Month: May 2015

Mountaineer Simon Yates brings his extraordinary stories to Darlington Civic Theatre on Wednesday 3 June.

On a remote mountain in Peru in June 1985 mountaineer Simon Yates found himself in an unenviable position. He was slowly being dragged off the mountain face by his injured partner – Joe Simpson – dangling on the rope far below. His decision to cut the rope saved both their lives in the epic trial of survival that followed. With the publication of the book ‘Touching The Void’ and the film of the same name, both climbers became household names.

Come along and witness Simon’s tireless journey from that mountain in Peru to some of the remotest on the planet and share with him the drama, excitement and beauty of modern mountaineering.

Told with wit, dry humour and lavishly illustrated with images and video collected on his great climbs, Simon both entertains and inspires.

Simon Yates is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Wednesday 3 June. Tickets* are priced £18 and £16.

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

*All ticket prices include a £1 restoration levy

Avenue Q, where the “Internet is for porn” and “Everyone’s a little bit racist”. Catch it on its brand new UK tour at Darlington Civic Theatre from June 9 to 13. You’d be a Muppet to miss it.

Avenue Q is a triple Tony Award winning musical unlike any other. The actors act and sing as their characters but simultaneously animate individual puppet versions of their character. So… who do you end up watching – the actor or the puppet? You will have to try it out for yourself and see.

Avenue Q is packed with incredible songs and full of political incorrectness (recommended age 14+) but is hilariously entertaining. Think Sesame Street meets Book of Mormon and you are half way to understanding what Avenue Q is all about.

Avenue Q tells the story of the loveable characters on a down-town New York street trying to make sense of life’s burning issues. So… join Princeton, Kate Monster, Lucy the Slut, Mrs T, Rod, Trekkie Monster and all the other people who live on Avenue Q at Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 June. Tickets* are from £19 to £30.50 (*all ticket prices include a £1 restoration levy).

Call the Box Office on 01325 486555 or book online at www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTUj3K4p4V8&feature=player_embedded

Calamity Jane – Civic Theatre, Darlington

Posted by: The Reviews Hub – Yorkshire & North East 

https://www.thereviewshub.com/calamity-jane-civic-theatre-darlington/

13/05/2015 

Writer: Charles K Freeman

Music: Sammy Fain

Lyrics: Paul Francis Webster

Director: Nikolai Foster

3*

Calamity Jane whip cracks her way into Darlington this week.

On the face of it, Calamity Jane shouldn’t be a heroine. ‘Careless with the Truth’ and a stranger to a bar of soap, she is petulant, has tantrums, is obsessive and has jealous rages and is played perfectly by Jodie Prenger. For those who don’t know the story of Martha Jane Cannary, she and Wild Bill Hickok were real 19th Century Wild West characters. 1953 saw the release of the film version, while the first theatre production was staged in the 1960’s and this well-known story has been doing the rounds ever since.

With fine dance routines coupled with Fain and Webster’s great songs such as ‘Deadwood Stage’, ‘The Black Hills of Dakota’, ‘Windy City’ and Oscar winning ‘Secret Love’, musical theatre fans should be in seventh heaven here.

There are no scene changes, just great utilization of the available space and multi-functioning props. For example, turning a piano into a stagecoach in five seconds flat is most ingenious.

Tom Lister shakes off his soap persona and gives an outstanding performance as Wild Bill Hickok. His two jaw dropping moments are his beautiful solo guitar rendition of ‘Higher than a Hawk’ and when Bill loses a bet and dresses as Queen Victoria.

The story is driven by mistaken identity and Calamity’s obsession and jealousy. Mistake number one is when actor Francis Flyer (the very versatile and talented Bobby Delaney) turns up to perform in Deadwood when the townsfolk are expecting Frances the actress. Calamity then gets obsessive and jealous of Danny Gilmartin’s (Alex Hammond) adoration of actress Adelaide Adams. Desperate to impress, Calamity goes to Chicago to bring back Adelaide to perform. The second mistake is when Adelaide’s dresser Katie Brown (talented Phoebe Street) pretends to be Adelaide and returns to Deadwood to perform in the town.

And so begins a romance, with Bill liking Katie, Calamity liking Danny and Danny and Katie liking each other. Calamity’s obsessive jealousy and temper drives Katie out of town but in true heroine style, Calamity saves the day which makes way for a happy ending in classic musical style.

There were a few niggles in Darlington, the surprisingly small cast are all multi-talented, singing, dancing and acting and playing the musical instruments. But sadly the musical talent over-shadowed the singing in the first half, but thankfully this was rectified in the second. Prenger’s American accent travelled as widely as the Deadwood Stage, and at some points if felt like we were watching a one tribute to Hylda Baker instead of Doris Day.

Nevertheless, the sold out audience in Darlington loved the show, clapping and singing along and to give a standing ovation at the end.

YOUR CHANCE TO REALLY LET IT GO

Darlington Civic Theatre hosts Sing-a-long-a Frozen on Sunday 31 May as part of a national UK tour.

Darlington Civic Theatre will host Sing-a-long-a Frozen, when the unique, interactive screening of the worldwide phenomenon Frozen rolls into town as part of a nationwide UK tour.

Sing-a-long-a Productions are delighted to announce that Disney’s Frozen is the new Sing-a-long-a must see! A screening of Disney’s Frozen with lyrics on screen to help you sing along with Elsa and Anna. The evening is introduced by a live host who will show you how to use your interactive prop bag and then just sit back and ‘Let it Go’! YOU the audience can be the stars!

Remember to dress up as your favourite character and be a Snow Queen for the day or Olaf the snowman, the coolest iceman ever!

Disney’s Frozen has taken the world by “snowstorm” and has become the biggest animated film in the world and fifth biggest film of all time. In this heart-warming tale, fearless optimist Anna sets off on an epic journey, teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven, to find her sister Elsa whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.

The Academy Award winning song “Let it Go”, which has now sold over 250,000 copies in the UK, will feature as part of Sing-a-long-a-Frozen, along with the rest of the platinum certified soundtrack making this sing-a-long one not to be missed.

Sooooo ‘do you wanna build a snowman…..?’

Sing-a-long-a Frozen is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Sunday 31 May at 11am and 3pm. Tickets* are priced £15 Adults, £10 Children

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

*All ticket prices include a £1 restoration levy

GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK

Monday 30 November – Saturday 5 December 2015

 

Priscilla Queen of the Desert – Our Journey

Starring

JASON DONOVAN

 

Based on the Oscar-winning movie, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT the Musical is the heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could have ever dreamed of.

With a dazzling array of over 500 award-winning costumes, 200 extraordinary head-dresses and a hit parade of dancefloor favourites, this wildly fresh and funny musical is a journey to the heart of FABULOUS!

Jason Donovan’s popularity in the UK has sustained throughout the years with his stage appearances in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’, as Frank N Furter in ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and as Caractacus Potts in ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. First coming to the public’s attention in Neighbours in the mid 80’s, Jason Donovan returned to the UK’s screen in 2006 when he took part in ‘I’m A Celebrity get Me Out Of Here’ and most recently alongside Martine McCutcheon in ITV1’s docusoap ‘Echo Beach’

Jason returns with Priscilla in the role of Mitzi Del Bra.

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT IS A WORLDWIDE AWARD-WINNER:

Winner of 5 Australian Greenroom awards, in London an Olivier award and the Whatsonstage.com award for “Best New Musical”, in the US a Tony award, in Canada 6 Toronto Broadway World awards for Best Direction, Choreography, Costumes, Lighting, Set and Sound, a Toronto Theatre Critics award, and 2 Dora Mavor Moore awards. In Italy Priscilla was the winner of 4 DAPA awards for Best Musical, Costumes, Make-Up and Sound as well as 5 Italian Musical Awards for Best Actor, Best Musical, Best Director, Best Costumes and Best Scenery. In Argentina the show won 7 A.C.E Awards including Best Musical & Best Production, 12 Hugo Musical Theatre Awards including Best Musical and 6 Carlos Paz Awards including Best Musical.

Featuring a hit parade of dancefloor classics:

It’s Raining Men, Boogie Wonderland, What’s Love Got To Do With It, I Love The Nightlife, Pop Muzik, I Will Survive, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and many more.

For more information/interviews/reviews please contact Celestine Dubruel on 01904 678711 or email[email protected]

 

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT RECEIVES CRITICAL ACCLAIM:

‘HUGELY ENTERTAINING… INSANELY GLITZY’ Daily Telegraph
‘THE BEST FEEL-GOOD SHOW SINCE MAMMA MIA!’ Sunday Express
‘A BIG HIT MUSICAL’ Nicholas de Jongh, Evening Standard
★★★★ Daily Telegraph
★★★★ The Times
★★★★ Evening Standard
★★★★ Sunday Express

 

Performance: Mon – Sat 7:30pm, Wed & Sat matinees 2:30pm

Tickets: £11.50 – £44.50

Box Office: 0844 871 3024

Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/york

Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola in

The Elephant Man

Written by Bernard Pomerance

Directed by Scott Ellis

100 Gallery tickets per performance of The Elephant Man at Theatre Royal Haymarket, London are released for sale at £15 for theatregoers under 25 years old

Scott Ellis’s acclaimed production of The Elephant Man, which begins preview performances at Theatre Royal Haymarket in London next week, Tuesday 19th May, has today released for sale 100 Gallery tickets per performance for the price of £15, available to theatregoers under the age of 25 years old. Tickets will be available via the box office in person, on 020 7930 8800 or via the website www.ElephantManLondon.comwith best availability for all other prices from June.

The Elephant Man receives four Tony® Award nominations for its run at the Booth Theatre on Broadway

Prior to the London engagement, The Elephant Man played at the Booth Theatre in New York City where it has received four Tony® Award nominations including ‘Best Revival of a Play’, ‘Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play’ for Bradley Cooper, ‘Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play’ forAlessandro Nivola and ‘Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play’ for Patricia Clarkson

The cast of The Elephant Man at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket features Bradley Cooper as John Merrick, Patricia Clarkson as Mrs. Kendal, Alessandro Nivola as Dr. Frederick Treves, Anthony  Heald  as  Ross  /  Bishop  How, Scott Lowell as Snork / Pinhead Manager / Lord John, Kathryn Meisle as Miss Sandwich / Princess and Henry Stram as Carr Gomm / Conductor. The cast also includes Chris Bannow, Peter Bradbury, Lucas Calhoun, Eric Clem, Amanda Lea Mason, Marguerite Stimpson and Emma Thorne.

This production was first produced in July 2012 in Williamstown, Massachusetts by the Williamstown Theatre Festival under Jenny Gersten’s season.

Based on the real life of Joseph Merrick, The Elephant Man tells the story of a 19th-century British man who became a star of the traveling freak show circuit. When the renowned Dr Treves takes Merrick under his care, he is astonished by the man’s brilliant intelligence, unshakable faith and, most of all, his resounding desire for love and understanding. He introduces Merrick to the beautiful actress Mrs. Kendal, who is deeply touched by this pure and genuine soul. As a complex friendship blossoms among the three, Treves and Kendal struggle to protect Merrick from a world of questionable intentions.

The Elephant Man on Broadway has Scenic and Projection Design by Timothy R. Mackabee, Costume Design by Clint Ramos, Lighting Design by Philip S. Rosenberg, Original Music and Sound Design byJohn Gromada, Hair and Wig Design by Charles G. LaPointe and casting by Calleri Casting.

The Elephant Man is produced in London by James L. Nederlander in association with Michael Codron.

All tickets available via www.ElephantManLondon.com or Telephone 020 7930 8800 with best availability for all other prices from June.

The American Actors are appearing with the support of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an agreement with Actors’ Equity Association.

 

 

Jasper Carrott is back on tour bringing his inimitable comedy style to Darlington Civic Theatre on Tuesday 2 June

Jasper Carrott’s Stand Up And Rock does what it says on the tin….

Jasper is back to his very best….mic in hand regaling the audience with his inimitable stand up routines before introducing his musical compatriots that have been ‘rockin’ audiences all over the world.

Bev Bevan, as well as being Jasper’s mate has rock star credentials that most dream of from the Move through ELO and has one of the finest bands around. Rockin’ Berries lead singer Geoff Turton, celtic rock band Quills lead singer ‘Joy’ and the Bev Bevan band comprising some of the country’s finest musicians.

So do not miss this unique show that gives the opportunity to see and hear great legendary artistes belt out a night of fantastic songs and Jasper back where he belongs……making us laugh!!

Jasper Carrott’s Stand Up and Rock is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Tuesday 2 June. Tickets* are priced £24 and £26.

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

*All ticket prices include a £1 restoration levy

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

McQUEEN

OPENS TONIGHT (TUESDAY 12 MAY)

AT ST. JAMES THEATRE

WITH HIGHEST GROSSING ADVANCE

SALES IN THE THEATRE’S HISTORY

 

The world premiere of James Phillips’s play McQUEEN, directed by John Caird, opens at St. James Theatre tonight (Tuesday 12 May) with the highest grossing advance sales figure in the theatre’s history, including more than thirty shows which have previously played the main stage. The previous highest figure was recorded by the musical Urinetown in 2014.

Producer Robert Mackintosh said, “An exciting cast in a highly-anticipated new play, combined with the current public appetite for Lee Alexander McQueen and his designs, have together led to an incredible buzz about McQUEEN opening in London. We are absolutely delighted that this has translated into record-breaking sales at St. James Theatre.”

The production, which stars award-winning actor Stephen Wight in the title role of Lee and Dianna Agron as Dahlia, will run at St. James Theatre from 12 May to 27 June, with press nights on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 May. 

The play also stars Tracy-Ann Oberman as Isabella Blow, Laura Rees as Arabella, and David Shaw-Parker as John Hitchcock, along with Sophie Apollonia, Amber Doyle, George Hill, Eloise Hymas, Jordan Kennedy, Rachel Louisa Maybank, James Revell and Carrie Willis.

McQUEEN is a journey into the visionary imagination and dark dream world of Alexander McQueen, fashion’s greatest contemporary artist.  Set on a single London night, it is more than a bio-play.  It is stepping into the fairy story landscape of McQueen’s mind, the landscape seen in his immortal shows, where with a dress an urchin can become an Amazon, where beauty might just help us survive the night.  A girl has watched McQueen’s Mayfair house for eleven consecutive days.  Tonight she climbs down from her watching tree and breaks into his house, to steal a dress, to become someone special.  He catches her, but, instead of calling the police, they embark together on a journey through London and into his heart.

McQUEEN is directed by John Caird, with production design by David Farley, choreography by Christopher Marney, video design by Tim Bird, lighting design by David Howe, sound design by John Leonard, wigs designed by Linda McKnight, fight direction by Kate Walters and casting by Jayne Collins CDG & Kate Plantin CDG.

 

McQUEEN is produced at St. James Theatre by Robert Mackintosh, AMIR Ltd, Hilary Williams, Deborah Negri, with Julian Stoneman as executive producer, for and on behalf of McQ Productions Ltd.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

12 May to 27 June 2015

 

St. James Theatre

12 Palace Street

London SW1E 5JA

 

Performances:  Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm*, Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm**

*7.00pm on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 May; no 7.30pm performance on Saturday 27 June

**No 2.30pm performances on Thursday 14 and Thursday 21 May

 

Ticket Prices:  £25, £35, £55, £65

Box Office:  0844 264 2140

Website:  www.mcqueentheplay.com

Facebook:  facebook.com/McQueenThePlay

Twitter:  @McQueenThePlay

 

‘UTOPIA’ – ENVISIONED BY PROLIFIC ARTIST, FILM MAKER AND DIRECTOR PENNY WOOLCOCK AND DESIGNED BY RADICAL SET DESIGN DUO BLOCK9, WILL ALLOW AUDIENCES TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE DIVERSE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF CITY LIFE IN AN IMMERSIVE SOUNDSCAPE ENVIRONMENT

Bloomberg Summer at the Roundhouse, the annual festival dedicated to introducing new audiences to innovative culture, returns for the fourth year this August with Utopia, a ground-breaking installation by Penny Woolcock, supported by Bloomberg and realised in collaboration with Block9. Taking over the Main Space, Utopia will be a multi-sensory world focusing in on inequality, consumerism, housing, gentrification, education, crime and social media.

The piece has been imagined by award-winning Director and Filmmaker Penny Woolcock. Woolcock’s curiosity and craft for storytelling underpins all her work and for Utopia, she spent many months uncovering the stories of Londoners from the most wildly diverse of backgrounds to reveal the hidden narratives of the city. Her work has regularly focused on social cohesion, leading her to collaborate with young inner-city gang members and street hustlers (1 Day, One Mile Away).

Designers Block9 (Stephen Gallagher and Gideon Berger), revered for their visually arresting, post-apocalyptic spectacles, will work closely with Woolcock to design a symbolic representation of her vision. Block9 are best known for creating extravagant fantasy worlds for Glastonbury Festival, often comprising of grand scale tower blocks, tenements and tube trains.

Named after Thomas More’s 16th century imagining of a self-contained world in which communities shared a common culture and way of life, Woolcock’s Utopia is based on a walk through the neighbourhood of the Roundhouse and the differing perspectives on reality that can offer. Utopia will be peppered with narrative soundscapes that will reverberate with stories that are personal, political and pertinent to the parallel lives being lived in the world’s biggest cities. The stories have all been collected by Woolcock in interviews with residents across the social spectrum – from drug dealers, gang members, former offenders and sex workers to the homeless, the elderly, housewives and university graduates.

Penny Woolcock said “I am haunted by the way our city, any city, is experienced in such different ways. We all have our individual lives and stories that follow us onto the pavement but we inhabit shared public spaces in radically different ways. For some the city is a playground, for others a battlefield.”

Utopia also involves contributions and close collaboration with participants from the Roundhouse’s creative programme for 11-25 year-olds. In 2014 Woolcock worked with young people to find and interview local Camden residents for Utopia and one of the participants has become a paid assistant on this project. Others have become some of the voices heard in the installation. Young people from across the programme will also perform at the installation’s evening events which are still to be announced.

CAMDEN BEACH – THE ROUNDHOUSE’S OWN SEASIDE RESORT –  RETURNS FOR  SUMMER EVENINGS OUTSIDE THE BUILDING

Alongside the installation, the Roundhouse will become a daily destination where members of the public can enjoy the sunshine at North London’s very own ‘seaside’ resort, Camden Beach, presented by Stoli Vodka. On the terrace, Camden’s biggest outdoor space, there will be 150 tonnes of the finest sand, deckchairs, beach huts, ping-pong, live music, some of the best food pop-ups in the city and the chance to enjoy Stoli’s drink of the summer, the Stoli Lemonade.

Bloomberg’s long term partnership with the Roundhouse builds on a shared commitment to support artistic innovation, ground breaking technologies and access for new audiences in the arts. For the third year running, Bloomberg Summer will have a weekly ‘pay what you like’ event to ensure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to enjoy it.

AN EXCITING AND ECLECTIC EVENTS PROGRAMME IS TO BE ANNOUNCED ALONGSIDE UTOPIA

Lenny Henry   Lashana Lynch

EDUCATING RITA by Willy Russell
Director: Michael Buffong

18 June – 25 July
Minerva Theatre, Chichester

Special event for 16 – 25 year olds – Youth Get In!
Saturday 11 July

Lenny Henry makes his Chichester debut in Willy Russell’s classic comedy about the transformative power of education, alongside Lashana Lynch in the title role of outspoken hairdresser Rita.

English lecturer Frank has never met anyone like Rita, until the Open University brings them together, changing both of their lives. Willy Russell’s touching and enduring comedy about the relationship between teacher and student has delighted audiences around the world, and celebrates its 35^th anniversary this year.

Lenny Henry plays Frank. Since first appearing on television on a 1970s talent show, Henry has forged a versatile and lasting career across stage and screen. In recent years he has focused on major theatrical roles with great success. Credits include award-winning performances in West End productions of Fences and Othello, Rudy’s Rare Records(Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Hackney Empire) and The Comedy of Errors at the National Theatre. Forthcoming projects include BBC 1’s The Syndicate and a feature-length television drama Danny And The Human Zoo. Like the protagonist in Educating Rita, Henry has completed an Open University degree and has spoken of this as a pivotal moment in his life.

Whilst at Chichester, Henry will join a panel of local young people at Youth Get In! to discuss the career choices available today, as they consider higher education or alternative pathways to success.

Lashana Lynch plays Rita. She will also be making her Chichester debut, and her recent credits include Tybalt inRomeo and Juliet at The Shed (National Theatre), BBC 1’s Death in Paradise and BBC 3’s Crims.

Writer Willy Russell’s theatre credits include Shirley Valentine, Blood Brothers (one of the longest running West End musicals), and John Paul George Ringo…and Bert, as well as the critically acclaimed novel, The Wrong Boy.

Educating Rita is directed by Michael Buffong, Artistic Director of Talawa Theatre Company, whose recent credits include All My Sons and God’s Property, as well as A Raisin in the Sun and Private Lives (both for the Royal Exchange Theatre) and Moon on a Rainbow Shawl (National Theatre).

Design is by Ellen Cairns whose credits include Private Lives, A Raisin in the Sun and Romeo and Juliet (all for the Royal Exchange Theatre), and Taking Sides, Mary Poppins and Evita (all for Estonia’s Vanemuine Theatre).

Lighting Design is by Johanna Town whose credits include Festival 2014’s Pitcairn, as well as West End productions ofFences, What the Butler Saw, Betrayal and Some Like It Hip Hop.

Sound Design is by Jack C Arnold whose credits include West End productions of Elling, Missing Persons: Four Tragedies and Roy Keane and The Madness of George Dubya, as well as How To Curse and Trance (Bush Theatre).

Educating Rita is sponsored by ITD Consultants.

Events
Director Michael Buffong will be in conversation with novelist and CFT biographer Kate Mosse at a pre-show talk on Monday 22 June, 6pm. Tickets are free but pre-booking is essential.

Join the Educating Rita technical crew and creative team for insights and discussion into the making of the production at a Schools Theatre Day on Wednesday 1 July, 11am. Tickets £13.50, including matinee performance.

Meet some of the Educating Rita company at a post-show talk hosted by writer Simon Brett on Friday 10 July.

Lenny Henry will join a panel of young people at Youth Get In! on Saturday 11 July, 11am, Minerva Theatre. Tickets £5.

Find out more about working in theatre, museums and art galleries at a Creative Careers Day taking place in partnership with Artswork on Friday 17 July, 10am – 4pm. The event is free, but booking is essential.

Booking information
Educating Rita is at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester from 18 June – 25 July. Evenings 7.45pm (except for Press Night, Tuesday 23 June at 7pm), matinees 2.45pm. Tickets: Previews/Press Nights £20, £25, all other performances £25, £34. To book, go to cft.org.uk or contact the Box Office on 01243 781312.

Special Prices for 16 – 25s
An allocation of tickets for 16 – 25 year olds priced at just £8.50 for all performances of Educating Rita will go on sale on 18 May. These may be booked on 01243 781312, online at cft.org.uk/850 or in person.