FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE

SEVEN NEW MUSICALS IN THE 2018

WORLD RENOWNED FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICAL THEATRE

 

PRESENTED BY KATY LIPSON OF ARIA ENTERTAINMENT

AT SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE FROM 11 SEPTEMBER

 

 

With rehearsals starting today, the full cast has been announced for Aria Entertainment’s prestigious festival of new musical theatre, From Page To Stage (FPTS), which returns with gusto for a 6^thsuccessful year from September 2018 at London’s Southwark Playhouse. Jane Deitch has cast the 37-strong company, who will each star in one of the seven brand new musicals featured in the 2018 festival.

 

Leading the cast of The Astonishing Times Of Timothy Cratchit is Felix Mosse (Aspects of Love, Les Misérables) who will be joined by: Barry James (Beauty and the Beast, Les Misérables); Beverley Klein(Fiddler on the Roof, The Beggar’s Opera); Jessie May (Hair, Mamma Mia!); Rebecca Bolton (Spring Awakening); Gavin James (Sweeney Todd, Whistle Down the Wind); Nicholas Mclean (The Book of Mormon); Cornelius Clarke (The Beaux’ Stratagem, Juno and the Peacock) and Jake Small (Mamma Mia!, Shrek).

 

The full cast for Cult! includes: Genevieve Nicole (Pippin, Guys and Dolls); Ashley Samuels (Fun Home, Motown); Michael Storrs (The 39 Steps, Impossible); Janet Kumah (The Bodyguard the Musical, Dancing in the Streets); Laura Mansell (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert); Josie Kemp (Les Misérables);Robbie Shepherd-White (Once, Flashdance) and Miles Western (Pageant, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert).

 

To Paint The Earth’s cast includes: Fred Haig (Follies); Natalie Dunne (Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens); Rose Shalloo (The Selfish Giant, A Pacifists Guide to the War on Cancer); Michele Moran (Into the Woods, Alice Underground); Gary Tushaw (The Mousetrap, Les Misérables); Lauren Lebowitz (Footloose, Godspell); Sam Peggs (Sunset Boulevard, Around the World in 80 Days); Dale Rapley (The Addams Family, Wicked); Simon Oskarsson (Return to the Forbidden Planet); Kai Spellman (Slaves of Solitude, Imogen); Lottie Johnson (The Importance of Being Earnest) and Ashley Knight (Frontier of Farce, Grand Hotel).

 

The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit will be directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, with musical direction by Nathan Jarvis, Cult! directed by Amy Corcoran with musical direction by Phil Cornwell andTo Paint The Earth directed by Michael Howcroft, with musical direction by Nick Barstow. All will be presented as rehearsed readings.

 

The remaining musicals, Villages, Benjamin Button, Smoke and Never Change, will be performed by a repertory cast as part of a showcase evening directed by Bronagh Lagan, with musical direction by Marcus Adams. The cast includes: Simbi Akande (Ghost, A Feast of the Gods); Rosemary Ashe (The Phantom of the Opera, The Witches of Eastwick); David Bardsley  (The Grinning Man, Titanic – The Musical); Will Carey (It’s Only Life); Adam Linstead (Les Misérables, Broken Wings); Emma Salvo (The Toxic Avenger, Sincerely, Mister Todd); Lawrence Smith (All The Angels, The Divide) and Benjamin Stratton (The Navigator, Boxed).

With over 150 entries from across the country and internationally, each new musical submitted the show title, lyricist/composer/book writer, a short synopsis and three record tracks and scenes from the show, which were then fully assessed by the From Page To Stage expert literary team who carefully selected the fantastic shows for the 2018 festival.

FPTS are thankful and proud to be sponsored by Harmonia, Cameron Mackintosh, RnH Theatricals, Theatrical Rights Worldwide, WhatsOnStage, AKA and Anthony Field Associates.

 

LISTINGS

 

ARIA ENTERTAINMENT’S 2018 FROM PAGE TO STAGE FESTIVAL

SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE

FROM 11 – 25 SEPTEMBER 2018

 

Tuesday 11 September @ 3:30pm & 8pm – Staged Reading:

The Astonishing Times Of Timothy Cratchit – Music and lyrics by Andre Catrini and book by Allan Knee. Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and Musical Direction by Nathan Jarvis.

 

Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 September @ 8pm – Showcases: Directed by Bronagh Lagan and Musical Direction by Marcus Adams

Villages – Music and lyrics by Drew Dillon

Benjamin Button – Music by Natalie Tenenbaum and lyrics by Brett Boles

Smoke – Book by Darren Rapier and music and lyrics by Sam Hall

Never Change – Music and lyrics by Nick Barstow and Jonathan Kirwan 

 

Monday 24 September @ 8pm – Staged Reading:

Cult! – Music and lyrics by Tasha Taylor Johnson. Directed by Amy Corcoran and Musical Direction by Phil Cornwell.

 

Tuesday 25 September @ 3:30pm & 8pm – Staged Reading:

To Paint The Earth – Music by Jonathan Portera and lyrics by Daniel Frederick Levin. Directed by Michael Howcroft and Musical Director by Nick Barstow.

 

Tickets: £12 for rehearsed readings / £15 for showcase nights

 

Box Office: 020 7407 0234 / www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

 

Address: Southwark Playhouse, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6BD

 

Website:

www.frompage2stage.com

www.aria-entertainment.com

 

Twitter:

@FromPage2Stage

@AriaEnts

@Swkplay

 

Facebook:

@FromPageToStageMusicals

@AriaEntertainment

@SouthwarkPlayhouse

Ahead of Strictly Come Dancing 2018, exciting news regarding the 2017 Champion!

JOE MCFADDEN TO STAR IN WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF

PETER JAMES’ SPINE-CHILLING

THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL

TOURING THE UK FROM JANUARY 2019

As previously announced, the thrilling work of multi-million selling author Peter James returns to theatres in January 2019 with the world premiere production of the spine-chilling stage play The House on Cold Hill – Adapted from his best-selling 2015 novel and based on the author’s own real-life experience in a haunted house, the play will star TV favourite Joe McFadden.

 

BAFTA nominated actor Joe McFadden (The Crow Road, Heartbeat, Holby City, and winner of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing 2017) will star as ‘Ollie Harcourt’, husband to Caro and father to Jade, whose new dream home quickly turns into the stuff of nightmares, as they begin to sense that they aren’t the only residents at Cold Hill……… The House on Cold Hill is a modern day ghostly thriller that will send shivers down your spine and make you think twice about returning home to a dark, empty house after the show!

Joe McFadden is perhaps best known for playing series regular ‘Raf di Lucca in BBC1’s Holby City from 2014 – 2017, and as ‘P C Joe Mason’ in Heartbeat from 2010 – 2014. Other acclaimed TV roles include Sex, Chips and Rock n Roll, The Crow Road (for which he received a BAFTA nomination), Cranford and Take The High Road. His extensive theatrical credits include working with John Tiffany and the National Theatre of Scotland on The Missing, touring the UK with Alan Ayckbourn’s Haunting Julia, Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Rent at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End and Rainbow Kiss at the Royal Court. Last year he partnered with Katya Jones in BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing and captured the nations hearts, eventually winning the series to become the 2017 Strictly Champion.

 

Joe McFadden said, “I am so pleased to be on board for the new Peter James stage play. Peter’s had such incredible success as a novelist around the world and it’s been great to see how well his books have translated to the stage. The three previous plays have been huge hits with audiences around the country, so I am excited to have the opportunity to now bring his brilliant ghostly thriller to the stage for the very first time. I am looking forward to us shocking and thrilling audiences around the UK with The House On Cold Hill.”

 

Peter James said: “I am very excited that Joe McFadden is going to be starring in the stage adaptation of my novel, The House On Cold Hill. Joe is a brilliant and highly acclaimed actor who has graced our TV screens for many years and I could not have asked for a better leading man for the next Peter James stage outing. I know that audiences around the country will be thrilled to see him back on stage and hopefully equally pleased to see the return of my work to theatres after the sell out runs of the first three plays.  I am humbled by the incredible success of the plays and can’t wait to see audiences enjoying The House On Cold Hill!”

 

The House on Cold Hill becomes the fourth play in his box office smash hit and critically acclaimed stage franchise following the huge sell-out success of Not Dead Enough, The Perfect Murder and Dead Simple on stage. Nearly half a million fans have now seen his work on stage in 30 cities across the UK and Ireland, with stars including Claire Goose, Shane Richie, Jessie Wallace, Tina Hobley, Les Dennis, Jamie Lomas, Laura Whitmore, Robert Daws, and Dawn Steele.

The House on Cold Hill will reunite Peter James with two time Olivier-nominated theatre producer Joshua Andrews, the Olivier award winning director Ian Talbot and award-winning writer Shaun McKenna. Further star casting to be announced.

Peter James – author of the award-winning Det Supt Roy Grace series – has been acclaimed as ‘one of the most fiendishly clever crime fiction plotters’ (Daily Mail) and his brilliant international bestselling novels have been published in 37 languages and sold over 19 million copies worldwide. Earlier this year, the acclaimed author hit No. 1 again in the UK book charts for the 13^th consecutive time, with his latest page-turner, Dead If You Don’t.

 

His new thriller, Absolute Proof, will be published in hardback on 4 October by Pan Macmillan. Inspired by an unforgettable, real-life phone call received by the author nearly 30 years ago, from a mysterious but altogether credible source, Absolute Proof marks a major milestone for publishing phenomenon Peter James, as his most epic and ambitious stand-alone thriller to date.

Second round of shows go on sale for
Pleasance’s The Caledonian Express
Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, London N7 9EF

Adding to the amazing line-up for The Caledonian Express eleven more exciting shows are arriving in London fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe. With comedy, cabaret, spoken word, world music, physical theatre and clowning, this programme will be sure to power up your theatre calendar over the coming weeks.

The sell-out production In Loyal Company will come to Pleasance London allowing those who missed out a chance to catch this incredible true story. Declared missing after his ship sunk during the Battle of Singapore in 1942, this is the epic untold tale of the survival of missing World War II soldier, Arthur Robinson. Longlisted for Favourite Theatre Show at the 2018 Broadway World Edinburgh Fringe Festival Awards, this one-man powerhouse performance comes from the team behind Trashed in 2017, David William Bryan and Sasha Moore.

Shortlisted for the Filipa Bragança Award and longlisted for Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award, Killymuck by award-winning writer Kat Wood shines a light on how social and psychological behaviours impact and shape who we become. Inspired by real events, Killymuck tells of a housing estate built on a paupers graveyard in 1970s’ Ireland. This powerful exploration of survival is about those who strive to work against the stereotype and break free,
projecting the benefit class in a positive light, away from the stereotype perpetuated by the media.

Cabaret star Lord Hicks presents a musical romp through queer history in Sod’s Law. Armed with his instrument, rapier wit and lashings of sass, his Lordship will recount the laws, legends and liaisons that have shaped what it is to be gay. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth and educated on the mean streets of Soho, this lyrical sensation has travelled the world serenading audiences from Paris to Reykjavik with classic anthems and original songs.

Bringing a touch of physical theatre and world music to the Festival is Evros | The Crossing River, an immersive experience that envelops you into the current refugee crisis challenging the idea of ‘us’ and ‘them’. Evros explodes with Seemia’s unique blend of storytelling, musicality and physical theatre.

Longlisted for Favourite Theatre Show at the 2018 Broadway World Edinburgh Fringe Festival Awards, the award-winning Spies Like Us present their version of Woyzeck. Born out of the Young Pleasance, the company breathe new life into Buchner’s classic tale with their trademark inventive physical style. In this kaleidoscopic dreamscape, nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted.

Narcissist in the Mirror offers a dark comedy about life, ambition and millennial expectation: Narcissus is a love addict, a starving artist and a lost soul searching for self-worth. Winner of Best New Play at the 2018 Manchester Theatre Awards, the sell-out production Narcissist in the Mirror is laced with acerbic wit, punchy dialogue and intricate spoken word. It’s an honest account of self-exploration as rip-roaring as it is poignant and heartfelt

Sometimes girls just want a good natter about their sex lives. But what is ‘normal’? In Ad Libido we join Fran on a hilarious quest, with songs, as she pursues a ‘normal’ sex life. Expect toe tapping tunes, a magic penis and a visit to sex camp; Ad Libido explores Fran’s own experience of Female Sexual Dysfunction (which covers problems with sexual response, desire, orgasm or
pain during sex), a condition affecting at least 43% of women.

Using a similar theme to illicit a giggle, Bottom is all about bums… Beyoncé and burnt fish fingers. Locked in his bathroom during a tragic third date, Willy asks, ‘Are you a top or a bottom?’ Willy Hudson welcomes us to this queer coming-of-age remix, as he questions if ‘bottom’ in the bedroom means ‘bottom’ in life. Shortlisted for The Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence at Edinburgh 2018, his funny, honest and open-hearted storytelling yanks the lid off the queer experience. This is for anyone who hates making the first move, who thinks they are unlovable and has tried to be someone they’re not.

Toby Thompson’s brilliant, beguiling wordsmithery takes us on a warm and uplifting journey as For the Record gently spirals through life’s absurdities. Interweaving Toby Thompson’s singular poetic voice with some outrageously good songs, this show won the 2018 Pleasance Indie for Best Theatre or Family Show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Toby Thompson’s For the Record offers an opportunity to watch a uniquely musical and enigmatic poet, described by Kate
Tempest as ‘the future’.

Silent Faces were back at the Fringe this year with the heart-warming A Clown Show About Rain. Highlighting the unpredictable nature of our mental health, they were shortlisted for the 2018 Mental Health Fringe Award. Fusing together clowning with beautiful visuals and physical theatre, Silent Faces see what it is to try to battle the elements when your weatherproofing is failing.

The Search for a Black-Browed Albatross is a beautiful, joyous, handmade adventure with puppetry, music and a girl that just really wants to see a bird. The winner of the NSDF Festgoer’s Award, The Sunday Times Playwriting Award and The Buzz Goodbody Director Award, The Backpack Ensemble’s sincere and moving new piece is about offering tribute to lost loved ones.

Pleasance’s new Edinburgh transfer Festival The Caledonian Express brings the hottest and most exciting work from Edinburgh to London. The Caledonian Express crosses genre and form to stage the most innovative pieces fresh from the Fringe. From solo performances to ensemble physical theatre, from immersive installations to surreal two-handers, the Pleasance continues
to programme bold work making it the platform for incredible stories

A Touring Consortium Theatre Company Production in association with Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and Ewing Entertainment

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR UK AND USA TOUR OF

STEPHEN DALDRY’S

SEMINAL PRODUCTION OF

JB PRIESTLEY’S CLASSIC THRILLER

“AN INSPECTOR CALLS”

OPENING AT YORK THEATRE ROYAL

FRIDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2018

PW Productions are delighted to announce the full cast of the UK and US tour of Stephen Daldry’s seminal production of JB Priestley’s classic thriller “AN INSPECTOR CALLS” which opens at York Theatre Royal on Friday 14 September 2018 before touring to Cambridge Arts Theatre, New Wimbledon Theatre, Cheltenham Everyman Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Washington DC, Wallis Annenberg Center Los Angeles, ChicagoShakespeare Theater and Arts Emerson, Boston. Full tour listings below.

Liam Brennan will play ‘Inspector Goole’, Christine Kavanagh ‘Mrs Birling’, Jeff Harmer ‘Mr Birling’, Andrew Macklin ‘Gerald Croft’, Lianne Harvey ‘Sheila Birling’, Hamish Riddle ‘Eric Birling’ and Diana Payne-Myers‘Edna’. The cast is completed by Chris Barritt, Adam Collier, Chloe Orrock and Beth Tuckey.

 

Liam Brennan’s theatre credits include “Richard III” and “Twelfth Night” at Shakespeare’s Globe, and “Diary of a Madman” at The Gate, for which he was awarded Best Actor at the Edinburgh Festival in 2016.

 

Christine Kavanagh’s National Theatre credits include “Man and Superman” and “Albert Speer” and the National Theatre UK Tour of “Hedda Gabler”. Her West End credits include “The Importance of Being Earnest” at the Harold Pinter Theatre. With the Royal Shakespeare Company Christine has performed “Macbeth” and “Much Ado About Nothing”. Her other credits include “A Doll’s House”, “Travesties”, “She Stoops to Conquer” and “The Rivals”.

 

Jeff Harmer’s credits include playing ‘Berrard’ in the national tour of “Bird Song”. His other theatre credits include “Fox on The Fairway”, “Out Of Order”, “Donkey’s Years”, “Romeo & Juliet” and “As You Like It”.

 

Andrew Macklin’s theatre credits include “The Baleful Lie”, “Jane Wenham: The Witch of Walkern”, “The Beauty Queen of Leenane”, “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me” and “The Mercy Seat”. His television credits include ITV1’s “Mr Selfridge” and “Fair City” on RTE One.

Lianne Harvey’s theatre credits include ‘Juliet’ in the UK and International tour of “Romeo and Juliet”, “Relatively Speaking”, “The Railway Children” and “Trials of Mary”. Lianne’s film and television work includes “Not Safe For Work” on Channel 4.

Hamish Riddle’s theatre credits include “An Inspector Calls” at the Playhouse Theatre in the West End, “Tory Boyz”, “Prince of Denmark”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Pope Joan” and “Black and White”.

 

Diana Payne-Myers’ credits include “Strange Fish”, “Boxes” and “Le dernier chaperon rouge”.

Chris Barritt’s West End credits include “Otherwise Engaged” at the Criterion, “The Birthday Party” at the Duchess, “She Stoops To Conquer” at the National Theatre and “Dead Funny” at the Vaudeville. His television and radio credits include “Dream Team” on Sky, ITV1’s “Emmerdale” and “The Scar” on Channel 4.

Adam Collier’s theatre credits include “Translations”, “Henry V”, “The Railway Children”, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”, “The Last Days of Mankind”, “We’re Going On A Bear Hunt” and “Twelfth Night”. His television credits include “Ghost Writer”, “Your Move” and “The Daughter”.

Chloe Orrock’s theatre credits include “Julius Caesar”, “Much Ado About Nothing”, “Twelfth Night”, “The Picture Of Dorian Gray” and “Too Much Punch for Judy”.

Beth Tuckey’s theatre credits include “An Inspector Calls” at the Playhouse Theatre in the West End, “Our Days Out, “Peer Gynt”, “The Importance of Being Earnest”, “Stepping Out”, “GamePlan”, “Company” and “Into The Woods”. Her television credits include BBC One’s “A Very English Scandal”.

Since 1992, Daldry’s production of “AN INSPECTOR CALLS” has won a total of 19 major awards including four Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards. It has played to more than 4 million theatregoers worldwide and is the most internationally-lauded production in the National Theatre’s history.

Written at the end of the Second World War and set before the First, “AN INSPECTOR CALLS” is a compelling and haunting thriller. The story begins when the mysterious Inspector Goole calls unexpectedly on the prosperous Birling family home, shattering their peaceful family dinner party with his investigations into the death of a young woman.

JB Priestley’s brilliantly constructed masterpiece powerfully dramatises the dangers of casual capitalism’s cruelty, complacency and hypocrisy.

“AN INSPECTOR CALLS” is directed by the world-renowned theatre and film director Stephen Daldry. Stephen’s many theatre credits include “The Audience”, “Skylight” and “Billy Elliot The Musical”. His film credits include “The Hours”, “The Reader” and “Billy Elliot”, all of which earned him Academy Award nominations for Best Director. Most recently he has directed several episodes of the Netflix smash hit series “The Crown”, for which he is also Producer.

“AN INSPECTOR CALLS” is designed by Ian MacNeil, with music by Academy Award winning composer Stephen Warbeck and Lighting by Rick Fisher.

“AN INSPECTOR CALLS”

UK AND US TOUR DATES 2018/2019

FRIDAY 14 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2018

York Theatre Royal www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2018

Cambridge Arts Theatre www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 6 OCTOBER 2018

New Wimbledon Theatre www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre/

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 9 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 13 OCTOBER 2018

Cheltenham Everyman Theatre www.everymantheatre.org.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 20 NOVEMBER – SUNDAY 23 DECEMBER 2018

Shakespeare Theatre, Washington DC www.shakespearetheatre.org

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 22 January 2019 – SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2019

Wallis Annenberg Center, Los Angeles www.thewallis.org

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2019 – SUNDAY 10 MARCH 2019

Chicago Shakespeare Theater www.chicagoshakes.com

ON SALE NOW

THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2019 – SUNDAY 24 MARCH 2019

Arts Emerson, Boston www.artsemerson.org

ON SALE NOW

Award-winning Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester, celebrates 3^rd Birthday with fortnight of special events

 

 

The critically acclaimed Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester has announced a fortnight of special shows and events to mark its forthcoming 3^rd Birthday.

 

The theatre, which was opened in a Grade II Listed former Cotton Mill in the Ancoats area of Manchester three years ago by couple William Whelton and Joseph Houston, has firmly established itself on the country’s cultural scene, with a host of 5 star in-house productions, a number of which have transferred to London, and awards.

 

Now to mark the third birthday of the venue – which in 2018 was named Fringe Theatre of the Year by industry bible The Stage – a series of events have been announced, and are on sale now.

 

William and Joe said: “As we approach our 3rd Birthday there is much to reflect on since getting the keys to an empty space in an old mill. We could never have anticipated what the next three years would bring including three London transfers and awards including being named The Stage’s Fringe Theatre of the Year and special achievement at the Manchester Theatre Awards. We are constantly welcoming new audiences to the venue and many people are still discovering us for the first time.

 

“There is much to be grateful for and we wanted to celebrate with a series of events that offer something for everyone – from new writing to our celebratory cabaret show, Hope Mill’s Leading Ladies.

 

“The fortnight is an opportunity for people who have maybe heard of us but not visited or even people who have never heard of us, to come and buy a ticket for one of the performances we have – we promise you won’t be disappointed.

 

“Here’s to the next three years and thank you to everyone who has been a part of the Hope Mill journey and supported us along the way- we couldn’t have done it without you.”

 

The fortnight of events includes Manchester ADP: Cottonopolis – a northern based company supporting emerging writers and directors with a response to the city’s Cotton Revolution in honour of the venues routes as a cotton mill.

 

Hope Mill Theatre then welcomes back TakeBack theatre company (run by Julie Hesmondhalgh, Becx  Harrison and Grant Archer) with TakeBack:Our Girls. Marking International Day of the Girl the company will present an evening of urgent script in hand pieces written by young women under 25 – exploring the joys and challenges of girlhood in the 21st century.

 

The venue will then host its first ever ‘scratch night’: To Bee or Not to Bee – which will provide a platform for actors and artists from all genres including dance, poetry, art and film to showcase and share their work.

 

The first week of celebrations will end with Hope Mill’s Leading Ladies – an evening of cabaretto celebrate the successful collaboration between Hope Mill Theatre and Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment – which welcomes back four of the venue’s favourite female actors from its musicals. The line up includes; Laura Harrison from Parade, Shekinah McFarlane from Hair, Sarah Louise Young from YANK and Genevieve Nicole from Pippin. The ladies will share with audiences some stories of their time performing at Hope Mill, as well as singing songs from the shows.

 

The second week of celebrations will host Hope Mill’s Powerhouse Plays – a platform set up by the venue to support new writing in the North West. All pieces shown are at different stages of development and in most cases will be the first time the pieces have been read aloud.

 

The two weeks of celebrations will climax with Hope Mill Theatres Studio 54 Birthday Party.Join Will and Joe and the Hope Mill team as they gallop on their white horses back to the 70’s to celebrate the likes of Andy Warhol, Cher and Mick Jagger for a DISCO at Studio 54.

 

Will and Joe say: “We can’t promise a glitter filled dance floor but we do have live music from girl band Belle Noir, fizz and food and a night to remember. We can’t wait to end our Birthday celebrations in style and party like the greats. Dress to impress: Disco Chic!”

 

Event dates and ticket prices:

 

Manchester ADP takes on Cottonopolis – Tuesday 2 October 7.30pm- £8

 

Take Back: Our Girls – Wednesday 3 October 7.30pm – £8

 

To Bee or Not to Bee: Scratch Night – Thursday 4 October 7.30pm – £8

 

Hope Mill’s Leading Ladies – Friday 5 & Saturday 6 October 7.30pm- £22/£20

 

Hope Mills Birthday Party : Studio 54 – Saturday 13 October 7.30 till midnight – £25

 

To book please visit;

 

hopemilltheatre.co.uk

 

Or call 0333 012 4963 venue enquiries 0161 275 9141

Rabbit Rabbit presents:

Andy Kindler

The Ugly American Tour

Comic seeks asylum. Please take him in.

Soho Theatre: 6^th – 15^th September (not 9^th not 13^th)

 

 “Slick, sour, and razor sharp” Evening Standard

 

“One of the Smartest Comedians Iin America” The Guardian

 

“Fine comic fury…the diatribe is Kindler’s art form” The New Yorker

 

“A brilliant voice filled with vitriol…” Time Out New York

 

Over ten years have passed since Andy Kindler performed in the UK with his hit show Misery Loves Comedy, and there’s never been a better time for him to make his Amerexit than right now.

Often called the ultimate comedians’ comedian, Andy Kindler currently recurs on Fox’s hit animation,Bob’s Burgers, Showtime’s I’m Dying Up Here, Comedy Central’s Tosh.O and is a regular on the critically-praised web series, But I’m Chris Jericho (for which he was nominated as Best Supporting Actor by L.A. Webfest 2018). 

 

Andy was the host of Season 4 and 5 of Hulu’s standup series, Coming to the Stage as well as a series judge on the seventh season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, the star of two half-hour Comedy Central Presents specials and was a frequent guest and correspondent on The Late Show with David Lettermanwith over 40 appearances.

 

Andy is also equally celebrated for his infamous State of the Industry Address each year at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal. Unafraid to tackle difficult topics and to use humour to highlight injustices in the entertainment world, his annual address is as scathingly honest as it is funny.

 

Press on Andy’s Annual “State of the Industry” Address at the Montreal Comedy Festival:

 

“His annual scathing “State of the Industry” address at the Montreal comedy festival…is feverishly anticipated by both his peers and hard-core comedy fans alike.” Vulture.com (for New York Magazine)

 

“A wicked, vicious and extremely funny speech about the condition of the

 comedy/entertainment community” Variety

 

“Beloved within comedy circles for (his) withering attacks on the

entertainment industry” Los Angeles Times

 

“Andy Kindler’s rebukes have made him the conscience of comedy and given him a

hollowed berth delivering the annual ‘State of the Industry Address’ at the

Montreal Comedy Festival” Los Angeles Magazine

 

Andy has previously recurred on Everybody Loves Raymond, Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place, IFC’sMaron and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show.  Other noteworthy credits include Portlandia, the HBO Young Comedians Special, Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist, Home Movies and The Larry Sanders Show.

Chris Sonnex announced as The Bunker’s new
Artistic Director – and autumn season now on sale

The Bunker has announced Chris Sonnex as its new Artistic Director. Sonnex, who takes up the post with immediate effect, replaces founding Artistic Director Joshua McTaggart. He is a London-born theatre director who previously served as the Community Producer and Artistic Associate at the Royal Court

Sonnex comments, Under Joshua’s brilliant leadership, the Bunker has achieved phenomenal success and it is a great honour and privilege to be taking over from him as Artistic Director

I am no stranger to the revolutionary nature of theatre. It has transformed my life on numerous occasions. As a working class boy from a London council estate, art gave me a focus and something to be proud of. I was extremely fortunate to become a part of professional theatre through my time at the Royal Court. There, under the mentorship of so many great people, theatre continued to change my life as an artist and a person and I experienced the many ways that it can transform the world; how it can inspire, change outlooks and generate opportunities. In this exciting role I hope to continue enabling and championing the community of artists and theatre makers originating from underrepresented backgrounds. The Bunker will endeavour to open a gateway for artists, theatre professionals and audiences alike

We need voices from all walks of lives to stand on the metaphorical soap box and tell us their experience, their story and their solutions. Where better to start a theatrical revolution than in an underground car park?

Chris Sonnex started his theatrical life at the Royal Court, starting as an intern on the Theatre Local Peckham project, progressing to backstage crew, then to Community Producer and Artistic Associate. He oversaw and changed the way the community work in the building was made, and successfully created, directed and produced shows in two London boroughs. He worked with
working-class artists and on the way discovered and mentored a variety of artists and theatre professionals, many of which are now cemented in the industry. Chris made his Royal Court debut co-directing Tom Fowler’s katzenmusik in 2017. Chris was involved heavily with work in the Calais refugee camp with Good Chance Theatre over the months that the camp was still active. Since then Chris has created work for the Donmar Warehouse participation department, the Almeida Theatre participation department, Synergy Theatre Project, Central School of Speech and Drama and the National Theatre Studios digital development department

The Bunker’s autumn season kicks off next week with the world premiere of Eris by John King presented by Airlock. Running from 11th – 28th September, Eris tells the story of a young Irish man, Seán, who is feeling wronged that his boyfriend, Tim, has been excluded from a family wedding back home. The problem for his family is that Tim is femme, fabulous and worst of all, English. What does it matter that they’ve just broken up? Spurred on by righteous anger, Seán is determined to do something about it. Greek myths, hook-up apps, and the musical stylings of Sinéad O’Connor collide in this touching and humorous tale of young love and difficult families

In October, The Bunker’s resident company Pint-Sized present their first ever week-long festival showcasing five short plays chosen from an overwhelming 1,681 entries. October-Fest runs from 1st – 6th October with a series of free industry-led workshops for writers, actors, and directors during the day

Knaive Theatre’s War with the Newts, based on the Karl Kapec sci-fi novel, arrives at the Bunker from 9th – 26th October after a run at Summerhall during the Edinburgh Fringe. Produced in association with Royal Exchange Theatre and part of its UK tour, the story of a species of newt enslaved by the human race is told with actor musicians and a live surround sound installation by sonic artist Robert Bentall

Finally, Flux Theatre present Chutney by Reece Connolly from 6th November – 1
st December. Chutney has been developed following its appearance in the first of Flux Theatre’s new writing nights called EMERGE, which have been based at The Bunker since March this year. Directed by Georgie Staight, Greg and Claire are the power couple who have everything they could have ever dreamed of: The house. The car. The careers… They also have an insatiable desire to murder animals. Their mutually discovered desire threatens to gut their world to its very core in this pitch-black comedy about love, happiness, and unleashing the beast within

ANITA DOBSON AND CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD

TO STAR AS

‘MISS HANNIGAN’

IN THE FORTHCOMING UK TOUR OF

MICHAEL HARRISON AND DAVID IAN’S PRODUCTION

OF THE MUSICAL

“ANNIE”

OPENING AT THE MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

ON SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2019

 

Michael Harrison and David Ian are delighted to announce that Anita Dobson and Craig Revel Horwood will star as ‘Miss Hannigan’ in the forthcoming UK tour of their smash hit production of the musical “ANNIE” opening at the Manchester Opera House on Saturday 2 February 2019.

Anita will play the role from 2 February – 27 April 2019 and Craig will play the role from 30 April – 6 July 2019. Tour schedule with casting below. www.anniethemusicaltour.uk

This production recently ran for an extended season in the West End following a sell-out tour of the UK and Ireland in 2015/16 as well as a recent sell-out season in Toronto.

As Angie Watts in EastEnders, Anita Dobson created one of the most popular characters in television winning numerous awards. Her West End theatre credits include ‘Madame Morrible’ in “Wicked”, ‘Mama Morton’ in “Chicago”, ‘Mrs Meers’ in “Thoroughly Modern Mille”, ‘Chris’ in “Calendar Girls”, ‘Joan Crawford’ in “Bette and Joan” and ‘Nancy’ in “Frozen” at the National Theatre for which she was nominated for an Olivier, Evening Standard and London Critics Award. Her film credits include “London Road”.

Craig Revel Horwood is probably best known as a judge on all 16 series of BBC1’s “Strictly Come Dancing”. He returns to the part of ‘Miss Hannigan’ having played the role to critical acclaim in this production in both the West End and on the 2015/16 UK tour. His other West End Theatre credits include ‘Munkustrap’ in “Cats”, “Miss Saigon” at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and ‘Harry’ in “Crazy for You” at the Prince Edward Theatre. Craig directed and choreographed the recent tour of “Sister Act The Musical” as well as the “Strictly Come Dancing Live” tour for the past six years. He also choreographed the film “Paddington 2”.

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search…

With its award-winning book and score, this stunning new production includes the unforgettable songs ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’, ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You’ and ‘Tomorrow’.

“ANNIE” has Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Martin Charnin and a Book by Thomas Meehan. “ANNIE” is directed by Nikolai Foster with set and costume design by Colin Richmond, choreography by Nick Winston, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Richard Brooker. “ANNIE” is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian.

ANNIE – UK TOUR 2019

SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2019

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester

Anita Dobson as Miss Hannigan

TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2019

WOLVERHAMPTON GRAND THEATRE www.grandtheatre.co.uk

Anita Dobson as Miss Hannigan

MONDAY 4 MARCH – SATURDAY 9 MARCH 2019

NEW THEATRE OXFORD www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford

Anita Dobson as Miss Hannigan

TUESDAY 19 MARCH – SATURDAY 23 MARCH 2019

BRISTOL HIPPODROME www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome

Anita Dobson as Miss Hannigan

MONDAY 25 MARCH – SATURDAY 30 MARCH 2019

STORYHOUSE THEATRE, CHESTER www.storyhouse.com

Anita Dobson as Miss Hannigan

MONDAY 1 APRIL – SATURDAY 6 APRIL 2019

HULL NEW THEATRE www.hulltheatres.co.uk

Anita Dobson as Miss Hannigan

MONDAY 8 APRIL – SATURDAY 13 APRIL 2019

NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Anita Dobson as Miss Hannigan

MONDAY 15 APRIL – SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2019

KING’S THEATRE GLASGOW  www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre

Anita Dobson as Miss Hannigan

MONDAY 22 APRIL – SATURDAY 27 APRIL 2019

BRADFORD ALHAMBRA www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

Anita Dobson as Miss Hannigan

TUESDAY 30 APRIL – SATURDAY 4 MAY 2019

MAYFLOWER THEATRE, SOUTHAMPTON www.mayflower.org.uk

Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan

MONDAY 6 MAY – SATURDAY 11 MAY 2019

THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH www.theatreroyal.com

Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan

TUESDAY 14 MAY – SATURDAY 18 MAY 2019

LLANDUDNO VENUE CYMRU www.venuecymru.co.uk

Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan

MONDAY 20 MAY – SATURDAY 25 MAY 2019

NOTTINGHAM ROYAL CONCERT HALL www.trch.co.uk

Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan

MONDAY 27 MAY – SATURDAY 1 JUNE 2019

CLIFFS PAVILION THEATRE, SOUTHEND www.southendtheatres.org.uk

Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan

TUESDAY 4 JUNE – SATURDAY 8 JUNE 2019

LYCEUM THEATRE SHEFFIELD www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 10 JUNE – SATURDAY 15 JUNE 2019

NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre

Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan

MONDAY 17 JUNE – SATURDAY 22 JUNE 2019

THE ORCHARD THEATRE, DARTFORD www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan

MONDAY 24 JUNE – SATURDAY 29 JUNE 2019

LIVERPOOL EMPIRE THEATRE  www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire

Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan

MONDAY 1 JULY – SATURDAY 6 JULY 2019

MILTON KEYNES THEATRE www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre

Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan