Month: July 2015

NATIONAL THEATRE WALES’ ILIAD: EPIC STORYTELLING FOR THE AGE OF THE BOX-SET

THIS NEW STAGING OF CHRISTOPHER LOGUE’S EPIC POEM WAR MUSIC, DIRECTED BY MIKE PEARSON & MIKE BROOKES, WILL BE PERFORMED IN THE FFWRNES IN LLANELLI, CARMARTHENSHIRE, SEPT-OCT 2015

Tickets are now on sale and the cast confirmed for Iliad, the third production in National Theatre Wales’ fifth season. The production will be four parts, performed individually on weeknights, and in two marathon performances – one all day, and one overnight.

“In the beginning there was no Beginning,
And in the end, no End…”

Renowned theatre-makers Mike Pearson and Mike Brookes, celebrated for their recent, large-scale interpretations of Aeschylus’ The Persians and Shakespeare’s and Brecht’s Coriolan/us with National Theatre Wales, will bring their trademark vision to this multimedia staging of Christopher Logue’s filmic poem War Music, derived from Homer’s account of the last years of the Trojan War.

The audience will be cast into a world both ancient and modern, a world created by a group of eminent Welsh actors, a troupe of teenage gods, a stage shaped around them, and vast cinematic landscapes. Each of the four parts can be viewed individually, while bolder audience members can choose to see all four in one of two marathon performances – either all day or overnight.

Classic Greek, epic storytelling meets box-set theatre.

The cast will include six narrators (Claire Cage, Daniel Hawksford, Guy Lewis, Richard Lynch, Melanie Walters and Llion Williams), four constructors who will reshape the set throughout the performances and 10 local teenagers as the gods.

Mike Brookes is an award-winning artist, director and designer. He co-founded the performance collective Pearson/Brookes with Mike Pearson in 1997. Since 2005, his collaborative art work with Spanish artist Rosa Casado has produced live art and gallery works across a range of media; their work together having been widely commissioned and presented across Europe, Asia, Australasia, South America, and USA. Other collaborators include Quarantine and Untitled Projects. In 2007, he was appointed Research Fellow within Aberystwyth University.

Mike Pearson trained as an archaeologist. He was a member of R.A.T. Theatre (1972–73) and an artistic director of Cardiff Laboratory Theatre (1973–80) and Brith Gof (1981–97). He currently makes performance as a solo artist; with Mike Brookes in Pearson/Brookes and for National Theatre Wales. Mike is author of Theatre/Archaeology (2001); In Comes I: Performance, Memory and Landscape (2006);Site-Specific Performance (2010); The Mickery Theater: An Imperfect Archaeology (2011); and Marking Time: Performance, Archaeology and the City (2013). He was Professor of Performance Studies, Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies, Aberystwyth University (1999-2014).

Christopher Logue was a poet, screenwriter, actor and playwright. Born in Portsmouth in 1926 he served briefly in the Black Watch during and immediately after the Second World War, before spending sixteen months in a military prison. In 1952 he went to Paris where he worked on Merlin, the magazine which published Beckett. He funded his own poetry by writing pornography under the name Count Palmiro Vicarion. Back in London in the ’60s he wrote plays for the Royal Court, scripts for Ken Russell, including Savage Messiah and songs for Peter Cook’s Establishment Club. He acted in several films, including Russell’s The Devils and went to prison again in 1961 with Bertrand Russell and others for his support of CND. On his release he began his ‘True Stories’ column for Private Eye. He was responsible for some of the first poetry posters and was a life-long advocate of performance verse. In 1959 he recorded Red Bird, with the musician and composer Tony Kinsey, a combination of jazz with Logue’s versions of poems by Pablo Neruda. His retelling of the Iliad, begun in 1959 and published in several volumes which came to be known collectively as War Music, is his best-known work. He had no Greek and based his work on literal translations, many provided by Donald Carne-Ross, who commissioned the first part of War Music for the Third Programme (Radio Three). He recorded and performed it often, notably with Alan Howard. War Music remained incomplete at his death, in 2011.

Claire Cage has worked in a wide variety of roles in television and radio since leaving Aberystwyth University in 1993. Her television appearances include Waterloo Road, Coronation Street, Doctors, Cara Fi, Wizards Versus Aliens, Wire in the Blood, Mistresses, Torchwood, Sherlock, A Royal Wedding, Tracey Beaker, The Fabulous Baker Boys and Patsy Zimmer in Being Human. She recently filmed the feature film Moon Dogs in the Shetland Isles. Claire appeared as a semi regular on Casualty and Holby City where she played Natalie Fletcher. She worked with Richard Ayoade on his hit indie directorial debut, Submarine, The Sheepish Approach and Lucky Jim with Craig Roberts. She played Sister Edith in the smash short Little Munchkin and went on to play Lottie Jenkins in Elfie Hopkins with Ray and Jamie Winstone, both directed by Ryan Andrews.

Daniel Hawksford was born in Newport and raised in Swansea. Upon graduating from RADA he has worked extensively in theatre, most recently in Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage (National Theatre Wales, Out of Joint, Arcola Theatre with Sherman Cymru) and for the RSC, National Theatre, Globe Theatre, Birmingham Rep, Almeida Theatre, Young Vic, Clwyd Theatre Cymru (where he is an Associate Artist) Orange Tree Theatre and National Theatre Wales. For his performance as Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing for the National Theatre he received an Ian Charleson Nomination.

Guy Lewis’ theatre credits include: Twelfth Night (Regent’s Park), A Christmas Carol (Birmingham Rep), Hamlet, Pygmalion, Mary Stuart, The Drawer Boy, Memory, Measure For Measure, Romeo And Juliet and Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead (Clwyd Theatre Cymru), She Stoops To Conquer, Hamlet and Canterbury Tales (Northern Broadsides), It’s A Family Affair (Sherman Cymru), An Inspector Calls (Torch Theatre), Telstar (New Ambassadors Theatre), And Then They Came For Me(Lyric Hammersmith), Faustus (National Theatre), One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and The Graduate(Both At The Gielgud Theatre) and Spring Awakening (Bath Theatre Royal). His television credits include: Caerdydd, Torchwood and Casualty. His film credits include: Telstar.

Richard Lynch‘s theatre credits include: Coriolan/us and The Persians (National Theatre Wales), Afore Night Come (dir: Rufus Norris), Snapshots (dir: Braham Murray), Penny For A Song (Oxford Stage Company), The Storm (Almeida), Gas Station Angel (Royal Court & Tour), The Mysteries (RSC), Macbeth(Theatr Clwyd), Patagonia (Brith Gof/ tour including Royal Court), Kasper (dir. Geoff Moore) Hamletand A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Moving Being Theatre Company), Flowers Of The Dead Red Sea, The Myth Of Michael Roderick and House Of America (Y Cwmni), and performances In Abigail’s Party,Macbeth, The Castle (Barker), Victory (Barker), Malvinas, The Flies (Sartre), The Fall & Redemption Of Man, Godspell, Romeo & Juliet and Penderyn (a rock opera). Television credits include: Fondue, Rhyw A Dinosors and Labour Of Love (ITV Wales), Pobol Y Cwm and Score (BBC Wales), The Mabinogi (Cartwn Cymru Cyf), Iechyd Da (Bracan), Y Glas (Boda Films), The Proposition (dir. Strath Hamilton), A Mind To Kill (BBC), Y Parc (Gaucho Productions), Branwen (S4C), The Healer (BBC), Lifeboat (BBC), Thicker Than Water (BBC), Yr Arwerthwr (Ffilminan Penadur Cyf), Christmas Stallion (Lluniau Lliw Cyf),Rebecca (HTV), Bowen A’i Bartner (BBC), Babylon By-Passed (BBC), District Nurse (BBC), Breaking Rank(BBC), Mwy Na Phapur Newydd (Lluniau Lliw Cyf – Series 1 & 2) and Sticky Wickets (BBC). Film credits include: Millenium, Darklands, Watermarks, and Boy Soldier.

Melanie Walters’ theatre credits include: Sleeping Beauty and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (UK Productions); Cinderella (Hiss And Boo Productions); Blue Remembered Hills (Theatr Clwyd) andEducating Rita (Swansea Grand). Her television credits Include: Doc Martin; Ishe Hongian (Boom Pictures); Under Milk Wood (BBC); Being Human (Touchpaper Productions); Gavin and Stacey (Baby Cow); Hollyoaks (Lime Pictures); Anually Retentive (Jones The Film); Holby City, Dirty Work, Jack Of Hearts, Back Up, Dangerfield, Tender Loving Care and The Healer (BBC); Gypsy Fires (Channel 4) andCoronation Street (Granada).

Her film credits Include: Burn Burn Burn (Burn Productions Ltd); Caring For The Recently Deceased(Short) (Stick & Rudder Films); Ex Libris (Short) (Long Arm Films); High Tide (Long Arm Films); Another Me (Fox International Productions); Resistance (Big Rich Films); Submarine (Warp Productions);Dirgelwch Yr Ogof (Nant Productions) and Rampage (Peakviewing Films).

Llion Williams is from Dyffryn Conwy originally but now lives near Caernarfon. He is an Associate of Clwyd Theatr Cymru and trained at Coleg Prifysgol Cymru, Aberystwyth. Theatre work includes: Ghosts, A Doll’s House, Abigail’s Party, The Herbal Bed The Journey of Mary Kelly, A Christmas Carol, Rape of the Fair Country, Gaslight and A Small Family Business (Clwyd Theatr Cymru), Porth y Byddar (Clwyd Theatr Cymru/Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru), Cariad Mr Bustl/Le Misanthrope, Y Pair/The Crucible, Y Gofalwr/The Caretaker, Iesu, Cysgod y Cryman, Bobi a Sami, Y Storm/The Tempest (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru), Y Cylch Sialc/The Chalk Circle, Un o’r Teulu/Relatively Speaking and Y Gelli Geirios/The Cherry Orchard (Theatr Gwynedd), Angitone, The Giant’s Embrace and Minamata (Theatr Powys), C’Mon Midffild and Llanast/Carnage (Theatr Bara Caws), A History of Falling Things (New Vic, Stoke) and Jack and the Beanstalk (Scarborough). Television work includes: Hinterland, Outside Time, A Mind to Kill, The Mystery Files, Death or Liberty, C’mon Midffild, Blodeuwedd, Ac Eto Nid Myfi, Ista’nbwl, Lan a Lawr, and Gwaith/Cartref. Radio work includes: Playboy of the Western World/Congrinero’r Gorllewin, Y Ffin and Dyddiadur Dyn Dŵad (BBC). Other work includes: Pedr a’r Blaidd/Peter and The Wolf (Ensemble Cymru).

Full listings information:

ILIAD
National Theatre Wales in association with Ffwrnes
A theatrical staging of Christopher Logue’s War Music
Directed by Mike Pearson & Mike Brookes
Composer: John Hardy Music
Costume Designer: Simon Banham
Sound Designer: Mike Beer
Cinematographer: Luke Jacobs and Like an Egg Productions
Assistant Director: Julia Thomas

Dates: 21 September-3 October 2015
Venue: The Ffwrnes, Park Street, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, SA15 3YE

Iliad is in four parts: Iliad: Kings, Iliad: The Husbands, Iliad: Red/Cold, Iliad: War Music
The running time for all four parts is approx. 2hrs each
The four parts can be seen separately, or in one of two marathon performances.

Performance schedule

Mon 21 Sept, 7.30pm: Iliad: Kings
Tue 22 Sept, 7.30pm: Iliad: The Husbands
Wed 23 Sept, 7.30pm: Iliad: Red/Cold
Thurs 24 Sept, 7.30pm: Iliad: War Music

Sat 26 Sept: all-day marathon
(Iliad: Kings at 10.30am, Iliad: The Husbands at 1.30pm, Iliad: Red/Cold at 5pm and Iliad: War Music at 8pm)

Mon 28 Sept, 7.30pm: Iliad: Kings
Tue 29 Sept, 7.30pm: Iliad: The Husbands
Wed 30 Sept, 7.30pm: Iliad: Red/Cold
Thurs 1Oct, 7.30pm: Iliad: War Music

Sat 3 Oct: all-night marathon
(Iliad: Kings at 6.30pm, Iliad: The Husbands at 9.30pm, Iliad: Red/Cold at 1am on Sun 4 Oct and Iliad: War Music at 4am)

Box Office
Online: www.nationaltheatrewales.org/iliad
By phone: 029 2037 1689

Ticket Prices
Single performance (each): £20 (£15 conc)
4 x single performances: £70 (£50 conc)
Marathon performance: £60 (£45 conc)
Local adult (within Carms): £10*
Local under-25 (inc. schools and colleges within Carms): £7.50*
* single performances only

Schools Ticket prices:
Single performance: £10
Marathon performance: £40

McQUEEN

TO TRANSFER TO

THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET

FROM 13 AUGUST TO 7 NOVEMBER

McQUEEN, which received its world premiere in May at St. James Theatre, where it broke box office records, will transfer to London’s West End, opening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on Thursday 27 August, following previews from 13 August, for a strictly limited season until 7 November.

Written by James Phillips and directed by John Caird, the production stars award-winning actor Stephen Wight in the title role. Janet McQueen, one of Lee Alexander McQueen’s sisters, said of the play and the production at St. James Theatre, “It was as though the play and Stephen’s performance brought Lee back to me again.  I felt as though he was real again for me.” Gary McQueen, Lee’s nephew, added, “It does really hit something in your heart.”

Joining Stephen in the West End run will be Carly Bawden in the role of Dahlia. The role was originated by Dianna Agron who is not participating in the transfer due to filming commitments. Reprising their roles as Isabella Blow and Arabella will be Tracy-Ann Oberman and Laura Rees respectively. Michael Bertenshaw will be joining the cast as Mr Hitchcock. Further casting for the West End transfer to be announced. 

For the transfer to the West End, scenes have been rewritten and an interval has been added. James Phillips said, “I’m so delighted to haveMcQueen in the West End, and to take this opportunity to refine some things from the original production.  For me, it’s also thrilling that we’re going into the Theatre Royal Haymarket, as it was in this theatre that I had my first ever professional job, a few months after leaving college. I was a peasant – a silent role! – in Miss Julie starring Christopher Eccleston, Aisling O’Sullivan and Maxine Peake that Thelma Holt produced. It really is one of the most beautiful theatres I’ve ever been in.”

McQUEEN is a journey into the visionary imagination and 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.

Lee Alexander McQueen died on 11 February 2010 aged 40. Born in Lewisham and raised in Stratford, East London, at 16 he served an apprenticeship with Savile Row tailors Anderson & Sheppard. Later, he studied at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design and his graduation collection was bought in its entirety by influential fashion stylist Isabella Blow. He was appointed head designer at Givenchy in 1996, where he remained until 2001. He founded his own Alexander McQueen label, and the Gucci Group acquired 51% of his company in 2000, with McQueen serving as Creative Director. McQueen achieved the title British Designer of the Year four times between 1996 and 2003, and was also awarded the CBE and named International Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers in 2003. New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted a posthumous exhibition of McQueen’s work in 2011 titled Savage Beauty. The exhibition is currently being shown at the V&A until 2 August.

Stephen Wright was named Outstanding Newcomer at the Evening Standard Awards for his performances in Michael Grandage’s production of Don Juan in Soho and Samuel West’s production of Dealer’s Choice. Other theatre includes Nicholas Hytner’s production of The Habit of Art at the National and Sean Foley’s production of The Ladykillers in the West End. On television, he has played Simon in Bluestone 42(BBC 3), Sam in The Paradise (BBC 1), Mitch in Threesome (Comedy Central), Fletcher in Sherlock and Charles in the BBC mini-seriesFingersmith. His films include Wilderness, Highlander: The Source, Weekender with Jack O’Connell, Henry Lloyd-Hughes and Zawe Ashton and Ashes with Jim Sturgess and Ray Winstone.

Carly Bawden’s theatre credits include Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory), Dead Dog in a Suitcase, Tristan & Yseult and The Beggar’s Opera for Kneehigh, My Fair Lady with Dominic West (Sheffield Crucible), Pippin (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Umbrellas of Cherbourg(Leicester Curve and Gielgud Theatre), and the tours of Whistle Down the Wind and Evita, for which she was nominated for TMA Award for Best Supporting Actress 2009.

Tracy-Ann Oberman played Chrissie in EastEnders, Yvonne Hartman in Doctor Who, Lizzie Clapham in Monroe, Aunty Val in Friday Night Dinner, Mrs Purchase in Toast of London and Diana in the film Filth starring James McAvoy and Jamie Bell. In theatre, she has acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company and at the National, including playing opposite Kenneth Branagh in Edmond. 

Laura Rees’s theatre credits include Ophelia in Ninagawa’s Hamlet at the Barbican, Christopher Luscombe’s Comedy of Errors, Lucy Bailey’sTitus Andronicus and Kathryn Hunter’s Pericles at Shakespeare’s Globe, and Rupert Gould’s Macbeth and Philip Franks’s Twelfth Night at Chichester. 

Michael Bertenshaw’s recent theatre credits include The Merchant of Venice, The Taming of the Shrew, All’s Well That Ends Well and Anne Boleyn, all for Shakespeare’s Globe. His many television credits include playing Ralph Miliband in the documentary drama Miliband of Brothers, two three-part thrillers Murderland and Oktober, and regular appearances in the drama series Seaforth and in the children’s drama series C.A.B.

James Phillips’s first staged play, The Little Fir Tree, was commissioned by and performed, under his direction, at the Sheffield Crucible in 2004. He wrote and directed The Rubinstein Kiss at Hampstead Theatre in 2005.  His most recent plays were Hidden in the Sand, which opened at the Trafalgar Studios in 2013, and City Stories, which was staged at the St. James Theatre Studio during the run of McQueen.

John Caird is an Honorary Associate Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, where his work includes over 20 productions of classic and new plays including co-productions with Trevor Nunn of Nicholas Nickleby, Peter Pan and Les Misérables.  His National Theatre productions include Hamlet and Humble Boy, both with Simon Russell Beale, Stanley with Antony Sher, and his own new version of Bernstein’sCandide for which he won a Laurence Olivier Award.  

McQUEEN has 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 and casting by Kate Plantin CDG & Jayne Collins CDG.

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

LISTINGS INFORMATION

13 August to 7 November 2015

Theatre Royal Haymarket

18 Suffolk Street

London SW1Y 4HT

Box Office: 020 7930 8800

Performances:  Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm*, Thursdays and Saturdays at 3.00pm**

*7.00pm on Thursday 27 August

**No 3.00pm performances on Thursday 13, 20 and 27 August

Ticket Prices:  £15 – £65 (including booking fees); Premium Seats £85; Previews:  £15 – £45

Running Time:  2 hours, including interval

Website:  www.mcqueentheplay.com

Facebook:  facebook.com/McQueenThePlay

Twitter:  @McQueenThePlay

Theatre na nÓg are delighted to present the UK tour of the TNN production of “TOM. A STORY OF TOM JONES. THE MUSICAL”, opening on Monday 7th March 2016 at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. The tour schedule is below with further dates to be announced.

Step back in time to the dance halls, working men’s clubs and recording studios of the ‘60s where the legend of Tom Jones was born: a Valleys boy with a heart-stopping voice who dreamed of making the big time, no matter what it took.

This inspirational story of self-belief and determination is performed live on stage by a phenomenal cast of actors and musicians, celebrating an ordinary man with an extraordinary talent who became a superstar on a world stage.

Featuring hits of the era including ‘Ghost Riders in the Sky’, ‘Spanish Harlem’ and ‘Lucille’, we track Tom’s climb to stardom. Ending with some the hits that made him one of the most charismatic stars of the day: ‘It’s Not Unusual’, ‘Delilah’, ‘Green, Green Grass of Home’, ‘What’s New Pussycat’ and more.

“TOM. A STORY OF TOM JONES. THE MUSICAL” is Written by Mike James and Directed by Geinor Styles, with Musical Direction by Ben Goddard, Set Design by Sean Crowley and Sound Design by Mike Beer.

Director Geinor Styles said: “Just very occasionally an opportunity comes along that has the words ’perfect fit’ written all the way through it like a stick of rock. In this case it’s rock and roll and the compelling story of the early days of this county’s most famous son – the living legend that is Sir Tom Jones.”

The development of this production has been supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government, RCT, NPT Theatres and Wales Millennium Centre.

“TOM. A STORY OF TOM JONES. THE MUSICAL” UK TOUR DATES 2016
www.tomthemusical.co.uk

MONDAY 7 MARCH – SATURDAY 12 MARCH 2016
WALES MILLENIUM CENTRE – www.wmc.org.uk
ON SALE 31 JULY 2015

TUESDAY 15 MARCH – SATURDAY 19 MARCH 2016
FESTIVAL THEATRE EDINBURGH – www.edtheatres.com
ON SALE 7 SEPTEMBER 2015

WEDNESDAY 30 MARCH – SATURDAY 2 APRIL 2016
LEICESTER CURVE – www.curveonline.co.uk
ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 12 APRIL – SATURDAY 16 APRIL 2016
SHEFFIELD LYCEUM – www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 19 APRIL – SATURDAY 23 APRIL 2016
BRADFORD ALHAMBRA – www.bradford-theatres.co.uk
ON SALE 24 AUGUST 2015

WEDNESDAY 25 MAY – SATURDAY 28 MAY 2016
THE LOWRY – www.thelowry.com
ON SALE 31 JULY 2015

New casting has been announced for Wicked at the Apollo Victoria, with Emma Hatton (Elphaba) and Savannah Stevenson (Glinda) both extending their contracts into 2016.

Joining them from Monday 21 September 2015 will be Oliver Savile (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Cats) as Fiyero, Sean Kearns (The Commitments, The 39 Steps, Billy Elliot The Musical) as Doctor Dillamond, current West End ensemble cast member Daniel Hope as Boq and Carina Gillespie, who played Nessarose on Wicked‘s UK & Ireland Tour, as Standby for Glinda.

Also continuing with the show are current cast members Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible), Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose) and Natalie Andreou (Standby for Elphaba). Further casting to be announced.

Jeremy Taylor (Fiyero), Martyn Ellis (The Wizard), Steven Pinder (Doctor Dillamond), Sam Lupton (Boq) and Sophie Linder-Lee (Standby for Glinda) will all play their final performances on Saturday 19 September 2015.

With music and lyrics by Academy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman, Wicked is based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire.

ROYAL COURT THEATRE AUTUMN SEASON CASTING ANNOUCEMENT

·         DAVID MUMENI and KATIE WEST cast in Lela & Co. by Cordelia Lynn.

·         JOSEF DAVIES, JAMES DRYDEN, JOHNNY FLYNN, GRAEME HAWLEY, RALPH INESON, BRONWYN JAMES, DAVID MORRISSEY, RYAN POPE, SALLY ROGERS, SIMON ROUSE andREECE SHEARSMITH cast in Hangmen by Martin McDonagh.

·         KIM CATTRALL cast in Linda by Penelope Skinner.

·         GEORGINA CAMPBELL to appear in Speech Debelle’s live performance and short film, a collaboration between the Royal Court Theatre, Speech Debelle and director Ed Sayers.

Lela & Co.

By Cordelia Lynn

Directed by Jude Christian

Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Thursday 3 September – Saturday 3 October 2015

David Mumeni and Katie West have been cast in Lela & Co. by Cordelia Lynn.

Full listings information below.

__________________________________________________________________

Hangmen

By Martin McDonagh
Directed by Matthew Dunster
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Thursday 10 September – Saturday 10 October 2015

Josef Davies, James Dryden, Johnny Flynn, Graeme Hawley, Ralph Ineson, Bronwyn James, David Morrissey, Ryan Pope, Sally Rogers, Simon Rouse and Reece Shearsmith have been cast in Hangmenby Martin McDonagh.

Further casting to be announced.

Full listings information below.

Linda

By Penelope Skinner

Directed by Michael Longhurst

Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Wednesday 25 November 2015 – Saturday 9 January 2016

Kim Cattrall has been cast in Linda by Penelope Skinner.

Further casting to be announced.

Full listings information below.

Speech Debelle Live

Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Friday 31 July 2015 8pm

Georgina Campbell has been cast to appear in Speech Debelle’s live performance and short film, a collaboration between the Royal Court Theatre, Speech Debelle and director Ed Sayers.

Full listings information below.

MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL

STARRING BEVERLEY KNIGHT AND MATT CARDLE

NEW PRODUCTION IMAGES RELEASED

New production images for MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL have been released, now featuring multi-platinum selling recording artist and songwriter Matt Cardle as radio DJ ‘Huey Calhoun’ and Queen of British Soul Beverley Knight as ‘Felicia Farrell’, the role she originated in the West End.

Booking for MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL at the Shaftesbury Theatre continues through to the end of its scheduled run in the West End on 31 October 2015.

Written by Grammy® Award-winning David Bryan, a founding member of Bon Jovi, and Joe DiPietro,MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL continues to star Rolan Bell as ‘Delray’, Tyrone Huntley as ‘Gator’, Claire Machin as ‘Gladys’, Jason Pennycooke as ‘Bobby’ and Mark Roper as ‘Mr. Simmons’, with Keisha Atwell, Arielle Campbell, Mark Carroll, Joseph Davenport, Momar Diagne, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Kimmy Edwards, Hillary Elk, Laura Ellis, Charlotte Gorton, Yasmin Harrison, Benjamin Harrold, Waylon Jacobs, Rachel John, Dean Maynard, Devon McKenzie-Smith, Tim Newman, Simon Ray-Harvey, Jon Robyns, Ashley Rumble, Kyle Seeley, Helen Siveter, Dawnita Smith, and Alex Thomas.

Inspired by true events from the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL follows the fame and forbidden love of a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer who is ready for her big break.

Olivier and Tony® Award-winning MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL, which opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre to huge audience and critical acclaim in October last year, is Directed by Christopher Ashley with Olivier Award-winning Choreography by Sergio Trujillo, Scenic Design by David Gallo, Costume Design by Paul Tazewell, Lighting Design by Howell Binkley, Sound Design by the Olivier Award-winning Gareth Owenand Musical Direction by Tim Sutton.

MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL is produced in London by Junkyard Dog Productions, Marleen and Kenny Alhadeff, Barbara Freitag, Joseph Smith and John Brant.

SHARK WEEK RETURNS TO DISCOVERY CHANNEL THIS AUGUST

SHARK WEEK to premiere on Discovery Channel in the UK from Sunday 2^nd – Saturday 8^th August

SHARK WEEK, Discovery Channel’s must see summer event returns to Discovery Channel on Sunday 2^nd August. Uncharted technology will capture all-new shark images and behaviour, while also drawing attention to these incredible animals and their evolving habitats.

Programme highlights for 2015 include;

SHARK TREK featuring Dr. Greg Skomal, Massachusetts’ senior marine fisheries marine biologist, as he tags Great White sharks off the coast of Cape Cod and attempts to determine their swim patterns once they leave the Massachusetts coast. As patterns point to the southern U.S., Dr. Skomal tries to determine why the Florida coast is the new Great White shark hotspot in the Atlantic.

LAIR OF THE MEGA SHARK, which sees shark experts Jeff Kerr and Andy Casagrande head to New Zealand to investigate the sightings of a 20 foot Great White Shark. The team explore the nocturnal feeding ground of the modern day legend, in the hope of coming face to face with the legendary Great White.

MONSTER MAKO; Mako sharks are the fastest of all species of sharks in the world however little more is known about this particular breed. MONSTER MAKO explores this area as scientists fit a Mako shark with cameras in order to unlock and reveal the mysteries of their swift, immediate and unseen world. And a rare sighting is caught on film as a Mako shark breaches the waters during the expedition.

Additional SHARK WEEK 2015 programming will include SPAWN OF JAWS: THE BIRTH featuring Dr. Michael Domeier as he continues on his quest to unlock one of the greatest shark mysteries: the location of great white pupping grounds. This two year mission follows the journey of a pregnant great white called Gil Rakers as she prepares to give birth; BRIDE OF JAWS which searches for Joan of Shark, the largest female Great White ever tagged and NINJA SHARKS which explores six sharks with unique adaptations that have evolved over millions of years making them the most lethal hunters in the sea.

SHARK WEEK will premiere in the UK from Sunday 2^nd August – Saturday 8^th August on Discovery Channel

(Sky 520 / Virgin 211 / BT TV 322 / TalkTalk 322)

Town Hall, Richmond – 16 July 2015

Its 5 years since the Military WAGS Choir was formed in Catterick Garrison.  With very few members still there from the beginning due to the transient nature of the forces, the choir is always changing and evolving.  Made up of Wives, Affiliates, Girlfriends and Serving Soldiers these are ordinary women with extraordinary voices.

With some outstanding harmonies and sharp vocals these are very talented women.  You felt every word they sang, particularly during a stunning arrangement of Coldplay’s Fix You. They sang as one voice.

We were treated to a flute solo during Annies Song by the very accomplished Hannah and a sublime solo of Gershwin’s Summertime by serving soldier Victoria.  There were some tears by both singers and audience during a beautiful rendition of Wherever You Go, the number one best selling song.

From the Beatles to Andrew Lloyd Webber, they sang with enthusiasm and flair.  The Rhythm of Life being particularly rhapsodic

With Gillian on the piano and conducted by Carol this was a masterly example of how singing for pleasure can be a pleasure for all

York Stage Musicals present

Oh My God You Guys!

LEGALLY BLONDE

Grand Opera House York

Monday 7 – Saturday 12 September

Elle Woods is back in a brand new production for 2015 Elle is the girl who has it all, but when her seemingly perfect boyfriend dumps her for being more Marilyn Monroe than Jacqui Kennedy, she decides the only way to win him back is to follow him to Harvard Law School. Once there she quickly learns she is far removed from her Malibu home and is once again left longing for her love’s approval. With the help of her new friends Paulette, a lovable beautician, geeky graduate Emmett Forrest and of course her faithful Chihuahua Bruiser, Elle proves there is something very special about being Legally Blonde!

From the producers of the acclaimed Hairspray and Sister Act this hilarious yet poignant show is set to be another unmissable spectacle! Filled with catchy numbers such as ‘Oh My God You Guys’, ‘Chip On My Shoulder’, ‘So Much Better’ and the hilarious ‘Gay or European?’ Legally Blonde is the ultimate feel good, girl power, musical for you and you sorority sisters. So book your tickets now to join Elle and the Delta Nu’s with your ‘Bend and Snap’ at the ready this September.

Quotes from the press

‘York Stage Musicals have raised the bar… again’- acclaim for a previous production

‘… other productions will have to go a long way to beat York Stage Musicals knock out show’-acclaim for a previous production

‘Electrifying’- acclaim for a previous production

Tickets: £10, £17, £19, £20, £22, £24

Box Office: 0844 871 3024

Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/york

James Seabright and Climar Productions for Radio Stage Limited present the Bridge House production

It’s A Wonderful Life

Grand Opera House York

Monday 9 November at 7:30pm

Adapted from the Frank Capra film by Tony Palermo – Directed by Guy Retallack

The iconic story of idealist George Bailey, whose dreams look set to be dashed by small-town scandal and big business. Alone on a bridge, he decides that everyone would be better off without him… or would they? It falls to hapless guardian angel, Clarence, to try and save him.

In a new production that premiered to excellent reviews in London last year, the magical story of Frank Capra’s iconic film is retold as a radio play, complete with sound effects created live on stage. This loving tribute to the golden era of the wireless is a fresh take on a heart-warming and timely classic.

‘Inspired! A lovely adaptation that’s both cleverly witty and movingly heartfelt.’ **** The Stage

‘Critic’s Choice’ – The Guardian Guide

‘Deftly directed by Guy Retallack… sensationally executed.’ **** The Londonist

‘Glorious, entertaining and heart-warming. An absolute winner.’ ***** South London Press

Tickets: £20, £25, £30

Box Office: 0844 871 3024

Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/york