Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham – until Saturday 2 October 2021
4****
Reviewed by Nadia Dodd
As a Rocky Horror virgin, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect last night at the show. Approaching the theatre and the queue towards the entrance, it became apparent that the show is beloved by its devoted fans – and it was clear the fans in Birmingham were all ready to party and be together again.
The audience, that many were dressed to mimic their favourite characters were just waiting with ‘anti…..cipation’ for the show to begin, the first song Science Fiction/Double Feature skyrocketed the energy in the room.
This is a pantomime for adults with the audience heckling the narrator (Philip Franks, Darling Buds of May, Heartbeat) who just did not flinch once and bounced good natured banter back to the audience effortlessly. Applause and laughter echoed around the entire theatre at some of his topical references, Prince Andrew, the fuel shortages and even Boris and wife Carrie.
The story well I’m not entirely sure of the plot but think they get away with it, starting with a young engaged couple Brad and Janet (Ore Oduba, Strictly Come Dancing winner and Haley Flaherty, Mouse Trap), their car breaks down and decide to walk to a nearby spooky looking castle to use their telephone.
Once greeted by Riff Raff (veteran to Rocky Horror Kristan Lavercombe) Brad and Janet are then introduced to Dr Frank N’Furter (Stephen Webb) who played the role sensationally, I never knew a man in a basque and suspenders could look so sexy!
Easily the crowd pleaser was the musical set doing The Timewarp, the audience was on their feet singing and dancing and having an absolute ball.
Further powerful songs come from Usherette/Magenta (Suzie McAdam) and Columbia (Lauren Ingram) who also showed off her amazing breakdancing skills later in the show.
The cast is further complemented by the roles of Eddie/Dr Scott (Joe Allen) and Rocky (Ben Westhead) Ben is also a personal trainer which would explain his body showing muscles where I never knew existed!
The Rocky Horror Show theatre production made its first run in 1973, so we are now fast approaching their 50th anniversary – I think this show will run on indefinitely with such a fan base of all ages it was truly wonderful to see the pure time and effort that these folk had put in on what was a wet and miserable Monday evening.
Highly recommended to any other Rocky Horror virgins out there – come up to the lab and see what’s on the slab yourself!
Wicked, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, tonight (28 September 2021) celebrates 15 years at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre. The award-winning production will play a celebratory performance attended by the composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz together with a host of former cast members.
Composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz said:
“I’m thrilled to be in London and in the audience at the Apollo Victoria Theatre as Wicked celebrates its 15th anniversary. The amazing emotion and euphoria from the audience on the night the show resumed performances on Broadway made clear to us all the magic that only the shared experience of live theatre can deliver. I am so excited to feel the response from London audiences, especially on this landmark occasion, and I very much hope the show will help drive a revitalized West End.”
UK Executive Producer Michael McCabe said:
“On behalf of David Stone, Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions and all of the producers, I would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to all of our exceptionally talented casts, musicians and production staff who have worked so tirelessly and passionately on Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s extraordinary musical since our London premiere in 2006. As we celebrate the incredible milestone of 15 years – as well as the reopening of theatres and return of live performances across the country – we also offer our deepest gratitude to our audiences who have so enthusiastically and unwaveringly supported and championed Wicked since our very first performance.”
Wicked has already been seen by almost 30,000 people across just the 13 performances it has played since resuming performances at the Apollo Victoria Theatre on 15 September 2021. The Broadway production, which will celebrate its 18th Birthday next month, resumed performances the night prior, on 14 September 2021, and the North American Tour, which has to date been seen by more than 20 million people and toured for more than 1,000 weeks, resumed on 3 August 2021.
Over the past 15 years, Wicked has attained many accolades and achieved numerous milestones to become “one of the biggest hits of our age” (The Observer):
Already the 9th longest-running West End musical of all time.
Seen by more than 10 million people in London alone, and 60 million worldwide.
Now the 5th longest running musical currently playing in the West End (alongside Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia! and The Lion King).
Since the London premiere, Wicked has also played two record-breaking tours of the UK & Ireland, collectively seen by nearly 2 million people.
Wicked is the recipient of more than 100 international awards, including two Olivier Awards and 10 theatregoer voted WhatsOnStage Awards (including ‘Best Musical’ and three for ‘Best West End Show’).
Gregory Maguire’s novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, has, to date, sold more than 5 million copies worldwide.
The Platinum-certified, Grammy Award-winning Original Broadway Cast recording has, to date, sold nearly 4 million copies.
The production has nearly 2.3 million fans across its UK and US social channels.
The re-opening London cast features Laura Pick (Elphaba), Sophie Evans* (Glinda), Alistair Brammer (Fiyero), Kim Ismay (Madame Morrible), Andy Hockley (The Wizard), Carina Gillespie (Nessarose), Nicholas McLean (Boq), Simeon Truby (Doctor Dillamond), 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 currently on sale for all performances to Sunday 22 May 2022. Wicked plays 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 has music and lyrics by the legendary composer Stephen Schwartz (whose enduringly popular musical Godspell celebrates the 50th Anniversary of its London premiere at the Roundhouse on 17 November 2021) 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.
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
The arrival of a trio of splashy big new musicals in the West End at roughly the same time – the others being Frozen and the ALW Cinderella – feels both like a brave move by producers but also, most importantly, a triumphant V sign (and I don’t necessarily mean ‘victory’) to the pandemic and the chaos, misery and uncertainty it has caused. The last of the three to open, this hyper-caffeinated stage version of, and homage to, Robert Zemeckis’s beloved 1985 time-travelling, sci-fi comedy, may turn out to be the biggest crowd pleaser of the lot, even if it’s probably the least satisfying when judged by the standards of well-crafted stage musicals.
It is certainly the most astonishing in technical terms: I can’t think of any other show in recent memory that has combined computer generated imagery and physical sets to such overwhelming effect. Throw in a stage revolve in near perpetual motion, and a complex lighting rig that extends outside the proscenium and across the auditorium resembling the innards of a computer crossed with a multiple lightning strike, and you’ve got a visual feast. Then there’s the famed DeLorean car, retooled by eccentric scientist Doc Brown to allow 17 year old Marty McFly to travel back in forth in time to avert potential family disasters in small town America, and it’s quite a sight to behold. The frantic, eye-popping time travel sequence near the end of the show is genuinely thrilling. You’ll believe a car can accelerate to such an degree that it smashes through time, that it can fly and even, in a departure from the movie, that it can talk. Well, a bit.
It says much for the performances of Olly Dobson, hugely likeable in the Michael J Fox role, and especially Broadway veteran Roger Bart, as a joyously eccentric Doc Brown, that the car doesn’t feel like it deserves star billing. Dobson carries the show with considerable charm and a pleasant voice, but Bart is the real deal, in a gorgeously funny display of physical quirks, vocal tics and formidable comic timing. He’s outrageous but with an underpinning of truth that pushes this Doc into the realms of the unforgettable. It’s a masterclass in musical comedy performance, and may even improve upon Christopher Lloyd in the original movie.
There is a lot to love in the supporting cast too: Cedric Neal brings formidable comedy chops, delightful stage presence and a glorious, roof-rattling voice to the Diner owner who ends up Mayor of the local town. Rosanna Hyland does really lovely, subtle (for this show) work as Marty’s Mum, world weary and vodka soaked in the 1980s, plausibly morphing back to a more optimistic but still feisty version of herself in the 50s, and again with a voice to die for. Hugh Coles and Aidan Cutler are great fun as, respectively, Marty’s Dad and the town bully.
Where Back To The Future on stage falters slightly is that, for all the flash and spectacle, it never feels like there was ever a really strong reason to turn it into a musical. Certainly not Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard’s pastiche heavy score, which is enjoyable but largely unmemorable, all the songs paling beside the Huey Lewis classic ‘The Power Of Love’ which brings the house down in the second half. Nor Bob Gale’s script, adapted from the screenplay he co-wrote with Zemeckis, which ensures that the audience get all the big moments, laughs and plot points they paid for but never achieves a distinct theatrical life of its own. It does exactly what it says on the tin, no more, no less, but, like the DeLorean, it has a disconcerting stop-start quality that impedes tension and flow, before suddenly taking flight into moments of sheer exhilaration.
John Rando’s direction doesn’t as yet smoothly marry the hi tech stuff with a cartoony go-for-broke, anything-for-a-laugh aesthetic: it’s like watching two shows pull in different directions at once, the lavish spectacle ultimately winning. Structurally, Back To The Future eschews conventional structure (no opening number, an overly busy first half closer that feels like it should have cropped up half way through the preceding act, the much loved “big number” – the aforementioned ‘Power of Love’ – not ending the show but paving the way for a much less distinguished finale) but doesn’t replace it with anything exciting or even coherent. Tim Hatley’s designs, Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook’s orchestrations, Finn Ross’s video design and, above all, Tim Lutkins’s lighting are all world class however.
The whole show is a technicolour eyeful and, even at West End prices, you’ll really be able to see where your money has gone. If it’s not even the best screen-to-stage adaptation of this year, I’ve still no doubt this will make a lot of people very happy, and will keep the Adelphi nicely filled for quite some time. Also, this must have one of the hardest working stage management teams in London; it’s seriously spectacular and a lot of fun
IT’S THOUGHT-PROVOKING AND AT TIMES HEART-RENDERING”
WRITEBASE
ONE-MAN COMEDY BY JONATHAN HARVEY
TRANSFERS TO LONDON’S TURBINE THEATRE
ANDREW LANCEL STARS IN SWAN SONG DIRECTED BY NOREEN KERSHAW
Following its critically acclaimed sell-out at Liverpool Theatre Festival and Northern tour, Swan Song, a revised comedy by acclaimed playwright Jonathan Harvey, is heading to London for one week only.
Swan Song, a one-man play starring acclaimed stage and screen star Andrew Lancel,directed by BAFTA award-winning director Noreen Kershaw and produced byBill Elms.
The play will open at London’s Turbine Theatre for seven performances from Monday 29 November to Saturday 4 December. The show also performs pre-London dates at The Coro in Ulverston on Friday 19 – Saturday 20 November, a perfect venue due to The Lakes playing an important part within the play.
Swan Song was first staged at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1997, before transferring to Hampstead Theatre with award-winning comedy actress Rebecca Front in the lead role. Jonathan Harvey adapted the 70-minute play specially for Andrew Lancel at Liverpool Theatre Festival to play the solo role of Dave Titswell.
Producer and the artistic director of Liverpool Theatre Festival, Bill Elms said:“Swan Song is a funny, clever and inspiring production which opened the inaugural Liverpool Theatre Festival. Andrew Lancel, Jonathan Harvey, and Noreen Kershaw are an incredible blend of creative talent, and the play went down a storm in Liverpool and on its Northern tour. People are excited for the return of live theatre – and we’re excited to give them that experience back after such a long time with a really special production.”
Swan Song is a bittersweet comedy written by Jonathan Harvey. Set in Liverpool, it is 1997, the world is changing and in the staff room, gay forty-something, English teacher Dave Titswell finds that not all change is welcome. He has a crush, but life, love, and work are never straight forward for Dave. Will a school trip to The Lakes change things for the better, or make things decidedly worse? Swan Song will make audiences laugh, but equally pull at the heartstrings.
Andrew Lancel is well established on the national theatre scene, he is also widely known for his television roles as DI Neil Manson in The Bill and super-villain Frank Foster in Coronation Street. He was three times nominated for a national TV award and won a British Soap Award in 2012 for Coronation Street. He has twice played Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein on stage to great critical acclaim, first in Epstein – The Man Who Made The Beatles (also produced by Bill Elms) which premiered in Liverpool and went on to play London’s West End, as well as playing Epstein in the national tour of Cilla The Musical, Bill Kenwright’s stage adaptation of the TV series written by Jeff Pope. He recently appeared in the Royal Variety Show and Casualty for BBC and has just finished filming The Thief, His Wife And The Canoe for ITV.
Andrew Lancel commented:“I’m thrilled to be finally taking this wonderful play to London. We are a small team but this play just keeps growing and it’s a constant buzz to do. It’s funny, moving and strangely (and sadly) topical. I can’t wait to see London’s reaction to Dave Titswell.”
Award-winning Jonathan Harvey’s credits include Gimme Gimme Gimme; Murder Most Horrid; Coronation Street; Call The Midwife; and Tracey Ullman’s Show. Hisplays include Beautiful Thing, Corrie, Canary, Hushabye Mountain, Babies, Boom Bang A Bang’ and Rupert Street Lonely Hearts Club. He also wrote the 2001 stage musical Closer to Heaven with the Pet Shop Boys and its sequel Muzik. He has won the John Whiting Award, the George Devine Award, two Manchester Evening News Awards, an Evening Standard Award, two British Soap Awards and a Writers Guild of Great Britain Award.
Jonathan added:“Swan Song is a comedy about a teacher who’s trying to hold onto his dignity while the education system crumbles around him – and I’m thrilled Andrew is playing Dave. I’m delighted to also be working with Noreen again, she directed many of my Corrie scripts and Call The Midwife. As the original Shirley Valentine, Noreen definitely knows a thing or two about one person shows.”
Noreen Kershaw’s directing credits include Our Girl, Moving On, Scott & Bailey, Emmerdale, Shameless, Heartbeat and Coronation Street. She is also known for acting in Life On Mars, Brookside, and Watching. Noreen also originated the title role of Willy Russell’s Shirley Valentine at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre.
Facebook: /SwanSongOnStage
Twitter: @SwanSongPlay
Hashtags: #DaveTitswell #SwanSong
LISTING INFORMATION
Andrew Lancel in
SWAN SONG
by Jonathan Harvey
THE CORO
County Square, Cumbria, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 7LZ
HAMPSTEAD THEATRE RELEASES NEW IMAGE FOR MARSHA NORMAN’S ‘NIGHT, MOTHER, FEATURING STOCKARD CHANNING AND REBECCA NIGHT, RUNNING FROM 22 OCTOBER UNTIL 4 DECEMBER 2021
A new image has been released for Hampstead Theatre’s production of the astonishing Pulitzer Prize-winning play ‘night, Mother by Marsha Norman. Featuring Stockard Channing and Rebecca Night, with direction by the theatre’s Artistic Director, Roxana Silbert, ‘night, Mother will run from 22 October until 4 December 2021.
‘night, Mother received its UK Premiere at Hampstead Theatre in 1985, following a smash-hit Broadway debut and four Tony Award nominations.
‘night, Mother,winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (1983) and the Susan Smith Blackburn Award (1982-83), explores a mother and a daughter’s lives, relationships and up-to-the-minute life defining choices with unblinking honesty, raw humour and suspense.
Marsha Norman is a multi-award-winning screenwriter, novelist and playwright. Her other plays include Getting Out and an adaptation of Louise Erdrich’s novel The Master Butchers Singing Club. She won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for The Secret Garden.
“I am worried about you, but I’m going to do what I can before I go. We’re not just going to sit around tonight. I made a list of things.”
Stockard Channing stars as Thelma Cates, who shares the old family home out in the sticks with her daughter Jessie (Rebecca Night). This particularly quiet evening seems no different to any other – one of grocery lists, crochet, television, hot chocolate and caramels. But enough is enough for Jessie and a shattering revelation is in the air. As this may prove to be the last evening they share, it seems they have much to talk about…
Multi Emmy Award winner Stockard Channing plays Thelma. Channing’s screen credits include Grease, The West Wing, The Business of Strangers (which earned her a London Film Critics Circle Award) and Six Degrees of Separation, which earned her both an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination, following an Olivier nomination when she originated the role on stage. Other stage credits include A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (1985), for which she won a Best Actress Tony Award, and Apologia (2018) in London and New York.
Rebecca Night will play the role of Jessie. Rebecca returns to Hampstead Theatre having previously starred in The Meeting (2015) and Terry Johnson’s Prism (2017). Other theatre credits include The Grapes of Wrath (Chichester Festival Theatre) and The Importance of Being Earnest (Vaudeville Theatre). Screen credits include Fanny Hill (2007), Wuthering Heights (2009) and Maigret (2016).
Roxana Silbert is Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre. Previously, she was Artistic Director of Birmingham REP and Paines Plough. She has been Associate Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Literary Director of the Traverse Theatre, and Associate Director at the Royal Court Theatre. ‘night, Mother will be her second Main Stage production as Hampstead’s Artistic Director following the critically acclaimed The Haystack. She has most recently directed Raya Downstairs.
She will be joined by designer Ti Green, lighting designer Rick Fisher, sound designer John Leonard, Voice & Dialect Stephen Kemble and Assistant Director Nikhil Vyas.
Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott Landis GFour Productions, Larry Magid, Tulchin Bartner Productions in association with Jane Bergère
THE SHARK IS BROKEN Written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon
Photo credit: Oliver Rosser
NEW IMAGE AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO RELEASED FOR ‘THE SHARK IS BROKEN’, AS THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SMASH-HIT OF THE 2019 EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE PREPARES TO MAKE WAVES IN THE WEST END.
CO-WRITTEN BY ROBERT SHAW’S SON IAN AND JOSEPH NIXON, THIS BRILLIANTLY FUNNY, DEEPLY MOVING PLAY TAKES AUDIENCES BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE BLOCKBUSTER JAWS.
IAN SHAW WILL PLAY HIS FATHER ROBERT SHAW ALONGSIDE LIAM MURRAY SCOTT AS RICHARD DREYFUSS AND DEMETRI GORITSAS AS ROY SCHEIDER
‘THE SHARK IS BROKEN’ WILL PLAY A STRICTLY LIMITED RUN AT THE WEST END’S AMBASSADORS THEATRE FROM 9 OCTOBER 2021 – 15 JANUARY 2022.
A new image and video has been released today for The Shark is Broken which opens at the Ambassadors Theatre from 9 October 2021. Co-written by Robert Shaw’s son Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, this brilliantly funny play, directed by Guy Masterson, reveals the hilarious and moving behind-the-scenes drama on Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster movie JAWS. The new image and video can be download here.
Ian Shaw (War Horse and Common, National Theatre) plays his father Robert Shaw alongside Liam Murray Scott as Richard Dreyfuss (reprising the role he performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2019), and Demetri Goritsas (ear for eye, Royal Court; Black Mirror, Netflix) as Roy Scheider.
Cape Cod, 1974: shooting on ‘Jaws’ has stalled. The film’s lead actors – Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss – are stuck on a boat, at the mercy of foul weather and a faulty mechanical co-star. Awash with alcohol and ambition, three hammered sharks start to bare their teeth…
The Shark is Broken is written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, directed by Guy Masterson, set and costume are by Duncan Henderson, lighting is by Jon Clark, sound and music are by Adam Cork and video is by Nina Dunn. Casting is by Julia Horan CDG.
Hair, Wigs and Makeup is by Carole Hancock, the Associate Director will be Martha Geelan, the Costume Associate will be Deborah Andrews and the Associate Lighting Designer will be Simisola Majekodunmi.
The production runs in the West End for a strictly limited season from 9 October 2021 – 15 January 2022. Press performances are 19 – 21 October 7.30pm.
A STELLAR LINE-UP OF WEST END PERFORMERS ALONG WITH A HOUSE BAND WILL SHOWCASE THE NEXT GENERATION OF MUSICAL THEATRE WRITING TALENT IN THE CHAMBER MUSICAL SESSIONS CONCERT AT THE GARRICK THEATRE ON MONDAY 4 OCTOBER TO CELEBRATE FIFTEEN OF THE MOST TALENTED NEW WRITING TEAMS IN THE UK
AUDIENCES WILL BE TREATED TO AN EXCLUSIVE FIRST-LISTEN OF ORIGINAL SONGS FROM THE NEW SHOWS THAT ARE BEING WRITTEN IN WHAT PROMISES TO BE A UNIQUE AND UNEXPECTED EVENING OF EXHILARATING AND EXCITING NEW MUSICAL THEATRE
Aria Entertainment and Adam Lenson Productions are delighted to announce a stellar line-up of West End talent who will perform THE CHAMBER MUSICAL SESSIONS CONCERT on Monday 4th October at 7:30pm at the Garrick Theatre in the West End. Performing new musical numbers from the selected fifteen writing teams from across the UK from their chamber musicals, this concert is a celebration of the Aria-ALP Chamber Musical Project, giving audiences an exclusive chance to hear extracts from all of the longlisted shows and get to know this new generation of musical theatre artists.
Joined by a house band, the stellar line-up of West End performers will include Luke Bayer (RENT), Euan Bennett (The Play That Goes Wrong), Christina Bloom (Emilia), Haydn Cox (Dear Evan Hansen), Sophie Golby, Ashley Goh (Shift+Alt+Right), Emma Harding, Benedict Hastings (Wolf Hall), Sophie Holdsworth, Holly-Ann Hull (Les Miserables), Jade Johnson (The Book of Mormon), Emma Kingston (In The Heights), Emelie Odukwe, Charlotte Payne, (Potted Panto), Maiya Quansah-Breed (RENT), Sharon Rose (Hamilton), Evie Rose Lane (Footloose), Robin Simoes Da Silva (Bedknobs and Broomsticks), Joe Thompson-Oubari (Squad Goals) and Guy Woolf.
They will be singing world premiere songs by the following writers and their work: Christina Bloom (Detached), Cordelia O’Driscoll (Bitter/Sweet), Emelie Odukwe and Lily Vincent-Frankland (At The Centre), Freya Catrin Smith and Jack Williams (Echoes), Guy Woof and Isla Van Tricht (How To Save The World), Tommy Antonio and Robert Casey (Harder Baby), Hilmi Jaidin (Clickbait), Jen Green and Caroline Wigmore (Elizabeth Holmes: How to bleed dry in Silicon Valley), Michelle Payne and Craig Webb (Enthusiastically, Yes!), Leo Munby and Annabel Mutale Reed (Eartha, Eddie and The Upside-Down Tree), Natalie Pound, Sam Young and Sam Hoppen (Thanks I’m Cured), Jonathan O’Neill and Isaac Savage (Letting Go), P Burton-Morgan and Robin Simoes Da Silva (Treehouse), Sarah-Louise Young, Richard Link and Paul Chronnell (Escape Room) and finally Eden Tredwell (Open Mic 1803).
These original new works were selected from over 200 applications as part of the Aria/ALP Chamber Project. This is a rare change to see the hits of the future, today in an evening of unexpected, exhilarating and extraordinary new musical theatre.
As previously announced, the two commissioned shows which have been selected as the winners by the Aria-ALP Chamber Musical Project for further development, mentorship and financial support are:
EARTHA, EDDIE, AND THE UPSIDE-DOWN TREE
by Leo Munby & Annabel Mutale Reed A contemporary fairy tale about wishing for love in a world of missed connections.
ECHOES
by Freya Smith & Jack Williams
A new musical about a queer relationship told from two perspectives, in two parts. Agnes and Bea meet unexpectedly and become entangled in a web of lies and deception, while falling in love. Two complex, flawed and relatable young women explore themselves and each other in this new piece which examines themes including sexuality, class and the unreliability of memory.
The commissioning fund was set up as a response to the lack of established British chamber musicals within mainstream publishing and licensing houses and would like to help support UK-based writers in creating content which in the long term could fill these gaps.
Both companies are hugely committed to new musical theatre, evidenced by Aria’s FROM PAGE TO STAGE festival and full-time literary department, and Lenson’s regular SIGNAL concerts. There were over 200 entries for this opportunity with each writing team submitting a pitch and a sample of previous work.
Four stories from the wonderful world of Eric Carle
Wiggling back to the stage next month
for an Autumn/Winter Tour
One of the most iconic characters in children’s literature will wiggle back to the stage next month! Following multiple seasons in London and New York, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show returns for an Autumn/Winter tour, opening at Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 17 October.
A theatrical recreation of Eric Carle’s beautifully imaginative stories, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Showhas become a global sensation.Four master puppeteers weave their way through Eric Carle’s stories, bringing to life a menagerie of 75 enchanting puppets in a magical show that faithfully recreates the wonderfully colourful world of Carle’s illustrations.
The Autumn/Winter tour ofThe Very Hungry Caterpillar Showfeatures four classic titles; Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Lonely Firefly and, of course, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The tour is followed by festive runs of The Hungry Caterpillar Christmas Show at The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury from Wednesday 1 – Saturday 11 December, and Warwick Arts Centre from Monday 13 – Friday 24 December, which replace The Very Lonely Firefly with the festive tale Dream Snow.
Eric Carle’s books have captivated generations of readers with their iconic hand-painted illustrations and distinctively simple stories, introducing millions of children to a bigger, brighter world, and to their first experience of reading itself. Carle has illustrated more than seventy books, most of which he also wrote, and more than 169 million copies of his books have sold around the world.
His best-known work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has nibbled its way into the hearts of millions of children all over the world, and in 2019 celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Since it was first published in 1969 it has been translated into 62 languages and sold over 54 million copies, remaining one of the top ten bestselling children’s books of all time.
The Hungry Caterpillar Show is created by Jonathan Rockefeller and presented by MEI Worldwide, one of the leading independent producers of live family entertainment across Europe, the Asia-Pacific and EMEA. Recent productions include The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show (West End and UK Tour), Twirlywoos Live! (Underbelly Festival and UK Tour) and Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Birthday (Polka Theatre and UK Tour). The cast of actor-puppeteers includes Karyn Claydon, Katie Haygarth, Ben Murrell, Jonathan Norman, Amber-Rose Perry and Adam Ryan.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show firstpremiered in Australia in 2015 before opening in New York at the Acorn Theatre in January 2016. The New York production broke box office records and attracted celebrities with families including Chelsea Clinton, Emily Blunt, Neil Patrick Harris and Diane Sawyer. The show had its West End premiere at the Ambassadors Theatre in December 2016 and has since played multiple seasons in London and across the UK.
Francesca Moody Productions, Soho Theatre and Theatre Royal Plymouth in association with Popcorn Group present:
MUM By Morgan Lloyd Malcolm
NEW TRAILER RELEASED FOR ‘MUM’, A NEW PLAY FROM THE OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING WRITER OF ‘EMILIA’ MORGAN LLOYD MALCOLM AND THE ACCLAIMED PRODUCER OF ‘FLEABAG’ AND ‘BABY REINDEER’ FRANCESCA MOODY.
SOPHIE MELVILLE, DENISE BLACK AND CAT SIMMONS STAR IN THE PRODUCTION WHICH WILL OPEN AT THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH ON 30 SEPTEMBER – 16 OCTOBER BEFORE TRANSFERRING TO SOHO THEATRE FROM 20 OCTOBER – 20 NOVEMBER.
A trailer has been released today for the world premiere of MUM starring Sophie Melville, Denise Black and Cat Simmons. This provocative and unflinching portrayal of early motherhood and mental health, written by Olivier award-winning playwright Morgan Lloyd Malcolm(Emilia, The Globe/ West End) and directed by Abigail Graham (soon to also direct Aladdin at Lyric Hammersmith and The Merchant of Venice at The Globe) will run at Theatre Royal Plymouth from 30 September – 16 October before transferring to Soho Theatre from 20 October – 20 November where it will have a press night on Tuesday 26 October.
This unmissable world premiere is a collaboration between Francesca Moody Productions (original producer of Fleabag, the Olivier award-winning Baby Reindeer, Shedinburgh Fringe Festival and Leopards which is currently playing at the Rose Theatre) and writer Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (whose hit show Emilia won three Olivier Awards in 2020 and whose new punk musical play Typical Girls premieres this month at Sheffield Crucible).
Motherhood. No one can prepare you for it. No matter how much you tell yourself you can do it – can you? Where’s the rush of love? When will you sleep again? What if the thing you fear most is also the thing you crave? All you wanted was one night of unbroken sleep, what have you done?
Nina is a new mum and tonight is her first night off. Tonight is about pizza and wine and letting go. But Nina didn’t feel prepared for motherhood and isn’t sure she fits the job description. Nina feels like she’s losing her grip.
This thought-provoking, funny and honest new play shines a light on early motherhood, anxiety and mental health. MUM examines the pressures and complex emotions many women experience when they have a baby. At a time when mothers have been disproportionally affected by the pandemic, never has it been more pertinent to explore these issues.
MUM is written by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, directed by Abigail Graham, the associate director is TD Moyo, set and costume is designed by Sarah Beaton, lighting by Sally Ferguson, sound by Anna Clock and movement by Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster.
DeNada Dance Theatre and Ballet Cymru return to Leeds
DeNada Dance Theatre | Tuesday 12 October
Ballet Cymru | Thursday 04 November
Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds
The Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre in Leeds is reopening this October with its first full season of dance since 2019. Following the success of their performances in 2018, contemporary dance companies DeNada Dance Theatre and Ballet Cymru will return to the theatre with two brand new productions, each in the city for one night only.
On 12 October 2021 DeNada Dance Theatre will perform transgender tragedy Mariposa, choreographed by Carlos Pons Guerra, alumnus of Leeds’ own Northern School of Contemporary Dance. In this dance reimagining of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly action takes place in the turbulent political repression of post-revolution Cuba, as a local rent boy and a foreign sailor fall ominously in love. Set to an original score by award-winning Spanish composer Luis Miguel Cobo, this new production is an exploration of what we are ready to sacrifice in order to be loved and accepted.
Carlos Pons Guerra says: ‘It is because of the support of [Leeds] organisations – NSCD, Yorkshire Dance, Northern Ballet – that my career took flight, so I feel very humbled that I can share this new work with the city. It is always an honour to perform in Yorkshire, who welcomed me so beautifully over fifteen years ago.’
On 04 November 2021 Critics’ Circle Award-winning Welsh dance company Ballet Cymru also returns with an extraordinary new ballet based on the well-known story Giselle. Choreographed by Darius James OBE and Amy Doughty and featuring a new score by acclaimed composer and harpist Catrin Finch, Ballet Cymru puts their own unique stamp on this tale of love and loss, bringing relevance, poignancy and grittiness to this most romantic ballet.
Darius James OBE says: ‘Ballet Cymru are thrilled to be back touring after such a long break with our new production of Giselle. Catrin Finch has produced a wonderful new score that really looks at this classic tale in a new and exciting way. We just can’t wait to present our young, diverse dancers in this fresh new work.’
Tickets for Mariposa and Giselle at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds are on sale now and can be booked online at theatreleeds.com or by calling the Box Office on 0113 220 8008. Tickets are priced at £19, and there is an age guidance of 12+ for Mariposa due to content of a sexual nature.
