Month: June 2015

On Saturday 5th September 2015 The 39 Steps will close after 9 years at the Criterion Theatre.

Based on John Buchan’s 1914 spy thriller The Thirty Nine Steps and adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow (Desmond Oliver Dingle/The National Theatre of Brent), The 39 Steps is directed by Maria Aitken, with design by Peter McKintosh, lighting by Ian Scott, sound by Mic Pool, and movement byToby Sedgwick. The 39 Steps is presented by Edward Snape for Fiery Angel and Tricycle London Productions with the West Yorkshire Playhouse. From an original concept by Simon Corble & Nobby Dimon.

The Olivier, Tony and Whatsonstage award-winning comedy has celebrated 9 years in the West End since it opened at the Criterion Theatre in 2006. By the 5th September, The 39 Steps will have played the 5th highest number of performances of any play in West End history.

Following the incredible adventures of our handsome hero Richard Hannay, complete with stiff-upper-lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents, and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women.

This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller features 4 actors, playing 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action.

Over the past 9 years, the production has seen more than 50 actors tread its boards and between them they have got through over 3,000 pairs of stockings, 530 O/S maps of Scotland, 38 pairs of handcuffs and 16 suspender belts. With the production having performed in 39 countries including Moscow, Shanghai, Tokyo and Paris, an audience of 3 million have seen the production worldwide.

The tongue-in-cheek production opened at London’s Criterion Theatre in September 2006, following short runs at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and London’s Tricycle Theatre. The original cast included Rupert Degas, Charles Edwards, Simon Gregor and Catherine McCormack.

The 39 Steps was also famously adapted for screen by Alfred Hitchcock in what is widely regarded as one of the best films from his early period. The stage production references a number of the legendary scenes from Hitchcock’s 1935 classic movie thriller of the same name including the chase on the Flying Scotsman Train, the escape on the Forth Rail Bridge and the controversial ‘stockings and suspenders’ scene.

Current cast includes Daniel Llewelyn-Williams [Richard Hannay], Kelly Hotten [Pamela/Annabella/Margaret], Mike Goodenough [Man], and Gary Sefton [Man].

www.love39steps.com

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED – NIGEL ANTHONY, ROSALIND AYRES,

NIGEL HAVERS, MARTIN JARVIS,

CHRISTINE KAVANAGH, SIÂN PHILLIPS, CARMEN du SAUTOY, DAVID SHAW-PARKER

STAR IN THE HIT WEST END PRODUCTION OF

At THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK

FROM TUESDAY 17^TH TO SATURDAY 21^ST NOVEMBER

Oscar Wilde’s

The Importance of Being Earnest

‘A trivial comedy for serious people’

Directed by LUCY BAILEY

Designed by WILLIAM DUDLEY

Starring ROSALIND AYRES, NIGEL HAVERS, MARTIN JARVIS, CHRISTINE KAVANAGH and SIÂN PHILLIPS who reprise their West End performances and are joined by NIGEL ANTHONY, CARMEN du SAUTOY, DAVID SHAW-PARKER.

Full casting has now been announced for The Bunbury Company of Players production of Oscar Wilde’s much loved and witty masterpiece THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, which will embark on a first class regional tour from Autumn this year. The play will be on at the Grand Opera House York from Tuesday 17^th to Saturday 21^stNovember.

Rosalind Ayres (Titanic, Outnumbered, New Tricks), Nigel Havers (Chariots of Fire, Downton Abbey, Coronation Street), Martin Jarvis (Endeavour, Just William, Titanic), Christine Kavanagh (Man and Superman, Vera, Manchild),and Siân Phillips (Marlene, The Age of Innocence, Cabaret) will reunite as The Bunbury Company of Players, an extremely experienced cast of serious comedic actors, to reprise their roles as Miss Prism, Algernon Moncrieff, John Worthing J.P., Cecily Cardew and Lady Bracknell from the West End. They will be joined by Nigel Anthony(Tonight at 8.30, Dearest Nancy, Darling Evelyn, The Shepherd) in the roles of Lane and Merriman, with Carmen du Sautoy (The Man with the Golden Gun, Poor Little Rich Girl, Lost Empires) as Gwendolyn Fairfax, David Shaw-Parker(McQueen, Uncle Vanya, The Muppet’s Christmas Carol) as Rev Canon Chasuble. Dubbed by Wilde ‘a trivial comedy for serious people’, the production delivers an entirely faithful, but completely unique, setting to one of the greatest theatrical comedies.

Introducing Wide’s genius afresh to a new audience, acclaimed director Lucy Bailey, together with comic novelist, Simon Brett, and the innovative theatre designer William Dudley have created a delightful new context for the play which enchanted audiences across the UK last year.

‘Earnest gets a terrific twist’

The Daily Mail

‘Thoroughly likeable…Sparkling fun’

The Times

Rupert Gavin, producer for Incidental Colman, said “I am absolutely delighted that in our 34th year as a producing company with a long tradition in comedy, we are reprising our celebratory milestone 100th production – warmly received in the West end – with a U.K. wide tour of that landmark comedy in the English language, The Importance of Being Earnest. For this, we have drawn together an exceptional creative team, a group of brilliant comedic actors, and we bring of course, a twist to proceedings, that you would only expect of us.”

Nigel Havers, said: “This production is very close to my heart and we had a ball doing it in the West End last summer. I’m thrilled we get to do it all again and hope audiences in York will laugh and enjoy watching our twist on Oscar’s brilliant play as much as we enjoy performing it.”

The Importance of Being Earnest elegantly lampoons the hypocrisies of Victorian society and opens as two bachelors, the dependable, John Worthing, J.P. (Martin Jarvis) and upper class playboy Algernon Moncrieff (Nigel Havers), feel compelled to create different identities in order to pursue two eligible ladies Cecily Cardew (Christine Kavanagh) and Gwendolyn Fairfax (Carmen du Sautoy). The hilarious misadventures which result from their subterfuge;  their brushes with the redoubtable Lady Bracknell (Siân Phillips) and the uptight Miss Prism (Rosalind Ayres) result in a plot that twists and fizzles with some of the finest dialogue to be found in theatre.

Director                                Lucy Bailey

Designer                              William Dudley

Company Writer               Simon Brett

The Importance of Being Earnest is being produced by Rupert Gavin for Incidental Colman as a Bunbury Company of Players presentation.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Theatre: Grand Opera House York

Dates: 17 – 21 November

Performance days/times: Tue – Sat 7:30pm; Wed, Thu & Sat mats 2:30pm

Ticket prices: £32, £25, £16, £10

Booking details: In person at theatre box office or call ATG tickets on 0844 871 3024, book online atwww.atgtickets.com/york

Celebrated West End newcomers and ‘Best New Comedy 2015’ Olivier Award winners, Mischief Theatre, bring their new show Peter Pan Goes Wrong to Leeds today. This comedy spin on a timeless classic runs until this Saturday 20^th June.

The play introduces ‘The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’ who are attempting to stage J.M. Barrie’s classic tale of Peter Pan, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong… does, as the accident prone thesps embark on a thrilling adventure to Neverland with hilariously disastrous results. A highly physical comedy packed with finely-tuned mayhem and Buster Keaton inspired slapstick, Peter Pan Goes Wrong delivers a fast-paced show with split-second timing and ambitious daring.

Mischief Theatre exploded onto the stage with phenomenal success last year with The Play That Goes Wrong, the first of their ‘Goes Wrong’ hit shows. Starting at the Old Red Lion in London, the production then transferred to the West End where it enjoyed two successive runs at the Trafalgar Studios, exciting critics, audiences and celebrity fans into a frenzy of delight and won ‘Best New Comedy’ at the 2014 WhatsOnStage Awards. Producers Kenny Waxand Stage Presence Ltd picked up the show and produced a two-act version of the play, which enjoyed a sell-out UK tour and swiftly followed with a West End transfer to the Duchess Theatre, where it is currently playing to packed houses and has been nominated for the Olivier Award for ‘Best New Comedy’ 2015*. Peter Pan Goes Wrong first premiered with a small-scale production at The Pleasance London in December 2013. This production has been developed and redesigned for a number one UK tour.

MORE HORRIBLE HISTORIES UNEARTHED

Two brand new Horrible Histories shows are coming to Darlington Civic Theatre from

Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 June

Thousands of years after the Ruthless Romans, Savage Saxons & Vicious Vikings stormed ashore on the coast of Britain and the Gruesome Greeks competed in the first ever Olympic Games, you can relive those horribly exciting times by bringing your family to see Birmingham Stage Company’s brand new Horrible Histories stage shows coming to Darlington Civic Theatre from Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 June.

In INCREDIBLE INVADERS the Celts are crunched when the Ruthless Romans invaded Britain. Can crazy Caratacus save the nation? Hide behind Hadrian’s Wall and witness the Savage Saxons smash their way in. Can you stop King Alfred burning his buns? Discover who’s at Sutton Hoo and survive the Vicious Vikings as they sail into the audience. It’s a thousand year journey with Incredible Invaders!

GROOVY GREEKS takes us from savage Sparta to angry Athens to discover the truth about growing up in Greece. Take on the Trojans and pummel the Persians! Compete in the first ever Olympic Games and appear in the very first play! Meet your match with the Minotaur and be zapped by Zeus! Hold on tight as you gatecrash the gruesome and Groovy Greeks!

It’s history with the nasty bits left in!

Writer and Director Neal Foster said today “I had a hugely exciting time bringing the Groovy Greeks to life in Horrible Histories style and loved shining the spotlight on Celtic, Roman, Saxon and Viking life in Incredible Invaders. Both shows feature special amazing 3D effects that provide a spectacular way for both children and adults to enter these extraordinary historical periods.”

Incredible Invaders and Groovy Greeks look like being BSC’s best Horrible Histories theatre shows yet – designed to both entertain and educate their audiences from ages 5 to 105! Come and goggle at the goings on of those Groovy Greeks and let the Incredible Invaders ignite your imaginations to learn more about our island’s early history.

Horrible Histories comes to Darlington Civic Theatre from Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 June. Tickets are priced £13 for Adults and £9.50 for Children

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

Civic Theatre, Darlington – 16 June 2015

In 2013 The History Boys was voted “The Nations Favourite Play” and its easy to understand why.  It has all the classic elements needed – happiness and sad, good times and bad.  Characters that you care about and a storyline that draws you in. And a brilliant soundtrack of 80’s music punctuating the different scenes

Typically Alan Bennett, the show is based in Yorkshire, at a boys grammar school in Sheffield.  Set in the early 1980s, the play follows a group of history pupils preparing for the Oxford and Cambridge entrance examinations under the guidance of three teachers (Hector, Irwin, and Lintott) with contrasting styles.

Hector (Richard Hope) is the perfect teacher, loved by all his charges, because he doesn’t believe in any of the nonsense where teachers teach people stuff. His preferred method is to allow them to intuit, experience and feel their way into knowledge

However the Headmaster (Christopher Ettridge) wants results and supply teacher Irwin (Mark Field) is employed.  Irwin represents the antithesis of Hector’s enlightened attitudes. And there are clashes with Hector teaching them for their future and Irwin teaching to the test.

The show is very wordy, and not all of them are in English with a very memorable scene in French.  The acting is superb, with seasoned professionals along side some very young and inexperienced thespians some of which were making their stage débuts in this play.  Multi-talented performers not just acting but singing and playing the piano too.  Steven Roberts (Posner), Kedar Williams-Stirling (Dakin), Alex Hope (Scripps), David Young (Rudge), Patrick McNamee (Lockwood), Sid Sagar (Akthar), Joshua Mayes-Cooper (Timms) breathed life, confidence and fragility in their characters.  And, whilst they weren’t the 16, 17 and 18 year old Sheffield boys who I grew up with they were believable if not realistic

In a play that had its first performance just 11 years ago its become a phenomenal success, but that may be in part to the original National Theatre cast who have since gone on to be world famous stars.

In Darlington until Saturday 20th June and on a UK tour

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR
THE 2015 NATIONAL TOUR OF
TERENCE RATTIGAN’S EPIC WARTIME ROMANCE
FLARE PATH
IN A NEW PRODUCTION DIRECTED BY JUSTIN AUDIBERT

The producers of the forthcoming UK tour of Terence Rattigan’s FLARE PATH, directed by Justin Audibert, are delighted to announce the full cast, headed by the previously announced Leon Ockenden as Peter Kyle, Olivia Hallinan as Patricia Graham and Philip Franks as Squadron Leader Swanson.

They will be joined by Adam Best as Flying Officer Count Skriczevinsky, James Cooney as Percy, Simon Darwen as Sergeant Miller (Dusty), Stephanie Jacob as Mrs Oakes, Shvorne Marks as Mrs Miller (Maudie), Siobhan O’Kelly as Countess Skriczevinsky (Doris), William Reay as Corporal Jones (Wiggy), Holly Smith as Maid and Alastair Whatley as Flight Lieutenant Graham (Teddy).

As previously announced, the FLARE PATH tour will open on 18 August at Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne (national press night, 2 September at Richmond Theatre). FLARE PATH will then tour to Richmond, Bath, Malvern, Exeter, Cambridge, Salisbury, Winchester, Ipswich, Coventry, Liverpool, Southend and Guildford.

Based on Rattigan’s experiences as a tail gunner during World War II, FLARE PATH paints an evocative portrait of life in wartime Britain for the life-and-death existence of the RAF bomber crews, and their wives and sweethearts who were left waiting their return.

Set in 1942 against a backdrop of heartache and quiet bravery, FLARE PATH tells the story of former actress Patricia, the wife of RAF pilot Teddy, whose marriage is tested to the limits by the surprise arrival of Patricia’s ex‐lover and Hollywood idol Peter Kyle. An unexpected and dangerous mission over Germany puts Patricia at the centre of an emotional conflict as unpredictable as the war in the skies.

FLARE PATH combines highly charged drama with a truly authentic taste of the fear, camaraderie and passion experienced by the men and women who fought to save their country, their families and each other.

This new production of FLARE PATH will be directed by Justin Audibert, who is currently directing The Jew of Malta for The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford. Justin is an Artistic Associate for HighTide Festival Theatre and Red Ladder, and his directing credits include productions at Soho Theatre, the Young Vic and West Yorkshire Playhouse.

FLARE PATH will have Set and Costume Design by Hayley Grindle, Lighting Design by Alex Wardle and Sound Design by Dom Bilkey.
Most recently seen in London’s West End in 2011, in a production directed by Trevor Nunn, this major revival of FLARE PATH comes from the producers behind the current critically-acclaimed and hugely successful touring production of BIRDSONG.

FLARE PATH is produced on tour by Alastair Whatley for The Original Theatre Company and Anne-Marie Woodley and Jon Woodley for Birdsong Productions Ltd.
Official website:  www.flarepaththetour.com

The greatest family musical of all time – The Sound of Music is returning to the Theatre Royal in September to celebrate the Hollywood film’s 50^th anniversary, so prepare to head for the hills and get ready for one of your favourite things! 1 – 12 September 2015

Based on the story of the Trapp Family Singers and Baroness Maria von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography, The Sound of Music tells the true story of the world-famous singing family, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom as their beloved Austria becomes part of the Third Reich at the start of WWII.

Created as a Broadway musical in 1959 by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, the unforgettable score features some of the most memorable songs ever performed on stage, including ‘Edelweiss’, ‘My Favorite Things’, ‘Do-Re-Mi’, ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’, ‘So Long, Farewell’ and of course, the title song, ‘The Sound of Music’. The musical was adapted into a multi academy-award winning film released in 1965 starring Julie Andrews.  It was an instant hit and went on to break Box Office records in 29 countries, becoming the most successful movie musical in history.

Playing the iconic role of Maria von Trapp in this new production is Danielle Hope, who captured the hearts of the country when she won BBC Television’s Over the Rainbow and made her professional debut as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. Danielle has since played Eponine in Les Misérables in London’s West End and Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The role of Captain von Trapp is played by much-loved stage and television star Steven Houghton. Well-known for his longstanding television roles in Coronation Street and London’s Burning, Olivier-Award nominated actor Steven has taken on leading roles in Spend Spend Spend, Blood Brothers, White Christmas, Martin Guerre and Grease.

This wonderfully lavish new staging of the classic musical is produced by Bill Kenwright, directed by Martin Connor, choreographed by Olivier Award winner Bill Deamer and with musical direction by David Steadman. Presented by special arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe.

Click here to watch the trailer.

The Sound of Music is at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tues 1 until Sat 12 September 2015, playing evenings at 7.30pm, matinees on Wed 2pm (2 Sept only), Thu 2pm and Sat 2.30pm. Tickets from £14.50 (save 50p per ticket online), children £5 off all performances (restrictions apply). Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (all calls are charged at 7p a minute plus your phone company’s access charge, calls from mobiles may vary, please contact your operator for details) or book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Book Now for Kids Week 2015

To purchase your tickets click the Book Tickets button above or call Ticketmaster’s hotline on 0844 248 5151.

Celebrating its 18th year, Kids Week is back and planning an action-packed month of theatrical fun from 1-31 August.

During Kids Week, a child aged 16 or under can experience the magic of London theatre and see a fantastic selection of shows for free, plus two additional children can go at half price (per transaction), as long as they are accompanied by a full paying adult. Plus, there are no booking or postage fees to pay!

Children can also take part in a fantastic range of free activities and events.

Singer, actor and West End leading man Oliver Tompsett answered 20 questions

Some favourites

Favourite show (whether you have been in it or not)?

Full Monty

Favourite book?

The Yes Man

Favourite theatre?

The Unicorn Theatre Abingdon

Favourite song?

Hip-Hop popotamus

Flight of the Conchords

Favourite music?

Anything with a funky brass section

Favourite food

Christmas dinner

Favourite line from any show?

“I am the walrus. I’m just a teenage dirtbag baby. Who is the real Slim Shady? Who let the dogs out? Who Who? Who? Who? Who?” Galileo WWRY

What is your favourite role?

Sausage ……. Oh sorry … Drew Rock of Ages

What was your first role?

Tony – West Side Story

And what role would you really like to play?

Jerry in The Full Monty

If you could be anyone else for the day, who would it be?

My wife she’s lucky to see me everyday … Joke …. Erm probably Richard Branson

You have a son, would you encourage him to become a performer?

I would encourage him to do whatever makes him happy

What are the nicest/weirdest things you have ever received from fans?

Sweets, chocolates and a picture of Oliver Thornton to sign?

Have you considered doing a play or straight acting with no singing?

Yes I would jump at the chance

If you weren’t an amazing performer what would you be?

A PE Teacher

What advice would you give 16 year old Oliver?

Stop roller skating everywhere and learn to play the piano

What was the last stage show you saw and really enjoyed?

Oh What A Lovely War

You teach master classes with your Tricks of the Stage, do you enjoy spotting new talent?

Yes I love discovering and learning from talent of all ages

Will you be producing a CD of your songs?

If I think it will be excellent and enough people would buy it to cover the costs yeah someday

Can you tell us what you will be up to next?

Nope ! Can you? The life of an actor is a strange one and until Spielberg calls I’m happy doing bits and bobs. It will take something really special and fun for me to take a year contract at the mo
Thank you so much for helping me

The Bush Theatre’s twice-yearly open submission window for new scripts opens today, for three months. The window closes on 11 September.

The submission window is open to playwrights from the UK and Republic of Ireland who do not currently have an agent and have a full length play that can be considered for production at the Bush Theatre.  We are looking for plays that ask big questions of our time, represent the plurality of our culture and have a bold contemporary bite.  From our home in Shepherd’s Bush we are committed to championing playwrights and plays that represent the diversity of our city, the UK and the world.

Once you have submitted your play it will be read by a dedicated team of readers, made up of theatre professionals and led by the Bush’s Associate Dramaturg.  We are looking for new plays to produce in the first instance and will feedback to those playwrights whose plays we are interested in developing further.  However, our unsolicited submission windows are also where we look to start new relationships with playwrights not currently known to us and will contact those writers who we are keen to get to know better.

Plays can be submitted via the Bush Theatre website at https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/bushgreen/submissions/

Those submitting scripts are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Bush’s work, by visiting the theatre and seeing a play or reading those plays it has produced recently.  BushGreen (https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/bushgreen/) is the first port of call to get to know the Bush’s writers, read articles around its work and engage within a thriving community of artists.

BushGreen is a strand of programming focused on expanding the reach and depth of the theatre’s work and encompasses both digital content and live events. It is based around the concept of the green being the centre of any community and is a place for audiences and artists to meet, talk, play and pause – surrounded and informed by the world around them.

Full guidelines are provided on BushGreen and the following submissions are not accepted: screenplays, proposals for adaptations, new musicals (which the Bush would not develop outside of a commission), one act plays, plays previously submitted to us and multiple submissions .