Month: September 2021

BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS 

THE CLASSIC THRILLER THEATRE COMPANY 

THE CAT AND THE CANARY 

THE CREEPY COMEDY THRILLER BY JOHN WILLARD 

ADAPTED BY CARL GROSE 

RETURNS TO CONTINUE ITS SUCCESSFUL UK TOUR  

FROM 07 SEPTEMBER 2021 

STARRING ANTONY COSTA, TRACY SHAW, MARTI WEBB 

GARY WEBSTER, BEN NEALON, ERIC CARTE 

AND 

BRITT EKLAND 

Building on the phenomenal decade-long success of The Agatha Christie Theatre Company, Bill Kenwright’s Classic Thriller Theatre Company (Rehearsal for Murder, Judgement in Stone, The Case of the Frightened Lady and The Lady Vanishes), continues with its latest chilling whodunit, the creepy comedy thriller The Cat and the Canary. Following its acclaimed opening in Windsor in January 2020 and highly successful spring tour, the production returns to complete its Autumn tour, which was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  

This new adaptation of the murder mystery by John Willard, which inspired three classic movies starring the likes of Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard, Edward Fox, Honor Blackman and Olivia Hussey, will embark on its nationwide tour, opening at Derby Theatre from Tuesday 7 September 2021.  

Twenty years after the death of Mr. West, his descendants gather to learn who will inherit his vast wealth and the hidden family jewels. Within moments, the heritage hunters turn into prey. Walls crack open, shadows loom, and dark secrets are revealed. 

Who is The Cat? His movements soundless, unnoticeable, and his vengeance swift! Who will feel his horrible grasp next? 

Returning to the production is silver screen and Bond-girl legend Britt Ekland, whose numerous films include The Man with The Golden Gun with Roger Moore, The Wicker Man with Christopher Lee, and Get Carter with Michael Caine.  

Britt stars alongside singer-songwriter, actor and former member of the internationally successful 00’s boy band Blue, Antony Costa, and Tracy Shaw, best known for her long-running role as Maxine Peacock in Coronation Street. They are joined by West End leading lady Marti Webb, whose credits include Evita and Tell Me on A Sunday; Gary Webster, who played Gary Costello in Family Affairs and Ray Daley opposite George Cole in ITV’s Minder; Classic Thriller Theatre Company veteran Ben Nealon, who played Lt. Forsythe in the drama series Soldier Soldier, and Eric Carte, who played Geoff Roberts in two series of Bouquet of Barbed Wire. The cast is completed by Priyasasha Kumari, Martin Carroll, Jack Taylor and Clara Darcy. 

The Cat and The Canary is director Roy Marsden’s fifth Classic Thriller Theatre Company production. Other credits include the West End premieres of Agatha Christie’s A Daughter’s a Daughter at the Trafalgar Studios and Noël Coward’s Volcano at the Vaudeville Theatre. As an actor, he is well-known to television audiences as Inspector Dalgliesh in the long-running P.D. James series. 

Adaptor Carl Grose was, until recently, co-artistic director of Kneehigh Theatre. His numerous plays and adaptations include book and lyrics for The Grinning Man, which Tom Morris directed at the Trafalgar Studios in 2017. 

Designer takis’s diverse international credits include In the Heights, Gifford’s Circus and the Royal Opera. 

Lighting Designer Chris Davey’s work includes Witness for the Prosecution at London’s County Hall and Touching the Void at the Duke of York’s Theatre. 

Dan Samson is resident Sound Designer for The Classic Thriller Theatre Company. West End credits include Heathers at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and Evita at the Dominion Theatre. 

LISTINGS

THE CAT AND THE CANARY  

07 September – 27 November 2021 

UK Tour 

By John Willard 

Adapted by Carl Grose 

Directed by Roy Marsden 

Designed by takis 

Lighting Design by Chris Davey 

Sound Design by Dan Samson 

Produced by Bill Kenwright  

Website: www.kenwright.com 

Twitter: @BKL_Productions  

Instagram: @bklproductions 

DATES & VENUES

Derby Theatre                                                            derbytheatre.co.uk                   

07 September – 11 September 2021                          01332 59 39 39 

Glasgow Theatre Royal                                            atgtickets.com/glasgow

13 September – 18 September 2021                          0844 871 7615 

Darlington Hippodrome                                            Darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

20 September – 25 September 2021                          01325 405405 

Birmingham Alexandra Theatre                               atgtickets.com/birmingham

04 October – 09 October 2021                                   0844 871 7615 

Yeovil Octagon                                                          octagon-theatre.co.uk 

18 October – 23 October 2021                                   01935 422884 

Manchester Opera House                                         atgtickets.com/manchester 

25 October – 30 October 2021                                   0844 871 7615 

Brighton Theatre Royal                                            atgtickets.com/brighton 

01 November – 06 November 2021                           0844 871 7615 

Bromley Churchill Theatre                                       churchilltheatre.co.uk 

08 November – 13 November 2021                           020 3285 6000 

Leeds Grand Theatre                                                leedsheritagetheatres.com 

23 November – 27 November 2021                           0113 243 0808 

SENSATIONAL CAST SET TO BRING A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS TO CURVE IN

A CHORUS LINE

Directed by Nikolai Foster

Choreography by Ellen Kane

Featuring Adam Cooper as Zach and Carly Mercedes Dyer as Cassie

Curve theatre in Leicester has today revealed the full cast of its Christmas musical A Chorus Line, including world famous dancer Adam Cooper and West End and Curve favourite Carly Mercedes Dyer.

Adam will play the role of Zach, the director / choreographer responsible for putting the performers through their paces in the show’s audition. Having gained acclaim for creating the lead role of the Swan/Stranger in Matthew Bourne’s production of Swan Lake – a role he also performed in the 2000 film Billy Elliot as the adult Billy – Adam is internationally renowned as a musical theatre performer, dancer and choreographer.

Carly Mercedes Dyer will star alongside Adam as Cassie, an auditionee and Zach’s ex-lover. Carly, who is currently performing in Anything Goesat The Barbican in London, recently appeared in the Curve at Home production of The Color Purpleas Shug Avery, which streamed in Spring 2021, and as Anita in the Made at Curve 2019 production of West Side Story.

A smash-hit Broadway masterpiece, A Chorus Line will run at Curve from 3 to 31 December. The musicalfeatures iconic songs including ‘One’, ‘I Hope I Get It’, ‘Nothing’ and the hit ballad ‘What I Did For Love’.  

The production reunites Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster and Choreographer Ellen Kane, who last worked together on the five-star Made at Curve production of West Side Story.

The cast features a host of familiar faces to Curve, including West Side Story company members Ronan Burns as Bobby Mills, Beth Hinton-Lever as Bebe Benzenheimer, Katie Lee as Kristine Ulrich and Redmand Rance as Mike Costa.

The cast is completed by Emily Barnett-Salter as Sheila Bryant, Bradley Delarosbel as Gregory Gardner, Lizzy-Rose Essin-Kelly as Diana Morales, André Fabien Francis as Richie Walters, Ainsley Hall Ricketts as Paul San Marco, Joshua Lay as Al Deluca, Kanako Nakano as Judy Turner, Hicaro Nicolai as Swing, Jamie O’Leary as Mark Anthony, Tom Partridge as Don Kerr, Rachel Jayne Picar as Connie Wong, Chloe Saunders as Val Clarke, Charlotte Scott as Maggie Winslow and Taylor Walker as Larry.

New York City. 1975. On an empty Broadway stage, 18 performers are put through their paces in the final, gruelling audition for a new Broadway musical. Only eight will make the cut. The audition takes an unexpected turn as the director, Zach, invites the performers to open up about their lives and what brought them into theatre. What follows are searing stories of ambition, childhood, shattered dreams and what it means to follow your dreams onto the stage. The emotional stakes are heightened when Zach’s ex-lover Cassie, fresh from an attempt to make it in Hollywood, wants to audition for the chorus line.

A Chorus Line will have set designed by Grace Smart, musical supervision from David Shrubsole, costume design by Edd Lindley, lighting by Howard Hudson, sound design by Tom Marshall and musical direction by Tamara Saringer. The show is cast by Curve Associate Kay Magson CDG.

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

“Our A Chorus Line company of actors represent the very best talent working in the UK today. Led by our terrific casting director Kay Magson, we are thrilled to have brought together this astonishingly talented group of artists who will ignite this brand-new production, giving our audiences much to celebrate this Christmas.

“Just as the original production of A Chorus Line gave voice to the incredible performers who make every show possible, this cracking company of actors will rediscover this classic musical afresh. The incomparable Carly Mercedes Dyer and majestic Adam Cooper lead an outstanding cast, who will literally blow the roof off Curve this Christmas.

“We are looking forward to welcoming our communities and audiences from across the UK for a very special Christmas at Curve, with A Chorus Line’s astonishing Marvin Hamlisch score and Ellen Kane’s heart-stopping choreography.”

A Chorus Line was created by Michael Bennett, who used real-life testimonies from chorus dancers to celebrate the lives of theatre’s unsung heroes. The musical has a book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban,

Tickets for A Chorus Line at Curveare on sale now. To find out more and book tickets, visit www.curveonline.co.uk

A CHORUS LINE

Conceived & Originally Directed & Choreographed by Michael Bennett
Book by James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante
Music by Marvin Hamlisch Lyrics by Edward Kleban
Co-choreographed by Bob Avian

Original Broadway Production produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival. Joseph Papp, Producer, in association with Plum Productions, Inc

A Chorus Line is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk

Mayflower Theatre Southampton  – until 4 September 2021

Reviewed by Jo Gordon

5*****

All stand for Queen Dolly! I have been waiting to see this for a long time, I’m a huge fan of Dolly Parton, having even ticked DollyWood off my must do list ( that’s a whole different review!). Finally it happened and I was not disappointed. 

Firstly, how fabulous to see the theatre at full capacity, some kind of normality finally in very uncertain times! There was a definite split of those who know 9 to 5 from the 1980 film and those, like my daughter who’s knowledge stops at Dollys hit of the same name so viewing the production with fresh eyes. 

Set in the 80’s, it’s a story of three women’s struggle with their outrageously sexist, all round slimeball boss and the general misogynistic office culture of the time. After a slip up with rat poison in his coffee, the three workmates come up with a plan to bring him down a peg or two and hopefully liberate the women in the office. 

Hilarity ensues as they partake in kidnap, while running the business to hide his disappearance and discovering his dodgy dealings that could be the key to his downfall. 
The cast were outstanding, Louise Redknapp  as Violet, Vivian Panka as Judy and Stephanie Chandos as Doralee portrayed the three strong willed women beautifully with superb vocals and comedic timing.  Julia J Nagle as Roz and Sean Needham as Franklin were side splittingly funny, who’s scenes together were definitely some of my favourite parts. 

So tumble outta bed and stumble to the theatre ( sorry, it had to be done!) and enjoy a funny, toe tapping production worthy of a full five stars.

A HUGE AUTUMN OF STREAMING:  
MY NIGHT WITH REG, LADY CHATTERLEY’S LOVER, BEAM: 2021, WALLACE AND GROMIT AND MANY MORE EXCLUSIVE SHOWS ADDED TOstream.theatre

stream.theatre have put over one hundred performances on sale with 8 exclusive new titles and even more to be announced in the coming weeks. 

The Turbine Theatre’s critically acclaimed revival of MY NIGHT WITH REG, the award-winning play by Kevin Elyot, premieres on Thursday 16^th September – a ‘charged, enthralling watch’ (Whatsonstage) set against the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic. Drama fans will also enjoy LOOK, NO HANDS, a new play from Lila Clements filmed last month at The Pleasance, exploring a real-life story of hope and survival. 

There is a huge amount for new musical fans too: brand new West End musical LADY CHATTERLEY’S LOVER, filmed at the Shaftesbury Theatre and based on the classic D.H.Lawrence novel, makes it digital premiere on 15^th October. stream.theatre is proud to be the digital partner of BEAM 2021 – shining a light on 38 new British musicals and the STILES & DREWE BEST NEW SONG PRIZE both from September 10^th.  Also direct from the West End comes RIDE: A NEW MUSICAL starring Gemma Sutton and Bronte Barbè, and THE DISTANCE YOU HAVE COME, a song-cycle from award winning composer Scott Alan. 

Finally, keep a look out for that penguin, WALLACE & GROMIT IN CONCERT makes its digital premiere, filmed with a live orchestra and guest starring Shaun the Sheep. A fantastic treat for the whole family.  

NEW LISTINGS:

RIDE: A New Musical Workshop Production (On Demand 24 August – 21 September)

One woman. One bicycle. One hell of a story. It’s 1895 and Annie Londonderry has returned victorious to America, hailed as the first woman to ever cycle around the world. She’s pioneering, she’s plucky, and she’s pitching her story to the New York World. But she can’t do it alone. Joined at the eleventh hour by unwitting secretary Martha Smith, the two begin to share Annie’s unbelievable adventures. But before long, the cracks begin to show, and Annie is forced to confront a past she’d rather leave unexplored.The incredible true story of a young woman with big plans, and an even bigger imagination bursts into life in this new musical.

The Distance You Have Come (2-12 September, with UK and US timings)

Every day we each make a series of decisions, some big and some small but all that shape our future. We are all on a journey of self-discovery, juggling life, love and loss along the way. We all have to choose the steps we take and will each meet people who will change our path forever. In a song cycle of his most acclaimed works, sung by some of the best voices in the west end, award winning composer and lyricist Scott Alan leads us through a year in the intertwined lives of six people facing the joy and heartache of the human experience, as they each search for their own version of happiness – which is, after all, what it’s all about. This phenomenal cast features Andy Coxon (West Side Story, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical); Alice Fearn (Come From Away, Wicked); Adrian Hansel (Starlight Express, Hairspray); Emma Hatton (Evita, Wicked); Dean John- Wilson (Kind and I, Aladdin) and Maiya Quansah-Breed (Six, Rent).

Wallace and Gromit: In Concert (On Demand 3-26 September)

A cracking, award-winning orchestral show for the whole family! Join everyone’s favourite dynamic duo for a special screening of The Wrong Trousers with live orchestra. Alongside classic Aardman clips – including Shaun the Sheep – and accompanied by classical and popular music, watch as Wallace prepares to perform his musical marvel, My Concerto in Ee Lad, with help from his faithful canine companion, Gromit… what could possibly go wrong?! 

“Absolutely perfect in every way – it hits all the right notes!”

“Brilliant show for all ages”

“The accompanying live music was brilliantly timed. The swell of the violins as villainous penguin Feathers McGraw looked menacingly at Gromit had us all on the edge of our seats and the eerie bass notes of the brass, string and woodwind instruments added tension, film- noir style. As the credits rolled, the orchestra’s rousing rendition of the Wallace and Gromit theme tune brought the house down. It has been 30 years since the hapless, tank-top wearing inventor and his plucky pooch first hit our screens, but their antics are still a delight. A grand day out indeed.” 

***** Liverpool Echo

BEAM & Stiles and Drewe New Song Contest (10 September)

Shining a light on new British musical theatre, BEAM, the UK’s biggest showcase of new musical theatre, returns after BEAM2020 was postponed, in a new live and digital all-day event on Friday 10th September.  BEAM is for anyone interested in musicals, and you can attend in person at Hackney Empire or online with stream.theatre – we’ll be live streaming the whole event.

BEAM features presentations of new musicals in development from throughout the UK, including ideas ranging from daytime bhangra raves to climate change told as a love story, from challenging the UK’s hostile environment policy to singing lesbian pirates.  The 38 new musicals, found via a nationwide call-out, will be presented in live or digital form, and in the evening the Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize concert will take place in a huge day celebrating new musicals.

BEAM is produced by Mercury Musical Developments and Musical Theatre Network, with funding and support from Arts Council England, the PRS Foundation, the Coach Jack Curran Trust, Youth Music and the Coral Samuel Charitable Foundation.

My Night With Reg (16-26 September, On Demand 27 September – 23 October)

The Turbine Theatre proudly presents Kevin Elyot’s award-winning comedy My Night with Reg in a dazzling new revival this summer, directed by Matt Ryan. 

The play won the 1995 Olivier Award for Best Comedy after its transfer from the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs to the West End’s Criterion Theatre in its original run.

Set in Guy’s London flat, old friends and new gather to party through the night. This is the summer of 1985 and, for Guy and his circle, the world is about to change forever, thanks to the mounting AIDS crisis. This award winning comedy captures the fragility of friendship, happiness and life itself.

Waiting in the Wings (LIVE on Friday 24 September)

Back by popular demand, a cast of West End Stars return to bring you a repertoire of songs from the musicals, performed LIVE from the Tyne Theatre and Opera House with an auditorium audience and streamed direct to your homes! This show will see a West End Cast take to the stage!

Our West End Cast Includes: Rachel Spurrell (Mary Poppins, The Phantom of The Opera, Billy Elliot) Kris Manuel (The Phantom of The Opera, Matilda, Starlight Express) Nathan Elwick (Sweeney Todd, Young Frankenstein) Kay Milbourne (Mamma Mia!, Billy Elliot) 2 Tom Bales (Hair, The Boy Friend) Jess Daley (Evita) Our show will also feature performances from West End Prep and two 2020 Musical Theatre Graduates who entered our search for a star competition, Lucy Davis (SA Performing Arts Centre) & Joely Colleen Emms (London School of Musical Theatre).

ROLES WE’LL NEVER PLAY (On Sale 6 September)
Concert  1: 24^th – 26^th September
Concert 2: 1^st – 3^rd October 

Tom Duern presents, Roles We’ll Never Play filmed Live from The Vaudeville Theatre.

Roles We’ll Never Play, the West End’s only miscast show sees two star studded casts singing songs outside of their casting brackets. Joined by a 6 piece band, a line up filled to the brim with West End loyalty, taking on the roles they’ll never play!Expect jaw dropping performances and power house vocals throughout!

Look, No Hands (27 September – 10 October, On Demand 11 October – 7 November)

When Vee embarks on her cycling commute, she has no idea that she’ll never make it home.

Appearing in a Nightingale Court to face the driver – suffering from amnesia, armed only with her hospital notes, a surprise appearance on 24 Hours in A&E and a bag of ripped clothes – she tries to piece together what happened to her An uplifting story of hope and survival, this new play explores the female cycling experience and the phenomenon known as post-traumatic growth.

Inspired by a real-life cycling collision experienced by writer-director Lila Clements in 2010.

Recipient of the 2021 National Partnership Award with Pitlochry Festival Theatre, supported by the William Syson Foundation.

INTERMISSIONS 
Episode 1: 8th – 10th October 
Episode 2: 15th – 17th October 
Episode 3: 22nd – 24th October 
Episode 4: 29th – 31st October 
Episode 5: 5^th-7^th November
Episode 6: 12^th-14^th November

Alice Fearn and her team are proud to be bringing the entire Intermissions series to stream.theatre this autumn, where all episodes will appear together for the first time, including our fabulous Christmas Special and the never before seen Intermissions Live!, filmed at the Vaudeville Theatre this Spring. Featuring a mix of chat and music, Intermissions boasts appearances from some of your favourite west-end stars including Sam Tutty, Samantha Barks, Shan Ako, Rob Houchen, Trevor Dion Nicholas and Kimberly Walsh. In an exclusive for steam.theatre, all episodes will also featured brand new interviews with Alice and the Intermissions Team as they reflect on the project a year on. Not to be missed!

Lady Chatterley’s Lover (15-31 October, On Demand 1-7 November

A new musical adaptation of D.H. Lawrence’s infamous literary classic, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, will receive a strictly limited West End premiere this summer. Crafted by composer John Robinson (Behind the Iron Mask, Duchess Theatre; Closer to the Sun, Harold Pinter Theatre), this world premiere will reenergise Lawrence’s sensation for a new audience.

The impassioned tale of female agency and Lady Chatterley’s pursuit of a life more than half-lived changed the literary landscape of Britain. Banned as scandalous erotica when first published and subject of a watershed obscenity trial, Lawrence’s text caused outrage not just because of the expletives and explicit sexual relationship, but because it presented a physical relationship that traversed social class divides. This intense and fiery classic will find new frenzied power in its translation to the stage.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover is directed by the award-winning Sasha Regan with production design by Andrew Exeter

The Theatre Channel  (On Demand) 

The Theatre Channel is a one-of-a-kind series that stages and films some of the most iconic and celebrated musical theatre songs of all time. Each song is performed by legendary UK and international stars of stage and screen, while all being filmed on location at The Theatre Café and in the heart of London’s West-End.

Streamed straight to the comfort of your home, grab the popcorn and watch a star-studded line up perform your musical favourites as you’ve never seen them before. If you’ve missed the magic of theatre this year, look no further!

Watch stars of Six, & Juliet, Heathers: The Musical, Hamilton, Les Mis, Waitress, Kinky Boots and many more! Each of our uniquely themed episodes offer you a brand-new collection of stagey hits every single time, with an exclusive behind the scenes interview at the end of each episode, giving viewers an extra look into how the Theatre Channel comes together.

You’ll be left with no choice but to hit the replay button

WICKED CONFIRMS LONDON CAST

Tony & Olivier Award-winning musical resumes

performances 15 September 2021

Sophie Evans joins returning cast to play Glinda

www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

Wicked, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is pleased to confirm the returning cast that will lead the award-winning production back into London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre where it resumes performanceson Wednesday 15 September 2021.

Joining the returning cast willbe Sophie Evans, who previously played Glinda from 2017-2019, and will star opposite Laura Pick, who continues her acclaimed performance as Elphaba. Charli Baptie, who appeared in the UK & Ireland Tour, will be Standby for Glinda. Joining the ensemble are Nick Len (The King & I, London Palladium), Emmie Ray (a graduate of Bird College) and Natalie Spriggs (Thoroughly Modern Millie, UK Tour). Former ensemble cast members returning include Lauren Brooke (London), Grace Chapman (UK & International Tour), Conor Crown (London), Joseph Fletcher (London), Fraser Fraser (London), Will Lucas (London), Stacey McGuire (London, UK & International Tour) and Samantha Thomas (London).

The re-opening cast will include: Laura Pick (Elphaba), Sophie Evans* (Glinda), Alistair Brammer (Fiyero), Kim Ismay (Madame Morrible), Andy Hockley (The Wizard), Simeon Truby (Doctor Dillamond), Carina Gillespie (Nessarose), Nicholas McLean (Boq), Amy Webb (Standby for Elphaba), Charli Baptie** (Standby for Glinda), Meg Astin, Rebecca Botterill, Lauren Brooke, Grace Chapman***, Michael Colbourne, Conor Crown, Lewis Easter, Nolan Edwards, Joseph Fletcher, Fraser Fraser, Rebecca Gilliland, Lucie Horsfall, Nick Len, Will Lucas, Nicole Lupino, Stuart Maciver, Carl Man, Rhidian Marc, Jessica-Alice McCluskey, Stacey McGuire, Emmie Ray, Natalie Spriggs, Scott Sutcliffe, Genevieve Taylor, Samantha Thomas****, Grant Thresh, James Titchener, Libby Watts, Chiarina Woodall and Tom Woollaston. Cast subject to change.

*Maternity cover for Helen Woolf  **Maternity cover for Lisa-Anne Wood  ***Maternity cover for Maggie Lynne   ****Maternity cover for Joanna Sawyer

Tickets are now on sale for all performances from Wednesday 15 September 2021 to Sunday 22 May 2022. Wicked will play Tuesday-Saturday evenings at 7.30pm with matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm. Visit www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk for information and tickets.

Wicked will mark its 15^th anniversary at the Apollo Victoria Theatre on Tuesday 28 September 2021.

Wicked UK Executive Producer Michael McCabe said: 

“As we work towards the much-anticipated return of Wicked to the Apollo Victoria Theatre, where we resume performances on 15 September, we’re pleased to welcome back so many of the cast – led by the fantastic Laura Pick as Elphaba – whose time with the show was curtailed by the shutdown of the theatre industry in March 2020, and grateful that they all agreed to extend their contracts until 30 January 2022. We then look forward to welcoming many new cast members at the beginning of February next year as part of our continuing journey towards widening access to the show, platforming diverse talent and establishing a more inclusive and respectful workplace. We are also very pleased to share the news of the appointment of Christina Alexander as Wicked’s Global Director of Social Responsibility, who will be guiding us as we continue to listen and learn.”

Sophie Evans (Glinda) said:

“Playing Glinda in the West End for two years was a dream come true and I am overjoyed to be given the opportunity to play this iconic role again. To be able join all of the returning cast bringing this incredible show back to London is an absolute thrill for me.”

Sophie Evans (Glinda) returns to the London production having previously played ‘Glinda’ to huge acclaim in 2017-19. Born in Tonypandy in the Rhondda Valleys, Sophie was a finalist in the BBC’s Over The Rainbow and subsequently made her West End debut, aged 17, as the Alternate ‘Dorothy’ in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium in 2011 (from February-September 2012 she played the role of ‘Dorothy’ full-time). During this time, Sophie featured in Dare To Dream: The Sophie Evans Journey, for ITV Wales,documenting her incredible journey from Over The Rainbow to her debut at the London Palladium. She went on to play ‘Erin The Goddess’ in Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance in London, on Broadway and on North American Tour, culminating in an engagement at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. She has appeared extensively in concert around the world, most recently in The Best of the West End at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Earlier this year she released the album ‘Chasing Rainbow’s, Finding Judy’ together with Lauren Samuels (her friend and fellow contestant on Over The Rainbow). She trained at ArtsEd.

Wicked has music and lyrics by the legendary composer Stephen Schwartz (whose enduringly popular musical Godspell is currently celebrating its 50^th Anniversary) and is written by Winnie Holzman, creator of the landmark American television series My So-Called Life. It is based on Gregory Maguire’s multi-million-copy bestseller, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.

Wicked imagines a beguiling backstory and future possibilities to the lives of L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and reveals the decisions and events that shape the destinies of two unlikely university friends on their journey to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Already the 9^th longest-running West End musical of all time, “the wildly popular revisionist spin on The Wizard of Oz” (Evening Standard)has been seen by over 10 million people in London alone and played almost 6000 performances. The iconic musical is the winner of over 100 major international awards, including three Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy Award and ten theatregoer voted WhatsOnStage Awards (including three for ‘Best West End Show’).

Wicked has music and lyrics by multi-Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy Award winner Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, The Prince of Egypt; Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Enchanted) and is based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and written by Winnie Holzman. Musical staging is by Tony Award-winner Wayne Cilento with direction by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello.

Wicked is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone. Executive Producer (UK) Michael McCabe.

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire is published in the UK by Headline (the book is recommended for readers aged 16+). Wicked: The Grimmerie, a behind-the-scenes look at the musical by David Cote, is published in the UK by Hyperion.

The Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wilton Road, London SW1V 1LG

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

Twitter: @WickedUK  |  Facebook: /WickedUK  |  Instagram: @WickedUK

Audience Protocols

The Apollo Victoria Theatre, owned and operated by the Ambassador Theatre Group, will maintain stringent public health and COVID-secure audience protocols throughout the venue.

On arrival, as well as showing an eTicket, audience members over 18 will be required to show an

NHS COVID Pass* detailing either Full Vaccination, a Negative PCR/LF test OR Natural Immunity.

The venue will also be operating cashless payments, in-seat ordering and enhanced

cleaning, with Hand Sanitiser stations also available for public use.

All theatre staff will be wearing face coverings and it will be expected that audiences wear face

coverings when entering and moving around the venue and while seated.

For full information, please visit www.atgtickets.com/help/health-and-safety/

*Or equivalent documentation issued in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or Non-UK.

SHAKESPEARE IN ITALY PRESENTS 

A MERCHANT OF VENICE   

A NEW SIX CHARACTER VERSION OF THE RENOWNED SHAKESPEARE PLAY 

ADAPTED & DIRECTED BY THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING  

BILL ALEXANDER 

RUNNING AT THE PLAYGROUND THEATRE  

FROM 10 NOVEMBER – 4 DECEMBER 2021 

Bill Alexander, the critically acclaimed and award-winning Shakespearian director, well known for his tenures at the RSC and Birmingham Rep, and his Best Director Olivier Award for The Merry Wives of Windsor, has adapted and will direct an all-new version of William Shakespeare’s notable play, The Merchant of Venice.  

This new modern-day adaptation, entitled A Merchant of Venice, which focuses on the tortured nature of love at the inner core of Shakespeare’s play, runs at The Playground Theatre from 10 November – 4 December 2021, with press night on Monday 15 November. Casting and further creatives will be announced in due course. 

Bill Alexander, adaptor and director of A Merchant of Venice said, “One can get obsessed with a particular work of art and I confess that obsession is the only way to describe my relationship to The Merchant of Venice. 

I have directed it twice professionally, twice at drama schools, and taught and lectured on it often. When working on select scenes, it began to occur to me that there was an inner play about a small network of relationships that was the core of the bigger play that wrestles with huge themes of Justice and Mercy, Marriage and Money, Race and Class, and it is this inner core, essentially about the tortured nature of Love, that my production for Shakespeare in Italy at The Playground Theatre will focus on. 

My version of the play, entitled A Merchant of Venice, focuses on just six key characters whose entangled loves, desires and fortunes hinge on a better understanding of themselves and their relation to each other in the blackly comic world of a modern Venice, the sublime and terrible Serenissima.” 

York Theatre Royal- until 4 September 2021

Reviewed by Katie Goldsbrough 

5*****

Educating Rita written by Willy Russell 40 years ago tells the story of Rita (Jessica Johnson) and her search for meaning in life. She is a 32-year-old married woman with no children looking for her purpose. She decides to try education and enrols in the open university. This is how she meets Frank, (Stephen Tompkinson) who becomes her tutor. 

Coming from an uneducated, working-class background Rita begins to learn from Frank, despite his initial reluctance to teach her. Much preferring to be alone in his office drinking than really helping his students we begin to see him being won over by Rita. Frank begins to care about Rita, who we see develop as a person and gain the meaning she has been looking for throughout the play. They form a wholesome bond, which is refreshing to see in a play featuring just 2 cast members, one male and one female as their relationship remains platonic and they build a heart-warming friendship.

The sense of humour both characters possess is apparent from the start and they will have you laughing from beginning to end.  Despite this being predominantly a comedy there are also emotional moments where you really feel for the characters and what they are going through in their personal lives, helping the audience understand and empathise with them both, wanting them to be happy and successful.  The play takes place solely in the confines of Franks office, which is well utilised throughout and doesn’t leave you feeling like you need to see the characters elsewhere, this is where their relationship begins and ends. 

Stephen Tompkinson, best known for Drop the Dead Donkey, Brassed Off and much more gives a fantastic five-star performance transforming into his character. Jessica Johnson has an excellent introduction in to theatre really making the audience feel for and route for Rita. 

Overall, this is a lovely story about someone choosing to better themselves despite struggling earlier in life, it is performed extremely well and at just 1hr 35 minutes with no interval you are able to follow the story continuously without interruption.

FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

LOVE AND OTHER ACTS OF VIOLENCE

With the critically acclaimed Constellations by Nick Payne currently running at the Vaudeville Theatre, Michael Longhurst, Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, today announces further casting for Cordelia Lynn’s Love and Other Acts of Violence¸ which marks the venue’s reopening following its completion of essential building works. Elayce Ismail directs Tom Mothersdale (Him/Man) joining the previously announced Richard Katz (Tatte)and Abigail Weinstock (Her/Baba). The production opens on 14 October, with previews from 7 October, and runs until 27 November.

The season continues with Rory Kinnear in Tim Price’s new stage adaptation of Ruben Östlund’s award-winning comedy film Force Majeure, directed by Michael Longhurst, 10 December 2021 – 5 February 2022. Then, 11 February – 9 April 2022, Kit Harington stars in Shakespeare’s Henry V, directed by Donmar Associate Director Max Webster; concluding with Marys Seacole by Jackie Sibblies Drury, and directed by Nadia Latif, 15 April – 4 June 2022.

Donmar Warehouse presents

The World Première of

LOVE AND OTHER ACTS OF VIOLENCE

By Cordelia Lynn

Directed by Elayce Ismail;Designer: Basia Bińkowska; Lighting Designer: Joshua Pharo

Sound Designer: Richard Hammarton; Movement Director: Yarit Dor

Casting Director Anna Cooper CDG

7 October – 27 November 2021

“There is a war coming…. A war that will last for a hundred years….

I think it is already here. I think we’ve been fighting it a long time”

A young Jewish physicist and an activist poet meet at a party and fall in love. As society splinters around them, the couple’s struggle to survive erupts into violence.

Cordelia Lynn’s new play is a subversive and intimate love story about inheritance and the cycles of politics and history.

Cordelia Lynn was commissioned by the Donmar Warehouse to write Love and Other Acts of Violence as the recipient of the 2020 Berwin Lee Award. Her playwrighting credits include Fragments, a short play for Five Plays (Young Vic), Hedda Tesman (Headlong/Chichester Festival Theatre/The Lowry), Three Sisters (Almeida Theatre), Confessions, a short play for Power Plays (Theatre Uncut/Traverse Theatre/Bristol Old Vic), Best Served Cold (VAULT Festival) and Believers Anonymous (Rosemary Branch Theatre). Her opera and vocal credits include A Photograph (Oxford Lieder Festival), Heave (IRCAM/Festival de Royaumont), Miranda (Opera Comique, Paris) and You’ll Drown Dear (IRCAM/Manifeste, Paris). In 2017, she received the Harold Pinter Commission to write One for Sorrow for the Royal Court, where her first play Lela & Co premiered in 2015, having won the Jerwood New Playwright commission.

Richard Katz plays Tatte. His theatre credits include The Soldier’s Tale (Hallé Orchestra), Blindness and Seeing, Peer Gynt, Romeo and Juliet, As You Like it, The Comedy of Errors, The Drunks, Silence, The Winter’s Tale and Pericles (RSC), Bartholomew Fair, The Merry Wives of Windsor, As You Like It, Hamlet, Nell Gwynn, The Golden Ass (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Divide, The Lorax (The Old Vic), The Encounter (Complicité international tour/ John Golden Theatre), Mnemonic, The Noise of Time, Measure For Measure, Master & Margarita (Complicité), 1984 (Playhouse Theatre), War Horse (National Theatre/New London Theatre), Spyski (Peepolykus) and An Oak Tree (Birmingham Rep). His television credits include MotherFatherSon, A Discovery of Witches, Taboo, Ambassadors, The Honourable Woman, Privates, Thank God You’re Here, The Omid Djalili Show, Hogfather and The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby; and for film, The Infiltrator, Guardians of the Galaxy, Sixty Six and Enigma. 

Tom Mothersdale plays Him/Man. His theatre credits include Out West: Blue Water and Cold and Fresh, A Thousand Stars Explode Under the Sky (Lyric Hammersmith), The Cherry Orchard (Young Vic), Richard III, Boys, The Glass Menagerie (Headlong), Glass. Kill. Bluebeard. Imp, The Woods (Royal Court Theatre), Dealing with Clair (Orange Tree Theatre), John, Cleansed (National Theatre) and Oil (Almeida Theatre). His television credits include War of the Worlds, A Discovery of Witches, Van Der Valk, Treadstone, Hanna, Electric Dreams, King Charles III and Peaky Blinders; and for film, Overlord.

Abigail Weinstock playsHer/Baba marking her professional stage debut. She has performed her own comedy at the Edinburgh Festival and venues including Soho Theatre and the Pleasance; she was runner up at the UK Jewish Comedian of the Year in 2017. Weinstock was recently longlisted for the Screenshot Comedy Writer/Performer Competition run by Sister Global and Olivia Colman.

Elayce Ismail directs. Her theatre credits include Shedding a Skin (Soho Theatre), Nanjing (Shakespeare’s Globe), If Not Now, When? (National Theatre), Under Milk Wood, The War of the Worlds (Northern Stage), Girls (Soho Theatre/HighTide Festival/British Council Edinburgh Showcase), The Rise and Shine of Comrade Fiasco, Chorus and Spooky Action at a Distance (Gate Theatre), The Lost Ring (Deutsches Theater, Berlin) and Stay Another Song (Young Vic). Her opera credits include, as creator and librettist, Our Dark Side and The Moon (Royal Opera House); as director, They Whisper Don’t Gaze at the Stars…(ENO) and 4:48 Psychosis (Opéra national du Rhin/ Royal Opera House). As associate/ assistant director, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Opéra Orchestre national Montpellier) and The Virtues of Things (Royal Opera House). She is the Artistic Associate at Music Theatre Wales and has previously been the Head of New Work (maternity cover) at the Donmar Warehouse, the inaugural RTYDS Associate Director at Northern Stage, and a Resident Director at the National Theatre as the recipient of the JP Morgan Award for Emerging Directors.

LOVE AND OTHER ACTS OF VIOLENCE LISTINGS

Donmar Warehouse, 41 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9LX

7 October – 27 November 2021

Captioned: 8 November 2021 at 7.30pm

Audio-Described: 6 November 2021 at 2.30pm, touch tour at 1pm

British Sign Language Interpreted: 15November 2021 at 7.30pm 

Box Office: www.donmarwarehouse.com / 020 3282 3808

PERFORMANCE TIMES

Evenings Mon – Sat: 7.30pm

Matinees Thu & Sat: 2.30pm

TICKET PRICES

£45 | £32.50 | £20 | £10

PREVIEW PRICES – 7, 8, 9 & 11 October

£42.50 | £30 | £17.50 | £10

YOUNG+FREE

YOUNG+FREE tickets for 16-25 year olds released by ballot. Sign up at www.donmarwarehouse.com.

Generously supported by IHS Markit.

DONMAR DAILY

New tickets on sale every day at the Donmar. Allocations of tickets from £10 will be made available every day for performances 7 days later. Tickets will be available across the auditorium at every price band.

STANDING TICKETS

£10 standing tickets available from two weeks in advance 10am online, by phone and in person. (Except Press Nights. Subject to availability)

ACCESS

The Donmar Warehouse is fully wheelchair accessible. Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome in the auditorium. There is a Loop system and a Radio Frequency system fitted in the main auditorium and there are also hearing loops at all the front of house counters.

ASSISTED PERFORMANCES

If you require a companion to attend the Donmar, their ticket will be free. To book call 020 3282 3808 or email [email protected].

For all other access enquiries or bookings call 020 3282 3808.

SEASON AT A GLANCE:

SEARCH PARTY

21 – 25 September 2021

LOVE AND OTHER ACTS OF VIOLENCE

7 October – 27 November 2021

Captioned: 8 November at 7.30pm

Audio-Described: 6 November at 2.30pm, touch tour at 1pm

British Sign Language Interpreted: 15November at 7.30pm 

FORCE MAJEURE

10 December 2021 – 5 February 2022

Captioned: 24 January at 7.30pm

Audio-Described: 29 January at 2.30pm, touch tour at 1pm

British Sign Language Interpreted: 31 January at 7.30pm 

HENRY V

11 February – 9 April 2022

Captioned: 28 March at 7.30pm

Audio-Described: 2 April at 2.30pm, touch tour at 1pm

British Sign Language Interpreted: 26 March at 2.30pm 

MARYS SEACOLE

15 April – 4 June 2022

Captioned: 23 May at 7.30pm

Audio-Described: 21 May at 2.30pm, touch tour at 1pm

British Sign Language Interpreted: 30 May at 7.30pm

The season is presented in partnership with Wessex Grove.

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED

FOR THE RETURN OF

SUSAN HILL’S

THE WOMAN IN BLACK

AT THE FORTUNE THEATRE

TERENCE WILTON TO STAR AS

‘ARTHUR KIPPS’

AND

MAX HUTCHINSON TO STAR AS

‘THE ACTOR’

PW Productions are delighted to announce the full cast for the return of Susan Hill’s THE WOMAN IN BLACK at The Fortune Theatre, London. Terence Wilton and Max Hutchinson will return to the show from Tuesday 7 September as ‘Arthur Kipps’ and ‘The Actor’ respectively.

The producers are thrilled that in response to the show’s enduring popularity with young people, those aged 18 and under will be able to see the West End production free of charge, alongside each full paying adult ticket.

Having previously played the role of ‘Arthur Kipps’ at the Fortune Theatre in 2017 and at the start of 2020, Terence Wilton returns to the show this year. His other West End credits include “Never So Good” at the National Theatre, “Treatment” at the Donmar and “War Music” and “Antony and Cleopatra” at the Old Vic. Terence has also performed “The Taming of the Shrew” at the Royal Shakespeare Company among many other productions with the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon, London and on tour. His television credits include BBC One’s “The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries” and “Doctor Who” and ITV’s “The Forsyte Saga”.

Returning to the role of ‘The Actor’, Max Hutchinson’s recent theatre credits also include “The 39 Steps” at the Barn Theatre and Theatre Royal Windsor, “The Hound of the Baskervilles” and “The Notorious Mrs Ebbsmith” at Jermyn Street Theatre, and the UK Tour of “Murder On The Nile”. He has also appeared in the films “Dream Horse” and “Downton Abbey”. 

In June 2019 THE WOMAN IN BLACK celebrated its 30^th Anniversary in London’s West End with a special gala performance.

Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s best-selling novel tells the story of a lawyer obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over his family by the spectre of a ‘Woman in Black’. He engages a young actor to help him tell his story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. It begins innocently enough, but as they delve further into his darkest memories, they find themselves caught up in a world of eerie marshes and moaning winds. The borders between make-believe and reality begin to blur and the flesh begins creep.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK is directed by Robin Herford, with designs by Michael Holt and lighting by Kevin Sleep.

LISTINGS

THE FORTUNE THEATRE

Russell Street, London, WC2B 5HH

Performance Times:     Tuesday to Saturday at 8.00pm; Tuesday and Thursday at 3.00pm and Saturday at 4.00pm           

Currently booking until April 2022

www.thewomaninblack.com

@WomaninBlack_UK

LITTLE WOMEN

A MUSICAL BY ALLAN KNEE, MINDI DICKSTEIN & JASON HOWLAND

PREMIERES IN LONDON AT PARK THEATRE,

FROM 11 NOVEMBER FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON

Aria Entertainment, Hope Mill Theatre and Knockhardy Productions, the team that brought you RAGS The Musical, in association with Park Theatre, are delighted to announce that Little Women, the musical based on the critically acclaimed 1868 novel of the same name by Louisa May Alcott, will begin performances at Park Theatre, London on 11 November 2021 for a limited season until 19 December and with an official opening night on 17 November. Little Women has a book by stage and screen writer Allan Knee (Finding Neverland, The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit), lyrics by Mindi Dickstein (lyricist for Benny and Joon, book writer forToy Story – The Musical and book and lyrics for Beasts and Saints), and music by Grammy Award-winner Jason Howland (co-produced The Lonesome West, created Handel’s Messiah Rocks for the Boston Pops, arranger and music supervisor for Beautiful – The Carole King Musical and music director for Les Miserables).

Casting is to be announced.

Little Women follows the adventures of the four March sisters – Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy. Jo, the second eldest of the March daughters and an aspiring writer, receives yet another rejection from a publisher. Her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells Jo she can do better by making her stories more personal. Begrudgingly, Jo weaves the story of how she and her sisters grew up in Civil War America – a tale of self-discovery, heartache, hope and everlasting love.

Little Women was first produced on Broadway in 2005, starring Sutton Foster as Jo. The musical had its UK premiere at Hope Mill Theatre in 2017, produced by Aria Entertainment, Hope Mill Theatre and Knockhardy Productions and directed by Bronagh Lagan.

Little Women at Park Theatre is directed by Bronagh Lagan with set and costume design by Nik Corrall, musical direction by Leo Munby, orchestrations by Andy Collyer, choreography by Sarah Golding, lighting design by Ben M Rogers, sound design by Paul Gavin and casting by Jane Deitch. It is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, Hope Mill Theatre and Knockhardy Productions, in association with Park Theatre. It is co-produced by Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane.

Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Bronagh Lagan said, “Little Women is a show very dear to my heart, being one of four sisters myself. It’s a real privilege bringing this show to London, one which I am very grateful for. Women are still struggling to find true equality in society, it is quite incredible to think that this tale of female empowerment was written over 150 years ago.”

Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment said, “We are all delighted to be bringing this beautiful musical to London after its European premiere in 2017. We hope it will bring much magic and joy to London’s Park Theatre this Autumn and can’t wait to welcome audiences to see it.”

LISTINGS INFORMATION

LITTLE WOMEN

11 November – 19 December

Park200

Park Theatre

Clifton Terrace

Finsbury Park

London

N4 3JP

Box Office:  020 7870 6876*

*Telephone booking fee applies

Tickets: from £18.50

Performances:  Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursday and Saturday at 3pm*

(*Please note, there will be an additional performance on Sunday 19 December at 3pm)

Suitable for 8+

Website: www.parktheatre.co.uk

Twitter: @ParkTheatre

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ParkTheatreLondon

Instagram: @parktheatrelondon