ACTING FOR OTHERS’ INAUGURAL WEST END FLEA MARKET RAISED OVER £26,000

ACTING FOR OTHERS’ INAUGURAL WEST END FLEA MARKET RAISED OVER £26,000

Theatrical charity Acting for Others today announces that over £26,000 was raised at the inaugural West End Flea Market on Saturday 19 May held at St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden, with thousands of people in attendance.

Top West End shows set up stalls full of theatrical goodies and designed showstopping centre pieces – which were on display for judges Christopher BigginsCelia Imrie and Wayne Sleep. Running stalls on the day were company members from The Book of Mormon, HamiltonThe Phantom of the OperaThe Play That Goes WrongMamma Mia!Les MiserablesThe MousetrapOnly Fools and Horses and Royal Opera House, manned by Dame Monica Mason.

Taking the prize of Best Dressed Stall this year was Only Fools and Horses with an array of delights including Pina Colada cupcakes, a hoopla for beer bottles containing show trivia, Trigger’s Kissing Booth and one-off treats signed by the company. The winner of the showstopper competition was Mischief Theatre’s The Play That Goes Wrong, proving that sometimes they actually do get it right.

Harriet Thorpe and Tom Read Wilson went up against Wendi Peters and Annette Badland in a fiercely fought Biggins’ Bargains. Their ill-gotten gains competed in Biggins Bargains’ auction – overseen by the man himself, with Harriet and Tom the victors with the two teams raising almost £700 for Acting for Others.

Other stars also popped in to show their support including Come From Away’s Rachel TuckerEverybody’s Talking About Jamie’s Layton Williams and the star of the new Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Jac Yarrow who signed for fans in the celebrity tent; Julian GloverBonnie LangfordBelinda LangHayley MillsPeter PolycarpouHugh Sachs and Graham Seed; and there were long queues for the legend that is Su Pollard’s fortune telling. Refreshments were provided by The Theatre Café and The Nell of Old Drury. Entertainment was provided by The Royal Theatrical Fund ChoirMariachi Loco BandMichael BatchelorRobert Pearce and magician, Henri White.

Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen, co-Chair of Acting for Others said today, “We were overwhelmed by the support for Acting for Others’ first West End Flea Market, with queues around the block. It was a joy to share this special event with so many people who share our love of theatre. A huge thank you to the shows, our judges and ambassadors that took part to make Saturday such a success. We can’t wait to see what next year brings!”

The event was sponsored by SpotlightThe Mackintosh FoundationReward Gateway and Joe Allen.

www.actingforothers.co.uk       

Twitter: @ActingForOthers / #WestEndFleaMarket

Full cast for Mamet’s Bitter Wheat starring John Malkovich announced today

FULL CAST FOR BITTER WHEAT

STARRING JOHN MALKOVICH

ANNOUNCED TODAY

Rehearsals have begun for David Mamet’s new play Bitter Wheat which opens at the Garrick Theatre in London on Friday 7 June 2019, with a press night on Wednesday 19 June 2019.  The run, which was originally scheduled to finish on 14 September, now finishes on Saturday 21 September 2019.

Joining the previously announced John Malkovich as Barney Fein, Doon Mackichan as Sondra and Ioanna Kimbrook as Yung Kim Li are:  Alexander Arnold as Roberto, Teddy Kempner as Doctor Wald, Matthew Pidgeon as The Writer and Zephryn Taitte as Charles Arthur Brown.  (A photograph of the full company with David Mamet can be downloaded from the link above).

The multi award-winning John Malkovich returns to the West End stage after nearly 30 years to play top dog Hollywood producer Barney Fein in Bitter Wheat

Malkovich, one of the world’s most revered actors, is best known for his many films including Dangerous LiaisonsBeing John MalkovichCon Air and Mulholland Drive. He recently received widespread critical acclaim playing Hercule Poirot in a new BBC TV Agatha Christie adaptation. 

The Pulitzer prize winning David Mamet has written some of the most iconic plays of the last 50 years includingSexual Perversity in Chicago, American Buffalo, Glengarry Glen Ross, Speed-the-Plow, and Oleanna.

Doon Mackichan, who is well known for her extensive TV work which includes creating and starring in the hit comedy series Smack the Pony for Channel 4, Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge, Plebs for ITV2 andTwo Doors Down for the BBC, will play Barney Fein’s assistant, Sondra.         

Ioanna Kimbook makes her debut West End performance in Bitter Wheat.  Ioanna recently filmed an episode of the BBC comedy, Inside No. 9.

Alexander Arnold’s recent theatre credits include Shopping and F***ing at the Lyric Hammersmith, Crushed Shells and Mud at Southwark Playhouse, and Luna Gale and Four Minutes Twelve Seconds at Hampstead Theatre.  For film, he will appear in Danny Boyle’s Yesterday and is in the TV BAFTA nominated and RTS Award-winning drama series, Save Me for Sky Atlantic. Further television credits include E4’s Skins and A Mother’s Son.

Teddy Kempner’s extensive theatre work includes Caroline, or Change at the Playhouse, Hampstead Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre, A Month in the Country and Six Pictures of Lee Miller in Chichester and The Merry Wives of Windsor, Three Sisters and Nicholas Nickleby for the RSC.  His films include Truly Madly Deeplyand Yentl.

Matthew Pidgeon’s theatre credits include Local Hero and The Glass Menagerie at the Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh;  This House in Chichester West End and on tour,  Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies for the RSC andThe James Plays for the National Theatre of Scotland.  Films include Mary Queen of Scots,  State and Main andA Shot of Glory.

Zephryn Taitte has just completed a major tour of Glengarry Glen Ross.  Other theatre includes Trust at the Gate Theatre, Result at the Pleasance Theatre, The Tempest and Romeo and Juliet at Oval House and Talawa’s production of The Crucible.  His films include No Shade, Dirty Money, Run it Off and White.  TV credits includeCall the Midwife, Urban Myths, The Hour and Brothers With No Game.

David Mamet directs Bitter Wheat, with designs by Christopher Oram and lighting by Neil Austin.

Bitter Wheat is produced by Jeffrey RichardsSteve Traxler and Smith & Brant Theatricals.

For more information, please see www.bitterwheatplay.com

CHARACTER PORTRAITS RELEASED FOR NEW WEST END COMPANY OF HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

H A R R Y   P O T T E R   A N D   T H E   C U R S E D   C H I L D

PARTS ONE AND TWO

NEW WEST END COMPANY CHARACTER PORTRAITS RELEASED

OF THE POTTERS, THE GRANGER-WEASLEYS AND THE MALFOYS

FIRST PERFORMANCE WEDNESDAY 22 MAY 2019

WWW.HARRYPOTTERTHEPLAY.COM

Today (20 May 2019), the Producers of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child release the latest set of character portraits ahead of the fourth West End cast’s first performance at London’s Palace Theatre on Wednesday 22 May 2019.  

Seen together in character for the first time as the iconic Potters, Granger-Weasleys and Malfoys are Michelle Gayle as Hermione Granger, Rayxia Ojo as Rose Granger-Weasley and Thomas Aldridge as Ron Weasley; Jamie Ballard as Harry Potter, Susie Trayling as Ginny Potter withDominic Short as Albus Potter; and James Howard as Draco Malfoy and Jonathan Case as Scorpius Malfoy.  

The Potters
 
l-r Jamie Ballard (Harry Potter), Susie Trayling (Ginny Potter) and Dominic Short (Albus Potter)
The Granger-Weasleys
 
l-r Michelle Gayle (Hermione Granger), Rayxia Ojo (Rose Granger-Weasley) and Thomas Aldridge (Ron Weasley)
The Malfoys
 
l-r Jonathan Case (Scorpius Malfoy) and James Howard (Draco Malfoy)
The Next Generation
 
l-r Dominic Short (Albus Potter), Jonathan Case (Scorpius Malfoy) and Rayxia Ojo (Rose Granger-Weasley)

The Girl on The Train transfers to London’s Duke of York’s Theatre in July starring Samantha Womack

RECORD-BREAKING PRODUCTION OF

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN Transfers To the West End This Summer

STARRING SAMANTHA WOMACK

TRANSFERS TO THE WEST END

23 July – 17 August 2019

Duke of York’s Theatre

The Girl on the Train starring Samantha Womack as Rachel Watson will transfer to London’s Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Lane for a limited run from 23 July to 17 August 2019.

The gripping thriller, based on the internationally acclaimed number one best-selling novel by Paula Hawkins and the Dreamworks film has been breaking box office records and playing to packed houses on a major tour since the beginning of the year.

Samantha plays Rachel Watson who longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love.  Or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated.

Paula Hawkins said after watching the show:  ‘Sam was amazing.  You could literally hear a pin drop.Everyone was holding their breath’

Samantha Womack has starred extensively in television, film and theatre.  She is best known for playing Ronnie Mitchell in BBC1’s EastEnders. Other television credits include roles in Silent Witness, Mount Pleasant and the hugely popular Game On.  Her recent films include: Kingsman: The Golden Circle and Kingsman: The Secret Service alongside Colin Firth Samantha recently played Morticia in a tour of The Addams Family.

Samantha said:  ‘I am absolutely loving playing Rachel in The Girl on the Train.  She’s such an interesting character to play, and we’ve had a brilliant reception from our audiences who have been gripped by her story.  This tour has already been the journey of a life-time and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to bring it to the West End.’

Further casting for the London run to be announced.

Paula Hawkins’ novel is an international phenomenon, selling over twenty million copies world-wide.  Produced by Simon Friend, Amblin Entertainment and Josh AndrewsThe Girl

on the Train is adapted by Rachel Wagstaff Duncan Abel and is directed by Anthony Banks with set and costumes by James Cotterill, lighting by Jack Knowles, composition and sound by Ben & Max Ringham, video by Andrzej Goulding and fights by Alison de Burgh

The Girl on the Train is currently in Nottingham and continues its UK and Ireland travelling on toShrewsbury, Dublin, Belfast, Brighton, Sheffield, Norwich, Guildford, OxfordCanterbury,Birmingham, Aberdeen, Bradford, High Wycombe, Cambridge, Plymouth, Swindon, Bromley, Malvern, Woking, Eastbourne, Cardiff and Brighton.

Duke of York’s Theatre

St Martins’ Lane

London

Dates:  23 July – 17 August 2019

Monday – Saturday evenings – 7.30pm 

Thursday Matinee, 2.30pm – 25 July 

Wednesday Matinee 2.30pm – 31 July onwards

Telephone Booking : 0844 871 7623
Calls cost 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.

www.atgtickets.com

@girlontrainplay

UK & Ireland Tour Schedule

Theatre Royal, Nottingham                                          trch.co.uk/

20 – 25 May 2019                                                            0115 989 5555

Shrewsbury Theatre Severn                                         www.theatresevern.co.uk/

27 May – 1 June 2019                                                     01743 281281

Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin                              www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/

3 – 8 June 2019                                                                 +353 (1) 677 7999

Grand Opera House, Belfast                                        www.goh.co.uk

11 – 15 June 2019                                                            028 9024 1919 

Theatre Royal, Brighton                                                 www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton/

17 – 22 June 2019                                                            0844 871 7615 

Sheffield Lyceum                                                             www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/

24 – 29 June 2019                                                            0114 249 6000

Norwich Theatre Royal                                                  www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk/

1 – 6 July 2019                                                                   01603 63 00 00.  On sale from 9 November

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford                           www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/

8 – 13 July 2019                                                                01483 440000

Oxford Playhouse                                                            www.oxfordplayhouse.com

15 – 20 July 2019                                                              01865 305305                                   

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury                                    www.marlowetheatre.com

20 – 24 August 2019                                                       01227 787787.

Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham                                 www.atgtickets.com

26 – 31 August 2019                                                       0844 871 3011

Her Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen                              www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

3-7 September 2019                                                       01224 641122

The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford                               www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

10-14 September 2019                                                  01274 432000

Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe                               www.wycombeswan.co.uk

17- 21 September 2019                                                 01494 512 000

Cambridge Arts Theatre                                                www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

23 – 28 September 2019                                               01223 503333

Theatre Royal Plymouth                                                www.theatreroyal.com

30 September – 5 October 2019                                01752 267222 

Wyvern Theatre, Swindon                                            www.swindontheatres.co.uk

7 – 12 October 2019                                                       01793 524481

Churchill Theatre, Bromley                                          www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

14 – 19 October 2019                                                     020 3285 6000

Malvern Theatres                                                            www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

21 – 26 October 2019                                                     01684 892277

New Victoria Theatre, Woking                                    www.atgtickets.com

28 October – 2 November 2019                                 0844 871 7645

Eastbourne Theatres                                                      www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk

4 – 9 November 2019                                                     01323 412 000                                                 

New Theatre, Cardiff                                                      www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

12-16 November 2019                                                   029 2087 8889                 

Blackpool Winter Gardens                                           www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

19-23 November 2019                                                   01253 625252

Casting announced for The Exonerated at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester

Hope Mill Theatre announce exciting cast for northern premiere of death row drama, The Exonerated

Actors will appear on stage, and in filmed footage, in the

true crime documentary-inspired production

Runs Thursday 6 to Sunday 16 June 2019

On sale now

An exciting cast of experienced stage and screen performers – who will appear both in person and in integrated filmed footage – has been announced for the forthcoming northern premiere of The Exonerated at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester.


Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen’s play The Exonerated, directed by Hope Mill Artistic Director and co-founder Joseph Houston, has been reimagined in the style of a television true crime documentary and will run from Thursday 6 to Sunday 16 June 2019.


The production will blend live theatre and filmed footage to create a unique, fully integrated multimedia experience with staging inspired by true crime documentaries currently popular on television streaming services.

Casting for The Exonerated has now been announced, with rehearsals underway. Cast members will either appear live on stage at Hope Mill Theatre, or in integrated filmed footage.

The on-stage cast features Charles Angiama (One Man, Two Guvnors – Torch Theatre, My Week With Marilyn),Ben Boskovic (The Secret Garden – Barn Theatre, Paper Hearts: A High Street Musical – Upstairs at the Gatehouse), Rebecca Eastham (Not Dead Enough – UK Tour, Hollyoaks), Richard Galloway (The Trials of Oscar Wilde – Lyric Theatre, Entertaining Mr Sloane – The Plays The Thing) and Jason Lamar Ricketts (Hamlet- Royal Exchange Theatre, A Taste of Honey – Epstein Theatre). Appearing onfilm is Gary Fannin (Kingsman: The Golden Circle, 24: Live Another Day), Eva Fontaine (Emilia – Young Vic, Doctors – BBC), Lucy Greenaway (The Witches, Dundee Rep Theatre), Jack Kristiansen (Macbeth – Brighton Shakespeare Company, Romeo & Juliet – Oslo Shakespeare Company), Kevin Mathurin (The Shawshank Redemption – UK Tour, Justice League), Pippa Winslow (Strangers on a Train – Gielgud Theatre, Buried Child – Trafalgar Studios) and Law X (S.W.A.T. – CBS, To Tell The Truth – ABC).

Taken from interviews, letters, transcripts, case files and the public record, The Exonerated tells true stories of six wrongfully-convicted survivors of death row in their own words.


Moving between first-person monologues, courtrooms and prisons; six interwoven stories paint a picture of an American criminal justice system gone horribly wrong – and of six brave souls who persevered to survive it.


Artistic Director Joseph Houston, said: “I am so thrilled with the amazingly diverse cast we have found for The Exonerated. Many of our filmed actors have incredible experience and I know they will really capture the documentary style filming as well as make these heart-wrenching stories very real.

“We have also assembled an exciting group of actors who will play live in the production and multi-role many different characters to help bring these stories to life.

“I can’t wait to get started and to share The Exonerated with our audiences.”

The Exonerated premiered Off Broadway in 2002 (where it won a Lucille Lortel Award and a Drama Desk Award as well as an Outer Critics Circle Award), was made in to a 2005 film starring Susan Sarandon and Danny Glover, and then a production ran at the Riverside Studios in London in 2006.


The Exonerated is written by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, directed by Joseph Houston, filmography by Grant Archer, lighting design by Aaron Dootson, sound design by Elliya Evans and casting by Jane Deitch. Produced by William Whelton for Hope Mill Theatre.


It is Hope Mill Theatre’s second in-house play directed by Houston, following a highly successful run of David Auburn’s Proof in 2018.

The Exonerated runs at Hope Mill Theatre from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 16 June 2019. Press Night is Sunday 9th June. Tickets, from £10, available from www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk

Childrens Cast Announced for Adrian Mole in the West End

CHILDRENS CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

SUE TOWNSEND’S

THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE AGED 13¾ – THE MUSICAL

AT THE AMBASSADORS THEATRE

The producers of Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾ – The Musical, are delighted to announce the childrens cast taking on the pivotal roles of Adrian, Pandora, Barry and Nigel.

Nicholas Antoniou-Tibbitts from Westminster, Aaron Gelkoff from Redbridge, Michael Hawkins from Haringey and Rufus Kampa from Buckinghamshire will alternate the role of Adrian. Molly May Gibson from Kent, Matilda Hopkins from Buckinghamshire, Rebecca Nardin from Surrey and Riya Vyas from Richmond will alternate the role of Pandora. Jack Gale from Hertfordshire, Aaron Shaw from Hertfordshire, Charlie Stripp from West Sussex and Kobi Watson from Croydon will alternate the role of Barry. Regan Garcia from Bexley, Albert Green from Buckinghamshire, Cuba Kamanu from Cambridge and Jeremiah Davan Waysome from Newham will alternate the role of Nigel. All children in the cast are between the ages of 12 – 14 years old.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾ – The Musical will open at the Ambassadors Theatre for a limited season from 15 June until 12 October 2019, with a Gala Night on Tuesday 2 July. The musical has book and lyrics by Jake Brunger, music and lyrics by Pippa Cleary and direction byLuke Sheppard.

Set in 1980s Leicester, this adaptation of Sue Townsend‘s best-selling book is a timeless tale of teenage angst, family struggles and unrequited love, told through the eyes of tortured poet and misunderstood intellectual Adrian Mole. One of the most enduring comedy characters of all time, he is the hapless, hilarious, spotty teenager who captured the zeitgeist of 1980s Britain, and this critically acclaimed production brings Adrian’s story to life for a new generation of theatregoers.

“Honestly. My family just don’t understand me. Perhaps when I am famous and my diary is discovered people will understand the torment of being a 13¾ year-old intellectual” Adrian Mole.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ was Townsend’s first novel and was originally published in 1982 by Methuen, but is now published by Penguin Books. It has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, been translated into 30 languages, and spawned seven sequel Adrian Mole novels. The novels have previously been adapted for the stage, radio and television.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾ – The Musical has choreography by Rebecca Howell,set and costume design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design byGregory Clarke, musical direction by Mark Collins, musical supervision & orchestrations by Paul Herbert, children’s casting by Jo Hawes CDG and additional casting by Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG.

This production is produced by Anthony Clare, Ramin Sabi, Knickerbockerglory, Mark Puddle/Vicky Graham and Curve.

Originally commissioned by Curve and Royal and Derngate, Northampton.

Website: www.adrianmolethemusical.com

Facebook: adrianmolethemusical

Twitter: @adrianmoleuk        

Instagram: AdrianMoleUK

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾ – The Musical

15 June – 12 October 2019

Ambassadors Theatre

West Street

London

WC2H 9ND

Ticket Prices: Previews from £15

Performance Times:

Monday – Saturday 7.30pm*

Matinees – Thursday & Saturday 2.30pm

Additional matinee Tuesday 23 July

*7pm start on Tuesday 2 July

Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes (including interval)

Box Office: 0843 904 0061*

*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s usual access charge

www.atgtickets.com  

Happy Jack Review

Jack Studio Theatre – until 25 May 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

John Godber’s 1982 play about the lives of miner Jack and his wife Liz is inspired by his grandparents and is an emotional and nostalgic treat. The story of Jack (Jonny Magnanti) and Liz (Tracey-Ann Wood) is told in reverse, beginning with the actors introducing the characters to the audience and describing their early deaths from the dust and cancer respectively and ending with Jack asking Liz to go out with him.

Looking at the characters through a 21st century lens is problematic, but Jack and Liz are people of their time and environment and are instantly recognisable and relatable. Jack’s poetic aspirations are never quite crushed by the darkness of the pit, and Liz’s time in service and the women she grew up around ensure her focus is keeping a clean house. Their only respite from the daily routine is their annual holiday at the seaside.

Magnanti and Wood have wonderful chemistry as they take us through the couple’s story, with Magnanti keeping Jack’s constant frustration visibly simmering away and Wood brilliant as nervy Liz and a hoot as a rival Welsh miner and her grandson.

Jack’s temper and physicality is quickly brushed under the carpet, much as it would have been in real life, but Godber ensures that Jack is never wholly unlikeable. Godber includes some wonderfully witty and petty arguments that couples get into after so many years together, and there are some wonderfully tender moments as the couple reminisce about music and films. Crucially, love is shown through insults and scorn – the only overt softness we see from Jack is with his grandson in a beautifully executed scene – which is the way it was and is in many British homes. Godber captures the working-class mindset, with all its strengths and weaknesses perfectly without ever becoming overly sentimental – their life was bloody hard. Even though Godber isn’t sentimental, any audience members who grew up in mining or industrial communities may need extra tissues – even with the Yorkshire accents, there were times when I was a sobbing mess as I was transported back to my grandparents’ home in the Welsh Valleys by certain phrases and events.

A wonderful time capsule of a play full of warmth and bittersweet joy, Happy Jack is well worth a look.

Scripts for Supper: The Wind in the Willows Review

Stepney City Farm until 19 May; Spitalfields City Farm 24 May–2 June, Mudchute City Farm 29–30 June

Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert

3***

Can’t decide whether to go out for a meal, see a show or socialise? Why not do all three at once? Scripts for Supper is touring some of London’s inner-city farms this summer, serving up a cheerful adaptation of The Wind in the Willows interspersed with four courses of fine food (plus cocktail and canape). It’s a very leisurely and sociable way to eat and watch, sitting outdoors at long tables, with courses served between scenes in the play. The performers double up as waiters (you have to feel sorry for actors who hoped to give up the waiting day job when they landed this part).

The plot is faithful to the 1908 children’s book by Kenneth Grahame, but it’s completely lighthearted and silly with none of the original’s dark undertow of suppressed yearnings. In this version Mole and Toad are women, and together with Ratty, Badger and a narrator they tell the story through acting, mime, vocal sound effects, singing and a few musical instruments. They perform between and around the tables, so the general effect is of jesters at a jolly feast. With no scenery and hardly any props, the actors have to work hard to get the audience to suspend disbelief, and sometimes the fun felt a bit strained. Mostly it worked, even when the rain was pouring over the performers through a gap in the tarpaulin roof. I would like to tell you who they were, but there was no programme and I can’t find them on the website – sorry.

The fine-food-with-theatre idea is the dreamchild of artistic director Annie McKenzie, who graduated from East 15 drama school in 2013 and got to the semi-finals of BBC’s MasterChef in 2016. Food writer Juanita Hennessey is head chef and menu-designer. Ah yes, the food – it was all tasty, satisfying and prettily served, with lots of fresh herbs and interesting flavours. The soup looked absolutely beautiful strewn with fresh flowers, and the (mmm, lovely) guava possett arrived in a dainty teacup. At risk of sounding like a whingey food-writer, I would say the humus toast was cut a little too thick. Some sunshine would have been nice, and it was a shame that Stepney’s farm animals were tucked away in bed. Otherwise, it was food, fun and friendliness, and who wouldn’t want that?

Salomé Review

Greenwich Theatre – until 25 May

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Oscar Wilde gets the Lazarus treatment in this sumptuously stylish and intense production of Salomé. Wilde’s controversial take on the story of the death of John the Baptist (Jokanaan) gives Salome more agency than the Bible, with her own lust and desire being as destructive as her stepfather/uncle Herod’s.

Director and designer Ricky Dukes manages to make his minimalist set as opulent as possible through liberal coats of gold paint and scores of gold balloons in the side seating areas that bob constantly in a sparkling shimmer as if those seats were filled with bejewelled nobles and courtiers basking in the golden aura of their tetrarch. Hector Murray’s lighting design and Will Thompson’s sound design are phenomenal, elevating the tense and erotically brooding atmosphere. An interval is introduced to the one act play, with the first part building up to Salomé agreeing to dance for Herod, and the short second act the dance and the aftermath. Although the play is all about the male gaze and objectification, this is Oscar Wilde, and his language is poetic and repetitive. The script is full of similes, mostly about the moon, but has enough witty self-knowledge to have Herodias declare in frustration that “The moon is just the moon!” and Herod warn about seeking symbolism in everything, before continuing to do exactly that.

This production is set in 2019, which doesn’t really affect much apart from modern dress and a few sweary insertions from Herod and Salomé in times of anger or frustration. Salomé is a prince in this production, with Bailey Pilbeam portraying him as an entitled and manipulative man-child who knows exactly how to get what he wants, flirting with anybody to get his own way and completely floored by Jokanaan’s rejection. The dance of the seven veils becomes a slow, languorous striptease as Pilbeam removes his white suit, to Herod’s very obvious enjoyment. Jamal Renaldo is earthy and powerful as the prophet Jokanaan. Jamie O’Neill’s Herod is a wonderfully flawed man in an intense but funny performance cycling between arrogance, fear of losing his power and gazing lustfully at his nephew without missing a beat. His chemistry with the magnetic Annemarie Anang is deliciously toxic, as they try to hide their burning resentment behind false smiles as they entertain their Roman guests, who could ensure their power is crushed by Caesar at any moment. The rest of the cast don’t have much to do after the initial set up of the plot, but their reactions to what unfolds before them are perfectly judged.

Summer Street: The Hilarious Aussie Soap Opera Musical Review

Waterloo East Theatre – until 2 June 2019

Reviewed by Alex Sykes

4****

Set on an Australian T.V set, Summer Street tells the story of four actors who were once big stars and well known who have faded into obscurity but are given a second chance.

The opening scene is set in the 1990s, and 3 of the 4 actors have their characters killed off in strange ways, including a plague that only kills men, a plane hitting a high building and an earthquake that leaves only one survivor. Fast forward to 2003 and out of the four actors only one, Steph (Julie Clare) is still acting. Bruce (Simon Snashall) is a divorced alcoholic, Paul (Myke Cotton) is a hippy and Angie (Sarah-Louise Young) is working in a local supermarket.

The four are invited back to the show for a reunion episode by the unseen executive producer. The four cast members all reminisce about what they have been up to since the show ended whilst also rehearsing for the soap. Although Steph quits, she returns after Paul tells her that he still loves her, referring to the relationship they had in the 1990s.

However things take an unexpected twist when it turns out that Steph owns the show and instead of relaunching Summer Street she has decided to make it into a reality T.V programme. The remaining cast
eventually come around to the idea and Summer Street is relaunched in the new format.

The cast work well together and the songs fit with the story, both in the soap opera and out of it. The set works well as wooden crates are moved to represent beds, cars, dressing rooms and an abandoned mine. The costumes are also simple, with accessories or wigs used to show the different characters.

Andrew Norris, the producer, writer and director, makes the plot line easy to follow with lots of jokes keeping the audience laughing. A special mention to Pogo, the toy dog, who plays Pogo the Summer Street dog, who is just as important as the rest of the cast.