Month: May 2015

Rosie Kay Dance Company, the international award-winning dance theatre company headed by artistic director and choreographer Rosie Kay, will be visiting York with its thought-provoking and extremely moving 5 SOLDIERS: THE BODY IS THE FRONTLINE on Friday 5 – Saturday 6 June.

With the commemorations of WWI in the news, 5 SOLDIERS shows how the human body is still central to all conflict, the impact and injuries lasting long after the headlines fade.

The tour, the first of its kind in the UK, will see the company working in partnership with theatres, military bases and the Army Welfare Service, bringing the production to a specially created theatre off site at Imphal Barracks.

On Friday 5th June the show will be followed by a post-show talk with the choreographer and company. On Saturday 6th June local groups who are part of the 5 SOLDIERS Community Engagement Programme will perform short pieces before the main show. They have been rehearsing for this with York based choreographer Sam Lawrence. Artistic Director Rosie Kay said

The Community Engagement aspect of this tour of 5 SOLDIERS is hugely important to Rosie Kay Dance Company. Education and outreach work has been a passion of mine, teaching now for over 20 years, and with a particular passion that dance can help people to understand complex ideas and to help transform ideas of themselves and ideas about the world.

Rosie continues:

For military groups we have approached this very sensitively, and we are clear that this project is about humanising the subject with dignity and respect.  We’ve found that people, once we have gained their trust, appreciate the fact that we are trying to bring this subject to the general public

No-holds-barred, 5 SOLDIERS delivers Kay’s trademark style of intense physical and athletic dance theatre. The work received audience and critical acclaim in 2010 and 2011, and has been endorsed as ‘getting it’ by its military audiences.

Says General Sir Nick Parker, KCB, CBE:

Rosie Kay’s use of dance to help create a complex and nuanced picture of conflict is one of the most innovative and compelling initiatives that I have experienced in the aftermath of Iraq and Afghanistan. It demonstrates how art can be used as a powerful tool in the healing process, how it can touch the extended family of those who have been caught in the horror of battle and how it can send a universal message about the soldier. It is an extraordinary achievement which will make a difference to many people.

Supported by Arts Council England and Army Benevolent Fund, The Soldiers’ Charity, 5 SOLDIERS is a moving, dramatic and unique work that looks at how the human body remains essential to war, even in the 21st century.

A visceral ‘tour de force’ of the senses, 5 SOLDIERS provides an intimate view of the training that prepares our soldiers for the sheer physicality of combat, for the possibility of injury, and the impact conflict has on the bodies and minds of everyone it reaches. The piece has a powerful physicality, moments of humour and is full of honesty, all inspired by input from serving and former soldiers.

Kay’s moving exploration of war was made following an intense period of field research when she joined The 4th Battalion The Rifles for two weeks and experienced full battle exercises on Dartmoor and Salisbury Plain. Kay then visited the military rehabilitation centre, Headley Court, to see the effects of conflict and training on the soldiers’ bodies.

New to the company are five outstanding dancers – Duncan Anderson, Chester Hayes, Sean Marcs, Oliver Russell and Shelley Eva Haden – during the intense six-week rehearsal period they participated in a weeklong military exercise with The 4th Battalion The Rifles on the Salisbury Plain.

5 SOLDIERS brings together an exciting mix of collaborators: designer Louis Price, composer Annie Mahtani, Dramaturg Ben Payne, lighting designer Mike Gunning and visual artist David Cotterell.

Kay is one of the world’s leading female choreographers with a reputation for making strong, intelligent work that tackles interesting subjects with exciting collaborations. In 2012 the company was nominated as Best Independent Dance Company by the National Dance Awards, Critics Circle. Kay choreographed the 2013 feature film Sunshine on Leith, directed by Dexter Fletcher, with songs by The Proclaimers. In 2013, Kay was the first choreographer to be appointed the Leverhulme Artist in Residence at the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, University of Oxford.

5 SOLDIERS runs on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 June at Imphal Barracks at 7.30pm. Due to the strict security measures at this live military venue audience members need to bring photo ID and note that bags may be searched. Free parking is available and the venue is fully accessible but tickets must be pre-booked. Book tickets by calling 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk.

 

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Perfect Pitch present

THE HOUSE OF MIRRORS AND HEARTS

A new British musical by Eamonn O’Dwyer and Robert Gilbert

AT ARCOLA THEATRE FROM THURSDAY 2 JULY TO SATURDAY 1 AUGUST 2015

Casting is announced today for the World Premiere of The House of Mirrors and Hearts, a new British chamber musical which will open the Summer/Autumn Season at Arcola Theatre from Thursday 2 July to Saturday 1 August, with a press night on Tuesday 7 July at 7.30pm.

The cast features Gillian Kirkpatrick as Anna, Graham Bickley as David, Grace Rowe as Laura, Molly McGuire as Lily and Bart Edwards as Nathan.

 

Gillian Kirkpatrick’s many musical theatre credits include Mrs Bateman in American Psycho at the Almeida Theatre, Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd at Chichester Festival Theatre and Adelphi Theatre, Velma Von Tussle in the UK Tour ofHairspray, alternate Mrs Wilkinson in the original cast of Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre and Mrs Lyons in Blood Brothers at the Phoenix Theatre.

Graham Bickley is a WhatsOnStage and OIivier Award nominee whose career spans four decades. He is perhaps best known for playing Joey Boswell in the BBC series Bread from 1989-91. Graham has performed in the West End since 1981 in productions including They’re Playing Our Song, The Pirates of Penzance, The Pajama Game, Les Misérables,Miss Saigon, Sunset Boulevard, High Society and the London Premiere of Ragtime, for which he received Olivier and WhatsOnStage Award nominations. Recent credits include Anything Goes with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Cadogan Hall, the Les Misérables 25^th Anniversary Concert at The O2, and Light in the Piazza at Leicester Curve.

Grace Rowe played the lead role of Estella in the recent West End production of Great Expectations at the Vaudeville Theatre, with other credits including Phyllis in The Railway Children at Waterloo Station, To Kill a Mockingbird at York Theatre Royal and The Way of the World at Barons Court Theatre.

Molly McGuire is currently making her professional debut in the London Premiere of Carrie – The Musical at Southwark Playhouse. Credits whilst training include Bring It On – The Musical and Into the Woods.

Bart Edwards recently finished playing Sky in the International Tour of Mamma Mia!. Other theatre credits include Next Thing You Know at the Landor Theatre and Constance at the Kings Head Theatre, with television credits includingCasualty and EastEnders for BBC.

Keeping secrets is a kind of art…

When Anna’s husband is killed in a tragic accident at their home, her family’s life is changed forever. Seven years pass and, torn apart by grief, Anna has drunk herself numb. Her daughters, Lily and Laura, exist in a world of secrets and lies. They spend their days in bitter silence and suspicion, until Nathan, a new lodger studying the works of a forgotten poet, forces them to confront their past. Tensions within the family build, threatening to shatter this already broken household once and for all.

 

A timeless, atmospheric and intoxicating musical, The House of Mirrors and Hearts is a contemporary British story about a dysfunctional family haunted by their past.

The House of Mirrors and Hearts is presented by Aria Entertainment (Jerry’s Girls, From Page to Stage) and Perfect Pitch (Lift, The Go-Between), two companies dedicated to the development of original British musicals. Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Andy Barnes for Perfect Pitch said today: “We are so thrilled to be joining forces on this beautiful British chamber musical. Both our companies are known individually for our work with emerging British composers and new writing but The House of Mirrors and Hearts is the first project we have had the wonderful opportunity to partner on. We both feel positive about the current climate of new musical theatre with more and more great initiatives and opportunities arising for new writing. Collaborating with like-minded people has to be the way forward in supporting the evident array of emerging talent.”

The House of Mirrors and Hearts will be directed by Ryan McBryde, whose credits include the current UK Tour ofSaturday Night Fever, Angus, Thongs and Even More Snogging (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Hamlet The Musical(Northampton Royal & Derngate) and A Day at the Racists (Finborough Theatre).

The musical director is David Randall, with set and costume design by David Woodhead, lighting design by Matt Haskins and sound design by Leigh Davis.

The House of Mirrors and Hearts is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Perfect Pitch, and was developed by Perfect Pitch in association with Sell A Door Theatre. It is licensed by Perfect Pitch. The House of Mirrors and Heartsis proud to be supported by Grant For The Arts.

Listen to music from The House of Mirrors and Hearts:

http://www.perfectpitchmusicals.com/HOMAH/music.html

 

Twitter: @HOMAH2015

LISTINGS

THURSDAY 2 JULY – SATURDAY 1 AUGUST 2015

ARCOLA THEATRE, STUDIO ONE, 24 Ashwin Street, E8 3DL

Press Night: Tuesday 7 July, 7.30pm

Performance Times: Monday – Saturday 7.30pm, Saturday 3.00pm

The upcoming tour of West End Men has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales. The concert show had been due to commence its latest UK tour later this month.

The cast included former X Factor star Marcus Collins, alongside Glenn Carter, James Bisp and Alexis Gerred.

A statement from producers said: “It is with regret that owing to situations beyond our control we have taken the decision to cancel the forthcoming tour of The West End Men.

“We want to thank everyone who has booked to see us and reassure you that the Men will back in the not too distant future. Please contact your point of sale for refunds.”

The Arts Theatre                                          Continues until 11^th July 2015

★★★★              ★★★★             ★★★★               ★★★★                     ★★★★       ★★★★

       Time Out              Telegraph         Independent      Financial Times        EveningStandard             Sunday Times

Due to popular demand, Theatre Royal Bath Productions is delighted to announce an additional six week run of Joshua Harmon’s BAD JEWS at London’s Arts Theatre. The critically-acclaimed production will now run until 11^th July 2015, following sell out runs at Ustinov Studio, Bath and St James Theatre, London.

“Superb performances, under Michael Longhurst’s direction, make this a gripping production”

The Observer

A beloved grandfather — and Holocaust survivor — has died, and a treasured family heirloom with religious significance is up for grabs. But who is most deserving of it? Bossy, overbearing, fanatically religious Daphna? Her wealthy cousin Liam, who’s just returned from skiing with his non-Jewish girlfriend Melody? Or Jonah, his brother, who would prefer not to get involved in the fight? A cramped Manhattan apartment becomes the setting for a viciously hilarious brawl over family, faith and legacy as the contenders set at each other’s throats on the night after the funeral.

“Blisteringly funny…”  Sunday Times

The original Bath and St James cast will retain their roles; Jenna Augen will play the role of Daphna,Gina Bramhill will play Melody, Joe Coen will play Jonah and Ilan Goodman will play Liam.

“Ferociously clever… a visceral thrill”  Evening Standard

 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Venue:                           Arts Theatre, Great Newport Street, London, WC2H 7JB

Dates:                            Until 11^th July 2015

Times:                            Monday – Saturday, 7.30pm; Thursday and Saturday Matinees, 2.30pm

Tickets:                                         Mon – Thurs and Matinees, £20- £45; Friday and Saturday, £24.50 – £49.50

Box Office:                 020 7836 8463 / www.artstheatrewestend.co.uk

 

 

FOUR SEASONS IN ONE DAY

Let’s Hang On – celebrating the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is coming to Darlington Civic Theatre on Friday 5 June.

The award-winning production Let’s Hang On takes you on a musical journey through the prolific career of one of the most successful bands of all time – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

It’s easy to frequently name drop the big chart stars of the 60s such as The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys but as their repertoire proves, The Four Seasons are still held in very high regard with countless hits and a multitude of songs used in hit films such as Grease, Dirty Dancing, and The Deer Hunter.

Dino Buttarazzi, Martin Peat, Scott Walker, Jay Harrison and Robin Maughan (who scales the falsetto heights previously set by Frankie Valli with remarkable ease,) truly capture the original magic of the Four Seasons. The atmosphere created is not only from their music but also their own unique sound, nostalgic mood, and electric feeling!

From the beginning in the early 50’s when Frankie first joined the group, the show takes you through hits such as December ’63 (Oh What A Night!), Beggin’, Sherry, Bye Bye Baby, Walk Like A Man, Grease, Rag Doll, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back To You, Big Girls Don’t Cry, and many more, climaxing with a spectacular finale of, of course, Let’s Hang On!

Having only last year performed at the Royal Albert Hall for Frankie Valli himself, Let’s Hang On are undoubtedly one of the most authentic touring acts on the circuit and continue to prove they’re in a class of their own!

Let’s Hang On is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Friday 5 June. Tickets* are priced £21.50 and £23.50

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

*All ticket prices include a £1 restoration levy

Michael Ball   Rebecca LaChance

MACK & MABEL

Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman      Book by Michael Stewart
Book revised by Francine Pascal
Director: Jonathan Church

13 July – 5 September
Festival Theatre, Chichester

The full cast has been confirmed for Chichester’s highly anticipated forthcoming summer musical, Mack & Mabel, which will be led by Michael Ball and Rebecca LaChance in the title roles. Following the Chichester run, this major new production will tour across the UK and Ireland.

Based on the true romance between Hollywood legends Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand, this musical comedy received eight Tony Award nominations when it opened on Broadway in 1974. The much-loved score includes Time Heals Everything, I Won’t Send Roses and Tap Your Troubles Away.

Michael Ball plays Mack Sennett. Recent credits include the BBC television drama That Day We Sang, which reunited him with Sweeney Todd co-star Imelda Staunton. Theatre credits include the title role in Sweeney Todd (Chichester’s Festival 2011 and West End), Hairspray, Les Misérables, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Passion, Aspects of Love, The Woman in White and The Phantom of the Opera. Ball co-produced Chichester Festival 2010’s West End transfer of Love Story. He also has a successful recording and broadcasting career, and completed a UK concert tour in Spring 2015.

Rebecca LaChance’s credits include her recent Broadway debut in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical as a featured ensemble member while understudying Jessie Mueller in the title role. Other credits include Johnny Baseball directed by Gordon Greenberg, the director of Chichester’s acclaimed production of Guys and Dolls during Festival 2014, Central Avenue Breakdown and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

Other casting includes Anna-Jane Casey whose credits include The Comedy of Errors (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Sunday in the Park with George (Menier Chocolate Factory) as Lottie, Jack Edwards whose credits include West End productions of Betty Blue Eyes and Sweet Charity as Fatty, Alex Giannini whose Chichester credits include The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (also West End) and Oklahoma! as well as Oh! What A Lovely War (Theatre Royal Stratford East and UK tour) as Mr Baumann, Gunnar Cauthery  whose credits include The House of Special Purpose at Chichester and Little Shop of Horrors as Frank, Mark Inscoe whose credits include West End productions of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Sunset Boulevard as William Desmond Taylor and Timothy Quinlan whose credits include US productions of Jersey Boys and The Full Monty as Mr Kessel.

The company also includes Ashley Andrews, Adam Denman, Nicole Deon, Michelle Francis, Emily Langham,Jenny Legg, Rebecca Louis, Joshua Lovell, Grace McKee, Joseph Prouse,  Rohan Richards, Emily Shaw, Sam Stones, Andrew Waldron, Zara Warren and Libby Watts

The production is directed by Jonathan Church, Chichester’s Artistic Director. His Chichester credits include Festival 2014’s Taken at Midnight (also West End) which garnered a 2015 Best Actress Olivier Award for Penelope Wilton, as well as two other nominations. Other credits include Singin’ in the Rain (also West End, UK and international tour), Amadeusand The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (also West End).

Design is by Robert Jones whose Chichester credits include Festival 2015’s Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, as well asTaken At Midnight (also West End), Kiss Me, Kate (also Old Vic) and Calendar Girls (also UK tour, Australia and Canada). Other credits include City of Angels (Donmar Warehouse) and West End productions of A Chorus of Disapproval and Much Ado About Nothing.

Choreography is by Stephen Mear, Chichester’s Associate Choreographer. Chichester credits include Festival 2014’sGypsy (currently in the West End) and Amadeus, as well as The Pajama Game (also West End) and Kiss Me, Kate (also The Old Vic). Other credits include City of Angels (Donmar Warehouse), West End productions of Shoes, Mary Poppins,Hello, Dolly!, Crazy for You and Anything Goes (National Theatre and West End).

Musical Direction is by Robert Scott whose Chichester credits include Singin’ in the Rain (and West End, UK and international tours), Carousel, Cabaret and Funny Girl. Other credits include the West End production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (also Broadway and UK tour).

Lighting Design is by Howard Harrison who recently won a 2015 Olivier Award for his work on City of Angels. His Chichester credits include Festival 2015’s A Damsel in Distress, as well as The Pajama Game (also West End), Love Story (also West End) and Macbeth (also West End and New York) for which he also won an Olivier Award.

Sound Design is by Paul Groothuis, Chichester’s Associate Sound Designer. Chichester credits include Festival 2015’sA Damsel in Distress, as well as Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, The Pajama Game, Private Lives, Kiss Me, Kate, andRosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, all of which transferred to the West End.

Video Design is by Jon Driscoll whose credits include the Broadway production of Finding Neverland, the recent West End revival of Cats, Kate Bush’s 2014 concerts, Carmen (Sante Fe Opera) and 3 Winters (National Theatre)

Physical theatre and comedy is by Spymonkey whose credits include Oedipussy, Moby Dick, Cooped, Stiff andZumanity for Cirque Du Soleil.

Mack & Mabel is sponsored by Conquest Fine Bespoke Furniture, Harwoods Group, Henry Adams and Seaward Properties.

Events
Director Jonathan Church will be in conversation with novelist and CFT biographer Kate Mosse on Monday 20 July at 5.45pm. Tickets free but advance booking essential.

There will be the chance to meet some of the Mack & Mabel company at a post-show discussion hosted by author Simon Brett on Monday 3 August.

Following the performance of Mack & Mabel on Friday 21 August, Michael Ball will talk to Kate Mosse about his musical career, reflecting on his favourite roles and songs from his shows. Tickets £5.

Booking information  
Mack & Mabel will be at the Festival Theatre, Chichester from 13 July – 5 September. Tickets from £10, with 16 – 25s tickets at £8.50. Visit cft.org.uk or contact the Box Office on 01243 781312 for more details. Following the Chichester dates there will be a UK and Ireland tour from 1 October – 6 December, visitmackandmabelmusical.com for further details.

Special Prices for 16 – 25s
An allocation of tickets for 16 – 25 year olds priced at just £8.50 for all performances of Mack & Mabel will go on sale on 12 June. These may be booked on 01243 781312, online at cft.org.uk/850 or in person.

 

The Tyne Lord? 

Daleks Loose on the Toon in advance of Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular

 

Two Daleks have been seen roaming around Newcastle in advance of the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular hitting the city’s Metro Radio Arena on Thursday 28th May during half-term*. It is thought they had escaped from the show and were hunting the Doctor…

 

The Daleks were seen on the Millennium Bridge over the River Tyne threatening to exterminate passers-by. Later they were seen at the Metro Radio Arena where the show is set to appear over half-term in two weeks’ time.

 

The Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular, which celebrates the world’s longest running science fiction TV series, showcases the evocative and thrilling music written by Murray Gold for the series since 2005 and features over 100 performers including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and members of the BBC National Chorus of Wales, conducted by Ben Foster.  The first ever UK shows will be staged from Saturday 23rd May 2015 to Friday 29th May 2015 during May half-term.

 

Peter Davison, who portrayed the Fifth Doctor on the BBC One series between 1981 and 1984, acted as presenter for the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular in Australia and New Zealand at the beginning of 2014 and will reprise this role in the UK this year. 

 

The show features a host of the Doctor’s famous adversaries including the iconic Daleks and Cybermen, the spine-chilling Silence and many more fan favourites. The live monsters provide a dramatic contrast to the award-winning and very popular music written by Murray Gold, who has been responsible for composing music for the series over the last eight years, including the record-breaking (and BAFTA award-winning) 50th anniversary episode Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor. 

 

The show also features Murray’s latest score and footage from series eight of Doctor Who, starring Peter Capaldi, which was on air at the end of last year.

 

The live music will be accompanied by a big screen presentation of key moments from Doctor Who in specially edited video sequences. 

 

Peter Davison said “I’m very excited to be hosting the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular in the UK.  Doctor Who fans are an extraordinary, wonderful bunch, who are very passionate about the series. The Symphonic Spectacular has already proved to be a monster hit down under with thousands of fans packing into arenas across the southern hemisphere and the UK’s first ever tour promises to be even bigger.”

 

• Tickets for the Metro Radio Arena are available from:-
• Credit Card Booking and Information Line 0844 493 6666
• The Metro Radio Arena Newcastle Box Office (Mon – Fri: 10.00am – 4.00pm, Sat: 11.00am – 2.30pm)
• Internet Site:- www.metroradioarena.co.uk / www.eventim.co.uk
• Group Bookers should call (0191) 260 6006
• Accessibility bookings should call (0191) 260 6066 for further details.

 

*Holiday in England and Wales, not Scotland

 

This week Live Theatre announced its June to December 2015 season with an exciting collaboration with National Theatre of Scotland on Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour (Thursday 1 to Saturday 24 October), a new play by Lee Hall (The Pitmen Painters). Adapted from Alan Warner’s novel, The Sopranos and directed by Vicky Featherstone, the play will receive its world premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before touring Scotland ahead of its English Premiere at Live Theatre in October.

 

Max Robert, Artistic Director, said:

“Live Theatre has enjoyed a long and fruitful creative relationship with Lee Hall so we are delighted to collaborate with National Theatre of Scotland in this co-production of his adaptation of Alan Warner’s brilliant novel, The Sopranos. I’m sure our audiences will be thrilled to see Lee’s latest work and will extend a warm Tyneside welcome to the company for the play’s English Premiere.”

 

After its short sell-out run in April 2015 Day of the Flymo by Journal Culture award-winning playwright Paddy Campbell will be returning to Live Theatre (Thursday 12 to Saturday 21 November).  Awarded 4 stars by The Guardian audiences will have the chance to meet a brother and sister as they come into contact with the care system.

Paul James, Associate Director of Education & Participation and director of Day of the Flymo said:

 

“I am delighted that Day of the Flymo is returning to Live Theatre. The piece is funny, moving and smacks of authenticity as it reflects Paddy Campbell’s real-life experience of working with young people caught up in the care system. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this original and compelling play by a hugely talented writer.”

 

Writer Paddy Campbell added:

“I’m thrilled that Day of the Flymo is being brought back for another run in November. The audience response was terrific in April and it’s great that more people are going to get the chance to see it. I feel incredibly lucky to have had such a great cast for this play and I know they are raring to get back in the theatre again. I can’t wait.”

Young people from Live’s Youth Theatre will be taking over the building for two weeks in August for the company’s sixteenth annual Youth Theatre Festival called Our World where they will create four evenings of unique entertainment; Big Talk, Small Talk (Thursday 6 August) is a selection of short pieces devised over ten days; 11 Plus (Friday 7 & Saturday 8 August) gives young people’s perspective on what it’s like to be 11 and 12 today; Your Aunt Fanny (Friday 7 & Saturday 8 August) test out some new comedy sketches before they head up to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the first time, and Invisible Cinema(Sunday 9 August) a film made using improv acting by six young actors working with Magic If films.

 

Live Lab offers theatre-goers the opportunity to see exciting new work performed for the very first time. This season Red is the New Blue (Tuesday 23 & Wednesday 24 June) is a new collaborative project with three Live Lab Associate Artists, there are twoTen Minutes to… events (Sunday 7 June and Sunday 1 November), a Scratch Night (Thursday 19 November) as well as seasonal festivities in Live Lab Christmas Adventures (Monday 21 December).

 

Ahead of the launch of the new Children & Young People’s Writing Centre next year, created as part of Live Works, Live Theatre is starting a new programme of theatre especially for schools. What the Thunder Said (Wednesday 17 to Friday 19 June) will explore 9 to 11 year olds’ responses to witnessing violence and bullying and The Forest (Thursday 15 & Friday 16 October) is a multi-sensory tale especially for teenagers and young adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

 

Turning Pages (Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 December), presented as part of Write Stuff, Live Theatre’s playwriting initiative for secondary schools, will feature six plays written by 13 to 15 year olds from Furrowfield School in Gateshead and Redhouse Academy in Sunderland.

 

To help launch its new public gardens Live Theatre is calling out for proposals for Fun Palaces (Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 October), a free nationwide celebration of arts, culture and sciences.

The quayside based Theatre is also looking forward to welcoming some of the country’s most exciting visiting theatre companies.No More Worries (Thursday 18 June) is a combination of theatre and spoken word from Simon Mole.  Two Mixtape events (Friday 24 July & Friday 30 October) will offer hilarious bite-sized theatre inspired by music.  Key Change (Friday 11 & Saturday 12 September) presented by Open Clasp Theatre Company and devised with women from HMP/YOI Low Newton Prison will return to Live Theatre.  Grandad and the Machine (Wednesday 16 September) is an epic quest in a fairytale for grown-ups andThe Bogus Woman (Saturday 7 November) is the tale of an African woman seeking safety and asylum as she arrives in a strange country.

 

Live Theatre will also host live music from Jumpin’ Hot Club, a special gig launching Refugee Week featuring Stella Chiweshe and The Crossing Band (Sunday 14 June) and a monthly night of alternative comedy from Silly Billies Comedy Club (Sunday 27 September, 25 October, 29 November & 20 December)

For more information about Live Theatre’s June to December 2015 season or to book tickets visit www.live.org.uk or contact the box office on (0191) 232 1232.

This fantastic show celebrates one of the greatest singing talents of our time – Whitney Houston, at Darlington Civic Theatre on Thursday 4 June.

This award-winning production features a stellar line-up with rising West End star Rebecca Freckleton delivering a powerhouse and breath-taking performance as Whitney.

Taking us on a magical rollercoaster ride through three decades of classic hits that include I Wanna Dance With Somebody, One Moment in Time, I’m Every Woman, My Love is Your Love, So Emotional Baby and many more, this show beautifully remembers the most highly awarded female in the world ever!

Whitney’s one true legacy was her music which touched most of us at some time in our lives. Share her life and get ready for the greatest love of all in Queen of The Night.

Whitney – Queen of the Night is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Thursday 4 June. Tickets* are priced £20 and £22.

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

*All ticket prices include a £1 restoration levy

Sonia Friedman Productions and Eleanor Lloyd Productions
present the Headlong, Nottingham Playhouse and Almeida Theatre production of
1984
By George Orwell
A new adaptation created by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan

Casting announced for West End run

Matthew Spencer will play the role of George Orwell’s Winston Smith in the hit West End stage production of 1984 this summer.  Julia will be played by Janine Harouni until 25 July, and then Hara Yannas from 27 July to the end of the run. Simon Coates, Tim Dutton, Stephen Fewell, Christopher Patrick Nolan, Ben Porter, Gavin Spokes and Mandi Symonds complete the cast.

Full cast (in order):
Simon Coates – Parsons (From 29th June)
Tim Dutton – O’Brien
Stephen Fewell – Charrington
Janine Harouni – Julia (Until 25th July)
Christopher Patrick Nolan – Martin
Ben Porter – Syme
Matthew Spencer – Winston
Gavin Spokes – Parsons (Until 27th June)
Mandi Symonds – Mrs Parsons
Hara Yannas – Julia (From 27th July)

All the cast members are returning to the show, having previously appeared in the touring, Almeida or West End productions. Matthew Spencer played Syme in 2014, as well as understudying Winston Smith. All the other cast members are resuming roles they have played before.

The Headlong, Nottingham Playhouse and Almeida Theatre production of 1984returns to the Playhouse Theatre this summer, where it enjoyed a run in 2014. 1984 will preview from 12 June 2015, with the press night on 18 June 2015.

The production premiered at Nottingham Playhouse in September 2013. In total, it has played to more than 234,000 people in Nottingham, at the Almeida Theatre, in the West End, and on two UK tours.

101 seats for every performance for £19.84.

April, 1984. Comrade 6079, Winston Smith, thinks a thought and starts a diary. But  is always watching, and the door to Room     can swing open in the blink of an eye.

The definitive book of the 20th century in a radical, award-winning adaptation exploring surveillance, identity and why Orwell’s vision of the future is relevant .

1984 is adapted and directed by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan, set and costume designed by Chloe Lamford, with lighting designed by Natasha Chivers, sound designed by Tom Gibbons and video designed by Tim Reid.

George Orwell’s 1984, published in 1949, is one of the most influential novels in recent history, with its chilling depiction of perpetual , government and incessant public. Its ideas have become our ideas, and Orwell’s fiction is often said to be our reality.