominated, multi-platinum recording artist, and star of the silver
screen, Will Young will star in Herb Gardner’s witty comedy-drama A
Thousand Clowns.

He will be joined by star of Coronation Street and The Bill, Andrew Lancel, and
his real-life son Isaac Lancel-Watkinson.

With multiple TV, Theatre and film credits including: Skyfall, Baghdad Central,
Black Mirror and The National Theatre: Beatrice Curnew joins the cast.

The Playhouse, Leeds  – 7th & 8th of October 2020

Reviewed By Sally Richmond

5 ***** 

Wow!  Simply, wow – is the best word to describe how it felt to be back at the Leeds Playhouse. After many months of feeling bereft and deprived of seeing a live theatrical performance, it was a true joy to once again have my imagination and emotions ignited, provoked and transcended by a new and unique creation in the form of Dr Blood’s Old Travelling Show.  

A world without the arts doesn’t bear thinking about and due to the amazing Playhouse team, who ensure every covid-19 health and safety measure is in place and adhered to, there is no reason why we should be denied our cultural and artistic rights!  There was a real sense of community cohesion as the audience stood together (socially distanced of course) to witness this most extraordinary and outlandishly good outdoor performance.  

Friends and foes, behold the shocking spectacle Dr Blood and be enthralled by a grotesque tale that goes beyond a narrative – blending gore with the ridiculous.  Nefariously dark, this pacy and intriguing  tale is set in the lurid and hideous underworld of a northern town; where the souls of three powerful pillars of the community are tested.  Will they succumb to corruption when they have the opportunity to make lots of money?   Predictably, in this ‘dog eat dog world’ – it’s of no surprise that greed and ambition win resulting in mayhem and horrific, fatal bloody murders.  

Through their dynamic use of film and technology, Imitating the Dog have once again created a highly entertaining and slick show that is brimming with riotous energy and alarming edgy drama,  What should have been pure chaos as it involved: puppets, a blood splattered screen, rolling film, switching roles before your very eyes and with punk tunes playing in the background – was actually done seamlessly and with pin-sharp timing.  Every scene burst with macabre madness as the power-crazed trio had the depths of their base and hideous inner selves explored and exploited.  How far will some people go for money?  All the way it seems ….  

Dr Blood’s Old Travelling Show is storytelling at its absolute best – thrilling, off-beat and most inventive.  Eerily comical and delightfully off-the-wall, this tragic tale shows us that sometimes the bad do end badly and that we all have ‘free will’ to go on whichever path we choose.  

It was bliss to be back at the Leeds Playhouse and so immensely moving to hear the applause and cheers at the end of the show because for many, watching live performances fulfils essential emotional and spiritual needs.  We’ve missed you! 

NEW ADAPTATION OF MICHAEL MORPURGO’S PRIVATE PEACEFUL

TO PLAY LIMITED TWO-WEEK SEASON

AT THE GARRICK THEATRE, LONDON

FROM 7 NOVEMBER 2020

WITH GALA NIGHT ON WEDNESDAY 11 NOVEMBER

FOUR PERFORMANCES AT BRISTOL OLD VIC PRIOR TO WEST END

First new production to be staged indoors in London’s West End since theatres were closed in March 2020

Jack Maple & Brian Zeilinger-Goode for Take Two Theatricals, and the Barn Theatre (Iwan Lewis, Artistic Director) are delighted to present the West End transfer of Simon Reade’s adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s PRIVATE PEACEFUL. This new production by BoxLess Theatre opened as part of the Barn Theatre’s first outdoor theatre festival, BarnFest, in August 2020 and transferred to the main space of The Barn Theatre the following month, becoming one of the first major indoor productions in the UK since the COVID lockdown and garnering 4- and 5-star reviews.  It will now be part of Nimax Theatres’ plans to reopen its theatres and will be the first new production to be staged indoors in London’s West End since the Government closed theatres in March.  The limited two-week season at the Garrick Theatre will run from 7 to 22 November 2020, with a Remembrance Day Gala and Press Night in aid of the Royal British Legion and Farms for City Children (founded by Michael and Clare Morpurgo) at 7pm on Wednesday 11 November.  There will also be a special 11.01am performance on 11 November.  Audience capacity will be reduced and distanced for the two-week run.  

The West End run will be preceded by four performances at Bristol Old Vic at 7.30pm on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October and 2.30pm (with a BSL interpreter) and 7.30pm on Saturday 24 October. 

“I’ve had nearly eighteen years of yesterdays and tomorrows, and tonight I must remember as many of them as I can. Tonight, more than any other night of my life, I want to feel alive!” PRIVATE PEACEFUL relives the life of Private Tommo Peaceful, a young First World War soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn. During the night, he looks back at his short but joyful past growing up in the countryside: his exciting first days at school; the accident in the forest that killed his father; his adventures with Molly, the love of his life; and the battles and injustices of war that brought him to the front line.

Michael Morpurgo said of the transfer, “Private Peaceful, the play adapted for the stage by Simon Reade, has had a long and remarkable journey. From book to play to film, the story has grown in stature with each transformation.  But perhaps now has been the most remarkable moment.  With theatres shut down all over the country, The Barn Theatre in Cirencester decided to put on its first indoor show, one of the first in the country, a new co-production by BoxLess Theatre and Take Two Theatrical of Private Peaceful, taking all necessary precautions, a production that has garnered glowing reviews, and is shortly on its way to the Garrick Theatre in London.  This is our theatre at its courageous best: powerful, innovative, unforgettable. Theatre is on its way back, coming home!”

Simon Reade added, “Private Peaceful is arguably the most moving and profound of all Michael Morpurgo’s extraordinary stories. Since I first adapted it for the theatre as a one-man show in 2004, it has toured the world, been adapted into a large-cast play for schools and youth theatres, recorded for BBC Radio 4 and made into a feature film starring George Mackay and Jack O’Connell.

“And now comes this refreshing new production from BoxLess Theatre and the enterprising Barn Theatre, Cirencester, which has reinvented the original stage play, blazing a trail for audiences hungry to return to
theatre and celebrate all humanity as we live on through these dark times; it is a beacon of hope and a thing of joy for all of us.”

Private Tommo is played by Emily Costello.  Emily is the first female performer to play Tommo on the professional stage and her performance has been described by Michael Morpurgo as “extraordinary”.  This production of PRIVATE PEACEFUL is the first to have two cast members rather than being a solo piece, as it was originally written.  James Demaine will play Charlie and other roles.  It has been staged so that the two actors never touch and are socially distanced.

The production is directed by Alexander Knott, with Zöe Grain as associate director and movement director and composition by James Demaine.  Sound design is by Harry Smith and lighting design by Sam Rowcliffe-Tanner. Associate producers are Julie Clare, and Thomas Hopkins & Michael Quinn for GingerQuiff Media.

PRIVATE PEACEFUL is a BoxLess Theatre production. It is produced by Jack Maple & Brian Zeilinger-Goode for Take Two Theatricals, and the Barn Theatre (Iwan Lewis, Artistic Director).

PRIVATE PEACEFUL at the Garrick Theatre will mark the West End debuts of the cast and the creative team.

Capacity at the Garrick Theatre has been reduced to comply with COVID-19 Secure guidelines for social distancing plus robust risk mitigation. In addition to hand sanitation, face coverings and track and trace, other measures will include contactless tickets, temperature testing and the deep clean and sanitation of the theatre.

Website: www.PrivatePeacefulPlay.com

Twitter/Instagram: @PvtPeacefulPlay

LISTINGS INFORMTION

PRIVATE PEACEFUL

7 – 22 November 2020

Garrick Theatre

2 Charing Cross Road

London WC2H 0HH

Box Office: 0330 333 4811

Tickets: from £15 (excluding booking fees)

Performances: Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7pm; Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays at 3pm*; Sundays at 1pm & 5pm

*Additional 11.01am performance on Wednesday 11 November

Running time:70 minutes

Age guidance:9+

CAMERON MACKINTOSH WITH FIRST NIGHT RECORDS AND WARNER MUSIC

 OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE NEW WEST END CAST RECORDINGS OF

M A R Y  P O P P I N S

AND

L E S   M I S É R A B L E S  –  T H E   S T A G E D   C O N C E R T

Cameron Mackintosh with First Night Records and Warner Music today (9 October 2020) officially announce the new live cast recordings of the hit West End productions of Mary Poppins and Les Misérables – The Staged Concert.  Both are now available to pre-order at the links below with Mary Poppins releasing on 6 November 2020 and Les Misérables – The Staged Concert on 20 November 2020. 

https://marypoppins.lnk.to/2020LiveCastRecording

https://LesMiserables.lnk.to/TheStagedConcert

In addition, also released today with the album pre-orders, are the instant-grat tracks A Spoonful of Sugar with Zizi Strallen, Joseph Millson, Amy Griffiths, Adelaide Barham and Gabriel Payne and Step In Time with Charlie Stemp, Zizi Strallen, Adelaide Barham, Gabriel Payne for Mary Poppins and Valjean’s Soliloquy with Alfie Boe and Stars with Michael Ball for Les Misérables – The Staged Concert

M A R Y  P O P P I N S

THE DEFINITIVE SUPERCALIFRAGILISTIC 2020 CAST RECORDING

LIVE AT THE PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE

www.Marypoppinsonstage.co.uk, @MaryPoppins, #MaryPoppins

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins returned to its original home in the Prince Edward Theatre last October marking the first time this new production had been seen in London.  The production is currently nominated for six Olivier Awards including Best Musical Revival. 

The original music and lyrics are by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman which include the classic songs Jolly Holiday, Step in Time, Feed the Birds and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.  New songs and additional music are by the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.  Book is by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes and the production is co-created by Cameron Mackintosh.  The producer for Disney Theatrical Productions is Thomas Schumacher.

Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the original Walt Disney film, the adult cast on this new cast recording comprises Zizi Strallen in the title role, Charlie Stemp as Bert, Joseph Millson as George Banks, Petula Clark as the Bird Woman, Amy Griffiths as Winifred Banks, Claire Moore as Miss Andrew, Claire Machin as Mrs Brill, Jack North as Robertson Ay and Paul F Monaghan as Bank Chairman and Admiral Boom. 

Mary Poppins has orchestrations by William David Brohn with dance and vocal arrangements by George Stiles. It has a new sound design by Paul Gatehouse and new lighting by Hugh Vanstone and Natasha Katz. Co-choreography is by Stephen Mear. The reimagined set and costume designs are by Bob Crowley. Co-direction and choreography is by Matthew Bourne and direction by Richard Eyre.

Mary Poppins has orchestrations by William David Brohn with dance and vocal arrangements by George Stiles. It has a new sound design by Paul Gatehouse and new lighting by Hugh Vanstone and Natasha Katz. Co-choreography is by Stephen Mear. The reimagined set and costume designs are by Bob Crowley. Co-direction and choreography is by Matthew Bourne and direction by Richard Eyre.

This first ever staged version of Mary Poppins originally opened in the West End in December 2004, running for over 1,250 performances.  During this time, the production won two Olivier Awards and an Evening Standard Award.  The Tony Award®-winning Broadway production ran for over six years and a subsequent new production of the show, adapted from the original, has enjoyed international record-breaking runs.  Mary Poppins continues to fly around the world spreading her magic to many countries globally.  The recent acclaimed London revival, whose terrific cast is featured on this live album, has proved the most successful production yet and hopes to return to the West End next spring.

L E S   M I S É R A B L E S  –  T H E   S T A G E D   C O N C E R T

THE SENSATIONAL 2020 LIVE RECORDING

LIVE FROM THE GIELGUD THEATRE, LONDON

www.Lesmis.com, @lesmisofficial, #LesMiz

Recorded live at the Gielgud Theatre last year with an all-star cast including Michael Ball as Javert, Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean, Carrie Hope Fletcher as Fantine, Matt Lucas as Thénardier, Rob Houchen as Marius, Bradley Jaden as Enjolras, Katy Secombe as Madame Thénardier, Shan Ako as Éponine and Lily Kerhoas as Cosette and an orchestra of over 65. The much celebrated Les Misérables score includes 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.

The DVD of the Les Misérables – The Staged Concert will be available at https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B082VSRXX4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8tSFFbKRQGW6H from 2 November 2020.  Earlier this year for every digital download purchased The Mackintosh Foundation separately donated £5.00 which was shared amongst the charities, Acting for Others, the Musicians Union Coronavirus Hardship Fund and Captain Tom Moore’s Walk for the NHS fund.  Mackintosh also donated a further £100,000 from his Foundation to help launch the fundraising initiatives for those charities. In July this year he donated £100,000 to the Theatre Artists Fund.

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 with additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird.

The original Cameron Mackintosh/RSC 1985 production of Les Misérables played at the Barbican and Palace Theatres before continuing its record-breaking run at the Queen’s Theatre.  In July 2019 Mackintosh closed the original production and Queen’s Theatre which was totally re-built with a spectacular new auditorium.  It re-opened after four month’s work as the Sondheim Theatre with the new version of Les Misérables which opened to stunning reviews last January and hopes to return to the West End next Spring. 

During the four-month closure Mackintosh mounted a four-month sell-out season of Les Misérables – The Staged Concert with this cast next door at the Gielgud. 

Produced on stage by Cameron Mackintosh, Les Misérables is the longest running musical in the world, having run over 35 years and been performed in 52 countries and 22 languages and won over 100 international awards. The combined audience for the show and the Academy Award winning film is 120 million people. The film is one of the 10 biggest movie musical box office successes of all time.

2020 CHRISTMAS AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM

P A N T O L A N D   A T   T H E   P A L L A D I U M

JULIAN CLARY LEADS AN ALL STAR CAST IN A CELEBRATION OF PANTO STARRING

ASHLEY BANJO & DIVERSITY, PAUL ZERDIN, NIGEL HAVERS, GARY WILMOT,
CHARLIE STEMP, JAC YARROW AND SPECIAL GUEST BEVERLEY KNIGHT

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED THREE-WEEK RUN

PUBLIC BOOKING OPENS TODAY AT 10AM

www.palladiumpantomime.com

Qdos Entertainment and LW Theatres have today (9 October 2020) announced that this Christmas Julian Clary will take us on a magical trip to Pantoland at The Palladium.  Performances will begin at the world-famous theatre on 12 December 2020 running until 3 January 2021, with tickets on sale from 10am today.

The London Palladium, the home of pantomime, will welcome back panto favourites Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot, as well as past stars Ashley Banjo & Diversity and Charlie Stemp. Making their debut will be West End sensations Beverley Knight and Jac Yarrow.

Returning for a fifth consecutive year, The London Palladium pantomime has become an essential part of Christmas in the West End, with record-breaking box office success year-after-year. Pantoland at The Palladium, devised by Michael Harrison, will be a treasure-trove of The London Palladium panto past and exciting new surprises written especially for the show, guaranteeing an unmissable treat for panto and musical theatre fans alike.

Celebrating the very best of pantomime, with comedy in abundance, this star-filled extravaganza will play to a socially-distanced audience. The show will feature the work of Olivier Award-Winning Team director Michael Harrison, choreographer Karen Bruce, set designer Ian Westbrook, costume designer Hugh Durrant, lighting designer Ben Cracknell, sound designer Gareth Owen and composer and orchestrator Gary Hind.

The production at The Palladium has been made possible as a result of a creative initiative announced by The National Lottery today which it hopes will enable hundreds of thousands of theatregoers to enjoy socially distanced pantomime this Christmas in theatres across the nation. The initiative will see The National Lottery buy seats that need to remain empty to enable social-distancing, complying with relevant government and public health guidance. By making it viable for theatres to open their doors to the general public, up to 250,000 tickets are expected to be available, with more than 20,000 free tickets available for National Lottery players and the rest to go on sale. This will generate vital income for theatres and help restore jobs – while providing much-needed cheer for panto lovers at Christmas.      

Pantoland at The Palladium is the first of a number of productions at theatres across the country to be announced, with further venues to be confirmed in the coming weeks. 

Director and Producer Michael Harrison said:

”Pantoland at The Palladium promises to be a spectacular and exciting celebration of this wonderful art form that has been so devastated and decimated by COVID-19.

There is no doubt producing a show of this size and scale is a risk – but it is a risk we have to take. This is not a long term fix, nor a solution to the tragic situation our industry is in, it simply provides a sticking plaster on a very big theatrical wound as we hopefully prepare for full openings in 2021.

As well as bringing our wonderful audiences back, we want to play our part in the rehabilitation of London’s vibrant West End. The production is made possible by the sheer goodwill, determination and courage of so many people – thanks to them over 200 people will now have jobs over Christmas.”

Chairman of Qdos Entertainment, Nick Thomas added:

“I’m delighted that Qdos Entertainment is able to return to The London Palladium this Christmas. Having produced more than 750 pantomimes across the UK over the past 37 years, it would have been unthinkable for us to have a Christmas without the magic of panto. Thanks to our partnership with The London Palladium we are able to give tens of thousands of theatregoers the opportunity to enjoy some very much needed theatrical magic with their families this Christmas.”

Andrew Lloyd Webber said:

“Christmas 2020 needs a Pantomime, and this one at The London Palladium has never meant so much to our industry and our audiences. LW Theatres operates as a not-for-profit and we are delighted that The National Lottery’s support will enable Qdos Entertainment and Producer/Director Michael Harrison to stage this socially distanced production at The London Palladium, alongside many others across the nation.

Opening Pantoland at The Palladium will provide crucial support to struggling restaurants, hotels and other hospitality businesses across the West End, leading to thousands of vital jobs on stage, off stage and backstage.  

Since theatres were closed in March, we have spent considerable time, effort and money, making The London Palladium Covid-secure. Using all our knowledge and experiences from around the world, we ran a pilot at The London Palladium for Public Health England and the government to demonstrate that theatres can be a safe environment for our audiences.

By next Spring, our major productions across London’s beloved West End must – and will – be back. I sincerely hope that this pantomime brings a moment of much-needed festive cheer as we continue to fight for the revival of our wonderful and vital theatre industry.”

Chief Executive of LW Theatres, Rebecca Kane Burton said:

“After months of uncertainty, it is nothing short of a miracle that we shall, after all, be staging a panto at The London Palladium. We have worked tirelessly since our first pilot event in July to demonstrate that we can operate The London Palladium safely.

We have all the measures in place to ensure people feel safe, confident and, most importantly, excited to be back with us. Since our first shows in September, we have been blown away by the responses of our audiences. I can’t wait to see the panto lovers back with us for the joyful tradition of pantomime at The London Palladium.”

The London Palladium is an official government pilot venue, working to demonstrate that theatres can open and operate fully within the current coronavirus and social distancing guidance. Performances of Pantoland at The Palladium will run in accordance with a wide suite of health and safety measures (including reconfiguration of seating across the venue and the mandatory wearing of face coverings) that keep audiences, staff and crews safe.

Pantoland at The Palladium is produced by Michael Harrison and Nick Thomas for Qdos Entertainment. As the world’s biggest pantomime producer, over the past 38 years Qdos Entertainment has established itself as one of the largest entertainment companies in Europe. Over the past three decades the pantomime giant has staged 754 pantomimes.

BALLO ARTHUR PITA’S THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL TRANSFERS TO SADLER’S WELLS MAIN STAGE FOR CHRISTMAS 

THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL

Directed & Choreographed by Arthur Pita

Sadler’s Wells Theatre, LondonThursday 17 – Sunday 27 December 2020

Ballo Arthur Pita is delighted to announce today that The Little Match Girl, directed and choreographed by award-winning Arthur Pita, will return to Sadler’s Wells this Christmas, following five hugely successful festive seasons at the Lilian Baylis Studio. The Little Match Girl will be staged on Sadler’s Wells main stage, playing 16 performances from Thursday 17 to Sunday 27 December 2020. Tickets go on public sale at 10am on 15 October.

Arthur Pita says: “It’s been an absolute joy to see The Little Match Girl grow into becoming a festive family favourite since first being performed in 2013. We are fortunate that a smaller scale production like ours can transfer from the 180-seat Lilian Baylis Studio to the larger scale 1550-seat Sadler’s Wells Theatre which has the space required for social distancing. We are thrilled that Sadler’s Wells are opening their doors this Christmas and we can’t wait to welcome audiences to see our show performed on the main stage. It is especially meaningful to us that The Little Match Girl can light her flame during these exceptional times.”

Audience capacity at Sadler’s Wells Theatre has been reduced to comply with Covid-19 Secure guidelines for social distancing. In order to help artists, audiences and staff members to feel safe and enjoy these performances, Sadler’s Wells has introduced a series of new safety measures and are closely following all UK Government guidance. Ticket bookers will be sent full information about all coronavirus safety measures in advance of the performance, so that they may plan accordingly and feel as secure as possible during their visit. If performances are unable to be presented due to changes to UK Government coronavirus restrictions, customers will be contacted as soon as possible and given the option to receive a full refund. 

Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story, The Little Match Girl presents a timeless fable about kindness and helping others. This tale of a young street girl’s hopes and dreams is told through dance, song and Frank Moon’s original atmospheric music performed live on stage. 

A snowy stage sets the scene for an icy cold Christmas Eve in an imaginary Italian town, where an impoverished little match girl wanders the ever-darkening streets with just one final match to keep her warm. Homeless and hungry, she sees a vision of her beloved grandmother who guides her up into the night sky and takes her to the moon. Now, on a clear night, if you look closely, you might see the light of a shooting star, or is it a match burning brightly?

The Little Match Girl premiered at DanceEast in November 2013 and has since toured the UK and internationally. This will be the production’s sixth Christmas season at Sadler’s Wells. 

The Little Match Girl is choreographed and directed by Arthur Pita, with music composed by Frank Moon and set and costume designs by Yann Seabra. The 2020 production reunites long-standing cast members Corey Claire Annand,Karl Fagerlund Brekke, Valentina Golfieri (Associate Director), Ashley Morgan-Davies, Faith Prendergast and Angelo Smimmo. Music is performed live on stage by Frank Moon.

The Little Match Girl is produced by Ballo Arthur Pita, originally commissioned by DanceEast and supported by Arts Council England.

KILN THEATRE AND MOUNTVIEW ANNOUNCE

SCHOLARSHIP PARTNERSHIP

Kiln Theatre and Mountview today announce a new joint scholarship that will provide access for a talented Theatre Production and Scenic Arts participant from Kiln Theatre’s Production Arts training programme. The scholarship is aimed at young people from backgrounds underrepresented in our industry. The inaugural recipient is Mikayla Moxam, who has been awarded a full two-year scholarship to study Scenic Art and Prop Making.

Kiln Theatre’s ‘Act One Beginners’ Production Arts Course took place in May – August 2019 and covered an introduction to theatre lighting, sound and stage management, resulting in some participants being offered summer work placements at the Edinburgh Fringe and White Light Ltd; this scholarship follows Mountview’s and other organisations’ workshops and mentorships as part of the wider course. It provided invaluable hands-on opportunities to young people aged 16-25 interested in starting a backstage career, and the two institutions are now collaborating to award Mikayla a fully-funded place at Mountview. This year’s scholarship covers all tuition fees, alongside an additionalcontribution towards living expenses from a private donor.

Receiving her scholarship, Mikayla Moxam said, “I feel that Mountview is an environment I will thrive in and I am excited to be around like-minded young people with the same aspirations. I am looking forward to building amazing sets and props to be used in live theatre shows, which is very exciting, and to working alongside industry professionals who I can learn the ropes from and make priceless connections with – who knows who I’ll meet?! Kiln Theatre is a great place for young people who are looking to get into the industry and offers a very judgement-free and supportive safe space to learn and grow as an individual. I owe many thanks to the Kiln, as without doing the Stage Management course last year I would not be on my current journey in technical backstage theatre, and for that I am very grateful. It is a great course that exposed me to careers I would never have come across in school and university.”

Artistic Director of Kiln Theatre Indhu Rubasingham added, “Four years ago Stephen Jameson and I were discussing the routes into backstage careers in theatre and the lack of diversity in both the industry and the students. How could we address this? Stephen kindly offered a scholarship to a young person we could identify at Kiln; we obviously leapt at this opportunity.  Thanks to the brilliant generosity of a private donor we were able to introduce a number of young people to backstage areas in Lighting, Sound, Design and Stage Management. I am really proud of what we have been able to achieve in our debut year of Production Arts and hope that the programme will continue to contribute to, and encourage, better representation behind the scenes for future generations of theatremakers.”

Mountview’s Artistic Director and Principal Stephen Jameson commented, “We are so excited to welcome Mikayla, and can’t wait to see what incredible work she will do as a creative practitioner.”

Executive Director Sarah Preece added “Mountview is committed to making drama training accessible to everyone, and this new joint scholarship with Kiln Theatre is a brilliant chance to give talented Production and Scenic Arts students a start in the industry.”