Month: May 2017

 

 

RNLI, Scarborough – 24 May 2017.  Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

The award winning Mikron Theatre Company had the official launch of their latest production, In At The Deep End, at the RNLI in Scarborough on Wednesday.

Now in their 46th year they provided theatre anywhere for everyone by canal, river and road, they are based in Marsden, West Yorkshire. This year sees the company touring 2 brand new productions with 4 actor musicians. In At The Deep End, an RNLI story, written by Laurence Peacock is the second production.

I went along to the show with such high expectations after previously seeing Best Foot Forward in York, I am so glad to say I was not disappointed, it was certainly worth the travel.

This is about the history of nearly 200 years of the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea, but is also a story about Skipwick and a current day coxswain, Darren and the relationships he has with his son Billy, his best friends’ widow, Hazel and the Lifeboat Station. He is a perfectionist, timing everything to the nearest second. His management style isn’t working and he has managed to demoralise his crew so much that they don’t want to be there and have made excuses to be elsewhere. He has to blackmail his own son into training to be a life boatman, unlike the other new recruit Shannon. She is overly keen, a swot and manages to put poor Billy to shame. We eventually see a rescue, which doesn’t go quite to plan, a successful fundraiser and recruitment drive by Hazel and Darren facing up to his demons and mending bridges.

The four actors, Craig Anderson, James McLean, Rose McPhilemy and Claire-Marie Seddon are exactly the same cast who are performing Mikron’s other production, Best Foot Forward. Again they have proved themselves to be a very talented and multi-skilled group, portraying different characters, singing and playing various musical instruments, from trombones to trumpets, guitars to flutes, very impressive! It is a fast-paced show with costume changes taking place before our eyes, all be it the adornment of such things as a wig and frills and the actors taking on their various roles. With songs such as Mayday, the opening number and The Lifeboat Inventors Club we get to see how well the whole cast work together.

I was lucky enough to attend the official launch at a real Lifeboat Station in Scarborough on Wednesday night. During the interval I got talking to a gentleman who had volunteered with the RNLI for 35 years, before retiring, it could not survive without people like him and donations received, their new lifeboat, The Shannon class, cost £2m.

I certainly couldn’t make such a trip without the obligatory fish and chip tea beforehand. What more could I ask for, a great show, lovely food and the good old British seaside?

Mikron are touring both shows around the UK until October, with the same 4 cast members. They are even performing both shows on the same day at different venues this Saturday, a fantastic feat. I still can’t get it into my head that they will be touring both shows. Try and catch at least one of their shows this year, you will not be disappointed!

ALICE FEARN AND SOPHIE EVANS TO HEAD NEW LONDON CAST OF WICKED FROM MONDAY 24 JULY 2017

BRADLEY JADEN, MELANIE LA BARRIE, ANDY HOCKLEY, JACK LANSBURY AND LAURA PICK ALSO JOIN CURRENT CAST MEMBERS MARTIN BALL, SARAH McNICHOLAS AND CARINA GILLESPIE

WICKED, the West End musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is delighted to announce that Alice Fearn (Elphaba), Sophie Evans (Glinda), Bradley Jaden (Fiyero), Melanie La Barrie (Madame Morrible), Andy Hockley (The Wizard), Jack Lansbury (Boq) and Laura Pick (Standby for Elphaba) will head the new London cast from Monday 24 July 2017, joining current cast members Martin Ball (Doctor Dillamond), Sarah McNicholas (Nessarose) and Carina Gillespie (Standby for Glinda).

Alice Fearn (Elphaba) originally joined the London production of WICKED in 2016, as Standby for Elphaba, and will now assume the role. Her previous West End appearances include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Shrek The Musical, Into The Woods, Les Misérables (also the film version) and The Woman in White. Sophie Evans (Glinda) was the acclaimed runner-up in the BBC talent show ‘Over the Rainbow’ and subsequently played ‘Dorothy Gale’ in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium; Bradley Jaden (Fiyero) is currently starring as ‘Fiyero’ on the international tour of WICKED. He previously starred as ‘Enjolras’ in Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre; Melanie La Barrie (Madame Morrible) is currently part of the acclaimed Everyman Company at the Liverpool Everyman Theatre. Her West End roles have included ‘Mrs Phelps’ in the original cast of Matilda, ‘Mme. Thénardier’ in Les Misérables and ‘Mrs Corry’ in the original cast of Mary Poppins; Andy Hockley (The Wizard) has enjoyed a long association with The Phantom of the Opera, playing ‘Monsieur Firmin’ at London’s Her Majesty’s Theatre as well as on the UK & Ireland Tour for over 1000 performances. He most recently played ‘Grandpa Potts’ in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at West Yorkshire Playhouse and on the UK & Ireland Tour; Jack Lansbury (Boq) is a graduate of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and will be making his West End debut in WICKED; Laura Pick (Standby for Elphaba) appeared in The Sound of Music at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, covering and playing ‘Maria von Trapp’. Martin Ball (Doctor Dillamond), Sarah McNicholas (Nessarose) and Carina Gillespie (Standby for Glinda) all continue in their current roles.

Current cast members Willemijn Verkaik (Elphaba), Suzie Mathers (Glinda), Oliver Savile (Fiyero), Sue Kelvin (Madame Morrible), Mark Curry (The Wizard) and Idriss Kargbo (Boq) will all play their final performances on Saturday 22 July 2017.

From Monday 24 July 2017, the London production will star Alice Fearn (Elphaba), Sophie Evans (Glinda), Bradley Jaden (Fiyero), Melanie La Barrie (Madame Morrible), Andy Hockley (The Wizard), Martin Ball (Doctor Dillamond), Sarah McNicholas (Nessarose), Jack Lansbury (Boq), Laura Pick (Standby for Elphaba), Carina Gillespie (Standby for Glinda) and Jennie Abbotts, Ashley Birchall, Nicole Carlisle, Nicholas Corre, Conor Crown, Kerry Enright, Aimée Fisher, Joseph Fletcher, Alexandra Grierson, Katy Hanna, Tom Andrew Hargreaves, Olivia Kate Holding, Claudia Kariuki, Will Lucas, James McHugh, Danny Michaels, Ellie Mitchell, Rosa O’Reilly, Matt Parsons, Alex Pinder, Sam Robinson, Paulo Teixeira, Samantha Thomas, Hannah Toy, Russell Walker, Sasha Wareham and Libby Watts.

Acclaimed as “one of the West End’s true modern classics” (Metro), WICKED is now in its 11th smash hit year at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it is already the 17th longest running show in West End theatre history. The “hugely popular show” (The Times) is a three-time winner of the theatregoer-voted WhatsOnStage Award for ‘Best West End Show’ and a two-time winner of the Olivier Audience Award. The critically acclaimed and multi record-breaking UK & Ireland Tour returns from 31 January 2018, visiting Bristol, Liverpool, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Dublin, Sunderland, Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester.

Based on the acclaimed, best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire that ingeniously re-imagines the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, WICKED tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

WICKED has music and lyrics by multi Grammy and Academy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Enchanted and, for DreamWorks, The Prince of Egypt) and is based on the novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ by Gregory Maguire and adapted for the stage by Winnie Holzman (My So-Called Life). Musical staging is by Tony Award-winner Wayne Cilento and the production is directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello.

WICKED is produced around the world by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone. Executive Producer (UK) Michael McCabe.

Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LG

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk Twitter: @WickedUK | Facebook: /WickedUK | Instagram: @WickedUK

Full cast announced to join Omid Djalili and Tracy-Ann Oberman in

 

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

 

Based on the Sholem Aleichem Stories, By Special Permission of Arnold Perl

Book by Joseph Stein  Music by Jerry Bock  Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick

Produced on the New York Stage by Harold Prince

Original New York Stage Production Directed by and Choreographed by Jerome Robbins

Directed by Daniel Evans

 

10 July – 26 August, Chichester Festival Theatre

The full company is announced today for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, running at Chichester Festival Theatre from 10 July – 26 August, with a press night on Tuesday 18 July. Directed by Daniel Evans, the cast of this new staging of the classic Broadway musical is led by Omid Djalili and Tracy-Ann Oberman.

The full company is: Simbi Akande (Tzeitel), Ryan Anderson, Leo Andrew, Andrew Boyer, Greg Castiglioni, Stephen John Davis, Omid Djalili (Tevye), Nicholas Duncan, Luke Fetherston,Rosie Fletcher, Harry Francis, Victoria Hinde, Chris Jarman (Lazar Wolf), Abigail Jaye, Emma Kingston (Hodel), Lucinda Lawrence, Louis Maskell (Perchik), Tracy-Ann Oberman (Golde),Megan O’Hanlon, Sephora Parish, Pierce Rogan, Liza Sadovy (Yente), Rose Shalloo (Chava),Jos Slovick (Motel), Mia Soteriou (Grandma Tzeitel), Laura Tebbutt (Fruma Sarah) and Matthew Woodyatt.

1905. A small village in Imperial Russia. Tevye, a poor dairyman, and his wife, Golde, are blessed with five witty and beautiful daughters. The matchmaker Yente, who believes any husband is better than no husband, is busy making sensible marriage plans for them all.

But Tevye’s bold daughters have their own ideas about who to marry. And as change and new ideas roll in from the big cities, dissolving the old ways of life, the sisters are not alone in their lust for something new.

This celebrated and much loved musical is packed with show-stopping songs including If I Were A Rich Man, Tradition and Matchmaker. The original record-breaking Broadway production won nine Tony Awards including Best Musical.

This new staging is directed by Chichester’s Artistic Director Daniel Evans, whose hit productions atSheffield Theatres included Show Boat, My Fair Lady and Flowers for Mrs Harris. His outstanding creative team includes designer Lez Brotherston (Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Sister Act) and choreographer Alistair David (Show Boat, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers).

Omid Djalili makes his Chichester debut playing Tevye. A multi award-winning comedian and actor, his stage credits include Oliver! in the West End and, on film, The Infidel, Shaun the Sheep,Casanova and Disney’s forthcoming The Nutcracker.

 

Tracy-Ann Oberman plays Golde; her stage credits include Boeing-Boeing and Stepping Out in the West End, while her extensive TV work includes New Tricks, EastEnders and Friday Night Dinner.

The musical supervisor and orchestrator will be David White, the co-orchestrator will be Andy Massey and the musical director, Tom Brady; with lighting by David Hersey, sound by Carolyn Downing and video by Nina Dunn.

Fiddler on the Roof is sponsored by Henry Adams, ITD Consultants, Reynolds Fine Furniture and Seaward Properties. It is performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited.

There will be a Relaxed Performance of Fiddler on the Roof on 26 July at 2.30pm, especially suitable for individuals, groups and families with children on the autistic spectrum, sensory and communication disorders or anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed theatre environment.

EVENTS

Inua Ellams: An Evening with an Immigrant         Sunday 23 July, 7pm, Minerva Theatre

Born to a Muslim father and a Christian mother in what is now considered by many to be Boko Haram territory, in 1996 Inua Ellams left Nigeria for England, aged 12. Littered with poems, stories and anecdotes, An Evening with an Immigrant sees Ellams recount his fantastic, funny, poignant and sometimes ridiculous story. It’s a story that has seen him escape fundamentalist Islam, perform at the National Theatre, and drink wine with the Queen – all the while without a country to belong to, or place to call home. Tickets £12.

 

Pre-Show Talk with Daniel Evans              Monday 17 July, 5.45pm

Free but booking essential.

 

Theatre Day                                                   Thursday 27 July, 11am

Join the creative teams and technical crew for 90 minutes of insight, demonstration and discussion on the making of the production. A Theatre Day ticket can be combined with the matinee performance for an immersive day at the Theatre. Tickets £5 (+ optional performance ticket).

 

Post-Show Talk                                            Monday 21 August

Stay after the performance to ask questions, meet company members and discover more. Free.

 

Late Night Cabaret               Thursday 24 August, Post Show, Minerva Bar & Grill

Join us after the show as the company of Fiddler on the Roof present a selection of songs and live entertainment. Enjoy a drink with friends and take advantage of our post-show dining. Free.

BOOKING INFORMATION

Box Office 01243 781312

Online cft.org.uk

 

Tickets from £10. Prologue tickets for 16 – 25 year olds for £5.

Hi there

A local student film company (of which my daughter Jess is a major contributor) have entered a short film in the Cut Films national competition, urging young people to consider the effects of smoking and try and encourage them to quit.  Backed by the Roy Castle Foundation, this competition is open to all young film makers with the winners not only being awarded a prize but also able to use their success as part of their University application portfolio.

Their production company, UFilms, has already won one award for their social awareness film on diversity and equality (judged by a regional team); this national competition is open to a public vote.

I am reaching out to my contacts and ask you to take a look at their film (it’s only a few minutes) and then please vote – you will have to register with an email address but it’ll only take a couple of minutes and your vote could help them win and have this as great leverage for securing their university position for next year.

http://competition.cutfilms.org/video/view/743da718-8311-49b5-a97e-74ac819bcd97#rating

Voting closes at the end of this week (Sunday 29^th), they are currently 4^th across the whole country so every vote will make a difference (if you could share the link with anyone else (partners, friends, colleagues) that would be fantastic)

Really appreciate your help, cheers

Andrew

GIMME GIMME GIMME!

MAMMA MIA! AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

 

Mamma Mia! is getting ready to shimmy its way into Leeds as part of its first ever UK tour. The Grand Theatre will open its doors next week to welcome the hit show for a six week run.

Set on a Greek island paradise, Mamma Mia! is a fun story of love, friendship and identity cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA. Sophie’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings her mother face to face with three men from her distant romantic past on the eve of a wedding they’ll never forget.

Creator and Producer Judy Craymer said: ‘MAMMA MIA! is such a joyous show, it’s really thrilling to be bringing it to Leeds for the first time and for audiences to embrace its heart-warming story and the irresistible songs of ABBA. It’s a perfect treat for all ages and we look forward to sharing the fun with Leeds!’

From West End to global phenomenon, the London production has now been seen by more than 10% of the entire UK population. It is one of only five musicals to have run for more than 10 years both on Broadway and in the West End and, in 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.

“Mamma Mia! has been thrilling audiences of all ages all around the world, and now the party comes to Leeds Grand Theatre for the first time,” says the theatre’s General Manager, Ian Sime. “It promises to be a sensational feel-good show.”

Mamma Mia is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday May 30^th to Saturday 8^th July

 

Tickets are priced from £26 to £59.50

 

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

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 27 May 2017.  Reviewed by Sharon MacDonald-Armitage

Funny Girl is a musical immediately associated and defined by Barbra Streisand and her portrayal of Fanny Brice, and for anyone to take on this iconic role they are instantly set a challenge. Sheridan Smith has taken up the gauntlet of this challenge and does a good job.

Funny Girl tells the tale of Fanny Brice a young rather unattractive girl whose dream is to make it big on a Broadway stage. What she lacks in beauty she more than makes up for in talent, a skill that drives her ambitions from a Vaudeville stage to her big break at Ziegfeld Follies. However, things become complicated when she meets the smooth and charming Nick Arnstein (Darius Campbell), who sweeps Fanny off her feet in a whirlwind of romance and marriage. But Arnstein is a gambler and shady property entrepreneur, a combination that does not bode well for a happy future.

Vocally there are moments when Smith struggles with some of the higher notes and there are times when notes aren’t held quite as long as one would expect.  One of the more recognisable songs, “People” seems a little strained, however what she lacks in vocals she more than makes up for in comic timing and audience engagement. You have to give it to Smith she is able to connect with an audience; a nod, a wink, a side wards glance all have the audience laughing. “Rat-tat-ta-tat” in Act 2 shows Smith doing what she does best and she milks the applause for all it’s worth.  The money number in this show is “Don’t Rain on my Parade” a song that is very difficult not to associate with Streisand. Smith’s interpretation went down well with the audience.

There is a clear connection between Darius and Smith and their rendition of “You Are Woman, I Am Man” has the audience laughing with joy. In fact there was much laughter throughout the show.

Joshua Lay presents a wonderful Eddie Ryan, Fanny’s long suffering friend who has loved her for years. He taps his way into the hearts of the audience even though it is Brice he has true affection for.

The rest of the cast should not be overlooked in this show. From Mrs Brice (Rachel Izen) and her two elderly neighbours, Mrs Strakosh (Myra Sands) and Mrs Meeker (Zoe Ann Bown), who have some wonderful moments when gambling, to the ensemble that provide the backdrop of the realities of showbiz.

Funny Girl is a somewhat emotional journey for both the audience and Smith. This is definitely one to go and see.

Grand Opera House York – until 27 May 2017.  Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

Sally Cookson’s adaption of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, is bought to life by the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic, at York’s Grand Opera House.

It is an ensemble piece with a cast of 10, 7 actors and 3 musicians playing all the roles. Apart from Nadia Clifford, Jane, all play various characters, even the dog Pilot, and are on stage for the majority of the show.

Clifford plays Jane from birth through to her 20’s, from a powerless orphan to an independent, free thinking adult. She appears small and diminutive, plain but in reality, she is anything but, strong willed with a mind of her own. After being shipped off to Lowood School she becomes a governess for Rochester, Tim Delap. They shared great chemistry together, with Delap’s hair getting wilder as he becomes more tormented with his feelings towards Jane. Both were quite mesmerising, especially their interactions together, I really believed in their characters.

Francesca Tomlinson stepped in as an understudy playing amongst other, Helen Burns, Jane’s friend from school and Adele, Rochester’s ward and delivered a great performance. To be honest all of the cast performed well and created great energy.

I must mention Melanie Marshall, who portrays Berta Mason. Her vocals are amazing, haunting especially when singing the Gnarls Barkley song Crazy, I know crazy that song should be in a Jane Eyre production but it works. Marshall can certainly command a stage.

As I entered the auditorium I was struck by the stage, it was so bright, that is never going to work, is it? After all we are talking about Jane Eyre and the Yorkshire Moors. The design is basically white curtains, wooden platforms and loads of ladders. As it worked out it was inspired. It was utilised to great effect suggesting housing and rooms and with floating window frames constantly banging shut, providing the backdrop of Jane’s life. The red room that Jane is locked into by her Aunt is depicted with red light and you can believe you’re in hell. We are also treated to real flames as Rochester’s house burns and as an audience we can feel the heat. Great staging and design.

I was blown away by this production. A thoroughly fantastic show that gripped me, even at 3 hours duration, and it certainly deserved the standing ovation that it received at the end.

Showing in York until Saturday 27th May, and then continuing its UK tour. Honestly, get tickets whilst you can.

FINAL LONDON PERFORMANCES FOR

            B E A U T I F U L  –  T H E   C A R O L E   K I N G   M U S I C A L

 

The West End production of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, based on the early life and career of legendary singer songwriter Carole King, will complete its run at the Aldwych Theatre on 5 August 2017. 

The UK tour of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will open in Bradford on 9 September 2017 and continues in Plymouth, Southampton, Norwich, Southend, Nottingham, Belfast, Cardiff, Birmingham, Newcastle, Hull, Edinburgh, Manchester, Dublin, Aberdeen, Sheffield, Glasgow, Milton Keynes, Woking, Sunderland, Bristol, Leeds, Stoke on Trent, Liverpool and Oxford, with all venues currently on sale.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical received its Broadway premiere in January 2014 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre where it continues to play to packed houses.  The London premiere was in February 2015 and a US tour began later that year.   An Australian production will open in Sydney in September this year.

During its two and a half year run in the West End, the Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winningshow had two visits from Carole King, when on both occasions she surprised the cast and audience at the curtain call.  Both times she was greeted with a standing ovation at the Aldwych Theatre as she took to the stage to sing her classic hit You’ve Got A Friend.  Joining King for London’s opening night were fellow composers Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, whose story is also told as part of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is the untold story of her journey from school girl to superstar; from her relationship with husband and song-writing partner Gerry Goffin, their close friendship and playful rivalry with fellow song-writing duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, to her remarkable rise to stardom.  Along the way, she became one of the most successful solo acts in music history, and wrote the soundtrack to a generation.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical features the Carole King classics including So Far Away, It Might as Well Rain Until September, Take Good Care of my Baby, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Up on the Roof, Locomotion, One Fine Day, You’ve Got a Friend, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman and I Feel the Earth Move, along with hits from songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil like You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, On Broadway and Uptown.

The West End cast comprises Cassidy Janson in the title role, Matthew Seadon-Young asKing’s husband and song-writing partner Gerry Goffin, Stephanie McKeon as song-writer Cynthia Weil, Ian McIntosh as song-writer Barry Mann, Joseph Prouse as music publisher and producer Donnie Kirshner and Barbara Drennan as King’s mother Genie Klein.

 

They are joined by Gavin Alex, Georgie Ashford, Koko Basigara, Tsemaye Bob-Egbe,Ashford Campbell, Treyc Cohen, Natasha Cottriall, Michael Duke, Matthew Gonsalves, Jammy Kasongo, Leigh Lothian and Earl R. Perkins who play iconic musical performers and band members of the era and swings Derek Aidoo, Rosie Heath, Dominic Hodson, Emma Louise Jones, Jessica Joslin, Vicki Manser, David O’Mahony and Jaime Tait.

Book is by Douglas McGrath with words and music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.  The production is directed by Marc Bruni with choreography is byJosh Prince, set designs by Derek McLane, costume designs by Alejo Vietti, lighting by Peter Kaczorowski and sound by Brian Ronan. Orchestrations and Music Arrangements are by Steve Sidwell.

Producers are Paul Blake, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Jeffrey A. Sine, Richard A. Smith, Mike Bosner, Harriet N. Leve/Elaine Krauss, Terry Schnuck, Orin Wolf, Patty Baker/Good Productions, Roger Faxon, Larry Magid, Kit Seidel, Lawrence S. Toppall, Fakston Productions/Mary Solomon, William Court Cohen, BarLor Productions, Matthew C. Blank, Tim Hogue, Joel Hyatt, Marianne Mills, Michael J. Moritz, Jr., StylesFour Productions, Brunish & Trinchero and Jeremiah J. Harris.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre:                           Aldwych Theatre, Aldwych, London WC2B 4DF

Dates:                              booking to 5 August 2017

Performances:                   Monday 7.30pm, Tuesday 2.30pm, Wednesday 7.30pm, Thursday 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Friday 7.30pm, Saturday 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Box Office:                         0845 200 7981

Website:                           www.beautifulinlondon.co.uk

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR RACING DEMON AT THEATRE ROYAL BATH

Theatre Royal Bath Productions is delighted to announce full casting for David Hare’s Racing Demon, directed by Jonathan Church, which today began rehearsals ahead of its run at Theatre Royal Bath from Wednesday 21 June to Saturday 8 July.

As previously announced Olivier Award-winner David Haig will star as Lionel Espy in the multi-award winning play. He will be joined by Sam Alexander, Michelle Bonnard, Anthony Calf, William Chubb, Paapa Essiedu, Ian Gelder, Andrew Fraser, Rebecca Night, Amanda Root andAshley Russell.

Four clergymen seek to make sense of their mission in inner-city London whilst facing their own personal crises. There’s Lionel Espy, a cleric whose faith is wavering as his parishioners dwindle; tabloid-hounded gay vicar Harry Henderson; ‘Streaky’ Bacon, a genial reverend with a taste for tequila, and a charismatic young curate, Tony Ferris whose arrival is set to fan the flames, whilst his sexual relationship with his lover turns to ash. The day of judgement is at hand for all.

Racing Demon is the first production in Jonathan Church’s inaugural season as Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Bath’s annual Summer Season. The programme of five plays will also includeSand in the Sandwiches by Hugh Whitemore from Tuesday 11 July – Saturday 15 July, the UK Premiere of Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest from Friday 21 July – Saturday 12 August,Looking at Lucian by Alan Franks from Thursday 3 August – Saturday 2 September and Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van from Wednesday 16 August – Saturday 2 September.

David Haig (Lionel Espy) has previously performed at Theatre Royal Bath in The Madness of George III and King Lear. Other recent theatre credits include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Old Vic), Blue/Orange (Young Vic), Guys & Dolls (Savoy Theatre) and Our Country’s Good(Royal Court), for which he won the Olivier Award. Notable film and television credits includeFour Weddings and a Funeral, Witness for the Prosecution, The Thick of It and Mo.

Jonathan Church succeeds Peter Hall as Artistic Director, who established the Theatre Royal Bath Summer Season in 2003 with his company’s annual residencies. Church was previously Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre, overseeing over 100 productions including Taken at Midnight, ENRON, Macbeth with Sir Patrick Stewart, Sweeney Todd and Gypsy. Following his departure from Chichester Festival Theatre, Jonathan Church set up his own independent production company, which he will continue to lead alongside his new position at Theatre Royal Bath.

David Hare is one of the UK’s foremost playwrights and screenwriters with plays including The Judas Kiss, Skylight, Amy’s View and Plenty. He received Academy Award nominations for his adaptations of The Hours and The Reader.

LISTINGS

Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath, BA1 1ET
Box Office: 01225 448844
Website: www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Facebook: TheatreRoyalBath
Twitter: @TheatreRBath

Racing Demon
By David Hare
Directed by Jonathan Church
Dates: Wednesday 21 June – Saturday 8 July
Press Night: Wednesday 28 June, 7pm
Performance schedule: Monday – Saturday, 7.30pm; Matinees Thursday & Saturday, 2.30pm (No Matinee 22 June)
Prices: £19.50 – £35.50 (Previews: £15 – £25)