JENNA RUSSELL LEADS THE COMPANY OF THE

MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY’S UK PREMIÈRE OF

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

The Menier Chocolate Factory present

The UK première

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

Book by Marsha Norman

Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown

Directed by Trevor Nunn; Designer: Jon Bausor; Lighting Designer: Tim Lutkin

Sound Designer: Gregory Clarke; Musical Supervisor/Director: Tom Murray

13 July – 14 September 2019

With Orpheus Descending opening at the theatre, and Fiddler on the Roofplaying at the Playhouse Theatre, the Menier Chocolate Factory today announces that Jenna Russell will lead the company for the UK première of the musical of Robert James Waller’s bestselling novel The Bridges of Madison County in a new staging by Trevor Nunn. The production opens on 23 July, with previews from 13 July, and runs until 14 September. Public booking is now open.

Francesca is an Italian immigrant housewife living a happy existence on a farm in the American Midwest.  However, when her family go off to the Iowa State Fair, she meets Robert Kincaid, a National Geographic photographer on assignment filming bridges in the area.  Their initial friendship develops into a brief but passionate affair which has devastating consequences on all of their lives. 

Winner of the Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations, this is some of Jason Robert Brown’smost ravishing and unforgettable music.

The productionsees Trevor Nunn renew his collaboration with the Menier – he previously directed Fiddler on the Roof (currently running at the Playhouse Theatre),Lettice and Lovage, Love in Idleness (also West End), A Little Night Music (also West End and Broadway) and Aspects of Love for the company.

Jenna Russell returns to the Menier to play Francesca – she previously appeared in Merrily We Roll Along (also Harold Pinter Theatre – Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical) and Sunday in the Park With George (Wyndham’s Theatre – Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical; and Studio 54, Roundabout Theater Company – Drama League Award, and Tony Award and Drama Desk nominations for Leading Actress in a Musical). Other theatre work includes Fun Home (Young Vic), Doctor Faustus (Duke of York’s Theatre), Grey Gardens (Southwark Playhouse), Peter Pan the Musical (Royal Festival Hall), Songs for a New World (St James’ Theatre), Di and Viv and Rose (Vaudeville Theatre), Urinetown (St James’ Theatre and Apollo Theatre), Soho Cinders (Soho Theatre), That Day We Sang (MIF), Season’s Greetings (National Theatre), Amy’s View (Garrick Theatre), and Guys and Dolls (Piccadilly Theatre – Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical). For television, her work includes as series regular Michelle Fowler in EastEnders, Call the Midwife, The Ladies Paradise, Better Class of Person and Born and Bred; and for film, The Death and Life of John F. Donovan, Mortdecai, Scared Hearts and The Fear.

Marsha Norman is a playwright and screenwriter. Her theatre credits include Master Butcher’s Singing Club; Third and Oak: The Laundromat; ‘night, Mother – Pulitzer Prize Winner for Drama­; The Secret Garden – Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical; The Red Shoes; The Color Purple; Getting Out; The Pool Hall; The Holdup; Traveler in the Dark; Sarah and Abraham; Loving Daniel Boone; Trudy Blue and Last Dance. Her television credits include In Treatment. For film ‘night, Mother; Face of a Stranger; A Cooler Climate; Custody of the Heart and The Audrey Hepburn Story.

Jason Robert Brown is a three-time Tony Award winning composer and lyricist. His theatre credits include 13,The Last Five Years – which was also adapted into a film in 2015 starring Anna Kendrick, Parade – which won a Tony Award for Best Score, Honeymoon in Vegas, Songs for a New World and Urban Cowboy – which he co-wrote with Jeff Blumenkrantz.

From 1968 to 1986, Trevor Nunn was the youngest ever Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, directing over thirty productions, including most of the Shakespeare canon, as well as Nicholas Nickleby and Les Misérables.  From 1997 to 2003, he was Artistic Director of the National Theatre, where his productions included Troilus and Cressida, Oklahoma!, The Merchant of Venice, Summerfolk, My Fair Lady, A Streetcar Named Desire, Anything Goes and Love’s Labour’s Lost. He has directed the world premières of Tom Stoppard’s plays Arcadia, The Coast of Utopia and Rock n Roll; and of Cats, Sunset Boulevard, Starlight Express and Aspects of Love by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Other theatre includes Timon of Athens, Skellig (Young Vic); The Lady From The Sea (Almeida Theatre); Hamlet, Richard II, Inherit the Wind (The Old Vic), A Little Night Music (Menier Chocolate Factory, West End and Broadway), Cyrano de Bergerac, Kiss Me Kate (Chichester Festival Theatre); Heartbreak House, Flare Path, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, The Tempest (Theatre Royal, Haymarket); Scenes from a Marriage (Coventry & St James), All That Fall (Jermyn Street & New York); A Chorus of Disapproval and Relative Values (West End).  Work for television includes Antony and Cleopatra, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, Three Sisters, Othello, The Merchant of Venice and King Lear, and on film, Hedda, Lady Janeand Twelfth Night. 

This production is produced in association Michael Harrison and David Ian.

Listings Information                                                                                     The Bridges of Madison County

Venue:                                Menier Chocolate Factory

Address:                             53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU

Press performance:         23 July at 8pm

Dates:                                 13 July – 14 September 2019

Times:                                 For the performance schedule, please see the website

Box Office:                         020 7378 1713 (£2.50 transaction fee per booking)

Website:                        www.menierchocolatefactory.com (£1.50 transaction fee per booking)

Tickets:                               Prices vary, as below from discounted preview tickets to premier seats. With the emphasis on ‘the sooner you book, the better the price’:

A meal deal ticket includes a 2-course meal from the pre-theatre menu in the Menier Restaurant as well as the theatre ticket.

www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Twitter: @MenChocFactory

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

SUE TOWNSEND’S

THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE AGED 13¾ – THE MUSICAL

AT THE AMBASSADORS THEATRE,

REHEARSALS BEGIN TODAY

Rehearsals begin today for Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾ – The Musical, which 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 by Luke Sheppard.

The adult cast includes Rosemary Ashe (Felicia Gabriel in The Witches of Eastwick for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award, Carlotta in the original cast of The Phantom of the Opera, Madame Thenardier in Les Misérables, Sister Mary Lazarus in Sister Act UK tour, Kate Hoey MP inCommittee at Donmar Warehouse) as Grandma, Lara Denning (Mrs Wormwood and Miss Honey inMatilda, West End, Ruthless The Musical at Arts Theatre, Mrs Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Theatre Royal Drury Lane) as Miss Elf/Doreen Slater, John Hopkins (Sir Francis Basset inPoldark, BBC, Endeavour, ITV, regular character Sergeant Dan Scott in Midsomer Murders, ITV, The Boys in the Band at Park Theatre/ Vaudeville, Much Ado About Nothing at Rose Theatre Kingston) as Mr Lucas/Mr Scruton, Andrew Langtree (Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day at The Old Vic which earned him an Olivier Award nomination,  Troilus & Cressida for the RSC, Imperium for the RSC, Gielgud Theatre, Justin Gallagher in Emmerdale from 2010 – 2012) as George, Amy Ellen Richardson (Ursula March in Sweet Charity at Donmar Warehouse, Kiss Me Kate at Sheffield Crucible, Beautiful: The Carol King Musical UK Tour, Merrily We Roll Along, Menier Chocolate Factory/Harold Pinter, Les Misérables, Queens Theatre) as Pauline, and Ian Talbot OBE (Artistic and Managing Director of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre until 2008, Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray at Shaftesbury Theatre, the Fool in King Lear, Hortensio in The Taming Of The Shrew and Trinculo inThe Tempest, all for the RSC, Harry Trevor in Kiss Me Kate for BBC Proms, Geoffrey in Alphabetical Order at Bath Theatre Royal/ UK Tour) as Bert Baxtor. Also in the cast are Holly Ashton (1st cover Donna in Mamma Mia!, International tour, A Little Night Music, Frinton Summer Theatre) and Mathew Craig (Narrator in Blood Brothers, UK Tour, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾, Menier Chocolate Factory, Rebel Leader in We Will Rock You, UK Tour and Dominion Theatre). The children’s cast is to be announced.

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  

Phil McIntyre Live proudly presents

2019 UK TOUR

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 17 MAY AT 10AM

From Lennyhenryontour.net

The legendary Sir Lenny Henry will embark on a brand new UK tour this autumn.  Following the October publication of his memoir, Lenny will travel the length, breadth and width of the country withAn Evening with Lenny Henry – Who Am I, Again?, opening in Birmingham on 20 October.  Tickets go on-sale at 10am on Friday 17 May.

In part one of the show, Lenny will take the audience through a jam session of stories both funny and sad  – triggered when writing his memoir – from growing up in the Black Country, puberty, school, friendship, family secrets and unashamed racism. With his mother’s mantra of ‘H’integration’ echoing in his ears, Lenny will recount setting out on his roller coaster ride of a career – but at every stage wondering: Am I good enough? Is this what they want?

In part two, Lenny will be interviewed by friend, broadcaster and author Jon Canter, for further insights into his life and career, followed by questions from the audience. Come and enjoy these honest and tender stories, told with a glorious sense of humour and help Lenny figure out ‘Who Am I Again?’

Lenny said: “I’m looking forward to travelling around and telling these stories. Writing the book was a huge feat and I’m very proud of it – I can’t wait to share more stories and fun about growing up in the Midlands, my early days in the clubs, pubs and discotheques and of course working on Tiswas, Three of a Kind and The Lenny Henry Show. The show promises to be an evening of memories, laughter and fun – I can’t wait to get started.”

Lenny Henry has been a comedian since the age of 16. He has risen from being a cult star on children’s television to one of Britain’s best-known and most celebrated comedians, as well as a writer, radio DJ, TV presenter, co-founder of Comic Relief, and an award-winning actor. Henry has a PhD in Media Arts, and in 2015 was awarded a knighthood for services to charity and drama.  His autobiography, also entitled Who Am I, Again?, is published by Faber & Faber on 3 October 2019.

An Evening with Lenny Henry: Who Am I, Again?

20 October 2019                     Birmingham: Hippodrome

21 October 2019                     Sheffield: City Hall

22 October 2019                     York: Barbican

24 October 2019                     Croydon: Fairfield Hall

25 October 2019                     Bexhill: De La Warr Pavilion

26 October 2019                     Watford: Colosseum

27 October 2019                     Basingstoke: Anvil

29 October 2019                     Leeds: Town Hall

30 October 2019                     Hull: City Hall

31 October 2019                     Gateshead: Sage

01 November 2019                 Edinburgh: Edinburgh International Conference Centre

03 November 2019                 Blackpool: Opera House

04 November 2019                 Salford: The Lowry

05 November 2019                 Bradford: St George’s Hall

06 November 2019                 Liverpool: Empire

08 November 2019                 Hackney: Empire

09 November 2019                 Southampton: Guildhall

10 November 2019                 Plymouth: Pavilions

11 November 2019                 Oxford: New Theatre

12 November 2019                 Bournemouth: Pavilion

14 November 2019                 Nottingham: Royal Concert Hall

15 November 2019                 Tunbridge Wells: Assembly Hall

16 November 2019                 Cardiff: Wales Millennium Centre

17 November 2019                 Coventry: Warwick Arts Centre

18 November 2019                 Northampton: Derngate

20 November 2019                 Southend: Cliffs Pavilion

21 November 2019                 Leicester: De Montfort Hall

22 November 2019                 Dudley: Town Hall

24 November 2019                 Portsmouth: Guildhall

25 November 2019                 Cambridge: Corn Exchange

26 November 2019                 Ipswich: Regent Theatre

27 November 2019                 Wolverhampton: Grand Theatre

28 November 2019                 Bath: Forum

29 November 2019                 Stoke: Regent Theatre

Listings Information

Tickets from: lennyhenryontour.net

Twitter: @LennyHenry

FULL CASTING

ANNOUNCED FOR THE NEW PRODUCTION OF

COMPANY JOINS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED

SHERIDAN SMITH, JASON DONOVAN

& JAC YARROW

Performances begin Thursday 27 June 2019 | London Palladium

Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group are thrilled to confirm full casting for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, following the previous announcements that Sheridan Smith will star as The Narrator,Jason Donovan will return to the show as Pharaoh, and that Jac Yarrow will mark his professional debut asJoseph.

Today’s announcement completes casting for the new production at the world-famous London Palladium, where the production will play a strictly limited 11-week season from Thursday 27 June (Press Night: Thursday 11 July 2019).

Michael Pickering will play Simeon and Richard Carson will be Reuben. Joining them will be Femi Akinfolarin, Casey Al-Shaqsy, JR Ballantyne, Lydia Bannister, Thalia Burt, Michael Cortez, Vanessa Fisher, Ahmed Hamad, Blythe Jandoo, Matt Krzan, Kelsie-Rae Marshall, Billy Mitchell, Georgina Parkinson, Emily Ann Potter, Matthew Rowland, Harriet Samuel-Grey, Carl Spencer, Joshua Steel, Hannah Taylor and Jack Wilcox.

The cast will also include a rotating children’s ensemble, featuring Rihana Akhtar, Mia Byers, Angel Clark, Aoife Connelly, Oliver Crouch, Jacob Dennison, Anna De Oliviera, Tilly Doherty, Nessa Eriksson, Dara Gleeson, Sean Gordon, Maci Hughes, Isabelle Jones, Dino Karakostas, Jamie Kenly, Jaxon Knopf, Olivia Leask, Olivia McNulty, Indiphile Mbonzongwana, Jack Meredith, Chloe Muldowny, Keanna-Skye O’Quinn, Regan Parker, Devon Pomeroy, Etienne Ragoo, Olivia Seagrove, Tom Skoines, Nina Stevenson, Jandice Stewart, Mia Walsh, Luca Willemburg and Sacha Yarwood.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be directed by Laurence Connor (School of Rock Miss Saigon). Laurence will be joined on the creative team by Choreographer JoAnn M Hunter, Morgan Large who will design the set and costumes, Lighting Designer Ben Cracknell and Sound Designer Gareth Owen.

Released as a concept album in 1969,the stage version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has become one of the world’s most belovedfamily musicals. The multi-award-winning show, which began life as a small-scale school concert, has been performed hundreds of thousands of times including multiple runs in the West End and on Broadway, international number one tours, and productions in over 80 countries as far afield as Austria and Zimbabwe and from Israel to Peru! The show features songs that have gone on to become pop and musical theatre standards, including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me, Jacob and Sons, There’s One More Angel In Heaven and Go Go Go Joseph.

Told entirely through song with the help of the Narrator, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoatfollows the story of Jacob’s favourite son Joseph and his eleven brothers. After being sold into slavery by the brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled showman, the Pharaoh. As Joseph strives to resolve Egypt’s famine, he becomes Pharaoh’s right-hand man and eventually reunites with his family.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is produced by Michael Harrison.

New Wimbledon Theatre – 10 May 2019

Reviewed by Catherine Françoise

4****

There was a real buzz about the Gala Night performance of In The Willows at the New Wimbledon Theatre in aid of the National Children’s Deaf Society!  In The Willows has been receiving rave reviews on its’ U.K. tour and deservedly so.  Metta Theatre and Exeter Northcott Theatre have created a twenty-first century, energised, hip-hop / street dance adaptation of Kenneth Williams timeless classic Wind In The Willows with a fab cast of great dancers, brilliant rappers and powerful vocals.  The BSL (British Sign Language) signer was brilliant as well, with great energy and also occasionally integrated into the choreography. The significant number of deaf audience members and their families who were cheering and applauding at the end was very wonderful!  I particularly loved the very moving song in act 2 when Mole took over signing when she couldn’t properly express her feelings with words, instead using her hands to express herself freely ~ a very beautiful moment.

The score has obviously been heavily influenced by Lin-Manuel Miranda and I noted strong influences from In The Heights in ensemble numbers in particular which is no bad thing. The songs are catchy and the lyrics sharp and witty, driving the story forward.  Interesting to see Toad, Ratty, Badger, Mole, Otter, Weasle et al reimagined! The piece itself is updated and set in an inner city school where a nervous, fragile, frightened Mole (also hiding a dark distressing secret) is starting her first day.  Her classmates look a bit scary. Surely Mr Badger will look out for her, as streetwise Ratty, rich kid Toad and cheeky Otter teach her the ways of The Riverbank. But when Toad gets locked up for joyriding, the Weasel Clan break into his (lily) pad. It’s now only a matter of time before Chief Weasel reveals Mole’s dark secret…

Olivier Award winner Clive Rowe (star of Tracy Beaker) stars as Mr Badger. We already know he can raise the roof of any venue with his incredible voice but he demonstrates he can also rap with the best of them as well!   Also cast alongside Rowe are deaf street dancer Chris Fonseca (The Greatest Dancer) as Otter who was extremely warmly received, with a charismatic presence as well as being a great dancer! Victoria Boyce, impressed as Mole with soaring vocals;  Abiola Efunshile gave a strong, feisty Owl; Harry Jardine as Toad completely reinvents this well known character, also making the audience have far more empathy with him than usual; Matt Knight (Let It Shine) is suitably menacing as Chief Weasel, also revealing a more vulnerable side to this character and also demonstrating superb dance abilities! Zara Macintosh as Ratty, Seann Miley Moore (X Factor Finalist) as Duck,  Katherine Picar as Bitchy Rabbit, and Treasure Iyamu as Twitchy Rabbit also delight with their characters.  The whole cast work wonderfully together and each brings something new and touching to each role.

Rowe says: “From the moment I was first introduced to In The Willows I knew it was something I had to be a part of – a classic piece of British theatre given the voice and unquenchable energy of the modern generation.”

I took 3 teenagers with me at the behest of the producers who wanted feedback from younger people as well as adults and these young teens absolutely loved the show, especially the dancing which they said was “very, very good!”  They also loved the rapping, especially when it got really, really, really fast and could still be understood! Have to say Mr Toad was particularly impressive in this regard! 

I was a tad perturbed that 2 of the teens had no clue about the original Wind in the Willows story at all though! (How can this be? Isn’t it required primary school reading any more?!). Not that this adaptation was closely aligned with the original story! But the one girl who had read the original book seemed to understand the story more easily than the two who hadn’t which makes sense!   

Very worth seeing if it comes to a theatre near you on tour!

Recommended for all from age 6+ to any old age at all! In The Willows promises “ballads, beats and backflips” and “fun for the whole family” and it certainly delivers! 

Musical Theatre Cruise Reveals Huge Line-Up For 2019

Smash hit West End and Broadway musical AVENUE Q, the secrets behind brand new musical The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole and a string of West End stars will all feature in the line-up for Stages – the UK’s only musical theatre festival at sea.

Floating Festivals Stages cruise returns this October bringing the glitz, glamour and iconic hits of the West End and Broadway to the high seas.

Classical Brit Award winner Alfie Boe, Olivier and Bafta Award winner Sheridan Smith and the world’s most successful musical theatre group Collabro have already been announced as this year’s headliners.

And today organisers have revealed they will be joined by the West End and Broadway award-winning musical AVENUE Q for three exclusive shows across the four-night cruise. The AVENUE Q shows are exclusive to Stages and will be the first time this hilarious show has ever been performed at a festival, let alone at sea!

Elsewhere award-winning UK Musical Director Nick Barstow will present a series of events onboard including RE:Arrangement starring current Alice Fearn (Wicked), Noel Sullivan (Hearsay and West End star), Andy Coxon (West Side Story) and, Kelly Mathieson (Phantom of the Opera). All will be performing a series of shows and solo performances across the cruise and there will also be a not-to-be-missed group performance celebrating everything from Hammerstein to Hamilton.

For classical music lovers, West End stars Steph Parry and Luke Bayer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Alyn Hawkes (Follies) and Emma Housley (The Wizard of Oz) will present songs from the musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Pippa Clearly and Jake Brunger, the composers and writers of the West End’s newest musical The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole – The Musical, will also be onboard providing an exclusive insight into this exciting new production.

For musical theatre lovers who want to join in and take part, Stages is introducing the Stages Academy – a fully interactive programme of seminars, workshops and events getting into the backstage and behind the scenes element of the West End and Broadway.

Theatreland’s anonymous cult figure West End Producer is also back onboard, there will be a series of Q&A events with industry experts and media and each evening the West End’s best Cabaret Bar SingEasy will provide open mic sessions with all the stars, plus guests will be able to sing-a-long to their musical theatre favourites.

And there is still more to be announced.

Thefour-night Stages roundtrip cruise Southampton-Dublin-Southampton takes place onboard Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas from October 14 – 18. For more information go towww.floatingfestivals.co.uk

This luxurious Stages cruise is produced by Floating Festivals.

Unlike other chartered cruises, Floating Festivals does not just replace the usual cruise ship entertainment programme, it transforms the ship into a full Musical Theatre floating resort.

Jonathan Blackburn, the brainchild behind Floating Festivals, said: “The line-up for Stages 2019 is shaping to be a huge hit.

“This is our second Stages festival. Last year passengers were blown away with the amount of entertainment and activities we had onboard and this year we are creating even more content.

“We have a fantastic line-up planned with performances from huge West End and Broadway stars, exclusive shows, the most hilarious musical theatre comedy with AVENUE Q, fascinating Q&As, the launch of Stages Academy and much more.

“Stages is no basic themed cruise, it is a true music festival at sea celebrating the crème de la crème of the West End and Broadway and gives our guests a 100% showbiz experience in the lap of luxury.”

As well as being part of Floating Festivals passengers will be able to enjoy all the amazing features of the Explorer of the Seas including a miniature golf course, the unique FlowRider surf simulator, the signature Royal Caribbean Rock Wall, ground-breaking virtual balcony cabins, the Vegas style Casino Royale, luxurious Vitality Spa & Fitness Centre, three pools, six whirlpools, Outdoor Cinema and a selection of luxury Boutique Shopping experiences.

All Floating Festivals packages also include complimentary à la carte restaurant and buffet dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Speciality Restaurants are also available for an additional charge.

Stages will depart Southampton for four nights from 14 October 2019 and includes a full day in Dublin.

For more details go to www.FloatingFestivals.co.uk

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR
IDRIS ELBA AND KWAME KWEI-ARMAH’S TREE

Manchester International Festival (MIF), the Young Vic and Green Door Pictures today announce the full cast for Tree, which will receive its world premiere this July at Manchester International Festival, before transferring to the Young Vic in London.

Created by Idris Elba and Kwame Kwei-Armah, this new collaboration is an electrifying blend of drama, music and dance which follows one man’s journey into the heart and soul of contemporary South Africa – with the audience at the centre of the action. The full cast includes: Christian Bradley; Lucy Briggs-Owen; Sinéad Cusack; Kurt Edyiawan; Alfred Enoch; Anna-Kay Alicia Gayle; Joan Iyiola; Anthony Matsena; Daniella May; Patrice Naiambana; Mbulelo Ndabeni and Andile Sotiya.

Directed by Kwei-Armah, Artistic Director of London’s Young Vic, with music inspired by Elba’s albumMi Mandela, Tree is an exhilarating show about identity, family and belonging, seen through the eyes of one man on the toughest journey of his life. Elba will produce along with Green Door Pictures.

It’s just 12 hours from London to his parents’ homeland, but to Kaleo (Alfred Enoch), South Africa is another world. A family tragedy finally forces him to visit for the first time – and as he takes his journey of healing, Kaleo must confront hidden histories and right the wrongs of the past. But first he must face the present: a shattered family, fighting to hold on to what they believe is theirs, in a nation haunted by the ghosts of its own turbulent past.

Director Kwame Kwei-Armah said: “I feel genuinely privileged to be working with this incredible group of actors, dancers and musicians to bring to life our shared vision for Tree, inspired by Idris’s intoxicating Mi Mandela album. As a director and as a producer, what excites me most is our attempt to blur the genre lines; Tree places the audience, standing, at the centre of the action – almost like a club, or a gig – and at the same time it takes them on a theatrical journey with a narrative that emotionally engages. We held some workshops with Alfie Enoch earlier this year, and the atmosphere in that room was fascinating. Now that the wonderful Sinead Cusack has joined us, along with a phenomenally talented group of multi-disciplined artists, I cannot wait to get into rehearsals and prepare to bring that infectious energy to audiences at MIF and the Young Vic later this year.”

Christian Bradley’s theatre credits include Orpheus Descending: Light & Shadow  (Manchester Royal Exchange); Incoming (Hightide/Latitude); Lidless (Trafalgar Studios); Macbeth (Shakespeare’s Globe); Pan (Northern Stage); Bonduca (O.A.E.); Stovepipe (National Theatre/Hightide/Bush); Our Friends in The North (Northern Stage);The Seduction of God (The Wrestling School); Macbeth (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Paradise Lost (Headlong); The Romans In Britain (Crucible Sheffield); Scapino The Trickster (Purcarete/Chichester);  5/11 (Pimlott/Chichester); Antigone (Cheek by Jowl/Old Vic);Merlin (Library Manchester); Mariana Pineda (The Gate); Peer Gynt (Southwark Playhouse); The Stoning (BAC); The Disputation, High Jumpers, Family and Penthesilea (Hampstead; Schweyk(Copeau Festival, France). Film and TV includes: Merlin; Rugby Road; Tainted Heart; Finishing School; Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

Lucy Briggs-Owen’s theatre credits include: Out of Water (Orange Tree); Present Laughter(Chichester Theatre); The Divide, Future Conditional and Fortune’s Fool (Old Vic); The Rivals (Bristol Old Vic); The Night Watch (Manchester Royal Exchange); Communicating Doors (Menier Chocolate Factory); Shakespeare in Love (West End); Midsummer Night’s Dream, Boris Godunov and The Orphan of Zhao (RSC). Television includes: A Very English Scandal; Doc Martin; Siblings.

Sinéad Cusack is an award-winning actress, renowned for her extensive career both on stage and screen.  Theatre credits include: King Lear (Duke of York’s Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre);Stitchers (Jermyn Street Theatre); Splendour (Donmar Warehouse); Our Few & Evil Days (Abbey Theatre); Other Desert Cities (Old Vic Theatre); Juno and the Paycock *(National and Abbey Theatre); Rock ’n’ Roll (Royal Court) – Olivier Award nomination and Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play); The Birds (The Gate), The Cherry Orchard and The Winter’s Tale (The Bridge Project). She has also played many award-winning and award-nominated leading roles for the RSC. Her performance in Our Lady of Sligo at the National Theatre and on Broadway saw her win The Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle awards for Best Actress, as well as an Olivier nomination.  Film includes: Queen & Country (IFTA Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role); The Sea(Winner of the IFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role); Eliza Graves; Wrath of the Titans;Eastern Promises; Cracks; V for Vendetta; Tiger’s Tail (IFTA Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role); Mathilde; I Capture the Castle; Bad Behaviour; Dream; My Mother Frank; Passion In Mind; Stealing Beauty; The Clement Garden; The Nephew; Waterland; Venus Peter. Television includes: MotherFatherSon; Moving On; Call the Midwife; Marcella; A Room With A View; Poirot; Midsomer Murders and North & South.

Kurt Egyiawan graduated from Guildhall in 2011. He won the Spotlight Prize in 2010 and was nominated for the Ian Charleson Award for the best classical stage performance by an actor under 30.  Theatre Credits Include: Mood Music (Old Vic); Othello and Measure for Measure(Shakespeare’s Globe); The Crossings Plays (Royal Court); The Rise and Shine of Comrade Fiasco(Gate Theatre); Richard III; Twelfth Night (both The Belasco Theatre); Season in the Congo (Young Vic Theatre); Berenice (Donmar Warehouse); Henry V (Shakespeare’s Globe); Earthquakes in London (Headlong); King Lear and The Frontline (both Shakespeare’s Globe). Film Credits Include:Beasts of No Nation; Pan; Kill Your Friends and Skyfall.

Alfred Enoch’s theatre work includes Red, at the Wyndham’s Theatre alongside Alfred Molina, King Lear (as Edgar), directed by Michael Buffong; Coriolanus (as Titus), directed by Josie Rourke; Timon of Athens (as Philotus), directed by Nicholas Hytner; Antigone (Chorus) directed by Polly Findlay;Happy New (as Danny) directed by Robert Shaw; Dinner (as Mike) directed by Anna Fax; The Ballad Of Salomon Pavey (as Kit) directed by Jeremy Taylor. He is also known for his recurring role as Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter film series. Enoch’s work in television includes Michael Offer’s How To Get Away With Murder; and Sherlock, directed by Colm McCarthy. Alfred is currently starring in hit BBC show Trust Me’s second season. 

Anna-Kay Alicia Gayle is a Jamaican born, London based dancer. Since graduation, Anna-Kay has performed and taught workshops in France, Italy, Brazil and St. Lucia in a range of styles including contemporary, dancehall, waacking, vogue and African dances.  

Joan Iyiola’s theatre credits include: The Duchess of Malfi, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The White Devil, Arden of Faversham, The Roaring Girl, The Orphan of Zhao, Boris Godunov and A Life of Galileo (RSC), Boudica & Omeros (Shakespeare’s Globe); They Drink it in the Congo (Almeida); The Convert, Eclipsed & The Rise and Shine Of Comrade Fiasco (Gate Theatre); Season in the Congo (Young Vic); 24 Hour Plays (Old Vic). Television credits include: Enterprice (BBC/ Fudge Park Productions); Black Earth Rising (BBC/Netflix); New Blood (BBC/Netflix); Yonderland (Working Title /Sky 1). Film includes: Denial; The Dead Sea; Words; Show Dogs.

Anthony Matsena was born in Bulaway, Zimbabwe and grew up in Swansea. He is a Sadler’s Wells young associate and the Co-Founder, Co-Artistic Director and Choreographer of Matsena Performance Theatre alongside his brother Amukelani. The company creates work that draws upon highly physical movement, theatre work and text. He graduated from London Contemporary Dance School in 2018. He previously performed at Sadler’s Wells in 2015 as part of Apex Rising with National Youth Dance Wales, and has performed professionally for Joseph Toonga as part of Just Us Dance Theatre. Anthony’s work has been shown at prestigious venues Sadler’s Wells, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, The Place and The Bunker.

Daniella May is a dancer who has toured nationally and internationally working in various dance styles such as contemporary, commercial, urban and African.  She has worked with the likes of Uchenna Dance; Southpaw Dance Company; Stomp West End and International Tour; Tavaziva Dance; BBC; Blue Pete; and many more. 

Patrice Naiambana’s theatre credits include: Barber Shop Chronicles, Pericles (National Theatre);The Caretaker (Bristol Old Vic); The New Nigerians, Iyalode of Eti, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi, Tell Them That I’m Young and Beautiful (Arcola Theatre); Iyalode of Eti (Duchess of Malfi) Tour (Utopia Theatre); The Histories, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Cymbeline, Much Ado about Nothing(Royal Shakespeare Company); Othello (Royal Shakespeare Company National Tour); Pericles(Globe Theatre); Perception Gap, The Man who Committed Thought, The Gospel of Othello (Tribal Soul Arts); Corialanus (West Yorkshire Playhouse); The Griot’s Tale (Yinka Shonibare Studios); Macbeth in Pidgin (Akogun Nigerian adaptation) (Ritual Theatre Arts). Film credits include: Turn up Charlie; Spectre; Monochrome; Son of God; Albert Schweitzer; Highlander; the Source. Television includes:  Nina and the Neutrons; Tinga Tinga Tales; Casualty; Torchwood; Silent Witness.

Mbulelo Ndabeni is a South African born London-based choreographer, dancer, teacher, movement director and director of N’da Dance Company. He has performed with top dance U.K and International companies such as Cape Town City Ballet; New Adventures; Rambert; Company Wayne McGregor; Alesandra Seutin Vocab Dance; Ballet Black and Tavaziva. He has created own works including launching his company N’da Dance Company’s ‘NaY Triple Bill’; Cape Town City Ballet; ADAD’s Bloom Festival; English National Ballet School; Rambert’s new choreographic seasons; Cloud Dance Festival; The Print Room and Horniman Museum. His work has been presented at Richmix; Sadler’s Wells Lilian Baylis; Queen Elizabeth Hall and ROH Linbury Studio Theatre.

Andile Sotiya is a South African born dancer, teacher and choreographer. As a teacher he has taught extensively around the UK and in South Africa leading classes, workshops and residencies. He has taught company classes for the likes of DV8 and Disney’s The Lion King. He was the rehearsal director with Ace Dance and Music for their TEN production and tour 2016/17. In 2002 and in 2006/7 he toured with Kylie Minogue’s Fever World Tour and Showgirl Home Coming Tour. He has also worked with her on various other projects including MTV European Awards in Edinburgh, Top of the Pops, CDUK and a tour of America amongst others.

LISTINGS

Tree
Upper Campfield Market Hall
4 – 13 July, 8pm (Previews 29 June – 3 July)
Matinees 6-7, 13 July, 4pm
Press night 4 July, 8pm
Recommended 14+, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult
 

Book tickets
mif.co.uk 
Standing tickets from £30 / Concessions £5 off

£10 for Greater Manchester residents on a lower wage

All orders subject to a per transaction fee of £2 (no per ticket fees)

This is a standing event.

Tree
Young Vic
29 Jul 2019 – 24 Aug 2019, 7.30pm (Previews (29 – 31 July)
Wednesday & Saturday Matinees: 2.30pm
Press night 1 August 7pm

Book tickets
youngvic.org
Tickets from £10

Colab Factory – until 25 August 2019

Review by Elizabeth J Smith

5*****

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hop onto a time machine and go back in time to experience a different era. What did people wear? What did they drink? What did the do to survive? How did it smell?

Well wonder no more. 

Just hop on the train to London Bridge, take a short walk to the Colab Factory and let the adventure begin.

I was little apprehensive on arrival when asked to sign a disclaimer! What was I letting myself in for. After being assured it was all part of the experience, I was excited as to what this was all about.

You enter a Victorian tavern and are greeted by numerous  characters in costume with extraordinary make up. This is where the interaction begins. It felt like going into a bustling pub where your not to sure of the clientele. 

You check in with the house mistress in her teller stall where you a given your nights spending. There are some unsavoury chaps lingering around, a cheeky chappy who would like to unburden you of said money at this gaming table. The accordion player sings happily in the corner encouraging all the crowd to join in with his sing along. I particularly like the song about a Cockerel!! Making your way to the bar to buy your gin or rum, I had “Mothers ruin” which apparently had been brewed in a bath tub. It was very good. All the while new characters are introducing themselves to you, while a sub plot goes on around you. Moving on from the bar to an underground labyrinth of rooms where you explore in all the nocks and crannies looking for clues.You are then summoned to the boxing ring to watch two lads go for it. Extremely well choreographed, as they slam each other onto a very hard looking floor. All the while mingling with other characters of the time, engaging in stories of their lives and who they are all answerable to.

Having no idea initially, what I was about to see it really was a spectacle to behold. Like jumping into the screen of a movie. 

Congratulations to all the actors who completely stay in character with the face to face audience and the setting really feels dim and dank, just as you would imagine a 1800’s tavern would be like.

So brush off your Victorian garb and head down to the Colab factory for an unusual, fascinating, immersing evening. 

EXPLORING THE LINKS BETWEEN SCIENCE & SCIENCE FICTION

STEP INTO ANOTHER DIMENSION WITH 

WHO ARE HOSTING A SERIES OF POST-SHOW Q&A’S

AT THE AMBASSADORS THEATRE

You are about to enter another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination.

Next stop, The Twilight Zone.

The West End production of The Twilight Zone, currently running at the Ambassadors Theatre,continues to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the original and iconic CBS television series by Rod Serling with a series of special post-show Q&A’s.

The first event will take place on Friday 17 May, immediately following the evening performance at the Ambassadors Theatre. This Q&A will explore the imagination and why we have it, the close links between science and science fiction, as well as why The Twilight Zone franchise continues to be such a major influence.

Introducing the event and the panel will be Producer, Ron Fogelman. The panel will include members of the cast, as well as two very special guests:

Christopher Beaumont representing the Estate of Charles Beaumont, one of the most important writers to contribute to the original series and whose classic story Perchance To Dream appears in the stage adaptation. The story follows the plight of Edward Hall, a man who cannot risk falling asleep or else he might confront the beautiful and sinister woman in his dreams.

Roger Luckhurst is Professor of Modern Literature at Birkbeck College, University of London. Luckhurst has written two histories of science fiction, the most recent published by the British Library in 2017. He has also written the British Film Institute classic on Ridley Scott’s Alien. His latest book is a history of the corridor from 1698 to the present day, which scandalously fails to mention Doctor Whoeven once.

Guests for the next Q&A event will be announced soon.

Bristol Hippodrome – until 8th June 2019

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

4****

Even, when they put in heaps of effort, they aren’t wasting energy!

The RSC’s Matilda has hit Bristol Hippodrome and you are not prepared! The classic Roald Dahl book has been formed by Dennis Kelly, Tim Minchin and Matthew Warchus to exude and explore the talent and passion of the young children cast in this wonderful production.

The story starts with Matilda (Olivia Cleverley) who is unloved and unappreciated by her parents (Rebecca Thornhill and Sebastian Torika). She goes off to school, where her teacher Miss Honey (Carley Thomas) is astounded by her ability to read, write and recite novels and times tables – at only 5 years old! She tried to bring the child genius to the forefront of the headmistress’ mind, Miss Trunchball (Elliot Harper) where she is immediately told that children are worms! Together, Matilda and Miss Honey and her entire class manage to overthrow the evil Miss Trunchball whilst Matilda’s parents get into some bother and have to jet off to Spain to escape the Mafia-giving the perfect opportunity for Miss Honey to adopt Matilda, become headteacher at Cruncham Hall and treat every child with love and respect!

Every child within this cast was incredible. They were sharp in their movements, perfectly in time and most of all, all extremely talented! Olivia Cleverley was our lead as Matilda and she was spectacular! She has a great singing voice that, when coupled with Peter Darling’s choreography, showed her immense talent and passion for what she does. It really was hard to believe that this is her first professional debut, as she held the stage like she had been doing this for years. Her rendition of Naughty encapsulated the essence of Matilda; she was cheeky, clever and always coming up with a solution. She is an absolute star and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this little girl.
The infamous Bruce Bogtrotter was played by Charlie Garton. This was a slightly different take on Bruce as you may know from the film or book, but the direction he was taken was fabulous! Garton had to wonderful task of eating a whole chocolate cake before our very eyes-one I still haven’t managed to work out how he did!!! He also sang the beginning of Revolting Children showing off his beautiful voice and also adding in some dance moves that were just brilliant!! A wonderful role.

Elliot Harper as Miss Trunchbull was everything I wanted and more. He was authoritative, evil, towering and rude with a little flourish to add some depth to the character. The 6ft towered over the little ‘maggots’ with ease and when the hunchback and broad shoulders were seen, instilled a sense of fear into everybody! He fit the role absolutely perfectly and had some one liners that made the audience roar – these were perfectly executed. When faced with Carley Thoms as the gentle Miss Honey, we really saw the difference in character and it was a joy to watch him on stage and relish in his performance. Carley Thoms was a perfect fit also, kind-hearted and lovely but also vulnerable; she showed us her performance skills. Her voice was also suited well to the songs and she had a great show.

This is an absolute must-see!!