Author: FairyPoweredProductions

TICKETS GO ON SALE AT 10AM ON FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER

Strictly Come Dancing is delighted to announce a brand new dance extravaganza that will tour the UK in 2021, Strictly Presents: The Power of Dance.

This all-new spectacular will feature the awe-inspiring and sequin-clad Strictly professional dancers Janette Manrara, Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden and Neil Jones – together with two very special guest stars to be announced soon – who will tell the story of what it is to be a dancer.

Kicking off in Halifax on 22 June, the tour will then cha-cha-cha around the UK for 23 scintillating shows, before culminating in Wolverhampton on 17 July. Tickets for this dancing spectacle will go on sale on Friday 23 October from strictlypresents.com. Further dates to be announced.

Directed and choreographed by former Strictly professional dancer Trent Whiddon and his wife Gordana Grandosek, this tour will give each of these incredible performers the opportunity to tell the audience about their relationship with dance through stunning choreography and beautiful storytelling. Audiences will enjoy an array of magical music and dazzling dance from all around the world – from Latin and ballroom to rock and roll and street dance and everything in between.

Strictly Presents: The Power of Dance UK Tour Dates

22 June 2021 Halifax: Victoria Theatre 7.30pm

23 June 2021 Bridlington: Spa 7.30pm

25 June 2021 Dunfermline: Alhambra 7.30pm

26 June 2021 Aberdeen: Music Hall 2.30pm & 7.30pm

27 June 2021 Dundee: Caird Hall 7.30pm

29 June 2021 Carlisle: Sands Centre 7.30pm

30 June 2021 Leicester: De Montfort Hall 7.30pm

01 July 2021 New Brighton: Floral Pavilion 7.30pm

02 July 2021 Warrington: Parr Hall 7.30pm

03 July 2021 Llandudno: Venue Cymru 2.30pm & 7.30pm

07 July 2021 Cambridge: Corn Exchange 7.30pm

08 July 2021 Southend: Cliffs Pavilion 3.00pm & 8.00pm

09 July 2021 Basingstoke: The Anvil 7.30pm

10 July 2021 Eastbourne: Congress 2.30pm & 7.30pm

13 July 2021 Aylesbury: Waterside 7.30pm

14 July 2021 Croydon: Fairfield Halls 7.30pm

16 July 2021 Bath: Forum 2.30pm & 7.30pm

17 July 2021 Wolverhampton: Grand Theatre 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Listings Information

Ticket prices: from £35

Website: Strictlypresents.com

Twitter: SCD_Live_Tour

Instagram: @strictlycomedancinglive

Facebook: @strictlylive

AWARD-WINNING COMEDIAN

ANNOUNCES NEW TOUR FOR 2021

Opening Performance in Rhyl on 27 March 2021

Award winning comedian Rob Brydon and his eight-piece band will take to the road next year with his new show, Rob Brydon – A Night Of Songs & Laughter. The new dates follow the huge success of his 2020 Tour, and together mark the first time Brydon has created a show that includes songs and music as well as his acclaimed wit and comedy.

Tickets across the tour are on general sale from today, Wednesday 21 October; please see www.robbrydon.live

This extensive new tour begins in March 2021 and will travel to almost 20 venues across the country, opening in Rhyl on Saturday 27 March 2021, and playing through until the final date at Northampton Derngate on Sunday 2 May. Further dates follow in September–December 2021.

With songs from Tom Waits to Tom Jones, and Guys and Dolls to Elvis (and almost everything in between), audiences can expect Rob’s usual warmth and humour as well as some of his famed gallery of voices. 

Rob commented: “I’m so excited to get back on stage with this show. Touring with this incredible band of musicians is such a delight. I’m looking forward to getting around the country next year and bring some much needed music and laughter.”

Rob Brydon’s varied career began with the TV comedy shows Marion and Geoff and Human Remains in 2000, for which he won British Comedy Awards.  Since then his comedy credits have included A Small Summer Party, The Keith Barret Show, Directors Commentary, Supernova, Cruise Of The Gods, Black Books, I’m Alan Partridge, Little Britain, Live At The Apollo, Rob Brydon’s Annually Retentive, QI, The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year, Have I Got News For You, Gavin and Stacey, Rob Brydon’s Identity Crisis, Would I Lie To You and The Trip with Steve Coogan.

He has also appeared in the dramas Oliver Twist, Heroes and Villains: Napoleon, The Way We Live Now, Murder In Mind, Kenneth Tynan: In Praise of Hardcore, Marple and the films 24 Hour Party People, MirrorMask, A Cock and Bull Story and the film Swimming with Men.

In 2009 alongside Ruth Jones, Robin Gibb and Sir Tom Jones, Rob reached number one in the UK charts with the single Islands in The Stream, in aid of Comic Relief. He also embarked on an 87 date tour of the UK with his stand up show, Rob Brydon Live which included a three week run in London’s West End.  He also recently enjoyed a sold-out tour with Lee Mack and David Mitchell, before his own sell-out tour in 2020.

Rob Brydon – A Night of Songs & Laughter

TOUR DATES 2021

Saturday 27 March          Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl

Sunday 28 March             Huddersfield Town Hall

Tuesday 30 March           G Live, Guildford

Wednesday 31 March    Portsmouth Guildhall

Thursday 1 April                Assembly Hall, Worthing

Monday 12 April               St George’s Hall, Bradford

Tuesday 13 April               Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

Wednesday 14 April        Barbican, York

Saturday 17 April              Bath Forum

Sunday 18 April                 New Wimbledon Theatre

Monday 19 April               Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Thursday 22 April             Sunderland Empire

Friday 23 April                   City Hall, Sheffield

Monday 26 April               New Victoria Theatre, Woking

Tuesday 27 April               New Theatre, Oxford

Wednesday 28 April        Cambridge Corn Exchange

Friday 30 April                   King George’s Hall, Blackburn

Saturday 1 May                 Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

Sunday 2 May                    Northampton Derngate

The tour continues in September 2021 with further dates in Aberdeen, Aylesbury, Brighton, Buxton, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Dundee, Eastbourne, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Halifax, Hull, Inverness, Ipswich, Leeds, Leicester, London, Margate, Newcastle, Nottingham, Perth, Plymouth, Poole, Scarborough, Southampton, Southend, St Albans, Teesside, Warrington and Watford. Full dates to be announced.

Going Wronger  For Longer! Additional performances of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG added due to popular demand

·         The award-winning production adds an extra week and new Sunday performances to Christmas run at the Theatre Royal Bath

·         Now runs until Sunday 17 January 2021

The Theatre Royal Bath is delighted to announce additional performances of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG in the Main House this Christmas. The international smash hit comedy THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG will now run for an additional week at the Theatre Royal Bath from 17 December until 17 January 2021. Two further Sunday evening performances (6pm) on 3& 10 January have also been added to the schedule.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG has won multiple awards internationally, including the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. It features the (fictional) Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society who are putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong … does!  As the accident prone thesps battle against all the odds to reach their final curtain call, hilarious results ensue!

Fast becoming a global phenomenon, performing across five continents including a long-running season on Broadway, Mischief Theatre’s unique brand of hilarious “gut-busting comedy” (New York Times) has found universal appeal. The company’s other West End successes include Peter Pan Goes Wrong, A Comedy About A Bank Robbery and Magic Goes Wrong; and last year saw a brand new six-part TV series for BBC One: The Goes Wrong Show, written and performed by the original founding Mischief Theatre members. 

★★★★★ “I feared I was going to hyperventilate” Daily Mail

★★★★ “Genuinely hilarious. Boy, does it hit the funny bone” Daily Telegraph

★★★★ “Ridiculously funny” The Times

★★★★ “Exquisitely choreographed mayhem” Independent

★★★★ “A triumph of split-second timing”Metro

Booking for all performances THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is now open online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk and via the Box Office on 01225 448844.

The Main House auditorium has strict social distancing and COVID secure measures in place, in line with the Government’s guidelines on indoor performances. For full details please visit www.theatreroyal.org.uk

SONY MASTERWORKS BROADWAY

TO RELEASE ORIGINAL CAST ALBUM TO

BACK TO THE FUTURE – THE MUSICAL

MUSICAL SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN EARLY SUMMER 2021

AT THE ADELPHI THEATRE IN LONDON’S WEST END

MASTERWORKS BROADWAY is delighted to announce that in early Summer 2021, it will release the Original Cast Recording to BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical. 

The musical is scheduled to open in early Summer 2021 at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End and features new music by multi-Grammy winners Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard alongside classic songs from the movie. 

As a special treat for audiences eager to connect with ‘Back to the Future’ and to the exciting musical adventure awaiting them, Back to the Future Day on 21^st October 2020 will see the release of the single ‘Back in Time’ featuring Olly Dobson.

Behind this eagerly-anticipated stage show are Producer Colin Ingram (Ghost – The Musical) and Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, the creators of the Back To The Future film trilogy.  The show moves to the West End followingan out-of-town opening in March 2020 at the Manchester Opera House where it was enthusiastically received by critics and public alike. Roger Bart and Olly Dobson will reprise the roles of ‘Dr Emmett Brown’ and ‘Marty McFly’ respectively. Also returning are Hugh Coles as ‘George McFly’, Rosanna Hyland as ‘Lorraine Baines’, Cedric Neal as ‘Goldie Wilson’, Aidan Cutler as ‘Biff Tannen’ and Courtney-Mae Briggs as ‘Jennifer Parker’.

Mark Cavell, President, Sony Masterworks notes: “I am thrilled beyond all measure that Sony Music Masterworks will be bringing you the fantastic music from this great show, featuring a host of new songs from the combined talents of Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard together with firm favourites from the movie”.

Based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film, BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical has a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Emmy and Grammy Award-winning Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award-winning Glen Ballard, with additional songs from the film including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode.

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando (Urinetown, On The Town), alongside the multi Tony and Olivier Award-winning design team of Tim Hatley (set and costume design), lighting design by Tim Lutkin, lighting consultant Hugh Vanstone, Gareth Owen (sound) and Finn Ross (video), with choreography by Chris Bailey, musical supervision and arrangements by Nick Finlow and Illusions by Chris Fisher. Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook, with dance arrangements by David Chase. Casting is by David Grindrod Associates.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical

From 14 May 2021

Adelphi Theatre

Strand

Covent Garden

London WC2R 0NS

Performances: Mondays, Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7.30pm, Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm, Sundays at 3pm (N.B. no performances on Tuesdays except 18 May, 25 May & 1 June 2021 at 7.30pm)*

*31 May & 30 August – 2.30pm performance (no 7.30pm performance)

Tickets: from £19.55

Please book via the website: BackToTheFutureMusical.com – no booking fees  

Book with confidence. For maximum flexibility, customers can exchange their ticket free of charge up to at least 24 hours prior to the event.

Current booking period to 26 September 2021

Website: BackToTheFutureMusical.com  

Twitter: @BTTFmusical

Instagram: @BTTFmusical

There’s a new WOMAN in the life of legendary Queen guitarist Brian May…

and it is all in aid of a very good cause, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Supporting Target Ovarian Cancer and The Caron Keating Foundation

WOMAN “I’m A Woman”

Produced and joined by Brian May

Available as a digital download Friday October 23.

CD and Vinyl single available to pre-order from here.

After several mysterious teases on social media, Queen legend Brian May has now confirmed the upcoming release of what he calls a ‘kick a**’ track’; one he has produced and that’s performed by sensational singers WOMAN and accompanied by May’s guitar. The WOMAN supergroup features four of rock musical theatre’s most powerful female voices and ‘We Will Rock You’ alumni – Mazz Murray, Kerry Ellis, Gina Murray and Anna-Jane Casey.

Together May and WOMAN have created a storming blues rock version of famed song-writer duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller’s classic 1962 ‘I’m A Woman’, originally made famous by Peggy Lee. This special 2020 cover on which May performs as well as pro-ducing, is released in Breast Cancer Awareness Month to support the work of two leading women’s cancer charities – Target Ovarian Cancer and The Caron Keating Foundation, the latter being the family run cancer charity in memory of the much loved TV personality that was established by her mother Gloria Hunniford, and Caron’s two brothers.

WOMAN’s “I’m A Woman” track featuring Brian May’s guitars is available as a digital download this Friday October 23, click here to pre-order and with CD and Vinyl single versions also available to pre-order from here.

Says Brian: “This recording was conceived as a response to a calling to promote this great cause for women’s health. But it evolved into a magnificently raunchy and defiant rock track in its own right. These four ladies all rock out sensationally, and it was pure joy to underpin their performances with my guitar. I actually stole that down-and-dirty riff from “I’m a Man” so I would claim this arrangement kicks more a** than all previ-ous !! Woman Rocks !!! “

The track’s inspiration was to create something special in the memory of Rebekah Gibbs, another female West End star. The British actress became a household name in TV soap ‘Casualty’ before she was diagnosed with Grade 3 breast cancer in 2009, and tragically died in 2014.

WOMAN founder and close friend Mazz Murray said: “We are thinking particularly of our dear friend and fellow performer Rebekah, who we lost, but not before she brought about a change in the rules of diagnosis and specialist referrals through which she has saved so many lives. We remember #gorge.”

The single’s music video is truly something to behold, with May having BMG create the “World’s Pinkest Pink Guitar” for his use on the track. “Try Googling ‘pinkest pink’, May suggests. “As far as I know, this is truly the first pinkest pink guitar. It has a strange effect on the video cameras – coming out burning hot.”

The ‘I’m A Woman’ shoot took place in a socially distanced East London space, with each member of WOMAN getting their solo moment in the spotlight. The music video begins in a dark and minimalist studio, as each singer gives a powerful performance that captures the song’s theme of strong and independent women delivering a positive and inspirational message. Then, as the video develops, the action transfers to a vast warehouse space where each WOMAN singer gets to rock out under a spectacular light display. Meanwhile guitar legend May accompanies them on his “World Pinkest Pink Guitar’ – delivering an unforgettable blues-solo in front of a large wall of speakers.

WOMAN first teamed up with Brian May for a performance of “I’m A Woman” at the “Pinktober Women of Rock Charity Concert” at the Royal Albert Hall in London in No-vember 2009 which supported the Caron Keating Foundation.

WOMAN’s Kerry Ellis says: “Sometimes things happen for a reason, this song has been waiting in the wings for the right moment to make some noise! The time is now! Cancer affects us all in some way and I am beaming with pride to have joined with an incredible team of talented friends to produce a powerful performance and message. We are strong, we are women and we can make a difference!”

Long viewed as a positive statement for female reliance, in this 2020 Brian May produced guitar driven and deliciously playful vocals version, I’M A WOMAN today stands as a POWERFUL proclamation

All proceeds from the recording will go to Target Ovarian Cancer and The Caron Keating Foundation.

Caron Keating Foundation

Target Ovarian Cancer www.targetovariancancer.org.uk

Twitter: @TargetOvarian | Facebook: TargetOvarianCancer | YouTube: TargetOvari-anCancer

CHRISTMAS AT ALLY PALLY FEATURING

THE HIT MUSICAL ADAPTATION OF THE PICTURE BOOK

BY JULIA DONALDSON AND AXEL SCHEFFLER 

• THE PERFECT FAMILY TREAT, THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD COMES TO ALEXANDRA PALACE THEATRE FOR CHRISTMAS 2020
• ALLY PALLY FESTIVITIES WILL ALSO INCLUDE SANTA’S GROTTO, CHRISTMAS MOVIE SEASON, ICE SKATING & MORE

The Gruffalo said that no gruffalo should

Ever set foot in the deep dark wood…

Internationally acclaimed theatre company Tall Stories brings its celebrated production of The Gruffalo’s Child to the beautiful Alexandra Palace Theatre for a limited Christmas season from 28 November 2020 – 3 January 2021.

Co-Artistic Director of Tall Stories and director of the show Olivia Jacobs says “We’re thrilled to be performing ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’ for audiences at Alexandra Palace this Christmas. It’s been a really tough year, so we’re thrilled to have found a safe and beautiful home for the show and to be able to bring some joy, fun and laughter to families over the festive period.”

One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist… does he? Join the Gruffalo’s Child on her adventurous mission in this magical musical stage adaptation, of the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Tall Stories’ hit musical adaptation of the award-winning sequel to The Gruffalo, published by Macmillan Children’s Books, is ‘everything good children’s theatre should be’ (The List) featuring songs, laughs and lots of fun for children aged 3 and up, and their families.

The Gruffalo’s Child is produced by award-winning theatre company Tall Stories – a creative force whose productions include The Gruffalo, the Olivier Award Nominated Room on the Broom, The Snail and the Whale and The Snow Dragon. The creative team includes Director Olivia Jacobs, Creative Producer Toby Mitchell, Designer Isla Shaw, Composers Jon Fiber & Andy Shaw of JollyGoodTunes and Lighting Designer James Whiteside.

As you make your way to the theatre, festive lights, Christmas trees and decorations will transform the Palace’s East Court. Here you will find Santa’s Grotto. This year we have made some adjustments to the experience and a safe and suitable distance will be maintained between Santa and the children as well as a one-way system. Santa will be in residence on selected dates between 5-23 December, with full information available via the Alexandra Palace website.

Skating is a year-round activity at Ally Pally, but the Ice Rink feels particularly celebratory and joyous at Christmas time, giving everyone yet another reason to make this iconic venue a destination for a full-on-festive day out. Come on, get your skates on and don’t forget the tinsel!

The Theatre is also the venue for the Ally Pally Christmas Film Season. The programme runs over three weeks, starting on the 5 December. Festive classics on show include, Miracle on 34th Street, Elf, Santa Claus the Movie and Die Hard, among a host of others.

All in all, we’re delighted to say that Christmas at Ally Pally has something for everyone, whatever your age or interest. Make a day of it, make a night of it, make a day and night of it, Ally Pally looks forward to welcoming everyone safely for a Christmas celebration to remember.

Emma Dagnes, deputy chief executive of Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust, says: “We’re delighted to be hosting a packed festive programme here at Ally Pally. There’s plenty of variety, so families in particular can visit the Palace and make a real day of it. All the events will be hosted within the government’s covid-19 guidelines, so you are safe to enjoy the fun. We look forward to welcoming you to a very festive Palace this November and December.”

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FIRST LOOK AT ROB HOUCHEN & CELINDE SCHOENMAKER IN MARRY ME A LITTLE AT BARN THEATRE

• ROB HOUCHEN AND CELINDE SCHOENMAKER STAR IN THE NEW REVIVAL PRODUCTION OF THE SONDHEIM MUSICAL MARRY ME A LITTLE UNTIL 8 NOVEMBER

The Barn Theatre have today released production photos of Rob Houchen (Les Misérables, The Light in the Piazza) and Celinde Schoenmaker (Rocketman, The Phantom of the Opera) in the theatre new revival production of the Stephen Sondheim musical Marry Me A Little.

Rob Houchen and Celinde Schoenmaker star in the new revival production in Cirencester until 8 November.

Conceived by Craig Lucas and Norman René, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the charming and bittersweet one-act musical follows two ex-lovers as they explore their secret, unshared fantasies whilst they are left alone in their studio apartments on a Saturday night.

The production breathes new theatrical life and meaning to a collection of trunk songs that were culled from the original productions of some of Sondheim’s iconic musicals including Follies, Company and A Little Night Music.

Last year Rob Houchen and Celinde Schoenmaker starred alongside one another in the 2019 London premiere of the Adam Guettel musical The Light in the Piazza at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. They later reprised their roles for the production’s American transfer to the Los Angeles Opera in October 2019.

The production is directed by Kirk Jameson (Just So, Madagascar) with musical staging by Sam Spencer-Lane (The Last Five Years, Aspects of Love), set and costume design by Gregor Donnelly (Daddy Long Legs, Aspects of Love), musical direction by Arlene McNaught (SIX, Little Miss Sunshine), lighting design by Sam Rowcliffe-Tanner (Henry V, Private Peaceful), sound design by Harry Smith (Henry V, Private Peaceful) and projection design by Benjamin Collins (Henry V).

Marry Me A Little is produced by the Barn Theatre in association with Anthology Theatre.

The Barn Theatre is the second production in the theatre’s 2020 Theatre Recovery Season.

BETRAYAL
THEATRE ROYAL BATH, MAIN HOUSE

By Harold Pinter
Directed by Jonathan Church
Wednesday 14 October – Saturday 31 October 2020

BETRAYAL, Harold Pinter’s mesmerising masterpiece of relationships and adultery, is directed by Jonathan Church and stars Nancy Carroll, Joseph Millson, Edward Bennett and Christopher Bianchi. 

Nancy Carroll is one of the leading actresses of her generation. She won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress for her performance in Terence Rattigan’s After The Dance at the National Theatre. She is well known for her recurring role of Lady Felicia in seven series of BBC1’s Father Brown, has recently starred in the worldwide TV hit The Crown, and featured in Sky One comedy Agatha Raisin.

Joseph Millson initially came to public attention as Dr Sam Morgan in the long running medical drama Peak Practice. He has since played may leading roles at the National Theatre, the Royal Court, and at the RSC, where he won the UK Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Play for The Rover in 2017. He also won the Whatsonstage Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to Phantom of the Opera. His film credits include Casino Royale and Angel Has Fallen.

Edward Bennett has recently starred as Macduff in Macbeth, Berowne in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, all for the RSC, and Stanley Stubbers in the National Theatre hit comedy One Man Two Guvnors. He is well known to Bath audiences for numerous appearances as part of the Peter Hall Company in School For Scandal, Habeus Corpus and Measure for Measure.

Christopher Bianchi has worked regularly for Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory and Bristol Old Vic.

Following all government guidance and in consultation with health and safety advisors, covid-secure measures in place include reduced capacity to allow for socially distanced seating,  mandatory face coverings (unless exempt), hand sanitiser units, thermal temperature checks, dedicated entry points, staggered arrivals and audience flow, fresh air circulation and enhanced cleaning.

ELECTRIC GOLDFISH – FROM THE CREATORS OFTHE PANDORA NETWORK – LAUNCHES NEW IMMERSIVE AUDIO EXPERIENCE:

KEEP THE CANDLE BURNING

AN INTERACTIVE GHOSTLY EXPERIENCE TO ENJOY AT HOME…IN THE DARK

TICKETS NOW ON SALE HERE

Electric Goldfish – the collective of immersive theatre companies that brought audiences at home the sell-out series of interactive mystery solving experiences The Pandora Network earlier this year – is launching a new online interactive audio experience, just in time for Halloween.

KEEP THE CANDLE BURNING is a series of three immersive ghost stories that participants can purchase for just £4.99, plug their headphones in and experience and play along with at home (ideally in the dark…).The stories can either be enjoyed individually, or in sequence, and for those that wish to play along, items required include a doll, a pendulum, a candle, some salt water and a knife…

Lee Conway from Electric Goldfish said, “As the autumn leaves are falling and we notice a distinct crispness in the air – it can mean only one thing – the Halloween season is upon us.  Normally at this time of year, we would be looking forward to visiting Halloween attractions such as haunted houses or scare mazes; we would be going to the cinema to watch horror films; and children would be preparing for Halloween parties or trick or treating.  But this year for many of us Halloween may look considerably different.

The Covid-19 virus and the related safety restrictions mean that many of our favourite attractions may not be able to open; and many of us may feel uncomfortable, or be unable to venture out to attend those that are, instead, seeking alternative ways to celebrate the spooky season.  The events of this year have hit theatre and the arts particularly hard, but for some creatives these challenges have inspired them to innovate new ways of presenting entertainment in Covid-restricted times, and this season – how they can help audiences celebrate Halloween in new ways.

Keep the Candle Burning has been written, produced and performed by Electric Goldfish, a creative partnership between immersive theatre companies Faceless Ventures; Incognito Experiences and Nick Hutson Music. 

Website: http://www.electricgoldfish.online

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/electricgoldfish

Instagram: @elec_goldfish

Email: [email protected]

★★★★

“A piece that is painstakingly crafted and superbly delivered”

North West End

ONE-MAN COMEDY BY JONATHAN HARVEY TO TOUR TO SOCIALLY DISTANCED VENUES

ANDREW LANCEL STARS IN SWAN SONG DIRECTED BY NOREEN KERSHAW

PLAY BRINGS AUDIENCES BACK TO LIVERPOOL’S UNITY THEATRE AND OPENS UK TOUR

Following its critically acclaimed sell-out premiere at Liverpool Theatre Festival in September, Swan Song, a revised comedy by acclaimed playwright Jonathan Harvey, will commence a short tour this year playing at venues opening to socially distanced audiences.

Swan Song, a one-man play starring TV and stage actor Andrew Lancel, is directed by BAFTA award-winning director Noreen Kershaw and produced by Bill Elms.

The play will open at Liverpool’s Unity Theatre for four performances over two nights, this will be the first live indoor performance at the theatre since closing in March. The show then moves on to Dukes Lancaster, Alty Fringe at the Garrick Playhouse in Altrincham, The Cresset in Peterborough and the Belgrade in Coventry. More dates are to be confirmed soon.

Swan Song was first staged at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1997, before transferring to Hampstead Theatre with award-winning comedy actress Rebecca Front in the lead role. Jonathan Harvey adapted the 70-minute play specially for Liverpool Theatre Festival for Andrew Lancel to play the solo role of Dave Titswell.  Due to critical acclaim, the play will now perform at venues this year, with a longer tour planned for Spring 2021.

Producer and the artistic director of Liverpool Theatre Festival, Bill Elms said: “Swan Song is a funny, clever and inspiring production which opened the inaugural Liverpool Theatre Festival.  Andrew Lancel, Jonathan Harvey, and Noreen Kershaw are an incredible blend of creative talent, and the play went down a storm in Liverpool. It is such a lovely piece that I approached Andrew and the team with the idea to tour. People are excited for the return of live theatre – and we’re excited to give them that experience back after such a long time with a really special production.”

Swan Song is a bittersweet comedy written by Jonathan Harvey. Set in Liverpool, it is Christmas 1997, the world is changing and in the staff room, Gay, forty-something, English teacher Dave Titswell finds that not all change is welcome. He has a crush, but life, love, and work are never straight forward for Dave. Will a school trip to The Lakes change things for the better, or make things decidedly worse? Swan Song will make audiences laugh, but equally pull at the heartstrings. Everyone knows someone like Dave – or could even be a Dave themselves.

Andrew Lancel is no stranger to audiences. Well established on the national theatre scene, Andrew is also widely known for his television roles as DI Neil Manson in The Bill and super-villain Frank Foster in Coronation Street. He has twice played Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein on stage to great critical acclaim, first in Epstein – The Man Who Made The Beatles (also produced by Bill Elms) which premiered in Liverpool and went on to play London’s West End, as well as playing Epstein in the national tour of Cilla The Musical, Bill Kenwright’s stage adaptation of the TV series written by Jeff Pope.

Andrew Lancel commented: “The last play I saw before lockdown was Jonathan Harvey’s Our Lady of Blundellsands at The Everyman Liverpool, which I loved – so it’s very cool, and a little ironic, that my first play back is with Jonathan. We have known each other for years and worked together a lot but never on stage, so it’s humbling that he has adapted this play for me. It’s very funny, moving, and I think people will really relate to it today. His characters are literally gifts to play and to watch.

“This play is about reuniting too. Reuniting theatre and audiences with live performance is extra special. To be back with Epstein producer Bill Elms is a buzz, and I’ve worked on some very serious storylines on Corrie with Noreen Kershaw. It feels like coming home for us all in so many ways.”

Award-winning Jonathan Harvey’s credits include Gimme Gimme Gimme; Murder Most Horrid; Coronation Street; Call The Midwife; and Tracey Ullman’s Show. Hisplays include Beautiful Thing, Corrie, Canary, Hushabye Mountain, Babies, Boom Bang A Bang’ and Rupert Street Lonely Hearts Club. He also wrote the 2001 stage musical Closer to Heaven with the Pet Shop Boys and its sequel Muzik. He has won the John Whiting Award, the George Devine Award, two Manchester Evening News Awards, an Evening Standard Award, two British Soap Awards and a Writers Guild of Great Britain Award.

Jonathan added: “Swan Song is a comedy about a teacher who’s trying to hold onto his dignity while the education system crumbles around him – and I’m thrilled Andrew is playing Dave. I’m delighted to also be working with Noreen again, she directed many of my Corrie scripts and my last episode of Call The Midwife. As the original Shirley Valentine, Noreen definitely knows a thing or two about one person shows.”

Noreen Kershaw’s directing credits include Our Girl, Moving On, Scott & Bailey, Emmerdale, Shameless, Heartbeat and Coronation Street. She is also known for acting in Life On Mars, Brookside, and Watching. Noreen also originated the title role of Willy Russell’s Shirley Valentine at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre.

Facebook:       /SwanSong

Twitter:           @SwanSongPlay

Hashtags:        #DaveTitswell #SwanSong

LISTING INFORMATION

Andrew Lancel in

SWAN SONG

by Jonathan Harvey

UNITY THEATRE

Hope Place, Liverpool

Friday 20 – Saturday 21 November 2020

Performance times: 5pm / 7.45pm

Show duration: 70 minutes (no interval)

How to book: www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk ON SALE 12pm 19 OCT

DUKES LANCASTER

Moor Lane, Lancaster, LA1 1QE

Wednesday 25 November 2020

Performance times: 2.30pm / 7.30pm

Show duration: 70 minutes (no interval)

How to book: www.dukeslancaster.org ON SALE NOW

ALTY FRINGE at The GARRICK PLAYHOUSE

Barrington Road, Altrincham, WA14 1HZ

Friday 27 November 2020

Performance times: 6pm / 9pm

Show duration: 70 minutes (no interval)

How to book: www.altyfringe.co.uk ON SALE NOW

THE CRESSET THEATRE

Rightwell, Bretton, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE3 8DX

Thursday 3 December 2020

Performance times: 5pm / 8pm

Show duration: 70 minutes (no interval)

How to book: www.cresset.co.uk ON SALE 12pm 19 OCT

BELGRADE THEATRE

Belgrade Square, Coventry, CV1 1GS

Saturday 5 December 2020

Performance times: 2.30pm / 7.30pm

Show duration: 70 minutes (no interval)

How to book: www.belgrade.co.uk ON SALE 10AM ON THU 22 OCTOBER