The gripping courtroom drama that’s captivated the West End – Twelve Angry Men is set to visit Newcastle Theatre Royal this summer starring Tom Conti. Take your seat courtside as battle commences 15 – 20 June 2015.
Lauded as one of the great ‘must-see’ movies of all time, Reginald Rose’s Twelve Angry Men originated as a television play and has been successfully adapted for film, radio and stage. The 1957 three-time academy award nominated film version starred andwas produced by Henry Fonda.
The story follows twelve jurors who have murder on their minds and a life in their hands as they decide the fate of a young delinquent accused of killing his father. But what appears to be an open and shut case soon becomes a dilemma for the twelve, as their prejudices and preconceived ideas about the accused, the trial and each other turn the tables every which way, until the nail-biting climax…
The production proved a huge hit in London where it had a record-breaking run playing to sold out houses and receiving multiple five-star reviews, being hailed as the ‘classiest, most intelligent drama in the West End’ (Daily Express).
Olivier Award winner, Tony Award winner and Oscar nominee Tom Conti returns as Juror Number 8, the role made famous by Henry Fonda. Tom is one of the most respected and celebrated actors of his generation – unforgettable as the leading man in hit films such as Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence and Shirley Valentine. Tom and Dame Judi Dench were recently voted the most popular actors in the West End in the last 25 years.
Tom will be joined by six of the original West End cast – Robert Duncan, best known for his role as the as jargon-spouting chief executive Gus Hedges in Drop The Dead Donkey; Andrew Frame, who starred as P.C Hargreaves in Eastenders; David Calvitto, whose many theatre credits include These Shining Lives and The Odd Couple; Mark Carter, whose TV credits include Hollyoaks, Utopia and The Knock and Sean Power, who starred in ITV’s Secret Diary Of A Call Girl and Fright Night 2. Jon Carver, who has had a recurring role in Doctors, returns to play the guard. Taking a seat for the tour will be new jury member Andrew Lancel, best known for playing the villainous businessman Frank Foster in Coronation Street.
Forming the rest of the jury will be Denis Lill, who starred in The Royal and Only Fools And Horses, Paul Beech, whose theatre credits include King Lear and A Tale of Two Cities, Alexander Forsyth, who has starred in stage productions of Porcelain and It Never Ends, Edward Halsted, who starred in Holby City and Jonathan Creek, and Gareth David-Lloyd, who is best known for his role as Ianto Jones in the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood.
This production is directed by Christopher Haydon, artistic director of the Gate Theatre, Notting Hill.
Twelve Angry Men is at Newcastle Theatre Royal Mon 15 – Sat 20 June 2015. Tickets are available from £14.50 (save 50p per ticket by booking online) and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk
Shot during rehearsals for the play, a video interview of Damian Lewis, John Goodman, Tom Sturridgeand director Daniel Evans discussing the upcoming production of American Buffalo is now available to download. The production will play for a strictly limited season at Wyndham’s Theatre, with previews from 16 April.
Winning the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for best play, David Mamet’s explosive drama examines the fickle nature of honour among thieves. As three small-time crooks, Walter “Teach” Cole (Damian Lewis), Don Dubrow (John Goodman) and Bob (Tom Sturridge), plan one big-time heist, a tragedy of errors spins this razor-sharp and darkly funny play into a blistering account of divided loyalties, insatiable greed and a coveted Buffalo nickel.
Considered a classic of the American canon and recognised as one of Mamet’s masterpieces, American Buffalo premiered at the Goodman Theatre, Chicago and opened on Broadway on 16 February 1977. The play was also adapted into a 1996 film starring Dustin Hoffman (Teach), Dennis Franz (Don), and Sean Nelson (Bob).
American Buffalo is produced in the West End by Matthew Byam Shaw, Nia Janis and Nick Salmon forPlayful Productions, Jeffrey Richards,Jerry Frankel, Steve Traxler, Will Trice, Tulchin Bartner Productions and Georgia Gatti.
Mr. Phineas T Barnum has pitched up in Leeds, and now you should follow the band to the Grand to see the “greatest Show on Earth”
Brian Conley plays the title rôle of Barnum – American Showman extraordinaire. Showing off his “miracles” and acts with a hint of “humbug”, his motto is that there’s a sucker born every minute. Conley more than earns the applause that welcomes him on stage, and is perfectly cast in the rôle – acting, singing, performing magic tricks and even circus skills, including walking the tightrope.
The show introduces P.T Barnum just before he sets up his famous American Museum in New York in 1841, leading through his time in office right up to the time he meets Mr. Bailey (John Stacey) when they open their world famous circus. While Barnum introduces his most famous attractions (including a 160-year-old lady and a 25-inch man, who have great song and dance routines of their own), a ringmaster introduces the main action. This includes the dramatic unveiling of Mrs. Barnum, “the female of the species”, about to meet her husband having been kept waiting for an hour and 14 minutes … the sparky, loving wife, Chairy (Linzi Hateley) who has a few tricks of her own, including a double headed coin.
While maybe short on memorable songs, the show has some great scenes, especially those with elements of comedy. Landi Oshinowo is excellent as the 160 year old nurse of George Washington and Mikey Jay-Heath as Tom Thumb. Mention must as well go to the act with class, Jenny Lind (Kimberly Blake). The show boasts an impressive set designed by Scott Pask, great lighting designed by Paule Constable, as well as magical effects and imaginative choreography from Andrew Wright. Paul Wills’ colourful Victorian circus costumes and Linda McKnight’s wonderful wigs all add to the wonderful atmosphere and vibe of the production. Added to that, the orchestra who are elevated above the stage rather than down in the pit, really enhances the visual element to this production. Even The Grand itself is transformed with lighting to resemble the interior of the big top and before the show starts, the audience are treated to some breath-taking and hilarious performances from the versatile cast.
Cameron Mackintosh’s touring production, which was developed from the hit Chichester Festival Theatre 2013 production, is a spectacular show. It’s a gentle love story with a mix of never giving up and triumphing over adversity. By the end of the show, however, it does not really matter whether you are there for the music, the aerial work, circus tricks or the storyline; ultimately, this show oozes class and it is clear that no expense has been spared in the staging. Barnum is a fabulous show, and ideal for all the family.
One of the UK’s most versatile actors and performers, Brian Conley, continues his successful musical theatre career with Cameron Macintosh’s production of Barnum at Leeds Grand Theatre this week.
The musical follows the lifeand dreams of America’s Greatest Showman, Phineas T Barnum– a man renowned for his shameless peddling and promotional activity and credited with saying ‘every crowd has a silver lining’.
Aged 25 Barnum paid $1,000 to obtain the services of JoiceHeth – a woman who claimed to be 161 years old and the nurse of George Washington; Barnum exhibited her in New York and New England earning himself about $1,500 a week. He went on to display a mermaid, Jumbo the elephant and the famous General Tom Thumb.
Barnum’s warmth and the excitement of his imagination were a force to be reckoned with and throughout his life he continued to draw in the crowds before teaming up with James A Bailey to create the ‘Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth’.
With a host of circus performers welcoming audiences into the auditorium – expect balancing acts on theatre seats and people leaping through hoops – stunning costumes, great songs and plenty of laughs from Brian Conley as the eponymous showman, Barnum is a joy for people of all ages.
Barnum is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 14th to Saturday 25th April.
Tickets are on sale now priced from £21.50 to £48.50.
Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call box office on 0844 8482700.
Joining Brian Conley as ‘PT Barnum’ and LinziHateley as ‘Chairy’ are: Kimberly Blake as ‘Jenny Lind’; Mikey Jay-Heath as ‘Tom Thumb’; LandiOshinowo as ‘JoiceHeth’ and John Stacey as ‘Ringmaster’/ ‘Bailey’. They are joined by: Georgie Ashford; Greg Bernstein; David Birch; Nick Butcher; Alison Connell; Stefan Dermendjiev; Silvia Dopazo; Chris Gage; Joanna Goodwin; Pascal Haering; Rebecca Hawkins; Erin Jameson; Courtney-Mae Briggs; Jen Robinson; Louis Stockil; Lucy Thatcher and Edward Wade.
RAISING VITAL FUNDS FOR THE MAKE A DIFFERENCE TRUST
AND BECOMING THE CHARITY’S FIRST EVER OFFICIAL RUNNER
ON SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015
By night, West End starNadimNaamaninhabits the dark world of Sweeney Todd’s London but each day before the show he dons his trainers to fulfil his final training preparation for this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon, so he will be ready for the challenge of the 26-mile course on Sunday 26 April 2015.
Nadim’s marathon place is extra-special as he is The Make A Difference Trust’s first ever “official” runner (charities are allocated fundraising places). Originally founded as West End Cares in 1990 and later becoming Theatrecares, The Make A Difference Trust (MAD Trust) raises funds for HIV and AIDS Projects that raise awareness and provide care, support and education in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
A Londoner born and bred, 29-year old Nadimcurrently lives in Southfields, and studied Drama at The University of Warwick before training professionally in Musical Theatre at The Royal Academy of Music. Currently starring as Anthony in Sweeney Todd(West End pop-up transfer of the Tooting Arts Club production), his numerous West End credits include One Man, Two Guvnors and The Phantom of The Opera.
Nadim said: “The Make A Difference Trust has spent many years persuading the bigwigs to allocate them a charity place. This year they have finally been successful!I am honoured to run this race for the Trust. The idea of being the sole representative of such a worthy cause in a sea of 40,000 runners, many of whom are in teams of hundreds for bigger charities, is daunting but I know that I will feel hugely proud. What’s more, MAD Trust is the charity at the heart of my profession as a London-based actor. The hard part?Making this single place count. We need to make such a statement that next year MAD Trust is offered 5 places, and eventually, 50.MAD Trust has developed a wonderful reputation for raising funds via top-quality cabarets, concerts and shows, but this is an opportunity to go back to basics – to make the charity and the cause the star – and to take the charity to those who currently don’t know it exists. With your help, we can do this, and more excellent work can be done to help the lives of many who struggle every day because of HIV and AIDS, and many other long-term illnesses.”
Support Nadim’s fundraising by making a donation here – every pound makes a huge difference to the work of The MAD Trust:virginmoneygiving.com/nadimnaaman
Keep up with Nadim’s marathon preparation stories through his Blog:nadimmarathon.blogspot.co.uk and offer words of encouragement on Twitter @nadimnaaman
For more information about The Make A Difference Trust visit: www.madtrust.org.uk
The English Touring Theatre and The Royal Shakespeare Company bring Thomas Middleton’s 17th century comedy to Darlington this week. Edited and updated to 1950’s Soho by Sean Foley and Phil Porter, it is a modern update on a classic masterpiece
In this version, Foley has cut the text by a fifth and added some extra jokes but remains true to the original. It is filthy, ribald and bawdy with double entendres of which a “Carry On” film would be proud. Using some now outdated words that have lost their original meanings this show brings back such phrases as “venereal blessings” in this context meaning love and desire and not, as we now know it, a dose of the pox.
The plot is twofold, Dick Follywit (Joe Bannister) is trying to get is hands on his uncles fortune. Disguising himself as a Lord, a burglar, a call girl and an actor in order to do so. His uncle, Sir Bounteous Peersucker (Ian Redford), gets his kinky kicks from spanking and whipping and the like and is generous to all but his nephew.
And we have Mr Littledick (Ben Deery) who is paranoid about his wife’s fidelity and employs a Private Detective (David Rubin) to watch over her.
In the middle of this we have Truly Kidman (Sarah Ridgeway), the paid mistress of Sir Bounteous, the object of affection for many others and a fake Irish nun confessor for Mrs Littledick (Ellie Bevan) who manages to engineer a liaison between Mrs Littledick and Penitent Brothel (Dennis Herdman) a dog-collared member of the clergy.
In the end, the genius of Middleton’s satire on a world obsessed by money and sex shines through and Foley’s production makes total sense in the final act when all the characters wear Jacobean fancy dress, and there is a unity between word and action
It took me some time to tune my ear to the 17th century prose with the incongruous juxtaposition of the 1950’s set. If you take away the impurity of the plot you are left with some outstanding acting, in a complicated plot. The set is outstandingly impressive and works in every scene and the costumes are magnificently glorious.
But for me the star of the show is the music, modern jazz played to carry along the story. The band – Thomas Allan, Candida Caldicot, Ayse Osman, Tom Peverelle and Ellie Smith compliment deliciously and the singer Linda John-Pierre belts out the rhythm and blues in a voice like molten chocolate and her voice is worth the ticket alone.
In Darlington until Saturday 18th. It has a 12+ age warning but this show is wonderfully filthy and is not for the easily offended
Director: Alastair Whatley. Stage version by Rachel Wagstaff based on the novel by Sebastian Faulks. Set design: Victoria Spearing. Lighting: Alex Wardle for Charcoalblue. Sound: Dom Bilkey.
The stage play based on Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks’s world-famous novel of love and courage before and during the First World War, comes to the Quarry Theatre at West Yorkshire Playhouse from 12-23 May.
This adaptation by Rachel Wagstaff has young Englishman Stephen Wraysford embarking on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire in pre-war France that turns their world upside down. As war breaks out, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Sommer and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground. Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war, he clings to the memory of Isabelle and the idyll of his former life as the world explodes around him.
Director Alastair Whatley says:
“Birdsong genuinely has a huge and broad appeal. The play and the book manage to speak across age and gender lines. You have the excitement and knuckle-edged tension in the tunnel scenes contrasted with the slow-burning and sweeping epic romance all set against the painfully accurate portrayal of life in the trenches of World War One. I challenge everyone not to be moved to tears at one point.”
Having played the role in the 2014 tour, Peter Duncan returns as Jack Firebrace, one of the tunnellers or “sappers” digging deep tunnels under No Man’s Land on the Western Front. Perhaps best known as a presenter on TV’s Blue Peter and Duncan Dares, he began his acting career in the 1970s when he joined the National Theatre. Other stage credits include The Card (for which he received an Olivier nomination), Alan Ayckbourn’s Things We Do For Love, Stan Laurel in Laurel and Hardy, and the title role in Charlie Peace – His Amazing Life and Outstanding Legend.
The romantic leads of Stephen Wraysford and Isabelle Azaire are played by Edmund Wiseman, whose recent theatre credits include Harry Percy in the RSC production of Richard II, Duchess of Malfi and Filumena, and Emily Bowker, who counts A Bunch of Amateurs, What the Women Did and London Wall among recent stage roles.
Also in the cast are Emily Altneu, Max Bowden (Justin Fitzgerald in BBC One’s Waterloo Road), Selma Brook, James Findlay (winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2010), Roger Martin, Liam McCormick, James Staddon, Cloudia Swann and Alastair Whatley.
Birdsong is produced on tour by Alastair Whatley for The Original Theatre Company and Anne-Marie Woodley and Jon Woodley for Birdsong Productions Ltd.
Quarry Theatre
12-16 May, 19-23 May, 7.30pm
14 and 21 May, 1.30pm
16 and 23 May, 2pm
Post-show discussion May 13
Tickets £28-£12
West Yorkshire Playhouse has a reputation both nationally and internationally as a leading UK producing theatre. The theatre is a cultural hub, a place where people gather to tell and share stories and to engage in world class theatre. From large scale spectacle to intimate performance the Playhouse develops and makes work for the stage, for found spaces, for touring, for schools and community venues. Alongside work for the stage the Playhouse is dedicated to providing creative engagement opportunities, building and running sustainable projects that reach out to a diverse range of communities. Supporting new and emerging artists is key and the theatre provides creative space for new writers, emerging directors, companies and individual theatre makers to refine their practice. Work for 2015 includes a new version of UNCLE VANYA directed by Mark Rosenblatt, LITTLE SURE SHOT – a new commission by Lucy Rivers, THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE directed by James Brining and the redevelopment of Brining’s award-winning production of SWEENEY TODD with the WNO and WMC.
Original Theatre Company is one of the most prolific touring companies in the UK, in the past 24 months alone staging five productions to over 200,000 people. Touring theatre is at the heart and soul of everything they do, taking diverse and engaging productions of the highest quality to as many people and as much of the UK as possible. Vitality, honesty and, of course, originality are the basic ingredients of all of their shows, infused by the one, very simple, mantra: “Tell a story and tell it well”. Recent productions include The Private Ear and The Public Eye, Three Men in a Boat, Our Country’s Good, See How They Run, Twelfth Night, Dancing at Lughnasa and The Madness of King George.
Birdsong Productions Ltd was formed in early 2012 and led by Anne-Marie and Jon Woodley. It was formed specifically to produce, create and develop exciting and powerful drama that will engage audiences, promote audience development and explore innovative new dimensions of theatre making including book adaptations and the integration of technology in live performance.
Hosted by Lenny Henry, The Olivier Awards ceremony took place at London’s Royal Opera House on Sunday night.
Two special awards were also handed out, to groundbreaking dancer Sylvie Guillem and Kevin Spacey.
Sylvie Guillem, winner of the Special Award (Photo: Pamela Raith)
Kevin Spacey, winner of the Special Award, with presenter Dame Judi Dench (Photo: Pamela Raith)
Dame Judi Dench presented Spacey with his award, given in recognition of his tenure as artistic director at The Old Vic theatre.
“`I love that theatre more than I can begin to express to you,” he said, before he closed the ceremony with a performance of the Simon and Garfunkel song Bridge Over Troubled Water, which he sang with singer and Memphis star Beverley Knight.
The full list is as follows:
BEST ACTOR
Richard Armitage for The Crucible at Old Vic
James McAvoy for The Ruling Class at Trafalgar Studio 1
Tim Pigott-Smith for King Charles III at Almeida Theatre & Wyndham’s Theatre Mark Strong for A View from the Bridge at Young Vic & Wyndham’s Theatre
BEST ACTRESS
Gillian Anderson for A Streetcar Named Desire at Young Vic
Kristin Scott Thomas for Electra at Old Vic
Imelda Staunton for Good People at Hampstead Theatre & Noël Coward Theatre Penelope Wilton for Taken At Midnight at Theatre Royal Haymarket
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
John Light for Taken At Midnight at Theatre Royal Haymarket Nathaniel Parker for Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies at Aldwych Theatre
David Calder for The Nether at Duke of York’s Theatre
Richard Goulding for King Charles III at Almeida Theatre & Wyndham’s Theatre
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
The Girls playing Iris for The Nether at Duke of York’s Theatre Angela Lansbury for Blithe Spirit at Gielgud Theatre
Lydia Wilson for King Charles III at Almeida Theatre & Wyndham’s Theatre
Phoebe Fox for A View from the Bridge at Young Vic & Wyndham’s Theatre
BEST REVIVAL
The Crucible at Old Vic
My Night with Reg at Donmar Warehouse & Apollo Theatre
Skylight at Wyndham’s Theatre A View from the Bridge at Young Vic & Wyndham’s Theatre
A Streetcar Named Desire at Young Vic
BEST SOUND DESIGN
Tom Gibbons for A View from the Bridge at the Young Vic & Wyndham’s Theatre
Matt McKenzie for Sunny Afternoon at Hampstead Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre Gareth Owen for Memphis The Musical at Shaftesbury Theatre
Brian Ronan for Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at Aldwych Theatre
WHITE LIGHT AWARD FOR BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
Howard Harrison for City Of Angels at Donmar Warehouse
Jan Versweyveld for A View from the Bridge at the Young Vic & Wyndham’s Theatre
Jon Clark for King Charles III at Almeida Theatre & Wyndham’s Theatre
Paule Constable and David Plater for Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies at Aldwych Theatre
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Rob Jones for City Of Angels at Donmar Warehouse Christopher Oram for Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies at Aldwych Theatre
Paul Tazewell for Memphis The Musical at Shaftesbury Theatre
Alejo Vietti for Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at Aldwych Theatre
BEST ENTERTAINMENT AND FAMILY
Dance ‘Til Dawn at Aldwych Theatre
Hetty Feather at Vaudeville Theatre La Soirée at La Soirée Spiegeltent
XL VIDEO AWARD FOR BEST SET DESIGN
Rob Jones for City Of Angels at Donmar Warehouse
Jan Versweyveld for A View from the Bridge at Young Vic & Wyndham’s Theatre
Bunny Christie for Made In Dagenham at Adelphi Theatre Es Devlin for The Nether at Duke of York’s Theatre
BEST NEW DANCE PRODUCTION
32 Rue Vandenbranden by Peeping Tom at Barbican Mats Ek’s Juliet And Romeo by Royal Swedish Ballet at Sadler’s Wells
Tabac Rouge by Compagnie Du Hanneton/James Thiérrée at Sadler’s Wells
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DANCE
Christopher Wheeldon for The Winter’s Tale at Royal Opera House Crystal Pite for her choreography in the productions of The Associates – A Picture Of You Falling, The Tempest >Replica and Polaris at Sadler’s Wells
Rocio Molina for Bosque Ardora at Barbican
The Elders Project as part of the Elixir Festival at Sadler’s Wells
VIRGIN ATLANTIC BEST NEW PLAY
King Charles III at Almeida Theatre & Wyndham’s Theatre
The Nether at Duke of York’s Theatre
Taken At Midnight at Theatre Royal Haymarket
Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies at Aldwych Theatre
THIS MORNING AUDIENCE AWARD
Billy Elliot The Musical at Victoria Palace Theatre
Jersey Boys at Piccadilly Theatre
Matilda The Musical at Cambridge Theatre Wicked at Apollo Victoria Theatre
BEST NEW COMEDY
Handbagged at Vaudeville Theatre The Play That Goes Wrong at Duchess Theatre
Shakespeare In Love at Noël Coward Theatre
MAGIC RADIO BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL
The Gershwins’ Porgy And Bess at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Miss Saigon at Prince Edward Theatre Cats at London Palladium City Of Angels at Donmar Warehouse
BEST NEW OPERA PRODUCTION
Benvenuto Cellini at London Coliseum
Dialogues Des Carmélites at Royal Opera House
Die Frau Ohne Schatten at Royal Opera House The Mastersingers Of Nuremberg at London Coliseum
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN OPERA
Jonas Kaufmann for Andrea Chénier and Manon Lescaut at Royal Opera House Richard Jones for his direction of The Girl Of The Golden West, The Mastersingers Of >Nuremberg and Rodelinda at London Coliseum
Royal Opera House and Early Opera Company for their offsite programme at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse and Roundhouse
Welsh National Opera Chorus for Moses Und Aron at Royal Opera House
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN AN AFFILIATE THEATRE
Bull at The Maria at Young Vic
Four Minutes Twelve Seconds at Hampstead Downstairs
Juma Sharkah for her performance in Liberian Girl at the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court
Tanya Moodie for her performances in Intimate Apparel at Park Theatre and The House That Will Not Stand at Tricycle Theatre
BEST THEATRE CHOREOGRAPHER
Jerry Mitchell for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels The Musical at Savoy Theatre
Annie-B Parsons for Here Lies Love at National Theatre, Dorfman
Josh Prince for Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at Aldwych Theatre Sergio Trujillo for Memphis The Musical at Shaftesbury Theatre
BEST DIRECTOR
Josie Rourke for City Of Angels at Donmar Warehouse Ivo Van Hove for A View from the Bridge at the Young Vic & Wyndham’s Theatre
Rupert Goold for King Charles III at Almeida Theatre & Wyndham’s Theatre
Jeremy Herrin for Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies at Aldwych Theatre
AUTOGRAPH SOUND AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC
The Orchestra for Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at Aldwych Theatre
David Byrne and Fatboy Slim for Here Lies Love at National Theatre, Dorfman
David Bryan, Joe DiPietro, Tim Sutton and the Memphis Band for Memphis The Musical at Shaftesbury Theatre Ray Davies for Sunny Afternoon at Hampstead Theatre & Harold Pinter Theatre
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Rolan Bell for Memphis The Musical at Shaftesbury Theatre George Maguire for Sunny Afternoon at Hampstead Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre
Ian McIntosh for Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at Aldwych Theatre
Jason Pennycooke for Memphis The Musical at Shaftesbury Theatre
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Samantha Bond for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels The Musical at Savoy Theatre
Haydn Gwynne for Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown The Musical at Playhouse Theatre
Nicole Scherzinger for Cats at London Palladium Lorna Want for Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at Aldwych Theatre
BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Jon Jon Briones for Miss Saigon at Prince Edward Theatre
John Dagleish for Sunny Afternoon at Hampstead Theatre & Harold Pinter Theatre
Killian Donnelly for Memphis The Musical at Shaftesbury Theatre
Brandon Victor Dixon for The Scottsboro Boys at Garrick Theatre
BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Gemma Arterton for Made In Dagenham at Adelphi Theatre Katie Brayben for Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at Aldwych Theatre
Tamsin Greig for Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown The Musical at Playhouse Theatre
Beverley Knight for Memphis The Musical at Shaftesbury Theatre
MASTERCARD BEST NEW MUSICAL
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at Aldwych Theatre
Here Lies Love at National Theatre, Dorfman
Memphis The Musical at Shaftesbury Theatre Sunny Afternoon at Hampstead Theatre & Harold Pinter Theatre
NATALIA OSIPOVA, IVAN VASILIEV, EDWARD WATSON and MARCELO GOMES star in
ARDANI 25 DANCE GALA
Friday 17th and Saturday 18th July 2015, London Coliseum
This summer’s hot dance ticket will be theARDANI 25 DANCE GALAat the Coliseum on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th July, presented by producer and impresario Sergei Danilian (Ardani Artists). The evening features an all-star line-up including Natalia Osipova, Edward Watson, Ivan Vasiliev, Marcelo Gomes,Denis Matvienko, Joaquín De Luz and Friedemann Vogel in three exciting and diverse contemporary pieces.
The evening opens with the World Premiere of Royal Ballet choreographer Alastair Marriott’s Zeitgeiststarring Natalia Osipova and Edward Watson, who will be reunited following the recent success of Marriott’sConnectome. Set to Philip Glass’ Violin Concerto, the work will feature Royal Ballet dancers Donald Thom, Marcelino Sambé and Tomas Mock. Zeitgeist will tour to the United States and Russia as part of the ‘Solo for Two’ project afterwards.
“London’s own Russian, Natalia Osipova, undulating her torso in tandem with Royal Ballet co-star Edward Watson in an intense, despairing duet…”
Lyndsey Winship, Evening Standard (on Marriott’s Connectome)
The second piece, Tristesse,is created by acclaimed dancer and choreographer Marcelo Gomes, who took his inspiration from French poet Paul Éluard. Gomes will perform in this UK Premiere along with Denis Matvienko, Joaquín De Luz and Friedemann Vogel. Tristesse had its World Premiere as part of ‘Kings of the Dance’ in December 2014 at the Mikhailovsky Theatre.
“…a piece (created by Gomes himself) that finally allows the men to show off their strength while indulging their lyrical, more joyful side.” Debra Craine, The Times (on Ko’D, Kings of the Dance)
Finishing the bill is Arthur Pita’s Facada, which was seen at the Coliseum in ‘Solo for Two’ in August 2014. Pita adapted the piece especially for Osipova and Vasiliev from his original piece God’s Garden. Original music created by Frank Moon will be played live by the composer.
“It’s the kind of satisfying revenge no classical ballet heroine is ever allowed, and Osipova makes it look like a world of fun.” Judith Mackrell, The Guardian (on Facada)
Natalia Osipova graduated from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in 2004 and joined the Bolshoi Ballet the same year, ultimately reaching the position of Principal Dancer. She has been a guest artist with the Mariinsky Ballet, Teatro alla Scala, Paris Opéra, American Ballet Theatre and Zurich Ballet and is currently a Principal with the Royal Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. At this year’s Critics’ Circle National Dance AwardsNatalia was awarded Outstanding Female Performance (Classical) for her performance in the title role as Giselle for The Royal Ballet, and Best Female Dancer.
English dancer Edward Watson is a Principal of The Royal Ballet. He has won particular acclaim for his interpretation of Principal roles in the works of Kenneth MacMillan, Wayne McGregor and Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon. In 2012 Watson received an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for his role in Arthur Pita’s The Metamorphosis.
Donald Thom and Tomas Mock are Artists of The Royal Ballet; Marcelino Sambé is a First Artist. All three trained at The Royal Ballet Upper School, graduating into the Company. On graduation, Tomas Mock was awarded the Dame Ninette de Valois Outstanding Graduate of the Year award.
Currently a Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre, Marcelo Gomes has been a guest artist with companies including Kirov Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet and Dutch National Ballet. Gomes has recently begun a successful choreographic career, creating pieces for dancers from American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, La Scala and ‘Kings of the Dance’.
Joaquín De Luz is a principal dancer with New York City Ballet. De Luz has appeared as a guest artist with the Ballet Mediterraneo, Fernando Bujones and American Ballet Stars. He was a member of ‘Kings of the Dance’ and toured Russia and the US in 2008 and 2009.
Denis Matvienko is a principal dancer with the Mariinsky Ballet. As a guest artist he has performed with New National Theatre, Bolshoi Theatre, Teatro alla Scala and Paris Opéra. From 2011-2013 he was Artistic Director of the Ballet Company of the National Opera of Ukraine. Since 2009 he has been a principal dancer with the Mariinsky Ballet.
Friedemann Vogel is a principal dancer with the Stuttgart Ballet. Vogel has been a guest artist with Mariinsky Theater, Bolshoi Ballet, Teatro alla Scala and English National Ballet.
Ivan Vasiliev was praised for his role in English National Ballet’s Swan Lake at the Coliseumearlier this year. Currently a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, Ivan has guested all over the world. Recent appearances include Romeo and Juliet, Le Spectre de la rose, Rubies and Le Jeune Homme et la Mort with Teatro alla Scala Ballet company; Don Quixote, Coppelia, Spartacus, The Nutcracker and Giselle with the Bolshoi Ballet; and Le Jeune Homme et la Mort and Prodigal Son with the Mariinsky Ballet.
Elizabeth McGorian is a Principal Character Artist with The Royal Ballet. She joined in 1977 and was promoted to Soloist in 1991 and Principal Character Artist in 1997. She will reprise her role in Facada after originating the role in ‘Solo for Two’ in 2014 alongside Natalia and Ivan.
Arthur Pita is a talented and versatile choreographer and director, creating works for dance companies as well as opera and theatre. Most recently he premiered The World’s Greatest Show at Greenwich Dance, Jerwood Dance House and Royal Opera House; The Death of Klinghoffer at The Metropolitan Opera New York; Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny for the Royal Opera; and The Little Match Girl at Sadler’s Wells.
Dancer and choreographer Alastair Marriott is a Principal Character Artist of The Royal Ballet. Marriott’s many works for the Company include Night Falls Fast, Grey Garden, Being and Having Been,Tanglewood, Children of Adam, Sensorium, Trespass (Metamorphosis: Titian 2012, in collaboration with Christopher Wheeldon), In the Hothouse (Diamond Jubilee Gala) and Connectome.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
ZEITGEIST
Choreography: Alastair Marriott
Music: Philip Glass (Violin Concerto)
Performers: Natalia Osipova, Edward Watson, Donald Thom, Marcelino Sambé and Tomas Mock
– INTERVAL –
TRISTESSE
Choreography: Marcelo Gomes
Music: Frédéric Chopin (Études)
Performers: Marcelo Gomes, Denis Matvienko, Joaquín De Luz and Friedemann Vogel
Musician: Anbrey Gugnin (piano)
– INTERVAL –
FACADA
Director and Choreographer: Arthur Pita
Performers: Natalia Osipova (The Bride), Ivan Vasiliev (The Groom) and Elizabeth McGorian (Lady in Black)
Musician: Frank Moon
Programme subject to change
LISTINGS INFORMATION
ARDANI 25 DANCE GALA
Venue: London Coliseum, St. Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES
Dates: Friday 17th and Saturday 18th July 2015,7.30pm
Michael Flatley will be returning to the world’s most successful dance show, Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games, at London’s Dominion Theatre to appear on Friday and Saturday evenings only from 8 May to 27 Juneinclusive. He wanted to come back and give these extra performances, as he had to cancel several appearances when his father passed away in March.
Flatley will also be making a special appearance at the final date of the UK Tour at the Wembley Arena on 4 July.
Flatley’s new show Dangerous Games has exciting and ground-breaking new technology, including holographs, dancing robots, world champion acrobats and the greatest team of Irish Dancers in the world, making it the perfect family entertainment. A new score composed by Gerard Fahy, new costumes and special effects lighting add a breath-taking new dimension to the original masterpiece.
The global phenomenon that is Lord of the Dance is bigger than ever in 2015, with Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games on a 200-plus date tour across 15 countries over the next 18 months. In the UK, the show is performing concurrently in London at the Dominion Theatre until 5 September and on a UK Tour until 4 July.
“My dancers are the real stars,” says Michael of his troupe of dancers, some of whom have been with the company for 10 years. He is immensely proud of their hard work and dedication. New young superstar James Keegan performs the lead role of Lord of the Dance at the Dominion Theatre.
For further details on the performances at the Dominion Theatre, London and the UK Tour, visit www.lordofthedance.com.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Until 5 September 2015:
Dominion Theatre
268-269 Tottenham Court Road
London W1T 7AQ
Performances: Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesdays* and Saturdays at 2.30pm
*Wednesday matinees only on 15 April, 27 May, 22, 29 July, 5, 12, 19, 26 August
Lauded as one of the great ‘must-see’ movies of all time, Reginald Rose’s Twelve Angry Men originated as a television play and has been successfully adapted for film, radio and stage. The 1957 three-time academy award nominated film version starred andwas produced by Henry Fonda.
Olivier Award winner, Tony Award winner and Oscar nominee Tom Conti returns as Juror Number 8, the role made famous by Henry Fonda. Tom is one of the most respected and celebrated actors of his generation – unforgettable as the leading man in hit films such as Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence and Shirley Valentine. Tom and Dame Judi Dench were recently voted the most popular actors in the West End in the last 25 years.
