A Judgement In Stone Review

Richmond Theatre 23 – 28 January National tour until July 2017.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

The Classic Thriller Company brings Ruth Rendell’s novel to the stage with great style. Simon Brett and Antony Lampard have adapted the slow burning story of class resentment and shame and created a nostalgic but disturbing drama.

Set in a wood panelled manor house room, the play opens with two detectives discussing the unsolved murders of the Coverdale family on Valentine’s Day. They question Eunice Parchman, the housekeeper, who is still living in the house weeks later. In a fractured timeline, the build-up to the murders is shown, beginning with Eunice’s job interview. Awkward and reserved, Eunice’s (an unrecognisable Sophie Ward) initial bewilderment at the behaviour of the privileged Coverdales develops into simmering resentment as she befriends village outcast Joan (an equally transformed Deborah Grant). Throw in a doddery old cleaning lady, usurped by Eunice’s efficiency, and a recently paroled ladies’ man gardener, and a wonderful comedy of class confusion plays out in parallel to the murder mystery as the Coverdales waft through life with an unshakeable air of upper class self-assurance, never realising the impact of their good intentions.

The lightness of the comedy is slowly overshadowed by the sense of impending doom in the second act, but when the murder is finally shown, it is truly shocking – not because of the violence, but because it shows that murder can come from petty, niggling feuds, making it much more terrifying.

The script is tight and moves the plot along nicely, with transitions between past and present shown seamlessly and simply by subtle lighting change and the cast passing each other as they walk on and off stage. There is lots of humour, but the cast also do wonders with nuanced performances revealing the characters’ true feelings.

Andrew Lancel and Ben Nealon as the detectives have the driest roles, basically acting as glorified narrators, but both actors bring warmth and interest to the stage – especially Lancel – oozing a sense of melancholy as he sits in the empty family home. Rosie Thompson is fantastic as Mrs Coverdale – channelling every upper class caricature possible. Deborah Grant chews the scenery as Joan Smith – portraying the unhinged woman as a childlike, but terrifying leopard print nightmare. Sophie Ward transforms into a dowdy, downtrodden spinster with incredible skill, managing to keep Eunice sympathetic and show her inner turmoil without the need for histrionics. A superb performance.

It makes me feel ancient to realise that this is now a period piece, with the awe and wonder shown by the characters at a cassette player that records bringing nostalgic chuckles from the audience, but the issues of class, entitlement, violence and disenfranchisement still loom large today, ensuring that the story still resonates with the audience.

A Judgement In Stone is a great novel, and this is a fine play. Catch it at a theatre near you on tour this year.

Dark Hearts of Space Review

An Audiovisual presentation – The Lowry Centre Salford Quay.  Jan 28th 2017.  Reviewed by Mike Davies

This was a 40 minute audiovisual performance followed by a short meet the artists talk in the small Quay theatre. The Russian born duo have ongoing collaborations, in this art form. Dasha, the experimental techno DJ and graphics guru Stanislav have here attempted a herculean undertaking to try and describe the indescribable and have created something of a ‘curates egg’

Their most notable previous collaboration was the acclaimed ‘Antartic Takt’, developed for the Berlin ‘Atonal Festival 2014’ and performed all over the world.

The graphic effects were generated with a dual screen arrangement to give the illusion of depth and a quasi 3D effect, but the medium was insufficient to convey the full grandeur of the cosmological event being portrayed. The use of the forward mesh screen to presumably catch the reflection of the main image, did seem to improve the visual effects creating a mirage like forward image to give the required depth perception.

Dasha Rush is better known as an international techno DJ but I felt in this performance the ‘music’ was a little one dimensional. While the depiction at the end of what was apparently the evaporation of the black hole agreed with the current theoretical model this effect robbed the performance of a much needed crescendo

For me this meant the performance was all middle with not much beginning and no end. This is not to say that the performance had no merit, and may well have suffered from being staged in a small theatre. The artists are to be commended for the attempt to portray this subject but a true 3D or holographic medium may be the best venue, or possibly a surround or immersive setting as I discussed with the artist post show.

The general perception I got was nice attempt, and in general the audience seemed appreciative, but I left feeling there should have been more!

Darlington Culture Volunteers

LAUNCHING A CULTURE OF VOLUNTEERING

Darlington for Culture and Darlington Hippodrome launch an exciting new venture to support and promote arts and culture in the town.

With the restoration work at Darlington Civic Theatre moving towards the final stages a new volunteering partnership has been forged between the regionally renowned Theatre and the award-winning community arts organisation, Darlington for Culture, to help support and promote the arts and culture within the town.

The vision for Darlington Culture Volunteers (DCV) is to be a hub for cultural volunteering in and around Darlington, building a community of people who have a vested interest in the future of the arts in the town. Building on the success of the Darlington for Culture Volunteer Service the group will support arts, music and cultural events encouraging the public to join in the activities, keeping the public informed and recording their views on the events.

Members who join Darlington Culture Volunteers will learn new skills and be offered the chance to meet new people, make new friends and give back to the local community through a wide range of new and exciting projects. Volunteers will have the chance to engage with Darlington Hippodrome’s heritage and help audiences connect with its rich history.

Heather Carter, volunteer co-ordinator for Darlington for Culture said: “I am truly excited about this new venture between ourselves and Darlington Hippodrome. Our current valuable volunteers will transfer to the new service and we are looking for new volunteers who can offer as little or as much time as they have available, from a long-term, regular commitment to those who can help as and when. Primarily we are looking for enthusiastic people interested in supporting the arts in and around Darlington.”

Lynda Winstanley, Director of Darlington Civic Theatre said: “Darlington Culture Volunteers has evolved from the close relationship the Theatre has formed with Darlington for Culture. We are very much looking forward to launching this new venture together and to welcoming lots of new volunteers into the partnership.”

Darlington Culture Volunteers will be launched at the Darlington Volunteering Fair on Thursday 2 February at Central Hall in the Dolphin Centre from 2.00pm. For more information about the scheme you can visit either www.darlingtonforculture.org or www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk, call 07775 996098 or email [email protected]

SHEFFIELD THEATRES WINS PRESTIGIOUS THEATRE AWARDS HAT-TRICK

SHEFFIELD THEATRES WINS PRESTIGIOUS THEATRE AWARDS HAT-TRICK

Sheffield Theatres are celebrating having been awarded, for an unprecedented third time,   the prestigious title of Regional Theatre of the Year 2017 at The Stage Awards,. 

The award, presented to Chief Executive Dan Bates and Artistic Director Robert Hastie earlier today, was given in recognition of the outstanding work of the theatre during the last year.

Industry judges recognised the theatre’s exciting programming which has included the commissioning of two new productions; Richard Taylor and Rachel Wagstaff’s award-winning musical Flowers for Mrs Harris and The Nap, a new comedy by Richard Bean; as well as big, classic productions of Show Boat and Annie Get Your Gun.

 

In his speech, at the awards ceremony at London’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Alistair Smith, print editor of The Stage and chair of the judging panel, congratulated Sheffield Theatres for their ‘compelling programme of work that speaks to local audiences but has the potential to attract theatregoers from across the UK.’

Praise was also given for the Theatres’ policy of making theatre accessible to young people via the Live for Five initiative, which offers audience members aged 16 – 25 years, tickets for £5 and the recently launched Ignite scheme.  Ignite will give every student in the city studying drama or performing arts the opportunity to attend Crucible productions free of charge.

Sheffield Theatres’ Chief Executive Dan Bates said today: ‘We were delighted to have been nominated, but to have won the title again is quite overwhelming and tops off a fantastic twelve months.  The award recognises not only the incredible achievements of our out-going Artistic Director Daniel Evans but also the initiatives introduced by our new Artistic Director Robert Hastie. I would like to thank our hard-working and committed staff as well as everyone who has worked with us and visited us in the last twelve months – every one of you has contributed to making us the proud title-holders of Regional Theatre of the Year.

 

Sheffield Theatres continues its commitment to compelling new work with the World Première of Dan Gillespie Sells (The Feeling) and Tom MacRae’s (Doctor Who) musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie from Wednesday 8 – Saturday 25 February at the Crucible.

DUSTY, THE FIRST AUTHORISED NEW MUSICAL CHARTING THE LIFE OF DUSTY SPRINGFIELD SET FOR UK PREMIERE IN 2018

DUSTY
A NEW MUSICAL

Book by Jonathan Harvey
Directed by Maria Friedman

DUSTY, the first authorised new musical charting the life of Dusty Springfield is set to premiere in the UK in 2018. Details of dates, venue and casting are still to be announced.

Originating from the notes and memoirs of the late singer’s close friend and manager Vicki Wickham, DUSTY is written by Jonathan Harvey who tells the story behind this iconic artist having interviewed key people from her life including Pat Rhodes, Dusty’s lifelong personal assistant, and friend and record company executive Tris Penna.

DUSTY will be directed by Olivier Award winning Maria Friedman.

Dusty Springfield is one Britain’s most successful and enduringly popular singers, with hits spanning four decades. Born in London, she became known across the world for her soulful voice and iconic look. Her solo career began way back in 1963, and included the global hits “I Only Want to Be with You”, “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” and ‘What Have I Done to Deserve This?’ with the Pet Shop Boys. Her 1969 masterpiece ”Dusty In Memphis’ is considered one of the greatest albums of all time and Dusty has been inducted into both the US Rock and Roll and UK Music Halls of Fame.

Jonathan Harvey wrote his first play in 1987, and has since written over 15 more, includingBabies, Boom Bang-A-Bang and Beautiful Thing, which was later made into an acclaimed film. He has been the recipient of the Evening Standard, George Devine and John Whiting Awards, and his work has been both Bafta- and Olivier-nominated. Jonathan’s extensive television writing includes Coronation Street, on which he has worked since 2004, Beautiful People andGimme, Gimme, Gimme. He has also written for shows as diverse as Rev, Shameless, At Home With The Braithwaites, The Catherine Tate Show and Tracey Ullman’s Show. He has also published five novels and been hailed as ‘the new theatrical voice of his generation’.

Best known as a three-time Olivier Award winning star of the musical stage, director Maria Friedman made an astonishing directorial debut in 2012 with a hugely acclaimed production ofMerrily We Roll Along which won Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards 2013, the Oliver Awards 2014 (for which Maria was also nominated for Best Director of a Musical), and the Critic’s Circle Award 2013. She went on to direct High Society at The Old Vic in 2015 and is currently directing Stepping Out which will play the West End’s Vaudeville Theatre from March 2017.

DUSTY is produced by Eleanor Lloyd Productions whose recent projects include Nell Gwynn with Gemma Arterton, Olivier Award for Best Comedy (Apollo), 1984 (Playhouse, 2014, 2015 & 2016), My Night with Reg, Olivier Nomination for Best Revival (Apollo), and Handbagged, Olivier Nomination for Best Comedy, (Vaudeville and UK tour).

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS ANNOUNCES FURTHER CASTING

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
THE NEW MUSICAL BY
JULIAN FELLOWES, GEORGE STILES & ANTHONY DREWE

AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM
FROM JUNE 2017

Following a highly-acclaimed pre-West End engagement, the major new musical THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS will open in the West End at the world-famous London Palladium. Previewing from 17 June 2017, the production will open on 29 June 2017.

Leading actor, comedian and presenter Rufus Hound stars as the amazing Mr Toad with EastEnders and Shrek star Neil McDermott as Chief Weasel. The confirmed company will also include Jenna Boyd, Abigail Brodie, Jorell Coiffic-Kamall, Nicole Deon, James Gant, Evan James, Michael Larcombe, Bethany Linsdell, Ryan Pidgen, Adam Vaughan and Georgie Westall, with further casting to be announced shortly.

On Thursday 26 January, Jamie Hendry and Julian Fellowes introduced members of the cast and creative team at an exclusive launch event held on stage at the London Palladium where Rufus Hound and the company performed a selection of songs from the musical.

Rufus Hound is one of the UK’s leading actors, presenters and comedians, most recently seen on stage in Don Quixote (Royal Shakespeare Company), The Wars of the Roses (Rose Theatre) and as Freddy in the original West End production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels(Savoy Theatre). His other theatre credits include Neville’s Island (Chichester Festival Theatre) and One Man Two Guv’nors (Theatre Royal Haymarket). Television credits include Doctor Who (BBC), Cucumber (Channel 4), Drunk History (Comedy Central), A Touch of Cloth (SKY) and Hounded (BBC). He is also a regular guest on comedy panel shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks (BBC), Would I Lie To You? (BBC), and 8 Out Of 10 Cats (Channel 4).

Neil McDermott is best known for portraying Ryan Malloy in EastEnders (BBC). His stage credits include Lord Farquaad in Shrek The Musical (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), Jean-Michel in La Cage Aux Folles (Menier Chocolate Factory) and Rolf Gruber in The Sound of Music (London Palladium). Further television credits include The Royal (ITV), Casualty(BBC) and Doctor Who: The Next Doctor (BBC).

Based on Kenneth Grahame’s treasured novel which has captivated generations of readers for over a century, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS has been adapted for the stage with a book by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and Olivier Award-winning composer and lyricist duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

This riotous comedy follows the impulsive Mr Toad whose insatiable need for speed lands him in serious trouble. With his beloved home under threat from the notorious Chief Weasel and his gang of sinister Wild Wooders, Toad must attempt a daring escape leading to a series of misadventures and a heroic battle to recapture Toad Hall.

Featuring eye-poppingly beautiful design, exuberant choreography and a gloriously British score, The Wind in the Willows brings an explosion of anarchy, humour and heart to the world-famous London Palladium.

Tickets will be available from £15, with reduced price preview performances. No additional booking fees or charges are applied to tickets booked via www.WillowsMusical.com.

Produced by Jamie Hendry, MJE Productions and Josh Gilinski, in association with Theatre Royal Plymouth, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh with choreography by Aletta Collins, design by Peter McKintosh, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Gareth Owen, wig & makeup design by Linda McKnight, orchestrations by Chris Jahnke and David Shrubsole and musical supervision by Simon Lee.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Review

The Lowry, Salford Manchester.  21 January – 4 February 2017.  Reviewed by Margaret Baguley

The acclaimed National Theatre production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was one of the most enjoyable plays I’ve seen in a long while.

The acting was superb, the cast very funny, the scenery was very inventive, the lighting and music were intoxicating.

I thought it helped give an understanding of the mind of someone with autism. I loved the book and thought it came alive on stage due to Simon Stephens clever adaption of Mark Haddon’s novel.  The plot was easy to follow and Scott Reid gave a wonderful performance.   The whole production plunges us into Christopher’s world, from the storytelling , a clever play-within-a-play nod to the novel which is written as by Christopher himself, to the claustrophobic sounds, lights and projection that take over any time Christopher is overwhelmed.  I liked the use of a narrator (a calm and collected Lucianne McEvoy as teacher Siobhan acts as narrator) for some of Christopher’s thoughts and words but it didn’t take anything away from Christopher’s part – it seemed to help the flow of the story.

The changes in the scenes were inventive and gave a real sense of the story but the best of the scenery was undoubtedly the station scenes they were realistic – Bunny Christie’s marvellous geometric set becomes a claustrophobic underground station with the right sound and vision enhanced by the smoky atmosphere and the sound track thanks to Paule Constable’s lighting, Finn Ross’ video and Ian Dickinson’s sound design.  And finally the use of a real puppy at the end was a nice touch

LES ENFANTS TERRIBLES AND GREENWICH THEATRE ANNOUNCE THE SHORTLIST FOR THE LET AWARD

LES ENFANTS TERRIBLES

www.lesenfantsterribles.co.uk / @LesEnfantsTerr / #LETaward

 

LES ENFANTS TERRIBLES AND GREENWICH THEATRE ANNOUNCE THE SHORTLIST FOR THE LET AWARD

 

Today, Les Enfants Terribles in collaboration with Greenwich Theatre have announced the ten nominees for the sixth LET Award. The award is designed to help two new companies produce an original piece of work each at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2017.

All ten entries will take part in a showcase at Greenwich Theatre on 6 February 2017. Two will be selected that evening to win a performance slot at the Pleasance as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, a cash injection of £1000 and industry mentoring from Les Enfants Terribles and their partners Greenwich Theatre. Ticketing information to attend the showcase can be found at www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk.

 

Oliver Lansley (Artistic Director) and James Seager (Producer) of Les Enfants Terribles said:“We are thrilled to present the ten nominees for our sixth LET Award. Supporting emerging companies and encouraging a spirit of entrepreneurship amongst a new generation of theatremakers and storytellers has been one of the great joys throughout our fifteen years of Les Enfants Terribles. It’s exciting to see the people who we have supported through this award, such as David Byrne who is now Artistic Director at the New Diorama, go on to produce such brilliant work. Our 2017 cohort of nominees are all producing incredibly innovative and daring new work and we are looking forward to the showcase when we get to see them all in action.”

 

The previous winners of the LET Award over the past six years were SharkLegs Theatre for The Inevitable Heartbreak of Gavin Plimsole (2016), Fine Mess Theatre for Divas (2015), The Human Zoo Theatre Company for The Hive (2014), PIT Theatre and the New Diorama for Kubrick3 (2013) and Magpie Puppet Company for The Kites Are Flying (2012).

 

The nominated ten productions for The LET Award 2017 are:

 

A Heart at Sea by Peter Morton and Avi Simmons

A Heart at Sea is the collaboration between indie-folk artist Avi Simmons and visual artist/puppeteer Peter Morton. Grown through a love for storytelling, music, and puppets the performance is an intimate piece of gig-theatre. Peter Morton and Avi Simmons wanted to create an accessible performance that is perfect for any small performance spaces as well as unconventional spaces. A Heart at Sea weaves haunting live music and stunning visuals to tell the story about a Boy who throws himself into the sea in a heart-warming tale of danger and discovery.

 

Form by Rendered Retina Theatre Company

Rendered Retina Theatre Company are passionate about creating striking, energetic and visual performances that let loose their audience’s imaginations. Formed from an intense curiosity of the human experience, they are constantly looking for inspiration for their next performance, drawing from themselves, their daydreams and everyday life. Having worked closely together for five years, their work is extremely collaborative and the trust which they have built up over this time allows them to constantly push their limits as performers and creators.

 

Women at War by Rebecca Johannsen

With a Ph.D. in theatre, specializing in both feminist criticism and trauma theory, Dr. Rebecca Johannsen was the founding artistic director of Stone Soup Theatre, a critically-acclaimed California company. She left the company in 2011 to teach theatre at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and produce and direct in NYC. While there, she produced Erik Ehn’s Soulographie: Our Genocides at La MaMa and developed plays with new playwrights. Her drive has always been to produce work that engages society with difficult questions and to promote more women on and off stage.

 

Tom and Bunny Save the World by Fat Rascal Theatre

Fat Rascal Theatre are a young company fresh from East 15‘s BA Acting and Contemporary Theatre Course. They use music and quintessentially British humour to tell relatable stories. They are bold and cheeky, exploring taboo subjects with a cup of Yorkshire Tea in hand and discuss socio-political issues through an accessible and appealing format to engage a wider audience. Fat Rascal Theatre want to appeal to people who would usually shy away from topical theatre by presenting it in a medium which is familiar to them. They believe that theatre should always aim to inspire, educate or liberate and should be available to everybody.

 

Hexagon by FLYWHEEL

FLYWHEEL is an East 15 CT graduate company obsessed with telling new stories through original and challenging means. They are a company of actors who enjoy working through action to discover surprising composition in gesture, music, text and social declaration. Courageous dreaming, playfulness and innovative art are important to them. FLYWHEEL work collaboratively to make adventurous new work with popular appeal which offers gripping stories which responds to the world in instinctive, intellectual and thought-provoking ways. Their production Hexagonis a new play using an original score and playful physical storytelling.

 

Astronauts of Hartlepool by Shuttle Buttle

Shuttle Buttle have been creating theatre since 2012, focussing on strong visual elements using light and sound to explore contemporary social issues through intimate, challenging storytelling, which will be key elements of Astronauts of Hartlepool. Astronauts of Hartlepool follows Shuttle Buttle’s Off West End Award-winning (Most Promising New Playwright) play The Dogs of Warwhich used invisible dogs and Egyptian mythology to explore mental illness in rural environments.

 

Witt ‘n Camp by Witt ‘n Camp

Charlie and Holly are the double act Witt ’n Camp. Their alter egos are two wild ladies – oversexed, pretentiously immoral and they can’t help but put on a show. Meanwhile two opera stars reach dizzying heights of fame after creating a new genre “HipOpera” – but these lifelong rivals will go to any lengths to steal the limelight. Then there’s Bridget and Braun, two battery chickens who dream of escaping their shitty boyfriend, Steve. The show guarantees an hour of laughter and tears. Witt ’n Camp’s recent performances include The Giants Gala (hosted by David Schwimmer) and Wifi4Refugees Fundraiser (alongside James McAvoy).

The Conductor by Mid-Atlantic Productions

Mid-Atlantic Productions are a group of graduating students based at Goldsmiths University. The focus of The Conductor is robotics in which a robotic puppet will take centre stage as the train station conductor. Mid-Atlantic Productions’ passion is in developing technologies for new theatre that can be used effectively and affordably. The company want to explore and tell stories with the technological advancements made in recent years.

Goody by BoonDog Theatre / Lucy Roslyn

BoonDog Theatre is a collaborative team looking to make intimate, dynamic work. The playGoody, is one of a series of interweaving plays all set in the same darkly comic BoonDog Circus. As a playwright Lucy Roslyn hopes to create something striking which draws audiences in and asks you questions. Their debut play The State Vs John Hayes told the story of a murderer and her alter ego. The production won the Argus Angel Award going on to tour the UK and New York.

Ingo’s War by Ditto Theatre Company

DITTO are a UK-based physical theatre company with a passion for playing, moving, devising and creating visually exciting and bold new work. As, graduates of East 15 Acting School, BA Physical Theatre 2016, they come from a physical theatre background. Their training is varied, with a strong emphasis on devising their own material in all of these disciplines: puppetry, story-telling, expressive mask, physical comedy, movement and so much more. Having worked closely now for almost four years, they know each other personally and socially, thus are able to work together well and are committed to each other as a group and ensemble.

Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour transfers to London’s West End in May 2017

Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott M. Delman and Tulchin Bartner Productions present

The National Theatre of Scotland and Live Theatre production of

Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour

 

Adapted by Lee Hall from the novel The Sopranos by Alan Warner

 

Directed by Vicky Featherstone
Music Sourced, Arranged and Supervised by Martin Lowe
Designed by Chloe Lamford
Choreographed by Imogen Knight
Lighting by Lizzie Powell
Sound by Mike Walker

Featuring the songs of ELO

Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour is set to transfer to London’s West End in spring 2017.  Originally a co-production between Live Theatre and National Theatre of Scotland Our Ladies…  will run between 15 May to 2 September 2017 (previews from 9 May) at the Duke of York’s Theatre presented by Sonia Freidman Productions, Scott M. Delman and Tulchin Bartner Productions.

 

Vicky Featherstone’s smash-hit production of Lee Hall’s musical adaptation of Alan Warner’s The Sopranos had its English Premiere at Live Theatre in October 2015 following a sell-out run at Edinburgh International Festival Fringe and tour of Scottish venues, where it won a host of awards and five star critics reviews including a Scotsman Fringe First Award, a Herald Angel Award, a Little Devil Herald Award and a Stage Ensemble Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015.

 

A UK and international tour in 2016, saw the show play to audiences across the country including Newcastle Theatre Royal and performances internationally at festivals in Galway, Connecticut, and Melbourne. It culminated in a sell-out a ten-week run in the Dorfman Theatre, London’s National Theatre, earning the show further award nominations, critical and audience acclaim.

 

««««

‘Big hearted and enjoyably coarse, but with moments of real poignancy, this is a fearless portrait of adolescence, fuelled by songs and Sambuca.’

Evening Standard

 

Written by the Lee Hall, creator of Billy Elliot and long-time Live Theatre collaborator, and Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre Our Ladies.. is the uplifting and moving story of six Catholic school girls from Oban, let loose in Edinburgh for the day. Funny, raucous and heart-breaking, the play is adapted from Alan Warner’s brilliant novel about six young friends on the cusp of change.

Featuring, amongst others, the songs of ELO, Our Ladies… is a glorious anthem to friendship, youth and growing up disgracefully. Prepare thyself for 24 hours of holy chaos. Our Ladies… contains singing, hilarity, sambuca and strong language.

 

««««

‘A high spirited, hilarious, exhilarating and poignant portrait of essentially good, naïve girls having a reckless stab at being bad, and being brave, eager to experience everything life can throw at them and discovering important stuff about themselves and their friendships in the process.’

Mail on Sunday

 

Max Roberts, Artistic Director, Live Theatre said:

“I’m thrilled that the country’s leading commercial producer Sonia Friedman has taken such an imaginative decision to give Our Ladies… another life following its national and international tours and runs at Edinburgh, Live Theatre and the National Theatre, London. I’m delighted that a commissioned production by Live Theatre in partnership with National Theatre of Scotland with such a talented ensemble of young Scottish actresses will command a major West End Stage.”

Live Theatre is recognised as one of the great new writing theatres on the international stage. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne it is deeply rooted in its local community and produces work as varied and diverse as the audiences it engages with. It is currently producing locker room drama The Red Lion, written by Patrick Marber, starring Stephen Tompkinson which will be performed in Newcastle from Thursday 6 April to Saturday 6 May 2017.

 

The National Theatre of Scotland constantly tours a repertoire of new and acclaimed work with productions regularly presented on theatre stages across the UK and internationally.

Tickets go on sale to the public from 31 January, and start from £10, with 30,000 tickets priced at £30 and under throughout the run. All previews (from 9 -14 May) will be priced at £30 and less. For tickets and information http://www.atgtickets.com/duke-of-yorks or ring Duke of York’s Theatre, Box Office on 0844 871 7623.

 

 

Booking information

30,000 tickets will be priced at £30 and under throughout the run, with tickets available from £10 and all previews priced at £30 and less.

Tickets go on sale on Tuesday 31 January 2017.                                                                                        Performance runs from 09 May to 02 September 2017 at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London

Press Performance: 15 May 2017.

Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2B 4BG

Box Office: 0844 871 7623 / http://www.atgtickets.com/duke-of-yorks

Age 16+ Contains strong language and adult themes

Ticket prices:  from £10 to £30 (previews) and post press night from £10

Open auditions for 2017 Stage Experience

The Grand Opera House York are holding open auditions for this year’s Stage Experience production of Fame – the Musical on Sunday 12th March.

The ultimate inspiring story of a group of diverse students as they commit to 4 years of gruelling artistic and academic work in New York City’s High School of Performing Arts. The show follows the class from their admission to their graduation, and looks at their struggles, fears and triumphs – from prejudice to substance abuse – as they navigate the worlds of music, drama and dance.  Featuring the Academy Award-winning title song and a host of other catchy pop numbers, Fame is an international sensation and provides great opportunities to feature a diverse talent pool.

This is a chance for local young people to take part in our Stage Experience project, working with a professional creative team to put on a full scale musical here at the theatre.

We are looking for youngsters aged 10-21 who can sing, act and dance to take part in this exciting two week project.  Stage Experience runs from Saturday 22nd July, culminating in 4 public performances from 3rd – 5th August.  There are approximately 65 places available and the auditions are on Sunday 12th March from 9.00am.

If you are interested in auditioning please email [email protected] for an application form and further information!