Month: September 2016

Jest End returns to Waterloo East Theatre after its sell-out season in 2015

29 Nov – 18 Dec

Garry Lake in association with Waterloo East Theatre present

Jest End

By Garry Lake

The hit comedy musical show exploring and ‘exposing’ the hits, flops and gossip of Theatreland, returns to Waterloo East Theatre after its sell-out season in 2015.

Labelled as London’s answer to Forbidden Broadway, Jest End has been going from strength to strength since the birth of the show at Jermyn Street Theatre 2007.

The comedy show provides audiences with a take on the latest and most popular musicals in the West End including Hamilton, Groundhog Day, School Of Rock, Funny Girl, Matilda, Guys and Dolls, Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables to name but a few!

Created and directed by Garry Lake, Jest End continues to provide London audiences with a fresh up to date comedy, one that is proven to be a smash hit for musical theatre fans of all ages.

So, if you’re torn on what show to take in, why not visit Waterloo East Theatre and watch them all at once!

Cast: TBC

Choreographed by Rebecca Howell

Musical Direction by James Doughty

The 2015 season of Jest End has been nominated for the Best Comedy at the West End Wilma 2016 Awards which will be announced on November 4th.

Review Quotes:

‘Satire in glorious abundance’ Daily Telegraph

‘It’s like a marathon of good humour’ Mark Shenton

‘Wickedly Witty’ Whatsonstage.com

 

AFTER NINE GLORIOUS YEARS IN LONDON’S WEST END

THE SMASH HIT MUSICAL “JERSEY BOYS”

MUST END 26 MARCH 2017 AT THE PICCADILLY THEATRE

SECOND NATIONAL TOUR TO OPEN DECEMBER 2017                                     

 

 

One of London’s best loved musicals, JERSEY BOYS, will close at the Piccadilly Theatre on Sunday 26 March 2017 following nine amazing years in London.  JERSEY BOYS is currently the sixth longest musical running in the West End.  The producers are very proud that London has taken the show to its heart and they are equally delighted to announce that a second national tour of JERSEY BOYS will open in December 2017.

 

Producer Michael David said, “When we brought JERSEY BOYS here nine years ago, we hoped it was a good idea and that West End audiences would embrace it, but you never imagine it’ll multiply and resonate as much as it has.  We couldn’t be more proud of the cast and crew who gave their all every night, and are profoundly grateful to the audiences who returned that energy without fail.  Our time in London has been extraordinary, and we hope audiences around the UK will continue to embrace JERSEY BOYS as we bring the show to their hometowns.”

JERSEY BOYS first opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 18 March 2008 and moved to the Piccadilly Theatre in March 2014.  The first UK and Irish Tour of JERSEY BOYS was a record-breaking success and ran for 18 months, from 4 September 2014 to 5 March 2016. The second national tour will open at the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham in December 2017.

The London cast of JERSEY BOYS is led by Matt Corner as Frankie Valli, Simon Bailey as Tommy DeVito, Declan Egan as Bob Gaudio and Matt Hunt as Nick Massi.  Dayle Hodge plays the role of Frankie Valli at certain performances.  Also in the cast are Nicola Brazil, Stuart Dawes, Willemijn de Vries, Mark Dugdale, Leanne Garretty, Lucinda Gill, Nicky Griffiths, Will Haswell, Mark Heenehan, Mark Isherwood, Ben Jennings, Joe Maxwell, Nathaniel Morrison, Dan O’Brien, Chris Stoddart, Helen Ternent and Ben Wheeler.

 

JERSEY BOYS is the remarkable true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks.  These four boys from New Jersey became one of the most successful bands in pop history, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and sold 175 million records worldwide, all before they turned 30.  The show is packed with their hits, includingBeggin’, Sherry, Walk Like A Man, December, 1963 (Oh What a Night), Big Girls Don’t Cry, My Eyes Adored You, Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got), Bye Bye Baby, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,Working My Way Back to You, Fallen Angel, Rag Doll and Who Loves You.

 

Winner of Broadway’s Tony, London’s Olivier and Australia’s Helpmann Awards for Best New Musical, JERSEY BOYS is the winner of 57 major awards worldwide and has been seen by over 23 million people worldwide.  As well as still running on Broadway and in the West End, JERSEY BOYS can be seen across the United States on its US National Tour and has just completed a record-breaking run in Las Vegas.

JERSEY BOYS is written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe.  The London production is staged by the entire original Broadway creative team, led by director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo, with scenic design by Klara Zieglerova, costume design by Jess Goldstein, lighting by Howell Binkley, sound by Steve Canyon Kennedy and projection design by Michael Clark.  The orchestrations are by Steve Orich and the music supervision and vocal arrangements by Ron Melrose. 

 

JERSEY BOYS is produced in London by the Dodgers, with Joseph J. Grano, Tamara and Kevin Kinsella, Pelican Group, in association with Latitude Link, Rick Steiner, and a small clutch of UK colleagues.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

 

Piccadilly Theatre

16 Denman Street

London W1D 7DY

 

Booking until Sunday 26 March 2017

 

Performances:  Tuesdays – Saturdays at 7.30pm, Tuesday & Saturday matinees at 3.00pm, Sundays at 5.00pm

 

2016-17 CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

 

Monday 19 December             No Performance

Tuesday 20 December            3.00pm & 7.30pm

Wednesday 21 December       7.30pm

Thursday 22 December           7.30pm

Friday 23 December                7.30pm

Saturday 24 December            3.00pm

Sunday 25 December              No performance

Monday 26 December             No performance

Tuesday 27 December            3.00pm & 7.30pm

Wednesday 28 December       3.00pm & 7.30pm

Thursday 29 December           3.00pm & 7.30pm

Friday 30 December                7.30pm

Saturday 31 December            3.00pm & 7.30pm

Sunday 1 January                    5.00pm

Tickets from £24.50

Box Office:  0844 871 7630

 

Website:  www.jerseyboyslondon.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/JerseyBoysLondon

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/JerseyBoysUK

Gilbert O’Sullivan LIVE in Concert

at The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

Alhambra Theatre,

Thursday 20 October 2016 *Tickets: £31

Call the Box Office on 01274 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk

*All prices shown include booking fees but are subject to postage charge if applicable.

Bradford Theatres usual terms and conditions apply.

A global superstar who topped the UK and US charts with the likes of Alone Again (Naturally) and Get Down, Gilbert O’Sullivan is an artist who has never rested on his laurels.

Today, British singer-songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan continues to be regarded with tremendous affection and his songs remain well-loved around the world.

His lasting influence can be heard in the music of Ben Folds and Ron Sexsmith – while his songs have been covered by Neil Diamond, Rumer and Sarah Vaughan amongst others.

Gilbert is still writing, recording, performing and touring with success. His lasts concerts received rave reviews for his undiminished voice and “…the enduring quality of his work – the sheer tunefulness, lyrical gymnastics and wit” (Daily Post, March 2012).

His most recent albums include Latin Ala G exploring a Latin influence and Gilbert O’Sullivan – The Essential Collection which includes 43 classic songs.

See Gilbert O’Sullivan with a ten piece band live at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford on Thursday 20 October. Don’t miss this acclaimed live show.

Riot Act presents:

Attic Theatre Company presents:

GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Charles Dickens

adapted by Theresa Heskins at the new Merton Arts Space.

30 November – 18 December 2016

After the success of their multi-award nominated Beacons at Park Theatre earlier this year, Attic Theatre Company returns to home ground in Merton between 30 November and 18 December 2016 with a fresh and engaging stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. This show marks the inaugural professional production in Wimbledon Library’s new artistic hub, Merton Arts Space. Presented in the round by an ensemble of eight actors, and within the surrounds of a working library, this production celebrates the power of imagination and storytelling common to both literature and live theatre.

 

Directed by Attic’s award winning Artistic Director Louise Hill and designed by students from the Wimbledon College of Art (in keeping with Attic’s tradition of launching local, new talent), Theresa Heskins’ adaptation brings Dickens’ epic tale of romance, ruthless ambition and revenge to the newly redeveloped, Arts Council-funded performance space at Wimbledon Library.

When Pip the blacksmith’s boy climbs out of the pantry window one Christmas morning, he little dreams of the fortune which awaits him. Life as a London gentleman leads him to forsake his old life and friends. But all is not as it seems, and when his past returns to haunt him, will Pip learn the value of knowing who he truly is? This Christmas, the fusion of the written word and live theatre will transform Wimbledon Library as it becomes Satis House, home to Miss Havisham, Charles Dickens’ ghostly bride.

To accompany this production of Great Expectations Attic is running a series of participatory activities for children and adults to contribute to the overall design of the production; an online quiz, book clubs, filmed responses and live performances from local students.

Grand Opera House York – 27 Sept to 1 Oct 2016.  Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

With this year’s Strictly Come Dancing just hitting our TV screens we welcome the chance to see Keep Dancing, celebrating the popular world of Latin and Ballroom dancing. It stars Strictly favourite Robin Windsor, and features Chelsee Healey, actress best known for Waterloo Road, and of course Strictly runner up in 2011. They are joined by Anya Garnis, again a dancer from Strictly and a talented troupe of 10 dancers, 3 singers and 2 musicians.

It is dazzling and fast paced, showcasing a selection of our favourite dances. We were impressed right from the start with You Should Be Dancing, we could tell it was going to be a great evening of high energy entertainment, and we weren’t wrong.

During the evening Chelsee made several appearance with Robin, although not as slick as the professional dancers she did herself proud, and certainly seemed to be enjoying herself. We only wish she had joined in with the dancing medleys at the end of the show, though she did come on for the curtain call.

A mention to all 3 singers, Adam Walmington, Lisa-Marie Holmes and Harriette Virginia Mullen, and to the 2 percussionists, Joëlle Barker and Adam Green. They were all brilliant and all given the chance to shine. The singers all had several solo performances over the show, and I can honestly say that there wasn’t one song that we didn’t enjoy. It was great to see the mix of music and dance in the show.

Keep Dancing was certainly what all the troupe did with great energy. Robin and Anya delivered polished performances, with Robin commanding the stage when he was on it. The choreography is very slick, the costumes dazzle and the musicians are spot on. What more could you ask for from an evening of entertainment?

We left with that buzz and want to do it all again, can we???

Keep Dancing is showing in the Grand Opera House York until Saturday 1st October.

Tom O’Connell Productions and Polka Theatre present

BABE,

THE SHEEP-PIG

A play by David Wood

Based on the best-selling book by Dick King-Smith

Directed by Michael Fentiman

Touring the UK from February 2017

 

Adapted from Dick King-Smith’s much-loved children’s novel which inspired the Oscar-winning 1995 film,Babe, The Sheep-Pig will be brought to life on stage in an enchanting new production, embarking on a major UK Tour in 2017 following a Christmas season at Polka Theatre. Featuring stunning puppetry, an original score and an utterly charming ‘baa-ber sheep’ quartet, the tour will launch from West Yorkshire Playhouse on Monday 13 February and run until September 2017. Full tour schedule attached; further dates to be announced.

 

Meet the lovable Babe in a heart-warming tale of friendship, adventure and bravery.

When Babe arrives at Hogget’s Farm he is taken in by the trusty sheep-dog Fly, and soon discovers a talent for herding. With the help of his adopted Mum, the polite piglet soon wins over the most suspicious of sheep. But can a small pig make it in a dog’s world, and when his farmyard friends are in trouble can Babe save the day?

Dick King-Smith’s The Sheep-Pig was first published in 1983, and has since been translated into fifteen languages, as well as winning King-Smith the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award. In 1995 it was adapted for the big screen as the film Babe, which received huge critical and box office success. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won one for Best Visual Effects, as well as winning the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy.

Babe, The Sheep-Pig is adapted for the stage by Olivier Award-winning playwright David Wood OBE, who is best known for his adaptations of classic family titles including Goodnight Mister Tom, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG and The Tiger Who Came to Tea. David also wrote the book and lyrics for new musical The Go-Between, currently playing in the West End.

David Wood said: “I am delighted that Babe, The Sheep-Pig is returning. It is a wonderful novel which I took huge pleasure in adapting. Good luck to the whole team on this new production!”

Babe, The Sheep-Pig is directed by Michael Fentiman, whose productions include The Taming of the Shrewand Titus Andronicus (RSC) and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Kensington Gardens) which he co-directed with Rupert Goold.

The residents of Hogget’s Farm will be brought to life by beautiful hand-crafted puppets, created by award-winning puppet designer Max Humphries (Chief Puppet Designer, Cirque de Soleil) and Dik Downey, with the ensemble cast delivering masterful puppetry by puppetry director Matthew Forbes (Associate Director in Puppetry & Movement, War Horse).

The cast of actor-musicians features Emma Barclay (You Me Bum Bum Train) as Mrs Hogget, Olivier Award-nominated Nicola Blackman (Little Shop of Horrors and The Lion King, West End) as Fly, Oliver Grant (War Horse, National Theatre) as Babe/Sheep and Ben Ingles (Romeo and Juliet, RSC) as Farmer Hogget. The cast also features Claire Greenway (Sister Act, London Palladium), Jacqui Sanchez (Shrek the Musical andAvenue Q, West End), Lucy Thomas (Bugsy Malone, Lyric Hammersmith) and Sam Wilmott (Wicked andLord of the Rings, West End).

Babe, The Sheep-Pig is presented by Tom O’ Connell Productions (Million Dollar Quartet, Hairspray, UK Tours) and Polka Theatre. It is directed by Michael Fentiman with puppetry direction by Matthew Forbes, costume and scenic design by Madeleine Girling, puppet design by Max Humphries and Dik Downey, lighting design by Jack Knowles, sound design by George Dennis and original music by Barnaby Rose. Casting is by David Grindrod Associates.

Suitable for all ages.

Twitter: @BabeThePigLive

Facebook: /BabeThePigLive

www.BabeThePigLive.com

TOUR SCHEDULE

Friday 25 November 2016 – Sunday 5 February 2017

POLKA THEATRE, London

Box Office www.polkatheatre.com | 020 8543 4888

 

Wednesday 15 – Saturday 18 February 2017

WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE, Leeds

Tour press night: Thursday 16 February, 7.00pm

Box Office www.wyp.org.uk | 0113 213 7700

Monday 20 – Tuesday 21 February 2017

THEATRE BY THE LAKE, Keswick

Box Office www.theatrebythelake.com | 017687 74411

ON SALE SOON

 

Thursday 23 – Sunday 26 February 2017

DEVONSHIRE PARK THEATRE, Eastbourne

Box Office www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk | 01323 412 000

 

Friday 3 – Sunday 5 March 2017

THEATRE ROYAL, Margate

Box Office www.theatreroyalmargate.com | 01843 292795

ON SALE SOON

Monday 13 – Wednesday 15 March 2017

HALL FOR CORNWALL, Truro

Box Office www.hallforcornwall.co.uk | 01872 262466

ON SALE SOON

 

Tuesday 21 – Wednesday 22 March 2017

WYCOMBE SWAN, High Wycombe

Box Office www.wycombeswan.co.uk | 01494 512 000

Friday 24 – Sunday 26 March 2017

CONNAUGHT THEATRE, Worthing

Box Office www.worthingtheatres.co.uk | 01903 206 206

 

Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 April 2017

THE PAVILION, Bournemouth

Box Office www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk | 0844 576 3000

Tuesday 11 – Saturday 15 April 2017

THE LOWRY, Salford

Box Office www.thelowry.com | 0843 208 6000

Sunday 16 – Monday 17 April 2017

THEATRE ROYAL, Norwich

Box Office www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk | 01603 63 00 00

Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 April 2017

NORTHCOTT THEATRE, Exeter
Box Office www.exeternorthcott.co.uk | 01392 726363

 

Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 April 2017

WYVERN THEATRE, Swindon

Box Office www.swindontheatres.co.uk | 01793 524481

Wednesday 17 – Friday 19 May 2017

VENUE CYMRU, Llandudno

Box Office www.venuecymru.co.uk | 01492 872000

Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 May 2017

EMBASSY THEATRE, Skegness

Box Office www.embassytheatre.co.uk | 01507 613100

ON SALE SOON

Thursday 25 – Sunday 28 May 2017

ORCHARD THEATRE, Dartford

Box Office www.orchardtheatre.co.uk | 01322 220000

Tuesday 30 May – Sunday 4 June 2017

NUFFIELD THEATRE, Southampton

Box Office www.nuffieldtheatre.co.uk | 023 8067 1771

Monday 12 – Wednesday 14 June 2017

THEATRE ROYAL, Newcastle

Box Office www.theatreroyal.co.uk | 08448 11 21 21

ON SALE SOON

Sunday 25 – Wednesday 28 June 2017

CHURCHILL THEATRE, Bromley

Box Office www.churchilltheatre.co.uk | 020 3285 6000

Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 July 2016

GRAND THEATRE, Blackpool

Box Office www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk | 01253 290190

Monday 17 – Wednesday 19 July 2017

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE, Aberdeen

Box Office www.aberdeenperformingarts.com | 01224 641122

ON SALE SOON

Friday 21 – Sunday 23 July 2017

THE ALBAN ARENA, St Albans

Box Office www.alban-arena.co.uk | 01727 844488

Thursday 3 – Saturday 5 August 2017

GRAND THEATRE, Swansea

Box Office www.swansea.gov.uk/swanseagrandtheatre | 01792 475715

ON SALE SOON

Monday 14 – Wednesday 16 August 2017

PALACE THEATRE, Southend

Box Office www.southendtheatres.org.uk | 01702 351135

ON SALE SOON

Thursday 17 – Saturday 19 August 2017

THEATRE ROYAL, Bury St Edmunds

Box Office www.theatreroyal.org | 01284 769505

Monday 21 – Wednesday 23 August 2017

THE HAWTH, Crawley

Box Office www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/thehawth | 01293 553636

Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 August 2017

WATFORD COLOSSEUM

Box Office www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk | 01923 571 102

 

Thursday 31 August – Sunday 3 September 2017

THEATRE ROYAL, Plymouth

Box Office www.theatreroyal.com | 01752 267222

ON SALE SOON

Friday 8 – Sunday 10 September 2017

KING’S THEATRE, Edinburgh

Box Office www.edtheatres.com/kings | 0131 529 6000

FURTHER DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

Grand Opera House York.  Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

David Walliams’ best selling children’s book has been bought to life on stage by The Birmingham Stage Company, the producers of the Horrible Histories.

The story follows 11 year old “Little Benny” (Ashley Cousins) being dumped by his selfish parents (Laura Girling and Benedict Martin) at his granny’s (Gilly Tompkins) every Friday night whilst they go off ballroom dancing. He is subjected to playing scrabble and eating cabbage soup, cabbage cake and everything cabbage, including old granny suffering the effects of too much cabbage, much to the delights of all the children in the audience. It is just so boring!!!! Why oh why does he have to go there every Friday?

He then discovers her secrets when he finds some jewels hidden away in an old biscuit tin and learns that she was an international jewellery thief “The Black Cat”. Fridays are no longer boring and things become exciting for the both of them. With plans afoot and high treason, can granny do one last heist??

The cast all work well together and work hard in all their differing roles, manipulating the basic but effective set as they go about their business. Alison Fitzjohn does this with great comic effect as the WPC and matron, she has a very expressive face. I must also mention Umar Malik who play Raj the shop keeper and is fantastic as Flavio, the dancer Ben’s mum is fixated with. As well as playing Ben’s dad, Benedict Martin is very good, but slimy as Mr Parker.

Gangsta Granny is a great show for all the kids, with a great moral behind it. Full of laughter and slapstick. Is granny really “The Black Cat”? That is the question.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES SET FOR SUCCESS

Set and costume designs revealed to the 30 strong community cast of A Tale of Two Cities.

The extravagant set and costume designs for a community cast production of the Charles Dickens classic A Tale of Two Cities were revealed at a recent meeting held at Hummersknott Academy in Darlington.

Twenty local volunteers who answered the call to become involved in the production of costumes were presented with detailed sketches and ideas by professional theatre designer Sarah Jane Booth who explained her vision for one of Dickens’ most famous stories.

Sarah also revealed her set design model to the thirty-strong community cast along with the production’s director, Eduard Lewis. The multi-layered set will encompass the entire floor-space of Central Hall in the Dolphin Centre, Darlington, and is designed to transport the audience through the story jumping between London and Paris during the French Revolution.

Community cast member Laura Morrison said “The set design is absolutely amazing, I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s made me even more excited about being in the production, and I can’t wait to get my fabulous costume.”

A Tale of Two Cities

Charles Dickens considered his novel A Tale of Two Cities to be the best story he had ever written.

This production is presented in association with the Touring Consortium Theatre Company (To Sir, With Love, Brassed Off, Regeneration, A View from the Bridge). A thrilling new adaptation by Mike Poulton (Fortune’s Fool, Old Vic; Wolf Hall, RSC) it will feature a community cast of more than 30 actors alongside a professional production team led by directing rising star, Eduard Lewis.

The production will be staged in the atmospheric setting of Darlington’s Central Hall, where Dickens himself read on 21 September 1858.

Please note this is a promenade performance which means that the action will take place in various locations around the set, and the audience will be invited to stand and watch in spaces around the action, and then walk to different locations in the room following the actors as the scenes change and the play progresses. We would encourage the audience to stand to be fully immersed in the experience, however some limited seating options will be available if seating is required.

A Tale of Two Cities is at Central Hall, Dolphin Centre, Darlington, on Saturday 19 at 2pm and 7.30pm and Sunday 20 November at 2pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets* are priced £18, discounts £16, U16s £10

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

*Includes £1 restoration levy