Old Red Lion, Islington, London – until 14 May 2022
Reviewed by Debra Stottor
4****
Chekhov’s classic has been brought to the stage so many times it’s hard to know what could be added that’s genuinely new and exciting – are there any fresh takes left? It’s many years since I last saw a production, but what I recalled was a play delivered with a reverence for the original script, a bit of a museum piece. This is not that.
This new translation by Luba Hilman and Clémentine Pinet shows that Uncle Vanya is still as relevant as ever 120 years on, while highlighting its timeless humour. Director Kieran Bourne says that “plays must evolve in order to exist today”, and his twist is the cast are intentionally younger than in Chekhov’s original, so that they are shouldering the burden of the actions of the past – a theme that will resonate with a modern audience. Bourne adds: “Today, young people are more concerned with what they will accomplish by 30 instead of by retirement so we have reframed this as an inter-generational story and one dealing with the ‘quarter-life’ crisis. With many losing two years due to the pandemic, the frustrations and delusions of Chekhov’s characters are incredibly relevant yet also darkly humorous.” Bourne cites influences as diverse as Fritz Lang, Kendrick Lamar and films such as Lost in Translation and the recent Norwegian gem The Worst Person in the World.
Originally staged in 1899, Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya has more current resonance than ever: the isolation and boredom felt by Vanya (Jonathan George), Sonya (Faye Bennett), Yelena (Clémentine Pinet) et al will be familiar to the post-lockdown audience, that sense of powerlessness and frustration at a situation seemingly beyond their control. It’s a clarion call to us all to live life to the full. The performances are all strong, from the innocence of Sonya to the world-weariness of Vanya and the oblivious self-absorption of Serebryakov (David Whiting).
The staging is minimalist yet evocative of a rural home, the limited space of this small theatre well used, with the action revolving around the dining table (and the drinks cabinet). Being the upstairs room of a pub, it’s warm and slightly stuffy, and noise from the pub downstairs carried upstairs, intruding on the atmosphere.
This is a Candid Broads production, a company founded in 2020, with the aim of telling stories with a fresh perspective, bringing fierce and bold female characters to life. Their productions will always have at least 50-50 split of female-identifying cast and crew.
This entertaining and explosive portrayal will leave audiences feeling that despite the worst of times, our personalities and desires cannot be dimmed. Expect humour, music… and more than a little vodka
EMPIRE THEATRE, LIVERPOOL – UNTIL SATURDAY 7TH MAY 2022
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
5****
On Wednesday evening at the Empire Theatre, the Welsh National Opera performed an exhilarating new production of Madam Butterfly. Australian director Lindy Hume replaced the company’s famous opera that premiered in 1978 and ran for more then 40 years, with an interpretation that is bold, contemporary and for the 21st century. As well as being relevant and taking risks, it is an emotional and beautiful production.
Puccini’s opera has always been shocking and although written in 1907 is relevant in today’s society, with a tale of sexual exploitation, abuse of power and the clash of cultures.
The opera starts with the ‘marriage broker’ Goro, reassuring American naval officer Pinkerton that his 999 year lease on a house and marriage contract have convenient exit clauses. He intends to leave his bride once he finds a proper American wife. His compatriot, the American consul, Sharpless warns him that the bride is taking the marriage seriously and Pinkerton should proceed with caution. The bride to be Cio-Cio-San (Butterfly) who is only 15 years old, has secretly converted to Christianity, adapting to Pinkerton’s American way of life and beliefs, in order to please him. On finding this out, her uninvited uncle, a Bonze comes to the house, curses her and orders all the guests to leave, which they do while renouncing her. Only her servant Suzuki remains loyal. Three years later and Butterfly, her young son and Suzuki is living in poverty and arguing about whether Pinkerton will ever return. Goro tries to arrange another marriage to Prince Yamadori. Even when Sharpless tries to convince Butterfly, that Pinkerton does not wish to see her again, she refuses to listen. She discovers that Pinkerton now has an American wife and they intend to adopt the child. Butterfly is left feeling heartbroken and commits suicide. Pinkerton discovers the blood soaked body.
This production is sung in Italian with English subtitles, which made following the opera, uncomplicated and easy. Puccini’s score is well known and was very well accomplished by the orchestra and gloriously conducted by James Southall.
The two performances that protruded the evening for me and gave ample emotion was Alexia Voulgaridou, who played the lead character of Butterfly and gave a compelling soprano performance and Gareth Brynmor John, who played the Consul Sharpless in his supporting role, giving a marvellous baritone execution performance.
The most moving scenes were the child painting flowers on the wall and Butterfly sitting on her bed waiting, absolutely heartbreaking.
I lived for art, I lived for love – Giocoma Puccini
Ambassador Theatre Group Productions today announce the full cast for the world première of Theresa Rebeck’s dark and funny new play Mad House. Joining the previously announced David Harbour and Bill Pullman are Hanako Footman, Akiya Henry, Sinead Matthews, Charlie Oscar and Stephen Wight. Directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel, the production opens on 26 June at the Ambassadors Theatre, with previews from 15 June, and runs until 4 September.
The production reunites Rebeck and von Stuelpnagel following their collaborations on Bernhardt/Hamlet and Seared.
AMBASSADOR THEATRE GROUP PRODUCTIONS PRESENT
THE WORLD PREMIÈRE OF
MAD HOUSE
BY THERESA REBECK
Directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel; Set Design by Frankie Bradshaw;
Costume Design by Tilly Grimes; Composed by Isobel Waller-Bridge;
Sound Design by Beth Duke for Autograph Sound
at the Ambassadors Theatre
15 June – 4 September
A family reunion. Time to pay your last disrespects.
In rural Pennsylvania, Michael (David Harbour) has returned to his childhood home to look after his dying father, Daniel (Bill Pullman). His siblings Nedward (Stephen Wight) and Pam (Sinead Matthews) soon arrive, determined to work out how much money Dad actually has left and how they’re getting their hands on it.
David Harbour and Bill Pullman return to the West End in the world première of Theresa Rebeck’s dark and funny new play. Directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel, Mad House opens at the Ambassadors Theatre this June for a strictly limited season.
Hanako Footman plays Devon. Her theatre credits include Modern Love (Pleasance Theatre/Etcetera Theatre) and Thyestes (Courtyard Theatre). For television, her credits include Toast of Tinseltown, Stella Blómkvist, Defending the Guilty, Absentia, Dead Pixels and The Crown; and for film, her credits include Canyon Del Muerto, Official Secrets, Guns Akimbo, Slaughterhouse Rulez and An American Exorcism.
David Harbour plays Michael. His theatre work includes Cal in Camo (Rattlestick Theater), Glengarry Glen Ross (Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre), Romeo and Juliet (Delacorte Theatre 50th Anniversary reading), The Merchant of Venice (Broadhurst Theatre), The Coast of Utopia: Part 1 – Voyage, The Coast of Utopia: Part 2 – Shipwreck, The Coast of Utopia: Part 3 – Salvage (Vivian Beaumont Theatre), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Longacre Theater – Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play – also Apollo Theatre in the West End), The Invention of Love (Lyceum Theatre), and The Rainmaker (Brooks Atkinson Theatre). For television his work includes as series regular Jim Hopper in Stranger Things – winner of SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series and Critics Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, and nominations for Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Actor; Star Wars: Visions, Q-Force, Big City Greens, The Simpsons, Animals, Drunk History, Crisis in Six Scenes, Banshee, State of Affairs, Manhattan, Rake, Elementary, Blue, The Newsroom, Midnight Sun, Pam Am, Royal Pains, Lie to Me, Law & Order, The Unit and Hack; and for film, Violent Night, Black Widow, No Sudden Move, Extraction, Hellboy, Human Affairs, Sleepless, Suicide Squad, Black Mass, The Equalizer, A Walk Among the Tombstones, X/Y, Parkland, Snitch, Knife Fight, Between Us, End of Watch, The Green Hornet, Every Day, State of Play, Quantum of Solace, Revolutionary Road, Awake, The Wedding Weekend, War of the Worlds, Brokeback Mountain, Confess, and Kinsey.
Akiya Henry plays Lillian. Her theatre credits include Much Ado About Nothing (RSC), The Tragedy of Macbeth (Almeida Theatre – Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role), Dirty Crusty (The Yard Theatre), The Dark (Fuel Theatre), Medea, An Oak Tree, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Swallows and Amazons (Bristol Old Vic), The Little Matchgirl, Twelfth Night, Coriolanus, Under the Black Flag (Shakespeare’s Globe), Sense of an Ending, Cake and Congo (Theatre503), Deposit (Hampstead Theatre), The Nutcracker and The Mouse King (The Unicorn Theatre), Perseverance Drive (Bush Theatre), Ten Women (Oval House Theatre), Mottled Lines (Orange Tree Theatre), Swallows and Amazons (Vaudeville Theatre/UK tour), The Colored Museum (Talawa Theatre Company), The Beggar’s Opera, Hello Dolly, The Tempest (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing, Henry V (RSC New York), Carmen Jones (The Southbank Centre), Safe (West Yorkshire Playhouse), The Enchanted Pig, Skellig (Young Vic), Coram Boy, Once in a Lifetime, Anything Goes, Love’s Labour’s Lost (National Theatre), Just So, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Chichester Festival Theatre) and The Singing Group (Chelsea Theatre). For television, her credits include Obsession: Dark Desires, Silent Witness, Captain Mack and Little Britain; and for film, Macbeth, Rabbit Fever, The Best Man, Calcium Kid and De Lovely.
Sinead Matthews plays Pam. Her theatre work include The Antipodes, Absolute Hell, Hedda Gabler, Evening at the Talk House, Blurred Lines, Our Class, Women of Troy, The Mandate (National Theatre), The Starry Messenger (Wyndham’s Theatre), Loot (Park Theatre/The Watermill Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Royal Albert Hall), Giving, Wasp (Hampstead Theatre), The Hudsucker Proxy (Nuffield Theatre/Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse), Pests (Royal Exchange Theatre, Royal Court Theatre, UK tour), Trout Stanley (Southwark Playhouse), A Time to Reap (Royal Court Theatre), The Changeling, The Glass Menagerie (Young Vic), The Way of the World, The Crucible (Sheffield Theatres), The Master and Margarita (Barbican and tour), Ecstasy (Hampstead Theatre and West End), Lulu (Gate Theatre/Headlong), Eigengrau, The Ghostly Heart/Little Dolls (Bush Theatre), The Wild Duck (Donmar Warehouse – winner of the Ian Charleson Award), The Birthday Party (West End), and Spoonface Steinberg (GBS). For television, her work includes, Hullraisers, The Power, Sick of It, The Crown, Hang Ups, Chewing Gum, In the Dark, Toast of London, Inside No. 9, The Smoke, Way To Go, Black Mirror, Men are Wonderful, Half Broken Things, Ideal, Trial and Retribution, Who Gets the Dog, London, He Knew He Was Right and Viva Las Blackpool; and for film, Happy New Year Colin Burstead, Self Help: A Serial Killer’s Guide to Life, This Family, Jellyfish, Kaleidoscope, Daphne, Mr Turner, Wreckers, Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang, The Boat That Rocked, Spring of 41, Happy Go Lucky, Pride and Prejudice and Vera Drake.
Charlie Oscar plays Skylar. Her theatre credits include All’s Well That Ends Well (The Changeling Theatre). For television her credits include Doctor Who;and for film, Mothering Sunday.
Veteran of the stage and screen Bill Pullman returns to the London stage to play Daniel – he previously appeared in All My Sons at The Old Vic. His other theatre work includes The Other Place (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre), Oleanna, The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? (John Golden Theatre), and Off-Broadway, The Jacksonian, Peter and Jerry – Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play, and The Sad Lament of Pecos Bill on the Eve Killing His Wife Killer’s Head/Action. For television, his work includes The Sinner (as series regular Harry Ambrose), Halston, Ten X Ten, 1600 Penn, Innocent, Torchwood (as series regular Oswald Danes), Too Big to Fail, Nathan vs. Nurture, Revelations, American Masters, The Virginian, and Fallen Angels; and for film, his extensive work includes The High Note, Dark Waters, The Coldest Game, The Equalizer 2, Trouble, Battles of the Sexes, A Thousand Junkies, The Ballad of Lefty Brown, LBJ, Independence Day: Resurgence, American Ultra, The Equalizer, Peacock, The Killer Inside Me, Your Name Here, Surveillance, Phoebe in Wonderland, Bottle Shock, You Kill Me, Nobel Son, Dear Wendy, Igby Goes Down, Ignition, A Man is Mostly Water, Titan A.E., The Guilty, Brokedown Palace, Zero Effect, Lost Highway, Independence Day, Mr Wrong, Casper, While You Were Sleeping, Wyatt Earp, The Last Seduction, Malice, Sleepless in Seattle, Sommersby, Singles, A League of Their Own, Newsies, The Accidental Tourist, Rocket Gibraltar, The Serpent and the Rainbow, and Ruthless People.
Stephen Wight plays Nedward. His theatre work includes Europe, Don Juan in Soho (Donmar Warehouse), McQueen (St James Theatre and West End), The Ladykillers (Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse and West End), The Habit of Art (National Theatre), Dealer’s Choice (Menier Chocolate Factory and Trafalgar Studios), The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek (Royal Exchange Theatre), Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads (National Theatre), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (RSC). For television, his work includes Screw, Manhunt, I May Destroy You, Finding Joy, Flack, Informer, Maigret: Night at the Crossroads, Lovesick, Bluestone, The Escape Artist, The Paradise, Sherlock, Threesome, Scaredy Cat, The Great Outdoors, Whites, Coming of Age, FM, Misfits, Apparitions, Ashes to Ashes, Diamond Geezer, and Hex; and for film, Men in Black: International, Peterloo, Ashes, Weekender, Highlander and Wilderness.
Theresa Rebeck is a prolific and widely produced playwright, whose work has been staged across the globe. Her work on Broadway includes Bernhardt/Hamlet, Dead Accounts, Seminar and Mauritius. Other notable New York and regional plays include Seared (MCC), Downstairs (Primary Stages), The Scene, The Water’s Edge, Loose Knit, The Family of Mann and Spike Heels (Second Stage), Bad Dates, The Butterfly Collection and Our House (Playwrights Horizons), The Understudy (Roundabout), View of the Dome (NYTW), What We’re Up Against (Women’s Project), Omnium Gatherum (Pulitzer Prize finalist). As a director, her work has been seen at The Alley Theatre (Houston), the REP Company (Delaware), Dorset Theatre Festival, the Orchard Project and the Folger Theatre. Major film and television projects include Trouble – with Anjelica Huston, Bill Pullman and David Morse (writer and director), NYPD Blue, the NBC series Smash (creator), and the female spy thriller 355 (for Jessica Chastain’s production company). As a novelist, Rebeck’s books include Three Girls and Their Brother and I’m Glad About You. Rebeck is the recipient of the William Inge New Voices Playwriting Award, the PEN/Laura Pels Foundation Award, and a Lilly Award.
Moritz von Stuelpnagel directs. His work on Broadway includes Bernhardt/Hamlet (Roundabout Theatre Company), Present Laughter (St James Theatre), Hand to God (Booth Theater – nomination for Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play, and also in the West End at the Vaudeville Theatre). Off-Broadway, his credits include Seared (MCC Theatre, also at the Williamstown Theatre Festival); The Thanksgiving Play (Playwrights Horizons); Teenage Dick (The Public Theatre, also at Pasadena Playhouse, Huntington Theatre Company and Woolly Mammoth); Important Hats of the 20th Century (Manhattan Theatre Club); Verité (Lincoln Center Theatre/LCT3); Bike America (Ma-Yi, also at the Alliance Theatre); Love Song of the Albanian Sous Chef, The Bird and the 2-Ton Weight, and Turnabout (Ensemble Studio Theatre); Trevor, and Too Little Too Late (Lesser America); My Base and Scurvy Heart, Spacebar, and Historie of the Barber-Surgeons (Studio 42); Mel & El: Show & Tell (Ars Nova); Two Gentlemen of Verona, and As You Like It (poor tom); as well as extensive work regionally, including Found: A New Musical, Tell Me I’m Not Crazy, Tiger Style!, Romance Novels for Dummies, All Is Calm, Macbeth, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, and Much Ado About Nothing. He is the former artistic director of Studio 42.
Mad House is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions and Gavin Kalin Productions.
ATG Productions is an international theatrical production company – dedicated to producing critically acclaimed, commercially successful and creatively ambitious work for the West End, Broadway and beyond.
Led by Adam Speers, Richard Darbourne and Zareen Walker, we are the in-house producers and general management arm of the world’s largest live theatre company (Ambassador Theatre Group) – and place partnerships and creative excellence at our core.
Current and upcoming productions include: the seven-time Olivier Award-winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club (West End); Pretty Woman the Musical (West End); Fatal Attraction (UK tour); the Olivier Award-winning Cyrano de Bergerac (West End, Glasgow and Brooklyn Academy of Music) and The Seagull (West End) via the Jamie Lloyd Company; The Doctor (West End); Mad House (West End); Hamlet (Park Avenue Armory); Oresteia (Park Avenue Armory); 9 to 5 the Musical (Australia) and Plaza Suite (Broadway).
Previous productions and co-productions include: 9 to 5 the Musical (West End and UK tours); Ian McKellen On Stage (West End, UK tour and Broadway); Betrayal (West End and Broadway); Sea Wall/A Life (Broadway); Sunday in the Park With George (Broadway); Touching The Void (West End); Ghost Stories (West End); Pretty Woman the Musical (Broadway and Hamburg); Pinter at the Pinter Season (West End); King Lear (West End); the Olivier Award-winning Caroline, or Change (West End and Broadway); the Tony Award-winning Oslo (West End); Glengarry Glen Ross (West End and UK tour); Baskerville (Beijing and Nanjing, China); Abigail’s Party (UK tour), Strangers on a Train (UK tour), Gaslight (UK tour), Buried Child (West End); Big Fish (West End); Hamlet (West End); The Maids (West End); The Homecoming (West End); Doctor Faustus (West End); Oresteia (West End); and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (West End and UK tour).
Jeffrey Seller and Cameron Mackintosh, producers of the West End production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s HAMILTON, are delighted to announce new casting for the show who will have their first performance at the Victoria Palace Theatre on 21 June 2022 where tickets are currently on sale to 1 October 2022.
Reuben Joseph will play the title role of Alexander Hamilton with Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Aaron Burr, Allyson Ava-Brown as Angelica Schuyler, Shan Ako as Eliza Hamilton, Roshani Abbey as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds, Trevor Dion Nicholas as George Washington, Waylon Jacobs as Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Emile Ruddock as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, Jake Halsey-Jones as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton and Joel Montague as King George III. At certain performances the role of Alexander Hamilton will be played by Alex Sawyer.
The cast also comprises Jade Albertsen, Curtis Angus, Maya Britto, Matthew Caputo, Filippo Coffano, Ashley Daniels, Kelly Downing, Matthew Elliot-Campbell, Jordan Frazier, Manaia Glassey-Ohlson, Olivia Kate Holding, Barney Hudson, DeAngelo Jones, Phoebe Liberty Jones, Nicolais-Andre Kerry, Travis Kerry, Ella Kora, Natasha Leaver, Aaron Lee Lambert, Louis Mackrodt, Kerri Norville, Samuel Sarpong-Broni, Lindsey Tierney and Brandon Williams.
Reuben Joseph trained at Glasgow Clyde College and graduated in 2018. His theatre credits include The Tragedy of Macbeth for the Almeida Theatre; Orphans, Rapunzel, The Cheviot, The Stag and the Black, Black Oil and Midsummer all for the National Theatre of Scotland; Sinbad for Perth Theatre; How Not to Drown for ThickSkin Theatre Company; Anything That Gives Off Light for The TEAM and A Christmas Carol for the Citizens Theatre. His television credits include Vigil, Traces and Crime.
Simon-Anthony Rhoden’s theatre credits include: The Color Purple for Birmingham Hippodrome and Leicester Curve, Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre for which he won the Broadway World UK Award for Best Long-Running West End Show Performer, If I Should Stay for Soho Theatre and Parade at the Edinburgh Fringe. His screen credits include a bold and beautiful new digital streamed version of the WhatsOnStage Award-winning production of ColorPurple, Temple for Sky TV, Feel Good for Channel 4 & Netflix, Let It Snow for Sky TV and Blue a short film.
Allyson Ava-Brown previously played Fantine in Les Misérables at the Queens Theatre. Her other theatre credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Lyric Hammersmith; Etienne Sisters, Crowning Glory and Dangerous Lady all at Theatre Royal Stratford East; The Quiet House at The Park Theatre; Simply Heavenly at Trafalgar Studios and Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra and The Tempest all for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
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Shan Ako trained at the Brit School and her theatre credits include Éponine in the All Star Staged Concert of Les Misérables before going on to recreate the role in the full production of Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre for which she won Best Performer in a Musical at The Stage Debut Awards. Her other performance credits include the London Jazz Festival at the Barbican, touring the UK and Europe playing the lead role in Whitney Queen of the Night, and being seen on the live finals of X Factor and the subsequent 2019 X Factor National Arena Tour. Her television credits include Reasons to Be Cheerful with Matt Lucas and she was also the recipient of the Project Aloft Star for emerging artists.
Trevor Dion Nicholas originated the role of Genie in the West End production of Disney’s Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre for which he won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. He also played the role at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway and the U.S Tour. His other theatre credits include George Washington in the West End production of Hamilton, Preacher in Bonnie & Clyde (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Big River (US Tour), The Wiz, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ragtime, The Little Mermaid, The Wizard of Oz, Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, Rent, The Exonerated and This is the Life, all for the ETA Hoffmann Theatre, Germany. On TV his credits include panellist/judge on All Star Musicals (ITV), Lester in Moley (Boomerang) and The Show Must Go On (Sky Arts).
Waylon Jacobs’s previous theatre credits include Treason for the Cadogan Hall; The Last Five Years for the Minack Theatre; Peter Pan for the Barn Theatre; YANK! at the Charing Cross Theatre; Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre; Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre; We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre and on tour; Rent at the Tabard Theatre; Ragtime and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; Children of Eden at the Prince of Wales Theatre and The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre.
Emile Ruddock’s previous theatre credits include Me and My Girl at the Chichester Festival Theatre; Five Guys Named Moe at the Marble Arch Theatre; Crazy for You at the Watermill Theatre; Kiss Me Kate on UK Tour and The Scottsboro Boys at the Young Vic and at the Garrick Theatre.
Jake Halsey-Jones is currently cover Alexander Hamilton and cover John Laurens/Philip Hamilton in Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre. His previous credits include Lady Chatterley’s Lover at the Shaftesbury Theatre; Spring Awakening and West Side Story at the Frogmore Papermill and West Side Story for the BBC Proms 2018, Royal Albert Hall. His recording credits include the musical 42 Balloons for Perfect Pitch and stream.theatre and the indie-rock musical For Tonight UK Concept Album. His concert credits include Soft Sessions 2020, The Industry Minds Awards 2019 and Live at the Zedel at the Brasserie Zedel.
Roshani Abbey trained at the Royal Academy of Music and her professional theatre credits include & Juliet at the Shaftesbury Theatre; the original Cast of Rumi: The Musical at the London Coliseum and Concept Album and Gypsy for the Royal Exchange Theatre.
Joel Montague’stheatre credits include Amos Hart in Chicago on tour in the UK and internationally; Ogie in Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre; Mendel in Falsettos at The Other Palace; Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls at the Théâtre Marigny, Paris; Kiss Me Kate for Sheffield Crucible; Kevin in Fat Friends on UK Tour; alternate Dewey Finn in The School of Rock at the New London Theatre; Eddie in Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre/Menier Chocolate Factory; Urinetown at the Apollo Theatre/St James Theatre; The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Producers and Sister Act all on UK Tour and Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre. His screen credits include Kay Mellor’s Girlfriends.
Alex Sawyer’s theatre credits include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead for the Old Vic, Girl from the North Country at the Noël Coward Theatre, Pride and Prejudice for Nottingham Playhouse, ROOM for Theatre Royal Stratford East and Alice in Wonderland for Bolton Octagon. His television credits include Get Shorty, The End of the F**king World, Harlots, House of Anubis, Father Brown, Eve and The White Princess. In 2021 he released his debut solo EP The Illusion of Perfect as a singer/songwriter and rapper.
HAMILTON has book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is directed by Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire and is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton. HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg and hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe.
The Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning production opened at the newly re-built and restored Victoria Palace Theatre in London in December 2017 and continued to play there until the start of lockdown in March 2020. The production resumed performances in August 2021.
HAMILTON is produced in London by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, The Public Theater and Cameron Mackintosh.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Theatre Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria Street, London SW1E 5EA
Three star-led musical concerts, accompanied by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra, will be presented at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in August 2022
Kicking off the season is ABBA’s iconic Chess, starring Samantha Barks(Frozen, Les Misérables) as Florence and Hadley Fraser (2:22 A Ghost Story, City of Angels) as Anatoly, with further exciting casting to be announced soon.
This will be followed by Cyndi Lauper’s uplifting Kinky Boots with Cedric Neal (Back To The Future, Motown The Musical), as Lola/Simon, Matt Willis (Busted, Waitress, Wicked) as Charlie and Courtney Bowman (Legally Blonde, SIX) as Lauren.
Brand new musical Treason will complete the August concerts, making its live stage debut at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Treason has already garnered a global audience following its streamed concert from Cadogan Hall in March 2021 and successful release of six tracks on streaming platforms.
Leading the cast for the first live outing of Treason are Carrie Hope Fletcher (Les Misérables, Heathers) as Martha Percy, Bradley Jaden (Les Misérables, Wicked) as Thomas Percy and Simon-Anthony Rhoden(Hamilton, Kinky Boots) as Robert Catesby.
CHESS (1 AUGUST)
Chess, with music by ABBA legends Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and lyrics by the incomparable Sir Tim Rice, returns to the West End for the first time since 2018. Leading the cast are Hadley Fraser as Anatoly and Samantha Barks as Florence, with further casting to be announced in due course.
Chess’ creative team are as follows — Director and Choreographer: Nick Winston, Associate Director and Choreographer: Alexandra Sarmiento, Musical Director: Freddie Tapner, Designer: Ruth Sutcliffe, Lighting Designer: Ben Cracknell, Lighting Programmer: Chris Winn, Sound Designer: Tom Marshall and Video Projection Designer: Duncan McLean and Casting: Harry Blumenau.
KINKY BOOTS (8 AUGUST)
Winner of six TONY awards and the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2016, the hilarious and uplifting musical Kinky Boots returns to the West End for the first time in three years.
Kinky Boots is the feel-good musical by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper, based on the popular 2005 film of the same name. Cedric Neal will be playing Lola/Simon, Matt Willis will play Charlie and Courtney Bowman will play the role of Lauren. Further casting will be announced shortly.
Kinky Boots’ creative team are as follows — Director: Omar F Okai, Musical Director: Freddie Tapner, Designer: Ruth Sutcliffe, Lighting Designer: Ben Cracknell, Lighting Programmer: Chris Winn and Sound Designer: Tom Marshall and Casting: Harry Blumenau.
TREASON THE MUSICAL (22 AUGUST)
Treasonis the explosive new musical about the gunpowder plot featuring stunning music by Ricky Allan, and book and lyrics by Ricky Allan and Kieran Lynn.
Confirmed casting includes Carrie Hope Fletcher (Martha Percy), Bradley Jaden (Thomas Percy), Simon-Anthony Rhoden (Robert Catesby), Les Dennis (Robert Cecil), Emilie Louise Israel (Eleanor Brooksby), Rebecca Lachance (Anne Vaux), Daniel Boys (King James), Cedric Neal (Earl of Northumberland), Waylon Jacobs (Jack Wright) and Adam Pearce (Thomas Wintour).
Songs from Treason The Musical such as ‘Take Things Into Our Own Hands’, ‘The Cold Hard Ground’ and ‘The Day Elizabeth Died’ have already taken Spotify by storm, and the streamed lockdown concert was described as “an exceptional musical in the making” (West End Best Friend).
Treason’s creative team are as follows — Director: Hannah Chissick, Choreographer: Taylor Walker, Musical Supervisor: Nick Pinchbeck, Orchestrator: Matthew Malone, Designer: Ruth Sutcliffe, Lighting Designer: Simisola Majekodunmi, Sound Designer: Tom Marshall, Video Designer: Gino Green, Casting: Harry Blumenau and Dramaturgy: Hannah Chissick.
Original Theatre Company today announces the judging panel for their new playwrighting prize, the Originals Playwriting Award – Mike Bartlett, Sarah Butcher, Angel Coulby, Jack Holden, Nick Marston, Dafydd Rogers, Abdul Shayek and Rachel Tackley.
Aimed at emerging and early career playwrights, the submissions window closes at 10am on Monday 9 May, accepting new works from writers across the UK, open to anyone above the age of 18.
Mike Bartlett said today, “Theatre thrives when a new, provocative, unexpected writer arrives – bringing a new perspective, experience or imagination (or often all three) to an audience. It’s what audiences crave – to step outside their own worlds and enter someone else’s. To expand their understanding.
“I wanted to take part in the Originals Playwriting Award, as it’s a great encouragement for writers to write, to have a go and get the script finished and sent off. It can be very hard starting off as a writer but there is also a freedom at that early stage – that all rules are there to be broken. You are the radical and the breath of fresh air. Show us how it should be done. I can’t wait to read them.”
Judged by a panel of acclaimed industry experts, the winner of the Award will receive a cash prize of £7,000, with three further runners up receiving £2,000 each. Launched in collaboration with Riverside Studios, each of the four plays will receive a script-in-hand performance at the venue, which will additionally be filmed and streamed live by North South.
Sarah Butcher is a director and producer of theatre, film and digital arts. She is Co-Creative Director of North South, a production company specialising in stage to screen and an artist for award-winning non zero one, who make interactive experiences for audiences mediated by digital technologies.
MIKE BARTLETT
Mike Bartlett is a multi-award-winning writer for both stage and screen. Having begun his career in theatre, he’s picked up numerous awards for his plays, including Olivier Awards for King Charles III (best new play, 2015), Bull (Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre, 2015) and Cock (Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre, 2010).
He currently has 3 plays running in London – The 47th at The Old Vic, Scandaltown at the Lyric Hammersmith, and Cock at the Ambassadors Theatre.
His first foray into television, The Town, earned him a BAFTA Breakthrough Talent nomination. Then in 2015 he caused a sensation with his smash hit miniseries Doctor Foster. The first series was BAFTA nominated for Best MiniSeries and Best Writer in 2015, and won Best New Drama at the 2016 National Television Awards, Best Drama Series at the 2016 Broadcast Awards, and Outstanding Newcomer for British Television Writing at the British Screenwriting Awards. The second series went on to win Best Drama at the National Television Awards in 2018. His television adaptation of his play King Charles III was released in 2017, and was BAFTA nominated for Best Single Drama.
Mike’s 6-part mini-series Life (Drama Republic), starring Alison Steadman and Victoria Hamilton premiered on BBC in Autumn 2020. His other recent original TV work includes Sticks and Stones (Tall Story Pictures/ITV, 2019), Press (Lookout Point/BBC, 2018) and Trauma (ITV, 2018).
ANGEL COULBY
Angel Coulby is a British actress of Afro-Guyanese decent. She was born and grew up in London and studied Acting at the Queen Margaret University. She is known for appearing in popular films and television series including Holby City, The Bill, New Street Law, Undercover, Man in an Orange Shirt, Moving On, Innocent, The Tunnel,and most recently in AppleTV+ thriller series Suspicion. She is perhaps best known for portraying the character of Guinevere “Gwen” in the BBC fantasy series Merlin.
For theatre her work includes The Forest (Hampstead Theatre), Albion (Almeida Theatre), Good People (Hampstead Theatre/Noël Coward Theatre), and A Statement of Regret (National theatre).
JACK HOLDEN
Jack Holden is an Olivier-nominated writer and actor. His debut play Cruise premièred at the Duchess Theatre, London in Summer 2021, reopening the West End to critical acclaim, and was nominated for the Oliver Award for Best New Play 2022.
He took part in the Royal Court Young Writers Programme in 2013. He is currently developing original scripted dramas with Fremantle, Emanata Studios and Metro International.
As an actor, he can be seen as series regulars Kevin in John Morton’s Ten Percent (Amazon) and Adam in Stefan Golaszewski’s Marriage (BBC One, Summer 2022). He has also featured in British independent films The Levelling and Journey’s End. He has appeared in television drama for BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Starz, and on stage at the National Theatre, the RSC and in the West End.
In addition, he has produced award-winning short films and plays with his company, Watersmeet Productions.
NICK MARSTON
Nick Marston is Chairman of the film, theatre and TV department of the literary and talent agency Curtis Brown, where he represents writers and directors as well as literary material for screen.
Some of the playwrights whose careers he nurtured from an early stage include Conor McPherson, Enda Walsh, Mark O’Rowe and Jez Butterworth.
He is also CEO of Cuba Pictures and has made many films and TV productions, including Boy A, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, London Road and McMafia.
DAFYDD ROGERS
Dafydd Rogers is the Executive Director of Cambridge Arts Theatre. He is also a multi-Olivier and Tony Award winning Producer.
He began his career in theatre administration, managing such places as Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, the Royal Court Theatre and in the West End, the Shaftesbury and Playhouse Theatres.
He has for many decades, commissioned, created and commercially produced theatrical shows presenting them in the West End, on Broadway, in the UK and all over the world.
ABDUL SHAYEK
Abdul is Artistic DIrector and Joint CEO of Tara Theatre, the oldest global majority-led theatre company in the UK. He was the founding Artistic Director and CEO of FIO, the first global majority-led theatre company in Wales. He has also been an associate at National Theatre Wales.
He holds a BA in International Theatre Studies from University of East London. He trained at the National Theatre Directors’ Course, Contact Theatre’s Live and Direct, Old Vic New Voices and ATC Directors Programme. He has previously worked as associate or assistant director at Theatre Royal Stratford East and English National Opera.
He is a member of British Council’s Arts and Creative Economy Advisory Group, a trustee of The Space, Told By An Idiot and dance company Impelo. He was a Clore Cultural Leadership Fellow (2013-14), during which he spent time at Film4 and M&C Saatchi. He was also named in The Stage 25 (25 theatre makers who will go on to great things over the next quarter-century).
As a director and theatre maker his work is rooted in creating innovative productions, projects and experiences, alongside identifying and developing artists and new audiences. He has worked across theatre, opera, television and film. He has staged contemporary classics and adaptations of novels. In his first 18 months at Tara Theatre, he has created an audio walking project in response to the pandemic which will be touring UK festivals, commissioned 12 new monologues with national and international writers and made a site-specific gig theatre piece. He has also led or supported the development and delivery of a range of local, national and international artist and sector development initiatives.
This spring he is working on Migrations a new opera with Welsh National Opera. In the autumn he will be directing Silence at the Donmar Warehouse in a co-production with Tara Theatre, and in winter making a virtual reality experience called Amma.
RACHEL TACKLEY
As well as being the Creative Director of Riverside, Rachel Tackley is also a freelance producer and theatre consultant. She has enabled and produced productions in London, in regional theatre and all over the world; and has worked extensively in both the commercial and not-for –profit sectors. Recently she worked for ATG Productions and Chichester Festival Theatre and before that was Director of English Touring Theatre. She is a director of Harper Tackley whose current and recent clients include Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Roald Dahl Story Company, SOLT/UK Theatre, Malvern Theatres, Trafalgar Entertainment, Arts Council England, Delfont MacIntosh, Royal Borough of Greenwich, Cambridge Arts Theatre, WKCDA in Hong Kong, Birmingham Rep and Nottingham Playhouse. Rachel sits on the Boards of Tall Stories and Lyric Hammersmith Productions.
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG REUNITE FOR TWO WEEKS ONLY
HAVING BEEN ‘RESTING’ FOR 7 YEARS, THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE WORSE THAN EVER!
MANCHESTER 30 MAY – 4 JUNE | NEWCASTLE 6 – 11 JUNE
The original cast of The Play That Goes Wrong are reprising their roles for two weeks as part of the production’s current UK tour, 10 years after they first performed the play at The Old Red Lion Pub Theatre.
The original cast from the 2012 run, Rob Falconer (Trevor), Dave Hearn (Max), Henry Lewis (Robert), Charlie Russell (Sandra), Jonathan Sayer (Dennis), Henry Shields (Chris), Greg Tannahill (Jonathan) and Nancy Zamit (Annie) reunite to perform The Play That Goes Wrong to UK audiences for the first time in over five years, playing at Opera House Manchester, 30 May – 4 June 2022, and Theatre Royal Newcastle, 6 – 11 June 2022.
The Play That Goes Wrong is on its 5th UK tour, running until 21 August, and is blundering its way through its 8th year in the West End, currently booking until April 2023. Last year it became the longest running play at The Duchess Theatre (since the theatre opened in 1929), and is the longest running comedy in the West End.
Jonathan Sayer said today, “We’re so excited to be going back into The Play That Goes Wrong. It’s such a special show for us all and we really can’t wait to perform again and make people laugh in two amazing cities!”
Kenny Wax commented, “I’m just sorry for everyone involved – especially the audiences.”
Awarded the 2014 WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Comedy, the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and a Tony Award for the Broadway transfer, The Play That Goes Wrong continues to delight audiences in the West End, Off Broadway and around the world. The show’s success is a testament to the hard work and determination of a group of drama school graduates who became friends, set up a company under the name ‘Mischief’ and created an extraordinary body of work. The Play That Goes Wrong shows no signs of slowing down since its first performance at The Old Red Lion in 2012 with only four paying customers. Since then, it has played to an audience of over two million and now has productions in over 30 countries.
The Play That Goes Wrong is co-written by Mischief company members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields and is directed by Mark Bell, with set designs by Nigel Hook, costumes by Roberto Surace, lighting by Ric Mountjoy, original music by Rob Falconer, sound design by Andy Johnson, the associate director is Sean Turner and the resident director is Amy Milburn. The Play That Goes Wrong is produced in the West End by Kenny Wax Ltd and Stage Presence Ltd.
Rob Falconer (he/him) plays Trevor. He is an actor, musician and composer who has worked with Mischief for over 10 years. His credits for Mischief include The Play That Goes Wrong (Lyceum Theatre, Broadway/Duchess Theatre, West End/international tour), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Pleasance, Islington) and Lights! Camera! Improvise! (West End/international tour). His other credits include School of Rock (New London Theatre), Red Riding Hood, Sinbad, The Sword in the Stone (New Wolsey Theatre), Slow Falling Bird (Arts Theatre), Romeo & Juliet (Watermill Theatre), Cool Hand Luke (Aldwych Theatre) and Assassins (Unicorn Theatre). Falconer has also composed scores and created sound design for a number of shows including for The Play That Goes Wrong; Peter Pan Goes Wrong and Chaskis Theatre’s Las Americas festival.
Dave Hearn (he/him) plays Max. He is an actor and founding member the Olivier Award-winning Mischief. His credits for Mischief include Magic Goes Wrong (West End), The Play That Goes Wrong (Broadway/West End/UK and international tour – winner of Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards 2015 and WhatsOnStage Awards); Peter Pan Goes Wrong (BBC1/West End/UK tour/Pleasance London – nominated for Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards), The Comedy About a Bank Robbery (West End – nominated Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards), The Goes Wrong Show (BBC1), Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (BBC1), Magic Goes Wrong (Comic Relief BBC1); The Royal Variety Performance (ITV); Mischief Movie Night (West End/UK tour – nominated for Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards). His other credits include Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Henry Lewis (he/him) plays Robert.He is an Olivier Award winning writer, actor and producer and is the artistic director of Mischief. Henry’s work has been produced in over 40 countries worldwide. His credits include The Valiant Quest of Prince Ivandoe (actor, Cartoon Network), Mischief Movie Night In (co-creator/actor/producer – live stream), Magic Goes Wrong (writer/actor – West End/Lowry, 2020 Olivier nominee for Best New Entertainment/Comedy Play, co-created with Penn & Teller), The Goes Wrong Show (writer/actor, BBC1), Groan Ups (writer/actor, West End), Mischief Movie Night (co-creator/actor – West End/UK tours – nominated for Best New Comedy – Olivier Awards 2018), The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (writer/actor, West End/UK tour – nominated for Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards 2017), The Play that Goes Wrong (writer/actor, West End/Broadway/UK and international tours – Winner of Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards 2015 and WhatsOnStage Awards 2014), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (writer/actor, BBC1/West End/UK tour/Pleasance London – Nominated for Best New Comedy – Oliver Awards 2016) and A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (writer/actor, BBC1). He has also performed at The Royal Variety Performance 2015 & 2019 (ITV1), We are Most Amused and Amazed: Prince Charles’ 70th Birthday Celebration (ITV1), Keep it in the Family (ITV1), Children in Need 2020 (BBC1) and Comic Relief 2022 (BBC1). He also produced and performed in the critically acclaimed revival of Mercury Fur (Trafalgar Studios— Off-West End Awards nominee for Best Production), Beasts & Beauties (Hampstead Theatre) and produced the UK premiere of Tracy Letts’ Superior Donuts (Southwark Playhouse—winner of Peter Brook Empty Space Award). Henry is also the creator and founder of The Mystery Agency.
Charlie Russell (she/her) plays Sandra. Sheis an actor, writer, improviser, and Creative Associate of Mischief Theatre. Her credits for Mischief include Groan Ups (West End), The Play That Goes Wrong (UK tour/West End/Broadway), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Pleasance/West End/BBC1 adaptation), The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (West End), A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (BBC1), The Goes Wrong Show (BBC 1), Mischief Movie Night (West End/UK tour). Russell will shortly be taking her first solo show, Charlie Russell Aims To Please to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She co-produced (as part of Mischief) the Mischief Movie Night London Run and UK Tour and produced the new play piano_play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her other credits include And Then There Were None (BBC1/Mammoth Screen).
Jonathan Sayer (he/him) plays Dennis. Heis an Olivier Award-winning writer, actor, producer and Director of Mischief. His work has been performed in over 40 countries worldwide. Theatre credits include Mischief Movie Night In (co-creator/actor/producer – live stream), Magic Goes Wrong (writer/actor – West End/Lowry/UK Tour – Nominated for Best New Entertainment/Comedy Play – Olivier Award 2020, co-created with magicians Penn & Teller), Groan Ups (writer/actor – West End/UK tour), Mischief Movie Night (co-creator/actor/producer- West End/UK tours – nominated Best New Comedy – Olivier Award 2018), The Comedy About a Bank Robbery (writer/actor- Criterion Theatre/UK tour), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (writer/actor- UK tour/West End), The Play That Goes Wrong (actor/writer – Lyceum Theatre, Broadway/Duchess Theatre, West End/UK and international tour – Best New Comedy – Olivier Award and WhatsOnStage Award), Lights! Camera! Improvise! (actor, improviser, producer – Spirit of the Fringe Award 2013, Best Improv Show Award 2012) and Happy Birthday Simon (actor, Orange Tree Theatre). Television credits include The Goes Wrong Show (BBC1, writer/actor), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (BBC1, writer/actor/associate producer), The Royal Variety Performance: The Play That Goes Wrong (ITV, writer/actor), A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (BBC1, writer/actor). Jonathan has also appeared in We are Most Amused and Amazed (ITV1), Keep it in the Family (ITV1), Children in Need 2020 (BBC1) and Comic Relief 2022 (BBC1). Jonathan is a trustee for Mousetrap Theatre Projects and is the co-chair of Ashton United Football Club. He is currently working on his first book.
Henry Shields (he/him) plays Chris. Heis an Olivier award-winning writer, has been a member of Mischief since 2009 and is a Creative Associate of the company. Theatre credits include Magic Goes Wrong (writer/actor – West End/Lowry/UK Tour – Nominated for Best New Entertainment/Comedy Play – Olivier Award 2020, co-created with magicians Penn & Teller), Groan Ups (West End, writer/actor), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (writer/actor – 2016 Olivier Award nominee for Best New Comedy), The Comedy About a Bank Robbery (writer/actor), The Play That Goes Wrong (writer/actor – winner 2015 Olivier Award and WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Comedy), The Nativity Goes Wrong (writer), and The Busy Body (Southwark Playhouse). Television credits include The Goes Wrong Show (BBC1), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (BBC1), and A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (BBC1).
Greg Tannahill (he/him) plays Jonathan. His credits for Mischief include The Play That Goes Wrong (UK tour/West End/Broadway), The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (West End), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (West End), and for television, The Goes Wrong Show (BBC), A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (BBC), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (BBC), The Royal Variety Performance 2015 (The Play That Goes Wrong). His other credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lamb Players), Beyond Beauty (Rebel Theatre), Events While Guarding the Bofors Gun (Pennard Road Productions); Irons (Local Girl Productions) and The Shoemaker’s Holiday (Shakespeare’s Globe). He was also associate director on The Play That Goes Wrong (US tour, 2018).
Nancy Zamit (she/her) plays Annie. She is an actor, director and Creative Associate at Mischief. Her theatre credits include The Play That Goes Wrong (West End/Broadway); Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Apollo Theatre), The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (Criterion Theatre), Mischief Movie Night, Groan Ups (Vaudeville Theatre), Magic Goes Wrong (Vaudeville Theatre/Apollo Theatre), Lights! Camera! Improvise! (Trafalgar Studios) and Shadow Language (Theatre503). Her television credits include The Goes Wrong Show (BBC1), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (BBC1), Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (BBC1), The Royal Variety Performance (2015 & 2019), Comic Relief (2019 & 2022) and Brunch Bitches. As an associate director her credits include The Comedy About A Bank Robbery; and as assistant director, The Play That Goes Wrong, Waiting For Waiting For Godot (St James Theatre) and Dying City (Gatehouse).
Mischief Theatre Ltd. was founded in 2008 by a group of acting graduates of LAMDA and began as an improvised comedy group. Mischief performs across the UK and internationally with original scripted and improvised work and also has a programme of workshops. The company is owned and controlled by its original members and is led by a creative group and its directors Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer.
Pre pandemic, Mischief had multiple productions playing in New York and London. The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre, which re-opened 18 June 2021), The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (which played at the Criterion Theatre for four years) and following a record-breaking two-year run on Broadway it was represented Off Broadway by The Play That Goes Wrong (New World Stages since 2019, re-opened October 2021, co-produced with Kevin McCollum and JJ Abrams). In September 2019 the company started a West End residency at the Vaudeville Theatre with Groan Ups followed by Magic Goes Wrong. Magic Goes Wrong returned to the West End for a strictly limited run at The Apollo Theatre from October 2021. Other Mischief productions, including Peter Pan Goes Wrong, regularly tour the UK, USA and worldwide.
In 2017 Mischief Theatre Ltd. and Kenny Wax & Stage Presence, the producers of all the company’s West End productions, formed Mischief Worldwide Ltd. to manage the rights to all Mischief projects in all artforms. Mischief Worldwide Ltd., based in London, licenses copyrights, trademarks and other Mischief properties to producers, distributors, publishers and others around the world.
Mischief was first seen on television in the Royal Variety Performance of 2015 and subsequently in two BBC One Christmas specials, Peter Pan Goes Wrong (2016) and A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong(2017). In 2018 Mischief Worldwide Ltd. and the Anthology Group formed Mischief Screen Ltd., an independent TV production company headed by CEO Hilary Strong. Their Royal Television Society award-winning BBC One series The Goes Wrong Show aired in December 2019 with a Christmas special, further episodes in early 2020, and a hit Nativity special last Christmas. The second series aired in September 2021 on BBC One and iPlayer where the gang tackled a Downton-esque family saga and a US-style prison break drama, with predictably disastrous results.
All the companies develop, create and perform under the single name of Mischief. Mischief is developing new works of comedy for theatre, TV, film and other media.
www.mischiefcomedy.com Mischief®, Mischief Theatre®, The Play That Goes Wrong® and ® are trademarks and registered trademarks of Mischief Worldwide Ltd.
Following phenomenal public demand and a remarkable haul of five prestigious Olivier Awards, including Best New Play, it was announced today (6 May 2022) that public booking for Life of Pi, Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling stage adaption of Yann Martel’s award-winning book at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End, has been extended until 30 October 2022.
Producer Simon Friend said: ‘We are absolutely delighted that our unique Life of Pi team of actors and creatives have been recognised with a magnificent five Olivier Awards, and that we are able to take more people on our journey by extending the show to October 2022.’
Life of Pi was awarded its five Olivier Awards at a ceremony held at the Royal Albert Hall in London in April 2022. As well as Best New Play, Hiran Abeysekera won Best Actor for his central performance as Pi, and – in an historic first for the Olivier Awards – the seven performers who play ‘Richard Parker’, the puppet tiger – Fred Davis, Daisy Franks, Romina Hytten, Tom Larkin, Habib Nasib Nader, Tom Stacy and Scarlet Wilderink – were collectively awarded Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
The production also picked up awards for set (Tim Hatley, Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell), and lighting design (Tim Lutkin and Andrzej Goulding).
Hiran Abeysekera takes the central role of Pi, alongside Mina Anwar as Ma, Nicholas Khan as Father, Payal Mistry as Rani, Tom Espiner as Father Martin and Commander Grant-Jones, Raj Ghatak as Mamaji and Pandit-Ji, Syreeta Kumar as Mrs Biology Kumar and ZaidaKhan, David K.S. Tse as Mr Okamoto, Kirsten Foster as Lulu Chen, Habib Nasib Nader as Cook and Voice of Tiger.
The Tiger puppeteers are: Fred Davis (Tiger Head), Daisy Franks (Tiger Hind), Owain Gwynn (Tiger Head) Romina Hytten (Tiger Heart), Tom Larkin (Tiger Head), Tom Stacy (Tiger Hind), Chris Milford (Tiger Hind) and Scarlet Wilderink (Tiger Heart).
Nuwan Hugh Perera is Pi alternate, and understudies are Alex Chang, Omar Khan and Deeivya Meir.
The production is directed by Max Webster, Set and Costume designer is Tim Hatley, the Puppet and Movement Director is Finn Caldwell, the Puppet Designers are Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, the Video Designer is Andrzej Goulding, the Lighting Designer is Tim Lutkin, theSound Designer is Carolyn Downing, the Composer is Andrew T Mackay, Dramaturgy is by Jack Bradley, the Casting Director is Polly Jerrold, the Associate Director is Leigh Toney, the Associate Set Designer is Ross Edwards, the Associate Puppet Designer is Caroline Bowman, the Costume Supervisor is Sabrina Cuniberto and the Props Supervisor is Ryan O’Conner.
Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction and winner of the Man Booker Prize, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide, Life of Pi is a breath-taking new theatrical adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope.
After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, there are five survivors stranded on a single lifeboat – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, a sixteen year-old boy and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?
Award winning writer Yann Martel’s works include The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios (1993), Self (1996), We Ate the Children Last (2004), Beatrice and Virgil (2010) – a New York Times Bestseller and a Financial Times Best Book, 101 Letters to a Prime Minister (2012) – a collection of letters to the prime minister of Canada; and The High Mountains of Portugal (2016).
Lolita Chakrabarti OBE is an award-winning playwright and actress. Her writing credits include: RedVelvet which opened at the Tricycle Theatre in London in 2012, returning in 2014 before transferring to New York and the West End; Red Velvet was nominated for nine major awards including two Olivier Awards. Lolita won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Most Promising Playwright, The Critics Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright and the AWA Award for Arts and Culture; She adapted Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities for MIF in 2019 a collaboration with 59Productions and Rambert; her play Hymn was live streamed in February 2021 from the Almeida, before opening to audiences later in July; she was dramaturg on Message in a Bottle for ZooNation and Sadler’s Wells; she curated The Greatest Wealth for Old Vic, a series of monologues marking the 70th birthday of the NHS. Acting credits include: Vigil, The Casual Vacancy (BBC), Riviera, Delicious (Sky), Born to Kill, My Mad Fat Diary (Ch4), Criminal (Netflix), Fanny and Alexander (The Old Vic), Hamlet (RADA). She can soon be seen in Showtrial for the BBC and Wheel of Time for Amazon Prime.
Max Webster was the inaugural Baylis Director at the Old Vic and is now an Associate Director at the theatre where his work includes Fanny and Alexander, Cover My Tracks and Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. Selected other stage work includes the forthcoming The Merry Widow (ENO), The Jungle Book (Northampton/Fiery Angel UK tour), The Winter’s Tale (Lyceum, Edinburgh), and King Lear (Royal and Derngate, Northampton/UK tour).
The extraordinary animals are brought to life by Puppet & Movement Director Finn Caldwell, who began his career in the original company of the National Theatre’s international phenomenon War Horse. He is the Artistic Director of his own company Gyre & Gimble, for whom work includes: co-director/puppet designer of The Four Seasons: A Reimagining (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Hartlepool Monkey (UK tour) and The Elephantom (National Theatre & West End). His other work includes: director of puppetry/movement for Angels in America (National Theatre & Broadway), The Light Princess (National Theatre), War Horse (West End & Internationally) and Groundhog Day (Old Vic & Broadway).
Life of Pi is produced by Simon Friend in association with Playing Field and Tulchin/Bartner.
Edwardian Hotels London is proud to be the official hotel partner of Life of Pi in the West End.
2022 PANTOMIME NOW ON SALE 10 DECEMBER – 31 December 2022 TICKETS AVAILBLE TO BOOK HERE
With plenty of swash and buckle, Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tinker Bell take up their residency this Christmas at Fairfield Halls
UK Productions and BH Live are proud to present a super swashbuckling family adventure Peter Pan – The Return of Captain Hook, flying into Fairfield Halls Croydon from the 10th to 31ST December. The star-studded cast, headed up by EastEnders bad boyRicky Champ as Captain Hook, promises to be a fabulous festive production with guaranteed fun, laughs and adventure! With galleons of entertainment, fantastic flying effects, an acrobatic pirate crew, and possibly the hungriest crocodile you’ll ever see, join the adventure this festive season.
Starring alongside Ricky from CBeebiesSwashbuckle is Gemma Hunt as everyone’s favourite feisty fairy Tinker Bell. Further star casting to be announced.
Join Peter, Smee, Tinker Bell, Emily and Ethyl Mermaid on a brand-new swashbuckling adventure full of fun, laughter … and crocodiles!
After defeating the evil Captain Hook and his crew of prancing pirates, life has been pretty perfect for Peter Pan. But when a stranger arrives in Neverland, he is forced to question his past and face his future. Will Peter ever grow up?
And then there are the rumours …
That a certain someone survived the stormy seas and is seeking revenge! Have you heard them too? People are saying … that Hook is back!
So watch out … he might be behind you!
Jonathan Higgins, General Manager for Fairfield Halls said, “Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a family trip to the pantomime, so we are very excited that this year’s show will be one of the most famous fairy tales of them all. I’m delighted to be welcoming new production partners UK Productions to the venue. Martin Dodd and his team produce some of the UK’s biggest pantomimes, so we really appreciate them coming on board, and look forward to what promises to be a very exciting panto season.”
Producer Martin Dodd from UK Productions added: “Peter Pan is such a fantastic story and we have completely refreshed it with this sequel which has all the magic of the original plus all the pantomime elements we know our audiences love – including special effects, laugh out loud comedy, great song and dance routines, and fabulous sets and costumes. Never will your Swash have been so Buckled so Hook your tickets today because the Croc is ticking!”
Not to be missed, tickets and group bookings are available from bhlivetickets.co.uk with special early bird rates and super schools offers also available.
MAJOR PRIVATE FUNDERS PLEDGE SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT TO THEATR CLWYD’S REDEVELOPMENT
Theatr Clwyd today announces it has received substantial gifts from some of the world’s biggest private philanthropic funders in supporting its major capital redevelopment. The North Wales based arts charity has taken a substantial step towards its £5m private and public fundraising target with major donations and pledges from The Moondance Foundation (£1.5m), The Wolfson Foundation (£0.5m), the Garfield Weston Foundation (£0.5m) and an anonymous local philanthropist (£0.5m). The organisation is also continuing their award-winning community work during the build thanks to major support by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (£300k).
Theatr Clwyd’s redevelopment has now received gifts exceeding the previous highest amount raised by a theatre in Wales, and also the biggest ever single-gift made to an arts organisation in Wales from The Moondance Foundation.
Theatr Clwyd’s redevelopment is one of Wales’ most culturally significant projects – described by Welsh Government as key in bringing social, economic and cultural benefits to North Wales – it will ensure that the building, which has deteriorated with all its systems and infrastructure having reached the end of its life, can be revitalised, with its vital role, services and programmes saved for future generations. This transformative project will deliver a much-improved visitor experience, dedicated spaces for community and engagement programmes and enhanced income-generating facilities, all within a greener, more efficient building.
Liam Evans-Ford, Theatr Clwyd’s Executive Director said today, “When we started on this capital journey in 2017 we were told it was unlikely we would raise more than £2m of private investment for a theatre in Wales. Due to the generous support of these lead funders we have already reached £3m. This is an empowering vote of confidence for Theatr Clwyd, our values, the quality of our theatre making, and our deeply important community work. It also means we take another step towards delivering a world class home for our company members and communities, and offers another reason for arts in Wales to be proud for generations to come. We look forward to working in partnership with these brilliant lead funders over the coming years to deliver significant impact for their investment in our journey.”
Making the largest ever private gift to an arts institution in Wales, The Moondance Foundation’sgift of £1.5m will fund safe, natural, accessible spaces, specifically designed for the needs and use of young people, but also support the environmental sustainability of this state-of-the-art building. Moondance is well-known as a major philanthropic funder who support organisations that have a transformational impact in communities in Wales and beyond.
Diane Briere de I’Isle Engelhardt, Founder and Chair of The Moondance Foundation said, “Theatr Clwyd are exceptional – leaders within their field, ambitious, innovative – all with the community at the heart of what they do. We knew, without a doubt, that we needed to make their voice heard and ensure their ground-breaking work continues. We are also thrilled to support Theatr Clwyd’s environmental sustainability vision.”
The Wolfson Foundation have committed £500,000 towards this landmark project – the largest grant they’ve made to an arts organisation in Wales in over 60 years. Focusing on ensuring the development of world-class artistic product and talent in Wales, this vital funding will ensure well-equipped rehearsal rooms, high-tech theatres, and open-to-all pathways for new artists, practitioners and creatives.
Paul Ramsbottom, CEO of The Wolfson Foundation said, “The Wolfson Foundation is delighted to support Theatr Clwyd’s landmark project, continuing our history of support for Welsh arts and culture. Our level of commitment – the highest for a performing arts project in Wales – reflects our enthusiasm and support for Theatr Clwyd’s ambitious vision for the Flintshire community and for the arts in North Wales.”
The Garfield Weston Foundation has also pledged £500,000. This pledge is a crucial element in Theatr Clwyd’s capital fundraising campaign and will ensure broad access to the arts for everyone in society, through the improvement of vital creative infrastructure.
Finally, The Esmée Fairburn Foundation has given a critical award of £300,000 to ensure that Theatr Clwyd’s acclaimed community and youth programmes which sit at the heart of the organisation’s mission continues throughout the development. While the substantial building work takes place creative engagement projects – including projects with at risk young people, those with early-onset memory loss and dementia and school-based civic-responsibility programmes – can continue to thrive and grow.
Charlotte Mulliner, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation’s Funding Officer, said, “Theatr Clwyd play an integral role in the Mold and wider Flintshire community – not only for arts and culture, but also in bringing people and organisations together to build thriving and inclusive communities. We’re thrilled to support this project, which aims to build on their work during the closure period to re-imagine more ambitious community-led programming. Esmée has supported over 150 grants in Wales and supporting Theatr Clwyd as an organisation serving more rural and semi-rural communities as part of our Creative Confident Communities place-based work will bring a valuable diversity to our portfolio of projects in Wales.”
The over £3.3m of funding gifts and represents a major step towards Theatr Clwyd’s fundraising target, with further announcements of fundraising partners to be announced later in 2022.
The project has also received public funding from Welsh Government, the Arts Council of Wales and Flintshire County Council, enabling the successful attainment of this substantial private and philanthropic funding.
Dawn Bowden, Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Sports and Arts said: “Through its innovative services and partnerships Theatr Clwyd brings considerable social, cultural and economic benefits to Wales, particularly the local communities in north east Wales. We look forward to working with the team on delivering such an exciting and innovate project.”
Neal Cockerton, Chief Executive of Flintshire County Council said, “This is a dynamic period in the theatre’s history – the future is looking bright with the theatre continuing as a vital and vibrant arts centre at the heart of our community”
Phil George, Chair, Arts Council of Wales, said, “Theatr Clwyd richly demonstrates that impact through its high-quality and eye-catching productions, its community outreach and its work in areas like Arts and Dementia and youth justice. This redevelopment will further energise all that work and be a major benefit to the people of north-east Wales.”
