Michael Harrison is thrilled to announce the cast for Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks, which will make its world premiere as an exciting new stage musical this Summer on a major UK & Ireland Tour.
Performances begin at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Saturday 14 August 2021, with the UK Tour recently extended through to May 2022. The tour includes a 5-week Christmas season at Leeds Grand Theatre.
Dianne Pilkington will star as Miss Eglantine Price, the mysterious lady that the three orphaned Rawlins children are evacuated from wartime London to live with. Dianne’s West End credits include Les Miserables,Wicked, Mamma Mia and Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein.
Charles Brunton will play Emelius Browne. Charles starred in the iconic role of Miss Trunchbull in Matilda both in the West End and on Broadway. Other credits include Love Never Dies, Chess and Scrooge.
The rest of the company includes Mark Anderson, Jessica Aubrey, Georgie Buckland, Kayla Carter, Jonathan Cobb, Jacqui Dubois, Matthew Elliot-Campbell, Sam Lupton, Rob Madge, Vinnie Monachello, Nathaniel Morrison, Conor O’Hara, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Robin Simoes Da Silva, Emma Thornett and Susannah Van Den Berg.
The Rawlins children will be played by Dexter Barry, Izabella Bucknell, Haydn Court, Poppy Houghton, Evie Lightman and Aidan Oti.
Enter a world of magic and fantasy with Disney’s classic movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks. With the original songs by the legendary Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), including Portobello Road, The Age Of Not Believing, The Beautiful Briny and new music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and book by Brian Hill, Bedknobs and Broomsticks will be brought to life by award-winning theatre-makers Candice Edmunds and Jamie Harrison.
When the three orphaned Rawlins children are reluctantly evacuated from wartime London to live with the mysterious Eglantine Price, they have no idea what adventures lie ahead. Upon discovering Eglantine to be a trainee witch, they join forces to search for a secret spell that will defeat the enemy once and for all. Armed with an enchanted bedknob, a bewitched broomstick and a magical flying bed, they encounter surprising new friendships on their journey from Portobello Road to the depths of the beautiful briny sea.
This magical musical starts its UK Tour this year….it’s time to start believing!
Bedknobs and Broomsticks is produced by Michael Harrison by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions.
Built on the legacy of West End Cares, (est. 1990), the Make A Difference Trust was founded for the sole purpose of supporting those in the theatre community suffering the devastating effects of living with and losing loved ones to HIV AIDS. In that time, the trust has raised millions of pounds and supported hundreds of projects and people. In just one year alone, January 2019 – 2020 we made grants totalling almost one quarter of a Million pounds. We have built schools, medical centres, we have supported 56 Dean Street, funded self-testing for the theatre community, peer support, we bought fridges for people to store their meds, supported HIV positive children in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa, too many to list here, but a list of which we should all be very proud.
Over the past few years, the board of the Make A Difference Trust have been thoughtfully considering the changing landscape for people living with HIV and AIDS in the UK. While HIV has by no means gone away, we are so proud of how far society has come since we established the Make a Difference Trust.
While we as a charity could see we were non longer needed to provide funds for palliative care or medicines and thankfully those living with HIV began to see greater support than was available to the wider community in the early years of the crisis, there was still an exponential need for support amongst the theatre community. Support we were able to provide, thanks to the support that was shown to us, from that very same community.
While the loss to individuals and the theatre community in the UK has been heartbreaking over this time, the UK is one of the first countries to meet the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target, and London was the first global city to exceed the 95-95-95 target.
For our community, the landscape has changed.
Then, 2020 saw a new pandemic; Covid-19. The effect on the theatre community was once again devastating, with theatres closing and the community losing their livelihoods. MAD Trust responded to this pandemic with an Emergency Relief Fund for those onstage and off. Once again, the theatre community came together, and we continued to raise funds via online events.
Whilst these events have continued to bring in funds, as pledged, every penny received from these initiatives, goes directly to help those in the UK theatre community affected by theatre closures as a result of the crisis.
Almost all the money we raise is through our theatre events, and so, we have found ourselves with significantly diminishing unrestricted funds this year. Our last fundraising event was December 2019. As a charity, we have never held substantial reserves, believing that the money raised was to support those in need. Now thankfully theatres are slowly reopening, at different paces and with different performance times. However, we believe it will be some time before theatres are able to support our events, which has made fundraising for the Trust unsustainable.
It is for this reason and with a heavy but proud heart that we bow out and lower the curtain on the Make A Difference Trust, taking with us memories that we can all cherish, Michael Ball wielding his razor at 2012 West End Eurovision, and Imelda Staunton with her marigolds, cleaning up the ‘blood’. Brian May popping in to play at A West End Christmas, the standing ovations, the after show parties the friendships and laughter we have shared. And what we cherish most, the good that we have done and the help we have given over the years.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the incredible support we have received form you all.
On behalf of myself and the board of trustees, I would like to thank you all for your enthusiasm, dedication and passion that has made the MAD events such a success. You have joined together to cheer, applaud, and stamp your feet in evenings of pure joy. You have supported and celebrated the best of the West End. Your support through the years has been a wonderful thing, and has shown that what we do together, truly makes a difference. With warmest wishes,
Melanie Tranter Chair/Trustee Make A Difference Trust.
David Ian in association with Barry and Fran Weissler are delighted to announce that West End and TV star Darren Day will play ‘Billy Flynn’ in the forthcoming UK and Ireland tour of the international musical sensation CHICAGO opening at the King’s Theatre, Glasgow on Saturday 11 September 2021. Darren joins the previously announced Faye Brookes as ‘Roxie Hart’, Sinitta as ‘Mama Morton’, Divina De Campo as ‘Mary Sunshine’, Djalenga Scott as ‘Velma Kelly’ and Joel Montague as ‘Amos Hart’. Tour schedule and casting details below. www.chicagothemusical.com
The cast will also include Ishmail Aaron, Michelle Andrews, Gabby Antrobus, Delycia Belgrave, Joel Benjamin, Tanisha-Mae Brown, Daniel Clift, Callum Fitzgerald, Emily Goodenough, Billie Hardy, Aaron Jenkins, Liam Marcellino, Theo Reece, Hollie Jane Stephens and Harrison Wilde.
Darren Day’s many West End credits include the title role in Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium, Tony Parker in Copacabana at the Prince of Wales Theatre, and Danny Zuko in Grease at the Cambridge Theatre. His UK touring theatre credits include the leading roles of Kashoggi in We Will Rock You, Frank n Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, Tick in Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical and Don in Summer Holiday. Darren’s numerous TV credits include Danny Houston in Hollyoaks, David Wilde in Doctors and Will Morgan in Stella. He was a contestant on the very first series of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! and a finalist on Celebrity Big Brother.
Faye Brookes (Roxie Hart) recently reached the final of this year’s series of ITV’s Dancing On Ice. She is best known for her role as Kate Connor in ITV’s Coronation Street, for which she won a National Television Award. Her theatre credits include Princess Fiona in Shrek and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, both on national tour, Ann/Edna in That Day We Sang directed by Victoria Wood at Manchester’s Royal Exchange, Liesl in The Sound of Music at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Frenchy in Grease at the West End’s Piccadilly Theatre. Faye’s other TV credits include Agnes Franklin in Our Girl and Helena in Atlantis, both for the BBC.
Sinitta (Mama Morton) is an international recording artist having released 15 hit pop records including So Macho, Toyboy and Cross My Broken Heart. No stranger to the stage, she has appeared in the West End productions of Cats, Little Shop of Horrors, Hair, Smokey Joe’s Café and as the female lead in Mutiny! Since the mid-00s Sinitta has remained in the spotlight becoming a mentor to young emerging talent as Simon Cowell’s right-hand woman on The X Factor.
Divina De Campo (Mary Sunshine) is a seasoned British drag queen and singer who was recently crowned runner up on the first Series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Known for her high soprano and four -octave range, Divina has been featured on ITV’s The Voice and the BBC’s All Together Now.
Djalenga Scott’s (Velma Kelly) West End credits include Lily St Regis in Annie at the Piccadilly Theatre, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the New London and Chicago at the Adelphi, Cambridge and Garrick Theatres. Her other credits include Anita in the national tour of West Side Story, Rizzo in Grease at Curve Leicester, Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show and Carmen in Fame, both on European tours, the US tour of Batman Live and Bombalurina in Cats at Kilworth House. Djalenga’s screen credits include Scarlett/Esme in Trapped for the BBC and Alexandra in the film I Give It A Year.
Joel Montague (Amos Hart) most recently appeared as Ogie in the West End production of Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre and Mendel in Falsettos at The Other Palace. His many other West End credits include School of Rock at the New London Theatre, Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre and Menier Chocolate Factory, Urinetown at the Apollo and St James Theatres and Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace. His UK touring credits include Fat Friends The Musical, Sister Act The Musical, and Eddie and Dr. Scott in The Rocky Horror Show. He also played Gangster 2 in Kiss Me, Kate at the Sheffield Crucible and Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls at the Theatre Marigny in Paris.
Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.
Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, CHICAGO’s sexy, sassy score includes the show-stopping songs “Razzle Dazzle”, “Cell Block Tango”, and “All That Jazz”. Winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy, CHICAGO is the longest running American musical in Broadway and West End history.
Since it opened in New York in 1996, CHICAGO has played in 36 countries worldwide and has been performed in English, Dutch, German, Swedish, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, French, Danish, Japanese and Korean. Worldwide it has been seen by an estimated 33 million people, grossed over $1.7 billion and played over 32,500 performances.
CHICAGO, which is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The 1996 Broadway revival of CHICAGO was choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse, directed by Walter Bobbie, and produced by Barry and Fran Weissler.
CHICAGO UK AND IRELAND TOUR LISTINGS 2021 – 2022
SATURDAY 11 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2021
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart, Darren Day – Billy Flynn, Sinitta – Mama Morton, Divina De Campo – Mary Sunshine, Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly & Joel Montague – Amos Hart.
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart, Darren Day – Billy Flynn, Sinitta – Mama Morton, Divina De Campo – Mary Sunshine, Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly & Joel Montague – Amos Hart.
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart, Darren Day – Billy Flynn, Sinitta – Mama Morton, Divina De Campo – Mary Sunshine, Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly & Joel Montague – Amos Hart.
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart, Darren Day – Billy Flynn, Sinitta – Mama Morton, Divina De Campo – Mary Sunshine, Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly & Joel Montague – Amos Hart.
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart, Darren Day – Billy Flynn, Sinitta – Mama Morton, Divina De Campo – Mary Sunshine, Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly & Joel Montague – Amos Hart.
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart, Darren Day – Billy Flynn, Sinitta – Mama Morton, Divina De Campo – Mary Sunshine, Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly & Joel Montague – Amos Hart.
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart, Darren Day – Billy Flynn, Sinitta – Mama Morton, Divina De Campo – Mary Sunshine, Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly & Joel Montague – Amos Hart.
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart, Darren Day – Billy Flynn, Sinitta – Mama Morton, Divina De Campo – Mary Sunshine, Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly & Joel Montague – Amos Hart.
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart, Darren Day – Billy Flynn, Sinitta – Mama Morton, Divina De Campo – Mary Sunshine, Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly & Joel Montague – Amos Hart.
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart, Darren Day – Billy Flynn, Sinitta – Mama Morton, Divina De Campo – Mary Sunshine, Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly & Joel Montague – Amos Hart.
Was it Miss Scarlet, with the revolver in the dining room, or was it Professor Plum, with the lead pipe in the library…?
Producers Joshua Andrews and Stuart Galbraith of Kilimanjaro Theatricals, in collaboration with their US producing partners Work Light Productions, Lively McCabe Entertainment & The Araca Group, are pleased to announce that Cluedo, a new stage play based on the classic Hasbro detective board game loved by generations and the hit 1985 Paramount film CLUE, is to tour the UK between January and July 2022. Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn, the play is written by Sandy Rustin with additional materials by Hunter Foster and Eric Price and for the UK production, Mark Bell. Tickets are on sale now from Cluedostage-play.com.
When Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs Peacock, Revered Green, Mrs. White and Colonel Mustard all arrive at a country house one dark and stormy evening, they are concerned to find they have all received the same mysterious invitation from Lord Boddy. What’s clear is that they all have something to hide and the mystery and hysteria grows, as the inhabitants and guests of Boddy Manor start being killed, with a variety of familiar weapons, leaving everyone to wonder, who will be next! Casting will be announced soon.
This UK premiere production is directed by Mark Bell, director of the award winning The Play That Goes Wrong and A Comedy About A Bank Robbery and just like the game, it promises audiences of all ages a nostalgic, fun and thrilling evening of entertainment.
This hilarious spoof of a thriller, will keep you guessing right up to the finale as both the audience and actors onstage try to work out whodunnit…. with what… and where!!
Cluedo 2022 UK Tour Dates
W/C 24 January 2022 Bromley: Churchill Theatre – ON SALE
W/C 07 February 2022 Norwich: Theatre Royal – ON SALE
W/C 14 February 2022 Cambridge: Arts Theatre – ON SALE SOON
W/C 21 February 2022 Woking: New Ambassadors – ON SALE
W/C 28 February 2022 Nottingham: Theatre Royal – ON SALE
W/C 07 March 2022 Richmond: Richmond Theatre – ON SALE
W/C 14 March 2022 Coventry: Belgrade Theatre – ON SALE SOON
W/C 21 March 2022 Leeds: Grand Theatre – ON SALE SOON
W/C 04 April 2022 Cardiff: New Theatre – ON SALE
W/C 11 April 2022 Shrewsbury: Severn Theatre – ON SALE
W/C 25 April 2022 Bath: Theatre Royal – ON SALE SOON
W/C 02 May 2022 Birmingham: Alexandra Theatre – ON SALE
W/C 09 May 2022 Edinburgh: Kings Theatre – ON SALE
W/C 16 May 2022 Southampton: Mayflower – ON SALE
W/C 30 May 2022 Milton Keynes: Milton Keynes Theatre – ON SALE
W/C 06 June 2022 Leicester: Curve Theatre – ON SALE SOON
W/C 13 June 2022 Brighton: Theatre Royal – ON SALE
W/C 20 June 2022 Malvern: Festival Theatre – ON SALE
W/C 26 June 2022 Salford: Lowry Theatre – ON SALE
W/C 04 July 2022 Glasgow: Theatre Royal – ON SALE
W/C 11 July 2022 Wolverhampton: Grand Theatre – ON SALE
W/C 25 July 2022 Belfast: Grand Opera House – ON SALE SOON
The Greatest Play in the History of the World, written by Ian Kershaw, is a one woman show starring his wife Julie Hesmondhalgh, famous for her role as Hayley in Coronation Street.
The set is relatively simple, the stage reasonably dark, but we can see two metal racks, virtually reaching up to the ceiling, filled with sporadic white boxes. In the middle there are a few lights, emitting am ambient glow. The flooring, which carries on up the back wall, is a glittery dark carpet.
Hesmondhalgh sets about telling the story using the boxes behind her. They are shoe boxes and the footwear in them, represent different “cast members”. There’s a pair of carpet slippers, Tom, who lives on Preston Road and wakes up at 4.40am to find that time has stood still. At first, he thinks he is the only one that this is happening to, as all is black outside, until he sees a light in the house opposite and finds a woman, Sara, wearing an oversized t-shirt staring back at him. A connection is made. Another couple enter the scene, the elderly Forshaws, who are building something in their garden, with talk about Facebook and the local neighbourhood watch scheme. What unfolds is a love story, with a touch of fantasy, and a twist at the end. The story is intertwined with intermittent voice recordings, about Voyager’s Gold Record, sent up into space in 1977.
As a 70 minute monologue, Hesmendhalgh is impressive, holding the audience’s rapt attention. She is so warm and genuine, and has heaps of charisma, delivering a joyful performance. Even though York Theatre Royal is quite a large theatre, this show was very intimate, you almost felt that she was talking just to you.
Whilst the title of The Greatest Play in the History of the World, appears to be ambiguous, there is a reference to it within the script. Maybe not the greatest play but worth a watch to see Hesmondhalgh at work
David Nixon and Northern Ballet delivered a scandalous retelling of Dangerous Liaisons, the 18th Century French novel made famous by the 1982 film starring an all-star cast including John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer and Glenn Close. The ballet, far more intimate than the Lowry’s socially-distanced audience, portrays a tale of deceit, revenge and sexual violence.
A chaise longue, ornate chandeliers and a desk full of incriminating letters made up a simple set whilst the dancers worked their story-telling magic in full 18th Century dress. Set to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, played by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia, the performance was a beautiful reminder of what stands to be lost without the powerful influence of the arts on everyday life. It was a complete joy to listen to live music again.
Exploiting the nativity and innocence of those around them, Vicomte de Valmont (portrayed by Joseph Taylor) and Marquise de Merteuil (Abigail Prudames) toy with fellow courtiers for their own sadistic pleasure, resulting in shattered hearts and lives.
Antoinette Brooks-Daw (Madame De Tourvel) and Joseph Taylor (Valmont) treated the audience with a captivating sultry performance, and were most worthy of their standing ovation at the end.
It’s no surprise that Northern Ballet does not disappoint with their 2021 return to live performances. A show that will have you craving for more, Dangerous Liaisons is at the Lowry until 5th June 2021 before embarking on two shows at London Sadler’s Wells on 8th and 9th June.
New cast and revised streaming dates announced for digital glam rock musical Dorian Streaming: Friday 16th July – Thursday 12th August 2021
Rising star and Offie Award-winning actor Bart Lambert (Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story) will take on the titular role in the new edgy musical adaptation, Dorian A Rock Musical. Following the success of Gatsby A Musical, filmed and streamed at Cadogan Hall, Ruby in the Dust are thrilled to present their brand new production, reenergising Oscar Wilde’s classic text for a modern audience. The digital glam rock musical will be made available to stream online for a limited run from Friday 16th July to Thursday 12th August.
Lambert will join the previously announced cast, which includes John Addison (The Life, Southwark Playhouse; A Little Night Music, Garrick Theatre), Fia Houston-Hamilton (Mamma Mia!, UK Tour; Wolf of Wall Street, Immersive London), Robert Grose (Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre; EastEnders, BBC), Lewis Rae (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Regents Park Open Air Theatre; Mame, Hope Mill Theatre), Johanna Stanton (The Rocky Horror Show, No. 1 UK Tour; The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Apollo Theatre), Sophie Jugé (Coppelia, Birmingham Royal Ballet; Good Omens, BBC) and Tristan Pegg (The Merry Wives of Windsor, RSC; The Shape of the Impossible, National Theatre).
A rock star, trapped in eternal adolescence, wants to change the course of his life and discover love. But, can you find love if you’ve sold your soul to the Devil? Whilst sitting for the eccentric society painter, Basil Hallward, Dorian is discovered by the influential Lord Henry and is soon under the spell of this dangerous, charismatic music impresario. Dorian, the secret child of love and death, is suddenly thrust into a confusing world where love dare not speak its name.
Bart Lambert comments, I’m so excited to be part of this project, it’s always a pleasure to shed a new light on a classic story, and the evocative world of Dorian Gray is the most pleasurable of them all. After the year we’ve had I think we can all do with a bit of Rock and Roll right now!
Although The Picture of Dorian Gray was written over one hundred and twenty years ago, its themes of vanity, mortality, and corruption still resonate. The show began life as a reading at Cafe Royal, in the very room where Oscar Wilde used to stage his own readings. Its run at the Other Palace was cancelled just two days before opening night as the pandemic forced the first lockdown in March 2020. Now, filmed at a secret location in the heart of the West End, it will be brought to audiences online.
Due to availability, previously announced cast member Keith Ramsay will no longer be involved in the production. Their role has been replaced by the newly announced cast.
A RUSSIAN DOLL TO BE LIVE STREAMED GLOBALLY FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY
Rachel Redford (Masha) in A Russian Doll. Photo Credit: Eve Dunlop
THE PRODUCTION’S FINAL PERFORMANCE WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE FROM THE BARN THEATRE ON 12 JUNE 2021 AT 7:30PM BST (2:30PM ET)
CAT GOSCOVITCH’S PLAY, STARRING RACHEL REDFORD, IS DIRECTED BY NICOLAS KENT WITH DESIGN BY LIZ DA COSTA
“Goscovitch’s writing is fantastically energetic, filled with eloquence and fire”
The Guardian
The Barn Theatre in Cirencester and the Arcola Theatre in London have today announced that the world premiere production of Cat Goscovitch’s one woman play, A Russian Doll, will be live streamed to a global audience for the play’s final performance in Cirencester at 7:30pm BST (2:30pm ET) on Saturday 12th June 2021.
The play, which is based on a true story, follows twenty-something Masha as she becomes embroiled in the world of data and deceit as a member of Russia’s disinformation campaigns during the EU referendum.
Tickets for the live stream are priced at £13.50 with tickets for the both the Barn Theatre indoor run and the global live stream are now on sale at barntheatre.org.uk.
“Redford’s performance excellent and Goscovitch’s lines crisp”
Observer New Review
The production stars Rachel Redford in the role of Masha. Rachel Redford’s previous credits include originating the role of Beth in Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson’s critically acclaimed play The Jungle, which she played in the original Young Vic production as well as subsequent productions in the West End, Off-Broadway and in San Francisco.
A Russian Doll, which is directed by Nicolas Kent (All The President’s Men?, Another World), is currently running in Cirencester until 12 June 2021.
The world premiere features design by Liz da Costa, lighting by Sam Rowcliffe-Tanner, sound and composition by Harry Smith, AV design by Alex Tabrizi with Benjamin Collins as AV supervisor, Amy Ball as casting director and Katherine Heath as voice and accent coach.
Following the run in the Cotswolds, the production will move to Arcola’s new outdoor space, Arcola Outside, in East London. Performance dates to be announced in due course.
OPENING AT DARTFORD ORCHARD THEATRE ON 14 JANUARY 2022
Following a highly successful sell-out tour in 2017, producer Joshua Andrews is delighted to announce that Kay Mellor’s smash hit FAT FRIENDS THE MUSICAL will return to tour the UK and Ireland opening at Dartford Orchard Theatre on 14 January 2022. With original music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber, the show will star Lee Mead as ‘Paul’ with further casting to be announced soon. The tour will visit venues including Cardiff New, Leeds Grand, Edinburgh Festival, Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre, The Lowry, Salford, Southampton Mayflower, Wolverhampton Grand, Canterbury Marlowe and Newcastle, Norwich and Plymouth Theatre Royals. Full tour schedule below.
This hugely entertaining musical is based on the hit ITV show Fat Friends, that starred James Corden and Ruth Jones. Fat Friends – The Musical reunites our favourite foodie friends as they are put through their Zumba paces at their local slimming club, whilst Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams. This show of hope, humour, love and weight loss, delivers a fun night out full of laughter and encourages us all, as the final song sings, to Love Who You Are!
The show toured the UK to a rapturous response from critics and sell out audiences in 2017 and after a tough year for all, Kay Mellor feels that it’s the perfect time to bring this feast of a feel-good show back. Kay Mellor said today “Issues of body image and online trolling are more pertinent today than ever, and will resonate with people everywhere. Despite this, using song, dance and humour I can guarantee that audiences will leave the show with a smile on their face and feeling better about themselves – something we all need right now. I’m delighted to be remounting Fat Friends the Musical, thrilled to be working with the brilliant and talented Lee Mead and can’t wait for us to bring the show to so many fantastic venues around the UK and Ireland.”
Lee Mead is a much loved actor of stage and screen. Having won the nations hearts when they voted him their Joseph in BBC One’s ‘Any Dream Will Do’, Lee has gone on to star in the West End in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Legally Blonde and Wicked before establishing himself as a TV favourite on Casualty and then Holby City in the role of ‘Lofty’. Lee Mead said today “I am so excited to be returning to musical theatre after an enjoyable few years on Casualty and Holby City and I’m so thrilled to be starring in Fat Friends The Musical. I saw the show when it first ran and absolutely loved it, so I can’t wait to now play the lovelorn vicar, Paul. I’m so looking forward to performing live again to wonderful audiences around the country and working with the incredible and iconic Kay Mellor.”
FAT FRIENDS THE MUSICAL is created, directed and has a book and lyrics by the multi award winning Kay Mellor, whose latest hit series of The Syndicate recently ran on BBC One. It has Music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber with Set and Costume design by Bretta Gerecke. Choreography is by Karen Bruce, Sound by Ben Harrison, Lighting by Nick Richings with Orchestrations, Arrangements and Musical Supervision by Simon Lee, Casting by Stephen Crockett CDG for David Grindrod Associates, with Additional Casting by David Shaw. It is produced by Joshua Andrews and Rollem Productions.
THE EXHILARATING INTERNATIONAL SMASH HIT CIRCUS 1903 BURSTS BACK ONTO THE STAGE AT THE SOUTHBANK CENTRE’S ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, BRINGING SOME MUCH-NEEDED LAUGHTER AND JOY THIS CHRISTMAS
FROM 16 DECEMBER – 2 JANUARY 2022, CIRCUS 1903 WILL SHOWCASE A JAW-DROPPING ARRAY OF OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE ALONGSIDE MANY OF THE MUCH-LOVED ACTS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS
THIS EXTRAORDINARY SHOW BRINGS ALL THE GLAMOUR AND ROMANCE OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF CIRCUS TO THE STAGE, ALONG WITH TWO ICONIC, LOVABLE ELEPHANTS, TO DELIGHT ALL THE FAMILY
TICKETS GO ON SALE TO THE PUBLIC ON FRIDAY 4 JUNE AT 10AM. VISIT WWW.CIRCUS1903.COM FOR FURTHER DETAILS
The world-class performers at Circus 1903 are limbering up in preparation to entertain thousands of people as they flock to the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall this Christmas to marvel at the wonders of the Golden Age of Circus. Producers are delighted to announce today that the show will return for its third Christmas season at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall from 16 December 2021 – 2 January 2022. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday 4th June at 10am from www.circus1903.com.
Ringmaster David Williamson said: “I’m so happy that Circus 1903 is returning to Southbank Centre this festive season. There’s no better tonic for tough times than the sights and sounds and magic of the circus! I’m excited to get in front of an audience again and hear the roar of the crowd and see the smiling faces of the children as they thrill to our amazing show.”
Producer Michael Stevens said: “Circus 1903 has become an important part of the holiday season, for audiences old and young, and so we are delighted to be able to bring it back to Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall this year. After such a long period of not being able to see each other or to go out, this is a wonderful opportunity to get together at Christmas and celebrate while enjoying one of the most extraordinary shows on earth!”
Hosted by the charming and charismatic ringmaster David Williamson, Circus 1903 will feature many of the incredible acts from previous years, including Peanut and Queenie, the most charming elephants on any stage around the world. A range of dizzying new acts will join the troupe to astound and mesmerize audiences this festive season. The full line-up will be announced in due course.
