Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 20th April 2024

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

5*****

Directly from the West End, this superb production has come to Southampton.

Based on the truly harrowing events of 9/11, we find ourselves in Gander-a remote island just off of North America. It was here, that 38 planes were forced to land when the US airspace closed and here, our story is set. Depicting the miraculous bravery, community spirit, love and outpouring emotion, ‘Come From Away’ will truly restore your faith in humanity.

The cast, were stellar. With each cast member playing multiple roles, you would think it hard to be able to decipher who you were seeing on stage – but this is far from difficult. From fabulous accents and immensely quick costume changes, the production ran so seamlessly, that it was hard not to be totally immersed. The cast absolutely sold every moment – with excellent vocals throughout. This show leaves hardly any room for you to clap and show your appreciation for the songs and there was one moment when, after ‘Screech in’, that the audience were clapping for minutes – which was beautiful to see. Arguably, the most ‘singable’ song of the show came from Sara Poyzer, with ‘Me and The Sky’. This was fabulously sung and ever so aptly accompanied by sniffles and muffled cries from the audience. From the very first song, I was crying throughout – purely down to the subject matter and the impeccable performances.

In keeping with the community spirit displayed during Come From Away, the Mayflower are collecting donations for the food banks which are situated in the foyer – these were overflowing by the end of the show, so please donate if you are able to do so. I couldn’t have asked for a better evening watching ‘Come From Away’ and would urge you all to take the plunge, kiss the fish and be welcomed to the Rock!!!!

FAULTY TOWERS THE DINING EXPERIENCE

BASIL AND SYBIL CELEBRATE THEIR DIAMOND (60^TH) WEDDING ANNIVERSAY ON 17^TH APRIL – AND TO CELEBRATE, THOUSANDS OF NEW TICKETS RELEASED AND PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE EXTENDED FROM 1 MAY

[Weds 17 April 2024] On the day that Basil and Sybil Fawlty celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary, Artistic Director Alison Pollard-Mansergh, Producer Jared Harford, and the whole team at Interactive Theatre International are proud to announce the release of thousands of extra tickets in London, plus an extended performance schedule for Faulty Towers The Dining Experience at The President Hotel in Bloomsbury. From 1 May, audiences can now book for Wednesday lunches, as well as Thursday to Sunday evening shows, and Saturday and Sunday lunches, for the critically acclaimed international immersive dining phenomenon that recently celebrated its fifteen year in the UK and more than twenty five years worldwide.

When the audience become diners in the ‘Faulty Towers’ restaurant, pretty much anything can happen – because 70% of the show is improvised. The fun starts as guests wait to be seated. It then hurtles along in a 2-hour tour de force of gags and shambolic service as Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve you up a feast.

Expect the unexpected!

Producer Jared Harford said, “We can’t believe Basil and Sybil are celebrating 60 years of wedded bliss – who would have imagined that? We’re thrilled to be extending our performances at The President this summer, and can’t wait to welcome more people to embrace the chaos!”

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is a highly interactive experience, where audiences enjoy a 3-course meal and 5-star comedy. Devised by Alison Pollard-Mansergh, Andrew Foreman and others, the show has been touring the UK and internationally since 2008, having appeared in 43 countries to date, and employing 56 actors per season. The show has toured to over 1000 venues, with approximately 400 shows per year on average across the UK. A loving tribute to the BBC’s classic TV series, the show has been seen by over a million people worldwide since the very first show at the Ridges Hotel in Brisbane on 24 April 1997.

Faulty Towers the Dining Experience is now the longest running immersive production in the UK, the longest running Fawlty Towers production, and the longest running show based on a TV series, in London. It is also the longest-running Fawlty Towers production of ANY KIND running worldwide.

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is a loving tribute to Fawlty Towers. Faulty Towers The Dining Experience uses scripts and a dining experience format devised by Imagination Workshop Pty Limited and is not endorsed in any way by John Cleese or Connie Booth.

For more information on the show visit www.faultytowersdining.com

Hall for Cornwall, Truro – until 20 April 2024

Reviewed by Kerry Gilbert

4****

Intense, Clever and Immersive – A gripping Ghost Story set to thrill!

2:22 A Ghost Story is a thriller play by Danny Robins. It premiered in the West End in 2021 and received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best New Play the following year. This play has it all: thrills, staging, tension, deep conversation, great laughs and a brilliant twist!

The characters were vividly portrayed in the story with both serious and humorous part throughout. They share their humanity and their stories of hauntings of society and secrets. The pace of the play was excellent, and the plot was well designed to keep most of us on the edge of our seat!

Fiona Wade leads the cast with aplomb as Jenny, while George Rainsford finds just the right blend of arrogance and charm in the role of her husband Sam. They have recently bought a large house in Greater London that they are renovating. For several nights, at exactly 2:22 am, Jenny hears the sound of someone moving around the house and a man’s voice crying, via the baby monitor in her daughter’s bedroom, and becomes convinced the house is haunted. The couple host a dinner party for Lauren (Vera Chok), an old university friend of Sam’s, and Ben (Jay McGuiness), her new boyfriend who has a belief in the Supernatural. After discussing the strange noises, Jenny persuades the others to stay up until 2:22 am to see what happens.

As the alcohol flows, the debate rages on between the believers and non-believers. It throws up some interesting questions that will make you think twice about your own views on the paranormal. But it also explores the nature of relationships and the class divide, all of which is drawn out in tantalisingly enjoyable scenes.

We know from the start that something unworldly is going to happen at precisely 2:22am and the clock becomes vital to building up suspense late in the play. There are sudden bursts of loud screeching and flashing lights which occur at intervals, which makes the audience jump with fright.

Both hilarious and thought provoking in parts, it is not your typical “jump out of your seat” ghost story, but a play that builds with tension …. leaving you wondering what is going to happen as the clock ticks on. It’s a play, that once the curtain falls, makes you rethink everything you’ve just watched!

The ending was amazing, and I left the Theatre with goosebumps! I’d highly recommend this play, it’s a must watch ….

Birmingham Hippodrome – until 20th April 2024

Reviewed by Emma Millward

4****

The Drifters Girl made its world premiere at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle in 2021. Telling the story of Faye Treadwell who, after the untimely death of her husband George, became one of the first African-American woman managers, who would eventually turn The Drifters name into a brand that she fought many legal battles over. 

Writer Ed Curtis takes us on a journey through the story of the success and many, many line-up changes since the formation of the band in 1953. There were over sixty different band members during the course of the band’s history. This constant change means there is a lot of information to cover, and unfortunately, I felt this made the storyline feel a little hectic and left it feeling slightly rushed to fit everything in. 

The cast consists of a small ensemble of six performers. Carly Mercedes Dyer in the role of Faye Treadway, Jada Bell-Ricketts as Faye’s daughter Tina/Girl and playing The Drifters are Miles Anthony Daley, Ashford Campbell, Tarin Frimpong and Daniel Haswell. Every male character in the show is played by these four male leads. This can become confusing at times, as you aren’t sure which of the 60+ band members or other characters they are portraying. Character changes often happen with the swap of a jacket or a hat, with the audience sometimes left to figure out which characters are which. 

The character of Faye Treadwell has a lot of stage time, but the show doesn’t really delve into her story as much as I would have expected. A lot of plot points are told to the audience rather than being acted out onstage. The cast work well together though, and definitely throw themselves into the many varied characters they have to play. I enjoyed the cheeky nod to Sir Bruce Forsyth when the band were playing at the London Palladium. 

The show, of course, has an amazing soundtrack, with lots of instantly recognisable Drifters hits. The music captivated the audience from the first note. The live band (Dustin Conrad, James Beal, Eleanor Sandbrook, Dan Taylor, Dan Booth, Bret Vanderburg and Charlie Maguire) were phenomenal. The vocals from all the cast were amazing, especially from Carly Mercedes Dyer who belted out the tunes with such power. The original show featured Beverley Knight as Treadwell. Those are big shoes to fill and Dyer achieved that throughout! 

Fay Fullerton’s costume design is exquisite, depicting the different fashions as the years progressed. Anthony Ward’s set design is minimal, but makes the perfect backdrop for the show. Clever use of projections and lighting are used to change the scenes. Karen Bruce’s choreography works perfectly for the songs being performed and gives an authentic soulful feel to proceedings. 

In all, the production works well, considering the vast amount of story to cover in a two-hour show. More could have been told of Faye Treadwell’s inspiring story and her relationship with her daughter. I left the theatre feeling I still didn’t know the whole story of The Drifters, but I definitely enjoyed a few hours of joyful, feel-good music that made the audience want to get up and dance!!

Dame Judi Dench launches £600,000 appeal
to build rehearsal block, band room and offices
at The Mill at Sonning Theatre

Dame Judi Dench has launched a £600,000 fundraising appeal for a new rehearsal block, a band room and offices at the Mill at Sonning Theatre with an afternoon event celebrating her life and career.

Hosted by actor and writer Simon Williams, Dame Judi spoke in depth about her incredible career spanning across film, theatre, and television. Recounting how she can remember whole texts of Shakespeare, the Oscar-winning actress stood up and performed an entire soliloquy by Viola from Twelfth Night, prompting a standing ovation from the sold-out audience.

Simon and Dame Judi were also joined on stage by Sewa Zamba and Reeus Sugden, second year students from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, from where Dame Judi is an alumni. Sewa and Reeus performed selected lines from The Merchant of Venice and Macbeth, and were given a potted masterclass from an impressed Dame Judi.

Sally Hughes, managing director of The Mill at Sonning, said: Like so many regional theatres, the Mill is always in need of modernising and updating. Planning permission has been granted for the building now we just have to raise the money. It is a two-storey building on stilts so that we don’t lose valuable car parking spaces. It has more offices and storage space for wardrobe and props. It will have a band room for our annual Christmas blockbuster musical. The building next to it will have a new roof and also be upgraded. This building currently houses the dressing rooms and backstage offices. The rehearsal room will be at the top of the new building.

“The Dame Judi afternoon was a fantastic start in our aim to raise £600k and we will holding more special events throughout the year. It was so special havng acting royalty treading our boards. I found myself wiping away a few tears when Dame Judi performed the speech from Twelfth Night, it was beautiful and amazing to witness.”

The Mill at Sonning Theatre
Set majestically on the banks of the River Thames, the Mill at Sonning Theatre is celebrating more than 40 years of entertainment. Uniquely, as one of the only dinner theatres in the United Kingdom, it has gained unrivalled praise both nationally and internationally, winning awards such as the 2023 UK  Theatre Award Winner for the Best Musical Production for GYPSY, and The Most Welcoming Theatre 2016, 2017 and 2018. The intimate theatre seats 217. The elegant restaurant, separate from the theatre but within the premises, with views over the river Thames has the friendliest young staff of waiters and waitresses. A spinning waterwheel features in the gorgeous bar. Only a short taxi journey from the Elizabeth Line (Reading Station or Twyford Station), The Mill at Sonning Theatre is the perfect day trip from London. A two-course meal, coffee and tea, and a beautiful programme are included in the price of the tickets

FANNY

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF

NEW COMEDY BY CALUM FINLAY AND STARRING MISCHIEF’S CHARLIE RUSSELL

AT THE WATERMILL THEATRE

23 MAY – 15 JUNE

BOOK ONLINE AT WATERMILL.ORG.UK OR VIA THE BOX OFFICE ON 01635 46044

Full casting has been announced for the world premiere production of FANNY, a new comedy by Calum Finlay that will play at The Watermill from Thursday 23 May to Saturday 15 June.

…who?

You’ll probably know her younger brother, Felix Mendelssohn, from 19th century smash hits like The Wedding March. He was the Cliff Richard of his day and was even asked to play at a personal concert for Queen Victoria. But only if he played her favourite piece of music ever, a song called Italien. However, we now know that Felix was forced to admit to the Queen that, in actuality, the piece had been composed by his sister, Fanny, and simply published under his name.

FANNY imagines that Fanny intercepts a letter addressed to ‘F. Mendelssohn’ inviting Felix to play for Queen Victoria. As the true composer of Italien, she decides to hide the letter, don her brother’s clothes, and take his place at the palace…cueing a race across Europe and a furious Felix.

Produced by RJG Productions and The Watermill Theatre and directed by Katie-Ann McDonough, this fun and irreverent new comedy celebrates classical music and – at last – recognises the work of a composer overlooked for her sex.

Joining the previously announced Charlie Russell (The Goes Wrong Show – BBC, The Play That Goes Wrong – West End & Broadway) as Fanny, Corey Montague-Sholay (Bacon – Finborough Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe, Riverside Studios, Bristol Old Vic & Soho Playhouse, New York, Wendy & Peter Pan – Leeds Playhouse) as Felix, Harry Kershaw (The Play That Goes Wrong – West End, Peter Pan Goes Wrong – West End & Broadway) as Paul, Kim Ismay (Elf The Musical – West End, Wicked – West End, UK & International Tour) as Lea, George Howard (Sherwood – BBC, Witness for the Prosecution – London County Hall) as Willhelm and Jade May Lin (professional debut) as Clara. 

Joining McDonough on the creative team are Yshani Perinanayagam (Emilia – West End, Wolf Witch Giant Fairy – Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House) as Composer & Musical Director, HJB Casting as Casting Director, Sophia Pardon (The Wizard of Oz – Watermill Theatre, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying – Southwark Playhouse) as Set & Costume Designer, David Howe (The Mind Mangler – West End, Off-Broadway & UK Tour, A Comedy About A Bank Robbery – West End & UK Tour)as Lighting Designer, Thomas André Wasley (Touching The Void – Hong Kong Arts Festival & West End, Wolf Witch Giant Fairy – Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House) as Sound Designer, Hannah Gilbert asCostume Supervisor, Olivia Wolfenden as Company Stage Manager on Book and Sophy Johnston as Assistant Stage Manager.

Director Katie-Ann McDonough said, “FANNY is a story that needs to be told and I’m excited to bring it to life with this incredible cast and creative team. Fanny Mendelssohn’s story has been waiting in the background for far too long and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it with us.”

Producer Rebecca Gwyther said, “We could not have hoped for a more symphonic team to bring FANNY to life at the Watermill Theatre. After years of development, we’re ready for audiences to experience Fanny’s story in this imaginative comedy that’s certain to strike a chord.”

Joint CEOs of The Watermill, Artistic Director Paul Hart, Executive Director Claire Murray, said, “We’re delighted to be collaborating with Rebecca and the team to stage the world premiere of FANNY at the Watermill Theatre.  We think audiences will love this hilarious new play inspired by the remarkable truth of who actually composed Felix Mendelssohn’s greatest hits!”

HurlyBurly Presents

YOU ARE THE SUN

A VERY FIRST OPERA FOR 0-2 YEAR OLDS

AT LONDON’S SOUTHBANK CENTRE

The Royal Festival Hall at London’s Southbank centre welcomes HurlyBurly Theatre’s You are the Sun, a folk inspired opera for babies and grownups that explores the magic of nature from 29th May – 2nd June 2024. 

HurlyBurly Theatre make playful theatrical experiences for babies and adults with classical singing at their heart where babies are free to be themselves and grown-ups have a chance to relax, bond and play. You are the Sun combines the joy of gentle classical singing and sensory play and is an invitation to see beauty in the smallest things and to let plants be your guide. The interactive and playful set casts a magical spell with locally foraged plants, water, light and soil. parents are led by their babies to reconnect with the natural world.

“You Are The Sun by HurlyBurly is a masterclass in how early years theatre should be created.”

Zoe Pickering, Z-Arts Head of Programming

“I really can’t praise this show enough. Hurly Burly have a knack of creating unique and enchanting musical theatre for babies and young children (see their previous show ‘Meet me a Tree), but this is a knockout. The performances are highly accomplished yet playful, the set design is spot on (pun intended), and the music is suitably celestial (imagine children’s songs, but from the Wickerman, composed by Vaughan Williams). Someone needs to release this on record!” .

Audience response at Brixton House Theatre Dec 23

​​Artistic Directors Sarah Forbes and Catherine Carter founded HurlyBurly in 2016 having become new parents themselves. The duo who originally trained as classical singers began to work together to create shows they wanted to experience at that time which are as much for new parents as they are for babies. Everyone is free to move around and interact with the performers and space in whatever way they choose. Parents are given a rare opportunity to sit back and relax enveloped in beautiful, soothing and mesmeric music. HurlyBurly shows have since toured across the UK  including at Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Polka Theatre, The Egg Theatre Royal Bath and Hullabaloo Darlington – National Centre for Creativity in Early Childhood.

Catherine Carter and Sarah Forbes, co-founders of HurlyBurly said: “We believe in creating high quality experiences for very young children and their parents to introduce them to the magic of theatre in a safe stress-free space for them to explore at their own pace.   Over and again audiences comment on how mesmerised their children were by the music, the singing and the sensory play.  For us as artists the experience never gets boring because every show is different depending on who is in the room with us. The babies become the performance – it is a great privilege to share this moment of vulnerability and adventure with new parents and their tiny children.’

You are the Sun is created by Catherine Carter and Sarah Forbes with words and music by Catherine Carter and design by Kirsty Harris. The show’s development has been supported by The Egg (Theatre Royal Bath), Portsmouth Guildhall and Watermans Arts Centre as well as Arts Council England.

Currently touring, the show will also visit Farnham Maltings, Half Moon (London), Portsmouth Guildhall, Sefton library, Bolton library, Houghton Regis library, Manchester library (part of Baby Week), Wimbledon New Theatre, Cast (Doncaster), MAC  (Birmingham), Chats Palace, The Gulbenkian and Aberystwyth Arts Centre, whilst also working with the Lancashire Refugee Integration Team to provide free access to the show for newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers.

It has previously toured to Z-Arts Manchester, The Egg Theatre Royal Bath, Polka Theatre, Hullabaloo, Chichester Theatre, Hat Factory Luton, The Montgomery Sheffield, Wonderarts St Helens and libraries across the UK.

Celebrate the gift of nature in this relaxed and playful opera for babies and grown-ups. Help to conjure a world out of breath, water, sunlight and soil in a magical musical adventure for 0 – 2-year-olds. Tickets are on sale now at www.southbankcentre.co.uk

You can find out more about HurlyBurly and the tour of You are the Sun at www.hurlyburlytheatre.com or on Facebook: @HurlyBurlyCo // Instagram and X @hurlyburly_co

Beauty & the Beast comes to Leeds

Get lost in the classic fairy-tale this June with Northern Ballet 

Leeds Grand Theatre 

4-9 June 2024

Northern Ballet’s glittering Beauty & the Beast arrives at Leeds Grand Theatre this June, offering the perfect fairy-tale escapism to kick off the summer season.  

Choreographed by David Nixon CBE, this enchanting reimagining of the classic story will transport audiences to a world of colour, filled with fairies, goblins and sprites, where magic hides around every corner. 

Beauty & the Beast tells the tale of Beauty who selflessly leaves her family to live with a hideous Beast in his castle in exchange for her father’s life. As time goes by, she grows strangely fond of her host and discovers he hides an extraordinary secret. He was once a handsome prince cursed for his vanity and arrogance, a curse that can only be broken by true love. 

The ballet features elaborate mirrored sets by Duncan Hayler, haute couture-style costumes by Nixon and is set to an infectious score of classic music including the likes of Bizet and Debussy, played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia. Visit northernballet.com/beauty to find out more and secure tickets.  

Northern Ballet is hosting an audio-described performance and touch tour of the ballet for visually-impaired patrons on Saturday 8 June. For more information about additional events at the theatre, visit northernballet.com/accessible-performances 

CLIVE ROWE TO DIRECT AND STAR IN HACKNEY EMPIRE’S 25^TH PANTOMIME

DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT

RUNNING FROM 23 NOVEMBER 2024 TO 5 JANUARY 2025

Artistic Director Yamin Choudury, Executive Director Jo Hemmant and the whole team at Hackney Empire, are delighted to announce that Olivier Award-winner Clive Rowe will return to direct and star in Hackney Empire’s 25^th pantomime, Dick Whittington and his Cat.

Dick Whittington and his Cat will run at Hackney Empire fromSaturday 23 November to Sunday 5 January, with a press performance at 7pm on Thursday 5 December. Priority booking for Friends and Supporters opens on Tuesday 16 April at 10am. Tickets go on sale to the public from 10am on Tuesday 23 April at www.hackneyempire.co.uk.

To find out how to become a Friend, please visit https://www.hackneyempire.co.uk/support-us/become-a-friend

Hackney Empire’s pantomime is one of the most iconic in the UK. The first pantomime of the modern era was Aladdin starring Peter Duncan in 1988, after the venue was turned from a bingo hall back into a working theatre in the 1980s by Roland and Claire Muldoon, and there have been 24 pantomimes since. This year’s festive season will burst into life with the 25^th Hackney Empire pantomime, celebrating decades of providing joy for all the family, and in several cases, a vital introduction to the magic of theatre .

In what will be his 17^th pantomime at Hackney Empire , Olivier award-winning panto royalty Clive Rowe will direct and star as the Dame, with full cast and creative team to be announced.

Join Dick on his search for fortune, fame and new beginnings! Along the way, he’ll experience the adventure of a lifetime, battling rats, falling in love, and finding himself on the path to becoming the Mayor of London!

Get ready for a joyful reimagining of this classic rags to riches tale, featuring all your favourite pantomime ingredients. From an unbelievable cast to extravagant costumes; from audience participation to sensational song and dance numbers, what more could you ask for?!

Clive Rowe said, “What a privilege it is to be part of this great tradition at the Hackney Empire. 24 pantomimes, around 1,000,000 audience members so far, and we can’t wait to welcome new faces and welcome back familiar faces for our 25^th! This will be my 17th year as Dame and fourth year directing. Join me and Dick Whittington, the boy that strives to make his dreams become a reality, for more festive fun, high jinks, laughter, love and banging tunes.”

Playing with fire, Rock, Paper, Scissors comes to
The Hope Theatre
Tuesday 7th May – Saturday 11th May 2024
The Hope Theatre, 207 Upper St, London N1 1RL

Born from a savvy short sketch and returning to the stage following a hugely successful debut in 2023, Rock Paper, Scissors is a playful comedy of errors with a deeply dark twist. Written and directed by Chess Hayden, this farcical thriller will uncover the rawness of human nature, where the game of Rock, Paper, Scissors is used to make life-changing decisions.

Following Dylan and Lucy, best friends and housemates, this satirical journey of friendship, lovers and even manslaughter, will explore the trajectory of the pair’s relationship as they descend into unexpected chaos. Reprising the role of Lucy will be Emma Lo (Guardians of the Galaxy, Secret Cinema) and also returning to his role will be Jimmy Roberts as Dylan. Rejoining this terrific cast in the role of Jemma will be Megan Cooper (Love Talks, New Wimbledon Theatre, Othello, Birmingham Hippodrome).

As the situation escalates and the stakes get higher, this gripping production toys with themes of control and how much of life is ever really left up to chance? Based around human nature and the intricacies of our individual moral compass, this dynamic and delightful production is a riveting new comedy with a cutting edge script.

Director and Writer Chess Hayden comments, We’ve all used a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to make inconsequential decisions, but what if the result changed your life? Or someone else’s? This show is an exploration of morality grey areas whilst still staying true to the typical nature of farce; pairing absurdity with high stakes as the characters use the game to make momentous choices. We’re absolutely delighted to have the second run of our show chosen as part of The Hope Theatre’s final programme of 2024