Category: Uncategorized

Theatre Royal, York – until 24^th September 2022

Reviewed by Katie Goldsbrough

4****

Based on the young adult novel by Malorie Blackman, Noughts and Crosses is an emotional, thought-provoking play with the fight against prejudice at its centre. Black people (Crosses) are the ruling class where white people (Noughts) have come from a background of slavery and are still seen as lower class. The roles of history are reversed and this is a fascinating approach to the prejudice which people face now, in the past and in the story.

Callum (James Arden) is a Nought and has been best friends with Sephy (Effie Ansah) a Cross since he was a child. Their friendship and blossoming romance is forbidden by society, preventing them being together. When people begin to fight for Nought rights and the Home Secretary, Kamal (Chris Jack), Sephy’s father announces that some Noughts are able to attend Cross schools Sephy is thrilled. Callum gets a scholarship to Sephy’s school and both are excited for the doors this may open. However, things are not simple and prejudice is rife. Things go from bad to worse for Callum and Sephy and there is a great deal of heartbreak. Callum and Sephy both want to fight for equality in their own way, Callum through action and Sephy through education but will either of them see results? 

The cast have a difficult job with the majority playing more than one character, however they do it effortlessly and the two leads are excellent, their chemistry is clear and their doomed Romeo and Juliet style love is something the whole audience is rooting for. This play is an excellent portrayal of how prejudice can affect and ruin lives and how hard it can be for people to gain deserved equality. Adapted by Sabrina Mahfouz and brought to stage by Pilot Theatre this play will leave you thinking of all the injustices people have faced and still face today. Even the multiple groups of school children present were engrossed throughout, a definite sign of a good play.

Yvonne Arnaud theatre – until 24th September 2022

Reviewed by Liberty Noke

4****

Spike tells the story of well known comedian and poet Spike Milligan and as you might expect this play is hilariously funny. Robert Wilfort is hilarious as Spike Milligan. From the moment he walks on stage he has the audience in fits of laughter.

The stage is set to look like a radio recording studio where Spike and his colleagues recorded “the goon show”. Janet, the sound technician, played by Margaret Cabourn-smith, opens the show. She proudly shows the audience the various tools she uses to make the sound effects for the radio. It is at this moment the audience begin laughing and they don’t stop throughout the play.

We later meet spike (Robert Wilfort) and his colleagues, Harry Seacombe (Jeremy Lloyd) and Peter Sellers (Patrick Warner). The trio form a hilarious comedy group making us laugh with witty jokes and silly impressions.

Spike Milligan is well known for his comedy but also for having fought in world war 2. Throughout the play we are thrown into flashbacks of Spike’s time in the army. This is executed brilliantly with sudden change of lights and costume and then suddenly we are back in a radio studio. This contrast of Spike’s light-hearted comedy with the more serious war works really well and we are able to almost understand Spike’s shellshock. The parallel is also drawn between Spike fighting in world war 2 and fighting a war with the BBC for them to pay him a fair wage and also allow him to write the goon show as he wishes- without their censorship. All of this is portrayed alongside Spike’s sense of humour. Robert Wilfort really does a fantastic job of capturing Spike’s character.

I enjoyed learning more about Spike Milligan while watching this play as well as enjoying the jokes and the performance. However what I enjoyed most about this play was listening to other audience members recall what they enjoyed about Spike’s work. Before the play and during the interval they were telling stories of how they enjoyed his comedy, sharing their favourite jokes of his and it was wonderful to hear. They watched and laughed along as if they were laughing with an old friend and that I believe is Spike’s legacy.

Edinburgh Festival Theatre – until Saturday 24th September 20th 2022

Reviewed by Ellen Searle

4****

Based on the autobiographical book by Jay Osmond, this production was perhaps an inevitability with the so called ‘jukebox musical’ having the advantage of a ready made fan base audience. Add in the enduring appeal of the siblings pop group and the fascination around the associated family dynamics, and you have a show which has potential to appeal on a number of levels.

Directed by Shaun Kerrison and choreographed by Olivier Award winning Bill Deamer, the show provides the opportunity to see behind the scenes of the famously wholesome Osmonds, to get a feel for the experience of growing up in the spotlight and all that entails, whilst simultaneously letting us enjoy the full on upbeat, slick front of house presentation of a whole bunch of hugely songs ~ Crazy Horses, Puppy Love and Love Me for a Reason to name but a few.

Ryan Anderson, Alex Lodge, Alex Cardall, Joseph Peacock, Danny Natrass and Georgia Lennon sing, act and dance with accomplished skill and full on brio as the Osmond siblings stars. Their exuberance and competence is easily matched by the team of child actors playing their younger versions.

The brightly flamboyant nature of the performances, cleverly presented through the stage set as a giant 70s TV screen, are offset by the darker shade of the narrative following the reality behind the glitz. We learn of the ultra strict military father, relentless drill style rehearsal schedules, and the damaging impact of the need the boys feel to deliver the perfection he demands.  And, as the years pass by, we see the inevitable family and business tensions develop, as the needs and wishes of individuals are more and more difficult to meet within the the Osmonds’ brand.

But we also see the fun they have, their achievements in the entertainment industry, and the strong family bonds. Through the reading out of letters by ‘number one fan Wendy from Manchester’, we understand the positive impact that the often frothy and seemingly manufactured music can have on its fans, showing how her connection with the band and its music helps sustain her through difficult times in her own family life.

While the Osmonds’ back catalogue has perhaps not quite stood the test of time compared to other top pop acts whose hits have formed the basis of on stage productions years after their release, all in all, for Osmonds aficionados, this is a treat of a night out.  With warmth and high energy, it showcases their greatest hits, and provides insight into the personal challenges felt by members of the band, as well as the sheer joy to be had as talented musicians in a chart topping band touring the world in their own private jet. If you are a fan of the Osmonds, this will have you ‘smiling up to 10’.

Oldham Coliseum Theatre- until 1st October 2022

Review by Rebecca Hampson

5*****

Directed by Gitika Buttoo and Designed by Foxton, Jim Cartwright’s Road transported us straight back to 80s with eccentric fashion and incredible music.

The set design perfectly complemented the performance space as we saw multiple elements, such as street lights, sofas and beds which allowed us to believe the multiple spaces and houses of the street.

Through a spectacular series of multirole we saw the stories of the numerous people that lived on the Road with the story unfolding before us with the aid of our Narrator, Scullery, played by Richard J Fletcher. This character drew our attention to political moments within the play as well as providing a comic relief between emotional scenes. Fletcher was incredible as Scullery and the audience feel in love with his cheeky charming personality.

There was moments of audience participation through the breaking of the fourth wall in the opening moments of the play. Characters would speak directly to audience members picking them out between the crowds and involving them in the play. We saw characters walk down from the stage into the aisles chasing one another and even throwing things on stage which allowed us as an audience to feel present and involved with the characters.

A moment that particularly struck me was the emotional scene between Joey, played by John Askew, and Clare, played by Alyce Liburd. Within this scene we see two characters who have both lost their jobs, living in poverty begin a hunger strike. The purpose of this is never revealed but we as an audience become encapsulated in their demise as we see them get sick and eventually die through their actions. The chemistry between Askew and Liburd amplified the loving relationship between the character and their commitment to one another and their decision.

We also saw local royalty in the form of Paula Lane who played the characters of Brenda, Lane, Marion and Valerie. Having known Lane from Coronation Street I was amazed with her versatility transforming between characters changing not only her physicality but vocals adopting a Liverpudlian accent for the character of Marion. Her unique charisma was shown within each character she played and within the interactions these characters had with others.

For me the icing on the cake for this play was how it was crude but hilarious, serious yet lighthearted and displayed the politics of the late 80s in a way that were still relatable in 2022.

Running in the heart of Oldham at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre, this fabulous play is not one you want to miss!

Malvern Festival Theatre – until 24th September 2022

Reviewed by Julie Bellerby

4****

I was not sure what to expect on reviewing The Shawshank Redemption, this iconic film, would, I assume, be difficult to transfer to the stage. The play is produced by Bill Kenwright, directed by David Esbjornson, designed by Gary McCann and lighting design by Chris Davey who have all surpassed expectation giving the audience a tale of hope, longing, friendship and determination, set in the reality of prison.

A young banker, Andy Dufresne, played by Joe Absolom, is convicted of the murder of his wife and her lover. He is adamant in defending his innocence, but the evidence is overwhelming and he is sentenced to two life sentences in Shawshank Prison. There, he strikes up a friendship with a fellow inmate, Red, known as the “man who knows how to get things” and can get almost anything a prisoner could want from the outside world. Andy approaches Red requesting a rock hammer in order to pick up his old hobby of rock collecting.

The passage of time was shown through songs of the decades, the stage set was simple but very effective, with a constant smoke machine bringing an atmospheric, dingy prison with little space or room for solitude.

A brilliant performance by Ben Onwukwe as Ellis ‘Red’ Redding who also acts as narrator throughout the play and Ben swaps between his scenes and his narration very well.

All actors gave believable performances, Joe Absolom as Andy Dufresne was good, who has a long portfolio of past TV performances to his name, brought the character to life as a misfit in the prison who learned to turn his experiences of Investments to a bargaining tool which gives him some relief from the abuse he receives from inmates.

Brooksie, played by Kenneth Jay, the old librarian, who’s demise was depicted differently from the film, was not as thought provoking as it should have been, dying in a Nursing Home rather than self-hanging in a very lonely world.

The villains, meanwhile, are gang-raping inmates, were so believable and well-acted, is a credit to them, I would not liked to have met them in a dark alley. Jay Marsh, Leigh Jones and Owen Oldroyd particularly give good performances.

The end was a little weak on the set, It would have been better with a little more atmospheric stage set up rather than a small, partial screen showing the ocean, Andy, with his back to the audience, I took a few seconds to register the significance of being re united with Red on a paradise Coast.

This performance received a standing ovation from the Malvern audience, deserved? Most definitely.

THE BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE – UNTIL SATURDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER 2022

REVIEWED BY NADIA DODD

5*****

The Rush Theatre Company come together to bring you their brand new narrated musical production to ‘Get Together And Feel Alright’ with The King of Reggae, The Man, The Music. Of course they are talking about the iconic Bob Marley.

The musical narrated by the amazing Ms Lyricist B, author and poet takes the audience through the life of Bob Marley from the early days in Trenchtown to becoming a Rastafari Icon. His superstardom had such a great impact on peoples’ lives all over the world, politically, religiously and he still lives on today through his music.

The iconic hits such as ‘No Woman No Cry’, ‘One Love’ and ‘Is This Love’ were mesmerizingly played live by the JA Reggae Band, nicely planted in between each narration to enable the play to flow just perfectly. We were treated to the sounds of DJ Ken Dread who also provided backing vocals as well as some great moves!

The show had it all on one stage with all performers together including musical director ReedBass. Saxophone, drums, guitars, keyboards, trumpet and percussion ensured that the extremely appreciative audience were on their feet ‘jamming’ showing that there is still plenty of love for Bob.

The buzz in the auditorium even just a few songs into the show was electric with people really showing true appreciation for what they were seeing and hearing on stage. Simple staging and lighting, no fancy props, a back screen with photographs and quotes when appropriate, it was all that was needed.

Lead vocalist IKA plays Bob Marley, great vocals, powerful voice and easy on the eye just like Bob, who was such a ladies man!

Redemption Song stood out for me personally, a song played on guitar by Reuben Reynolds and sung by IKA (Bob) with a backdrop quote from Marcus Garvey about how we have to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery to free our own minds, it was such a powerful song.

So whilst tickets are still available Birmingstrong get yours ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy, Every Little Thing Is Gonna Be Alright’.

PLAYFUL PRODUCTIONS PRESENT THE WEST END TRANSFER OF THE CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE PRODUCTION OF 

THE UNFRIEND

BY STEVEN MOFFAT

DIRECTED BY MARK GATISS

• MARK GATISS’ PRODUCTION OF STEVEN MOFFAT’S SELL-OUT COMEDY THE UNFRIEND WILL TRANSFER TO THE CRITERION THEATRE FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON FROM 15 JANUARY 2023
  
   
• THE ACCLAIMED COMEDY MARKS THE FIRST THEATRICAL COLLABORATION FOR MOFFAT AND GATISS FOLLOWING THEIR AWARD-WINNING TV WORK ON SHERLOCK AND DRACULA

• IN HIS THEATRICAL DIRECTING DEBUT, MARK GATISS’ PRODUCTION OF MOFFAT’S DEBUT STAGE PLAY TURNS THE SPOTLIGHT ON MIDDLE CLASS ENGLAND’S OBSESSION WITH GOOD MANNERS
  
   
• THE ORIGINAL CAST OF REECE SHEARSMITH, AMANDA ABBINGTON AND FRANCES BARBER REUNITE FOLLOWING THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED RUN AT CHICHESTER’S MINERVA THEATRE
  
   
• THEY WILL BE JOINED BY THE FULL RETURNING CHICHESTER CAST: MICHAEL SIMKINS, MARCUS ONILUDE, GABRIEL HOWELL AND MADDIE HOLLIDAY
  
   
• TICKETS ARE ON SALE FROM WEDNESDAY 21 SEPTEMBER AT 9AM FROM WWW.THEUNFRIEND.COM

Playful Productions is delighted to announce that Chichester Festival Theatre’s critically acclaimed, sold out production of Steven Moffat’s riotous and effortlessly entertaining comedy The Unfriend will transfer to the Criterion Theatre, previewing from 15 January and playing until 16 April. Directed by Mark Gatiss, the full original cast reunite for the West End transfer, featuring Reece Shearsmith (Inside No.9), Amanda Abbington (Sherlock) and Frances Barber (Silk) with Michael Simkins, Marcus Onilude, Gabriel Howell and Maddie Holliday. Tickets are on sale now here.

Steven Moffat said: “I am beyond thrilled that The Unfriend is going to the West End. Working on this show with my old friend, Mark, and my new friends, the amazing cast and crew, has been one of the happiest experiences of my professional life. They’ve all been very kind to a beginner.”

Mark Gatiss said: “I’m absolutely chuffed to be bringing The Unfriend to the Criterion after a joyous time in Chichester.  What we all need now is a really good laugh and Steven’s gloriously naughty play brings that in spades.”

While on holiday Peter and Debbie befriend Elsa: a lusty, Trump-loving widow from Denver, USA.  She’s less than woke but kind of wonderful. They agree to stay in touch – because no one ever really does, do they?

When Elsa invites herself to stay a few months later, they decide to look her up online. Too late, they learn the truth about Elsa Jean Krakowski. Deadly danger has just boarded a flight to London! What began as a casual holiday friendship is now a threat to the lives of their children. 

Peter and Debbie now face the ultimate challenge of the modern world – how do you protect all that you love from mortal peril without seeming a bit impolite?

Because guess who’s coming… to MURDER.

Steven Moffat is a six-time BAFTA award-winning writer, whose hit television series include Doctor Who, Sherlock and Dracula – the latter two co-written with the actor and writer Mark Gatiss, who directs this production.

Mark Gatiss is a member of the sketch comedy team The League of Gentlemen alongside Reece Shearsmith, who will be returning to the cast of The Unfriend. Gatiss’ recent directing credits include The Mezzotint and The Amazing Mr Blunden for Sky Max, in which he also starred. Last Christmas he adapted and appeared as Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol at Nottingham Playhouse and Alexandra Palace. 

Amanda Abbington, whose credits include TV’s Sherlock and Mr Selfridge, and The Son in the West End, plays Debbie alongside Reece Shearsmith who plays her husband Peter. Reece’s recent work includes A Very Expensive Poison (Olivier Award nomination, Old Vic), The Dresser (Duke of York’s), Hangmen (Royal Court) and TV’s Inside No 9.

Frances Barber’s extensive screen work includes The Mezzotint, Silk and Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool; recent stage credits include Musik (Edinburgh Festival/Leicester Square Theatre: Offie Award Best Lead Performance in a Musical) and An Ideal Husband (Vaudeville Theatre)..

The cast also includes Michael Simkins, Marcus Onilude, Gabriel Howell and Maddie Holliday.

The Unfriend is designed by Robert Jones, with lighting by Mark Henderson, sound by Ella Wahlström, video design by Andrzej Goulding and casting by Charlotte Sutton CDG. 

The Unfriend by Steven Moffat was originally developed by Playful Productions.

NEW CAST MEMBERS JOINING

UK & IRELAND TOUR OF

TONY & OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING SMASH HIT MUSICAL

JERSEY BOYS

The producers and creative team are delighted to announce new cast members joining the highly successful UK and Ireland tour of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning musical JERSEY BOYS, which is currently on the road and running simultaneously with the smash-hit West End production, playing to packed houses at the newly refurbished Trafalgar Theatre.

Christopher Short will play Nick Massi, joining current Seasons Michael Pickering as Frankie Valli, Blair Gibson as Bob Gaudio and Dalton Wood as Tommy DeVito. Ryan Heenan will play Frankie Valli at certain performances.

Also new to the cast are Matthew Lawrence (Norm Waxman), Olly Manley (Swing), Victoria McCabe (Francine), Dan O’Brien (Hank Majewski) and Kirsty Whelan (Swing).

They join current cast members Emma Crossley (Mary Delgado), Jordan James (Gyp DeCarlo), Michael Levi (Bob Crewe), Tom O’Brien (Swing), Nathan Routledge (Swing), George Salmon (Joe Pesci), Ellie Seaton (Lorraine) and Damien Winchester (Barry Belson). 

The new cast will begin performances on 27 September in Woking.

The tour opened at New Wimbledon Theatre on 24 November 2021 and is booking through to April 2023.

JERSEY BOYS is written byMarshall Brickman & Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe.

Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony and Olivier Award-winning, true-life phenomenon, JERSEY BOYS. They were just four guys from New Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect onstage, off stage it was a very different story—a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. From the streets of New Jersey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this is the musical that’s too good to be true.  The show is packed with their hits, including Beggin’, Sherry, Walk Like A Man, December, 1963 (Oh What a Night), Big Girls Don’t Cry, My Eyes Adored You, Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got), Bye Bye Baby, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back to You, Fallen Angel, Rag Doll and Who Loves You.   

Recipient of Broadway’s Tony, London’s Olivier and Australia’s Helpmann Awards for Best New Musical, JERSEY BOYS is the winner of 65 major awards and has been seen by over 30 million people worldwide. 

JERSEY BOYS originally opened in New York on 6 November 2005 and, by the time it closed on 15 January 2017, it was the 12^th longest running show in Broadway history.  JERSEY BOYS returned to New York with a new production in November 2017 running until 22 May 2022. The JERSEY BOYS US National Tour continues to break house records in cities across North America. JERSEY BOYS can also be seen on board the Norwegian Bliss.

JERSEY BOYS first ran in London’s West End from 18 March 2008 to 26 March 2017 – nine amazing years – and, at the time, was the sixth longest musical running in the West End.  Last year, the musical returned to the West End, opening the new multi-million pound reinstated Trafalgar Theatre on 10 August 2021, where it continues to play. JERSEY BOYS previously played two record-breaking UK and Ireland Tours from 2014 to 2016 and from 2017 to 2019.

The JERSEY BOYS UK and Ireland Tour is staged by the entire original Broadway creative team, led by the Tony Award-winning team of director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo, with scenic design by Klara Zieglerova, costume design by Jess Goldstein, lighting by Howell Binkley, sound by Steve Canyon Kennedy and projections design by Michael Clark.  The orchestrations are by Steve Orich and the music supervision and vocal arrangements by Ron Melrose. Casting is by Jill Green.

JERSEY BOYS is produced by Dodger Theatricals, Ambassador Theatre Group and Trafalgar Theatre Productions with BB Investments, Pelican Group and Latitude Link.

Facebook: @JerseyBoysLondon

Twitter & Instagram: @JerseyBoysUK

2022 – 2023 TOUR LISTINGS INFORMATION         

30 August – 10 September                             Newcastle Theatre Royal                                                  0191 232 7010

                                                                        www.theatreroyal.co.uk                                                    

14 – 24 September                                         Nottingham Royal Concert Hall                                       0115 989 5555              

                                                                        trch.co.uk                                                                            

27 September – 8 October                              New Victoria Theatre, Woking                                         0844 871 7615*

                                                                        www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre

18 – 29 October                                              Manchester Opera House                                                0844 871 7615*

                                                                        www.atgtickets.com/manchester                                      

2 – 12 November                                            Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin                                  0818719 377 (ROI)                                                            

                                                                            bordgaisenergytheatre.ie                                                08442485101 (UK)

15 – 19 November                                          Eastbourne Congress Theatre                                        01323 412 000

                                                                        www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk

22 – 26 November                                          Aylesbury Waterside Theatre                                           0844 871 7615*

                                                                       www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury-waterside-theatre        

29 November – 3 December                          Swansea Arena                                                                  0333 009 2540

                                                                       www.swansea-arena.co.uk                                             

10 – 21 January 2023                                    Bristol Hippodrome                                                            0844 871 7615*

                                                                       www.atgtickets.com/bristol-hippodrome                        

24 January – 4 February                                Edinburgh Playhouse                                                        08448717615* 

                                                                       www.atgtickets.com/edinburgh-playhouse

7 – 11 February                                              His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen                                     01224 641122

                                                                       www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

21 February – 4 March                                   Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield                                                0114 249 6000

                                                                       www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

7 – 18 March                                                  Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton                                      01902 42 92 12

                                                                       grandtheatre.co.uk                                                            

21 March – 1 April                                          Royal & Derngate, Northampton                                     01604 624811  

                                                                       www.royalandderngate.co.uk

4 – 8 April                                                       Southend Cliffs Pavilion                                   

                                                                       thecliffspavilion.co.uk

11 – 22 April                                                   Wales Millennium Centre                                                

                                                                       www.wmc.org.uk

25 April – 6 May                                             Leicester Curve                                                                  0116 242 3595

                                                                      www.curveonline.co.uk                                        On sale w/c 19 September

*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

GREATEST DAYS

THE OFFICIAL TAKE THAT MUSICAL

TO EMBARK ON UK AND IRELAND TOUR

FROM 5 MAY 2023

Adam Kenwright is delighted to present GREATEST DAYS – The Official Take That Musical, with a book by award winning playwright Tim Firth. The musical will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour from 5 May 2023 and will coincide with the summer 2023 release of the official movie version of this smash-hit musical, starring Aisling Bea and Jayde Adams. GREATEST DAYS celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Take That’s first ever UK number 1 single Pray.

Casting to be announced, as well as further dates in cities such as Blackpool, Glasgow, Bristol, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Southampton, Truro, Leeds, Leicester and Birmingham.

Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen are Take That in 2022 and continue the legacy of one of the most successful band’s in British chart history, with over 45 million records sold worldwide and 12 number 1 hits in the UK. Formed as a five-piece in 1989, they enjoyed immediate success with their first two albums charting at number 2 & number 1 respectively. Third album Nobody Else confirmed their global domination, selling over six million copies and topping the charts in 11 countries. The departure of band member Robbie Williams prompted a break-up in 1996 and nine years in the wilderness before the remaining four members reunited for 2005’s The Ultimate Tour. This sparked one of the greatest comebacks in British music history with Take That going on to release three number 1 albums in just four years. Robbie’s return for 2011’s Progress saw them break UK records for the fastest-selling album of the 21st century and fastest-selling tour of all time. Williams’ second departure, along with that of Jason Orange, left the remaining three members to release III, which was certified platinum. In 2019, the band celebrated their 30th anniversary with the release of Odyssey, a greatest hits album, which reached number 1, and a UK and European stadium and arena tour.

Tim Firth is one of the UK’s most beloved award-winning writers and composers in film, television and theatre. His extensive theatre credits include the Olivier Award winning musical Our House (West End), the UK Theatre Award-winning This is My Family (Sheffield Crucible), the MEN Award-winning Neville’s Island (Nottingham Playhouse and West End, Evening Standard & Olivier nomination) and Calendar Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre, West End) which broke all British records for a professional and amateur play, was nominated for an Olivier and won the Whatsonstage Best Comedy Award. Tim collaborated with lifelong friend Gary Barlow on  Calendar Girls The Musical which had a successful run in the West End and then toured the UK and Ireland, winning a Whatsonstage Award and receiving several Olivier nominations along the way. Tim’s film credits include Calendar Girls and Kinky Boots. Recently, Tim co-created and directed Gary Barlow’s one-man show A Different Stage which has toured the UK and is currently running in the West End.

Take That said: “We are so thrilled that this new production now titled ‘Greatest Days’ is launching next year.  We had an enormous amount of fun working on the original version and can’t wait to help bring this new production to over 30 cities across the UK and Ireland from May 2023.”

The musical follows a group of five best friends in the 1990’s who are obsessed with their favourite boy band. The girls then reunite more than 20 years later with a plan to see their heartthrobs one last time in what could be the Greatest Days of their lives.

GREATEST DAYS features more than 15 of Take That’s record-breaking songs alongside a heart-warming and hilarious story of love, loss and laughter from the award-winning writer Tim Firth (Calendar Girls, Our House, Kinky Boots).

GREATEST DAYS was originally produced as The Band by David Pugh & Daffyd Rogers + Take That. The UK tour of The Band originally opened at Manchester Opera House on 8 September 2017 and closed in March 2019, breaking box office records along the way. The musical ran for a limited West End season at Theatre Royal Haymarket over Christmas in 2018/19. 

Website: greatestdaysmusical.com

Facebook: @GreatestDaysMusical

Twitter: @Greatest_Days

Instagram: @Greatest_Days   

2023/ 2024 TOUR SCHEDULE

5 – 13 May                                Bromley Churchill Theatre                                               0343 310 0020

                                                 churchilltheatre.co.uk                                                        On sale 14 October

16 – 27 May                              Manchester Palace Theatre                                            0844 871 7615*

                                                  www.atgtickets.com/manchester                                      On sale 14 October

29 May – 3 June                        Newcastle Theatre Royal                                               0191 232 7010                                                               

                                                   www.theatreroyal.co.uk                                                   On sale 10 November

5 – 10 June                               Woking New Victoria Theatre                                           0844 871 7615*

                                                  www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre             On sale 14 October

12 – 17 June                             Sheffield Lyceum Theatre                                                0114 249 6000

                                                  www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk                                             On sale 1 October

27 June – 1 July                        Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre                                    

                                                  www.wmc.org.uk                                                                On sale 7 October

3 – 8 July                                  Milton Keynes Theatre                                                     0844 871 7615*

                                                  www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre          On sale 14 October

10 – 15 July                              Liverpool Empire Theatre                                                 0844 871 7615*

                                                  www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire*                  On sale 14 October

17 – 22 July                              Wolverhampton Grand                                                    01902 42 92 12

                                                 grandtheatre.co.uk                                                            On sale 30 September

24 – 29  July                             Cheltenham Everyman Theatre                                      01242 572573

                                                 everymantheatre.org.uk                                                   On sale 23 September

Further venues to be announced

*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

REHEARSAL IMAGES RELEASED FOR THE WEST END REVIVAL OF

C.P. TAYLOR’S GOOD

STARRINGDAVID TENNANT WITH ELLIOT LEVEY AND SHARON SMALL

WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 2022

HAROLD PINTER THEATRE

·             Rehearsal images are today released for the new production of the acclaimed play GOOD by C.P. Taylor, directed by Dominic Cooke. David Tennant returns to the stage alongside Elliot Levey and Sharon Small.

·             GOOD opens at the Harold Pinter Theatre for a strictly limited 11-week run from Wednesday 5 October until Saturday 24 December.

·             GOOD is the debut West End production for Fictionhouse, launched by Dominic Cooke and Kate Horton.

·             Best ticket availability is Mon-Wed from November. Tickets are on sale now at www.goodtheplay.comwith 100 £25 tickets for every show and a third of tickets at £35 and under. Some of the best seats have also been specially priced at £10 for key workers and £20 for students. 

Rehearsals have begun for Dominic Cooke’s new production of C.P. Taylor’s GOOD, starring David Tennant,  Elliot Levey, and Sharon Small. Further casting includes Rebecca Bainbridge, Izaak Cainer, Jamie Cameron, Jim Creighton, Edie Newman and Lizzie Schenk.

Produced by Fictionhouse and Playful Productions, GOOD will play a strictly limited 11-week season at the Harold Pinter Theatre from Wednesday 5 October (press night Wednesday 12 October) to Saturday 24 December 2022.

Professor John Halder is a ‘good’ man.
But ‘good’ men must adapt to survive.

How is it possible to be a ‘good’ person when things are falling apart?

As the world faces a World War, John Halder, a decent, intelligent, music-loving German professor, finds himself swept along in a movement that crescendos towards an unthinkable finale. GOOD is a warning for our times.

Olivier Award-winning director Dominic Cooke reimagines one of Britain’s most powerful, political plays with David Tennant returning to the West End alongside Elliot Levey and Sharon Small, for 11 weeks only.

GOOD will be the debut West End production for Fictionhouse, an independent producing company, established by Dominic Cooke and Kate Horton. Their long and fruitful working relationship, which began at the Royal Shakespeare Company, developed into a celebrated partnership at the Royal Court Theatre where they were Artistic Director and Executive Director respectively from 2007 – 2014.  At the Royal Court they produced over 100 new plays and were the original producing team behind a series of notable award-winning productions including Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem, Nick Payne’s Constellations and Mike Bartlett’s Cock all of which have received recent West End revivals. Their productions have been nominated for 210 major awards, winning 59, and their partnership saw the development and launch of an exciting new generation of playwrights including Mike Bartlett, Polly Stenham, Bola Agbaje, Nick Payne, Lucy Kirkwood and Tarell Alvin McCraney. Recent productions include The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer (NT, London) and current projects include The Music Man (Broadway) and The Narcissist (Chichester Festival Theatre).

Tickets now on sale from www.goodtheplay.com

Best availability Mon-Wed from November.