Europe’s biggest free musical theatre festival, West End LIVE, will transform Trafalgar Square into an open-air theatre like no other over the weekend of 25 and 26 June 2022, treating tens of thousands of theatre fans to performances from the West End’s top shows.
This unique celebration of theatre, a joint production by Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), unites London’s world-leading theatres every year, with dozens of shows and acts performing. Last year’s event involved a record 830 performers, creatives and production staff.
As well as showcasing the best of the West End, West End LIVE encourages families and people of all ages to come into central London for an entertaining day out – with attendees travelling from all over the country and even further afield. The event is a vital driver to surrounding businesses, shops and restaurants, which always enjoy a significant boost across the weekend.
Sky VIP are welcomed back as sponsor for West End LIVE 2022, having also supported last year’s event. Once again, they will be offering their VIPs the chance to watch from the exclusive Sky VIP viewing area onsite, plus win some fabulous prizes. Sky VIP were a hugely important champion of theatre during the pandemic, working with SOLT and a raft of London shows to create exclusive videos for their customers, giving vital opportunities to performers. They continue to be a key partner, offering tickets to their VIP customers, up and down the country.
They join returning partners Covent Garden capco, The Crown Estate, Derwent London, Great Western Railway, Heart of London Business Alliance, New West End Company, Shaftesbury and Veolia.
Eleanor Lloyd, President of the Society of London Theatre, said:
‘We are delighted to be working with Westminster again to produce West End LIVE, a spectacular display of the unparalleled talent on our stages. Each year, everyone involved in West End LIVE – including the incredible performers onstage – feels immensely privileged to be part of such a unique event, bringing audiences together with the shows they love, thanking theatre fans and welcoming new ones.
‘We are also very grateful for the support of Sky VIP, who return as a key partner for 2022 and have a long history as dedicated champions of theatre and the arts – I want to thank them for helping to make this year’s event possible.’
Stuart Love, CEO of Westminster City Council, said:
‘We are really pleased West End LIVE is returning to the heart of our city this year, bigger and better than ever. Theatre is so important for the recovery of the West End and hosting this much-loved event is not only a celebration of the world-class theatre we have right on our doorstep, but it also brings people back to the city to enjoy everything that Westminster has to offer. We’re grateful for our sponsors and partners in supporting us to make this event happen and we hope that the performers, theatre fans and visitors alike can enjoy this special weekend together.’
The line-up of performances at this year’s West End LIVE will be announced closer to the event.
Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Glass Half Full Productions present
THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE
FIRST LOOK PRODUCTIONS IMAGES FOR ‘THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE’ ARE RELEASED TODAY.
THIS BRAND NEW PRODUCTION OPENED THIS WEEK IN SOUTHAMPTON AND TOURS THE UK UNTIL 16 JULY.
THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE STARS CHRISTINA BIANCO AS LITTLE VOICE, SHOBNA GULATI AS MARI HOFF, IAN KELSEY AS RAY SAY, AKSHAY GULATI AS BILLY, WILLIAM ILKLEY AS MR BOO AND FIONA MULVANEY AS SADIE.
New productions photographs have been released from the UK touring production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice by Jim Cartwright. The new production opened on 23 March at MAST Mayflower Studios, Southampton and tours until 16 July. For full dates and venues please see littlevoiceuk.com. The national press night for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will be on Monday 11 April at Malvern Theatres.
Directed by Bronagh Lagan (Cruise, West End), the production stars international YouTube sensation Christina Bianco (Funny Girl, Theatre Marigny Paris) in the title role. Christina is joined by Shobna Gulati (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Dinnerladies) as Mari Hoff, Ian Kelsey (Coronation Street; Emmerdale) as Ray Say, AkshayGulati (East is East, Bolton Octagon) as Billy, William Ilkley (War Horse, UK/ International Tour) as Mr Boo, Fiona Mulvaney (The Ferryman, West End) as Sadie, and James Robert Moore (All That, Lion and Unicorn) as Phone Man. The company is completed by Anna Hale (London Road, Cuba Pictures/BBC Films) as understudy LV and Sadie.
In a role she was born to play, two-time Drama Desk nominee Christina Bianco will perform beloved ballads by icons such as Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey and Cilla Black live on stage, capturing their unique style through her extraordinary impressions. Just like LV, Christina is ‘the girl of a thousand voices’ and has performed to sold out crowds in New York and across the US. In the UK, she’s enjoyed extended runs headlining at London’s Hippodrome, Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room, Live at Zedel’s and The Charing Cross Theatre. In 2019 Christina won great critical acclaim in the role of Fanny Brice in Stephen Mear’s production of Funny Girl at Theatre Marigny Paris, for which she was awarded the Trophees De Le Comedie Musicale.
Meet Little Voice and Mari Hoff. A mother and daughter central to the heart of this Northern fairy-tale, but as far apart in character as can be. Left to her own devices, Little Voice starts to embody the famous divas she plays on repeat, from Judy Garland to Shirley Bassey, and becomes an overnight sensation. With humour, heart and countless timeless classics all performed live on stage, ‘The Rise and Fall of Little Voice’ explores the highs and the lows of small-town dreams, family rivalry and finding your voice in a noisy world.
Cartwright’s tender and life-affirming play won both the Olivier award and Evening Standard award for Best Comedy when it premiered at the National Theatre in 1992 in a production directed by Sam Mendes which transferred to the Aldwych Theatre, starring Jane Horrocks and Alison Steadman. Horrocks later reprised the role of LV in a film adaptation also starring Brenda Blethyn, Michael Caine, Ewan McGregor and Jim Broadbent.
With Musical Director and Associate Sound Designer Eamonn O’Dwyer, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will feature set and costume design by Sara Perks, casting by Jane Deitch, lighting design by Nic Farman, Andrew Johnson as Sound Designer and Chris Matanlé as General Manager. The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is co-produced by Bonnie ComleyandStewart F Lane, Neil Gooding Productions and Tiny Giant Productions.
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice opened at MAST Mayflower Studios in Southampton on 23 March 2022 and tours to The Capitol Horsham, Exeter Northcott, Malvern Theatres, Theatre Clwyd, Theatre Royal Brighton, Derby Theatre, Salisbury Playhouse, Liverpool Playhouse, Theatre Royal Wakefield, Crewe Lyceum Theatre, The Lowry Salford, Blackpool Grand, Mercury Theatre Colchester, Richmond Theatre, York Theatre Royal and Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham.
The producers of the brand-new production of SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL are delighted to announce that television and musical theatre star Sandra Marvin will play ‘Deloris Van Cartier’ in the UK and Ireland tour, alongside Lesley Joseph as ‘Mother Superior’, Clive Rowe as ‘Eddie Souther’ and Lizzie Bea as ‘Sister Mary Robert’. Direct from a London season at the Eventim Apollo, the tour begins in Dublin from Tuesday 20 September 2022 before visiting Birmingham, Leicester, Cardiff, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Milton Keynes, Plymouth, Norwich, Belfast, Dartford, Llandudno, Woking, Bristol, Leeds, Sheffield, Ipswich, Southampton, Nottingham, Liverpool, Wolverhampton, Canterbury, Newcastle and Oxford with more dates to be announced soon. www.sisteractthemusical.co.uk
The cast also includes Jeremy Secomb, Graham MacDuff, Tricia Deighton, Lori Haley Fox, Damian Buhagiar,Tom Hopcroft, Bradley Judge, Tanya Edwards, Catherine Millsom, Anne Smith, Emma Ralston, Jermaine Woods, Michael Ward and Caroline Bateson. Complete casting to be announced soon.
Having played ‘Jessie Grant’ in ITV’s “Emmerdale” for two years, Sandra Marvin joined the West End production of “Waitress” to play ‘Becky’, before reprising the role in 2021 and 2022 for the UK Tour of the production. Her many other West End theatre credits include most recently ‘Mrs Fezziwig/Mrs Mops’ in “A Christmas Carol” at the Dominion Theatre, “City of Angels” and “Committee” at the Donmar Warehouse, ‘Miss Motormouth Maybelle’ in “Hairspray” at the Shaftesbury Theatre, ‘Queenie’ in “Show Boat” at the New London Theatre, ‘Rose’ in “Stepping Out” at the Vaudeville Theatre, “Porgy and Bess” at the Savoy Theatre and “Ragtime” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Her other credits include “Romantics Anonymous” at Bristol Old Vic and on tour in the US and ‘Mama Morton’ in “Chicago” at Leicester Curve. In 2016 Sandra performed with Kate Bush on her 22-date sold-out “Before the Dawn” concerts and features on her live album of the same name. Sandra also sings the title track on the Grammy Award winning soundtrack for the George Clooney film, “Gravity”.
Lesley Joseph is best known for playing ‘Dorien Green’ in the hugely successful sitcom “Birds of a Feather” alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson. They recorded over 100 episodes over a period of nine years. Lesley and her co-stars returned to our screens in “Birds of a Feather in 2013. She has been seen on screen in ITV’s “Night and Day” and appeared on BBC One’s “Strictly Come Dancing” and most recently Channel 4’s “Celebrity Coach Trip” alongside Linda Robson. Lesley’s theatre credits include ‘Miss Hannigan’ in “Annie” at the West End’s Victoria Palace and also on national tour, and her Olivier Award nominated performance as ‘Frau Blucher’ in “Young Frankenstein”. Her other touring credits include “Calendar Girls” and “Hot Flush!”.
Clive Rowe won the Olivier award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for “Guys and Dolls” at The National Theatre and was also nominated for Best Supporting Performance in “Carousel”,also at The National Theatre. At 2009’s Oliviers, he was nominated for the Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre award for “Mother Goose” at Hackney Empire. His many West End and touring credits include “Ladykillers” at the Gielgud Theatre,“Chicago”at the Adelphi Theatre, “Sweet Charity”at the Donmar Warehouse, the UK tour of “The Wind in The Willows” and “Me and My Girl”at Chichester Festival Theatre.
Lizzie Bea is currently starring as ‘Martha Dunnstock’ in “Heathers The Musical” at The Other Palace. She recently received critical and audience acclaim for her portrayal of ‘Tracy Turnblad’ in “Hairspray” at the London Coliseum. Her other theatre credits include ‘Abigail’ in the World Premiere of “Becoming Nancy” at the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta and performing in the UK Tours of “Kinky Boots”, “Fat Friends the Musical”, “Chicken Little”, “The Shakespeare Revue” and “The 3 Little Pigs”.
Based on the iconic movie, this sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music tells the hilarious story of the disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.
SISTER ACT has direction by Bill Buckhurst, choreography by Alistair David, Set Design by Morgan Large, Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell, Sound Design by Tom Marshall and Musical Supervision by Stephen Brooker. Casting is by Stuart Burt.
SISTER ACT features original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted), lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane. SISTER ACT is produced by Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg.
When Dan Gallagher (Oliver Farnworth) a successful New York Attorney enjoys an evening out with a friend, due to his wife Beth (Louise Redknapp) and their daughter being away for the weekend. He meets the chatty confident beautiful and easy to talk to Alex (Susie Amy). As the night presses on they realise they have things is common. their companies are well known to one another. When the conversation begins flowing with a desire from both sides being shown they make the decision to spend a passionate night together.
Although Dan is about to discover that being unfaithful to his wife wasn’t the best decision, he could have made. With Alex starting to show signs of being slightly unhinged and not leaving him alone will Dan be able to escape what hes started or will things simply become too much to handle!
Susie Amy played her part exceptionally well. She was very believable to watch as she built on her character throughout the production. Taking the audience through a whole range of emotions as well as acting out some excessive and extreme meltdowns that she achieved with excellence.
Oliver Farnworth played a very complexed character that started out quite cocky and arrogant at times. Then followed by torment which he played remarkably along with the self-pity and regret. He was amazing to watch as he went through the different stages of his character.
Louise Redknapp played a very understated person but she couldn’t have done it any better by being the complete opposite contrast to the other women. She done this with ease and was wonderful to watch.
The stage was very intelligently done, with all the different scenes brought to you using the many screens on stage. One moment an apartment in New York then changed to being in the country to a swanky bar, office. With the ability for props to come out from certain sections like a bed or a bar making it even more affective to watch.
Some scenes were very intense with the screens adding to the situations showing visually to enhance your experience along with the tremendous sounds and lighting helping your imagination through the dramatic parts giving it a whole new depth!
All in all, a dark thriller of affairs, mystery and revenge served up at its very best!
Australian star singer and actor Jason Donovan will play Teen Angel at certain performances in a new production of Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey’s iconic musical GREASE, opening at the Dominion Theatre on Tuesday 17 May 2022, with previews from Tuesday 3 May 2022. Donovan’s first performance will be Wednesday 29 June. Patrons are advised to check the website for his performance schedule.
GREASE is directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips.
Jason Donovan first appeared as Scott Robinson in the hit Australian series Neighbours in the 1980s. He then followed on as a recording artist and had several hit songs in the late 1980s. His album Ten Good Reasons was the best-selling album of 1989. His hit songs included Too Many Broken Hearts, Especially For You (with Kylie Minogue), Any Dream Will Do, Sealed With A Kiss, and many more. On stage, he had a record-breaking run in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and subsequently starred in The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Sound of Music, Annie Get Your Gun, The King’s Speech, Million Dollar Quartet, Jeff Wayne’s The War Of The Worlds and Chicago. In 2019 and 2021, Jason spent the summer months at the London Palladium as Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and is currently starring in the UK tour. Jason’s recent TV credits include ITV’s Dial M for Middlesbrough and Dave’s Meet the Richardson’s.
Jason Donovan said “As a lifelong fan of the show, I’m thrilled to be joining the cast of Grease in the role of Teen Angel at the Dominion Theatre for 6 weeks this year. While I may have missed the boat on playing Danny, the Teen Angel seemed like the perfect fit. I especially look forward to those few performances I get to perform with Peter Andre as Vince Fontaine. Who would have thought two Aussie’s would take to the West End in such a well-loved musical, singing the most iconic songs? Roll on June.”
Also in the cast are Dan Partridge (Link Larkin in Hairspray UK tour & Pepper in MAMMA MIA! West End) and Olivia Moore (Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre & Heathers at Theatre Royal Haymarket) as Danny and Sandy respectively, with Jocasta Almgill (& Juliet at Shaftesbury Theatre) as Rizzo, Paul French (Grease UK tour) as Kenickie, Noah Harrison (Arts Educational School graduate) as Roger, Mary Moore (Little Women at Park Theatre) as Jan, Jake Reynolds (professional debut) as Doody, Lizzy-Rose Esin-Kelly (A Chorus Line at Curve) as Marty, Damon Gould (Pretty Woman: The Musical at Savoy Theatre) as Sonny, Eloise Davies (Be More Chill at The Other Palace) as Frenchie, Darnell Mathew James (Urdang Academy graduate) as Eugene, Jessica Croll (Hairspray UK tour) as Patty Simcox, Katie Lee (Matilda The Musical at Cambridge Theatre) as Cha Cha, Ronan Burns (West Side Story at Curve) as Johnny Casino and Corinna Powlesland (An Officer and A Gentleman at Regents Park Open Air Theatre) as Miss Lynch. Darren Bennett (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Savoy Theatre) will play Officer Mailie and Vince Fontaine at certain performances. They are joined by Jack Harrison-Cooper, Pearce Barron, Ben Culleton, Rishard-Kyro Nelson, Ellie Kingdon, Kamilla Fernandes, Remi Ferdinand, Kalisha Johnson, Zack Guest, Imogen Bailey, Kevin O’Dwyer and Carly Miles.
GREASE originally opened in Chicago in 1971, followed by a move to Broadway in 1972, where it received seven Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Musical. During the show’s eight-year run at the time, little known actors including Peter Gallagher, Patrick Swayze and John Travolta all appeared in the production, with Richard Gere understudying many roles before going on to star as Danny Zuko in the 1973 London premiere. GREASE was first performed at the Dominion Theatre in 1993 before transferring to the Cambridge Theatre in 1996. It returned to the West End, opening at the Piccadilly Theatre in 2007.
The 1978 film adaptation starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John is the fourth highest-grossing live action musical of all time. The musical features beloved songs, including Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’, Hopelessly Devoted To You and You’re The One That I Want.
GREASE has designs by Colin Richmond, orchestrations and musical supervision by Sarah Travis, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Tom Marshall and Richard Brooker, video and projection design by Douglas O’Connell and casting by David Grindrod CDG.
This production of GREASE is produced by Colin Ingram for InTheatre Productions, Donovan Mannato, Playing Field, Gavin Kalin, and Curve.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
3 May – 29 October 2022
Dominion Theatre
268-269 Tottenham Court Road
London
W1T 7AQ
Performances: Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursday* & Saturday at 2.30pm
York Theatre Royal – until Saturday 26th March 2022
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
3***
Northern Broadsides, with their 30th production, are once again gracing the stage at York Theatre Royal with their adaption, in conjunction with New Vic Theatre, of the Shakespearian comedy As You Like It.
As You Like It follows its heroine Rosalind (EM Williams) as she flees persecution in her uncle’s court. Accompanied by her cousin Celia (Jo Patmore) and disguising herself as a boy, they both eventually finding safety and love in the Forest of Arden. This is a show of drama, full of treachery, unrequited love, silliness, but ultimately it ends up being a love story, with everything falling into place and coming right in the world.
The set comprises of vintage clothes hanging mid-air, various hat stands around the stage, with a large one centre stage, which is used as a maypole in the show’s finale. The hat stands are well utilised to depicts the Forest of Arden and a sheep’s pen. Clothes rails are used for actors to change clothing on stage, with actors jumping through them to exit the stage. The costumes are very eclectic, bold and beautiful.
The ensemble cast, with Patmore taking on the role of Celia, as well as her other roles, and Robin Simpson stepping in to take on the role as Jacques, bring an energy to the piece. The comedy element of the play is most evident in the bizarre, hilarious sheep piece, where we see three of the actors on all fours, clip clopping around on the stage. Joe Morrow as Touchstone the Clown is a good fit with his improvised comedy. He has a great rapport with the audience, not surprising due to his background in compering and cabaret, very natural in his sparkly red shoes.
Patmore not only makes us laugh as William, fully of swagger in his exceedingly large puffer coat, but brings a warmth to proceedings with her Celia. She also has a beautiful voice, she is the whole package. The most notable performance though must surely go to Williams. They bring so much vitality and physicality to their character, Rosalind/Ganymede and show great dexterity with their, what I would describe as pole dancing, on the largest of the hat stands.
At times I did struggle to hear what was being said and found a few sections overly long, the play could have been shorter. To be fair I’m not the biggest fan of Shakespeare, yes, I’ve said it, but this is worth a watch for the performances alone.
This is not Shakespeare quite as you imagine it, it is Shakespeare with northern accents, reimagined for a modern audience. With the lead being played by non-binary actor EM Williams and other roles where gender, race or disability have no bearing, this is a truly inclusive cast, indicative of today’s world
Due to phenomenal demand, the smash-hit, Olivier-nominated THE CHOIR OF MAN returns to The Arts Theatre in London’s West End this autumn, with performances beginning 1 October 2022. Tickets will be on sale from 10.00am, Friday 25 March.
Casting is to be announced.
The initial limited season at The Arts Theatre will finish on Sunday 3 April 2022. This month, it was announced that the show has received an Olivier nomination for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play.
THE CHOIR OF MAN has previously played three sell-out seasons at the Sydney Opera House and multiple sold-out US and European tours.
THE CHOIR OF MAN is the best lock-in at your local you’ll ever have, featuring amazing reinventions of folk, pop, Broadway and rock chart-toppers from artists including Guns ‘N’ Roses, Fun!, Adele, Avicii, Paul Simon, Sia and many more. It’s a party, it’s a concert and it’s a lock-in like no other.
The multi-talented cast combine beautiful harmonies and foot-stomping singalongs with world-class tap dance and poetic meditations on the power of community. This is a riotously feel-good homage to that gathering place we all love: the pub, complete with a real working bar on stage.
THE CHOIR OF MAN is created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, directed by Nic Doodson, with musical supervision, vocal arrangements and orchestrations by Jack Blume, movement direction and choreography by Freddie Huddleston, monologues written by Ben Norris, scenic design by Oli Townsend, lighting design by Richard Dinnen, costume design and associate scenic design by Verity Sadler, sound design by Sten Severson, casting by Debbie O’Brien. Associate Choreographer is Rachel Chapman and Associate Musical Director is Hollie Cassar.
The show is produced by Immersive Everywhere, Nic Doodson, Andrew Kay, Wendy & Andy Barnes and AK Theatricals.
AT THE TURBINE THEATRE FROM 30 JUNE TO 7 AUGUST 2022
Based on real events from the perspective of the writer and the autistic community, A-Typical Rainbow, running at The Turbine Theatre for a limited run from 30 June until 07 August, is an uplifting play about the experience of growing up neurodivergent and queer in early 2000s Britain. Both comedic and poignant, it explores how, through repression and shame, autistic people are made to feel by both adults and peers alike, shaping the adult they become today.
The production will be directed by Bronagh Lagan, who recently directed Cruise, which has just been nominated for an Olivier for Best Play, and is currently directing Broken Wings and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.
An overly imaginative autistic child’s vast and glorious fantasy worlds rule his life in beautiful and horrific ways from an early age. His mother decides to seek help for him in the early 2000’s to allow him to adapt to the ‘real world’ that we all must live in. This removes him from the fantasy realm and gives him a chance at normalcy, all be it at the significant cost of his own authenticity.
From the household kitchen to employment at a world-famous travelling circus, the young boy faces the trials of choosing between being honest in an unaccepting world, or attempting to fit in. It is through love, friendship, harsh lessons, bigotry, reality, and fantasy that he learns he ultimately must make a choice – be honest and risk stigma or continue to hide unhappily and unprogressively?
JJ Green, Writer, has said “this play was written by an autistic writer, has been read and approved by many autistic artists & marks the first time a piece of theatre has been written about us, by us, for you. It is commonplace for stories to be told about us – without us. This play aims to change that. It feels surreal & entirely golden to see what started off as words on a page finally come to life on stage. I feel incredibly lucky, excited and proud to be bringing Atypical Rainbow to the Turbine Theatre and can’t wait to share my world with others in such a unique way, properly, for the first time with a team of creatives and cast performing telling a story about autism through our own lens.”
JJ has amassed a supportive and engaged following on social media during the pandemic due to his insightful and passionate advocacy for autistic artists like himself in theatre spaces. He has been an integral part of shaping Actor’s Equity’s most recent guide for working with autistic artists.
Atypical Rainbow has composition and sound design by Max Alexander-Taylor (soon to star in The Lion at Southwark Playhouse), who is autistic, and choreography by William Spencer, who is neurodivergent.
Known as a radio play it is read in an authentic studio setting, brought to life with live sound effects in the style of a vintage radio drama live on stage. It depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to tell its story. Theatre Royal Windsor proved to be an ideal venue for The Unexpected Guest.
The play opens with sounds of a crash and thunder and the appearance of Michael Starkwedder, played by Khris Marshall, arriving at a country house late at night. He finds Laura Warwick, played by Sally Bretton, holding a gun, with her husband lying dead. Both leading actors gave strong convincing performances whilst they tried to assess and make sense of what had just happened. They set the scene of what was to follow.
Other outstanding performances were from Inspector Thomas, played by Robert Duncan and Mrs Warwick, played by Marti Webb. The other members of the cast, actors Jeffrey Harmer, Martin Carroll, Rosie Thomson and Joe Trancini, all gave strong supporting performances.
The dialogue and clear diction from all the cast made the play a pleasure to watch. The final twist at the end of the play, although predictable to some, achieved a gasp from the audience. The performance was very well received and is to be thoroughly recommended.
Five individuals have been honoured with Special Recognition Awards ahead of the Olivier Awards 2022 with Mastercard, recognising their outstanding contributions to the theatre industry.
Lisa Burger, Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive of the National Theatre for the past 20 years, has been awarded for her role in expanding the theatre’s reach, forging partnerships UK-wide and playing a key part in the industry’s pandemic recovery through initiatives like NT At Home.
Designer Bob King receives an award for creating some of theatre’s most iconic and instantly recognisable visuals for hit shows in the West End over a 40-year career – including the artwork for Oliver!, Back To The Future, Frozen, Mary Poppins, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical and many more.
Gloria Louis is awarded for her trailblazing career, which began front of house at the Strand Theatre (now the Novello), progressed into theatre management and now to a role as the inclusion and diversity lead for Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, using her knowledge, passion and dedication to inspire young people from all backgrounds about theatre careers.
Also recognised is Susie Sainsbury, whose long-time philanthropy and support of the arts has made a significant difference to theatre in London and beyond. She founded The Backstage Trust to fund live arts projects and was also instrumental in the creation of the Theatre Artists Fund during the pandemic.
Influential theatre school founder Sylvia Young has been recognised for giving countless students opportunities to study performing arts and go on to prolific careers in theatre, film and TV, since she first started teaching in 1972.
Julian Bird, Chief Executive of Society of London Theatre and Executive Producer of the Olivier Awards, said:
‘The Special Recognition Olivier Awards shine a spotlight on inspirational individuals doing vital work, often behind the scenes, who have been a force for good and helped shape our industry in a wide range of ways. The five people we are honouring this year have all inspired generations of colleagues and theatre audiences, been pioneers in their fields and are hugely deserving of this long-due recognition. It is a privilege to celebrate their achievements as part of this year’s Olivier Awards.’
The Olivier Awards will take place on Sunday 10 April at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Jason Manford. This year will see sustainability take centre stage, with guests walking a ‘Green Carpet’ of real, reusable grass, and headline sponsor Mastercard pledging to plant a tree for every public ticket sold via Priceless.com.
