Rehearsal images for the spine-chilling ghost story, WHEN DARKNESS FALLS, opening at the Park Theatre, London from 18 August playing through to 4 September, before going on tour.
Starring Will Barton as John Blondel and Alex Phelps as The Speaker.
On the small island of Guernsey, local history teacher, John Blondel, runs the Island’s only Historical Society. Tonight, as part of the Society’s weekly vlog, a young writer who has been researching the island’s mysterious and often frightening folklore, has been invited to give a talk. As his seemingly innocent stories unfold – many of which are based on true events – it isn’t long before they reveal dark pasts, disturbing truths and unforgettable terrors.
WHEN DARKNESS FALLS is written by James Milton and Paul Morrissey. The production is directed by Paul Morrissey, with illusions by John Bulleid, and designed by Justin Williams, with lighting by Bethany Gupwell and sound by Daniel Higgott.
WHEN DARKNESS FALLS is produced at Park Theatre by Paul Morrissey Limited, Chris Wheeler and Molly Morris, in association with Glynis Henderson Productions, Jason Haigh-Ellery, Dawn Smalberg and Bev Ragovoy and Park Theatre.
New play The Duration commemorates 20th anniversary of 9/11 Omnibus Theatre, 1 Clapham Common North Side, London SW4 0QW Tuesday 7th September – Sunday 26th September 2021
“When I leave here today I drive to the middle of the woods where my mother – a very bright, very logical woman – is hiding because she’s angry and that is why she’s…not making any sense.”
20 years ago, 9/11 changed the world. Globally, it precipitated bloody wars and conflict that endure today – events that have shaped our lives and the world we live in. The world premiere of The Duration by Bruce Graham commemorates the 20th anniversary of this devastating attack and explores its legacy, examining the corrosive and divisive impact that hate can have on society.
For the United States, the collective grief generated by 9/11 had a profound impact on the nation’s psyche. The Duration follows the story of a mother and daughter, both liberal American academics, who experienced a huge loss. It considers different responses to grief, in particular how this mother is radically changed by her bereavement – she buys a gun and heads for the hills.
Bruce Graham surveys the impact of 9/11 on families alongside the premise that America may not have come to terms with its collective grief, resulting in an unresolved anger that helped ferment extremist politics in the US. The Duration demonstrates the fall out – for individuals and a nation – when that anger festers while also offering a hopeful way forward.
“Graham’s characters are rounded and real, his treatment delicate and nuanced, funny and insightful,” says director, Jelena Budimir. “At All Ignite Theatre, we choose plays that highlight the complexity of the world we live in. The Duration will be a great opportunity to debate how 9/11 changed the world, and encourage discussion about how we can survive extreme events without letting them define us. I think the play’s message of hope will promote conversations about healing and survival.”
“Politically charged and exhilarating…” (The Stage). On All Ignite Theatre’s production of Bruce Graham’s White Guy on the Bus…
Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Garden Theatre – until 26 September 2021
Reviewed by Megan Raynor
4****
A father sentenced to execution, two sets of identical twins unaware of their mere metre proximity and a heavily pregnant wife trying to tie down one husband but grappling with two – what could possibly go wrong? A play of mistaken identity, madness, and a whole barrel of chaos. The Royal Shakespeare Company have opened their summer season with a gut-punchingly bold adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s lesser known and lesser appreciated plays; The Comedy of Errors.
Antipholus of Syracuse (Guy Lewis) and his right-hand man Dromio of Syracuse (Jonathan Broadbent) are on a quest to be reunited with their twin brothers, unbeknown to them Antipholus’ father Aegeon (Antony Bunsee) has set forth on the same mission despite the grave danger of illegal entry to Ephesus. It isn’t long before Antipholus finds himself with more than he bargained for – power, jewels, a pregnant wife and a nauseating sense of confusion. His brother (Rowan Polonski), in turn finding himself without these, enters an equal state of despair.
Like the play intended, Phillip Breen’s direction did not take itself too seriously. It was two hours crammed with fun, farse and a buzz of energy. There was a refreshing lack of control, particularly within the heightened moments of mayhem – wherever the eye was drawn there was something magically mischievous unfolding. Max Jones’ 80s design and costuming was a visual feast, plus any scene in lycra and sweat bands is already ten times more hilarious. A particularly wonderful moment was Alfred Clay’s Dr Pinch warding off Antipholus’ all-encompassing madness while in gold lyrca yoga gear. Particular mention also has to be made to Hedydd Dylan’s powerhouse Adrianna. A force to be reckoned with, bringing hilarity with beautifully woven vulnerability – just a joy to watch at every moment.
The production has been adapted for the RSC’s newly crafted outdoor theatre space, The Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Garden Theatre. A 500 capacity, ampitheatre-esque space set to the backdrop of the pre-existing theatre space creating a beautifully atmospheric venue to be immersed back into live theatre in the safest way possible. For the play’s conclusion to coincide with the falling of dusk made for a wonderful resolve to the evening (but make sure to wrap up warm, blankets will not go a miss).
Theatre is at its essence about play and that was at the heart of this production. A wonderfully weird welcome back to the RSC and the perfect escape from the year that preceded us.
The Comedy of Errors is running in Stratford until the 26th of September where after it will continue its run to The Theatre Royal Nottingham, The Marlowe Canterbury, Alhambra Theatre Bradford and Barbican Theatre London.
Roustabout announces the Autumn 2021 tour of its new family show
This Island’s Mine
exploring themes of colonialism, identity and place
In early 2020, the Bristol-based theatre company Roustabout (creators of Luna and One Small Step) worked with 195 primary and secondary students to develop its new show, This Island’s Mine, exploring themes of colonialism, identity and place. The making of the play is informed directly by the thoughts and opinions of those students. It is written and directed by Toby Hulse, who has twice won the Distinguished Play Award from the American Alliance of Theatre and Education. Set in the magical and comic world of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, this vital new play encourages young people to explore complex and sensitive issues of colonisation, immigration and national identity: Where do I belong? Where is my home? Is it truly mine?
The premiere production will tour in Autumn 2021 to 25 primary and secondary schools in the South West as well as to the following arts venues: Watermans, London (19 Sept), The Poly, Falmouth (25 Sept), Burton Taylor Studio, Oxford Playhouse (2-3 Oct), the egg, Bath (9 Oct), Theatr Clwyd, Mold (16 Oct), Bridport Arts Centre (23 Oct), Exeter Phoenix (24 Oct), The Pound, Corsham (27 Oct), Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol (28-31 Oct), Blackwood Miners Institute (6 Nov) and Valley Arts, Chew Valley (7 Nov).
Blending Brechtian and Forum Theatre techniques that encourage the audience to think, question and challenge, This Island’s Mine focuses on a debate between three inhabitants of an island – one of the first peoples (Ariel), a second generation religious refugee (Caliban) and a Western coloniser (Stephano) – who all believe the island is theirs.
Ariel was always here. Caliban was born here. And Stephano has just arrived. They all claim ‘this island’s mine’. But do any of them have that right? And what happens if they can’t agree?
Filled with magic, music and mayhem, Roustabout presents a playful and daring exploration of the place we choose to call home, for children and their families. At a time when young people are questioning closely their own experiences, identities and education, the play’s themes are more pressing than ever.
The production will be supported by an online educational resource, created with experts, academics, creatives and young people, designed to challenge, provoke and stimulate debate around these difficult but essential questions.
The cast of This Island’s Mine is Robin Hemmings (Oi Frog & Friends! (Pins and Needles); One Small Step (Oxford Playhouse); War Game (Bristol Old Vic)) as Caliban, Kesty Morrison (The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (RSC); Hamlet (The Globe); The Price (The Young Vic)) as Ariel and Eleanor Pead (Why Would You (The Barbican); Too Late (Market Theatre Hitchin)) as Stephano.
The Creative Team is Writer and Director Toby Hulse, Associate Director Oliver de Rohan, Designer Maria Terry, Composer Tarek Merchant, Lighting Designer Jeremy Costello, Sound Designer Oliver Wareham, Set Builder Jonathan Attwood and Prop Maker Tish Mantripp.
This Island’s Mine was developed with support from Arts Council of England and Tobacco Factory Theatres, in partnership with the Cathedral Schools Trust, One Bristol Curriculum and University of Bristol.
Roustabout is a Bristol-based family theatre company who have produced six highly acclaimed productions since forming in 2018, including the OFFIE nominated digital production of Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish. Writer/director Toby Hulse has worked with Bristol Old Vic, The Old Rep, Pickled Image, Tobacco Factory Theatres, Travelling Light, the egg and the Unicorn Theatre. Toby is an expert when it comes to making work for young audiences, as seen in his productions of The Lost World and War Game (Bristol Old Vic), his adaptation of Around the World in Eighty Days (Bristol Old Vic), and his international touring production of One Small Step (Oxford Playhouse), which starred Roustabout’s Robin Hemmings. Robin Hemmings has also appeared in both The Lost Worldand War Game (both at Bristol Old Vic), as well as the wonderful Medusa, all by Olivier award-winning Adam Peck and the Olivier nominated Oi Frog & Friends! by Pins and Needles Productions.
ORE ODUBA TO STAR AS BRAD MAJORS IN THE LEGENDARY MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, IN BIRMINGHAM
Actor, presenter and winner of Strictly Come Dancing Ore Oduba (Curtains / Grease) will star as Brad Majors in Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show, playing in Birmingham from Mon 27 Sep – Sat 2 Oct.
Ore Oduba said: “Rocky really is the perfect show to welcome audiences back to theatres. It’s such an iconic musical with songs that everyone knows, so I’m sure the Rocky fans will be desperate to do the Time Warp again! I’m so excited to tour the country with our production… just got to remember to pack my stockings!!”
Joining Ore and returning to the cast of the Rocky Horror Show as Frank is Stephen Webb (Jersey Boys / Legally Blonde), alongside Philip Franks (The Darling Buds of May) as The Narrator. They will be joined by fan favourite Haley Flaherty (Mamma Mia / Chicago) as Janet.
Kristian Lavercombe (Jersey Boys / Jesus Christ Superstar) will once again reprise his role as Riff Raff, following more than 1350 performances around the world, with Lauren Ingram (Beauty and the Beast / My Fair Lady) as Columbia. Callum Evans (Grease / Miss Saigon) will be take on the role of Rocky, with Joe Allen(Little Shop of Horrors / Charlie & The Chocolate Factory) as Eddie & Dr Scott.
Joining the cast as Phantoms are Reece Budin (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical / Man of La Mancha), Jordan Fox (Kinky Boots / Hairspray) and Rachel Grundy (Starlight Express / Peter Pan), with Danny Knott (Saturday Night Fever / A Midsummer Nights’ Dream) as Male Swing.
Since it first opened in London in June 1973 at the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs, Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show has become the world’s favourite Rock ‘N’ Roll musical, having been performed worldwide for over 45 years in more than 30 countries and translated into 20 languages.
Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the smash hit show features all of the famous musical numbers which have made The Rocky Horror Show such a huge hit for over four decades, including “Sweet Transvestite”, “Science Fiction/Double Feature”, “Dammit Janet” and, of course, the timeless floor-filler, “The Time-Warp” – this is perfect show to help people forget the doom and gloom of recent months.
The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their favourite college professor. It’s an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which famously combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music while encouraging audience participation – meaning, of course, getting dressed-up in the most outrageous fancy dress.
The Rocky Horror Show first began life in 1973 before an audience of just 63 people in the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs. It was an immediate success and transferred to the Chelsea Classic Cinema, before going on to run at the Kings Road Theatre, 1973-79 and the Comedy Theatre in the West End, 1979-80. In 1975 it was transformed into a film called ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. This film adaptation took over $135 million at the Box Office and is still shown in cinemas around the world more than 40 years after its premiere, making it the longest running theatrical release in cinema history. Many stars including Russell Crowe, Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Jerry Springer, Jason Donovan and Meatloaf have appeared in The Rocky Horror Show over the past 45 years.
In 2015, as part of a sold-out season at London’s Playhouse Theatre, a special star-studded Gala charity performance in aid of Amnesty International was broadcast to over 600 cinemas across the UK and Europe. The live screening – featuring a host of celebrities playing The Narrator including Stephen Fry, Mel Giedroyc, Emma Bunton, Ade Edmondson, Anthony Head and Richard O’Brien – smashed box office records and was the biggest grossing film in cinemas across the UK. The performance was subsequently screened on the Sky Arts channel.
Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, The Rocky Horror Show is the boldest bash of them all. But be warned, this show has rude parts!
What the press have said about The Rocky Horror Show:
“Panto for grown-ups – colourful, in your face, relentlessly energetic and high on audience participation” – The Times
“Hard to think of another musical quite as unique as this. Christopher Luscombe’s affectionate production feels like a genuine blast from the past” – Mail on Sunday
“As delightfully naughty as ever!” – Daily Telegraph
“So fast, so funny, so sexy” – Daily Mail
“Still the sexiest and funniest show in town” – Evening Standard
Highly acclaimed production Where to Belong embarks on UK tour Touring from September 2021 Presented by Victor Esses and CASA (in partnership with Counterpoint Arts) What makes a home for you?
Where to Belong is the tender, moving autobiographical story of artist and performer Victor Esses’ journey to find home. Esses is Jewish-Lebanese, Brazilian, and gay; this is an exploration of how to find your place in a rich and complex world of identities. What actually is home? Is it the four walls that surround us, is it the person we spend time with or is it a feeling and sense of place? If we had to leave where we live today, where would we go and what would we take?
In 1975, Victor’s mother fled Lebanon as a refugee of the Civil War and, in 2017, Esses visited Lebanon for the first time. In 2018, amidst the elections that saw Brazil choose a far-right president, he travelled from London to São Paulo to show his partner the city of his childhood. This very personal story sees Esses visit Lebanon for the first time, video calling his mother now in Brazil from the Lebanese flat she was forced to abruptly leave.
Esses’ method of storytelling is subtle, touching and also deeply moving. With his complex heritage and identity many of his family won’t accept him for who he is; Where to Belong is not just about finding oneself but also about seeking acceptance from those who surround you. Using a mixture of video projection, photographs, music and songs to suggest what home means to him, Esses explores the universal themes of identity, togetherness, compassion and empathy in this remarkable production.
Victor Esses has performed at venues including Arcola Theatre, Southwark Playhouse and Whitechapel Gallery. During the pandemic, he has worked on digital project Unfamiliar at Home with his partner and fellow artist Yorgos Petrou. This online tour was based on Unfamiliar which was nominated for the 2019 Lukas Awards.
Victor Esses comments, The trip to my parents’ homeland of Lebanon was an intense and emotional experience that really highlighted the particularities of my different identities, and how they impact the way in which I relate to the world. Given the increasingly alarming homophobic attacks happening all over the world, it feels particularly important for me to give voice to this and connect with audiences over our fundamental similarities. After such an isolated time, it also feels very pressing to present a piece which is all about connection and understanding.
Something that will stay with you (★★★★ BritishTheatre.com).
Esses’ achievement is how he makes what might at first seem a remote or unfamiliar experience immediately accessible. (★★★★ A Younger Theatre).
FULL CAST FOR THE BRAND-NEW PRODUCTION OF NHS THE MUSICAL
Theatre Royal Plymouth today announce the full cast for the brand-new production of NHS The Musical by Nick Stimson and Jimmy Jewell. Stephen Fletcher directs Sabrina Aloueche (Politician), Jordan Castle (Porter), Peter Caulfield (Doctor), Alice Frankham (Jillian), Jimmy Johnston (Arthur), Justina Kehinde (Consultant) and Neil Stewart (Robert). NHS The Musical runs 17 – 25 September in The Lyric at Theatre Royal Plymouth, with discounted tickets available across the run for NHS staff.
Informed by first-hand accounts from NHS staff, NHS The Musical gets under its skin, and celebrates the people who make its heart beat. Sharper than a scalpel, this fast-paced comedy show takes you from the surgical theatre to musical theatre, pumping with songs, satire, sass – and gas and air. But beware! This beloved institution may be the perfect tonic, but it can also be the bitterest pill. The UK’s largest employer and government’s biggest spender has its own ailments, that just never seem to be cured.
With a combined company of 7 cast and 7 band members live on stage, NHS The Musical will be a rousing celebration of the people who have cared for us and our families for more than 70 years.
Adrian Vinken, CEO of Theatre Royal Plymouth and Executive Producer of NHS The Musical, said today, “We feel so lucky to have secured such a talented ensemble cast for NHS The Musical. Even in the auditions, they brought the show’s comedy and satire to life and reminded me just how fabulous the music and songs are. I can’t wait to see how they develop the show with Stephen over the coming weeks as we build to the premiere in September.”
NHS The Musical is made possible thanks to a grant from the Weston Culture Fund.
Nick Stimson is a freelance playwright and theatre director and Associate of Theatre Royal Plymouth. His theatre credits as a writer and director include A Winter’s Tale (Rose Theatre/UK tour – Offie Award for Best Off West End Musical), Sailors and Sweethearts (Theatre Royal Plymouth/The Venue), Korczak (Theatre Royal Plymouth/Rose Theatre Kingston/International tour) and The Day We Played Brazil (Exeter Northcott Theatre). His writing credits include Hello Mister Capello (Watford Palace Theatre), Promised Land (Red Ladder Theatre/The Carriage Works), Who Ate All The Pies? (Tristan Bates Theatre) and This Land (Theatre Royal Plymouth).
Jimmy Jewell is a composer and songwriter. His credits as composer include The Amazing Tour is Not On Fire (UK tour/international tour), The Tempest (Exeter Northcott Theatre), Peter Pan (UK tour), Walk With The Angels (Institute of Contemporary Arts/Soho Theatre), Frankenstein (Cochrane Theatre), Who Ate All The Pies? (Theatre Royal Plymouth, Tristan Bates Theatre),and Solitary Confinement (King’s Head Theatre); and as a conductor, Evita (European tour), The Prince and the Pauper, Strike Up The Band!, Jesus Christ Super Star (US tour), All You Need is Love! (Queen’s Theatre) and Fiddler on the Roof (Exeter Northcott Theatre).
Sabrina Aloueche plays Politician. Her theatre credits include Brooklyn The Musical (Greenwich Theatre), Starlight Express (The Other Palace), Chess (London Coliseum), Great American Trailer Park Musical (Waterloo East Theatre), Rent (The Cockpit), Sleeping Arrangements (Landor Theatre), We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre) and Les Misérables (Palace Theatre/Queen’s Theatre).
Jordan Castle plays Porter. His credits include St. Anne Comes Home (The Actors’ Church, Covent Garden), The Pirate Queen (London Coliseum), The Light in the Piazza (Royal Festival Hall London/LA Opera/Chicago Lyric Opera), and Cats and 21 Chump Street (international tours).
Peter Caulfield plays Doctor. His previous theatre credits include Last Easter (Orange Tree Theatre), A Christmas Carol, Aladdin (The Old Vic), Edgar Allen Poe and the Haunted Palace (Adelaide Festival/Bergen International Festival), Sketch You Up! (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Jerusalem (Watermill Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), The Tempest (Southwark Playhouse), The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Cinderella (Lyric Hammersmith), One Man, Two Guvnors (National Theatre/UK tour/Theatre Royal Haymarket), Nicked (HighTide Festival), Enron (Chichester Festival Theatre/Royal Court Theatre/Noël Coward Theatre), The Merchant of Venice, The Wind in the Willows (Derby Theatre), Erics (Liverpool Everyman), White Liars (Etcetera Theatre), The Man of Mode (National Theatre), The Wild Duck (Donmar Warehouse) and Larkrise to Candleford (Finborough Theatre).His television credits include The Mystery of DB Cooper, Absentia, Modus, Banana and Cucumber; and forfilm, Strangeways Here We Come and After the End.
Alice Frankham plays Jillian. Her theatre credits include One Man, Two Guvnors (Derby Theatre/The Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch), Miss Julie (UK tour), Jesus Hopped The A Train (HOME), Sleeping Beauty (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Marriage Blanc (Asylum Chapel, London), Days of Wine and Roses (53Two, Manchester), Strindberg’s Women (Jermyn Street Theatre), Wuthering Heights The Musical (The Actors’ Church, Covent Garden), Jurassic Lark – The Musical (Leicester Square Theatre), The Pint (Waterloo East Theatre), Jack and the Beanstalk (Buxton Opera House), Fred and Georgie (Greenwich Theatre), NewsRevue (Canal Cafe Theatre), The Rivals (Panache Theatre), Vanessa and Virginia (Riverside Studios) and Pretty Ugly (Rose Theatre Kingston). Her television credits include Genius and The Royals; and for film, Borderline and Love Me Do.
Jimmy Johnston plays Arthur. His theatre credits include Dreamboats and Petticoats (Playhouse Theatre/UK tour), Little Shop of Horrors (Aberystwyth Arts Centre), Soul Man (Stephen Joseph Theatre), Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Oklahoma! (National Theatre/Lyceum Theatre – nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical), The Pirates of Penzance (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre – nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical), Miss Saigon (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Sherlock Holmes: The Musical (Exeter Northcott Theatre), Cats (New London Theatre), King (Prince Edward Theatre), Barnum (Victoria Palace Theatre), The Wizard of Oz (Bristol Old Vic), Doctor Dolittle (UK tour) and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Theatre Royal York). His television credits include Atlantis and Heathcliff; and for film, Beauty and the Beast and Robot Overlords.
Justina Kehinde plays Consultant. Her theatre credits include Hot in Here (Camden People’s Theatre), This Little Earth, Passengers (Adelaide Fringe Festival/Vault Festival) and Around the World in 80s Days (Grand Theatre, Blackpool).
Neil Stewart plays Robert. His theatre credits include Mrs Henderson Presents (Theatre Royal Bath/Noël Coward Theatre), Oresteia (Trafalgar Studios), Jersey Boys (international tour), Spring Awakening (Hope Mill Theatre), The Queen’s Nose (The Other Palace), My Fair Lady (European tour), Chess, Love Story (Union Theatre), Oh, What A Lovely War (UK tour) and The Wind in the Willows (Theatr Clwyd); and for film, U Want Me 2 Kill Him?, Pokemon the Movie 2000 and The Fountain of Death.
Stephen Fletcher directs and is an Associate Director of the Liverpool Playhouse and Everyman Theatres. His credits include A Life in the Theatre (The Actor’s Studio, Liverpool – also writer) and Mam! I’m ‘ere! (Royal Court Liverpool – also writer). He is Director and Producer of Life in Theatre Productions, producing, The Sunshine Boys and The Last 5 Years. As an actor his credits include The Perfect Murder (UK tour), Special Measures, Noises Off! (Royal Court Liverpool), A Streetcar Named Desire (Liverpool Playhouse), Dead Heavy Fantastic (Liverpool Everyman) and Mary Stuart (Donmar Warehouse/Apollo Theatre).
FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED 16-WEEK SEASON AT THE APOLLO THEATRE
MARK RYLANCE AND MACKENZIE CROOKTO REPRISE THEIR CELEBRATED ROLES
AS JOHNNY “ROOSTER” BYRON AND GINGER
DIRECTED BY IAN RICKSON
OVER 800 SEATS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT £15 OR UNDER EACH WEEK ACROSS THE HOUSE
Sonia Friedman Productions and the Royal Court Theatre today confirm the return of Ian Rickson’s production of Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem to London’s West End for a strictly limited 16-week engagement. Mark Rylance and Mackenzie Crook will reprise their celebrated roles as Johnny “Rooster” Byron and Ginger respectively, with further casting to be announced at a later date.
Previewing at the Apollo Theatre from 16 April 2022 with the opening night on 28 April 2022, Jerusalem will run until 6 August 2022. There will be over 800 seats at £15 or under each week across the house throughout the run with additional education rates of £25 per student ticket. Sign-up is open today (29 July 2021) for priority booking at www.jerusalemtheplay.co.uk from 10am with exclusive priority booking for those who have signed up by 10am Monday 9 August 2021. Tickets will go on general sale Monday 16 August 2021 at 10am.
The original creative team will return for this 2022 production – designer Ultz, lighting designer Mimi Jordan Sherin, composer Stephen Warbeck,sound designer Ian Dickinson for Autograph and castingdirector Amy Ball CDG.
Jez Butterworth’s award-winning play, which premiered at the Royal Court in 2009, returns to the West End following record-breaking sold-out runs at the Royal Court and the Apollo Theatres in 2009, 2010 and 2011 as well the Music Box Theater on Broadway in 2011.
On St George’s Day, the morning of the local county fair, Johnny Byron is a wanted man. The Council officials want to serve him an eviction notice, his son wants his dad to take him to the fair, Troy Whitworth wants to wreak his revenge and a motley crew of mates wants his ample supply of drugs and alcohol.
Mark Rylance’s career has so far earned him an Academy Award®, three Tony Awards®, two Olivier Awards, three BAFTAs and one SAG Award. Rylance was the artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London for 10 years (1996-2006). In 2018, he returned to The Globe to play Iago in Othello, directed by Claire van Kampen and previously in 2015, to play King Philippe V in Farinelli and the King, written by van Kampen, which then moved to the West End, garnering six Olivier Award nominations, before the play moved to Broadway. Recently announced was the debut run of a radical new play, Dr Semmelweis co-written by Rylance and Stephen Brown, with Rylance playing the lead role at the Bristol Old Vic in January 2022. Additional theatre roles include Ron in Nice Fish, which he also co-wrote with Louis Jenkins; Countess Olivia in Twelfth Night; Richard III; Valere in La Bête and Robert in Boeing-Boeing. He won Best Actor Tony Awards® for Twelfth Night, Jerusalem and Boeing-Boeing; Best Actor Olivier Awards for Jerusalem and Much Ado About Nothing. Throughout his career, he has acted in more than 50 productions by Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Rylance shot to worldwide fame with his foray into major films and TV, most notably his Oscar® and BAFTA-winning performance as Rudolf Abel in Bridge of Spies and the critically acclaimed Wolf Hall, directed by Peter Kosminsky. His portrayal of Thomas Cromwell garnered a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor, Limited Series or Movie and an Emmy® nomination. Other film credits include Dunkirk, The Trial of the Chicago 7, The BFG, and Ready Player One. His latest roles in Terrence Malick’s The Last Planet, Craig Roberts’ The Phantom of The Open and Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up!, are to be released later in the year or 2022. He recently finished filming in Graham Moore’s The Outfit, and Luca Guadagnino’s Bones and All.
Mackenzie Crook is a multi-award-winning actor, writer and director. His awards include two BAFTAs, a Writers Guild Award and a Rose D’Or Award. He was nominated for a Tony Award and an Olivier Award when he first co-starred in Jerusalem in 2011. Crook received huge critical acclaim as a writer, director and actor for his BBC shows Detectorists and Worzel Gummidge. His other theatre credits include Ian Rickson’s Royal Court production of The Seagull inthe West End and on Broadway, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest at the Garrick Theatre and TheExonerated at Riverside Studios. His film credits include three Pirates of the Caribbean films, Brothers Grimm, Finding Neverland, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, City of Ember, Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll and The Adventures of Tin Tin to name but a few. His other television credits include The Office, Merlin, Skins, Little Dorritt, Demons and Britanina (as actor, writer and director).
In 1995 Jez Butterworth’s first play Mojo won seven major awards, including the Olivier Award for Best Comedy. His other plays include The Night Heron (2002), The Winterling, (2006), Parlour Song (2008) Jerusalem (2009) The River (2012) and The Ferryman (2017). Jerusalem won Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards, before travelling to Broadway where it received six Tony nominations, winning two, including Best Actor for Mark Rylance. The Ferryman won Best Play and Best Director at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards and three Olivier Awards for Best Director, Best Play and Best Actress. It transferred to Broadway and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, winning four including the award for Best Play. For film Butterworth has written dozens of screenplays for stars such as Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Johnny Depp, Dakota Johnson, Daniel Craig, Naomie Harris, Matt Damon and Christian Bale. For television he has created and written the comedy series Mammals for Amazon Studios starring James Corden, Sally Hawkins, Melia Kreiling and Colin Morgan. The six-part series will be released in 2022. Butterworth also created the historical fantasy drama Britanniafor Sky,starring David Morrissey, Zoe Wanamaker and Mackenzie Crook, now in its third season.
Ian Rickson was the Artistic Director of the Royal Court from 1998 to 2006, where he directed Jerusalem (also West End and Broadway), The River (also Broadway), The Winterling, The Night Heron and Mojo (also Chicago), all by Jez Butterworth; Not Not Not Not Not Enough Oxygen and This is a Chair by Caryl Churchill; Dublin Carol and The Weir by Conor McPherson (also Dublin, Chicago, West End and Broadway); The Seagull by Anton Chekhov (also Broadway); Krapp’s Last Tape by Samuel Beckett; Alice Trilogy by Tom Murphy; The Sweetest Swing in Baseball and Boy Gets Girl by Rebecca Gilman; Fallout by Roy Williams; Mouth to Mouth by Kevin Elyot; The Lights by Howard Korder; Pale Horse and Some Voices by Joe Penhall; Ashes and Sand by Judy Upton and Killers by Adam Pernak. In the West End, Rickson has directed Uncle Vanya, The Birthday Party, Old Times, Betrayal and The Children’s Hour (all at the Harold Pinter Theatre); Edward Albee’s The Goat or Who is Sylvia? (Theatre Royal Haymarket); Rosmersholm (Duke of York’s Theatre); and at the National Theatre, Translations by Brian Friel, Evening at the Talk House by Wallace Shawn, The Red Lion by Patrick Marber, The Hothouse by Harold Pinter, and The Day I Stood Still by Kevin Elyot. Productions at the Old Vic include Electra by Sophocles. Productions at the Young Vic include The Nest, Now We Are Here and Hamlet. Productions at the Almeida Theatre include Against by Christopher Shinn and Parlour Song by Jez Butterworth. Ian was Artistic Director of SFP’s Re-Emerge season in the West End this year and directed for the stage and the filming of Walden, one of the three plays in this Season. Work on screen includes Fallout (Company Pictures for Channel 4) and Krapp’s Last Tape by Samuel Beckett (BBC4). Rickson also works with PJ Harvey and Kate Tempest on their music and poetry shows. Rickson has his own podcast, ‘What I Love’ for Storyglass.
Sonia Friedman Productions is an international production company responsible for some of the most successful theatre productions of recent years in the West End and on Broadway. Since 1990, Sonia Friedman OBE, with her company SFP, has developed, initiated and produced 180+ new productions, and has recently started developing and producing new work for TV. The work has won a combined 58 Oliviers, 30 Tonys and 2 BAFTAs.
The Royal Court Theatre is the writers’ theatre. It is a leading force in world theatre for cultivating and supporting writers – undiscovered, emerging and established. Since 1956, we have commissioned and produced hundreds of writers, from John Osborne to Jasmine Lee-Jones. Royal Court plays from every decade are now performed on stage and taught in classrooms and universities across the globe. Through the writers, the Royal Court is at the forefront of creating restless, alert, provocative theatre about now. We open our doors to the unheard voices and free thinkers that, through their writing, change our way of seeing. Through all our work we strive to inspire audiences and influence future writers with radical thinking and provocative discussion.
NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING WELCOMES BACK AUDIENCES
FROM 2 AUGUST 2021
Following a successful reopening of Nova Cinema in May, the Ambassador Theatre Group are ecstatic to announce that the New Victoria Theatre, Woking will be raising the curtain for the first time since March 2020 on Monday 2 August 2021. The new season boasts foot-stomping musicals, side-grabbing comedy and the best music acts, for audiences to truly celebrate arts and culture returning to Woking.
Simon Thomsett, Theatre Director at the New Victoria Theatre said: “I cannot believe the time is finally here where we get to welcome our audiences back to the theatre. I want to thank you all for your support over the past year and a half, the strength of the community in Woking has made a tough year a little bit easier. To our staff, thank you for holding out for us – your seats have been kept warm for you. To our producers, it’s almost time for one of our most important seasons of theatre to begin and we’re so glad that you’re part of it.”
Danielle Clancy-Shelton, Acting General Manager at the New Victoria Theatre said: “As an exciting time as this is, we understand audiences may have questions, so I’m delighted to say we’ll be following Society of London Theatre’s See It Safely campaign to ensure audiences feel safe to return to the theatre. The show will go on? The show is on!”
Reopening the theatre with a much needed night of comedy is Jimmy Carr – Terribly Funny, for a special performance for opening night only, followed by the most iconic musical of all time. Grab you leather jackets and poodle skirts because Grease is the word! Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the sensational hit musical returns to Woking with Peter Andre as Teen Angel in select performances.
Based on multi-million selling thriller series by Peter James, Looking Good Dead is a chilling tale sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. After witnessing a vicious murder, Tom Bryce (Eastenders’ Adam Woodyatt) and his family are in grave danger – don’t miss the world premiere of this gripping new play.
Relive your childhood with Disney classic with Bedknobs and Broomsticks when it visits Woking for its world premiere. From the legendary Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins), get ready to be enchanted as you visit the bottom of the beautiful briny sea.
Rock got no reason, rock got no rhyme but you have a reason to see School of Rock. The smash hit West End musical brought to you by Andrew Lloyd Webber is on tour, starring young actors playing instruments for you live, bringing the hilarious comedy to the stage.
Mischief’s sell-out productions The Play That Goes Wrong and Magic Goes Wrong are catastrophe but with irresistible comedy genius. With creative support from the likes of Penn and Tellar, you will leave aching with laughter.
The most heart-warming, flamboyant musical, Pricilla Queen of the Dessert is back. Put on your biggest heels and all the glitter you can find, and dance along to the musical based on the 1994 Oscar-winning film. Its camp, it’s touching and with a brilliant catalogue of pop classics. Don’t be surprised if you come back the following day.
History is about to get over-throne when Six arrives in Woking. The six queens of Henry Viii will make your GCSEs fun, telling their stories of being married to the King. Be there for a modern spin on a story we all think we know, with an added incredible soundtrack – they are divorced, beheaded LIVE.
Following the huge success of the 2007 film, Hairspray with music and lyrics by Academy Award, Tony and Emmy-winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, we welcome you to the 60s. Be transported back to 1962 when Tracy Turnblad embraces being different, with show-stopping tunes, guaranteed to keep you dancing the whole way home.
Willy Russell’s Olivier award-winning musical Blood Brothers makes a welcome return to the New Victoria Theatre. Whether you’re studying it at school, or revisiting the show that made you love theatre, this production will be sure to captivate you. It’s one of few shows to have had over 10,000 performances in the West End over 24 years, and it’s not hard to see why.
End the year with one of the best loved fairytales, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. With incredible casting to be announced soon, we cannot wait to celebrate your 2021 festive season with you. We’ve missed you.
The Autumn, join some of TV’s greatest comedians live on our stage, including Rob Beckett – Wallop, Adam Kay – This Is Going to Hurt based on the best-selling memoir of his time in the NHS, Josh Widdicombe – Bit Much… and Omid Djalili – The Good Times. Or perhaps you’ll be looking for something for the family with crazy stunts at Cirque Beserk, Irvin Berlin’s family Christmas Musical White Christmas or Judith Kerr’s classic The Tiger Who Came to Tea.
Whether you want to celebrate our new found Freedom at Fastlove – A Tribute to George Michael or get down to the Jailhouse Rock with One Night of Elvis – Lee ‘Memphis’ King, we have an incredible line up of music nights which also include music from the catalogues of Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers, Neil Diamond, Tina Turner and The Dubliners. If you’d rather see the real deal, join us for Russell Watson – 20th Anniversary of the Voice, Ward Thomas or Marti Pellow – Greatest Hits.
Whilst the New Victoria Theatre brings you must-see live entertainment, our Award-winning, beautifully refurbished Nova Cinema brings you the latest blockbusters. With unmissable, bespoke programming, reward your senses with state-of-the-art laser protection, Dolby Atmos sound, luxurious reclining chairs and tasty treats delivered to your seats – there really is no greater cinematic experience.
