Soldier On, produced by The Soldiers’ Arts Academy stars army veterans bringing their own experiences to life

Soldier On

A new play written and directed by Jonathan Lewis 

 

Produced by Amanda Faber and The Soldiers’ Arts Academy

 

This autumn, after a sell-out London season and national tour earlier this year, Jonathan Lewis’ play, ‘Soldier On’, arrives for a five week run at The Other Palace Theatre to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1.

F**k me, it’s funny.”  The Sunday Times (****)

 

The play is inspired by true stories which Lewis, author of the multi-award-winning West End hit ‘Our Boys’, work-shopped with British servicemen and women and their families over five years.   A passionate cast, many of them army veterans,  bring their own experiences to life through a mix of storytelling, music, dance and mixed media that is hard-hitting, poignant and close to their own hearts.  

 

With a cast of 16 including injured veterans, the show explores what really happens when military personnel leave the army – through the journey of a group of soldiers who take up acting to help them recover from PTSD.

 

It’s their words that do the talking in what one veteran, filmmaker Neil Davies, has named” The Full Military Monty”. 

 

 “Soldier On is dedicated to all those who come home after war, but don’t really come back,” Lewis said.   “And to all their loved ones and friends who know what it’s like to live with the thousand yard stare.”

 

 

Lewis’ script…packs humour, clarity and emotional punch. Effectively, the audience are parachuted behind enemy the lines into a group of post-traumatic stress survivors who’ve been dared, coerced or cajoled into working through their issues live on stage” – Evening Standard (*****)

 

With humour, warmth and searing honesty, ‘Soldier On’  lays bare both the shocking and sometimes heart-warming truths about the impact of PTSD – and the very real and often disturbing facts of life faced by some 60,000 veterans in  Britain in 2018. 

 

The cast is Bertie Portal (Col Tom), David Soloman (Harry), Ellie Nunn (Sophie), Lizzie Mounter (Beth), Ex-Gladiator Mark Griffin ( Rickshaw), Nicholas Clarke (Jacko/Donny), Rekha John-Cheriyan (Maggie), Tom Craig (Len) and Zoe Zak (Sal/Paula).

The veterans in the cast are Cassidy Little (ex 42 Commando, Afghanistan and  Peoples’ Strictly winner) who plays Woody, Hayley Thompson (ex Royal Army Medical Corps) is Trees, Max Hamilton-Mackenzie (ex Royal Green Jackets) is TC, Mike Prior (Army) is  James/Cameron, Sarah Davis (Ex Army) is Tanya, Shaun Johnson (Royal Artillery, Northern Ireland) is Flaps, Steve Morgan (Army reserves) is  Hoarse and Drew Johnson (Army Air Corps) is the understudy.

Design is by Richard Hornsby, costume design is by Sophie Savage, lighting design by Mark Dymock, sound design by Adam Gerber,  Video Design by Harry Parker, AV technician Simon Nicholas, musical director  is Oli Rew and choreographer  and  Assistant Director, Lily Howkins,

 

Writer and director Jonathan Lewis was an Army Scholar who was invalided out of the forces in 1986.   He went on to drama school and subsequently played Sgt Chris McCleod in two series of ITV’s Soldier, Soldier in the 1990s.  Lewis’ multi-award winning hit first play ‘Our Boys” was revived in the West End in 2012 and has just completed an award-winning run at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe.

 

Jonathan Lewis said: “This November we will be remembering the end of The Great War a hundred years ago, and there will be many poignant and moving tributes to the fallen,” he said.   “It should then be time to focus on those who returned.”

 

‘Soldier On’ is produced by Amanda Faber and the Soldiers’ Arts Academy, a platform through which serving and ex-serving military personal can participate in the creative and performing arts, using their skills and experiences to engage audiences. It is written and directed by Jonathan Lewis and this London run is produced in association with Jess Andrews. 

 

Faber says, “The Soldiers’ Arts Academy provides a platform for serving and veteran military personnel to recover, retrain and to access new work. It is the first time that a production of this kind has had a run of this length and it is a huge step forward in the groundswell of support and nurturing of significant new artistic talent from those leaving the Armed forces to look for new work outside the military family.”

 

The Soldiers’ Arts Academy is planning to deliver insight workshops into the arts throughout the run. Workshops for corporates, schools and colleges are also available on request. Please contact [email protected]

 

 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Venue: The Other Palace,12 Palace Street, London, SW1E 5JA

Dates: 24th October to 24th November

Open dress: 24th October

Previews: 25th – 27th October

Evening Performances: Monday – Saturday 19.30:

Matinees Thursday and Saturday 14.30

Ticket Prices: £24.90 -£49.50 (£10 for open dress)

Box office: 0207 087 7900

 

Veterans, serving personnel and emergency services can receive a £10 discount on all tickets using ‘SOLDIERONFAM’.  Concessions: £5 off Band B tickets,Groups of 8+: £5 off Band B ticketsAge Recommendation: 14+ (There is strong language and adult references throughout. Loud bangs and the sound of gunfire.)

Full casting announced for Shakespeare in Love, brand new production and tour opening this Autumn

Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Theatre Royal Bath Productions
By special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Group and Sonia Friedman Productions present

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE 
Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard and adapted for the stage by Lee Hall with music by Paddy Cunneen

  • FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR A BRAND NEW PRODUCTION OF THE HIT WEST END PLAY SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE 
  • CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PLAY, BASED ON THE OSCAR-WINNING FILM, EMBARKS ON A NATIONAL TOUR THIS AUTUMN
  • OPENING AT THEATRE ROYAL BATH FROM 4 OCTOBER, 2018 AND CURRENTLY TOURING TO 24 NOVEMBER WITH FURTHER DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Theatre Royal Bath Productions  today announce full casting for a brand new production and UK tour of the critically acclaimed West End play Shakespeare in Love. As previously announced, the play will be directed by Phillip Breen and opens at Theatre Royal Bath on Thursday 4 October 2018 with press night on Thursday 11 October and will then embark on a national tour to Nottingham, Malvern, Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh and Chichester, with further venues to be announced.

Pierro Niel-Mee will star as Will Shakespeare with Imogen Daines as Viola, Rob Edwards as FennymanGeraldine Alexander as the Queen, Edmund Kingsley as Kit Marlowe, Bill Ward as Wessex, Ian Hughes as Henslowe, Giles Taylor as Tilney and De Lesseps, Edward Harrison as Burbage and Philip Labey as Sam. The cast also includes Rowan Polonski as Ned Alleyn/Catling, Kevin N Golding as Lambert/Wabash, Joshua Richards as Frees/Ralph, Jonathan Blaydon as Nol/Valentine, Richard Rowe McGhie as Adam, Rosalind Steele as Molly, Toby Webster as Peter/Robin and Jazmine Wilkinson as Webster/Mistress Quickly.

The Oscar-winning film Shakespeare in Love written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard and starring Judi Dench, Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow went on to win seven Academy Awards, including best screenplay, following its premiere in 1998. It was adapted for stage by Lee Hall, with music by Paddy Cunneen, and opened for a triumphant West End run in 2014 to both critical and public acclaim.

Young Will Shakespeare has writer’s block… the deadline for his new play – a comedy called Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate’s Daughter – is fast approaching, he’s struggling to finish the first line of a sonnet and he’s in dire need of inspiration. Then he meets the beguiling Viola de Lesseps, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant. Viola is prepared to do anything – including risking the frosty disapproval of Queen Elizabeth I – to fulfil her illicit dream of performing on the London stage and pursuing a passionate affair with the greatest playwright of the age.

Directed by Phillip Breen with design by Max Jones, lighting by Tina MacHugh, sound byDyfan Jones, movement by Ayse Tashkiran, music by Paddy Cunneen and with Associate Producers Rebecca Stafford, Eilene Davidson and Mark Puddle.

Listings

Shakespeare in Love
Presented by Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Theatre Royal Bath Productions by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Group and Sonia Friedman Productions
Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard
Adapted by Lee Hall
Music by Paddy Cunneen
Directed by Phillip Breen
Designer: Max Jones
Lighting Designer: Tina MacHugh
Sound Designer: Dyfan Jones
Movement Director: Ayse Tashkiran
Associate Producers: Rebecca Stafford, Eilene Davidson, Mark Puddle

Theatre Royal Bath
Thursday 4 – Saturday 13 October
Press night: Thursday 11 October
Box Office: 01225 448815
www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Nottingham Theatre Royal 
Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 October
Box Office: 0115 989 5555
www.trch.co.uk

Malvern Festival Theatre
Tuesday 23 Oct – Saturday 27 October
Box Office: 01684 569256
www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

Oxford Playhouse 
Tuesday 30 – Saturday 3 November
Box Office: 01865 305305
www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Cambridge Arts Theatre
Monday 5 – Saturday 10 November
Box Office: 01223 503333
www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

King’s Theatre Edinburgh 
Monday 12 – Saturday 17 November
Box Office: 0131 529 6000
www.capitaltheatres.com/kings

Chichester Festival Theatre
Tuesday 20 – Saturday 24 November
Box Office: 01243 781312
www.cft.org.uk

FURTHER DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

Phoenix Dance Theatre Return to Yorkshire

PHOENIX DANCE THEATRE RETURN TO LEEDS

 

Phoenix at Home 18th – 20th October

 

Phoenix at Home is an annual production by internationally-renowned, Leeds-based contemporary dance company Phoenix Dance Theatre. Utilising its own dancers, choreographers and Youth Academy it is a celebratory showcase of the company’s work.

The eighth production of Phoenix at Home takes to the company’s own stage at Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre next month from Thursday 18th to Saturday 10th October.

Last year Phoenix celebrated female choreographers which included Calyx by multi-award-winning company dancer Sandrine Monin and a preview of Windrush: Movement of the People by Artistic Director Sharon Watson.

Female choreographers are few and far between,” says Artistic Director, Sharon Watson. “There are many women at entry level but as you go higher up they disappear – I wanted to show off our own company’s female talent.”

This year Phoenix will present Robert North’s world-renowned Troy Game.  Described by the New York Times as a ‘funny and sexy romp’, Troy Game is a tongue in cheek parody of male machismo and is re-staged to include female dancers.

Sandrine Monin makes a welcome return with an excerpt from her new piece Kirke for which she has again teamed up with Italian composer Roberto Rusconi, and Phoenix Youth Academy take to the stage with colourful and comedic new work Spam choreographed by company dancer Michael Marquez.

This last year has been amazing for Phoenix,” says Sharon. “We have toured around the country with Windrush and its supporting Mixed Programme; we met the Prime Minister, performed at Tilbury Docks, visited China to promote Leeds and Yorkshire as a cultural powerhouse, and now we’re preparing to head home where we always enjoy performing – we were born in Leeds, we live in Leeds and we’re very proud of Leeds.”

 

Phoenix at Home is at Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre from

Thursday 18th to Saturday 20th October 2018 at 7.30pm

with a 2pm matinee on Saturday.

 

Tickets are on sale now priced at £16, £13 concession

 

Book online at www.phoenixdancetheatre.co.uk

or call box office 0113 220 8008

SONGS FOR NOBODIES TRANSFERS TO THE WEST END

SONGS FOR NOBODIES

TRANSFERS TO THE WEST END

 

Garry McQuinn for RGM Productions and Daniel Sparrow Productions in association with 

Bill Bowness, Robin Campbell, Ros Andrews and Andrew Buxton present

Songs For Nobodies

Written by Joanna Murray Smith

Directed by Simon Phillips

Performed by Bernadette Robinson

 

Ambassadors Theatre

7 January – 23 February 2019

 

RGM Productions & Daniel Sparrow Productions in association with Bill BownessRobin Campbell, Ros Andrews and Andrew Buxton today announce the West End transfer of Songs For Nobodies for a limited 7 week run. The production, written by Joanna Murray Smith specifically to showcase the extraordinary vocal ability of actress Bernadette Robinson, had its European première at Wilton’s Music Hall earlier this year and opened to wide critical and audience acclaim. This new play with songs is directed by Simon Phillips and features music from five iconic divas; Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf and Maria Callas and opens at the Ambassadors Theatre on 10 January, with previews from 7 January and running until 23 February.

 

The uniquely talented Australian singer and actor, Bernadette Robinson performs the critically acclaimed one-woman tour de force Songs For Nobodies.

 

Written by award-winning playwright Joanna Murray Smith – who with Switzerland at Theatre Royal Bath and the upcoming production of Honour at Park Theatre will have three productions produced in the UK over the past year – Songs For Nobodies showcases Robinson’s astonishing talent for recreating the great singers of the past. Commissioned and directed by Simon Phillips (Priscilla Queen of the Desert – The MusicalMuriel’s WeddingNorth By North West (Theatre Royal Bath) former Artistic Director of the Melbourne Theatre Company), her moving and uplifting performance has earned rave reviews across sold-out seasons, around the world.

 

On stage for 90 minutes accompanied by live musicians, her miraculous voice shifts from the smoky blues of Billie Holiday to the thrilling soprano of Maria Callas, via Garland, Cline and Piaf. With consummate ease, she breathes new life into the five legendary performers and the five ordinary women whose lives were changed by their brush with fame. 

 

Joanna Murray Smith said today, “I am thrilled that Songs For Nobodies – which is so dear to my heart, will be making a West End transfer. It is testimony to Bernadette’s performance that audiences have come back over and over again to see the show because their reaction is so deeply felt and because they feel so uplifted. They laugh, cry and contemplate defining moments in their own lives, at the same time as being totally stunned by a single performer’s inspirational ability to resurrect beloved icons.” 

 

Bernadette Robinson’s critically acclaimed performances in multiple sell-out seasons of the one-woman musical play Songs For Nobodies and Pennsylvania Avenue have confirmed her standing as one of Australia’s leading singers/actresses. Together with eventual winner Cate Blanchett, Bernadette was nominated for a Helpmann Award (Australia’s Olivier Awards) in 2012 as Best Female Actor in a Play. She played the role of Beatrice in Nick Enright and Terry Clarke’s The Venetian Twins, and has appeared in lead roles with Chamber Made Opera and Wellington City Opera. She is a familiar figure on Australian concert stages, having given sell out concerts at the Sydney Opera House, Adelaide Festival Centre, the Melbourne Recital Centre and its neighbour, Hamer Hall, and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. In addition to her one-woman shows, she has had great success performing at high profile events for large corporates across Australia and (singing in English and in local languages) in Tokyo, Beijing (during the 2008 Olympic Games), Shanghai (during the 2010 World Expo), Hong Kong, Macau, Buenos Aires, Singapore, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Toronto.

 

Joanna Murray Smith’s plays have been produced and translated all over the world and have appeared on Broadway, the West End and the National Theatre in London. Her plays include American SongThree Little WordsSwitzerland, Pennsylvania AvenueFuryDay One – A Hotel – EveningThe GiftRockabyeThe Female of the SpeciesNinetyBombshellsRaptureNightfall, Redemption, Flame, Love Child, Atlanta, Honour and Angry Young Penguins.  She has also adapted Ingmar Bergman’s Scenes from a Marriage for Sir Trevor Nunn and Hedda Gabler. Most of her plays have been published by Currency Press or Dramatist’s Play Service (U.S.) or Nick Hern Books (UK).  Several of her plays have been adapted for Australian radio and for the BBC. Her work and herself have been shortlisted and won many prizes. Her work includes three novels published by Penguin/Viking and two operas, Love in the Age of Therapy and The Divorce.

 

Simon Philips began his career in New Zealand before emigrating to Australia in 1984. He was appointed Artistic Director of the State Theatre Company of South Australia from 1990-94 and Artistic Director of the Melbourne Theatre Company from 2000-11.His directing credits range from contemporary and Shakespearean classics to musicals to opera. He has also directed the premières of many new works by leading Australian writers. Apart from Priscilla, Simon’s musical credits include Oliver!, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret, High Society, Company, The Twenty-Fifth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Urinetown the Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and a new Australian production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies, which was released internationally on DVD.  His production of Ladies in Black, a new Australian musical created with his wife, Carolyn Burns, and Tim Finn (of Split Enz fame) was an acclaimed success in Australia.  His production of North By North West premièred at the Theatre Royal Bath and most recently, he directed the award-winning Muriel’s Wedding which premiered in Australia in 2017. 

 

About RGM

RGM Productions is an independent theatre production company that brings together more than forty years industry knowledge and experience.  Its objective is to discover, develop and introduce new and compelling productions to new audiences around the world.  Established in 2012 by husband and wife team Garry McQuinn and Rina Gill, the company has an impressive portfolio of productions ranging from drama, music, dance and cabaret to children’s theatre and comedy.  RGM Productions produced the world première of the stage adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s film Through A Glass Darkly with Ruth Wilson in London and Carey Mulligan in New York, and the UK Theatre Awards short-listed Two Worlds of Charlie F performed by and based on the stories of injured ex-soldiers. Most recently, RGM produced an adaptation of The Hunting of the Snark, a high-energy family musical that played at the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne this past July after successful seasons on London’s West End and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. McQuinn is the lead producer and managing partner of the internationally acclaimed Broadway and West End hit Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Musical which has now travelled to 135 cities and 30 countries around the world.  RGM are the international bookers and managers of The Tap Pack and the cabaret musical Velvet; the West End Hit musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie; and the international producer of Jean Paul Gaultier’s new musical Fashion Freakshow which opens in Paris this October.   Current upcoming projects include a new Australian musical – Starstruck – based on Gillian Armstrong’s iconic 1982 film which is currently being work-shopped in Sydney with Australia’s national theatre school, NIDA.

 

About Daniel Sparrow Productions

Daniel Sparrow is an Olivier Award-winning West End producer and theatrical general manager, and has produced plays and musicals in London, the UK, Sydney and on Broadway.

 

London-based, but originally Australian, he developed and produced the award-winning West End stage adaptation of Pedro Almodóvar’s All About My Mother at The Old Vic (co-production with the Neal Street) in 2007, starring Dame Diana Rigg, Lesley Manville, Mark Gatiss, Colin Morgan and Joanne Froggatt. There has since been 23 different productions in 18 different languages internationally. Subsequent West End productions include: Three Days of Rain, starring James McAvoy; Holding the Man starring Australian TV comedy icon Jane Turner (Kath from Kath and Kim); Michel Legrand’s The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, directed by Emma Rice, in collaboration with Kneehigh Theatre; the Olivier Award-winning Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Street, starring Michael Ball; Stiles and Drewe’s musical Soho Cinders; the recent Palladium revival of A Chorus Line; and, on Broadway, Exit the King, starring Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon. 

 

Current and upcoming projects include two new musicals: The (M)other Life by Amity Dry and Only the Brave by Matthew Brind.

 

danielsparrowproductions.com

 

Songs For Nobodies 

Listings

Ambassadors Theatre
West Street, London, WC2H 9ND

 

7 January – 23 February 2019

 

 

Box Office: 020 7395 5405

www.theambassadorstheatre.co.uk

 

Tickets: £25 – £75

Previews: All tickets £25

DENISE VAN OUTEN – CHICAGO – PHOENIX THEATRE

DENISE VAN OUTEN – CHICAGO – PHOENIX THEATRE

 

On the day that Denise Van Outen was due to start rehearsals as ‘Velma Kelly’ in Chicago it was discovered that she had suffered a stress fracture in her heel.

 

Denise will therefore no longer be playing the role from 24 September – 17 November 2018 and her replacement will be announced shortly.

 

New dates for Denise to return to the show will be announced soon

FULL TOUR AND CAST ANNOUNCED FOR KATORI HALL’S THE MOUNTAINTOP

FULL TOUR AND CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

KATORI HALL’S THE MOUNTAINTOP

 

A Reading Rep Theatre, Desara Productions and Nuffield Southampton Theatres Co-production

Directed by Roy Alexander Weise, Winner of the JMK Award 2016

in a production originally presented at the Young Vic

 

 

THE MOUNTAINTOP

By Katori Hall

Director: Roy Alexander Weise; Designer: Rajha Shakiry; Lighting Designer: Lizzie Powell

Sound Designer: George Dennis; Video Designer: Nina Dunn

26 September – 6 October

Press night: Tuesday 2 October

NST City Studio

ahead of a national tour until 1 December

 

Director of Nuffield Southampton Theatres, Sam Hodges, Reading Rep and producer Desara Bosnja announce the cast and full tour dates for the revival of the JMK production of The Mountaintop. The tour, which includes regional venues such as Bristol Old Vic, Northern Stage and Birmingham Rep is part of a touring network to support JMK productions and productions alike have a life outside of London. The cast for Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop includes Gbolahan Obisesan (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) and Rochelle Rose (Camae). The production opens on 2 October, with previews from 26 September at Nuffield Southampton Theatres and runs for two weeks ahead of national tour to Northern Stage, Northwall, Reading Rep Theatre, Leicester Curve, Bristol Old Vic and Birmingham Rep.

 

Katori Hall said today, “I’m beyond thrilled that The Mountaintop is returning home. The UK wholeheartedly embraced this story from its inception, proving without a doubt, the ability of Dr. King’s legacy to transcend lines of culture and country. As this heightened political moment further exposes the fierce hold racism, classism and sexism have on all our communities, I hope this tour provides a safe space to confront these stubborn demons through the power of storytelling.”

 

“I am a man, I am just a man.”

An intimate look into the life of Martin Luther King. The Mountaintop chips away at the myth of the great man exposing his fears about his family, country and the ever-looming threat of a violent death.

Set during the height of America’s Civil Rights Movement on the night before his death, Katori Hall’s sharp and powerful play confronts the legend and his legacy. Are we really free or do we live in a world of false liberation?

Roy Alexander Weise (Nine Night, National Theatre), winner of the JMK Award 2016, directs this revival of the Olivier Award-winning play about King’s last night on earth.

Gbolahan Obisesan plays Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As an actor, his theatre include The Mountaintop(Young Vic), The Bird Woman Of Lewisham (Arcola Theatre), The Inspectors Call (Etcetera Theatre), Concrete JunglePiano Forte (Courtyard Theatre), Holyland (Edinburgh/ Pleasance/Lyric Hammersmith),  The Arbitrary Adventures Of An Accidental Terrorist (Lyric Hammersmith), A Midsummer Night’s DreamOedipus The KingA Hip-Hop Musical (Bloomsbury Theatre).  Television credits include Forty-somethingWatch Over Me!; and short film credits include The Good SonBeyond the Blade. Obisesan is also a playwright and director.

Rochelle Rose plays Camae. For theatre her work includes Cinderella, Aladdin (Oxford Playhouse), The Winter’s Tale (Orange Tree Theatre), Shipwrecked! The Amazing Adventures of Louis De Rougemont (Jack Studio Theatre), Jack and the Beanstalk (Lyric Hammersmith) and Monkey Don’t Stop No Show (Eclipse Theatre). For television, her work includes Lawful Killing; for short film work includes Pipe Up and Ghosts.

 

Katori Hall is an Olivier Award-winning playwright. Her play The Mountaintop, premièring at Theatre503 in 2009, transferred to the West End in 2010 and won the Olivier Award for Best New Play. Following its West End run, the play opened on Broadway in October 2011 to critical acclaim. Katori’s other work includes the award-wining Hurt Village which is currently in development as a feature film, Hoodoo LoveRemembranceSaturday Night/Sunday Morning, WHADDABLOODCLOT!!!  Our Lady of KibehoThe Blood Quilt, and Pussy Valley, which is being adapted into a TV series for US network STARZ.

Roy Alexander Weise is the 19th annual winner of the James Menzies-Kitchin Award and an Associate Director at Harts Theatre Company. His theatre credits include Nine Night (National Theatre & West End transfer), The Mountaintop (Young Vic), Jekyll and Hyde (National Youth Theatre), Dead Don’t Floss (National Theatre), The Ugly One (Park Theatre), The Dark (Ovalhouse), Primetime (Royal Court Theatre), Stone Face (Finborough Theatre) and Br’er Cotton (Theatre503).

Age recommendation 14+

NST City is Nuffield Southampton Theatres brand new venue just opened in Southampton’s city centre. The new theatre opened earlier this year, and runs alongside NST Campus situated on the Highfield Campus at the University of Southampton.

Nuffield Southampton Theatres is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and a registered charity, receiving additional core funding from the University of Southampton and Southampton City Council.

@NSTheatres

www.nstheatres.co.uk

NATHAN AMZI JOINS THE CAST OF HEATHERS THE MUSICAL AT THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET

‘HEATHER, MY LOVE

THERES A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN’

NATHAN AMZI JOINS THE CAST OF

AT THE THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET

UNTIL 24 NOVEMBER

Heathers the Musical is thrilled to welcome Nathan Amzi (Aladdin, In The Heights, Rock of Ages, The Voice UK) to Westerberg High for the first time at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Nathan will be joining Carrie Hope Fletcher in the smash-hit musical until the end of the semester on 24 November.

 

Nathan says; “I have loved jumping in becoming a part of this incredibly talented company! They are a true theatre family from the producers, creatives, cast, through every department. It’s been the fastest rehearsal I’ve ever had to performance, which was only possible with this extraordinary team. When I saw the show as an audience member it blew me away, it’s high-octane fun, full of heart backed by a stellar company. So to join their family is a joy.”

 

Greetings and salutations. Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is so very a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day.

 

But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams finally start to come true.

 

Until JD turns up, the mysterious teen rebel who teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody…

 

Based on one of the greatest teen films of all time, the 1988 cult classic starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. The award-winning writing team, Laurence O’Keefe (Legally Blonde, Bat Boy) and Kevin Murphy’s (Reefer MadnessDesperate Housewives) hit musical adaptation has enjoyed successful runs in Los Angeles and New York, and finally arrived in the UK for its European premiere on 9 June 2018, following a rapturous response to its 2017 workshop at The Other Palace.

 

Heathers – The Musical is directed by acclaimed screen and stage director Andy Fickman, with choreography by Gary Lloyd, design by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound by Dan Samson and casting by Will Burton. The production is produced by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor Mills.

HUGH DENNIS, LESLEY GARRETT AND JOHN MARQUEZ TO STAR IN THE MESSIAH AT THE OTHER PALACE FROM MONDAY DECEMBER 3RD – LONDON TRANSFER ANNOUNCED FOLLOWING UK TOUR

HUGH DENNIS, LESLEY GARRETT AND JOHN MARQUEZ STAR IN A COMEDY OF BIBLICAL PROPOTIONSTRANSFERS TO THE OTHER PALACE FOR FIVE WEEKS OF FESTIVE FUN THIS CHRISTMAS

Three towering talents play a cast of thousands in this new comedy by the writer of the Olivier Award-winning West End hit The 39 Steps as Patrick Barlow’s The Messiah tours the UK this Autumn, before transferring to London’s The Other Palace from Monday 3rd December – Saturday 5th January 2018.

 

Hugh Dennis makes a return to the stage for the first time in over 20 years, and renowned SopranoLesley Garrett makes her comedy play debut as they star alongside John Marquez in the funniest and most magical nativity you’ll ever see. The Messiah tours to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, New Theatre, Cardiff; Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield; Cheltenham Everyman Theatre; Chichester Festival Theatre and Richmond Theatre ahead of its London engagement.

A traveling theatre troupe of two actors and an opera singer are set to arrive on camel back in venues across the UK to masterfully enact the greatest story ever told. Join the absurdly talented Maurice Rose (Hugh Dennis), the alarmingly unpredictable Ronald Bream RAC (John Marquez), and the distinguished diva Mrs Doreen Small (Lesley Garrett), in a hilarious Christmas comedy that conjures up the sublime, the ridiculous and the truly angelic.

Joseph, Mary, the Archangel Gabriel, Herod, God and an ox are all authentically portrayed in this vibrant comedy weaving visual invention with a hint of the divine, The Messiah is a love letter to theatre, theology and the great man himself.

Hugh Dennis is one of Britain’s best loved comics and an award winning and multi-award nominated actor and writer. He’s the star of the BBC2 hit panel show, Mock The Week and BBC1’s hilarious sitcom Outnumbered. He is also a firm radio favourite, both writing and presenting Radio 4’s award winning comedy The Now Show and Radio 2’s It’s Been A Bad Week.

Lesley Garrett CBE is Britain’s best-known soprano, regularly appearing in opera, musical theatre, concert, television and on CD’s. For more than 30 years she has enjoyed one of the most successful careers of any modern-day, classically trained soprano. From Rossini’s famed opera The Barber of Seville at the Coliseum, to West End musical hits, The Sound of Music and CarouselGarrett has become a real national treasure.

John Marquez is best known for his role as PC Joe Penhale in the hit ITV Comedy series, Doc Martin.TV roles include Porridge, In the Club, Death in Paradise, Hotel Babylon and Suburban Shootout.Recent theatre roles include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (The Savoy Theatre) and Once in a Lifetime (The Young Vic).

The Messiah comes from The 39 Steps writer, Patrick Barlow – who also directs this production. His other stage works include his new version of A Christmas Carol starring Jim Broadbent as Scrooge (Off-Broadway / Noel Coward Theatre). Patrick is also celebrated for his two-man theatre company The National Theatre of Brent, (Wagner’s RingThe Charles and Diana Story and The Wonder of Sex). Screen and theatre acting credits include A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Loot, Wind in the Willows (NT), Absolutely Fabulous, Jam and Jerusalem, Shakespeare in Love, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones, Nanny McPhee and most recently A Very English Scandal. With additional material by John RammJude Kelly and Julian Hough.

The Messiah promises to be the funniest and most magical Nativity you will ever see.

The Messiah is produced by Simon Friend, Mark Goucher, Howard Panter and Birmingham Repertory Theatre

 

FOLLOW US

Facebook @theotherpalace

Twitter @theotherpalace

Instagram @theotherpalace

www.theotherpalace.co.uk/whats-on/the-messiah

 

 

THE MESSIAH AUTUMN 2018 TOUR DATES

15 – 27 Oct                                                             0121 236 4455

Birmingham Rep Theatre                                     www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

29 Oct – 3 Nov                                                     029 2087 8889                                  

New Theatre, Cardiff                                          www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk  

 

5 – 10 Nov                                                             0114 249 6000

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield                                 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

 

12 – 17 Nov                                                           01243 781 312

Chichester Festival Theatre                               www.cft.org.uk

19 – 24 Nov                                                           01242 572573

Cheltenham Everyman Theatre                        www.everymantheatre.org.uk

26 Nov – 1 Dec                                                     0844 871 7651

Richmond, Richmond Theatre                          www.atgtickets.com/richmond

 

THE OTHER PALACE

Tickets £15 – £75

Box Office (t) 0207 087 7900 (w) www.theotherpalace.co.uk

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

 

Monday 3 December                                                     19:30

Tuesday 4 December                                                     19:30

Wednesday 5 December                                               19:30

Thursday 6 December                    14:30                     19:30

Friday 7 December                                                         19:30

Saturday 8 December                    14:30                      19:30

Sunday 9 December                                       NONE

Monday 10 December                                                   19:30

Tuesday 11 December                                       19:30

Wednesday 12 December            14:30                      19:30

Thursday 13 December                                                 19:30

Friday 14 December                                                      19:30

Saturday 15 December                  14:30                     19:30

Sunday 16 December                                     NONE

Monday 17 December                                                   19:30

Tuesday 18 December                                                   19:30

Wednesday 19 December             14:30                     19:30

Thursday 20 December                                                 19:30

Friday 21 December                                        NONE

Saturday 22 December                  14:30                     19:30

Sunday 23 December                     14:30

Monday 24 December                   14:30

Tuesday 25 December                                   NONE

Wednesday 26 December                                            19:30

Thursday 27 December                 14:30                     19:30

Friday 28 December                       14:30                     19:30

Saturday 29 December                  14:30                     19:30

Sunday 30 December                     14:30

Monday 31 December                   14:30                     18:00

Tuesday 1 January                                           NONE

Wednesday 2 January                                                    19:30

Thursday 3 January                         14:30                     19:30

Friday 4 January                                                              19:30

Saturday 5 January                          14:30                     19:30

Sunday 6 January                                             NONE

Award-Winning play: Skin a Cat Tours UK

Winner: VAULT Festival’s Pick of the Year Award

Nominated: four Off-West End Awards including Best New Play

SKIN A CAT TOURS UK

14th September – 20th October

 

“Hilarious, it’s also refreshingly honest and open… there’s something so rousing and refreshing about the whole production; this is bold and genuinely exciting new writing

**** The Stage

Written by Isley Lynn // Directed by Blythe Stewart

Performed by Lydia LarsonLibby Rodliffe and Joe Eyre

a witty, tender play” **** Financial Times (Edinburgh Fringe 2018)

 

“Skin a Cat still feels absolutely vital, the type of play I needed to see when I was 15”

**** Fest (Edinburgh Fringe 2018)

 

“Skin a Cat is a quiet revelation…a glorious, hopeful and eye-opening experience”

**** The List (Edinburgh Fringe 2018)

 

“funny, heart-warming and painfully relatable” ThreeWeeks (Edinburgh Fringe 2018) ****

“Avoids becoming an issue piece, becoming an altogether more interesting mediation on difference and the crushing pressure to be what is considered normal in a highly sexualised culture”. Lyn Gardner, The Guardian (London 2016)

A genuinely moving and effortlessly charming production” **** Time Out (London 2016)

Following an immensely successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2018, a previous sell-out, award-winning run at The Vault Festival 2016 and a highly successful run at The Bunker London 2016, Rive Productions are delighted to bring Isley Lynn’s on tour.

Every teenager thinks they’re the only one not having sex. But for Alana (Lydia Larson), it may well be true. Every time she gets close to doing it, something just seems to get in the way. Soon she can’t help wondering if it’s this tricky for everyone else? Because no one ever said it would be this complicated.

With a kaleidoscope of off kilter characters, Skin A Cat follows Alana on an awkward sexual odyssey; from getting her first period at nine years old and freaking out her frantic mother, to watching bad porn at a house party, to a painful examination by an overly cheery gynaecologist – all in the pursuit of losing her virginity and finally becoming a woman, whatever that means.

Putting a young woman’s struggle with her sexuality front and centre, this semi-autobiographical story is like none you’ve seen before, yet it still feels achingly familiar, breaking stereotypes and hearts in the process. A story about one girl and her relatively rare (yet more common that you’d think) condition vaginismus. As entertaining as it is educational, Skin A Cat is a personal and unflinching look at the pressures of fitting in; an alternative coming of age story about going all the way.

Lydia Larson will be joined on stage by Libby Rodliffe and Joe Eyre.

Tour Dates:

 

Date: ­­­14th September

Time: 2.15pm and 7.30pm

Venue: Hightide Festival, Aldeburgh

Tickets: https://www.hightide.org.uk/productions/skin-a-cat

Date: 18th & 19th September

Time: 8pm

Venue: The Wardrobe, Bristol

Tickets: http://thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/skin-a-cat/

Date: 24th & 25th September

Time: 7.45pm

Venue: Theatr Clwyd, Mold, Flintshire (Wales)

Tickets: https://www.theatrclwyd.com/en/whats-on/skin-a-cat/

Date: 27th & 28th September

Time:  8.00pm

Venue: The Lowry, Salford

Tickets:  https://www.thelowry.com/events/skin-a-cat

Date: 29th September

Time:  7.30pm

Venue:  The Bunker, London

Tickets: www.bunkertheatre.com/whats-on/skin-a-cat

Date: 4th October

Time:  7.30pm

Venue: The Garage, Norwich

Tickets: http://www.thegarage.org.uk/event/skin-cat

Date: 5th & 6th October

Time:  7.30pm

Venue: Exeter Phoenix

Tickets: https://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/skin-a-cat/

Date: 8th – 13th October

Time:  7.30pm

Venue: The Other Room, Cardiff

Tickets: http://www.otherroomtheatre.com/en/whats-on/seasons/autumn-2018/skin-a-cat-by-isley-lynn/

Date: 19th & 20th October

Time:  7.45pm

Venue: Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough

Tickets: https://www.sjt.uk.com/event/616/skin_a_cat

Media Partners announced for Opera House Pantomime

OPERA HOUSE PANTO
ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIPS

Manchester’s Opera House has today announced the two official media partners coming on board to support this year’s must-see family pantomime Cinderella, which stars Coronation Street’s Connor McIntyre and Les Dennis, alongside Gareth Gates.

Following on from the success of last year’s campaign, the city centre venue will once again be working with the newly re-branded Hits Radio. With the station’s impressive line-up of new presenters keen to get involved in the campaign and chances for listeners to win tickets to the show, the partnership will also celebrate Hits Radio’s brand new programme, including the Breakfast Show with Gethin JonesGemma Atkinson and Dave Vitty.

Melissa Webster, Station Director at Hits Radio, has said ‘Christmas in Manchester is always an exciting time, and the panto sprinkles fun on the festivities. Hits Radio is so pleased to be working with The Opera House to help make sure Cinderella is a huge success, ensuring our listeners make it to the ball!’

The Opera House has also announced that Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) will be coming on board as a new media partner for 2018. With the ever-expanding Metrolink service attracting more and more users, as well as increased advertising opportunities on the network, the Opera House are planning some fun ways to engage with its customers, as well as encouraging theatre-goers to travel into the city in a sustainable way.  

Mike Mellor, Head of Commercial at Transport for Greater Manchester, has said ‘TfGM is really delighted to be one of the official media partners of this year’s pantomime. Almost 100,000 people travel on the Metrolink network every day and our partnerships team are thrilled to be working with the Opera House to help bring the magic of Christmas to our customers. We may even get Cinderella to the ball on a tram!’

Sheena Wrigley, Theatre Director for the Palace Theatre and Opera House, added ‘It was important to us to align ourselves with two strong, Manchester brands on this year’s campaign and the show’s producers Qdos Entertainment echo our delight in announcing Hits Radio and Transport for Greater Manchester as our two media partners for 2018.’

Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, return to the Opera House for a second year with the classic rags-to-riches fairytale. Cinderella features all of the ingredients of the perfect pantomime; a star cast, fantastic live orchestra, laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery and special effects, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses for all the family to enjoy.

Cinderella plays at Manchester’s Opera House from Saturday 8th – Sunday 30th December, with tickets already on sale. Find out more about the show, or book online, at www.ATGtickets.com/Manchester.

LISTINGS

Saturday 8th December – Sunday 30th December
Opera House, Manchester – www.atgtickets.com/Manchester
Tickets from £12