A Thousand Clowns Review

Windsor Theatre Royal – until 2nd April 2022

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge  

4**** 

It’s 1962 in New York City and Murray Burns (Will Young) is trying to bring up his nephew Nicholas (Rhys Bailey) who is a gifted and intelligent child. However, when Social Services arrive in the form of Albert (Leon Ockenden) and Sandra (Evanna Lynch) who want to check the boy’s welfare and upbringing. It seems they clearly have their own issues as a working duo with not much collaborating going on! Sandra who is new on the scene is wanting to stay and help as she feels there is more to the story than what’s on paper. Although Albert clearly insists that he has more experience and authority and believes he knows best and needs no persuasion regarding his decisions. Albert decides that things are not up to scratch and improvements must be made! To him the environment is unworthy and Murray needs to obtain a job to keep things in check. Nicholas the nephew seems to have all the answers available and can tell them exactly what they want to hear. As things continue it becomes clear that Murray is straightening out and unravelling other issues; helping them make things more certain and developed for themselves. With things getting even stranger when Albert decides to leave and Sandra decides to stay. What will the outcome be, will Murray leave his joking ways and step up as the guardian that he needs to be in order to care for his nephew or will things spiral out of control. 

This performance gives you the insight of being on air with the use of everyday objects from teacups being clinked to doorbells being rang, curtains being closed and folders being rustled, bringing the entire show to life. A very clever and enjoyable notion to watch. 

At first, I wasn’t sure how this production was going to unravel but after a short period of time it became very engaging as well as the storyline kicking in. With many laughs had by the audience it was a pleasure to watch and left a comforting smile.  

A show that brought much pleasure and enjoyment, a great evening out. 

The Nutcracker Review

Southampton Mayflower – until 2 April 2022

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

3***

Credit: Johan Persson/

Matthew Bourne reimagines the Christmas classic The Nutcracker to a modern style as it hits Southampton’s Mayflower.

Staying close the the well loved version, Matthew Bourne has re-imagined some aspects of the Nutcracker to bring us a perfectly sweet version. We follow Cordelia Braithwaite as Clara as she navigates to Sweetieland and eventually finds her true love. Braithwaite was breath taking, with elegance and poise she glided across the stage with ease, entrancing the audience. Together with the rest of the stand out company, this is a real treat for the eyes. From the darkness of the orphanage Clara grows up in, to the glittery skating rinks of the ice palace and through to Sweetieland, you will never once feel your eyes wonder from Anthony Wards delicious sets and superb costumes. With the wondrous score from Tchaikovsky, you will be transported to the magical worlds and won’t want to leave!

This piece is a perfect introduction for children into the world of ballet, with it’s easy to follow plot, comedic characters, beautiful costumes and fabulous choreography, but is also a real treat for the more seasoned ballet lover. Bourne has created a wonderful world for you to visit and you won’t regret it when you do!

John Owen-Jones, Jessica Daley, Ben Miller and More To Take Part in Live Streamed Ukraine Fundraiser, Presented by The Everyman Theatre & Barn Theatre

THE EVERYMAN THEATRE & BARN THEATRE PRESENT A SPECIAL

EVENING OF LAUGHER, MUSIC AND MAGIC IN SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE

from the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham

The Barn Theatre and the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham have teamed up to host a night that will benefit refugees fleeing Ukraine conflict that can be live streamed worldwide at 7.30pm BST on Saturday 02 April.

The night will consist of a variety line-up including classical music, opera, comedy, choral music, classical and showtunes, as well a special reading by acclaimed writer Sir MICHAEL MORPURGO (War Horse, The Mozart Question). Other performers will include the impressionist RORY BREMNER, sketch actor BEN MILLER (Armstrong & Miller Show, Bridgerton), renowned comedian DOM JOLY, actor LISA MAXWELL, JOHN OWEN-JONES (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera), JESSICA DALEY (BBC’s Over The RainbowWhite Christmas), and many more

Everyman regulars will welcome panto-extraordinaire and host of ceremonies SAMUEL HOLMES (Curtains, Mrs Henderson Presents), as well as star clown TWEEDY to entertain audiences coming together for the good cause. There will be music by Every Voice Choir as well as a special performance by comedy-magician JOHN ARCHER (Britain’s Got Talent, CBBC’s Help! My Supply Teacher’s Magic).

In addition to the DEC Ukrainian appeal, proceeds from the night will go to charities with which the Everyman has worked previously, Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees and GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers), groups which work to work provide support to asylum seekers and to help foster compassion and cooperation in communities.

The ambition will be to raise £50,000 for these charities through ticket sales and through donations on the night.

For those who missed getting tickets, the live stream will be available worldwide with tickets on sale here:

https://barntheatre.org.uk/ukraine and https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/stand-up-for-ukraine-live-stream

For further information are available via the link below:

https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/stand-up-for-ukraine/

MARK GOUCHER, Everyman Theatre chief executive said: ‘I am delighted we can put our efforts together and make this special evening happen. There is a tremendous outpouring for Ukraine, and we wanted to everything we can to make a difference in the lives of those fleeing this conflict. I also hope this will focus peoples’ attention on the plight of refugees fleeing conflicts all over the world.’

IWAN LEWIS, Barn Theatre chief executive and Artistic Director, said: ‘We have been racking our brains about what we can do to help in this tragic time for Ukraine, and we decided to put together our resources and use existing channels to help those fleeing the war. I am grateful to Mark and the Everyman Theatre for opening their theatre to this great cause and am thrilled to help bring about a spectacular and moving evening. This is about showing solidarity across borders and doing what we do best—entertaining our audiences—to encourage them to donate.’

This event is made possible thanks to the support of BPE Solicitors and Crowe

Mamma Mia! Review

LIVERPOOL EMPIRE THEATRE – UNTIL  SATURDAY 9TH APRIL 2022

Reviewed by Carla Whittaker

5*****

What a show! What a night! I have been waiting since 2008 (when the film adaptation was released) to see Mamma Mia! the musical, and I was so excited to finally get the chance to see it on stage at the Liverpool Empire Theatre last night!  It was clear, from the start of the show that it was going to be a night filled with excitement, full to the brim with Abba songs including Mamma Mia, Waterloo, Money Money Money and Dancing Queen.

Created by Judy Craymer and writer Catherine Johnson ‘Mamma Mia!’ is an absolute phenomenal musical. It is a simple story set within a small picturesque Greek Island and is based around Sophie (Phoebe Roberts) who is getting married and wants to be walked down the aisle by her father on her wedding day. Sophie’s relationship with with Sky (Toby Miles) was beautiful. The problem is, she does not know who her father is. After reading her mum’s diary from the year she was born, she invites three potential men who could be her father. This brings her mum Donna (Sara Poyzer) face to face with her past. It is a story of friendship and love carefully told through over 20 Abba songs which share a range of emotion from joy to sadness. The well-known Abba energetic hits got the audience singing, clapping, and dancing from the start so was undeniably a crowd pleaser.  Despite all the well-known Abba hits, for me the highlights were the lesser-known songs such as Our Last Summer and Slipping Through My Fingers, with sensational vocals from Sara Poyzer who delighted the audience.

The set was a simple revolving Greek taverna which was effective, with white and blues making you feel like you were on holiday, it was also a change to the more contemporary sets which are often flashy, with heavy production designs.  The cast act with great energy, and choreography is done with precision.

Mamma Mia! Has a very strong talented cast with a mixture of youngsters who are friends of Sophie and older cast members who are friends with Donna. In addition to the three dads providing lots of laugh out loud hilarious moments. The chemistry between the cast members was perfect.

If you want to rewind back to the 70’s, and see a fun, feel good show then this is the show for you! Watching Mamma Mia! last night provided the most enjoyable evening, and the most fun I have had in a theatre in a long time, and for me, offered so much more than the film! Mamma Mia! is playing at the Liverpool Empire Theatre until Saturday 9th April 2022 so grab your self some tickets, sit back and enjoy!

Allan Stewart’s Big, Big Variety Show Review 

KING’S THEATRE, EDINBURGH – UNTIL 2nd APRIL

 REVIEWED BY RACHEL FARRIER 

4****

This show has clearly been an annual fixture in the Edinburgh Theatre scene for a number of years (apart from last couple of years, obviously) and the audience attending the show last night seemed to know exactly what to expect – skits with characters that were clearly familiar brought the house down before even a word had been uttered. And these skits between Allan Stewart and Grant Stott are the mainstay of the show – with gentle but fairly adult humour throughout, the pair clearly love working together and the warmth between them is both endearing and makes for excellent comedy timing. For those who have been to the Panto at the King’s Theatre, some of the routines and characters will be familiar.

Their tribute to their former colleague Andy Gray, who sadly died last year, was touching and funny, and I imagine that for audiences of previous variety shows, his absence must have been felt keenly. 

Other stand out performances came from Max Fulman the ventriloquist, who performed a brilliantly clever, engaging and funny routine with his puppets Gordon the Monkey and Eugene the Grandad. Nicola Meehan’s vocal set was incredible and held the audience spell-bound. And a special mention should go to Andy Pickering and his band, who were on stage throughout, providing top notch musical accompaniment. 

I had taken a teenager with me to see the show and a lot of the references, joke and music went totally over her head, so it was clear that the show was aimed at a more middle aged/older demographic who were long term Allan Stewart fans. However it was an amusing, old-style night out and the standing ovation at the end demonstrated that this audience was delighted with what they had seen. 

Footloose Review

York Theatre Royal – until 2nd April 2022

Reviewed by Ellie Watson

4****

Imagine living in a town where it is illegal to dance! How awful would that be? Well, that is what the musical Footloose is about. Based on the 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon, Footloose tells the story of Ren McCormack who forced to relocate from the lively city of Chicago with his mother, Ethel, after Ren’s father left them. Ren loves all things dance and rock ‘n’ roll but when he arrives to the town of Bomont he is shocked to discover dancing is banned. This is due to a previous accident that occurred in the town, involving Reverend Shaw Moore’s son. With the help of Willard Hewitt, Ren’s best friend and a classic southern American country boy, and the reverend’s rebellious daughter Ariel, with whom he starts a romantic relationship with, Ren is determined to overturn the law so that the senior year can hold a dance and bring back dancing to Bomont once and for all.

Generally, musicals usually display the idea of the triple threat portraying strong acting, dancing, and singing skills but Footloose took this to a new level and added a fourth threat, one which I personally have never experienced before. All the actors would be playing their own instruments! The orchestra of the production was made up from the cast with them playing multiple instruments on stage including, clarinets, saxophones, flutes, guitars, bass, and piano. However, the talent did not stop there! They were not just stood playing their instruments but often dancing simultaneously and even at one point jumping over a skipping rope as well!!! How impressive! This did not affect their vocals either, with most having impeccable vocal technique showing the high standard of the performance.

The standout performance to me was Ariel, played by the recent graduate of Mountview, Lucy Munden. Her portrayal of Ariel was stunning, and it was hard to believe this was her professional debut. Her voice had such a lovely tone and her belting skills throughout ‘Holding Out for A Hero’ showed exceptional technique.

Ren, played by Josh Hawkins, also outstanding performance with his amazing dancing and singing skills. Thoroughly enjoyed watching his performance. When Hawkins and Munden sang their duet together, their voices worked so well together and was lovely to hear.

Reverend Shaw Moore, played by Darren Day, was also a fantastic performance, with flawless vocal technique. However, the more upbeat songs were personally more enjoyable to me.

I also really enjoyed Jake Quickenden’s performance of Willard, very funny and good vocals. I always have been a fan of Jake’s as I watched him on X Factor, I’m a Celeb and voted for him every week in Dancing on Ice. Very much enjoyed watching his performance in Musical Theatre as a huge theatre fan. Also really enjoyed his section in ‘Holding Out for a Hero’ when Ariel and Dusty rip off his dungarees to reveal his gold boxers.

Jess Barker also really stood out for me with her amazing acting. Just fun to watch and had such musical talent. Having said this, everyone in the cast were amazing and stood out for different reasons.

The set for the production was also amazing, with smooth and creative transitions. It was fairly simple with what they had, but it was clear to see how well thought out the design was, especially when shower cubicles were then turned around and revealed a steering wheel, before changing again to depict a car. Very imaginative.

I must say this is a really good production. It is slightly slow at the start and Act One seems to drag slightly but overall is enjoyable. Would 100% recommend seeing this production if you can. The curtain call is very engaging and encourages audience participation making it a fun night for everyone. Everyone was standing, dancing, and having fun at the end which made it the perfect end to the day.

Very enjoyable night. Bomont was dancing again and so was the whole of York Theatre Royal.

Full casting announced for MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at Chichester Festival Theatre

Full company announced to join Henry Goodman

in

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

By Agatha Christie

Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig

13 May – 4 June, Festival Theatre

The full company has been announced for Chichester Festival Theatre’s spectacular new staging of Agatha Christie’s masterpiece Murder on the Orient Express, adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig, running from 13 May – 4 June.

Joining double Olivier Award-winner Henry Goodman as Hercule Poirot are: Marc Antolin (as Michel the Conductor), Philip Cairns (Colonel Arbuthnot), Samuel Collings (Hector MacQueen), Joanna McCallum (as Princess Dragomiroff), Taz Munyaneza (Mary Debenham), Patrick Robinson (Monsieur Bouc), Laura Rogers(Countess Andrenyi), Sara Stewart (Helen Hubbard), Joanna van Kampen (Greta Ohlsson) and Timothy Watson (Samuel Ratchett), together with Matt Addis, Kelvin Ade, Joelle Dyson, Jacqueline Tate and juvenile actors Sophie Bye and Eleanor Sebastian.

Murder on the Orient Express is directed by former CFT Artistic Director Jonathan Church (Amadeus, Singin’ in the Rain, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui) and designed by Robert Jones (Oklahoma!, Mack & Mabel).

The celebrated detective Hercule Poirot boards the legendary Orient Express, enjoying the prospect of a luxurious rail journey from Istanbul to Calais in the dead of winter.

The train is surprisingly packed for the time of year; only the intervention of the manager secures Poirot a first class berth, alongside an intriguing and glittering company of international travellers.

But just after midnight, the Orient Express screeches to a halt, marooned by a snowdrift. And by morning, one passenger is dead…

Nobody can leave. A guard appears to be missing. A killer is in their midst. And Poirot must deploy his ‘little grey cells’ on the most difficult case of his career: one that will force him to question his deepest beliefs.

Henry Goodman makes a welcome return to Chichester to play Poirot, following his appearances in Yes, Prime Minister (2010) and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (2012/13), also directed by Jonathan Church, and which both transferred to the West End. His many other roles encompass his Olivier Award-winning Shylock in The Merchant of Venice, Roy Cohn in the UK premiere of Angels in America and Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls (all National Theatre), Volpone for the RSC, and Assassins for which he also won an Olivier Award at the Donmar Warehouse.

Marc Antolin last appeared at Chichester in Taken at Midnight; recent theatre credits include The Magician’s Elephant (RSC), Romantics Anonymous (Bristol Old Vic) and Little Shop of Horrors for which he received an Olivier Award nomination (Regent’s Park).

Philip Cairns’ recent stage work includes Cyrano de Bergerac (West End) and Peer Gynt (National Theatre), and on television Call The Midwife.

Samuel Collings’ TV work includes Hex and Outlander, and on stage, The Great Murder Mystery, and Othello and Macbeth (HOME Manchester/Lyric Hammersmith).

Sara Stewart returns to the Festival Theatre where she last appeared in ENRON and Heartbreak House; recent TV includes Cell 8, Father BrownQueens of Mystery and State of the Union.

Joanna McCallum’s many Chichester appearances include A Month in the Country, The Merchant of Venice, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Cavalcade, while TV includes Doctors, New Tricks, Holby City and The Gathering Storm.

Taz Munyaneza’s credits include Our Lady of Kibeho (Theatre Royal Stratford East) and on TV The One.

Patrick Robinson appeared in King Lear with Ian McKellen at Chichester in 2017; his many TV credits include The BillCasualtyDeath in Paradise and The Last Kingdom.

Laura Rogers previously appeared in Pressure at Chichester and on tour; recent theatre work includes The Ocean at the End of the Lane (National Theatre/West End).

Joanna van Kampen is known to a huge radio audience as Fallon in The Archers; recent theatre includes An Ideal Husband (West End) and on TV, The Outlaws.

Timothy Watson – also an alumnus of The Archers as Rob Titchener – was last seen at Chichester in Shadowlands in 2019.

Ken Ludwig has had six productions on Broadway and seven in London’s West End. His 30 plays and musicals are staged around the world and throughout the United States every night of the year. Crazy for You was on Broadway for five years, the West End for three, and won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical. Lend Me a Tenor won two Tony Awards. He has won the Edwin Forrest Award for Contributions to the American Theater, two Laurence Olivier Awards, two Helen Hayes Awards, the Charles MacArthur Award, and the Edgar Award for Best Mystery. His book How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare won the Falstaff Award for Best Shakespeare Book of the Year. His most recent plays include Pride and Prejudice, Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley; Lady Molly of Scotland Yard; and Moriarty. For more information, visit www.kenludwig.com.

The production will have lighting by Mark Henderson, music by Adrian Sutton, sound by Christopher Shutt, movement by Lucy Hind, and casting by Gabrielle Dawes CDG.

It is sponsored by Greenwood Wealth Solutions.

Murder on the Orient Express will also run at Theatre Royal Bath from 9 – 25 June, immediately following its Chichester premiere.

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Stage Play © 2018 Agatha Christie Limited & Ken Ludwig

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, AGATHA CHRISTIE and POIROT are registered trademarks of Agatha Christie Limited. 

ENDS

Tickets from £10

cft.org.uk       Box Office 01243 781312  

Looking Good Dead Review

Grand Opera House York – until Saturday 2nd April 2022

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

3***

Looking Good Dead, a Peter James novel, has been adapted for the stage by Shaun McKenna. James is the UK’s number one best selling author of crime and thrillers.

The first scene sees a woman, in what appears to be a dungeon room with a chair and chains on the wall. She takes off her coat to reveal a leather outfit, that with the chains certainly implies S&M is at play here. A hooded figure, all dressed in black, joins her, but things take a sinister turn, and the mystery starts.

Tom Bryce (Adam Woodyatt, most famous for playing Ian Beale in Eastenders) is a businessman, on the cusp of failure. He’s married to Kellie (Laurie Brett, who just so happened to play Ian’s wife in Eastenders), a former alcoholic who likes to spend, A LOT, and is constantly cleaning. They have a son Max (for this performance played by Mylo McDonald), who is forever playing computer games, wears noise cancelling headphones, so he doesn’t have to hear his parents arguing. He has an older half-brother who has managed to leave home and is now travelling the world.

On his way home on the train, Tom finds a USB memory stick. Instead of handing it in he brings it back home to see if he can find out who it belongs to. With the help of his tech savvy son, he looks to see what information is on the drive. It’s shocking, as before their eyes they are witness to a woman’s murder, it’s a snuff movie. After the police are involved, DSI Grace (Harry Long), DS Branson (Leon Stewart) and DS Moy (Gemma Stroyan), their lives are in grave danger.

At times I couldn’t get the scenes between the officers in their station, it was a bit disjointed and didn’t flow naturally. There were still some funny interactions between Grace and Branson and did make us laugh, overall I felt these scenes needed more substance for the actors to show their craft.

Woodyatt and Brett are obviously used to working together, in fact he even referred to her a Jane at the very start, a minor and understandable slip, and came across as a dysfunctional married couple, not quite gelling together. McDonald as the son had the right mannerisms for a stroppy teenager, though his character was maybe about 20, but looked older.

The set is multi-level, with the Bryce’s lounge on the stage, a police set sliding on an off the right of the stage and the dungeon room at the back, elevated above. The latter is hidden behind a curtain when not in play, only becoming visible with lighting when needed, this was very clever and hugely effective.

Talking about this afterwards, we decided it would make a great film, as the characters could be developed more, and you could better understand the dynamics. I have since found out there has been a television series created around Detective Superintendent Grace and I will certainly look out for that.

Even with the dramatic opening, and shocking revelation at the end that had us all gasping, Looking Good Dead doesn’t have quite enough tension to make it an on the edge of your seats thriller, but it is still an entertaining mystery, worthy of a watch.

The Drifters Girl – acclaimed new musical releases cast album

ACCLAIMED NEW MUSICAL

RELEASES CAST ALBUM

Production has recently extended booking

to 12 February 2023


Hit songs include Stand By MeSaturday Night at the Movies,

Under The Boardwalk, Save The Last Dance For Me

and Kissin in the Back Row of the Movies

At Garrick Theatre, Londonwww.thedriftersgirl.com

Following Olivier Award nominations for Best New Musical and Best Actress in a Musical, Michael Harrison and David Ian are thrilled to announce The Drifters Girl World Premiere Cast album, recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios and due for release on Friday 6 May 2022, by Tag8 Music, with BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited, Treadwell Entertainment Group and Showtime Productions Ltd. 

The album features the original cast of the acclaimed new musical: Queen of British Soul, Beverley Knight, with the sensational Adam J Bernard (Dreamgirls), Tarinn Callender (Hamilton), Matt Henry (Kinky Boots) and Tosh Wanogho-Maud (Showboat), who capture the essence of notable members of The Drifters – Clyde McphatterBen E. KingRudy Lewis and Johnny Moore, and Beverley Knight reimagines classic Drifters tracks with her striking voice, capturing Faye Treadwell’s story.

The album was produced by the shows arranger and orchestrator, Chris Egan, who along with the creative team, including co-producers Trystan Francis and Will Stuart, took over the iconic Abbey Road Studio 2, with the full show band plus some additional musicans to create an enhanced version of the songs from the show.

The album includes the incredible songs from the show from Stand By MeUnder the BoardwalkSaturday Night at the Movies to the emotional Harlem Child

Pre-Order link  https://TheDriftersGirl.lnk.to/DriftersGirlPR

Tracklisting: 

 1.   Opening Medley (Hello Happiness, Kissin’ In The Back Row Of The Movies, There Goes My First Love)

2. Money Honey

3. Follow Me

4. Whatcha Gonna Do

5. Fools Fall In Love

6. Nobody But Me

7. Save The Last Dance For Me

8. This Magic Moment

9. Stand By Me

10. Sweets For My Sweet

11.I Don’t Wanna Go On Without You / Stand By Me

12.Saturday Night At The Movies

13.There Goes My Baby

14.When My Little Girl Is Smiling

15.Under The Boardwalk

16.In The Land Of Make Believe

17.Harlem Child

18.Kissin’ In The Back Row Of The Movies

19.There Goes My First Love

20.Come On Over To My Place

21.There Goes My Baby – Reprise

22.You’re More Than A Number In My Little Red Book

The Drifters Girl has been thrilling audiences since beginning in Newcastle in October 2021. The show transferred to London in November 2021, and has continued to play to packed houses and nightly standing ovations. It has recently extended its run at Garrick Theatre in London to Sunday 12 February 2023

The musical tells the story of Faye Treadwell, the legendary manager of The Drifters who, alongside her husband, George Treadwell, ground breaking manager and co-founder of The Drifters, fought for three decades to turn Atlantic Records’ hottest vocal group into a global phenomenon.

From the highs of hit records and sell out tours to the lows of legal battles and personal tragedy, The Drifters Girl charts the trailblazing efforts of the world’s first African American, female music manager and how she refused to ever give up on the group she loved. Thirty years, and hundreds of hit songs later, there is no doubt that Faye Treadwell was and always will be, The Drifters Girl.

The UK’s Queen of Soul Beverley Knight plays Faye Treadwell, with Adam J BernardTarinn CallenderMatt Henry and Tosh Wanogho-Maud as the iconic group. Beverley continues in the role through to Saturday 2 July, with casting from that date to be announced.

The cast is completed by Marcus Ayton, Ashford Campbell, Ethan Davis, Vanessa Ela Young, Michael James Stewart, Alanna Leslie, Curtis Scott, and the young actors are Aurora Baptiste, Amari Brown, Savanna Musoni, Savannah Skinner-Henry and Shanyia Tsoto (who play the role of George and Faye’s daughter Tina Treadwell).

The Drifters Girl boasts an incredible soundtrack of some of the most famous songs in history, including Save The Last Dance For Me, Under The BoardwalkKissin In The Back Row Of The MoviesStand By MeCome On Over To My PlaceSaturday Night At The Movies and many more.

The Drifters Girl, with abook by Ed Curtis, based on an idea by Tina Treadwell, and which is co-created by Beverley KnightAdam J BernardTarinn CallenderMatt Henry and Tosh Wanogho-Maud is directed by Jonathan Church, with set design by Anthony Ward, choreography by Karen Bruce, costume design by Fay Fullerton, orchestrations and musical supervision by Chris Egan lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Tom Marshall and video design by Andrzej Goulding. Associate Director is Tyrone Huntley and Associate Choreographer is Myles Brown with casting by Stuart Burt and children’s casting by Jo Hawes.

The Drifters Girl is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian.

FULL CASTING LINE UP FOR MY FAIR LADY IS ANNOUNCED AS THE SHOW BEGINS REHEARSALS

James L. Nederlander, Jamie Wilson, Hunter Arnold, Crossroads Live, Playful Productions and The English National Opera
present
the Lincoln Center Theater production of

LERNER & LOEWE’S
MY FAIR LADY
Book and Lyrics by ALAN JAY LERNER
Music by FREDERICK LOEWE
Directed by BARTLETT SHER

www.myfairladymusical.co.uk
@MyFairLadyUK

  • FULL CASTING LINE UP FOR MY FAIR LADY IS ANNOUNCED AS THE SHOW BEGINS REHEARSALS

     
  • STEPHEN K AMOS WILL PLAY ALFRED P. DOOLITTLE AND MALCOLM SINCLAIR WILL PLAY COLONEL PICKERING

     
  • THEY JOIN THE PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED AMARA OKEREKE AS ELIZA DOOLITTLE, HARRY HADDEN-PATON AS HENRY HIGGINS, VANESSA REDGRAVE AS MRS HIGGINS, MAUREEN BEATTIE AS MRS PEARCE AND SHARIF AFIFI AS FREDDY EYNSFORD-HILL

     
  • THE FULL COMPANY IS COMPLETED WITH DAMMI AREGBESHOLA, BERNADETTE BANGURA, JOSEPH CLAUS, JORDAN CROUCH, JAMIE CRUTTENDEN, FRANCESSCA DANIELLA-BAKER, BARRY DRUMMOND, BETHANY HUCKLE, HEATHER JACKSON, EMMA JOHNSON, CHARLOTTE KENNEDY, SINEAD KENNY, JENNY LEGG, TOM LIGGINS, REBEKAH LOWINGS, CARL PATRICK, TOM PING, DOMINIQUE PLANTER, JOSEPH POULTON, JOHN STACEY, JOSHUA STEEL, OLIVER TESTER, ADAM VAUGHAN, ANNIE WENSAK AND PAUL WESTWOOD

     
  • DIRECTED BY BARTLETT SHER, THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AND MULTI AWARD WINNING PRODUCTION FEATURES 36 MUSICIANS FROM THE ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA’S AWARD-WINNING ORCHESTRA PLAYING FREDERICK LOEWE’S RAVISHING SCORE

     
  • FULL COMPANY REHEARSALS BEGIN ON 4 APRIL AHEAD OF THE FIRST PREVIEW ON 7 MAY AND OFFICIAL OPENING ON 18 MAY

     
  • TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FOR THE STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON AT THE LONDON COLISEUM UNTIL 27 AUGUST FROM WWW.MYFAIRLADYMUSICAL.CO.UK

Producers are delighted to announce the full cast line up for Bartlett Sher’s glorious and lavish production of My Fair Lady at the London Coliseum.

Stephen K Amos will play the role of Alfred P. Doolittle. Stephen is a BAFTA award-winning comedian whose stage work includes My Night With Reg and One Flew Over The Cuckoos NestMalcolm Sinclairwill play the role of Colonel Pickering. Malcolm has performed in more than 50 theatrical productions and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 2019 Olivier Awards for his performance in Pressure at The Ambassador’s Theatre. 

(Photo by Fabrizio Maltese/Contour by Getty Images)

They join the previously announced Amara Okereke who will star as Eliza Doolittle, Harry Hadden-Paton who reprises his performance as Henry Higgins, Dame Vanessa Redgrave who will play Mrs Higgins, Maureen Beattie who will play Mrs Pearce and Sharif Afifi who will play Freddy Eynsford-Hill.

The full company is completed with Dammi Aregbeshola, Bernadette Bangura, Joseph Claus, Jordan Crouch, Jamie Cruttenden, Francessca Daniella-Baker, Barry Drummond,  Bethany Huckle, Heather Jackson, Emma Johnson, Charlotte Kennedy, Sinead Kenny, Jenny Legg, Tom Liggins, Rebekah Lowings, Carl Patrick, Tom Ping, Dominique Planter, Joseph Poulton, John Stacey, Joshua Steel, Oliver Tester, Adam Vaughan, Annie Wensak and Paul Westwood. 

New York’s Lincoln Center Theater’s critically acclaimedand multi award-winning production of Lerner & Loewe’s much loved My Fair Lady will transfer to the London Coliseum for a limited summer engagement in what will be the first major West End revival of the show for 21 years. The season comes as part of the ongoing celebrated tradition of summer musicals at the London Coliseum. The perfect way to celebrate London’s theatre scene as it blossoms once more after the pandemic. Performances begin on 7 May 2022 with an opening night on 18 May 2022.

Tickets are on sale now from www.myfairladymusical.co.uk 

Directed by Bartlett Sher, this sublime production, which premiered in the spring of 2018 at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater, was the winner of the Tony Award for Best Costume Design,  5 Outer Critics’ Circle Awards including Best Musical Revival, the Drama League Award for Outstanding Musical Revival, and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Musical Revival and Costume Design. The London production will feature 36 musicians from the English National Opera’s award-winning Orchestra playing Frederick Loewe’s ravishing score making it the largest orchestra in the West End.

My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady”. But who is really being transformed?

With a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, MY FAIR LADYboasts a score including the classic songs “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “Get Me to the Church on Time,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” “On the Street Where You Live,” “The Rain in Spain,” and “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face.” 

“Thrilling! Glorious and better than it ever was! A marvellous and transformative revival.”
New York Times

Adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play and Gabriel Pascal’s motion picture Pygmalion, Lerner & Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY premiered on Broadway in March 1956, winning 6 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and becoming the longest-running musical in Broadway history at the time. Following this success, the production transferred to London in 1958, where it played in the West End for five and a half years. 

MY FAIR LADY has seen many notable revivals and adaptations, including the acclaimed 1964 film starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison, which won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Most recently on the London stage, Cameron Mackintosh’s 2001 revival at Theatre Royal Drury Lane won three Olivier Awards, and later toured across the UK and Ireland in 2005.

James L. Nederlander, Jamie Wilson, Hunter Arnold, Crossroads Live, Playful Productions and the English National Opera present the Lincoln Center Theater production ofLerner & Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY. Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, Music by Frederick Loewe, sets by Michael Yeargan, costumes by Catherine Zuber, lighting by Donald Holder, sound by Marc Salzberg, hair & wigs by Tom Watson, musical direction by Gareth Valentine, musical supervision by Ted Sperling, choreography by Christopher Gattelli, directed by Bartlett Sher.