Month: August 2021

Barbican Theatre – booking to 31 October 2021

5*****

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

A show that radiates joy from the second musical director Stephen Ridley dons his officers’ cap to conduct the overture, Anything Goes is escapist perfection.

The flimsiest of plots involving ridiculous disguises, mistaken identity, dubious celebrity worship and a good old honey trap ensure that true love wins for three seemingly mismatched couples as the SS American sails across the Atlantic. The humour is definitely in dad joke territory, but when the punchlines and visual gags come at this pace and are delivered with such skill, you can’t help but laugh.

Cole Porter’s glorious music never fails to transport an audience, whether it’s the romance of Easy To Love and It’s De-Lovely or the comedy of Friendship and You’re The Top and this cast elevates it even further. Director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall has provided some good old-fashioned song and dance that will take your breath away and gives the stars their chance to shine. Sutton Foster won a Tony portraying Reno Sweeney, and she’ll be odds on to win an Olivier with this performance. Foster knows she has the audience in the palm of her hands from her first entrance and tightens her grip as the show progresses and she gets to show her incredible range. She is generous and funny in the comedy duets and brings the house down with a barnstorming take on the two show stopping numbers. The audience were on their feet before the end of Anything Goes and were buzzing throughout the interval. The whole cast onstage nailing Marshall’s energetic and joyful choreography is a sight to behold. Blow, Gabriel, Blow builds slowly into an electrifying, hypnotic frenzy that is unforgettable.

Robert Lindsay brings effortless charisma to failed gangster Moonface Martin, revelling in any chance to dance and ad lib, and there is lots of fun to be had watching Gary Wilmot trying to woo Felicity Kendal. Samuel Edwards and Nicole-Lily Baisden are wonderful as Billy and Hope, and the hilarious Carly Mercedes Dyer and Haydn Oakley steal every scene they’re in as gangster’s moll Erma and eccentric Lord Evelyn. The main characters are all comedy gold, but the reactions of the rest of the cast to their shenanigans are very funny – especially Clive Hayward as the flustered captain and Graham MacDuff as the unflappable purser.

Anything Goes is the perfect package – a phenomenal cast giving a masterclass in musical theatre performing one of the most uplifting shows ever written – simply irresistible

FOUR NEW FAMILY SHOWS 

REVEALED FOR NEXT MONTH’S 

LIVERPOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL 

Music, dancing, fun and laughter awaits young audiences 

at outdoor live event at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church

Four new shows for children form part of this year’s programme for the return of Liverpool Theatre Festival in September. 

The exciting family friendly shows will give youngsters the chance to experience live entertainment in a fantastic outdoor setting during the 10-day event. 

Organisers have this week added four family friendly shows to the line-up – When Another Dragon Roars; Boing…Meow! The Musical; Twelfth Night; and Goldilocks And The Fab 4. Tickets are on sale now. 

Liverpool Theatre Festival runs between Wednesday 1 September and Sunday 12 September 2021, and is once again being staged at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church in Liverpool city centre. 

The programme features mainstream and established acts, artists and productions, and already includes 2Gorgeous4U (Wednesday 1 September); The Last Five Years (Friday 3 September); Everybody’s Talking About Musicals (Saturday 4 September); Electric Dreams (Sunday 5 September); An Evening Without Kate Bush (Monday 6 September); Beneath The Stars (Thursday 9 September); Broken Biscuits (Friday 10 September); Laughterhouse Comedy (11 September); with Something About George – The George Harrison Story closing the festival (12 September). 

When Another Dragon Roars is on Saturday 4 September at 11.30am. The show runs for 45 minutes. The show fuses Altered Scale’s outstanding puppetry with Petite Ullaloom’s unique storytelling style, and is directed by Kevin Dyer. Alfie and his Mum are going camping to get away from everything – and to spend some quality time together. Alfie finds it hard to talk, his Mum does too. They share stories about dragons – scary ones, sulky ones, angry ones, and funny ones. They discover that emotions, like dragons, are tricky beasts. Sometimes they need to be tamed, sometimes they need to be released. Told with charm and humour, this is a thoughtful and heart-warming show for children and adults alike. 

Boing…Meow! The Musical is on Sunday 5 September at 11.30am. The show runs for 50 minutes. This musical adaptation of new children’s book Boing…Meow! comes from Asa Murphy, the writer of The Monkey With No Bum book and stage production, which was recently premiered at Liverpool Theatre Festival’s new works showcase, Little LTF. Stanley is a cat, and this is his story searching for the perfect place to sleep. There is nothing in this world that Auntie May loves more than her ginger cat Stanley – but like all cats, Stanley loves to go wondering around the local neighbourhood looking for the best and most comfortable place to have his afternoon nap. Audiences are invited to join Auntie May as she searches for Stanley with the help of songs, dancing, and interactive games. 

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare is on Saturday 11 September at 1pm. The show runs for two hours. Presented by The Boaty Theatre Company, this is a swashbuckling adventure of love, life, and mistaken identity. When a devastating storm separates and shipwrecks twins Olivia and Sebastian, they must do their best to carve out a new life in a strange land, each believing the other twin has perished. Olivia is the young Governess of Illyria island, but the pirates are thriving – led by Captain Orsina they are over-running the port and controlling the town. Featuring a live pirate band, a fearsome yet lovable Pirate Queen, and a fool or two, the production promises family fun as The Boaty Theatre Company breathes new life into one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies. 

Goldilocks And The Fab 4 is on Sunday 12 September at 1pm. The show runs for 60 minutes. From the team who presented A Fairy Tale Journey Across The Mersey at last year’s Liverpool Theatre Festival, comes a brand new magical, musical, mash-up family panto. Audiences are invited on a journey with Goldilocks as she takes flight on a broomstick. After the fright of her life, Goldilocks runs off into a magical forest to search for her parents. Little does she know that her biggest adventure awaits in a large castle in the middle of the woods, she has stumbled upon a great school of witchcraft and wizardry. She meets the Fab 4, who have something magical to tell her. She must face her greatest fears and save her parents from the Wicked Queen of the Enchanted Forest. 

Producer and artistic director Bill Elms commented: “We are delighted to add four exciting new family friendly shows to the Liverpool Theatre Festival programme for 2021. The children’s shows proved very popular during last year’s festival and also at the recent Little LTF, so we’re very keen to ensure this new line-up again includes live entertainment to cater for all ages. Youngsters enjoying Liverpool Theatre Festival are our audiences of the future so we want to give them a positive and memorable experience to start their journey.” 

Liverpool Theatre Festival was first staged in September 2020 and was created by Liverpool theatre producer Bill Elms. Bill stepped in to bring entertainment back to audiences after theatres across the country were ordered to close their doors as part of the first Coronavirus lockdown in March 2020 – giving live performance and creatives a platform during the most challenging of times. 

The outdoor festival went on to be a huge success, scooping an award and shortlisted for further accolades, winning praise across the industry for once again giving live performance a platform during the most challenging of times. 

The festival has already been expanded for 2021 with the addition of Little LTF, a new strand and sister event to showcase new works and champion talent. Seven-day Little LTF took place in mid-July and attracted more than 1,200 festivalgoers. 

Liverpool Theatre Festival is funded by Liverpool City Council and Culture Liverpool, sponsored by Falconer Chester Hall, and supported by Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres and dBS Solutions. 

The festival will adhere to any Covid-19 and Government guidelines required at the time. 

Visit www.liverpooltheatrefestival.com for the latest news updates. 

Website:         www.liverpooltheatrefestival.com  

Facebook:       /liverpooltheatrefestival 

Twitter:           @lpoolTFestival 

Instagram:      liverpooltheatrefestival 

Hashtag:         #TheatreIsBack 

LIVERPOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL 2021 LISTINGS 

2GORGEOUS4U  

DATE: Wednesday 1 September 2021 

TIMES: 5pm / 8pm 

PRICE: £22 

RUNNING TIME: 70 mins no interval 

THE LAST FIVE YEARS 

DATE: Friday 3 September 2021 

TIMES: 5pm / 8pm 

PRICE: £22 

RUNNING TIME: 75 mins no interval 

WHEN ANOTHER DRAGON ROARS 

DATE: Saturday 4 September 2021 

TIME: 11.30am 

PRICE: £14 / £12 Children 

RUNNING TIME: 45 mins no interval 

EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT MUSICALS 

DATE: Saturday 4 September 2021 

TIMES: 6pm / 8.30pm 

PRICE: £22 

RUNNING TIME: 75 mins no interval 

BOING…MEOW! THE MUSICAL 

DATE: Sunday 5 September 2021 

TIME: 11.30am 

PRICE: £12 / £10 Children 

RUNNING TIME: 50 mins no interval 

ELECTRIC DREAMS 

DATE: Sunday 5 September 2021 

TIMES: 4pm / 8pm 

PRICE: £20 (4pm) £22 (8pm)  

RUNNING TIME: 2 hours 10mins including interval 

AN EVENING WITHOUT KATE BUSH 

DATE: Monday 6 September 2021 

TIME: 7.30pm 

PRICE: £20  

RUNNING TIME: 2 hours including interval 

OPERA BENEATH THE STARS 

DATE: Thursday 9 September 2021 

TIME: 7.30pm 

PRICE: £28 

RUNNING TIME: 2 hours including interval 

BROKEN BISCUITS 

DATE: Friday 10 September 2021 

TIMES: 6pm / 8.30pm 

PRICE: £22 

RUNNING TIME: 60 mins no interval 

TWELFTH NIGHT BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE 

DATE: Saturday 11 September 2021 

TIME: 1pm 

PRICE: £14 / £12 Children 

RUNNING TIME: 2 hours including interval 

LAUGHTERHOUSE COMEDY 

DATE: Saturday 11 September 2021 

TIMES: 6pm / 8.30pm (line-up varies slightly between shows) 

PRICE: £22 

RUNNING TIME: N/A 

GOLDILOCKS AND THE FAB 4 

DATE: Sunday 12 September 2021 

TIME: 1pm 

PRICE: £14 / £12 Children 

RUNNING TIME: 60 mins no interval 

SOMETHING ABOUT GEORGE – THE GEORGE HARRISON STORY 

DATE: Sunday 12 September 2021 

TIMES: 5pm / 8pm 

PRICE: £22 

RUNNING TIME: 75 mins no interval 

Apple Original Films announces filmed production for the Tony & Olivier Award-winning Broadway musical “Come From Away” to premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, September 10

Ensemble cast includes members of the original and current Broadway productions Apple Original Films announced today that the filmed version of the Tony & Olivier Award-winning hit musical “Come From Away” will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, September 10. “Come From Away” is directed by Tony Award-winner Christopher Ashley, who directed the original Broadway production, and stars an ensemble cast led by members of the Broadway show.

The original book, music and lyrics were written by Tony and Grammy Award nominees and Olivier Award winners Irene Sankoff and David Hein, who will also serve as Executive Producers alongside RadicalMedia’s Jon Kamen, Dave Sirulnick and Meredith Bennett.  

“Come From Away” tells the story of 7,000 people stranded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland after all flights into the US are grounded on September 11, 2001. As the people of Newfoundland graciously welcome the “come from aways” into their community in the aftermath, the passengers and locals alike process what’s happened while finding love, laughter, and new hope in the unlikely and lasting bonds that they forge. 

The live performance of “Come From Away” was filmed at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre this past May in New York City, where the Broadway production is staged, for an audience that included 9/11 survivors and front-line workers; and, employed over 200 people including members of the Broadway crew, staff and creative teams.   

The cast starring in the live filmed production includes:

• Petrina Bromley (original cast member of “Come From Away,” “The Sound of Music”) as Bonnie and others.
• Jenn Colella (original cast member and Tony Award nominee for “Come From Away,” “If/Then”) as Beverley/Annette and others.
• De’lon Grant (National tour for “Jersey Boys”) as Bob and others.
• Joel Hatch (original cast member of “Come From Away,” “Billy Elliot,” “Annie”) as Claude and others.
• Tony Lepage (“Rock of Ages”) as Kevin T. and others.
• Caesar Samayoa (original cast member of “Come From Away,” “Sister Act,” “The Peewee Herman Show”) as Kevin J./Ali & others. 
• Q. Smith (original cast member of “Come From Away,” “Mary Poppins,” “Les Misérables”) as Hannah and others.
• Astrid Van Wieren (original cast member and Dora award nominee for “Come From Away”) as Beulah and others.
• Emily Walton (“Peter and the Starcatcher,” “August: Osage County”) as Janice & others.
• Jim Walton (“Sunset Boulevard,” “The Music Man”) as Nick/Doug and others.
• Sharon Wheatley (original cast member of “Come From Away,” “Avenue Q,” “Les Misérables,” “Cats” and “The Phantom of the Opera”) as Diane and others.
• Paul Whitty (“Once,” “Gettin’ the Band Back Together,” “Amélie,” “The Full Monty”) as Oz and others.

eOne, Hasbro’s entertainment studio, produced the live capture performance with Laurel Thomson Executive Producing on behalf of eOne. Jennifer Todd and Bill Condon serve as producers alongside the original stage producers, Junkyard Dog Productions, as well as Mark Gordon. Brittany Hapner serves as a co-producer. Alchemy Production group provided stage production and general management. RadicalMedia (“Hamilton,” “David Byrne’s American Utopia”) filmed the production. 

“Come From Away” is choreographed by Tony Award nominee and Olivier Award winner, Kelly Devine, and music supervision by Olivier Award winner and Grammy Award nominee, Ian Eisendrath. 

A Best Musical winner all across North America, the smash hit musical won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (Christopher Ashley), four Olivier Awards (London) including Best New Musical, five Outer Critics Circle Awards (NYC) including Outstanding New Broadway Musical and three Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including Outstanding Musical. “Come From Away”was nominated for seven 2017 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Book of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Jenn Colella.

Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL, and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $4.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.*

For more information, visit apple.com/tvpr and see the full list of supported devices. 

*Special offer is good for three months after the first activation of the eligible device. One offer per Family Sharing group. Plans automatically renew until cancelled. Other restrictions and terms apply; visit apple.com/promo for more information.

Howard Panter for Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Eilene Davidson Productions, BookMyShow,

Mallory Factor for Hill Street Productions, Rupert Gavin, WYS en Scène and David Lazar

proudly present

in association with Christian C. Yegen, Mark Lubkeman, Kathryn Bricken and Jason Brueschke for APOTA Productions

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES FROM TUESDAY 19 OCTOBER

UNTIL SUNDAY 31 OCTOBER 2021 – ON SALE NOW

A MAJOR NEW PRODUCTION OF THIS CLASSIC MUSICAL COMEDY WITH A FULL COMPANY

OF OVER 50, INCLUDING A FULL-SIZED ORCHESTRA AND 8 TAP DANCING SAILORS!

Music and Lyrics by COLE PORTER

Original Book by P.G. WODEHOUSE & GUY BOLTON

and HOWARD LINDSAY & RUSSEL CROUSE

New Book by TIMOTHY CROUSE and JOHN WEIDMAN

Directed and Choreographed by

Tony Award Winner KATHLEEN MARSHALL

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM ANYTHINGGOESMUSICAL.CO.UK

Theatre is back! And from the moment ANYTHING GOES opened this summer at London’s Barbican Theatre, audiences have been on their feet, giving this multi Tony Award winning show multiple standing ovations night after night. ANYTHING GOES is now playing to sell out houses, as audiences are flooding through the Barbican Theatre doors to witness this truly spectacular musical comedy. Due to phenomenal demand for tickets, the show has been extended for a further two weeks until 31 October, with principal casting for the extension weeks to be announced.

Producer Sir Howard Panter said: “We are thrilled and delighted with the response ANYTHING GOES has been receiving since we opened for previews last month. We have been sold out at every single performance and the crowds go wild as soon as our leading lady, Broadway legend Sutton Foster, steps onto the stage. This is then followed by three incredible show-stopping standing ovations throughout the performance. It just goes to prove that this kind of feel good comedy musical is exactly the perfect tonic to lift people’s spirits. We look forward to extending our run at the Barbican through to the end of October this year.”

This lavish production of Cole Porter’s classic musical, featuring a full company of over 50 including a full-sized orchestra and even eight tap dancing sailors, directed and choreographed by three time Tony Award Winner Kathleen Marshall. Marshall’s Broadway production of ANYTHING GOES was a major smash hit and received huge critical acclaim. The revival was nominated for nine Tony Awards and 10 Drama Desk Awards, winning Best Actress, Best Musical Revival and Best Choreography at both ceremonies. Now Marshall, in her West End directing debut, reinvents this glorious musical for London audiences this summer in what is set to be the definitive version of this timeless classic.

With music and lyrics by Cole Porter and the original book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse, ANYTHING GOES will premiere at the Barbican Theatre from July to October and then embark on a UK tour.

When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love… proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, a comical disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail. This hilarious musical romp across the Atlantic featuring a collection of some of theatre’s most memorable songs – including ‘I Get A Kick Out of You’, ‘Anything Goes’, ‘You’re the Top’, ‘Blow, Gabriel, Blow’, ‘It’s De-Lovely’, ‘Friendship’ and ‘Buddie Beware’ – will take you back to the Golden Age of high society on the seas. ANYTHING GOES is set to sail away with audiences all over again.

PRESS QUOTES

“Cole Porter songs and tap-dancing sailors? What’s not to love?” – The Hollywood Reporter

“Anything Goes is a truly great musical comedy” – Chicago Tribune

“Exudes the effervescence of a freshly poured gin fizz…It’s a knockout!” – The New York Times

“So Delightful, so De-Lovely, it’s The Top!” – Associated Press

“This new ‘Anything Goes’ is a daffy, shipshape romp” – Variety

“Pure Magic” – New York Post

“You’ll get a kick out of ‘Anything Goes’” – USA Today

CREATIVE TEAM

Kathleen Marshall – Director & Choreographer

Derek McLane – Set Designer

Jon Morrell – Costume Designer

Hugh Vanstone – Lighting Designer

Jonathan Deans – Sound Designer

Stephen Ridley – Music Supervisor

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Barbican Theatre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS

First Performance: 23 July 2021

Final performance: 31 October 2021

Performances: Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm

Running time: approximately 2 hours 40 minutes, including interval

Tickets: £25 – £150, plus booking fee

Barbican Box Office: barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2021/event/anything-goes

Website: AnythingGoesMusical.co.uk

Twitter: @AnythingGUK

Facebook: @AnythingGoesUK

Instagram: @AnythingGoesUK

Presented in association with the Barbican

Theatres Trust Director Jon Morgan comments on First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement that restrictions will ease in Scotland from 9^th August:

The First Minister of Scotland’s announcement today that social distancing requirements will be lifted for theatres in Scotland from 9 August is hugely welcome. This means Scotland will be joining England and, from 7 August, Wales, in permitting full audiences to return. The benefits of this are widespread. For theatres, and for this year’s Edinburgh Festival, this will provide greater certainty and financial viability and for the broader theatre sector it will make touring easier. Communities across Scotland will once more be able to enjoy live performance and benefit from the positive impact theatres have on town centres, increasing footfall and providing vital communal spaces.

CROSSROADS LIVE PRESENTS

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS

AT THE NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING

FROM 4 DECEMBER 21 – 2 JANUARY 22

STARRING GOK WAN AS THE MAN IN MIRROR

New Victoria Theatre and Crossroads Live is thrilled to announce the long-awaited return of pantomime to Woking this Christmas. The fairest panto in all the land, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, will be opening at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking, from Saturday 4 December 2021 – Sunday 2 January 2022.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will have all your panto favourites – a live band, brilliant choreography, glamourous costumes, enchanting scenery and jaw-dropping special effects.

Leading the cast is TV fashionista Gok Wan as The Man In The Mirror. Gok’s TV career started with the overwhelming success of his Channel 4 series, How To Look Good Naked, which proved so successful that a further six series were filmed, as well as three series of Gok’s Fashion Fix. His other recent TV credits include How To Cook Chinese, Gok’s Style Secrets, Gok Live Stripping For Summer, Too Fat Too Young and Gok’s Teens The Naked Truth, Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire for Discovery channel and Gok Cooks Asian. Gok is currently filming a new daytime show for ITV.

In addition to his sartorial television appearances, Gok has solidified his reputation as a broadcaster, author and chef, most recently adding record-topping DJ to his extensive list of credentials, which saw him release his debut single, a hugely popular cover of Baby D’s Let Me Be Your Fantasy, with Kele Le Roc last year. Gok remains a regular guest presenter and resident fashion expert for ITV1’s This Morning and various hit television programmes.

When asked about returning to the stage Gok said: “The last 18 months has been so tough for everybody, and having restrictions in place last Christmas made it that much harder. This year, our families will be back together and for many that means trips to the theatre. I’m honoured to of been asked to be involved in the brilliant show and be part of what will become one of the most memorable festive seasons in a long time.”

A mainstay of British sitcom and comedy Harriet Thorpe is best known for her role as Carole in The Brittas Empire and Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous, both for the BBC. She has regularly appeared with French and Saunders, on Midsommar Murders, Doctors and Three Musketeers, as well as the feature films Calendar Girls, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Lady in the Van and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. On stage Harriet starred in Crazy for You at the Regent’s Park Theatre, in Mamma Mia, Sweeney Todd, Cabaret, Wicked and Les Misérables. Harriet will star as The Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Snow White’s best friend Muddles will be played by leading comedian Aaron James.  Aaron honed his comedy skills as a green coat for Warner’s 30 years ago and has appeared in theatre tours supporting George Best, Joe Calzaghe, Eric Cantona and Joe Pasquale amongst others.

Chief Executive of Crossroads Pantomimes Michael Harrison said: “Gok is an absolute pantomime star, with undeniable charisma and stage presence that audiences adore. Having worked with him on numerous pantomimes we are delighted to be bringing his magnetic pantomime personality to Woking. Combined with the comic talents of Harriet and Aaron, audiences in Woking are in for a special treat this Christmas”.

There is a performance for everybody this festive season: with a captioned performance on 16 December at 7:00pm; an audio described performance on 29 December at 7:00pm; and a signed performance on 30 December at 2:00pm. A relaxed performance for audience members who prefer a more relaxed environment and the option to make noise and move around the auditorium will be on Thursday 9 December at 1:00pm.

Listings

Saturday 4 December 2021 – Sunday 2 January 2022

Tickets from £13 fees apply

Please click here for our full performance calendar.

You can book tickets by calling the Box Office on 0844 009 6690 (Fees apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge), Groups Booking Line 0207 206 1174 or online at ATGTICKETS.COM/Woking (fees apply).

New Victoria Theatre, Peacocks Centre, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6GQ

Socials:

Facebook: @NewVictoriaTheatreWoking

Twitter: @WokingTheatre

Instagram: @NewVictoriaTheatreWoking

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR TENNESSEE WILLIAMS’

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF

A MADE AT CURVE, LIVERPOOL EVERYMAN & PLAYHOUSE AND ENGLISH TOURING THEATRE CO-PRODUCTION

Supported by grant funding from the Royal Theatrical Support Trust

Siena Kelly as Maggie
Oliver Johnstone as Brick
Teresa Banham as Big Mama
Peter Forbes as Big Daddy

Leicester’s Curve theatre, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and English Touring Theatre (ETT) have today revealed the full company for the upcoming co-production of Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Anthony Almeida, which will open at Curve on 3 September, with a national press night on Wednesday 8 September, and then tour venues across England and Wales.

On a sweltering Mississippi night, the lies are as stifling as the heat.

Maggie has fought up from poverty, only to find herself in a passionless, burning marriage. Her husband Brick Pollitt, a former pro footballer, drinks to drown out the hurt he has bottled up inside.

When the entire Pollitt family meet for Big Daddy’s 65th birthday, the claws are out. As shattering truths threaten to spiral out of control, the family set out to protect themselves, and each other, from falling apart.

Following the success of Curve’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire, this bold new revival of Tennessee Williams’ lyrical Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece is a blazing portrayal of what it takes to survive in a society where we’re all desperate to feel free.

Siena Kelly, who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Award for her role in Channel 4’s Adult Material at this year’s BAFTAs,will play the role of Maggie, with Oliver Johnstone (All My Sons, Old Vic; SkyFall, Eon Productions) as her distant and troubled husband Brick. Teresa Banham (The Crown, Netflix; Robin Hood, BBC) will appear as Big Mama and Peter Forbes (Follies, National Theatre; Judy, Pathé) will play Big Daddy, the Pollitt family’s vivid patriarch.

Joining the cast as Gooper and his wife Mae are Sam Alexander (The Watsons, Chichester Festival Theatre) and Shanaya Rafaat (Jude, Hampstead Theatre). Suzette Llewellyn (EastEnders, BBC) will play Doctor Baugh, with Minal Patel (A Christmas Carol, Dominion Theatre) as Reverend Tooker.

The drama will open at Curve 3 – 18 September, before touring to Liverpool Playhouse 22 September – 2 October, Marlowe Theatre 6 – 9 October, The New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich 12 – 16 October, Theatr Clwyd 19 – 23 October, concluding at Mast Mayflower Studios Southampton 26 – 30 October.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is directed by Anthony Almeida, winner of the 2019 Royal Theatrical Support Trust (RTST) Sir Peter Hall Director Award. The production is also supported by grant funding from the RTST.

Speaking about the company, director Anthony Almeida said:

“Medea, Hamlet, Hedda Gabler – throughout stage history: a singular heavyweight part headlines our greatest plays. But in his typical swagger, Tennessee Williams tore up the rules: he wrote not just one, but four colossal, enigmatic roles. It’s going to be dynamite to witness these talented actors go head-to-head onstage. This entire cast are electric. I’m excited for us to begin rehearsals.”

Rosanna Vize will design the set for the production, with associate designs and costume designs from Sarah Mercadé. Joshua Gadsby will provide lighting designs, Giles Thomas will compose new music and create the sound design, and movement direction will come from Gemma Payne. The show is cast by Ginner Schiller and the production team is completed by Curve’s Birkbeck Trainee Director Jennifer Lane Baker as Assistant Director, Production Manager Sam Paterson, Company Stage Manager Helen Gaynor, Deputy Stage Manager Robyn Clogg and Assistant Stage Manager Zoe Leonard.

The roles of the Pollitt family children will be played by local young people at Leicester’s Curve, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and across the tour.

Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:

“We are thrilled our co-production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof will finally make it onto stages this autumn. Anthony Almeida is a director of outstanding talent and we are excited to welcome him to Leicester. Anthony has assembled an astonishing creative team and acting company, who we’re certain will thrill audiences across the tour.

“These are challenging times to produce theatre and we are indebted to our partners at English Touring Theatre, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, and Mark Hawes and Sir Geoffrey Cass at the Royal Theatrical Support Trust for their unyielding support and collaborative spirit, ensuring this ambitious production can go and can be shared with audiences across the country.”

Mark Da Vanzo, Chief Executive at Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with our friends at the Curve and English Touring Theatre to bring this wonderful, bold new revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof to the Liverpool Playhouse. A particular highlight is that local young people will have the chance to be cast and act alongside a very distinguished and talented cast. It’s likely to be a sell-out tour so don’t miss this opportunity to see Tennessee Williams’ classic play”.

Richard Twyman, Artistic Director and Sophie Scull, Executive Producer at ETT said:

“We are extremely proud to be partnering with Leicester Curve and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse on this RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award winning production. This award provides a vital opportunity for an early career artist to make work for audiences nationally, in some of the UK’s most significant and dynamic theatre spaces, and never has that felt so essential. The RTST 2019 winner, Anthony Almeida, is a remarkably talented director and we’re so excited by the outstanding cast and creative team he’ll be working with. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is the first show ETT will be touring to (indoor) theatres since the pandemic began, and we can’t wait to share this beautiful piece with audiences in Leicester, Liverpool, Canterbury, Ipswich, North Wales and Southampton.”

Tickets for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof are on sale now. To find out more and book tickets, visit www.curveonline.co.uk

GAY GENERATIONS: DOUBLE BILL

White Bear Theatre, Kennington

Tuesday 24th August – Saturday 28th August 2021

The White Bear Theatre in Kennington presents a summer double bill of plays by Michael McManus, the writer of West End smash hit ‘Maggie & Ted’, and by celebrated stand-up comedian, writer, actor and broadcaster Charlie Ross MacKenzie.

Directed by Bryan Hodgson and Michael McManus

GAY GENERATIONS takes a look at life, love and loss, for gay men from different generations, and is being staged to support actors and new writing.

There will also be a Celebrity Fundraising Gala Night on Friday 27th August at 7:00pm with Special Guest of Honour Peter Tatchell, who will take part in a post-show Q&A alongside the writers and directors of the two plays.  The fundraising will ensure the actors are paid fairly for their work, and the evening will include a drinks reception and a free raffle with some knockout special prizes.

ABOUT

GAY GENERATIONS portrays the differences of perspective, the insecurities and the simple misunderstandings – sometimes heart-breaking, usually hilarious – between gay men who grew up in different eras.

“A Certain Term” by Michael McManus
Every autumn Graham hosts a special party for his friends, to celebrate their survival and to commemorate those who have been lost. Usually, it’s much the same every year, but not this year. No, this year is going to be very different. This year he has unexpected guests – and his life is going to change forever.

Starring: Daniel Cornish, Dickon Farmar & Ed O’Connor. Directed by Bryan Hodgson.

“I F________n Love You” by Charlie Ross MacKenzie
Consigned to sleeping on the sofa bed, Adrian and Simon are having a rough night’s sleep. An uncomfortable night leads to some uncomfortable conversations, and a probable broken toe!

Starring: Brandon Gale and Charlie Ross MacKenzie. Directed by Michael McManus.

Performance dates and times are as follows:

Tuesday 24 August, 7.15pm

Wednesday 25 August, 7.15pm

Thursday 26 August, 7.15pm

Friday 27 August – Special Gala Performance at 7:00pm

Saturday 28 August – 2.30pm and 7.15pm

The double bill, including interval, is expected to last around 2 hours in total.

Please note that the White Bear Theatre continues to operate as a COVID-secure venue, with reduced capacity, a free-flow air system that constantly brings in clean, fresh air from outside, paper-free ticketing and temperature checks at the door. You will be requested to wear a mask throughout both plays.

Tickets are available now, via this link:

www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk

Please come – it’ll make you laugh and cry, maybe even at the same time!

Standard Tickets: £18 (£12 concessions)

Special Gala Performance: £50.  Ticket price includes a wine reception, unique raffle prizes and a special, post-show Q&A with the creative team and special guest of honour Peter Tatchell.

Ticket Bookings: www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk
Box Office: 0333 012 4963
Address: 138 Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4DJ

Social Media
Twitter: @gaygenerations1
Facebook: @WhiteBearTheatre

Thomas Hopkins in association with Debbie Chazen and Guy Chapman
New comedy The Funny Girls announces
further run at Upstairs at The Gatehouse
Tuesday 26th October – Sunday 21st November 2021
Upstairs at The Gatehouse, Highgate, London N6 4BD

New ‘what if’ comedy The Funny Girls has announced an extended run at Upstairs at The Gatehouse this October, following their upcoming premiere with New Wimbledon Theatre’s Studio. Reuniting legendary icons Barbra Streisand and Joan Rivers in a fictional stand-off, Roy Smiles’ (Kurt and Sid; Ying Tong) play is a fantastical clash of ego and wit, laced with lashings of Jewish humour.

Actors Mia Tomlinson (The Beast Must Die, Britbox; The Lost Pirate Kingdom, Netflix) and Rosanna Harris (Grease, UK tour) will reprise their roles as Joan and Barbra respectively, under the direction of Michael Strassen (Falling Stars; Assassins; Billy). The creative team will also include set and costume design by Jean Gray, lighting by Andrew Exeter, and sound by Dan Samson.

Two rising stars with big dreams, The Funny Girls follows the trials and errors of paving a way to success in bygone America and knowing when to seize your moment. From overbearing mothers and closeted homosexual lovers, to troublesome beauty standards and the level of fame, no cards are left unturned. But was it all worth it?

Producer Thomas Hopkins comments, Following our limited run as part of the New Wimbledon Theatre’s premiere season, we are so excited to present a four-week return of Roy Smiles new play The Funny Girls at one of London’s favourite fringe venues. It’s a fantastic opportunity to share this hilarious and heart-warming play with a wider audience, showcasing the outstanding performances from Rosanna Harris and Mia Tomlinson, who bring these iconic women to life on stage!

The Barn Theatre have released the debut video of Barn Theatre Associate Artist Matthew Harvey’s original arrangement of “Bring Him Home / I Dreamed A Dream” performed by Adam Bayjou and Lucy O’Byrne. The arrangement is one of two original arrangements by Matthew Harvey that will be part of Adam & Lucy’s upcoming show The Greatest Showtunes, which will play the Barn Theatre’s BarnFest Summer Theatre Festival in Cirencester from 13-15 August.

“Sit Back, relax and let West End and International Musical Theatre Stars Lucy O’Byrne and Adam Bayjou take you on a journey through Broadway, London’s West End and beyond. An evening of song from the world’s best loved musicals, including the biggest hits from Les Misérables, Evita, The Sound of Music and many more.”