Category: Uncategorized

HAVE DINNER WITH BRIAN BLESSED O.B.E THIS SUMMER

Irrepressible actor and explorer to share incredible tales of his life and adventures in a one-of-a-kind exclusive event.

North West audiences are being given a rare opportunity to spend An Intimate Evening With Brian Blessed this summer.

The larger-than-life actor, writer, presenter, raconteur and force of nature will visit The Bowdon Rooms in Altrincham for the unique event on Saturday, September 4.

The unmissable ‘evening with’ includes, guests enjoying a star-studded red-carpet entrance, Champagne reception while enjoying world class live entertainment and unique Art installations showcasing Brian Blessed’s illustrious career on stage and screen.

There will also be the opportunity to take part in a question-and-answer session and what makes this event truly spectacular is that each guest will get the opportunity to meet the legend himself and have a professional souvenir photograph to commemorate your evening.

Brian Blessed was born in Yorkshire in 1936, the son of a coal hewer, and grew up in the mining village of Goldthorpe.

He worked as a plasterer before studying at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and began his acting career in panto at the age of 21, playing a robber in Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Peter O’Toole was the dame.

Since then, the 84-year-old has forged a stellar stage and screen career from an early breakthrough performance in seminal 60s’ TV series Z Cars and I, Claudius in the 1970s to Flash Gordon, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Blackadder, Doctor Who and even Peppa Pig.

On stage he created the role of Old Deuteronomy in the original cast of Cats and was a member of the company at the RSC where his roles included Exeter in Henry V, Claudius in Hamlet and Hastings in Richard III.

His working relationship with Sir Kenneth Branagh meanwhile embraces four films and goes back more than 30 years to when he was cast in the 1989 screen version of Henry V.

Away from acting, he is also an intrepid explorer who has scaled Everest without oxygen – coming within 1,000ft of the summit, survived a plane crash in the jungle in Venezuela, has completed hundreds of hours of training at Space City in Russia, and in 1999 became the oldest man to trek to the Magnetic North Pole on foot.

In 2016 he was awarded an OBE for his services to the arts and to charity.

Edward Prophet, who runs The Bowdon Rooms with brother Anthony, says: “Brian Blessed is a monumental figure in the world of acting, a truly intrepid and inspirational explorer, a big-hearted supporter of charity and hugely eloquent and entertaining company.

“It’s a real privilege to have him come to The Bowdon Rooms to share stories of his life and adventures; it should be a truly memorable evening.”

For the latest news and updates visit www.thebowdonrooms.co.uk

FOLLOW THE BOWDON ROOMS

Website:                                 www.thebowdonrooms.co.uk

Facebook:                               www.facebook.com/thebowdonrooms

Twitter:                                   www.twitter.com/TheBowdonRooms

Instagram:                              www.instagram.com/thebowdonrooms

VENUE INFORMATION

THE BOWDON ROOMS

The Firs, Bowdon

Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 2TQ

www.thebowdonrooms.co.uk
0161 926 8992

BOX OFFICE

www.bowdontickets.co.uk

0345 208 1836 

LISTINGS

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH BRIAN BLESSED

Date: September 4

Time: 6pm

Tickets: £128.25

SLEEPING BEAUTY TO BRING HALF-TERM MAGIC TO LIVERPOOL

Gareth Gates stars in Shone Productions’ sparkling new pantomime at the Auditorium at M&S Bank Arena

Panto magic comes to the Liverpool waterfront next month when Shone Productions’ enchanting Sleeping Beauty opens at The Auditorium at the M&S Bank Arena.

Singing Sensation Gareth Gates stars as the handsome prince in Sleeping Beauty – The Pantomime of Your Dreams which runs from Saturday 29 May until Saturday 5 June 2021. He is joined by Peppa Pig’s Emma Grace Arends as the Princess, while the cast also includes comedy favourite Bippo.

When the Evil Carabosse curses Princess Beauty to die on her 21^st birthday, Beauty’s Fairy ensures she only falls into a deep sleep which can be broken with a kiss from her one true love.

A handsome prince must come to her rescue and save the day.

The sparkling show also features a live band, beautiful scenery and costumes, amazing special effects, and lots and lots of laughs.

Gareth Gates shot to fame at the age of 16 when he was runner up in the first series of ITV talent show Pop Idol in 2002. He went on to have three consecutive number one hits – the third a duet with Pop Idol winner Will Young – and has sold more than three-and-a-half million records in the UK alone.

In 2009 he took on the leading role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and his musical theatre career has also included Marius in the 25^th anniversary world tour of Les Mis, Warner Huntington III in Legally Blonde and Willard in Footloose.

His panto credits include Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin and Robin Hood, and several seasons as the Prince in Cinderella at venues including the New Wimbledon Theatre, Manchester Opera House and Nottingham Theatre Royal.

Gareth Gates says: “It’s always a pleasure to perform for Liverpool audiences – people in the city really appreciate live theatre and they know how to have a good time.

“The last 12 months have been very difficult for everyone in the entertainment business, performers and audiences alike. I know I can’t wait to get back on stage, and I can promise this brilliant new production of Sleeping Beauty will be a real treat for all the family.”

Emma Grace Arends has enjoyed a career in film, television and theatre both here and in America and Australia.

She has appeared as Daisy in Peppa Pig: My First Cinema Experience, alongside David Mitchell and Jo Brand, and on stage in Peppa Pig’s Big Splash and Peppa Pig’s Surprise, while her previous panto roles include Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast.

Meanwhile Bippo the Clown has been a favourite on stage and screen for 20 years. His panto credits at the Auditorium include Silly Billy in Jack and the Beanstalk, Muddles in Snow White and Smee in Peter Pan.

Producer James Shone says: “We all deserve some fun and laughter in our lives, and what better way to celebrate the easing of Covid restrictions than with a magical panto?

“The Auditorium is a fantastic venue and I know that our audiences are going to have a happy half-term as they cheer on the handsome prince and plucky princess and boo the baddie Carabosse.”

The pantomime will be staged in a Covid-safe space which includes reduced seating capacity to allow social distancing, a one-way system around the venue, hand sanitiser stations and deep cleaning between each performance. The venue also has a ‘Book With Confidence’ policy in place, in the event of any changes to government guidance or local measures, full refunds will be given.

LISTING INFORMATION

SLEEPING BEAUTY

Saturday 29 May: 3pm and 7pm

Sunday 30 May: 1pm and 5pm

Monday 31 May: 3pm and 7pm

Tuesday 1 June: 3pm and 7pm

Wednesday 2 June: 3pm and 7pm

Thursday 3 June: 3pm and 7pm

Friday 4 June: 3pm and 7pm

Saturday 5 June: 11am

Tickets

Silver Performances: £18-£19

Gold Performances: £25-£26

VENUE DETAILS

The Auditorium

M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, L3 4FP

Booking website: www.mandsbankarena.com/

• DAVID BRADLEY AND JOHN BARROWMAN WILL FEATURE IN PRE-RECORDED CAMEOS FOR DOCTOR WHO TIME FRACTURE
• FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE SET REVEALED TODAY
• LOTTERY FOR SPECIAL PREVIEW FOR CARE WORKERS IS NOW LIVE

Following last week’s cast announcement, more details are today revealed about the immersive theatrical adventure Doctor Who Time Fracture.

David Bradley and John Barrowman, both well loved by fans of the Doctor Who TV series, are reprising their roles as William Hartnell’s First Doctor and Captain Jack Harkness respectively in pre-recorded cameo appearances for the immersive show and both have expressed their delight at having been approached to be involved.

David Bradley said: ‘This is going to be something really special. Anyone who sees the show who is not a Doctor Who fan when they go in, surely will be when they come out! It’s going to be an amazing experience.’

John Barrowman said ‘I wanted to get involved not only because I love storytelling and I love Captain Jack the character, but also because this introduces Jack to the next generation of Doctor Who fans. If you’re coming to this – why not dress up as your favourite character? it’s going to be like Comic Con but with a storyline! Create your character, get in there and enjoy the journey.’

The production, featuring a cast of over 40 live performers, began rehearsals on site last week, and the set is undergoing finishing touches ahead of ‘UNIT HQ’ opening its doors to audiences on 26 May.

Brian Hook, Producer said: ’We have made the most of every month that the last year’s delays have brought to the show, and in doing so we believe we have forged a one-of-a-kind diamond of a production. Throughout this year there have been many difficult decisions, many leaps of faith and times when cool heads and kindness became the most incredible creative currency. To be in rehearsals is a genuine joy.

We hope that what we have created here is not just a great theatrical spectacle but a beacon of hope for the creative industries – and a physical manifestation of everything that makes Doctor Who special to generations of fans.’ 

It has been so satisfying, after such a prolonged gestation period, to get rehearsals underway with our fantastic company and we can’t wait to share the experience with live audiences very soon.’

Much of the show is being kept under wraps so as not to spoil surprises that await audiences, but today sees the reveal of a glimpse into the world of Doctor Who Time Fracture with an image of one of the 17 environments that have been created for the show.

Rebecca Brower, Designer said ‘It is incredible to see my designs come to life in such an impressive and detailed way. We’ve been working whenever possible over the past 12 months off site to get everything right, and the build on site has been completely invigorating to be involved in first hand.’

Also live from this week is the lottery for a special performance for key workers. In recognition of their work throughout the pandemic, the Producers of Doctor Who Time Fracture are making free tickets available to frontline healthcare, services and NHS staff for a performance on 23 May 2021. Lottery winners will be drawn on 17 May.

From the team behind The Great Gatsby, the UK’s longest running immersive show, Doctor Who: Time Fracture will preview from 26 May with tickets still available to buy now.

OPEN BAR THEATRE ANNOUNCES SUMMER SEASON

OUTDOOR SHAKESPEARE PERFORMANCES HELD IN FULLER’S PUB GARDENS

—

Fuller’s support of and investment in performing arts

continues with two Shakespeare UK tours

LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST

and

AS YOU LIKE IT

LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST: 12th July TO 18th August

AS YOU LIKE IT: 26th July TO 16th September

 

The company truly manage to evoke something quite magical…laid-back, immersive and thoroughly entertaining.”

Broadway World ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“It’s easy to abandon reality and immerse yourself in this enormously enjoyable production”

The Upcoming ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“So many highlights in a single evening!” Sadie Takes the Stage ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“The standing ovation the cast received at the end was well and truly deserved”

West End Wilma ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“This version is for anyone who ever said “Romeo and Juliet, oh, no, that’s not for me” because one thing is guaranteed, you will smile and you will laugh. It’s sheer entertainment”.

London Pub Theatres ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Theatre company Open Bar perform plays in the gardens of pubs around London and the south of England. Pubs, as the natural hubs of our communities, are the perfect setting in which to recapture the raucous, accessible and inherently social spirit of a Shakespearean troupe performance.

In a unique partnership, the company is fully supported by Fuller’s who invest as full executive producers of the tours.  In the current environment where performing artists are desperately struggling to find a way to make performances financially viable, Open Bar and Fuller’s have developed a relationship in which the theatre company are not reliant on ticket sales in order to perform their shows. The benefit for Fuller’s is the added value of being able to offer fresh food, including gourmet bar snacks and bespoke pre-performance pub menus alongside their selection of beers, wines and spirits – and to reach out to new customers.

2020 was such a rollercoaster, and nowhere has that been felt more keenly than in the pub and restaurant trade, and in the performing arts. Fuller’s is in a position to invest in high quality performances and essentially act like an executive producer. The company pays for the package of everything from writing the script to casting, to production, to transportation. But it’s far from an altruistic venture – it’s an investment. We host the performances in our pub gardens and Fuller’s takes the ticket sales and any food and drink sales. We wanted to put in every effort to showcase the amazing work Open Bar does and provide our customers with an amazing experience. We really hope other brands consider following in our footsteps, as it’s genuinely a win-win situation.” FULLER’S BRAND MANAGER MICHAEL TREVENA

“We’re used to making innovative theatre in unusual spaces, – our shows are designed to work with the elements and surroundings, not against them. As the audience gets more enthusiastic (and often drunk, we are in a pub garden after all) we use it to our advantage. We feed off their energy. They don’t have to understand every word but it’s important that we take them with us – that they leave humming the tunes and still laughing at the gags. With Fuller’s, we are in the extraordinary position of being able to produce full-scale professional shows regardless of COVID-19 capacity restrictions, maintaining high production values, employing artists and dreaming bigger and better.” NICKY DISS & VICKY GASKIN – OPEN BAR THEATRE

After last year, we all need a “Summer of Love”, and the two plays Open Bar are bringing to the stage are full of comedy, romance and adventure. Open Bar also compose original songs so that those less familiar with Shakespeare can easily follow the plot – because Open Bar perform for everyone – reconnecting to the travelling-troubadour-outdoor-everyman essence of an original Shakespeare performance.

Love’s Labour’s Lost

Four men decide to lock themselves away from all human connection (imagine!) to study and improve themselves, – but they soon find that it really isn’t as simple as that, especially when the Princess of France and her three beautiful friends are coming to stay.

Four couples separated by an oath, a “fantastical Spaniard” longing for a forbidden love, misplaced letters, a ridiculous play-within-a-play, a chorus of ukuleles, lightning-fast costume changes and drinks at your fingertips all make for a riotous Shakespeare comedy. Four actors will play all seventeen characters in this mischievous, and rather pertinent, love story.

As You Like It

Rosalind escapes her vicious uncle, dresses as a boy (because this is Shakespeare after all), grabs her cousin and heads for the forest. There she meets a group of shepherds, and the boy she loves who also happens to be on the run from her uncle.

Run away with Rosalind and Celia as the Forest of Arden quite literally lands in Fuller’s pub gardens this summer. It may look fresh out of Shakespeare’s day, but it’s as relevant as ever, with original songs to help audiences follow the plot and six actors leaping around an impressive two-storey set.

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER AND CAMERON MACKINTOSH

ANNOUNCE CASTING FOR

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

AT HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE

LUCY ST LOUIS WILL PLAY ‘CHRISTINE’,

RHYS WHITFIELD WILL PLAY ‘RAOUL’

JOINING

DOUBLE OLIVIER AWARD NOMINEE

KILLIAN DONNELLY AS ‘THE PHANTOM’

PERFORMANCES BEGIN 27 JULY 2021

BOOKINGS EXTENDED UNTIL 13 FEBRUARY 2022

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh are delighted to announce casting for the return of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, to its home and birthplace Her Majesty’s Theatre.

Tickets will go back on sale on Tuesday 4 May, following a priority on-sale on Friday 30 April for those signed up via the website.

Lucy St Louis will play ‘Christine Daaé’ and Rhys Whitfield will play ‘Raoul’. They join the previously announced double Olivier Award nominee Killian Donnelly as ‘The Phantom’.

The cast also includes Saori Oda as ‘Carlotta Giudicelli’, Matt Harrop as ‘Monsieur Firmin’, Adam Linstead as ‘Monsieur André’, Greg Castiglioni as ‘Ubaldo Piangi’, Francesca Ellis as ‘Madame Giry’ and Ellie Young as Meg Giry. At certain performances the role of ‘Christine Daaé’ will be played by Holly-Anne Hull.

They are joined by Leeroy Boone, Corina Clark, Edward Court, Lily De-La-Haye, Hywel Dowsell, Jemal Felix, Erin Flaherty, James Gant, Eilish Harmon-Beglan, Yukina Hasebe, Olivia Holland-Rose, Grace Hume, James Hume, Donald Craig Manuel, Jonathan Milton, Janet Mooney, Tim Morgan, Beatrice Penny-Toure, Michael Robert-Lowe, Nikki Skinner, Tim Southgate, Ashley Stillburn, Manon Taris, Anouk Van Laake, Skye Weiss, Simon Whitaker and Karen Wilkinson.

Andrew Lloyd Webber said today “I am thrilled to announce our first entirely new cast for The Phantom of the Opera in London in over 35 years. This cast includes some wonderful performers with whom I have worked in the past, such as Killian and Rhys as well as the hugely exciting Lucy St Louis in the role of Christine Daaé. Lucy first sang for me in between lockdowns one and two and I was utterly bewitched. I am also very proud to welcome Beatrice Penny-Toure, Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Arts Ed scholarship graduate, to the Phantom family in her first professional role.”

Cameron Mackintosh said today “Putting the new version of the original Phantom production back into its perfect home Her Majesty’s Theatre, 35 years after its premiere, is an unexpected thrill. None of us had any idea The Phantom would be haunting the stage for so long. Although many of our brilliant original creative colleagues including, Hal Prince, Maria Björnson and Gillian Lynne are sadly no longer with us, their work lives on inspiring our new creative team to stage the Phantom afresh, as if it was a brand new production. This time around Her Majesty’s Theatre will take even more of a starring role alongside our brilliant new cast. Andrew and I cannot wait for our opera to begin again on 27 July, a few weeks before it opens at the Sydney Opera House and ahead of its return to Broadway.”

Following the government’s announcement of the roadmap out of lockdown stating that the return of full audiences to the theatre would not be allowed until 21 June at the earliest, performances will now begin on 27 July 2021. Patrons who purchased tickets prior to 27 July will be contacted directly by the box office and given priority to exchange their tickets. Bookings have been extended until 13 February 2022. 

Lucy St Louis starred as ‘Diana Ross’ in the West End production of “Motown The Musical” at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Her many other West End credits include “Beautiful The Carole King Musical” at the Aldwych Theatre and “The Book of Mormon” at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Lucy has also appeared in “Ragtime” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and “Man of La Mancha” at the London Coliseum.

Rhys Whitfield most recently played the role of ‘Raoul’ in the National Tour of “The Phantom of the Opera”. He has also appeared in “Summer and Smoke” at the Duke of York’s Theatre in the West End and as ‘Peter’ in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. His other credits include “Close to You” at the Criterion Theatre and the UK tour of “The Commitments”.

Killian Donnelly was most recently seen as ‘The Phantom’ in the UK tour of “The Phantom of the Opera”. Before this he played the role of ‘Jean Valjean’ to critical acclaim in the sell-out UK and Ireland Tour of “Les Misérables”, having also played the role in West End production. Prior to his run in “Les Misérables”, he played the role of ‘Charlie Price’ in “Kinky Boots” on Broadway, a role he originated at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End in 2015, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award. His other theatre credits include ‘Huey’ in the original London cast of “Memphis” at the Shaftesbury Theatre for which he was also nominated for an Olivier Award.  He created the role of ‘Deco’ in “The Commitments” at the Palace Theatre and has also played ‘Tony’ in “Billy Elliot” at the Victoria Palace Theatre as well as ‘Raoul’ in “The Phantom of the Opera” at Her Majesty’s Theatre. He first joined the company of “Les Misérables” in 2008, going on to play the role of ‘Enjolras’ from 2009 to 2011. In 2010, he played the role of ‘Courfeyrac’ in the “25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables” at The O2 Arena and also played the role of ‘Combeferre’ in the multi-award-winning film of the show, released in 2012.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group Ltd. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Charles Hart, and Additional Lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the novel ‘Le Fantôme de l’Opera’ by Gaston Leroux, with Orchestrations by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Musical Supervision is by Simon Lee. The Production Design is by Maria Björnson and the Set Design is adapted by Matt Kinley with Associate Costume Design by Jill Parker, Lighting is by Andrew Bridge with Associate Lighting Design by Warren Letton, Sound is by Mick Potter. The Musical Staging and Choreography is by Gillian Lynne, recreated and adapted by Chrissie Cartwright. Originally Directed by Harold Prince, this production is Directed by Seth Sklar-Heyn.

Obtaining Government backed contingency insurance to protect against further unscheduled closures remains a priority.  All plans for the re-opening of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA are in accordance with the Government’s latest directives and therefore subject to change.

GOING THE DISTANCE

A NEW DIGITAL COMEDY

BY HENRY FILLOUX-BENNETT AND YASMEEN KHAN

DIRECTED BY FELICITY MONTAGU

PREMIERES 4-17 OCTOBER 2021

GOING THE DISTANCE – the world premiere ofa digital production of a new comedy by Henry Filloux-Bennett and Yasmeen Khan, directed by Felicity Montagu (best known for her role as ‘Lynn’ in I’m Alan Partridge, as well as numerous stage and screen credits) – will launch this autumn, available on demand from 4 – 17 October. GOING THE DISTANCE is a co-production from the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Oxford Playhouse, The Dukes and The Watermill Theatre. Further details and casting to be announced.

When there’s no light at the end of the tunnel and the chips are down, you can count on Eggborough Community Theatre to fight back…

March 2020. Theatres across the country go dark. Hundreds of cherished arts centres face the prospect of permanent closure. But that isn’t going to stop the Eggborough Community Theatre… as they fight to save their local venue with the genius idea to put on a fundraising production of Wizard* (*inspired by but for rights purposes certainly not based on The Wizard of Oz).

Get ready for a brand new comedy about a little theatre with a huge challenge.

The launch of GOING THE DISTANCE comes hot on the heels of the huge success of other critically acclaimed digital productions adapted by Filloux-Bennett, including What A Carve Up! in October 2020, The Picture of Dorian Gray in March 2021, and most recently Yasmeen Khan’s adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest, produced by The Lawrence Batley Theatre and The Dukes Lancaster.

Henry Filloux-Bennett said, “I’m so excited to be working with Yasmeen and Felicity on something which feels like a perfect way to celebrate the resilience of our incredible industry over the last year. Theatres and arts centres are absolutely at the heart of communities up and down the country, and ‘Going the Distance’ will I hope be a warm-hearted reflection of just how vital they are to us all. Think ‘Noises Off’ meets ‘Nighty-Night’ – at least then you know what we were aiming for…!”

Felicity Montagu said, “I’m very excited to be working on ‘Go The Distance’ in my directorial debut. Not only is this a thrilling challenge but working with Yasmeen Khan and Henry Filloux-Bennett, who are creating this wonderful Comedy-Drama, is a pure delight. If anything can bring joy and a beacon of hope out of such a terrible year, hopefully this will.”

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday 27 April, and can be purchased at goingthedistanceplay.com.  Bookers will receive a screening link which will allow access for their booked performance date for a 48-hour period. Tickets are priced at £15 which will include both a link to the production as well as a digital programme. Audio description and closed captioning will be made available for the production during its run

Chiswick Playhouse announce new Associate
Artists Tori Allen-Martin and Phoebe Barran
Chiswick Playhouse, 2 Bath Road, London W4 1LW

Actor Tori Allen-Martin and director Phoebe Barran have been named as the new Associate Artists at Chiswick Playhouse. These two incredible talents will work in partnership with the theatre supporting its dynamic work post-Covid. This exciting collaboration will seek to
champion new and adventurous work, helping to further highlight Chiswick as a creative hub in the industry

Tori Allen-Martin (Pandemonium, BBC; London Kills, BBC) is an acclaimed actor, writer, and singer-songwriter, who was named as one of the BBC’s New Talent Hotlist in 2017. Most
recently she has co-founded Burn Bright, a non-profit organisation aiming to level the playing field for writers who identify as women, helping to create opportunities and share the stories of the marginalised.

Phoebe Barran is an award-winning director, who most recently won an Off West End Award for her revival of Tryst at the Chiswick Playhouse. Barran will be showcasing her skillset as part of the Chiswick Recharged Festival’s Bare Bones, stripping down two new plays The Woodcutters Tale by Orlando Wells and a new version of Tom Sharpe’s Wilt, adapted by David Spicer.

Tori Allen-Martin comments, I am so honoured to have been asked to work with Chiswick
Playhouse as an associate artist. Chiswick Playhouse are committed to developing artists of all disciplines, ages and backgrounds and are passionate about platforming voices that too often feel silenced as well as creating work that will have a vibrant life not only inside, but beyond the fringe circuit. I share these values and am so excited to collaborate with them on finding exciting opportunities to platform new talent, especially marginalised voices. We share a view of Chiswick Playhouse becoming a hub for new work and new connections and I am so proud to put my name to this brilliant and exciting venue, and I myself can’t wait to create magic with them.

Phoebe Barran adds, I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Chiswick Playhouse as an associate artist. I’ve been a supporter of the theatre for many years both as an audience member and from having the opportunity to develop new writing and direct shows here. The theatre itself is such a wonderful space for both creatives and audiences and I’m hugely excited to now be part of the team that will bring some of the best and the brightest to come and work here. I know the Chiswick Playhouse has ambitious plans with both its own programme of productions and partnering with other producers and creatives. I’m so excited to play my part in making those plans a reality

Mark Perry, Chiswick’s Executive Director, said, The ethos of Chiswick Playhouse is to give a platform to work and creatives so that they can have a life far beyond Chiswick. We want to be a place where we can support artists from all backgrounds to not just create work for our audiences, but also develop themselves and their craft. This is why Phoebe and Tori are such perfect additions to the team as associate artists. Both of them, besides being hugely talented themselves, have made it part of their raison d’être to help and support people around them, no matter whether those people are experienced artists, making first steps into the theatre world or are in some way a neglected voice. We want to firmly establish the Chiswick Playhouse on the theatre map and I am delighted that Phoebe and Tori have agreed to come on board to help us do that.

Alphabetti Theatre proudly presents
AWARE
with films by Hijinx Theatre, Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company and About Face Theatre Company

Venue: Alphabetti Theatre
Date: 25th May – 5th June 2021 (excluding Sundays & Mondays)
Time: 7:30pm | 1:00pm (relaxed Saturday matinee)
Running length: Approx. 70 mins
Price: Pay What You Feel (booking essential, instructions at the end of the performance)
Live Audience: A household/support bubble experiences the show in their own time slot. One slot for one bubble (up to 6 people). Slots available every 30 mins from 5.00pm to
9.30pm Tues – Fri and from 11.30am – 9.30pm Sat.
Online Audience: The performance will be live streamed every night at 7:30pm.
Age Recommendation: 14+
Tickets available at: https://www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/copy-of-what-s-on

We are installing three film booths in the venue, each booth will show a different short film by these fantastic, groundbreaking theatre companies. Produced by Esther Fearn & Ali Pritchard, AWARE is a project with a series of short films by three theatre companies run by and for people with learning disabilities. AWARE has been made possible with the support of Newcastle Cultural Investment Fund managed by Community Foundation. It was originally conceived in partnership with Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company as a festival in 2020

Hijinx presents The Audition – a short documentary.
Directed by Dylan Wyn Richards
Produced by Daniel McGowan & Clare Williams
Camera Huw Walters
Made with the support of Morrisons Foundation and Ffilm Cymru Wales

In the spring of 2019, thirty neurodivergent actors auditioned for roles in a groundbreaking feature film. During the audition process and interviews, these remarkable performers discussed their unique experiences and outlook on the world.
The result is a revelatory, extraordinary documentary fusing powerful acting with equally striking insights into politics, dreams, trauma, family, friendship and life as someone with a different, astonishing mind.
https://www.facebook.com/hijinxtheatre/
https://twitter.com/HijinxTheatre

Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company presents Retake, Remake
Directed by Jan-Willem Van Den Bosch
With Creative Collaboration by Melody Sproates
Made with support of National Lottery Community Fund, Arts Council England and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Retake, Remake explores films that portray people with learning difficulties but are played by actors without learning difficulties. The Lawnmowers Theatre Ensemble reclaim these films and make them their own. The actors create a new story-led show that uses lip-sync in a fun and clever way mixing edited audio, live performance and film footage to create a conceptual conversation about representation, ability and ownership.
https://www.facebook.com/LawnmowersITC/
https://twitter.com/lawnmowersITC

About Face Theatre Company presents Creation
Directed by Jess MacKenzie
Directed by Jess MacKenzie and creative collaboration with The Fetch Theatre Company and The Creative Arcade.About Face is part of ECHO . Made with support from The Arts Council.

Strikingly staged using micro-puppetry, About Face weaves ancient stories of greed, fear and redemption applied to our world today, with music, narrative and strong magic. About Face Theatre Company is the flagship company of actors with learning disabilities in the West Midlands. It provides a wide range of opportunities for people with learning disabilities to grow in confidence through performance based skills, specialising in puppet and mask work.
https://www.facebook.com/aboutfacetheatreuk/
https://www.instagram.com/aboutfacetheatre/

BRAND-NEW MUSICAL PODCAST

THE BALLAD OF ANNE & MARY ANNOUNCED

PODCAST DATES: 29^TH APRIL – 27^TH MAY 2021

AVAILABLE FREE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS

An electrifying five-part musical podcast series The Ballad of Anne & Mary will launch on Thursday 29^th April with a stellar cast including musical sensation Christina Bianco, actress and comedian Sooz Kempner, Hamilton star Karl Queensborough, and drag legend Le Gateau Chocolat among others.

It’s 1721, and London is abuzz with news of notorious pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read, currently languishing in Newgate Prison. It’s the perfect time for debt-ridden journalist Nathaniel Mist to exploit the public appetite and ghost-write a sensational (and hopefully best-selling) history of pirates. But as the balladeers and gossips on the streets of London build myths around the blood-thirsty, perverse lady pirates, Mist is forced to reckon with the real Bonny & Read…

Gritty and romantic, The Ballad of Anne & Mary whisks listeners away on a rollicking adventure across the Caribbean seas, through the backstreets of Georgian London, and into the cells of its most notorious prison. Original songs fuse sea shanties and pirate songs with orchestral and rock instruments to create a musical world at once familiar and surprising. Recorded in home studios during a year when the world stood still, this is the perfect escape across time and space, drawing you into the jaw dropping world of Anne Bonny and Mary Read, two of the most notorious pirates who ever lived. 

Long Cat Media’s writer and director, Lindsay Sharman, comments: “We are thrilled to bring this musical podcast to life and continue to make epic stories without compromise. It has been great to see Anne Bonny and Mary Read’s resurgence in notoriety recently as their story illustrates resilience and joie de vivre we could all aspire to. We came across the non-fiction book Captain Charles Johnson’s A General History of the Pyrates from 1724 which became the basis for much of our modern mythology about pirates. The more we researched Mary Read and Anne Bonny’s story, the more ours came to life. The music in this podcast series transports you to other worlds, and there is something about the nature of folk music, especially shanties and sea songs, that we’ve always found exciting.”

Christina Bianco, who steps into the role of Anne Bonny, comments: “Listeners are in for something incredibly special. It is a female driven, action-adventure musical – which is a rarity! Not only does it have a gorgeous score and a script that is both hilarious and touching, but Long Cat Media have created an immersive sound design that makes you feel like you’re living inside the story. Oh yeah – and it was all done in isolation! It’s an absolutely stunning achievement that I am honoured to be part of.”

Sooz Kempner, playing Mary Read in The Ballad of Anne & Mary, adds: “If you would have told me two years ago that a full-blown musical could exist in podcast form, I’d never have believed you. But this is exactly that, and it’s about two badass women to boot.”

Exploring how legends are made, and why the truth rarely gets in the way of a good story, The Ballad of Anne & Mary is a celebration of rebels, the environment that made them, and how they become a repository for our fears and desires. Looking back from a time when rule-breaking women are still demonised by the media and by the public, what must it have been like in 1721?

The Ballad of Anne & Mary is written and directed by Lindsay Sharman, with music by Laurence Owen and an incredible cast including Carole Stennett, Dominic Brewer, John Henry Falle, Hayley Evenett, James Ducker, Colette Boushell, Ivan Wilkinson and Helen Fullerton. It has been supported by funding from Arts Council England and the UEA Enterprise Fund.

The Ballad of Anne & Mary will be launched on 29^th April on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast and Google Podcasts as well as on www.longcatmedia.com, with new episodes being released every Thursday. The soundtrack will be available to buy on Bandcamp. You can watch the series teaser trailer here.

Streaming online 23 – 27 April

3***

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Joey Contreras’ song cycle In Pieces follows eight characters through the ups and downs of relationships. Directed by Louis Rayneau, there are some wonderful moments, although that is down to the cast and their performances rather than the music.

With Kidzania standing in quite effectively for a New York mall, there is a studio feel to the film, even if some sets make the cast appear giants. There is no dialogue between songs, but the paths of the characters’ relationships become clear through the songs. Rachel Sargent’s choreography is energetic and fun. Up tempo pop tunes and sweet ballads follow a familiar template, but there are a few real bangers thrown in, in a mixed bag of numbers that need a little exposition in between to produce a slicker and more coherent show as at the moment it doesn’t quite gel.

The cast are outstanding, with Luke Street and Hilba Elchikhe taking us through the breakup of a relationship in great style, while Ross Harmon’s shy geek and troubled Mr Popular Jordan Luke Gage explore their feelings for each other, Kyle Birch performs ballads about unrequited love beautifully, Becky Lane has some comedy numbers about the awkwardness of love, and Danielle Steers fills her big number with passion and emotion. The group numbers are the standout moments, with Hilba Elchikhe, Amy Di Bartolomeo and Danielle Steers harmonising brilliantly on Like You Don’t Miss Me, and Amy Di Bartolomeo and the cast sharing experiences of love and repeating mistakes in the stunning Singing the Same Line.

Lifted by the wonderful cast, In Pieces is lots of fun and an enjoyable show, but with a decent book and a few more special tunes this could become a great show