Month: July 2015

Grand Theatre, Leeds – 8 July 2015

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Religious tour de force arrives in Leeds over 40 years since it was first performed, and written when Lloyd Webber and Rice were still in their teens.

This version directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright is a much simplified version from the Arena tour a few years ago.  Set back in biblical times, the set is just scaffold and movable steps with a giant crown of thorns hanging over the stage the whole performance.  The crucifix is raised up from the stage floor.

But no matter how good a production looks, Jesus Christ Superstar can only work if the score is properly served. Bob Broad as Musical Director makes sure the music is spot on and from the opening bars, it’s a roller-coaster of love, hope, betrayal, politics and pain — brought to loud, rock-opera life by the incredible score.

The wonderfully talented child cast who made Hosanna and Superstar so moving, deserve huge praise

The show explores the last seven days of Jesus, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, revealing the torment of a man who loves his leader but fears the myth that goes before the man.

It’s a huge, challenging vocal part — but Tim Rogers’ rock vocals delivered, expertly capturing Judas’ despair as he betrays Christ and battles with his guilt.   Judas came across as the more interesting character – conflicted about Jesus’ claims to be the son of God and constantly challenging him to be the leader he wanted him to be.

Rachel Adedeji is a rather simpering Mary Magdalene with a likeable enough voice, but Adedeji seems unsure as to whether she is an opera or musical singer and moves between the two.  Her rendition of Could We Start Again Please  which was sung as if in a musical was much better than her defining number: I Don’t Know How to Love Him, rather arrives out of nothing and leaves it as it found it. The music and lyrics are all there, but the meaning is not brought out as it might be.

Tom Gilling’s King Herod completely stole the spotlight in the show’s only comic number, with wonderful choreography and just the right amount of camp – naked to the waist apart from tasselled nipple pasties – has a ball with Herod’s Song, lasciviously tempting Jesus to perform a miracle for him and sending him back when he refuses.

Unfortunately, Glenn Carter as Jesus seemed smug and unctuous in Act One, making Judas even more sympathetic.  But Carters can sing and his smooth, calming vocals switched to tortured, shrieking falsetto was awe-inspiring, particularly in Gethsemane.

The intensity of Jesus arrest, trial and crucifixion made for appropriately uncomfortable viewing, and the production’s clever use of lighting with a minimalist set excelled in the final scenes.

Carter was powerful and haunting – his suffering was almost too painful to watch.  His fears for His own death – even though He believes that it will lead Him to salvation.  The crucifixion was, brutal.

In Leeds until Saturday 11th July and on tour around the UK

Civic Theatre, Darlington – 7 July 2015

Arriving in Darlington this week, Brian Clemens weaves an interesting and quite tangled tale in “Sherlock Holmes and the Ripper Murders.” During the Autumn of 1888, London is plagued by a rash of terrible murders all being committed by Jack the Ripper. Sherlock Holmes soon becomes embroiled in the investigation and learns that there is more to these murders than meets the eye.

Its a interesting tale, using the Walter Sickert/Royal Marriage angle to tell this interpretation.  But with all theories pertaining to the Ripper this version is easily as plausible as any other.

The first half of the play is very slow but gathers momentum in the second half reaching a crescendo of a finale and nice neat ending.  The way it plods along at first is like the slow pacing of Sherlock’s mind as he slowly fits together the clues and ideas and once one bit comes together the rest tumble into place – an ingenious piece of writing.

On a whole, the story is very nicely executed. The music, sound and lighting effects heighten suspense and the simple but effective set helps to set the scene nicely . The acting is also very nicely done too. Samuel Clemens makes for a wonderful Sherlock Holmes, giving him depth and personality. George Telfer is very nice as Watson. Threatening to write his memoirs. Actress Lara Lemon is very convincing as Miss Katherine Mead, a medium who acts as Holmes’ assistant in this venture.

Michael Kirk’s Netley, Andrew Paul’s Sir William Gull and Neil Roberts’ Anderson are all convincingly evil and whilst much is made of the “brotherhood” to which they all belong, the author was very careful not to mention the Freemason’s by name.

Katy Dean is muti-talented playing a variety of different street walkers and Kim Taylforth’s Mrs Hudson is very Mrs Doyle-esq with her continuing need to make tea.

There are niggles, the show descends into the realm of Monty Python with a scene including a blind beggar and there is far too much screaming from women who have had their throat cut.  But there is a lightness and humour and this theory on a classic story is most enjoyable with some 5 star performances

In Darlington until Saturday 11th July and on tour around the rest of the UK

Actors arrive in York as The Railway Children returns after world-wide success

The Railway Children

31^st July – 5^th September

The cast of The Railway Children have arrived in York for rehearsals and started the day taking a look at their biggest co-star, the Great Western Railway Pannier Tank 5775, the steam locomotive used in the classic film, which rolls to a majestic halt in front of the audience during the show.

The long-awaited homecoming of The Railway Children to York marks a new milestone in the seven-year partnership between the National Railway Museum and York Theatre Royal. The production forms part of York Theatre Royal’s residency at the Museum whilst the theatre undergoes its £4.1m refurbishment, and will run from 31 July to 5 September 2015.

Taking over from the eagerly anticipated In Fog and Falling Snow, the latest theatrical collaboration between two of York’s best-loved cultural institutions promises to be bigger and better than ever before. The 2015 adaptation will see The Railway Children not only reunited with the Museum where it originated, but also with the purpose-built 1,000-seat Signal Box Theatre in which it delighted Canadian audiences during its 2011 run in Toronto.

The show has won extensive critical praise for its use of a live steam locomotive in a thrilling set-piece, and for the first time the 2015 adaption will feature the same locomotive as the well-loved original film – the Great Western Railway Pannier Tank 5775. Pannier Tank is definitely one of the biggest guest stars ever to grace the UK stage, and has been repainted specifically for the production to reflect the fictional caramel-brown livery from the film.

This is the third time that the Theatre and the Museum have collaborated on The Railway Children, but the first time that the theatre and the museum have worked in full partnership to deliver a summer of activities for the whole family to enjoy. The production is directed by York Theatre Royal’s Artistic Director Damian Cruden, and will feature beloved York pantomime favourites Martin Barrass and Berwick Kaler in the respective roles of Mr Perks and the Old Gentleman.

The Railway Children was the first of the National Railway Museum’s joint ventures with York Theatre Royal, and played to sell out audiences in 2008 and 2009. It went on to delight sell-out audiences at Waterloo and in Toronto in 2010 and 2011, and most recently has enjoyed a successful run at London Kings Cross station. With such a history of critical acclaim and audience praise behind the show, anticipation for its York homecoming is running high. Over 24,000 people saw The Railway Children in 2008, and demand for tickets was so great that the last three weeks of the show was completely sold out, meaning hundreds of people had to be turned away.

Jim Lowe, Head of Operations at the National Railway Museum, said:

The partnership between the Museum and York Theatre Royal is flourishing during the Theatre’s residency here, and both organisations are delighted to welcome The Railway Children back to its original home. We think audiences will love the latest adaptation of this wonderful production, and will be as excited as we are to see Bobbie and her siblings reunited with the instantly recognisable Pannier Tank locomotive from the iconic film.

York Theatre Royal’s Chief Executive, Liz Wilson, commented: Part of The Railway Children’s popularity is its ability to appeal to a wide audience, as previous sell–out runs in York, Waterloo and Toronto have proved. York Theatre Royal and the National Railway Museum are delighted to be bringing the production back.

Rehearsals start as the York Theatre Royal production’s run at London’s King Cross is extended to January 2016. The Railway Children runs from 31 July to 5 September 2015. Tickets are priced between £10 and £32.50 and can be bought by calling the Box Office on 01904 623568, securely online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk or in person at York Theatre Royal’s new box Office in De Grey Rooms, St Leonard’s Place.

Listings Information:

York Theatre Royal and National Railway Museum present

E Nesbit’s The Railway Children

Friday 31 July – Saturday 5 September 2015

Directed by Damian Cruden

Written by Mike Kenney

Tickets: £32.50 – £10

Box Office 01904 623568

www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

STEPHEN MERCHANT and STEFFAN RHODRI in
The Mentalists

Written by Richard Bean

Directed by Abbey Wright

WEST END PREMIERE FOR COMEDY THE MENTALISTS BY RICHARD BEAN, THE AWARD WINNING WRITER OF SMASH HIT ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS

Production images have been released of BAFTA and Golden Globe Award-winning writer, comedian and actor Stephen Merchant (The Office, Extras, Hello Ladies) and critically acclaimed actor Steffan Rhodri (Gavin & Stacey, Harry Potter, Posh) in The Mentalists. This sharply written and darkly comic play by Richard Bean (writer of the smash hit comedy One Man, Two Guvnors), which is directed byAbbey Wright, is currently playing at the Wyndham’s Theatre until 26 September, with official opening night  for press on 13 July.

Ted (Stephen Merchant) has a master plan to revolutionise the world – and with help from his best friend Morrie (Steffan Rhodri) and his trusty video camera, it may just go global! But Morrie begins to suspect that Ted’s in trouble as unpaid bills and cryptic phone calls start to mount; and as the world closes in on their hotel room in this poignant and touching comedy, there is only one way out.

Well-known for his collaborations with Ricky Gervais, including popular television shows The Office,Extras, Life’s Too Short and An Idiot Abroad, Stephen Merchant recently starred in Dan Mazer’s hit British comedy film I Give It A Year alongside Rose Byrne and Rafe Spall. Merchant wrote, directed and performed Hello Ladies, an international stand-up comedy tour which he went on to re-create as a television series for HBO including HBO special Hello Ladies – The Movie. In a career that has seen Merchant accept four BAFTA awards, four British Comedy Awards, a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award for his television work, The Mentalists will mark both his theatrical and West End debut.

Steffan Rhodri was last seen in the West End in Laura Wade’s Posh and Alan Ayckborn’s Absent Friends, both in 2012. On television, Rhodri became a household name portraying Dave Coaches in Gavin & Stacey for three years between 2007 and 2010. Most recent television credits include Under Milk Woodfor the BBC and Channel 4’s Cucumber and the critically acclaimed Shakespeare’s Hollow Crown seriesHenry VI and Richard III for the BBC.

Since writing The Mentalists, originally part of the Transformation season in 2002 at the National Theatre, Richard Bean has gone on to score West End successes with One Man, Two Guvnors and Great Britain, both directed by Nicholas Hytner. Most recently, Bean wrote the book for Made In Dagenham, which premiered at the Adelphi Theatre in 2014, starring Gemma Arterton and directed by Rupert Goold.

Directed by Abbey Wright, The Mentalists will feature Scenic Design by Richard Kent, Lighting Design by David Plater, and Casting by Anne Vosser.

The Mentalists is produced by Old Vic Productions, Smith & Brant Theatricals, Steven Harris andSam Levy in association with Jimmy Jewell Ltd and Caitlin Albery Beavan.

THEATRE:     Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0DA
WEBSITE:      www.TheMentalistsThePlay.com
BOX OFFICE: 0844 482 5120
TWITTER:      @MentalistsPlay  
FACEBOOK:   www.facebook.com/TheMentalistsPlay
DATES:         3 July – 26 September 2015
Monday – Saturday 7.45pm
Wednesday and Saturday 3pm
Monday 13 July PRESS NIGHT at 7pm

TICKETS:       Preview Prices* (from 3 – 16 July)
£49.50, £29.50 £39.50 & £15
Standard Prices* from 17 July – 26 September
£59.50, £49.50 & £19.50
*All ticket prices include a £1.25 theatre restoration levy and a £2.25 online booking fee. An additional 50p will be added to telephone bookings

DREAMBOATS AND MINISKIRTS BRINGS THE 1960S TO LEEDS

Inspired by the seven smash hit multi-million selling albums

A sensational new musical is set to hit town next week showcasing the greatest hit songs of the 60s.Dreamboats and Miniskirts, the sequel to the sell-out Dreamboats and Petticoats, comes to Leeds Grand Theatre next Monday 13^th July and runs until Saturday 18^th.

Since its premiere in 2009 Dreamboats and Petticoats has become a musical phenomenon, having played to more than two million people across the UK. Inspired by Universal’s multi-million selling album series which now boasts seven double compilation albums and a myriad of one-off special releases! Now the creative team reunite for the sequel.

It’s 1963 and the world is changing. The advent of the Beatles and the Merseyside sound is inspirational but will it stir our three couples to follow their dreams into the world of pop?  This hit show has the same wit, charm and songs that audiences have loved – featuring hit after hit from Twist & Shout to Handy Manto Pretty Woman, One Fine Day and many more.

Dreamboats and Miniskirts is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 13^th to Saturday 18^th July.

Tickets are on sale now priced from £18.50 to £34.

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700.

The Tale of Mr Tumble will be a funny, engaging and visually exciting show that will give children the chance to see Mr Tumble live and up close as he and his family share some of their fondest memories.

Audiences will find out how he became the joyful entertainer familiar to so many, following his journey from bouncing baby Tumble (with his bright red nose already in place), through his singing and dancing school years, right up to the present day.

Justin Fletcher, known to millions as CBeebies Mr Tumble, will be joined by Ronni Ancona as Miss Eerie the Headmistress – a force to reckoned with who likes to take things very, very seriously. Other cast members include Samuel Buttery, Samantha Dorrance, Connor Elliott, Lizzie Franks, Tom Mackley, Nicholas McLean, Samuel Parker, Katia Sartini, Kai Savage, Ben Stock and Lauren Storer. The company will be joined on stage by a Makaton signing choir who will perform alongside their hero Mr Tumble.

Written by Will Brenton, with design by Hayley Grindle, The Tale of Mr Tumble will be a real opportunity to step inside the colourful world of one of our most cherished TV characters.

Commissioned by MIF Creative. Produced by Manchester International Festival.
Supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust and MIF Creative Circle.  In association with CBeebies.

LISTINGS

THE TALE OF MR TUMBLE
OPERA HOUSE MANCHESTER, 3 QUAY STREET, M3 3HP
14 PERFORMANCES, 11 – 19 JULY 2015
PRESS PERFORMANCE: 11 JULY 2PM

All children’s tickets £12
Adults £18.25 – £26.25
Concessions £5 off
Schools £8.50 / Teachers are free
£12 tickets for Greater Manchester residents on a lower wage, available on a first come first served honest basis
Babes In Arms up to 18 months are welcome. For children over 18 month tickets must be purchased.

Box Office:
mif.co.uk | 0844 871 7654

Due to unprecedented demand, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap will continue its record-breaking UK tour with new dates in 2016. The beloved murder mystery will begin the 2016 leg of its tour at Brighton Theatre Royal on 25 January before visiting more than 25 further venues across the UK. Casting and booking information for 2016 will be announced in due course.

The production, which originally opened in 1952 starring the late Richard Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim, will continue its journey across the breadth of the country, visiting towns and cities such as Brighton, Reading, Darlington, Grimsby, York, Portsmouth, Cheltenham, Stoke, Woking, Leicester, Liverpool, Harrogate, Shrewsbury, Dartford, Yeovil, Hereford, Derby, Kings Lynn, Salisbury, Manchester, Aylesbury, Torquay, Llandudno, Jersey and Bristol.

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap has been the world’s longest running stage production at its London home since breaking the record in 1958 and recently celebrated its 26,000th performance. The 60th Anniversary – and first ever – UK tour of this beloved murder mystery has now been seen by more than 600,000 people across more than 600 performances, and has broken box office records in many of its tour venues.

Mousetrap Productions has also licensed 60 productions of The Mousetrap worldwide to mark the 60th year, and many of these have also broken records, from Cape Town to Philadelphia, Singapore to Sydney. During this period, the world’s longest running show will have been seen in every continent with professional productions in Australia, China, Korea, Turkey, South Africa, Russia, Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Poland, Spain, Scandinavia, Venezuela, and across the United States and Canada.

The Mousetrap continues at St. Martin’s Theatre, London and on tour around the UK until August 2016.

AUTHOR READY TO MAKE A SPLASH AT DARLINGTON CIVIC THEATRE

Author Julia Jarman is to visit Darlington Civic Theatre to watch the stage adaptation of her popular children’s picture book, Big Red Bath, on Sunday 12 July.

Children’s author Julia Jarman is to visit Darlington Civic Theatre on Sunday 12 July for the 2.30pm performance of Big Red Bath – the stage adaptation of her popular book. Julia will be meeting the audience after the performance for photos and will also be signing and selling copies of her Big Red Bath book (£6 per copy – cash only).

It’s the end of a busy day and it is almost time for bed, and Ben and Bella are in the bath.

Splish! Splosh! Splash! Bubbles burst and bubbles rise and a frothy feast of animals jump right in to join in the fun. Come join the fun on a bubbly, barmy bath time adventure around the world and home again celebrating all things bath time.

This quirky, vibrant and humorous tale for 2 to 5 year olds features music by We Were Evergreen, an alternative indie-electro-pop trio who bring a blend of folk melodies, electro beats and vocal harmonies.

Big Red Bath is an exciting collaboration between Full House Theatre and Half Moon that will appeal to families as it blends music, song and humorous character-based performances in a unique new take on this well-loved book.

Big Red Bath is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Sunday 12 July. Tickets are £7.50 for adults, £5.50 for children. Performances are at 11am and 2.30pm.

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

“This is the funniest night you’ll ever have at the ballet”

Sunday Times

The reigning ‘queens’ of classical ballet, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo are returning to the UK for the first time since 2013 and bringing their delightfully comedic classic ballet back to the Theatre Royal this Autumn, 6-7 October.

For two nights only, the Theatre Royal will become the home of fantastical dance and divine comedy – a must-not-miss occasion. New York’s all-male, professional comedy ballet company, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, or ‘The Trocks’, as they are affectionately known present a loving knowledge of dance with a brilliant comedic approach.  This unique blend is combined with the astonishing fact that men can, indeed, dance en pointe without falling flat on their faces!

Dancers ‘Ida Nevasyneva’, ‘Olga Supphozova’, ‘Larisko Dumbchenko’ and fellow broad-shouldered, hairy-chested ballerinasgrace the stage in up to size 12 pointe shoes, with their playful and entertaining take on traditional ballet; a true en travesti parody of favourites from the classical and modern repertoire.

The Trocks’ much welcomed return marks the company’s fourteenth visit to the UK and follows extensive tours to Europe and Japan in spring and summer 2015. The Newcastle Theatre Royal performances include the show-stopping Swan Lake Act II; the abstract humour of the Merce Cunningham-inspired Patterns in Space; Go For Barocco, a satire on Balanchine’s choreography complete with killer hips and plenty of attitude, and the fan-flicking, castanet-clicking, UK premiere of Don Quixote.

Founded in 1974 by a group of ballet enthusiasts, The Trocks first performed in the late-late shows in Off-Off Broadway lofts and are now treasured all around the world by audiences and critics alike. In 41 dynamic and non-stop years the award-winning company has clocked up hundreds of thousands of touring miles to over 610 cities in 40 countries. Company dancers currently hail from Australia, Cuba, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Spain and USA.

Under the artistic directorship of Tory Dobrin, who first joined the company as a dancer in 1980, the company continues to appeal to a wide range of theatregoers, from those new to the art form to balletomanes accustomed to the hilarity and precision of these men en pointe.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo’s UK tour is organised by Dance Consortium.  For further information please visitwww.danceconsortium.com.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo is at Newcastle Theatre Royal for two nights only, Tues 6 and Weds 7 October 2015, playing evenings at 7.30pm. Tickets from £15.50 (save 50p per ticket online). Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge) or book online atwww.theatreroyal.co.uk

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

A new recording of songs from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is to be released by JAY Records to coincide with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s production, which runs from 16 July – 29 August. The recording features cast members Laura Pitt-Pulford, Alex Gaumond and Sam O’Rourke performing iconic songs from this classic musical, alongside the National Symphony Orchestra. The CD, which is now available for pre order via www.openairtheatre.com, can be purchased at the theatre from 16 July with all tracks on the recording ℗ 2015 JAY Productions Ltd.

From the Golden Age of the movie musical, the much-loved score of Seven Brides for Seven Brothersincludes Bless Your Beautiful Hide, Goin’ Courtin’, Wonderful Wonderful Day, and the dance spectacular, Barn Dance.

Rehearsal images have also been released today of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers which is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, reuniting the creative team behind Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s award-winning production of The Sound of Music.

Led by Alex Gaumond as Adam and Laura Pitt-Pulford as Milly, the full cast of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers includes Rosanna Bates, David Burrows, Angela M. Caesar, Leon Cooke, Eamonn Cox, Jacob Fisher, Charlene Ford, Steve Fortune, Trevor Michael Georges, Bob Harms, Bethany Huckle, Frankie Jenna, James Leece, Philip Marriott, Dylan Mason, Natasha Mould, Peter Nash, Sam O’Rourke, Ryan Pidgen, Adam Rhys-Charles, Karli Vale, Annie Wensak, Matthew Whennell-Clark, Ed White and Emma Woods.

Based on the 1954 MGM film of the same name, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was adapted for stage in 1978 with a book by Lawrence Kasha and David Landay, and new songs by Academy Award-winning Joel Hirschhorn and Al Kasha.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers has set and costume design by Peter McKintosh, choreography byAlistair David, musical supervision and dance arrangements by Gareth Valentine, musical direction by Stephen Ridley, lighting design by Tim Mitchell, orchestrations by Larry Blank, sound design byNick Lidster for Autograph, casting by James Orange CDG, associate direction by Tom Attenboroughand fight direction by Kate Waters.

Part of the 2015 season at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, follows the critically acclaimed productions of J.M Barrie’s Peter Pan and Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull. Lord of the Flies will then bring this year’s season to a close from 3 – 12 September before embarking on a nationwide tour.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was originally produced on Broadway by Kaslan Productions Inc and directed by Lawrence Kasha with dance and music arrangements by Sam Davis. The production at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Limited on behalf of Music Theatre International of New York.