Month: January 2016

ALEXANDRA BURKE

TO STAR AS ‘DELORIS VAN CARTIER’ IN THE ALL NEW PRODUCTION OF

AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE THIS AUGUST

DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY

CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD

Leeds Grand Theatre is delighted to announce that Alexandra Burke will star as ‘Deloris Van Cartier’ in the all new production of the hit musical comedy SISTER ACT, directed and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood. 

Craig said “I am truly thrilled that Alexandra is going to be our leading lady in this all new production of Sister Act. Alexandra is such a fantastic singer and actress and I know she is going to be amazing. I couldn’t think of anyone better to play the role of the smart and funny Deloris’.

Alexandra said “I’m over the moon to be given the opportunity to play the wonderful Deloris in Sister Act. It’s such an iconic role and a part I’ve always wanted to play. I love touring the UK and I’m thrilled to be working with Craig and his amazing creative team. I can’t wait to get started!”

Based on the smash hit movie starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith, SISTER ACT tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a Convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.

Sister Act comes to Leeds Grand Theatre – the only Yorkshire venue on the tour – from August 22^nd to 27^th.

Tickets are on sale now priced from £22.50 to £45.

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

With award season in full swing, Empire Cinemas have offered people the chance to join in the fun by launching their own Award Season Bingo. To play along at home this Sunday for the Golden Globes, print out the bingo grid and mark off each section as it happens. Tweet your cards or suggest your own bingo ideas to @EmpireCinemas on Twitter.

Cabbages and Kings presents:

SHEFFIELD THEATRES ANNOUNCES FULL CASTING FOR

WAITING FOR GODOT AND THE NAP

With the critically acclaimed Show Boat currently running in the Crucible, and Partus and A Raisin in the Sun in rehearsals, Sheffield Theatres’ Artistic Director Daniel Evans announcesthe full casts for the forthcoming productions of Waiting For Godot and the world première of Richard Bean’s comedy thriller The Nap, both at the Crucible this spring.

Sheffield Theatres’ Associate Director Charlotte Gwinner (The Distance, Crave, 4.48 Psychosis) opens the 2016 season with Beckett’s masterpiece of modern theatre Waiting For Godot (Thu 4 – Sat 27 February). In her first production for the Crucible stage, Charlotte directs Richard Cordery,currently appearing as Sir Leicester Dedlock in BBC One’s Dickensian, as Pozzo, Lorcan Cranitch, well-known to television audiences for his roles in Hornblower, Spooks, Shackleton and as DS Jimmy Beck in ITV’s Cracker, plays Vladimir.  Bob Goody, who returns to the Crucible having previously appeared in The Country Wife, plays Lucky and Jeff Rawle, familiar to audiences from  Drop The Dead Donkey, Hollyoaks and as Amos Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, playsEstragon.  The Boy will be played by young local actors Toby Allwood and William Oxley.

Samuel Beckett’s most famous play is a masterpiece of modern theatre that follows two friends as they await the arrival of a mysterious character. They wait. And wait. And wait. As time passes, the men muse on their friendship, their favourite jokes and what it all means until their patience begins to wane.  And then they spy something coming towards them on the horizon…

Joining the previously announced BAFTA Rising Star winner Jack O’Connell, who plays up and coming snooker player Dylan Spokes in Richard Wilson’s production of The Nap and making their Sheffield Theatres debuts are Mark Addy and Ralf Little. Well known for his starring roles in the iconic film The Full Monty and the hugely successful Game of Thrones, Mark plays Dylan’s wheeler dealer Dad, Bobby Spokes, with Ralf Little, star of The Royle Family and Lewis, as his cocky manager Tony DanLino.  Also appearing are Chris Brailsford, who returns to Sheffield having previously appeared in An Enemy of the People, Esther Coles (The Syndicate, Shameless), Louise Gold (Gypsy, Oliver! Mary Poppins), Dermot Crowley (Luther), Youssef Kerkour, also familiar to Sheffield audiences from his role in Plenty (David Hare Season) and Rochenda Sandall (Pomona – National Theatre/Manchester Royal Exchange. They are joined by professional snooker player John Astley.

A world premiere from Richard Bean, the award-winning writer of One Man, Two Guvnors, The Napis a laugh out loud comedy thriller about love, honour and not getting snookered, set at the World Snooker Championships.

Tickets for Waiting For Godot and The Nap are on sale now and can be purchased from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office in-person, by phone on 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.

Producers have announced the full cast for the first national tour of Peter Whelan’s The Herbal Bed, which opens at the Royal & Derngate, Northampton next month.

Emma Lowndes (Downton Abbey, Thérèse Raquin) leads the cast alongside two time Olivier-nominee Charlotte Wakefield (The Sound of Music, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Philip Correia (The History Boys, National Theatre), Patrick Driver (Curious Incident, Apollo Theatre), Jonathan Guy Lewis (An Inspector Calls, Aldwych Theatre), Michael Mears (Conversations with my Father, Old Vic) and Matt Whitchurch (Pine, Hampstead Theatre).

Royal & Derngate artistic director James Dacre directs the play, a co-production from English Touring Theatre, Royal & Derngate and Rose Theatre Kingston, which is the first major revival of Whelan’s play.

The production will tour to Cambridge, Liverpool, Exeter, Brighton, Manchester, Bath and Oxford, before completing its run at the Rose Theatre Kingston in May.

The Herbal Bed, which will also feature original music by Icelandic composer Valgeir Sigurðsson, recounts real events surrounding the public trial of Shakespeare’s daughter, who was accused of adultery with her neighbour.

It was first produced to great acclaim by the Royal Shakespeare Company before transferring to the West End and Broadway, winning the Writer’s Guild and TMA Awards.

Casting has been announced for the West End production of Mrs Henderson Presents which opens at the Noel Coward Theatre in February.

Joining the previously announced Tracie Bennett, Emma Williams and Ian Bartholomew who will reprise their roles will be EastEnders star Jamie Foreman as Arthur, Robert Hands as Cromer, Matthew Malthouse as Eddie, Samuel Holmes as Bertie, Katie Bernstein as Peggy, Lizzy Connolly as Doris, Lauren Hood as Vera and Liz Ewing as Lady Conway.

The cast will be completed by Sarah Bakker, Andrew Bryant, Rhiannon Chesterman, Alexander Delamere, Emily Goodenough, Victoria Hay, Oliver Jackson, Ian Gareth Jones, Katrina Kleve, Lauren Logan, Tania Newton, Sam O’Rourke, Neil Stewart and Dickie Wood.

Mrs Henderson Presents tells the true story of Laura Henderson (Bennett), an eccentric widow who ran a nude revue at the Windmill Theatre in London’s Soho in the 1940s.

The new musical adaptation of the 2005 film starring Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins features a book and direction by Terry Johnson with lyrics by Don Black and music by George Fenton and Simon Chamberlain.

The production transfers from a sell-out season at the Theatre Royal Bath where it received a good reception from critics.

Mrs Henderson Presents opens at the Noel Coward Theatre on 16 February

A cast change has been announced for Cameron Mackintosh’s West End hit Les Miserables with long-runners Carrie Hope Fletcher and Rob Houchen leaving the production.

Les Mis, which originally opened at the Barbican, is now in its 30th year and currently running at London’s Queen’s Theatre.

Houchen and Fletcher’s final performance will be on 13 February 2016. Houchen will pass over the role of Marius to Sweeney Todd star Craig Mather whilst Danielle Hope will take over the role of Eponine for a month before Miss Saigon star Eva Noblezada takes over from 4 April.

Both new members will join the cast from 5 February alongside Patrice Tipoki as Fantine who is currently playing the role in the Australian tour of Les Mis. Rachelle Ann Go’s final performance as Fantine will be on 30 January before she continues the role in Manila, where the new Asian tour begins. She will return to the role at the Queen’s Theatre on 9 May 2016.

Peter Lockyer will continue to star as Jean Valjean, Jeremy Secomb as Javert, Phil Daniels as Thénardier, Katy Secombe as Madame Thénardier; Zoë Doano as Cosette and Bradley Jaden as Enjolras.

From 15 February the full company will be: Adam Bayjou; Sanne den Besten; Josie Brightwell; Edd Campbell Bird; Oliver Brenin; David Burnip; Phil Daniels; Jordan Lee Davies; Zoë Doano; Tamsin Dowsett; Katy Hanna; Matthew Harvey; Danielle Hope; Bradley Jaden; Matt Jeans; Charlotte Kennedy; Emma Kingston; Peter Lockyer; Jo Loxton; Craig Mather; Luke McCall; Ryan O’Gorman; Jo Parsons; Adam Pearce; Jonny Purchase; Michael Riseley; Jeremy Secomb; Katy Secombe; Courtney Stapleton; Jessamy Stoddart; Patrice Tipoki; Samantha Thomas and Lee Van Geleen.

LAUGHTER GUARANTEED…IN SPADES

Alan Ayckbourn’s classic comedy, Round and Round the Garden, comes to Darlington Civic Theatre in January

Talking Scarlet present Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy, Round and Round the Garden, at Darlington Civic Theatre from Monday 18 to Wednesday 20 January.

Follow Norman, his in-laws and the local vet over one summer week-end in a Sussex country house.

Assistant librarian Norman is intent on making all the women in his life happy, simultaneously attempting to seduce his sister-in-law Annie, charm his brother’s wife Sarah and still keep his own wife, Ruth, happy. Oblivious to the repercussions of his actions, Norman leaves a trail of havoc, misunderstandings and comedy consequences. At times wildly comic, and at times poignant, Round and Round the Garden brilliantly portrays the complicated relationships amongst these six intertwined characters. Whatever happened to a peaceful week-end in the country?

This award-winning play expertly highlights writer Alan Ayckbourn’s sharp, acerbic wit to reveal the secrets, lies and deception which simmer beneath the surface of family relationships.

Round and Round the Garden runs at Darlington Civic Theatre from Monday 18 to Wednesday 20 January. Tickets* £12.60 to £20, discounts available.

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

*All prices include a £1 restoration levy

TIME TO PARTY WITH THE RAT PACK – AND JUDY.

The UK’s number one Rat Pack tribute act are on their way to Darlington Civic Theatre on Thursday 21 January with a very special guest.

Join David Alacey (Lovejoy, Inspector Alleyn), Des Coleman (EastEnders, The One Show) and Paul Drakeley (Inside Out) who star as Frank, Sammy and Dean in the official UK number one Rat Pack tribute show, now celebrating its 18th record breaking year.

They will amaze audiences with their recreation of the music of Sinatra, Martin and Davis in a fabulous show which brings the style and excitement of the Las Vegas heyday vividly to life. Featuring all their great hits including My Way, Mr Bojangles, Amoré, Come Fly With Me and many more.

Together with their orchestra and the L.A. Showgirls, they are joined in this lavish production by the amazing talent of Becky O’Brien who recently took the country by storm with her incredible rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow on Britain’s Got Talent.

So get happy with Frank, Dean, Sammy and Judy in a night to remember. The Rat Pack and Judy comes to Darlington Civic Theatre on Thursday 21 January.

Tickets* £22 & £23.50

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

*All prices include a £1 restoration levy

ATG’S SIR HOWARD PANTER AND ROSEMARY SQUIRE OBE TOP THE STAGE 100 FOR RECORD-BREAKING SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR FOLLOWING A YEAR OF INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION

Ambassador Theatre Group’s Sir Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire OBE have topped the The Stage 100 for a record-breakingseventh consecutive year following a landmark year of international acquisitions and production investment. The announcement makes Panter and Squire the most successful entrants ever on the exclusive list which is compiled annually by the UK industry’s leading newspaper, which ranks the powerhouses of British theatre.

The hugely successful West End and Broadway producer, Sonia Friedman, also appears on The Stage 100 list at number two. Sonia Friedman Productions is a group partner company of ATG. It has been a remarkable year for Sonia, having already been crowned Producer of the Year at The Stage Awards, a title she will defend later this month. Sonia’s productions include Hamlet starring Benedict Cumberbatch and later this year, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I and II.

Sir Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire OBE said: “2015 was an extremely important year in ATG’s history. Alongside continuing to produce diverse high quality work, we also continued our global expansion and are enormously excited about what this means for ATG over the next twelve months. It is a great honour to yet again top The Stage 100, and we are delighted to be part of such a vibrant, and exciting, industry.”

ATG Production highlights for 2015 included The Ruling Class starring James McAvoy, the 50th anniversary production of the multi award-winning Harold Pinter classic The Homecoming starring John Simm, Gary Kemp and Keith Allen, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown starring Tamsin Greig, the critically-acclaimed Gypsy starring Imelda Staunton at the Savoy Theatre,Arcadia with English Touring Theatre, Oresteia at Trafalgar Studios, The Rocky Horror Show returning to the West End starring Richard O’Brien; his first appearance in the show in over 20 years and a 2015/16 pantomime season including 10 First Family Entertainment produced regional pantomimes starring Torvill and Dean, Warwick Davis, Verne Troyer, Katie Price and Priscilla Presley.

ATG and Glasgow Citizens Theatre launched their co-production of The Choirand ATG toured UK co-productions of Spamalot, Jersey Boys, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, East is East, Inala and Love Me Tender. The Rocky Horror Show continued to tour Europe.

ATG continued to co-produce Broadway content. ATG’s co-venture of Lincoln Center Theatre’s production of The King & I collected four Tony Awards in 2015 including Best Revival of a Musical. On The Town played at ATG’s Lyric Theatre throughout 2015 and ATG co-produced Constellations starring Jake Gyllenhall and Ruth Wilson. In Australia, production highlights includedThriller Live and a tour of The Rocky Horror Show starring Craig McLachlan.

ATG production highlights for 2016 include The End of Longing starring Matthew Perry at The Playhouse Theatre in February and The Maids starring Uzo Aduba, Zawe Ashton and Laura Carmichael as part of Trafalgar Transformed at Trafalgar Studios. On Broadway, the Lyric Theatre will be the home of Cirque du Soleil’s first every Broadway production, Paramour, which will begin performances in April, 2016 and in Australia, Ghost the Musicalopens in Adelaide.

In May 2015, ATG made its first European acquisition, taking a majority shareholding in BB Group, one of the leading producers and promoters of premium live entertainment in Europe, with a particular strength in touring musicals and dance productions throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

In August 2015, ATG agreed terms with the co-owners of Sydney’s MLC Centre – QIC and The GPT Group – for the lease and management of theTheatre Royal in Sydney, Australia. A milestone development that marked ATG’s first theatre in Asia Pacific, and a region that will continue to play a major part in ATG’s international expansion plan.

September 2015 saw ATG complete the acquisition of ACE Theatrical Group (ACE) in the US; a company which specialises in the operation, design, development and construction of world class, live performance venues throughout North America. ACE’s impressive portfolio of large-scale theatrical venues comprises the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York; theSaenger Theatre in New Orleans, Louisiana; the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts in New Orleans, Louisiana; theMajestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas; and the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre in San Antonio, Texas.

2015 ended with ATG, through its subsidiary, Hudson Theatre LLC, entering a long-term lease for The Hudson Theatre, its second theatre on Broadway, from a subsidiary of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc (M&C). M&C and ATG will be, in a multi-million dollar project, restoring the landmark venue to its former glory as a Broadway playhouse. The anticipated re-launch of the theatre is slated for the 2016/2017 Broadway Season.

Also in 2015, Rosemary Squire (as EY UK Entrepreneur of the Year)became the first woman ever to represent the UK at the EY World Entrepreneur Awards in Monaco, one of only 6 women world finalists in a field of 60 overall, and shortlisted to the final 10 and ATG topped the sixth annual Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200. The league table ranks Britain’s mid-market private companies with the fastest-growing international sales.