Month: April 2017

Unmissable masterpiece The Toad Knew visits The Lowry for its only performance outside London

Wed 10 & Thu 11 May 2017

One of Europe’s most inventive artists James Thierrée visits The Lowry for the first time on Wed 10 & Thu 11 May 2017 with his latest production The Toad Knew. These performances will be the only chance for audiences to see his latest critically acclaimed work outside London.

James Thierrée, the multi-talented European performer and director with an impeccable theatrical pedigree, is renowned for conjuring worlds of endless invention and fantasy, and inviting imaginations to soar.

An acrobat, magician, actor, clown and musician Thierrée is acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest and most creative performers and directors. Perhaps this is inevitable coming from an impressive linage of artists that includes his great-grandfather Eugene O’Neill and his parents French circus creators Jean-Baptiste Thierrée and Victoria Chaplin – part of the Chaplin dynasty.

A unique theatrical experience, The Toad Knew, is a spellbinding creation. Critically acclaimed, it is a seamless mix of mechanical marvels, seductive music, surreal humour and acrobatic finesse.

The Toad Knew features six characters who emerge into a strange netherworld of steaming water, animalistic machines and sinister objects. A woman transforms into a lizard, a piano plays itself and plates miraculously appear and disappear. In the middle of it all, Thierrée works his magic with the aid of a servant, only to have it undone by a man beast. It all happens underneath a huge, glowing structure connected to the stage with a thick cord of knotted wires. The Toad Knew emanates from a dream world of buried fears and encapsulates Thierrée’s creative process.

Thierrée made his stage debut aged four in 1978, appearing alongside his older sister, Aurélia, in his parents’ company  Le Cirque Imaginaire.  Thierrée  toured with the circus throughout his childhood and teenage years. When his parents’ circus settled in Paris following long spells at Les Halles the company began to play theatres rather than circus tents, and so began Thierree’s interest in theatre performance.

In 1998 he formed Compagnie du Hanneton, named after his parents’ childhood nickname for him ‘le hanneton’; French for a particular type of iridescent beetle because he was always jumping around. This informal international ensemble includes both circus and dance artists and the productions include Junebug Symphony (2001), La Veillée des Abysses (2004), Au Revoir Parapluie (2007), Raoul (2009) and Tabac Rouge (2014).

Thierrée was recently awarded the César (France’s national film award) for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for French film Chocolat, about the famous clown Chocolat, who in 1886 became the first black circus artist in France. Thierrée plays Chocolat’s stage partner Footit. The film followed the pair as they become a famous duo in Paris Belle Epoque. For Chocolat, Thierrée was commissioned to recreate the numbers that Footit and Chocolat performed.

The Toad Knew has been nominated for three Molière Awards 2017: Best Show, Best Visual Creation and Best Director. The awards will take place on Mon 29 May 2017.

11 OLIVIER AWARD WINS FOR SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS

Sonia Friedman is tonight celebrating with her producing partner Colin Callender as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child scoops nine Olivier Awards:

Virgin Atlantic Best New Play
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

Best Director
John Tiffany for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

Best Actor
Jamie Parker for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Noma Dumezweni for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Anthony Boyle for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

White Light Award for Best Lighting Design
Neil Austin for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

Best Sound Design
Gareth Fry for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

Best Costume Design
Katrina Lindsay for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

Blue-i Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design
Christine Jones for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at Palace Theatre

And two further Oliviers for the Sonia Friedman Productions show Dreamgirls go to:

Best Actress in a Musical
Amber Riley for Dreamgirls at Savoy Theatre

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Adam J Bernard for Dreamgirls at Savoy Theatre

As Sonia Friedman Productions prepares to transfer Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour to the West End, they would also like to congratulate all those involved in the production at National Theatre – Dorfman, including originating producers the National Theatre of Scotland and Live Theatre, for winning the Oliver Award for Best New Comedy.

The Olivier Awards 2017 were held at The Royal Albert Hall in London on Sunday 9 April and the ITV1 highlights broadcast will air on Tuesday 11 April at 8pm.

Grand Opera House York – 7 April 2017.  Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

York Stage Musicals presents Rock of Ages at the Grand Opera House, York, running until Saturday 15th April.

Set in the late 1980’s, Rock of Ages tells the story of Sherrie, Lauren Sheriston, a small town girl hoping to make it big in acting. Sherrie meets would be rocker, Drew, Conor Mellor, who works in the trademark Hollywood bar, “The Bourbon Room”. Dennis, Mikhail Lim, the owner offers her a job and we then see Sherrie and Drew fall in love to the soft rock songs of the 80’s with ups and downs along the way.

We are taken through the story through a narrator, Lonny, played wonderfully by Christopher Knight. He is the first character you see on stage, with his American accent and cheeky charm and is the glue that holds it all together. Knight was really outstanding as Lonny and I loved the huge, and I mean huge hair.

Club owner Dennis has his own battle to fight with ruthless German developer Hertz, Adam Tomlinson and his camp, he’s “German not gay” son Franz, Benedict Tomlinson. These 2, especially the latter, had certain members of the audience in fits of laughter that it became quite infectious. Benedict was great as Franz flouncing around the stage and living up to his role.

The ensemble cast provide a lot of energetic dancing and singing, mostly in very little clothing. Some of the female cast were that scantily dressed that a couple of times I honestly thought that there was going to be a wardrobe malfunction, which I’m sure would have pleased some of the audience.

One of the highlights of the show for me was the duet with Dennis and Lonny, I suppose another love story? Both Knight and Lim have great voices, I loved Lim’s singing throughout the whole show.

Mellor played a very convincing wannabe rock star and you could just imagine him in front of his bedroom mirror at home playing air guitar and singing along to all the songs he got to sing on stage. Sheriston was good as the naive small town girl Sherrie, but I found it a bit of a stretch to think of her turning into a stripper. The true star of the show for me though was Knight as Lonny.

York Stage Musicals, under the direction of Nik Briggs, have put on another great show. It is unbelievable to think that this is a show staged by amateurs as it felt truly professional. Well done and congratulations!

Please catch it if you can and go along to see local actors, playing in York until Saturday 15th April.

York Theatre Royal – 5 August 2017.  Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

Rosie Kay Dance Company came to the York Theatre Royal with their newest dance show MK Ultra, now if you’re a person who loves their conspiracy theories that that might sound familiar.  MK Ultra is a brainwashing theory that we are being controlled through the use of tv and hidden messages.  As soon as the show started I was drawn into this deep world and it felt like I was watching a documentary for the first few minutes as we watched this video projected on this giant triangle which told us about MK Ultra, this draws you in so much as you start to focus on the meaning of the dance, and when the dancers some on stage you see the meaning behind moves and their interaction.

The dancing was very provocative and really plays on the use of sex symbols in media to brainwash people, there was a lot of movement centred around the lower half and a first you think ‘oooh a bit naughty’, but then you look past it and you realise that it sends a lot of messages about how media and our society is now with the trend twerking.

Throughout all of the show we were reminded about the sexualisation of people and how everyone is controlled.  The best moment for this was in the second act then the company pick up a dancer and made her body move and controlled every aspect of her presence on stage. As the dancing was very ‘new age’ so was the music as it included electronic sounds and broken music rather than your classical ballet style music, this was really good in working with different sections of dance and helping draw the audience into this world of conspiracy.

The stage was completely bare except a throne in the corner and this gigantic white triangle at the back, this immediately tells the audience that is about power and the ever so famed “illuminati”.  The triangle was massive and really became a focus when it needed to be, this is that part that I love, during the dancing and when the opening of the show projections were shown on this triangle and it fitted a lot of the dances well, the projections focus on the psychedelic aspect of the brainwashing, it almost became another character as it fits in so well about telling this story.  The costumes were very revealing and didn’t leave much to the imagination with everyone wearing bodysuits with various symbols affiliated with the New World Order

This show is something I would go and see again as it’s my cup of tea, but I find that it may only appeal to a smaller audience rather than more commercial theatre and dance, it is obviously not PG and I wouldn’t recommend that you take kids under the age of 14 as dancing got very sexualised and there was swearing during the show.  This has to be one of the best dance shows I’ve seen and I loved the whole aspect of fake news and the New World Order.

Richmond Castle, North Yorkshire.  7-9 April 2017

Situations Presents Verity Standen Refrain – a beautiful piece of immersive choral artistry held within the grounds of Richmond Castle.

The harmonies resonated around the grounds whilst the public were encouraged to explore the castle.  Watching the sunset and listening to the bird song and the sound of the river below the male voices sang a lament to commemorate the ‘Richmond 16’

Just over 100 years ago, the sixteen conscientious objectors were detained in a cell block at Richmond Castle. Before they were sent to France to be court-martialled, the 16 covered the cell walls with words, hymns and drawings.

21 local men, all untrained singers, blended their voices stunningly – amongst them a doctor, scrap metal merchant, a Methodist minister, students, asylum seekers, people who have experienced homelessness, and a Green Party candidate who hasn’t sung for 50 years. Aging from teen to pensioner the men started off in small groups scattered around the castle, vocalising different lyrics in their groups.  The men then came into a large group and individually sang a different piece but together.  But what might have sounded like a cacophony of noise was a more sweet-sounding anthem

The acoustics of the castle reverberated through the vast open spaces and in the confines of the chapel and the Keep.  The men’s plaintive voices crying out Standen’s vocal composition.

This ensemble piece was magnificent in its simpleness, their voices as one, it is a performance that should not be missed

This almost angelic chorus is showing in Richmond – Saturday 8th April 6pm and 7.30pm.  Sunday 9th April 6.00am (dawn) and 10.15am.  With tickets priced at :£12 (Concessions: £8 Group family ticket: £25) Tickets to the 6.00am (dawn) performance are free

It then moves to St. Helens, Merseyside 19th – 21st May and Newhaven, West Sussex 9th – 11th June.  Further details can be found at www.refrain.online

Singers: Harrison Braithwaite, Adrian Cook, Tom Cooper, Alan Coustick, Jamie Edgar, Pete Edge, Jonathan Gibbs, Charlie Grumbley, Patrick Ititini, Paddy O’Neil, Alec Paul, David Pisaro, Luca Riccer, Peter Roberts, Leslie Rowe, Jamie Sample, William Thayre, Chris Wellings, John Westwood, Hamid Reza Yazdanfar.

Ensemble: Edward Wren, Harry Humberstone, Robert Thumpston, Robin Paley Yorke

Composed and directed by Verity Standen

The Angus McKay Foundation presents:

DugOut Theatre present Swansong, a post apocalyptic comedy in a swan pedalo, at The Lowry Wed 3 – Sat 6 May.

Swansong follows the story of four strangers in a swan pedalo after a flood that wiped out the world. As the last remaining survivors on earth they decide what to remember, and what to change.

After highly-acclaimed productions Fade, Inheritance Blue and The Sunset Five, DugOut Theatre examine how lies become stories and stories become legend inSwansong at The Lowry Wed 3 – Sat 6 May.

With DugOut’s usual blend of toe-tapping live music, laugh-out-loud comedy and consummate storytelling, Swansong is guaranteed to be a real adventure.  DugOut’s use of sound to create different worlds filled with colourful characters, transports audiences on a captivating journey.

Casting includes writer and performer Tom Black, co-founder of DugOut Theatre Ed Smith, Charlotte Merriam & Nina Shenkman who trained at The Royal Welsh Collage of Music and Drama,

DugOut’s Artistic Director George Chilcott said; “In this show, form and content are linked as we present a series of interwoven stories that look at how we use story to try and make sense of the world.

“Storytelling, in theatre, allows for the audience’s imagination to take flight and we believe having actors paint pictures, with words and music, on stage, can often be far more exciting than the most spectacular pyrotechnics.”

Founded by a group of comedians, writers, musicians and actors, DugOut’s work is often funny, sometimes sad, usually hopeful and always musical. It warms your heart, moves your feet, treats your eyes, lightens your load, tickles your fancy and swells your heart.

Taking our joyful, popular plays around the country, we perform in a range of intimate spaces – from studio theatres to country pubs – and believe in bringing our unique brand of theatre magic to audiences everywhere.

Swansong
Wed 3 – Sat 6 May
8pm
Tickets: £12. Conc £10
Website
Ages 14+

Bird&Carrot proudly presents the UK premiere of

Brodsky/Baryshnikov

Apollo Theatre, 31 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7ES

Wednesday 3rd – Sunday 7th May 2017

An extra performance of Brodsky/Baryshnikov has been added on 7th May due to high levels of interest. Found somewhere between a play, a poetry recital and a piece of performance art, this UK premiere is being staged at the West End’s Apollo Theatre for a limited run.

Brodsky/Baryshnikov is a one-man show, performed by legendary dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, based on the poems of Nobel laureate Joseph Brodsky. The production is an emotional journey deep into the poet’s visceral and complex compositions. Baryshnikov walks onto the stage unmasked and unguarded and tells us the story of their 22 year friendship that began in 1972 in an unnerving expose.

Brodsky/Baryshnikov is conceived and directed by Alvis Hermanis, noted Latvian director of The New Riga Theatre. Performed in Russian with English surtitles, Baryshnikov recites a selection of his long-time friend’s poignant and eloquent works. Hermanis comments Baryshnikov was taken by the idea of using Brodsky’s poetry as a score for the show. Brodsky’s poems strung together as a score to compose a requiem that carries Baryshnikov’s body which reacts to every word and creates movement that transpires either into pain or into a dance, similarly to the artwork of Egon Schiele and the Japanese Butoh dance.

Brodsky/Baryshnikov is Baryshnikov’s nostalgic tribute to his once dear friend.

Brodsky/Baryshnikov is a co-production between The New Riga Theatre and Baryshnikov Productions, presented by Bird&Carrot. Its London run is made possible thanks to the generous support of Norvik Banka and Blavatnik Family Foundation.

Paul Taylor-Mills presents

THE MUSICAL MARATHON

26 miles, 26 Songs and a Marathon of West End Stars

At The Other Palace on Sunday 16th April at 7.00pm

The Other Palace will host The Musical Marathon on Sunday 16th April 2017, a one-off charity concert bringing together a variety of West End stars in aid of male cancer charity Orchid. All Tickets are £26; £26 for 26 miles, 26 songs and an unmissable night of musical talent.

Paul Taylor-Mills, Artistic Director of The Other Palace and producer of shows including In The Heightsand The Wild Party, is running the London Marathon on Sunday 23rd April, and will bring together a host of his theatrical friends to raise vital funds for Orchid, and their fight against male cancer.

The evening will be hosted by Caroline Flack and will feature performances from Louise Dearman,Tyrone Huntley, Zizi Strallen, Olivier Saville, Liam Doyle, Nathan Amzi, Kim Criswell, Liam Tamne, Christina Modesto, Emma Kingston, Lockie Chapman, Shaun McCourt and Idriss Kargbo.

Orchid is the UK’s leading charity working on behalf of anyone affected by male cancer. Established in 1996 by testicular cancer patient, Colin Osborne MBE and the oncologist who saved his life, Professor Tim Oliver, Orchid exists to save men’s lives from male cancer through a range of support services, education and awareness campaigns and a pioneering research programme.

The Broadway musical Ballroom receives its European Premier at Waterloo East Theatre

Waterloo East Theatre is pleased to announce the The European Premier of this Broadway musical, which has not been produced since it closed on Broadway in March 1979. Originally Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett, three years after A Chorus Line, it has a  book by Jerome Kass music by Billy Goldberg and lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman.

Bea Asher who, having lost her beloved husband Morrie, opens a thrift shop that amounts to an ongoing garage sale of her own belongings. When her friend Angie urges her to get out of the shop and start living again by suggesting that she visit the local Brooklyn dance hall, Bea agrees and begins life anew at the Stardust Ballroom. There she meets middle-aged mailman Alfred Rossi and falls in love again. Her dream of a happily-ever-after relationship is shattered when she discovers Alfred hasn’t been as honest about his personal life as she thought, but having found a new life and love decides that “fifty percent” of someone you love is better than “all of anybody else”.

The delightfully humane and moving Broadway production was developed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Bennett co-creator of A Chorus Line. Based on the CBS television movie The Queen of the Stardust Ballroom, with book by Jerome Kass, music by Billy Goldberg, lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman, and features the classic Broadway song Fifty Percent. The Broadway production was nominated for 9 Tony Awards and 7 Drama Desk Awards.

Cast and Creatives TBC

Listings Information:

12^th May to 4^th June 2017

Tues to Sat at 7.30pm. Sun at 4pm

(No Monday performances) No Performance Tuesday 16^th May

Running time approx 110 mins with an Interval

Tickets: £22.50 / £20 (Cons) Previews: May 12^th to 14^th All tickets £15

No Booking Fees. Allocated Seating

Waterloo East Theatre Brad Street London SE1 8TN

Book Online www.waterlooeast.co.uk  Box Office 0207 928 0060