Month: April 2022

RITA SIMONS, HARRIET THORPE, HAYLEY TAMADDON, LEANNE JONES & WENDI PETERS TO STAR IN UK TOUR OF

STEPPING OUT

OPENING 5 SEPTEMBER 2022

David Ball Productions and Paul Woolf for Kings Theatre Portsmouth are delighted to announce the new UK Tour of Richard Harris’s Stepping Out, starring Rita Simons, Harriet Thorpe, Hayley Tamaddon, Leanne Jones and Wendi Peters.  The UK Tour opens on Monday 5 September 2022 at Kings Theatre Portsmouth.

Stepping Out won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Comedy when it originally opened in London’s West End in 1984 and the film version in 1991 was directed by Lewis Gilbert and starred Liza Minnelli and Julie Walters.  Richard Harris has worked with the team on this new stage production to update the play and set it in the 2020s.  Mavis, a former professional dancer, teaches a troupe of adult would-be tappers, but before the dancing starts, she must mediate the drama that erupts between this group of students of different ages and from disparate backgrounds until love and friendship unites them all. 

Hayley Tamaddon plays Mavis.  She first shot to fame playing Delilah Dingle in Emmerdale.  Other leading roles include Zoe in Waterloo Road, Calista in Shameless and Andrea Beckett in Coronation Street.  Her theatre work includes The Lady Of The Lake in the UK Tour of Spamalot, Roxie Hart in the UK Tour of Chicago, Millie in the UK Tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie and Miss Hedge in Everybody’s Talking about Jamie in London’s West End.

Wendi Peters, who plays Vera, is best known for her role as Cilla Battersby Brown in Coronation Street.  Wendi played the recurring character Cook Jenkins in Hetty Feather (BBC) and her other television credits include Lynda Babbage in Midsomer Murders (ITV), Nicky Connelly in Doctors (BBC), Queen Shania in Hacker Time (BBC), Kelly in Sadie J (BBC), Marion in Crime Stories (ITV) and ‘Podger’ Pam Jolly in Bad Girls (ITV).

Rita Simon plays Maxine and is best known for playing Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders.  Most recently Rita played Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray at the London Coliseum. Previous to this, her credits include Lisa Prescott in The Krays: Dead Man Walking, an untold chapter from the notorious legend of the Kray Twins, Caro Harcourt in the UK Tour of Peter James’s The House in Cold Hill and Miss Hedge in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at London’s Apollo Theatre.

Playing Dorothy is Harriet Thorpe, who is best known for her roles as Carole in The Brittas Empire and Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous.  Work with French and Saunders includes Girls on Top, the French and Saunders series Mirrorball and The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle.  Work with Victoria Wood includes Victoria Wood’s Mid Life Christmas, Victoria Wood’s Short Term Memories and Victoria Wood MoonWalking. 

Leanne Jones, who plays Sylvia, made her professional debut as Tracy Turnblad opposite Michael Ball in Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End, for which, Leanne won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical, the Critics’ Circle Award for Best Newcomer and the Theatregoers Choice Award for Best Actress in a Musical.  On television, she has appeared in Unforgotten.  She also appeared in Tom Hooper’s film musical CATS. 

Also in the cast will be Elizabeth Power as Mrs Fraser, Deborah Tracey as Rose, Charlotte Bloomsbury as Andy, Nicole Deon as Lynne and Tom Kanji as Geoffrey.

Stepping Out will be directed by Dan Phillips and choreographed by Joanna Goodwin, with set and costume design by Cory Shipp and sound design by David Hart for Seventh Wave Audio.

The UK Tour of Stepping Out is produced by David Ball Productions and Paul Woolf for Kings Theatre Portsmouth.

2022 TOUR SCHEDULE

5 – 10 September                            Kings Theatre, Portsmouth                                                      on sale 28 April

                                                           www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk                                                  023 9282 8282

12 – 17 September                          Orchard Theatre, Dartford                                                        on sale May

                                                           orchardtheatre.co.uk                                                                01322 220000

19 – 24 September                          New Theatre, Cardiff                                                                 on sale May

                                                           newtheatrecardiff.co.uk                                                           0343 310 0041

3 – 8 October                                   Hall for Cornwall, Truro                                                            on sale soon

                                                           www.hallforcornwall.co.uk                                                      01872 262466

10 – 15 October                               New Theatre, Peterborough                                                     on sale 29 April

                                                           newtheatre-peterborough.com

17 – 22 October                               Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple                                                    on sale 29 April

                                                           www.queenstheatre-barnstaple.com

24 – 29 October                               Swan Theatre, High Wycombe                                                 on sale May

                                                           wycombeswan.co.uk                                                                 03433 100060

31 October – 5 November              Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham                                              on sale soon

                                                           www.everymantheatre.org.uk                                                 01242 572573

7 – 12 November                             Devonshire Park, Eastbourne                                                   on sale soon

                                                           www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk                                              01323 412000

Further dates to be added.

WICKED EXTENDS BOOKING INTO 2023

New tickets now on sale for all performances

until Sunday 28 May 2023

4 Extra Christmas 2022 Shows Added

www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

WICKED, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is pleased to announce the release of 500,000 new tickets, with public booking now extended at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre until Sunday 28 May 2023.

“One of the most successful musicals of all time” (BBC News) and already the 9^th longest running West End musical in history, Wicked plays Tuesday-Saturday evening performances @ 7.30pm with matinees on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday @ 2.30pm. Four extra Christmas 2022 shows have also been added on Tuesday 20 December, Friday 23 December, Tuesday 27 December and Friday 30 December 2022, all @ 2.30pm. Access performances are confirmed as follows – Captioned: Thursday 15 September 2022 @ 7.30pm, Saturday 18 February 2023 @ 2.30pm; Audio Described: Saturday 12 November 2022 @ 2.30pm, Tuesday 14 March 2023 @ 7.30pm; Sign Language Interpreted: Friday 13 May 2022 @ 7.30pm, Saturday 22 October 2022 @ 2.30pm, Friday 21 April 2023 @ 7.30pm. Tickets are now on sale for all performances at  www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

Wicked currently stars: Lucie Jones (Elphaba), Helen Woolf (Glinda), Ryan Reid (Fiyero), Sophie-Louise Dann (Madame Morrible), Gary Wilmot (The Wizard), Carina Gillespie (Nessarose), Nicholas McLean (Boq), Simeon Truby (Doctor Dillamond), Amy Webb (Standby for Elphaba), Lisa-Anne Wood (Standby for Glinda), Yuki Abe, Kofi Aidoo-Appiah, Meg Astin, Alishia-Marie Blake, Pàje Campbell, Grace Chapman*, Michael Colbourne, Fergus Dale, Nolan Edwards, Nicola Espallardo, Danny Fogarty, Laura Harrison, Amie Hibbert, Lucie Horsfall, Samuel How, Christian Knight, Nick Len, Jasmine Leung, Rhidian Marc, PaddyJoe Martin, Jessica-Alice McCluskey, Stacey McGuire, Harry Mills, Lewis Newton, Natalie Spriggs, Samantha Thomas**, Joe Thompson-Oubari and James Titchener.

* Maternity cover for Maggie Lynne.  **Maternity cover for Joanna Sawyer.  Cast subject to change.

Now seen by more than 10 million people in London alone (and 60 million worldwide), “the global sensation” (Independent) is the winner of more than 100 major international awards, including three Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy Award and ten theatregoer voted WhatsOnStage Awards (including ‘Best New Musical’ and three for ‘Best West End Show’).

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, 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.

Wickedhas 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, Enchanted and its forthcoming sequel Disenchanted). It is based on the bestselling novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and written by Emmy and Tony Award nominee Winnie Holzman, creator of the landmark American television series My So-Called Life. 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.

Audience Protocols: the Apollo Victoria Theatre, owned and operated by the Ambassador Theatre Group, continues to maintain stringent public health protocols throughout the venue. For full information, please visit www.atgtickets.com/help/health-and-safety/

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

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

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

The Grammy Award-winning, Platinum-certified Original Broadway Cast Recording on Decca Broadway

The Rubens at the Palace is the official hotel partner of Wicked London  www.rubenshotel.com

Surrey’s annual multi-arts extravaganza  

Guildford Fringe Festival  

will return from 24 June – 16 July 2022  

Surrey audiences can look forward to the welcome return of Guildford Fringe Festival from Friday 24 June until Saturday 16 July 2022, with a packed programme of more than 100 live performance and arts events now on sale: http://guildfordfringefestival.com/. 

The 2022 Festival programme is as follows (Free Fringe events are marked with a *): 

Comedy: Gag House Comedy Superstars (Laura Lexx, Flo and Joan, Tom Lucy, Dave Fulton), 2 Mouthed Men (Daniel Stanger-Cornwell, James Hawley), Michael Akadiri, Kyle D Evans*, Strangers & Exiles, Sasha Ellen, Robyn Perkins, Nathan Cassidy, Stokes & Summers, Jack Campbell, Russell Arathoon, Alex Hylton, Joe Wells, Alex Lacey, Rob Kemp, Scott McPherson, Jack Barry, Alistair Barrie, Simon Brodkin, Will Preston, Bright Club, Eryn Tett, Katie Pritchard, Nick Hall, The Improlectuals, Sounds Proper Comedy, James Dowdeswell, Juliette Burton,  Pauly F Taylor, Jack Hester, Juliet Meyers, Ali Woods, Dane Baptiste, Glenn Moore, Sallyann Fellowes, Cerys Bradley, Tom Mayhew, Richard Stott, Martian Geeses, No Mad Actors, Alice Fraser, Lew Fitz. 

Theatre: Pinocchio Gets Wood – the Summer Adult Panto (Guildford Fringe Theatre Company), The Magic Hatters Walking Tour (Kelly Robinson and Steve McShane), Grimm’s Sweary Tales (PuppeTails), Ode to Joyce (Apollo Theatre Company), Sex is Another Language – the life, lusts and loves of Elizabeth Taylor (Creaction), A Double Bill from PPA (Performance Preparation Academy), Second Summer of Love (Pants on Fire), Much Ado About Nothing (Immersion Theatre), The Minotaur (All Greek To me). 

Live Music: Surrey Fringe Singers*, Opera on the Balcony*, Gary Jerry: The Piano Man*, Schubert: Journey of love, life and song (Fraser Harrington), Café de Swing, Rock Choir LIVE, Anthony Fort’s Guildford Songbook, Sing-A-Longa Pub Quiz, Mister Meredith, Rob Johnston. 

Cabaret: Burley Bottomless Brunch, Tickled Pink, Griffin & Jones, Laurie Black, Amber Topaz, Drag Bottomless Brunch, The Lock-in Cabaret. 

Other events: poet Robert Garnham, Tanieth Kerr, Guildford Arts Summer Exhibition*, writing workshop with Paul Kerensa, Movie & A Meal series – Moulin Rouge!, Belfast, Minamata.

This year’s festival venues include Clandon Wood Nature Reserve, Guildford High Street, Holy Trinity Church, St Mary’s Church, The Fallen Angel, The Guildhall, The Keep Pub, The Mill Studio at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, The Star Inn and Zero Carbon Guildford. 

Set up by Managing Director Nick Wyschna in 2013, Guildford’s largest independent multi-arts festival which Nick runs with his wife Charlotte Wyschna, is an open-access celebration featuring theatre, comedy, poetry, music, visual arts, family-friendly shows, talks and free events.  

Nick Wyschna said: “We are back! I can’t tell you how excited Charlotte and I are at the prospect of a ‘normal’ Fringe Festival this year. It’s clearly not just us who are excited about getting back to live events as the artists and producers have flooded in and we have a jam-packed programme of entertainment for you to enjoy. We have been away for a while but our values are still the same, we want the arts to be accessible for everyone that wants to enjoy them. With this in mind I am very pleased to say that we have several free events during the Fringe and we have kept the average ticket price at around £9. We hope this means you’ll be able to come out and have some fun with us.” 

Visit GuildfordFringeFestival.com for the full line-up and to book tickets. The Box Office phone number is 01483 361101. During the Festival, the Fringe Team will be at The Star Inn, Quarry Street, 7 days a week, from 6-7pm, where they will run a Box Office for all Festival events and be happy to have a chat.

Freckle Productions present

Tiddler and other Terrific Tales

Adapted from the bestselling books

by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

Returning to London this Summer

At Cadogan Hall from Friday 29 July to Sunday 21 August

Having enchanted audiences all over the world, Tiddler will be swimming back to London this Summer! Adapted from the bestselling books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Tiddler and other Terrific Taleswill play a limited three-week engagement at Cadogan Hall from Friday 29 July to Sunday 21 August. The production will also play a short run at the New Theatre, Cardiff from Monday 25 to Wednesday 27 July.

Prepare to go under the sea, out on the farm and into the jungle, as four terrific tales are bought to life on stage with live music, puppetry and a whole host of colourful characters from the much-loved titles: Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant in Town and A Squash and a Squeeze. Funky moves, toe tapping tunes and giggles are guaranteed.

Tiddler and other Terrific Tales weaves together four stories byJulia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the multi award-winning picture book pair behind some of the world’s best loved children’s books, most notably the modern classic The Gruffalo which has been published in over 100 languages. Together their books have sold over 75 million copies.

Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales is brought to the stage by Freckle Productions who return to Cadogan Hall following last summer’s smash-hit run of Zog. Their other adaptations include Stick Man, Tabby McTat and Zog and the Flying Doctors which is on tour now. Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales is directed by Mark Kane with original direction by Sally Cookson, music and lyrics by Benji Bower, designs by Katie Sykes, lighting design by El Higgins and musical direction by Brian Hargreaves.

York Theatre Royal – until 1st May 2022

Reviewed by Aimee Liddington

5*****

Magic holds a tremendous appeal for people of all ages. If you’ve ever seen a magic show then you’ll know how it feels to be sat on the edge of your seat, wondering with a morbid curiosity just what would happen if it all went wrong. Mischief have teamed up with magic superstars Penn & Teller to satisfy our macabre minds and give us just that – a magic show where everything goes wrong.

Magic Goes Wrong follows an unfortunate gang of magicians in their mission to raise money in aid of victims of magic misfortune but they seem to have some misfortune of their own. The tricks of illusion and slight of hand go from bad to worse but the gang are wilful and tenacious and will not put a stop to the hypnotic tragedy that unfolds before them.

Direction from Adam Meggido really maximises on the actors’ skills in comedic timing and slapstick comedy. In particular, Sam Hill, Rory Fairbairn and Kiefer Moriarty shine in their roles: Hill’s portrayal of the great Sophisticato is highly entertaining as he delivers lines with a camp obliviousness to the tragedy of his character, Fairbairn is farcical in his role as the Mind Mangler and proves himself to be spontaneous and flexible in his performance by inviting a variety of audience participation and dealing hilariously with the challenges that it brings, Moriarty brings energy and enthusiasm to his role as The Blade and plays a calamitous but dedicated showman.

Magic Goes Wrong brings all the mystery and exhilaration of a magic show with the absurdity and ludicrousness of a slapstick comedy. It really is a win-win situation – just be aware – you may never enjoy a ‘normal’ magic show again.

Bristol Hippodrome – until 30th April 2022

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

5*****

The ever loved Chicago hits Bristol this week, and it does not disappoint!!

In the heart of the roaring 1920’s, we follow Roxie Hart (Faye Brookes) as she navigates through the county jail, conning the public and the media into believing she is an innocent and repentant woman. Hiring Billy Flynn (Liam Marcellino) she copies Velma Kelly’s (Djalenga Scott) pleas and eventually ends with the most Unlikely friendship between them.

This is a stand out show, with sultry costumes, dazzling choreography and breathtaking vocals. Faye Brookes astounds as she easily takes on the role of Roxie, giving the performance of a lifetime. Mama Morton (Sheila Ferguson) is an incredible star, with the perfect mixture of sass and love, she truly excels. During ‘When you’re good to Mama’ she commanded the stage and soared through the track with exceptional agility. A rarely seen, but heartwarming performance from Jamie Baughan as Amos Hart was superb. He peppered the show with elements of desperation and true love as he longed for his incarcerated wife Roxie, finally giving us the beauty of ‘Mister Cellophane’. From the audience there was an audible ‘aww’ as he sang through his trials of being unheard-it was a heart wrenching performance. Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly was also spectacular, giving us perfect story telling from the opening ‘All That Jazz’. A perfect cast and performances from all involved-the dancing was stellar and this is a show to treasure. The music from John Kander was cleverly directed by Andrew Hilton and his exceptional orchestra who are ever present on the stage. The music makes this show a phenomenon and it was beautiful to hear the trumpets blast and the piano played without hesitation.

This is a truly wonderful show, with greed, murder and the old razzle dazzle-you would have to be criminal to miss this!!

Kings Theatre, Edinburgh – until Saturday 30^th April 2022

Reviewed by Ellen Searle

5*****

Based on the picture book by Kate Pankhurst and with songs from acclaimed hit songwriter Mirander Cooper, Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World is a wonderfully original pop of colour, music and storytelling.  At the centre of this lively musical is Jade (Kudzai Mangombe), an 11 year old who finds herself accidentally separated from her class on a school trip to a museum – alone in the Hall of Greatness, distraught at her parents impending divorce, she is literally and figuratively lost.  But not for long.  Twelve iconic women from history appear to inspire and counsel Jade, and as they do so, we the audience are entertained and educated in equal measure.  Jade Kennedy, Renee Lamb, Christina Modestou and Kirstie Skivington play these characters with the expertise, attention to detail and sheer verve these giants of history deserve, performing Miranda Cooper’s catchy and wonderfully choreographed original songs with brio.

First to appear are a heroic trio of sportspeople and adventurers led by aviator Amelia Earhart.  Jade is lost and needs direction, but also needs to have her voice heard.  Cue Emmeline Pankhurst (yes, a distant relative of the original book’s author), to help her express herself. Frida Kahlo and Jane Austen represent the arts, their contrasting styles and backgrounds playing together perfectly. Then we have leaders in the fields of sciences, nursing and espionage showing that women really can and do excel in any field! And finally, we are brought into the more modern era with Rosa Parks and Ann Frank (Lana Turner), completing a highly diverse line up of inspirational women.

The real life stories are seamlessly interwound with the fictional plot, cleverly often using the actual words spoken or written by the heroines. The colourful staging and imaginative use of props makes the show visually appealing.  While it is aimed primarily at younger people (and my own 12 year old daughter loved it) and is meant to educate and inspire, it is never preachy.  The stories, like all good stories, draw us in and take us on a journey, and while full of comic moments and some great quips, it does not shy away from more difficult aspects of the women’s lives. This add real depth, showing that change is achieved not because of a single spontaneous moment of brilliance, but by perseverance over time,  by overcoming personal challenges, and almost always as part of a wider collective movement for change.  As this show eloquently expresses, all of us can and do make a difference in the world – and we can have a bit of fun along the way.  This show matters because, as Kate Pankhurst herself says “the stories you hear when you are young are incredibly important, they can help you look at the world in a new light and feel a little braver – they help to form the jigsaw of you.”

Everyone involved in this wonderful production can rightly be proud of their part in telling these stories, and doing their own bit to change the world through this sassy, uplifting musical.

RAYMOND GUBBAY LIMITED PRESENTS

THE PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATION

ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL

SATURDAY 4 JUNE AT 2.30PM

PRESENTED BY KATIE DERHAM

Raymond Gubbay Limited is proud to present THE PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATION, a concert of majestic music celebrating 70 years of Her Majesty’s reign, on Saturday 4 June at 2.30pm at the Royal Festival Hall, during the Jubilee weekend.

Featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the magnificent, combined sound of the Royal Choral Society and The Bach Choir along with a distinguished line-up of soloists including Christopher Warren-Green conducting, Fflur Wyn soprano and Crispian Steele-Perkins trumpet. The concert will be presented by the broadcaster Katie Derham, who is currently fronts In Tune on BBC Radio 3.

The majority of the pieces have been chosen for their connection to royal events and all have featured in the Coronation or a royal wedding.

Pieces include:
Handel Zadok the Priest, Walton Crown Imperial, Schubert Ave Maria
Elgar Nimrod, Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves, Parry I was glad, Handel Eternal source of light divine, Purcell Trumpet Tune, Elgar Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 in D, Butterworth The Banks of Green Willow

Katie Derham said: ‘I am really looking forward to presenting the most wonderful afternoon of celebratory music with all sorts of fabulous pieces from different occasions and celebrations from throughout Her Majesty’s reign.’

Tickets can be bought at: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/classical-music/platinum-jubilee-celebration

www.raymondgubbay.co.uk

ALEXANDRA BURKE JOINS THE CAST OF

J A C K   A N D   TH E   B E A N S T A L K

 THE 2022 PANTOMIME AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED FIVE WEEK RUN

Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes is delighted to announce that Alexandra Burke will play Mrs Blunderbore, the Giant’s devilish wife, in Jack and the Beanstalk at The London Palladium this Christmas, joining previously announced panto favourites Dawn French, Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot. Jack and the Beanstalk plays from 10 December 2022 to 15 January 2023.

Alexandra Burke is one of the UK’s most distinguishable powerhouse voices having sold over 5 million records in the UK.  Her three studio albums have spawned the smash hit singles Bad Boys, All Night Long, Start Without You, Elephant and Broken Heels. Her debut single Hallelujah was a million-selling chart-topper.  Alexandra has become one of the UK’s most sought-after West End leading ladies since her 2014 theatre debut as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard. This was followed by Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act in 2016 before a double-whammy in 2018; Roxie Hart in Chicago while also appearing in Chessat the London Coliseum. Her most recent role, originated at The London Palladium, is The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, currently touring across the UK.  A firm favourite across both stage and screen, Alexandra reached the final of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2017. Last year she was crowned ‘Star Baker’ in The Great Celebrity Bake Offfor Stand Up To Cancer. Most recently Alexandra was the only woman left standing on Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, winning the show.  Alexandra is writing and recording her eagerly awaited fourth studio album and will make her movie debut later this year in the BFI/BBC film Pretty Red Dress. 

Once again directed by Michael Harrison, Jack and the Beanstalk will feature lavish new set designs from Mark Walters and costume designs from Hugh Durrant created especially for The London Palladium. Harrison’s production has choreography by Karen Bruce, with lighting designs by Ben Cracknell, sound designs by Gareth Owen and composition and orchestrations by Gary Hind.

Jack and the Beanstalk is produced by Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes.As a producer in the West End his credits include The Drifter’s Girl, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Gypsy, The Bodyguard, Annie and Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein. Crossroads Pantomimes is the world’s biggest pantomime producer and part of Crossroads Live, a global leader in the production of musical theatre and immersive entertainment experiences.

LISTINGS INFORMATION 

Theatre:                             The London Palladium, Argyll St, London W1F 7TF

Dates:                                Sat 10 December 2022 – Sun 15 January 2023

Performances:                     visit website for performance schedule

Tickets:                              Tickets from £20 – no booking fees

Website:                            www.palladiumpantomime.com

Twitter:                              @PalladiumPanto                          

Facebook:                           PalladiumPanto

Instagram:                         palladiumpanto

Crossroads Pantomimes
With a glittering array of star names headlining spectacular, lavish productions, Crossroads Pantomimes is the world’s biggest pantomime producer. With renowned creative teams, talented casts and musicians, and passionate production teams, the company create pantomimes which are at the heart of family entertainment across the UK. As part of Crossroads Live, the company works under the leadership of Michael Harrison and is chaired by David Ian.

The London Palladium has been the capital’s majestic home of variety for over a century, and to this day it continues to delight and surprise audiences with its rich tapestry of acts. We’ve welcomed a staggering selection of greats from Bob Hope and Louis Armstrong to the Two Ronnies, Bruce Forsyth and Cliff Richard. This proud tradition has continued since the theatre joined the LW Theatres family in 2000, hosting recent headliners as diverse as Sting, Bob Dylan, Madonna, Coldplay, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Ocean and Dita Von Teese. An annual pantomime made a return to The London Palladium in 2016.

THE KING’S HEAD THEATRE TO PREMIERE

THE HAUNTING OF SUSAN A

A NEW GHOST STORY

BY MARK RAVENHILL

SET WITHIN, AND INSPIRED BY,
LONDON’S OLDEST PUB THEATRE

The King’s Head Theatre have today announced the world premiere of Mark Ravenhill’s new play The Haunting of Susan A, which will run at the venue – London’s oldest pub theatre – from 1 – 26 June 2022.

Written as a response to the 50th anniversary celebration of the King’s Head Theatre and having celebrated the famous creatives who started their careers at the theatre, like Tom Stoppard, Victoria Wood and Bryony Lavery, Mark Ravenhill premiers his first new play as Artistic Director of The King’s Head Theatre. 

Drawing on the traditions of a classic ghost story, The Haunting of Susan A explores the power of the mind to make the unseen visible and for the cruelty of the past to haunt a room. 

Mark Ravenhill said of his new play, “Arriving last year as co-artistic director in time for the 50th anniversary, I reflected on the memories that might be held in this space, London’s oldest pub theatre. The result is a ghost story. Inspired by my love of the work of M.R. James, my new play is set in the King’s Head and explores how trauma from the past can realise itself in the present and the power of the imagination to make the unseen manifest.”

Further details of cast and creative team to be announced. Tickets are on sale now here.

The King’s Head Theatre was established in 1970. Passionate about great theatre, it is known for its challenging work and support of early career artists. The King’s Head is committed to fighting prejudice through the work it stages, and the artists and staff it works with. The team believes in fair pay for all on the fringe and create accessible routes for early career artists to stage their work – work they are passionate about.