Month: July 2015

ExhibiTours in association with The Exhibition Hub Ltd presents

 

DRESSED BY ANGELS

 

The Old Truman Brewery from 2nd October 2015

Featuring iconic costumes from the worlds of film, TV and theatre

Dressed by Angels will open at The Old Truman Brewery on 2^nd October 2015. This brand new interactive exhibition tells the story behind the world’s greatest costume house, presenting visitors with an irresistible mix of costumes, drama and history. Angels Costumiers has been dressing the world for 175 years, including countless Oscar and BAFTA Award winning films, and Olivier and Tony Award winning theatre. Over seven generations of one family, Angels has become the premiere costumier to the world. This is their story – in costumes. Tickets go on sale this Friday 17^th July from dressedbyangels.co.uk.

From Lawrence of Arabia to Titanic, Dickens to Lillie Langtry, and from Military to Royalty: you know it, Angels has dressed it. Visitors will get exclusive access to costumes from films including: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Star Wars,The Iron Lady and The Grand Budapest Hotel; TV shows Morecambe and Wise, Dr Who, Only Fools & Horses andDownton Abbey; and the blockbuster musical Wicked.

Over 100 costumes have been carefully selected from Angel’s illustrious back catalogue for display. Visitors will see bespoke costumes made for Fred Astaire, Noel Coward, Laurence Olivier, Tom Baker, Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett and Meryl Streep, to name just a few. Alongside the costumes will be photographs and fascinating letters and artefacts, providing an insight into showbiz history.

Dressed by Angels will be launched exclusively in London, using costumes to take visitors on a journey through Victorian London up to the present day. The exhibition will feature many interactive elements to allow the visitor a hands-on experience which will include digital games, measurement tapes and forms and how to use them,  interactive media displays and a workshop room where people can learn the intricate craft of costume progress from design to finished product. This is an exhibition that will appeal to all ages, and the whole family as you journey through Angels’ history.
THE EXHIBIT

Beginning in the sooty, fog bound London of the early Victorian era, where Covent Garden’s Seven Dials was focus of a vast number of immigrants all plying their trade, visitors will be introduced to Charles Dickens and his most memorable characters. During this time, London’s theatre and dance halls started to flourish – all of whom needed costumes… Enter Daniel Angel. Founder of Angels, Daniel had come to England as a tailor by trade. He got his start by acquiring clothes from the estates of the deceased and hiring them out to Londoners. The rest, as they say, is history!

Visitors will then travel through the dance hall days into the early 20th century and with it a diversification into military uniforms for the two World Wars. On into rooms highlighting the Ealing Comedy years, the Swinging Sixties and the musical blockbuster explosion of the 1980s alongside many iconic costumes from television from the 1979s to the present day.

The centre point of the Exhibition will be instantly recognisable costumes from Titanic, Indiana Jones and Cate Blanchett’s Queen Elizabeth I to name just a few.

The exhibition finishes with a look into the world of fancy dress and how so many of these costumes have their beginnings in the elaborate original film and theatre originals.

A variety of workshops led by industry experts will be scheduled for evenings throughout the run and will go on sale in September (more details to be announced in due course). Topics will include: Special Effects Make Up; The Inside Story: Anecdotes from the Industry; Costume for Large Events and From Design to Reality.

Exhibition tickets go will be on general sale from Friday 17^th July from dressedbyangels.co.uk / 0203 773 8995

LISTINGS INFORMATION
Dressed by Angels
Venue: The Old Truman Brewery, Loading Bay, Ely’s Yard, 15 Hanbury St, London E1 6QR
Dates: 2nd October 2015 – 3rd January 2015
Times: Mon, Tue, Wed 10am – 6pm; Thu 10am – 8pm; Fri, Sat 10am – 7pm; Sun 10am – 6pm
(Please note: Last entry 90 minutes before closing)
Tickets: Adults £16.00 / Children (to 16) £9.00 / Concession (seniors, students, disabled passes) £13.50 / Family (4): £45.00 / Family (5) £54.00
Groups: (8+) £12.50 / (School groups) £8.00
Box Office: dressedbyangels.co.uk / 0203 773 8995

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment

in association with Jermyn Street Theatre presents

THE LONDON PREMIERE OF

SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE

by Michael John LaChiusa

 

AT JERMYN STREET THEATRE

FROM TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER TO SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER 2015

 

 

Michael John LaChiusa’s Off-Broadway hit See What I Wanna See will receive its London Premiere in a limited 4-week run at Jermyn Street Theatre from Tuesday 8 September to Saturday 3 October, with a press night on  Friday 11 September, 7.30pm.

See What I Wanna See is a vibrant and provocative new musical that explores the nature of truth, and how it is altered by perspective. From medieval Japan where two lovers seek to escape a doomed relationship, to modern day New York where a priest is wrestling with his faith, See What I Wanna See weaves together three remarkable stories of lust, greed, murder, faith and redemption, where truth and lies have become entangled. Michael John LaChiusa’s beautiful and unexpected music blends a plethora of influences from jazz and salsa to classical and pop into a fluid, cinematic score. See What I Wanna See is a fiercely intelligent, heartfelt piece of theatre that calls into question; how pure can the truth ever be?

See What I Wanna See was named one of the Best Musicals of 2005 by New York Magazine, and was nominated for nine Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical. The show premiered at New York’s Public Theatre in 2005 where it starred Idina Menzel in her first role following her Tony Award-winning performance originating the role of Elphaba in Wicked.

Michael John LaChiusa is a composer, lyricist and librettist, whose shows include The Wild Party, Hello Again, Marie Christine and Giant. Michael was nominated for four Tony Awards in 2000 for his score and book for both Marie Christineand The Wild Party.

 

See What I Wanna See is based on three short stories by acclaimed Japanese writer Ryunosuke Akutagawa. It will be directed by Adam Lenson, who is currently directing the 20th Anniversary revival of Songs For A New World at St. James Theatre starring Cynthia Erivo, Damian Humbley, Dean John-Wilson and Jenna Russell. Adam also created the sell-out concert series West End Recast at the Phoenix and Duke of Yorks theatre and was associate director on the Olivier award winning west end production of Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along.

See What I Wanna See is written by Michael John LaChiusa, based on short stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa as translated by Takashi Kojima. It is directed by Adam Lenson with musical direction by Richard Bates. It is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, presented by special arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe.

 

Casting to be announced.

Twitter @SWIWS2015

LISTINGS

 

TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER 2015

JERMYN STREET THEATRE

16b Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6ST

Performances: Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm, Saturday and Sunday matinees 3.30pm, extra matinee Thursday 1 October

Press Night: Friday 11 September, 7.30pm

Tickets: £20-25 (Previews £15) (£18 Earlybird price if booked before 10 August)

Box Office: www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk | 020 7287 2875

ON SALE NOW

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is delighted to announce the 2015 Fringe Central Welcome Address will be delivered by award-winning comedian and theatre-maker Bryony Kimmings on Friday 07 August at 11am at Fringe Central 2, David Hume Tower.

This is the third year of The Fringe Central Opening Address which is designed to welcome participants to the Fringe and introduce them to Fringe Central and the extensive range of events on offer to them throughout August. The event was created to inspire participants to make the best use of the Fringe by getting them to think about the wider perspective and how their experience at the Fringe will impact on them and their work in the future.  

Bryony Kimmings, an Associate Artist at Soho Theatre and a Fringe participant herself, has toured her award-winning work across the world – from Finland, Portugal, and Texas to Australia and Croatia. As well as performing, Bryony mentors artists, teaches workshops and writes a popular art blog. She’ll be taking part in this year’s Fringe in a show she’s also directed, Fake It ‘til You Make It playing at the Traverse Theatre from 07 – 30 August.

Kath M Mainland, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said:

“I’m absolutely delighted Bryony Kimmings – an extraordinarily talented artist with a huge array of skills – has agreed to deliver this year’s Welcome Address to Fringe Participants. I’m absolutely sure that Bryony will be an inspiration to participants given her experience as an artist both here at the Fringe and around the world.”

“The Fringe Central Welcome Address has been created to encourage all Fringe participants to feel at home at Fringe Central and to introduce them to the Participants’ Events Programme which takes place throughout the festival and is absolutely free to all Fringe participants. It really is their home-away-from-home and this year we have over 85 free events taking place which will develop their performance skills, offer advice, expand their networks and advance their career. We really want them to take advantage of all Fringe Central has to offer and make the very most of their time at the Fringe.”  

Bryony Kimmings said:

“If there is one festival, city and ethos that has led to my outlandish (and probably undeserved!) success this past near decade it’s the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Fringe Society have been instrumental in that climb. It’s always at this time of year that I remember the total and utter panic I entered my first Fringe with. It wasn’t until after the Media Office gave me a one-to-one panic relief press session and I attended a tour booking lecture at Fringe Central that I began to understand the formulaic approach that would unlock the doors I needed.  I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences; from insightful ways to get noticed to the best places to get drunk. I literally cannot wait to do my Fringe address.”

Operated by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society for participants, media and arts industry professionals taking part in the Fringe, Fringe Central, will be split across two buildings in 2015. For the seventh consecutive year the University of Edinburgh’s Appleton Tower will host practical resources and facilities including a café and bar for participants and will be home to the Fringe Society’s Media Office. For the first time, the University of Edinburgh’s David Hume Tower will house the Fringe Society’s Arts Industry Office and event and rehearsal room facilities. Fringe Central offers an unrivalled, unique and a completely free programme of professional and career development opportunities for everyone participating in a Fringe show and is central to the Fringe Society’s key aim of supporting all Fringe participants.

The 2015 Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from 07 – 31 August.

Fringe Participants wishing to attend the free Fringe Central Welcome Address event on 07 August will need to book a ticket at http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/edinburgh-festival-fringe-society-fringe-central-welcome-address-tickets-17440143940

BRAND NEW VERSION OF THE SOUND OF MUSIC OPENS AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

 

The timeless musical classic, The Sound of Music, returns to the stage in a brand new production that opens at Leeds Grand Theatre next Monday 20^th July and runs for two weeks until Saturday 1^st August.

This lavish new staging of the classic musical coincides with the 50th anniversary of the film version;  the most successful movie musical in history launched in March 1965, six years after the stage production opened on Broadway.  The Sound of Music continues to be favourite today.

Playing the iconic role of Maria von Trapp 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 inJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

 

Joining the company as Captain von Trapp is 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 andGrease.

 

 

It all began with the story of the Trapp Family Singers and Baroness Maria von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography, which inspired Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse to create a Broadway musical in 1959. 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.

The unforgettable score features some of the most memorable songs ever performed on stage, including Edelweiss,My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, So Long, Farewell and of course, the title song, The Sound of Music.

 

The Sound of Music is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 20^th July to Saturday 1^st August.

 

Tickets are on sale now priced from £18.50 too £42.

 

Book online at www.leedsgrandtheatre.com or call box office on 0844 848 2700.

Four world premières bringing together leading playwrights with new voices, two UK premières of ground-breaking American plays by the US’s most original voices.

 

·         Cordelia Lynn’s debut play LELA & CO directed by Jude Christian premières in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Thursday 3 September – Saturday 3 October.

 

·         Martin McDonagh returns to the Royal Court with his first new play in London for more than ten years,HANGMEN, to be directed by Matthew Dunster in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Thursday 10 September – Saturday 10 October.

 

·         Nicola Wilson’s Royal Court debut play PLAQUES AND TANGLES directed by Royal Court Associate Director Lucy Morrison will première in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Wednesday 14 October – Saturday 21 November.

 

·         Brooklyn-based ensemble the TEAM bring their devised multimedia show ROOSEVELVIS to the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Wednesday 21 October – Saturday 14 November.

 

·         Penelope Skinner returns to the Royal Court with her Jerwood Theatre Downstairs debut LINDA directed by Michael Longhurst, Wednesday 25 November – Saturday 9 January 2016.

 

·         Korean-American playwright Mia Chung’s UK première YOU FOR ME FOR YOU directed by Royal Court Associate Director (International) Richard Twyman in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Thursday 3 December – Saturday 9 January.

 

·         CASTING NEWS will follow on Friday 17 July

·         Over the summer, the Royal Court BAR & KITCHEN hosts an unique pop-up dining experience for three nights only in August.

 

·         BEYOND THE COURT: The Royal Court to host summer of events in Tottenham.

 

·         LIVE LUNCH returns with new plays from some of the Royal Court’s most talented emerging writers performed during your lunch break.

·         The Royal Court will host its first adult relaxed performance of Linda – reaching audiences who need and prefer a more open, inclusive, relaxed performing environment.

 

·         THE BIG IDEA continues with a programme of talks, debates and events inspired by the work on stage.

 

·         Tickets for the new season go on sale to Friends on Thursday 16 July at 10am and on sale to the general public on Friday 17 July at 1pm 020 7565 5000 / www.royalcourttheatre.com

 

 

Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre, Vicky Featherstone said:

“From the return of Martin McDonagh to theatre with a hilarious and dark new play, to Mia Chung’s play about North Korean sisters fleeing the regime, this autumn is a season which purely encompasses all that the Royal Court is about. Whether from the more experienced writer or the brand new, like Cordelia Lynn and Nicola Wilson, this is the very best in fearless and excoriating writing for theatre. These plays start a conversation which probe and provoke, asking questions of our time and ourselves.

 

Created and programmed in an environment which fiercely supports the writer to be individual and questioning, these six plays are dynamic, incredibly theatrically and stylistically varied. Yet all in some way deal with transgression – of crossing a line, of a non-acceptance of who we are or what we are forced to become.  

 

I am particularly proud to announce our first ever relaxed performance for adults for Linda – Penelope Skinner’s extraordinary new play about a 55 year old woman and her fight to remain visible in her world. I’m delighted too to develop our relationship in our Beyond the Court programme with a thrilling series of summer events led by some of our most exciting artists and communities in Tottenham. I am also excited to welcome the TEAM to the Royal Court for the first time with RooseElvis – a brilliantly performed and devised piece about gender, boundaries and dreaming to be other.”

 

__________________________________________________________________

 

Lela & Co.

By Cordelia Lynn

Directed by Jude Christian

Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Thursday 3 September – Saturday 3 October 2015

“As for what came next, things unspoken and untold until now, it happened like this…”

In the beginning was the mattress.
Gradually, other little changes – more bolts on the front door; the gun; the locked cupboard.
And she knew in her heart that change was bad.

The story of a young girl trapped in an increasingly tiny world.

“Thank you for your interest in Lela & Co. Please feel free to take a feedback form on your way out…”

First-time Royal Court playwright Cordelia Lynn teams up with director Jude Christian to bring this urgent and poetic story based on true life events in Albania to the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs.

Conceived and Developed by Desara Bosnja and 1989 Productions. 

Design by Ana Inés Jabares Pita, lighting by Oliver Fenwick and sound by David McSeveney.

Cast to be announced.

 

Cordelia Lynn took part in the 2012 Royal Court Writers Group. Her previous theatre credits includeBelievers Anonymous (Rosemary Branch) and After the War (ADC, Olivier Bristol).

 

Jude Christian’s theatre includes Harajuku Girls (Finborough), I’d Rather Goya Robbed Me Of My Sleep Than Some Other Arsehole (Gate, Boom Arts Portland), Bwyta Eliffant? Sut Mae Gwneud  Hynny Dwedwch? / How Do You Eat An Elephant? (National Youth Theatre of Wales), Happy, The Mushroom (Pentabus), My Romantic History (English Theatre Berlin), Sonata Movements (Blue Elephant). Opera includes ©alculated to Death (Tête-à-Tête Opera Festival London, Future Shorts Tokyo), Opera ‘Reflection’ workshop, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence.

 

The Big Idea: Lela & Co.
Playwright Cordelia Lynn in conversation with Royal Court Deputy Literary Manager Louise Stephens
Wednesday 16 September, post-show
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Free with a ticket to that evening’s performance
Event Partner: Time Out

More Big Idea events to be announced.

Listings Information:

Lela & Co.

By Cordelia Lynn
Directed by Jude Christian
Thursday 3 September – Saturday 3 October 2015
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs , Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS
Monday – Saturday 7.45pm
Saturday matinees (from 12 September) 3pm
Thursday matinees (from 17 September) 3pm
Captioned Performance Friday 2 October 7.45pm
Press Night Wednesday 9 September 7pm
Age Guidance 14+
Tickets £20. Monday’s all seats £10 (available on the day of performance 9am online)
Concessions £15* (available in advance until 12 September, and all matinees. For all other performances, available on a standby basis on the day)
Access £12 (plus a companion at the same rate)
*ID required. All discounts subject to availability.

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Hangmen

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

‘I’m just as good as bloody Pierrepoint’

In his small pub in Oldham, Harry is something of a local celebrity. But what’s the second-best hangman in England to do on the day they’ve abolished hanging? Amongst the cub reporters and sycophantic pub regulars dying to hear Harry’s reaction to the news, a peculiar stranger lurks, with a very different motive for his visit.

 

‘Don’t worry. I may have my quirks but I’m not an animal. Or am I? One for the courts to discuss.’

 

Martin McDonagh returns to the Royal Court with his first UK play in more than ten years. Matthew Dunster directs.

With design by Anna Fleischle, lighting by Joshua Carr and sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph

Cast to be announced.

    

Martin McDonagh’s work for the Royal Court includes The Beauty Queen of Leenane, A Skull in Connemara and The Lonesome West (Druid Theatre/Royal Court & Broadway).

Other theatre includes The Cripple of Inishmaan (National/Noel Coward/Broadway), The Pillowman (National/ Broadway), The Lieutenant of Inishmore (RSC/Garrick/Broadway) and A Behanding in Spokane (Broadway). For film (as Writer/Director) credits include Six Shooter (Short), In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths. Martin has been awarded the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy (The Lieutenant of Inishmore), an Olivier Award for Best New Play (The Pillowman), an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film (Six Shooter) and a BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay (In Bruges).

 

Matthew Dunster’s credits for the Royal Court include Liberian Girl. His other credits include The Seagull, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Open Air Regent’s Park), Love’s Sacrifice (RSC), The Lightning Child, Arthur Darvill and Doctor Faustus (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Love Girl & the Innocent, You Can Still Make a Killing (Southwark Playhouse), Mametz (National Theatre Wales), Before the Party (Almeida), A Sacred Flame (English Touring), Saturday Night, Sunday Morning (Royal Exchange Manchester), Mogadishu (Royal Exchange, Manchester and Lyric Hammersmith), The Most Incredible Thing (Sadler’s Wells), The Two Gentleman of Verona (Royal & Derngate, Northampton). As a writer, his credits include Children’s Children(Almeida) and You Can See the Hills (Royal Exchange Manchester).

 

The Big Idea: Hangmen
Director Matthew Dunster and members of the cast in conversation with Royal Court Artistic Director Vicky Featherstone
Wednesday 7 October, post-show
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Free with a ticket to that evening’s performance
This event takes place following a captioned performance and will be a live-subtitled event.

Event Partner: Time Out

More Big Idea events to be announced.

Listings Information:

Plaques and Tangles

By Nicola Wilson

Directed by Lucy Morrison

Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Wednesday 14 October – Saturday 21 November 2015

“I do not accept there is anything wrong with me”

 

Days before her wedding Megan discovers she has a 50-50 chance of developing early onset Alzheimer’s.  Years later she’s offered a genetic test.  But if she’s got the gene does she really want to know?

 

Megan, 21. Megan, 47. Megan, 32. Megan, 27.

 

One woman lurches through time on a wild memory trip while her young family deal with the consequences.

 

 “I can’t think. But I still feel. And most of the time I feel scared. Scared because it’s too soon. I haven’t finished yet.”

Nicola Wilson’s Royal Court debut Plaques and Tangles explores one woman’s life with early onset Alzheimer’s. Royal Court Associate Lucy Morrison directs.

Design by Andrew D. Edwards and lighting by Anna Watson.

Cast to be announced.

 

Nicola Wilson’s previous theatre includes Moonwalking (Oran Mor). Radio includes Cut to the Heart, Life on the Edges.

 

Lucy Morrison is Associate Director at the Royal Court where her credits include Hidden (Live Lunch), Who Cares, Pests and Product (also at Traverse and European tour). Pests was a Royal Court co-production with Clean Break for whom Lucy has worked as Head of Artistic Programming and directed Billy the Girl (Soho Theatre), Little on the Inside (Almeida Festival and Latitude), it felt empty when the heart went at first but it is alright now (Arcola Theatre) and This Wide Night (Soho). Morrison also originated and commissioned the Charged and Re-Charged seasons at Soho Theatre in which she directed Fatal Light and Doris Day.

 

The Big Idea: Plaques and Tangles
Playwright Nicola Wilson in conversation with Royal Court Associate Director Lucy Morrison

Wednesday 28 October, post-show
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Free with a ticket to that evening’s performance
Event Partner: Time Out

More Big Idea events to be announced.

Plaques and Tangles

By Nicola Wilson

Directed by Lucy Morrison

Wednesday 14 October – Saturday 21 November 2015
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS
Monday – Saturday 7.45pm
Saturday matinees (from 24 October) 3pm
Thursday matinees (from 22 October) 3pm
Captioned Performance Friday 6 November 7.45pm
Press Night Tuesday 20 October 7pm
Age Guidance 14+
Tickets £20. Mondays all seats £10 (available on day of performance from 9am online).
Concessions £15* (available in advance until 24 October, and all matinees. For all other performances, available on a standby basis on the day)
Access £12 (plus a companion at the same rate)
*ID required. All discounts subject to availability.

 

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RoosevElvis

Created by the TEAM

Directed by Rachel Chavkin

Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Wednesday 21 October – Saturday 14 November 2015

 

On a hallucinatory road trip from the Badlands to Graceland, the spirits of Elvis Presley and Theodore Roosevelt battle over the soul of Ann, a painfully shy meat-processing plant worker, and what kind of man or woman Ann should become. Set against the boundless blue skies of the Great Plains and endless American highway, RoosevElvis is a new work about gender, appetite, and the multitudes we contain.

 

The TEAM is a Brooklyn-based ensemble dedicated to creating new work about the experience of living in America today.

 

The TEAM’s RoosevElvis is written by Rachel Chavkin, Libby King, Jake Margolin, and Kristen Sieh. Created in collaboration with Matt Hubbs, Andrew Schneider, and Nick Vaughan.

It is performed by Libby King and Kristen Sieh. Rachel Chavkin directs.

Scenic design by Nick Vaughan, lighting by Austin Smith, sound design by Matt Hubbs, video design by Andrew Schneider and costume by Kristen Sieh.

 

Once described as “Gertrude Stein meets MTV,” the TEAM’s work crashes American history and mythology into modern stories to illuminate the current moment. The company combines aggressive athleticism with emotional performances and intellectual rigor, keeping the brain, eyes and heart of the audience constantly stimulated.

Since 2004, the TEAM has created and toured nine works nationally and internationally. They are four-time winners of the Scotsman Fringe First Award, Winner 2011 Edinburgh International Festival Fringe Prize, 2011 Herald Angel, and 2008 Edinburgh Total Theatre Award, and were listed “Best of 2013″ on 3 continents.

The TEAM’s collaborative creation process and the making of their original musical Mission Drift (which had a sold-out 2013 run in The Shed at the National Theatre) was the subject of a feature-length documentary directed by Emmy-Award winner Paulette Douglas. The TEAM is now celebrating its 10^th year together as an ensemble, and recently released an anthology, Five Plays by the TEAM, published by Oberon.

Libby King’s credits with the TEAM include RoosevElvis, Mission Drift, Architecting, and Particularly in the Heartland (Best Actress, Dublin Fringe). Other theatre credits include: Tectonic Theatre’s The Laramie Project Cycle (BAM); 27 by Abi Morgan (National Theatre of Scotland / Royal Lyceum Theatre); Death of a Salesman (Siti Company / Swine Palace Productions) and an adapatation of The Blind by Bathsheba Doran(Classic Stage Company). Her film credits include B.U.S.T.

Kristen Sieh’s theatre credits include RoosevElvis, Architecting, Particularly in the Heartland, A Thousand Natural Shocks, Howl, Mission Drift (the TEAM); Twelfth Night (Pig Iron); Fortress of Solitude, February House (The Public Theater); Beowulf: A Thousand Years of Baggage (Banana, Bag & Bodice); Men on Boats (Clubbed Thumb); The World is Round (BAM); Gatz, The Sound and the Fury (Elevator Repair Service); St. Joan of the Stockyards (PS122); Iphigenia at Aulis (Classic Stage Company).

Her television credits include Orange is the New Black, Boardwalk Empire and Law and Order.

 

Rachel Chavkin’s theatre credits include a decade of making work with the TEAM including Give Up! Start Over! (2005 Fringe First), Particularly in the Heartland (2006 Fringe First), Architecting (co-produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and PS122, 2008 Fringe First), and Mission Drift (2011 Fringe First, Herald Angel, Edinburgh International Festival Fringe Prize). Outside of the TEAM Rachel primarily works on new plays and music theater works, including multiple collaborations with Dave Malloy – Preludes (LCT3) andNatasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (Ars Nova / Kazino, 2012 Obie Award, Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel nom. Best Direction, Top Ten 2012 and 2013 NY Times, Time Out NY and NY Post); Bess Wohl’s Small Mouth Sounds (Ars Nova), Marco Ramirez’s The Royale (Old Globe); Three Pianos (Ontological Incubator, NYTW, A.R.T., 2010 Obie Award); and multiple collaborations with Taylor Mac, including The Lily’s Revenge and Peace (HERE). 

 

Jake Margolin’s theatre credits include RoosevElvis, Mission Drift, Waiting for You, Architecting, and Particularly in the Heartland (the TEAM).

 

The Big Idea: RoosevElvis
The TEAM ensemble members Libby King and Kristen Sieh in conversation with Royal Court Artistic Director Vicky Featherstone

Friday 30 October, post-show
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Free with a ticket to that evening’s performance

Listings Information:

the TEAM’s

RoosevElvis

Created by Rachel Chavkin, Libby King, Jake Margolin, and Kristen Sieh, with Matt Hubbs, Andrew Schneider and Nick Vaughan

Directed by Rachel Chavkin
Wednesday 21 October – Saturday 14 November 2015
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs , Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS 
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm 
Saturday matinees (from 31 October) 2.30pm 
Captioned Performance** Wednesday 11 November 7.30pm
Touch Tour Saturday 14 November 1pm Audio Described Saturday 14 November 2.30pm Press Night Monday 26 October 7pm
Age Guidance 14+
Tickets £25, £20, £16, £12 Mondays all seats £10 (available in advance to Friends and Supporters subject to availability. For general public available on day of performance from 9am online).
Concessions £5 off top two ticket prices* (available in advance until 31 October, and all matinees. For all other performances, available on a standby basis on the day). 25s and under £12 (limited availability).
Access £12 (plus a companion at the same rate) 
*ID required. All discounts subject to availability.

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Linda

By Penelope Skinner

Directed by Michael Longhurst

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

“I’m an award-winning business woman. I’m happily married with two beautiful daughters and I still fit in the same size ten dress suit I did fifteen years ago. What could possibly threaten me?”

Linda Wilde has dedicated her life to changing the world. She’s won awards for her efforts, at the same time as working hard to become an inspiring mother, and an independent, loving wife.

Now, at 55, she seems to have it all. But Linda isn’t satisfied. She’s a woman in her prime and she’s embarking on her most ambitious plan to date. Beneath the surface, the cracks are starting to show.

“Old for a woman means worthless. Invisible. Of course we’re terrified. You tell us we peak at sixteen and it’s downhill all the way from there. Well I haven’t worked this hard to be pushed aside at the last hurdle. I refuse to be silenced. I will not disappear. I am Linda Wilde. And I’m still here!”  

 

Penelope Skinner returns to the Royal Court with her first Jerwood Theatre Downstairs play Linda, directed by Michael Longhurst.

Cast to be announced.

Penelope Skinner’s credits for the Royal Court include The Big Idea: Age (Open Court) and The Village Bike. Her other theatre credits include The Village Bike (MCC Theater); The Promise (Donmar Warehouse at the Trafalgar Studios); Fred’s Diner (Chichester Festival); The Sound of Heavy Rain (Paines Plough);Greenland (National); Eigengrau (Bush) and Fucked (Old Red Lion / Assembly).

For film her credits include Mary Queen of Scots and How I Live Now.

For television her credits include Fresh Meat (Channel 4).

For radio her credits include Planet B, The Man in Black: The Old Road (BBC Radio 7); Scratch (BBC Radio 3); and Murder in the Toilet (Cookham FM).

Penelope is Winner of the 2011 George Devine Award, the Charles Wintour Most Promising Playwright Award at the 2011 Evening Standard Theatre Awards. She was also nominated for the 2012 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre.

 

Michael Longhurst’s credits for the Royal Court include Constellations, The Art of Dying andRemembrance Day. His other credits include Carmen Disruption (Almeida), Bad Jews (St James’s Theatre/ Arts), Tis Pity She’s A Whore (The Globe), A Number (Young Vic & Southampton), If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet (The Roundabout Theatre NY.), Stovepipe (HighTide / Bush), On The Beach (as part of The Contingency Plan at the Bush), On The Record (Arcola), dirty butterfly (winner of the Jerwood Directors Award at the Young Vic), 1 In 5 (as part of Daring Pairings at Hampstead) and Guardians (Edinburgh Festival).

He was a recipient of the Jerwood Directors Award (2007) at the Young Vic and a Fringe First in 2005.

 

The Big Idea: Linda
Playwright Penelope Skinner in conversation with Royal Court Literary Manager Chris Campbell

Tuesday 15 December, post-show
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Free with a ticket to that evening’s performance
Event Partner: Time Out

More Big Idea events to be announced.

 

Listings Information:

Linda
By Penelope Skinner

Directed by Michael Longhurst
Wednesday 25 November 2015 – Saturday 9 January 2016
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Saturday matinees (from 5 December) 2.30pm
Thursday matinees from (3 December) 2.30pm
Captioned Performance Tuesday 5 January 2016, 7.30pm
Touch Tour Saturday 9 January 1pm Audio Described Saturday 9 January 2.30pm

Relaxed Performance+ Saturday 19 December, 2.30pm
Press Night Tuesday 1 December 7pm
Age Guidance 14+
Tickets £35, £25, £16, £12. Mondays all seats £10 (available in advance to Friends and Supporters subject to availability. For general public available on day of performance from 9am online). 25s and under £12 (limited availability).
Concessions £5 off top two ticket prices* (available in advance until 5 December, and all matinees. For all other performances, available on a standby basis on the day)
Access £12 (plus a companion at the same rate)
*ID required. All discounts subject to availability.

+Following the Royal Court Theatre’s first relaxed performance of The Twits, a second relaxed performance for adults is programmed for Linda by Penelope Skinner. This production has an age recommendation of 14+ and is not suitable for a younger audience.

This relaxed performance is open to anyone 14 years and over with sensory or communication difficulties who feel they would benefit from a performance with a more relaxed atmosphere. Should you have any questions regarding this performance or to make a booking, please contact [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

You For Me For You

By Mia Chung

Directed by Richard Twyman
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Thursday 3 December 2015 – Saturday 9 January 2016

– Trees don’t have ears.
– How are you so sure?

As they attempt to flee the Best Nation in the World, North Korean sisters Minhee and Junhee are torn apart at the border. Each must race across time and space to be together again – navigating the perilous Land of the Free and the treacherous terrain of personal belief.

Food has learned to sprint. Money is so fast it doesn’t wait to be printed. Gossip travels swifter than germs.

Korean-American playwright Mia Chung’s play has its UK première in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs. Royal Court Associate Director (International) Richard Twyman directs.

Cast to be announced.

Mia Chung’s theatre credits include You for Me for You (Woolly Mammoth Theatre/New Eyes Festival/Interact Theatre/Asian Arts Initiative reading series, Philadelphia); Exquisite Corpse, Skin in the Game, an adaptation of The Orphan of Zhao and We Spend Our Lives.

 

Richard Twyman is an Associate Director at the Royal Court. For the Royal Court Richard’s credits includeFireworks, The Djinns of Eidgah, Phil in Space, PIIGS and A New Song.

Richard directed The Djinns of Eidgah for Rage Theatre in Mumbai as part of the Writers Bloc Festival.

His other theatres credits include Henry IV Pt II (RSC), Ditch (Old Vic Tunnels / HighTide), Sixty-Six Books(Bush Theatre) and Give Me Your Hand (the Irish Rep, New York).

 

The Big Idea: You for Me for You

Playwright Mia Chung in conversation with Royal Court Associate Director (International) Richard Twyman

Wednesday 9 December 2015, post-show
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Free with a ticket to that evening’s performance
Event Partner: Time Out

More Big Idea events to be announced.

Listings Information:

You For Me For You

By Mia Chung

Directed by Richard Twyman
Thursday 3 December 2015 – Saturday 9 January 2016
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS
Monday – Saturday 7.45pm
Saturday matinees (from 12 December) 3pm
Thursday matinees from 10 December) 3pm
Captioned Performance 6 January 7.45pm
Press Night Tuesday 8 December 7pm
Age Guidance 14+
Tickets £20. Mondays all seats £10 (available on day of performance from 9am online).
Concessions £15* (available in advance until 12 December, and all matinees. For all other performances, available on a standby basis on the day) 25s and under £12 (limited availability).
Access £12 (plus a companion at the same rate)
*ID required. All discounts subject to availability

 

 

Royal Court: Tottenham

As part of its three year engagement with the area, the Royal Court Theatre is to host a series of free events and performances to take place across Tottenham this summer.

 

The Royal Court will be working with Tottenham residents at Bruce Grove Youth Centre, Haringey Shed and the Wellside to create new pieces of theatre focussing on issues important to them.

 

Quang K Van will start the programme with a promenade dance performance, performed by community dancers and drummers across Lordship Rec. This will include a special appearance by students from Pimlico Academy who the Royal Court are currently working with through their Royal Court: Pimlico engagement with the SW1V area.

Combining personal testimony and fiction, the Tottenham Community Cast of the Royal Court’s recent verbatim play about the NHS, Who Cares, written by Michael Wynne, have collaboratively devised a piece of theatre that makes an impassioned plea for the future of their community. Directed by Debbie Hannan.

Selina Thompson will perform her solo full length piece Chewing The Fat at White Hart Studios, Haringey Sixth Form College.

 

New pieces by leading theatre makers Rob Drummond, Rachel Mars, and Islington Community Theatre will be performed for the first time for Tottenham audiences.

The performance night for Tottenham Artists, Platform Tottenham, will return.

The events will take place in parks, community centres, schools and theatres and will feature a range of performances, workshops and collaborations with residents from Tottenham.

The Royal Court Theatre supported by Bloomberg announces a festival of work in celebration of its three year engagement with the Tottenham area.

Full details to be announced shortly.

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Live Lunch
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs

Friday 23 and Friday 30 October, 1.15pm
Friday 6, Friday 13 and Friday 20 November,1.15pm

Live Lunch will return with five new plays.

Five writers from the Royal Court Live Lunch Writers Group will create new plays to be performed live as lunchtime readings during the run of Plaques and Tangles in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs.

Running time: 50 minutes.

Playwrights and cast to be announced.

The Royal Court Bar & Kitchen will be serving lunch pre and post show.

Listings Information:

Live Lunch
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Friday 23 and Friday 30 October, 1.15pm
Friday 6, Friday 13 and Friday 20 November,1.15pm
Age Guidance 14+

Tickets £8

 

Balcony Bistro Supper Club
Presented by the Royal Court Bar & Kitchen
Balcony Bar
Tuesday 4, Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 August 2015 7.30pm

Join the Royal Court Bar & Kitchen team as the sun sets over Sloane Square for an exclusive and intimate pop-up dining experience in the picturesque Balcony Bar.  For three nights only, 25 guests have the opportunity to enjoy a decadent six course tasting menu with a focus on fresh summer produce and Mediterranean flavours.  Prepared by the Royal Court’s Bar & Kitchen in-house chefs.

 

The event is priced at £40 per head which includes all food and a welcome cocktail.

All dietary requirements will be attempted to be accommodated with advance warning. All courses will have vegetarian alternatives where applicable.

 

Listings information:

Balcony Bistro Supper Club
Presented by the Royal Court Bar & Kitchen
Balcony Bar
Wednesday 5, Thursday 6 and Friday 7 August 2015 7.30pm

Limited capacity

Price £40

Fear will hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

 

The UK’s favourite movie of all time The Shawshank Redemption is 21 years old this year, and to celebrate, a brand new production will hit the Newcastle Theatre Royal stage this Autumn, 19 – 24 October.  Prepare to be incarcerated again…

Presented by Bill Kenwright, this adaptation, inspired by the seven-time Oscar-nominated film, examines desperation, injustice, friendship and hope behind the claustrophobic bars of a maximum security penitentiary.

 

Despite his protests of innocence, Andy Dufresne is handed a double life sentence for the brutal murder of his wife and her lover. Incarcerated at the notorious Shawshank facility, he quickly learns that no one can survive alone. Andy strikes up an unlikely friendship with the prison fixer Red, and things take a slight turn for the better. However, when Warden Stammas decides to bully Andy into subservience and exploit his talents for accountancy, a desperate plan is quietly hatched…

 

Based on the 1982 novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by celebrated author Stephen King, this production will be helmed by acclaimed Broadway director David Esbjornson, with design by Gary McCann.

 

The 1994 feature film, widely considered the number one all-time movie after topping the IMDb Top 250, starred Morgan Freeman as Ellis Boyd ‘Red’ Redding and Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor for Freeman.

 

Stephen King is one of the most popular authors of contemporary literature and has written 54 published novels which have sold more than 350 million copies around the world, many of which have been adapted into feature films.

 

Star casting will be announced shortly.

 

The Shawshank Redemption is at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Mon 19 until Sat 24 October 2015, playing evenings at 7.30pm, matinees Thurs 2pm and Sat 2.30pm. Tickets from £14.50 (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

 

COMMUNITY CAST HAVE SEAT NAMED AFTER THEM AS NEW FUNDRAISING TARGET ANNOUNCED

In October 2014 York Theatre Royal launched a public appeal, calling on the people of York to help raise the last £500,000 of the much needed £4.1million investment into the interior of the important and historic building. After temporary closure in March of this year, there’s been a lot of activity within the building site.

In May the theatre announced that archaeologists had uncovered one of the oldest hospitals in Europe. As a result, the theatre moved the famous pantomime to the Signal Box Theatre at the National Railway Museum, but work is now on track for a grand re-opening in the New Year.

Whilst closed, the theatre has taken up residency at the National Railway Museum in a partnership that has won an Arts Council England Exceptional Award. As part of that residency over 500 volunteers from the community took part in the world premiere of In Fog and Falling Snow, a production in which George Costigan was the only professional actor in a cast of over 200.

As well as acting, photographing, working backstage and helping front of house, the volunteers have all been helping to raise funds for the York Theatre Royal redevelopment, and bucket collections at the end of the each show in the two-week long run have totalled £2,198.17. This means the total left to raise for the theatre’s redevelopment is £100,000.

As a thank you to the cast for their hard work, the theatre has named a seat in the new auditorium after the cast. The news was announced to them at the end of show party at the theatre’s De Grey Rooms Ballroom on Sunday.

Vicky Biles, General Manager of York Theatre Royal said

The support from the community since we launched our fundraising appeal in October has been astounding, and it has been a real joy to work closely with so many committed volunteers over the last few months as part of In Fog and Falling Snow. Being involved in the production is hard work especially when people have other jobs and commitments outside of the production, so it is very good of people to help us fundraise too.

Members of the public can name their own seat, which includes an engraved brass plaque placed on the back of the seat for ten years. This can be paid for in instalments of £25 a month over a year by direct debit, and all proceeds go to the theatre’s fundraising appeal.

Vicky went on to explain more about the fundraising target

We are so close to our fundraising target now. People keep asking ‘what will you do if you don’t raise enough’ but we have every faith that support will continue to grow for our cause. Whilst there have been some very generous donations from different trusts and businesses the fundraising target has not been underwritten so everybody’s contributions and efforts are truly appreciated.

The Theatre’s Capital Project, the first in almost 50 years, will see a transformation of the front of the building and a remodelling and refurbishment of the front of house areas, making them more accessible and better able to meet the needs of a 21st century audience. The seats in the auditorium will be replaced and a new stage built to improve the audience experience and comfort. Essential health and safety and environmental improvements will also be made.

The next production to take place at the Signal Box Theatre at the National Railway Museum will be the return of the award-winning Railway Children. People who wish to donate to the fundraising appeal or name a seat can contact Edie Culshaw, Development Officer (Maternity Cover) on [email protected] or call 01904 715460

LISTINGS

York Theatre Royal and the National Railway Museum present

The Railway Children

Written by Mike Kenny

Directed by Damian Cruden

Designed by Joanna Scotcher

Lighting Designed by Richard G Jones

Composed by Christopher Madin

Sound Design by Craig Vear

Friday 31 July – Saturday 5 September

Tickets £32.50 – £17

National Railway Museum

 

 

Developed by Punchdrunk Enrichment
in association with the National Maritime Museum
Until 31 August 2015

• BRAND NEW TRAILER RELEASED TODAY FOR PUNCHDRUNK ENRICHMENT AND THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM’S AGAINST CAPTAIN’S ORDERS: A JOURNEY INTO THE UNCHARTED

• PERFORMANCES CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS

• THE NEW TRAILER CAN BE VIEWED HERE

Punchdrunk Enrichment and the National Maritime Museum have today released a brand new trailer forAgainst Captain’s Orders: A Journey into the Uncharted.

In an exclusive first for the museum industry, the National Maritime Museum has collaborated with Punchdrunk Enrichment to take six to twelve year olds and their families on the adventure of a lifetime.

Life jackets are donned as visitors become part of the motley crew of HMS Adventure.  Taking on seafaring roles of Ship’s Watch, Navigation, Midshipmen and Salvage, the teams are called upon to navigate through this extraordinary exhibition.

With so much history secured in one museum, so many doorways to other times and other worlds, Against Captain’s Orders is exciting, enlightening, and just a tiny bit dangerous.

Against Captain’s Orders is written by Simon Davies, directed by Peter Higgin and designed by Livi Vaughan. Sound and graphic design is by Stephen Dobbie and lighting by Euan Maybank.

Against Captain’s Orders: A Journey into the Uncharted
Venue: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Dates: Until 31 August 2015
Show times: From 10.00 daily
Visitor Enquiries: 020 8858 4422 / www.rmg.co.uk/againstcaptainsorders
Admission:  £19.75

pera & Ballet International proudly presents an Ellen Kent production with international soloists, highly praised chorus and full orchestra

 

  

 

BIZET CARMEN

 

Seville comes to the Grand Opera House York with the hottest ticket in town!

Tuesday 24 November 2015

 

Featuring Caspian – a majestic white Andalucian stallion and a rescue donkey

AWARD-WINNING opera producer Ellen Kent returns after critically acclaimed tours of Madama Butterfly, Traviata and Rigoletto, bringing the heat and passion of Spain in this magnificent production of Carmen. It is inspired by Ellen Kent’s years in Andalucia as a teenager.

With a brand new set which reflects the stunning architecture of Seville and its main square with Roman and Moorish influences.

A spectacular dance sequence by Caspian the stallion, ridden by Joe Butcher from AB Films.*

Carmen includes the special guest star a donkey*.  Ellen’s mother ran the Spanish equivalent of the RSPCA which saved the lives of many donkeys and to continue this good work Ellen has included a donkey* from various sanctuaries to help them raise money.

Carmen is the story of the bewitching gypsy girl whose tantalising beauty lures a soldier to desertion and leads to her own murder. The opera includes some of the most evocative and best-loved melodies in opera –The Habanera, The Seguidilla, The Flower Song, The Chanson Bohème and perhaps the best-known baritone aria of all The Toreador’s Song.

Ellen has performed many exciting productions of Carmen in her 24 years of being an opera producer, from an outdoor performance in the beautiful grounds of Leeds Castle in Kent, two sell-out performances played to thousands of people and which caused major traffic jams on M20, to the visit to the Middle East in 2004 where she entertained the Emir of Qatar and 3,500 Royal guests for the first ever performance of Carmen to be performed in the Gulf, screened live on Al Jazeera Television.

 

Introducing Liza Kadelnik the celebrated international mezzo-soprano from the Romanian National Opera, together with the stunning international Bulgarian mezzo-soprano Nadezhda Stoianova as Carmen.

Nadezhda Stoianova who will be returning after her critically acclaimed performances of Carmen in 2013 and Aida in 2014 to sing Carmen.  Maria Tonina and Alyona Kistenyova will be singing Michaela.  Maria Tonina returns after her spectacular success in Traviata and Rigoletto. In 2005 she was chosen for scholarship by the CEE Musiktheater, Vienna, Austria, sponsored by Deutsche Bank Stiftung together with the Austrian State Secretariat for the Arts and Media. Alyona Kistenyova returns after her debut as Madama Butterfly in 2015 gaining rapturous reviews.Escamillo will be played by Iurie Gisca. Iurie returns after playing to excellent reviews Escamillo in 2013 and Nabucco and Amonasro in Ellen Kent productions of Carmen, Aida and Nabucco.

“A star was born” (Nadezhda Stoianova) Manchester Evening News, Carmen

 

 

“Impassioned and sultry” Fiona Maddocks (The Observer)

“Hot-blooded, a joy” The Independent

“A Spanish treat for opera lovers” Bristol Evening Post

“It is a stunning show, worth five stars all the way through” Brighton Argus

“Sexy Carmen is a feast for the eyes and ears” Edinburgh Evening News

 

 

 

Sung in French with English subtitles

Grand Theatre, Leeds – 13 July 2015

Dreamboats and Miniskirts arrives in Leeds this week and its a strange little rarity.  Not only is it a musical sequel, to the hugely successful Dreamboats and Petticoats, but its an even rarer thing – in that its even better than the original.

Now set in 1962/63, the story continues the lives of Bobby and Laura, Ray and Donna and Norman and Sue.  Plus the lives of the band The Conquests.

Written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran – the writers of Birds of a Feather and Goodnight Sweetheart – and produced by Bill Kenwright it has pedigree but the key to its success is the music.

The ensemble cast, with no big stand-out stars, sing, dance and play their musical instruments as the hits keep on coming.

Bobby (Alex Beaumont) and Laura (Elizabeth Carter) have had a No.1 hit with their song, Dreamboats and Petticoats, but now their career is taking a bit of a downward spiral.

Norman (Alastair Hill) and Sue (Laura Darton) are settling into married life, and have a child on the way, and Ray (David Luke) and Donna (Anna Campkin) seem perfectly happy together.

But don’t be put off if you haven’t seen Petticoats. Any information that’s needed is spelled out for you by the characters.  The young company (directed so beautifully by Kenwright and Keith Strachan who set all this before us with experienced flair) are consistently marvellous and generate a great sense of sheer well-being. They wear their beehives, Sixties geometric frocks and snake hip slacks with great panache and do their damnedest to give the songs as much welly as is humanly possible, which drew cheers from the audience (Pretty Woman took the roof off)

Enter Record Producer, Tony Lister (Alan Howell) and the push to stardom begins.  The show is packed with the biggest songs of the 1960s, but doesn’t seem to have those corny set-ups you sometimes find in shows like this. Each song seemed to fit perfectly in the moment.

Whilst all the cast are outstanding, my eye was caught by the character of Joe played by Will Tierney.  Playing his guitar he seemed like a mischievous musical imp, genuinely enjoying himself and brimming with talent.  Despite being in the “background” his blatant enjoyment of the role shone in all his scene’s and its little joys like that, that make the show even more successful.  Knowing the cast are enjoying themselves always shows in the performances.

But I have two niggles. The first – What happened to Norman and Sue’s baby?  What did they have? How much did it weigh?  What did they call it?  We need to know!

And the second – why did I have to stay seated in my chair?  I wanted to be up and dancing in the aisle, and whilst chair dancing is fun, more of the end concert would have been good and then we could all have been up for a sing-a-long and boogie.

This is a 5 star feel-good performance and will appeal to all ages with its high energy and outstanding talent.

In Leeds until Saturday 18 July and on tour around the UK