Month: June 2017

JOANNE CLIFTON AND BEN ADAMS TO STAR IN UK TOUR OF

FLASHDANCE – THE MUSICAL

Presented by Selladoor Productions and Runaway Entertainment

Flashdance – The Musical returns to the UK for the first time since 2011 starring Strictly favourite Joanne Clifton who returns to Wimbledon after a triumphant turn as Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie in early 2017, and singer-songwriter Ben Adams, and will arrive at Glasgow King’s Theatre on 05 August 2017 prior to an extensive UK tour. For full details of tour venues and dates, visit www.flashdanceuktour.co.uk

Strictly Come Dancing Champion Joanne Clifton is no stranger to being at the top, as she is also a World & European Champion ballroom dancer, and is one of very few pro dancers to have won both the main Strictly glitter ball with Ore Oduba last year and the Christmas Special in 2015 with Harry Judd.

Joanne made her musical theatre debut in the role of Streetwalker in the UK premiere of the Irving Berlin musical Face The Music, for which she was nominated for an Off West End Award. She followed this up with a turn as Marilyn Monroe in the Norma Jeane Musical and then tread the boards as Millie Dillmount in the No. 1 UK Tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie for which she garnered rave reviews.

She is now excited to take on her latest starring role as Alex Owens in the UK Tour of Flashdance. Joanne says,

“This is just another dream come true! I think everyone in the world whether dancer or non-dancer, as soon as they hear ‘What a Feeling’, remember that iconic scene at the end of the film and I’m so incredibly lucky that I get to do that every night in a UK TOUR along with fabulous numbers like “She’s a Maniac.” I’m over the moon! It’s another amazing opportunity in my musical theatre career and I can once again sing and act alongside dancing! I just hope the water’s not too cold when it falls on me!’

Ben Adams who will join Joanne on stage as Nick Hurley has been singing and performing since the age of 8. His career started as head chorister at St. Margaret’s, Westminster Abbey, singing at royal weddings, touring all over Europe, recording 2 classical albums and frequently singing for the likes of the queen and the pope.

At 16, he became the lead singer of the band a1, who racked up 10 million record sales, 2 UK number ones, 5 studio albums and toured throughout the world, winning a Brit award among many others.

When the band split, Ben took to the studio and is now a successful song writer and producer, working with the likes of Robin Thicke, Craig David, JLS, Ward Thomas, Sam Bailey, Boyzone and Alexandra Burke to name but a few. He also reached the final of Celebrity Big Brother, the Norwegian version of Strictly Come Dancing, and Master Chef in Denmark. As well as writing for other artists, he went straight to number 1 in the itunes charts with his classical album titled One Beautiful Mourning. His first solo album 1981 will be launched early 2018.

In 2010, A1 reformed and having successfully completed stadium tours in Asia and 68 sold out arena concerts across Europe, they starred in The Big Reunion on ITV2 and played arenas across the country.  They continue to tour throughout the world.

Ben has also written a brand-new musical called ‘EUGENIUS!’ Which after a sold-out London Palladium performance, is set to hit the West End stage next year.

Ben says of taking to the stage in Flashdance:

“It’s amazing to be part of such an iconic story, and as an 80’s child I was brought up on this music so I couldn’t be happier playing Nick in the theatre production of Flashdance. Whilst I continue with my own music career and touring with a1, Musical Theatre has always been a real passion of mine, so to be asked to play this role, and to be working with such an amazing cast and crew is a real honour. I look forward to seeing you all out on the road in the coming months”

Additional cast includes: Colin, Kiyani, Rikki Chamberlain, Garry Lee Netley, Carol Ball, Sia Dauda, Hillie Ann Lowe, Simeon Beckett, Rhodri Watkins, Demmileigh Foster, Emily Kenwright, Ameila Rose Fielding, Alex Christian, Matt Concannon

Flashdance – The Musical tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of 18-year-old Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, who dreams of going to the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy and becoming a professional dancer. When a romance complicates her ambitions, she harnesses it to drive her dream.

Prepare to be blown away with an astonishing musical spectacle and phenomenal choreography to this iconic score, including the smash hits Maniac, Manhunt, Gloria, I Love Rock & Roll and the award-winning title track Flashdance – What a Feeling.

Based on the Paramount Pictures film (Screenplay by Tom Hedley and Joe Eszterhas, story by Tom Hedley) Flashdance is an inspiring musical about the power of holding onto your dreams and love against all odds. Flashdance proved a hit with audiences, and remained in the Top 10 Box Office in the States for 15 weeks after release. The original score also proved hugely popular, with the soundtrack album selling 700,000 copies within two weeks of release. The platinum selling hit title track Flashdance – What A Feeling won both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe in 1983, with the soundtrack winning the Grammy Award for Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special in 1984.

Presented by Selladoor Productions – producers of Footloose, Avenue Q and Little Shop of Horrors and Runaway Entertainment producers of In The Heights, Guys and Dolls and Lazarus, Flashdance – The Musical is not to be missed! Take your passion and make it happen! Book now at www.flashdanceuktour.co.uk

THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK 

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark meets Bedknobs and Broomsticks, a slick slapstick and zippy one-liners.’ THE STAGE (4 stars)

‘Packed to the gunnels with laughter and mayhem.’  

EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS (5 stars)

‘A bit bonkers and a bit crazy, heartwarming and very, very funny.  Sometimes some of the best theatre is made for young people.’ 

BBC SCOTLAND RADIO

‘Full of laughs, brilliant songs, and a great story.’ 

PRIMARY TIMES MAGAZINE

 ‘… an enchanting, triumphant piece of children’s theatre.’

EDFRINGEREVIEW.COM (5 stars)

GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK

Friday 29 & Saturday 30 September

All aboard!  The ship is departing!  All children, animals and silly people welcome!

The impossible voyage of an improbable crew to hunt an imaginary creature is brought magically to life in this sparkling musical comedy adventure for 4 to 94 year olds.  

Enter the imaginative world of Alice in Wonderland creator, Lewis Carroll, in this brand new, highly original, ultra-modern adaptation inspired by his much loved classic poem.

Fresh from London’s West End, this show features five high-energy actors, life-like puppets, fantastical characters, and lashings of daft humour.

A riotous ragtag gang of bold adventurers including the Boy, the Banker, the Butcher, the Baker, the Bellman and the knitting Beaver set off on a quest to catch the mythical Snark… on the journey they encounter the Jub Jub bird, the sly Bandersnatch and the dastardly Boojum… Can a Snark be caught with soap?  Will the Beaver escape the hungry Butcher’s clutches? Will the Baker remember his name?  Does anyone know what a Snark actually looks like?

Side-splittingly funny, joyful, fast-paced and bursting with a soundtrack of witty songs by an award-winning songwriter, The Hunting of the Snark is a tour de force that‘ll delight, excite and entertain.

Performances: Fri 1.30pm & 4.30pm, Sat 11am & 2pm

Tickets: £16.25

Box Office: 0844 871 3024

Online: www.atgtickets.com/york

Mayflower, Southampton – until 24 June 2017.  Reviewed Sharon MacDonald-Armitage

The stage of Southampton’s Mayflower gave an appearance reminiscent of the Moulin Rouge as the audience walked into the auditorium for a revival of Harvey Fierstein’s La Cage aux Folles. With a sumptuous but equally gaudy set of red and gold there is a real feeling of ‘campness’ in the air and quite rightly so as this is a musical love story set in present day France. It tells the story of Georges (Adrian Zmed) and Albin (John Partridge) a gay couple whose relationship has to be hidden away from their prim and prospective in-laws.

The pairing of Zmed and Partridge seems a little unusual, but there is a genuine connection between them which makes their relationship believable and heart-warming. Albin’s transvestite, night club singing, alter-ego Zsa Zsa however steals the show. With legs that go on forever and an ability to walk and dance in heels that many women envy, Partridge is made for this role, his attitude, sass and ability to engage directly to the audience are among the many highlights. Partridge demonstrated his tremendous vocals and the ability to hold a note for what seems like an eternity. It is his interpretation of the well-known gay anthem I Am What I Am that shows his talent interpreting a song; heart wrenching and powerful.  Zmed is also no slouch with his vocals and his Song on the Sand is charming.

There is something glorious with the set and costumes and who could expect anything less with this production that screams out over the top everything. Gary McCann has come up trumps with an amazing smorgasbord of sequins and feathers something any girl or drag queen would die for. The costumes reflect Zsa Zsa’s outrageousness but this does not mean the ensemble dancers are left wanting. The vibrant red can-can dresses are only slightly upstaged by a peacock outfit that is outstanding in its lushness.

Samson Ajewole as butler turned aspiring house maid is hilarious in his delivery of lines and his attitude. From his yellow footman’s outfit which pales into insignificance when he rocks up in his housemaids dress and apron to his sequined gown Ajewole is an actor to keep an eye open for in the future.  It is particularly nice to see him perform alongside well-established musical theatre royalty Marti Webb as Jaqueline.

La Cage aux Folles is a luxurious piece of theatre full of laughs and poignant moments and George and Albin represent what life should be about: family, friends, tolerance and forgiveness, something that is often overlooked in today’s busy world.

This whole production is camp, glorious and divine and one that will bring a smile to your face.

ANDREW “FREDDIE” FLINTOFF TO MAKE STAGE DEBUT INFAT FRIENDS – THE MUSICAL AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

Former England cricket captain and star of SKY’s League of Their Own, Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff, will swap the cricket pitch for the stage as he joins an all-star cast for the world premiere of Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends – the Musical which opens at Leeds Grand Theatre on 7^th November 2017.

Freddie will play Kevin Chadwick opposite the previously announced Jodie Prenger as his fiancée, Kelly. X-Factor winner Sam Bailey will also feature with further casting to be announced.

Speaking about his debut, Freddie said: “I am really excited to be starring in Fat Friends – The Musical at Leeds Grand Theatre in November and at some other great venues around the UK in 2018. Having had the pleasure of recently working on an episode of Kay’s latest TV series, it’s great to have the opportunity to work with her again. I loved the TV series and think Fat Friends – The Musical, is going to give people a great night out. I’m really looking forward to it.”

One of the world’s most recognised cricket stars, Freddie Flintoff won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2005 after playing a pivotal role in regaining the Ashes from Australia. Since the Lancashire Lad’s cricket career ended in 2010, he has forged a career as a much-loved presenter and broadcaster appearing as a captain on SKY’s ‘A League of Their Own’ and being crowned King of the Jungle in the first Australian version of ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!’ Freddie has also launched a clothing range ‘Flintoff by Jacamo’.

Having just filmed a part in Kay Mellor’s new ITV series, this role will see Freddie continue to affirm his acting credentials after bowling over the show’s creator, Kay Mellor and composer Nicholas Lloyd Webber during auditions.

“I was introduced to Freddie at one of our TV casting sessions” said Kay. “It was clear to me that he could leave his cricket bat behind, embody a character and understand the drama. It was a no brainer… he got the part. Then, as we were talking through Fat Friends – The Musical, I wondered if Freddie could sing. I was ecstatic when Nick met him and agreed his voice was perfect for the role.

“I am thrilled and delighted that Freddie is able to join us for our run at Leeds and part of the tour as well, playing our leading male. I can’t wait to start working with the super talented cast we’ve got so far!”

Nicholas Lloyd Webber added: “I am thrilled that Freddie will be joining our stellar cast of Fat Friends – the Musical. He immediately really impressed us in his audition and we are so excited to be working with him on our show. Our starting XI is now nothing short of sensational.”

The award-winning TV drama has been adapted for the stage by its creator and one of the UK’s most prolific writers, Kay Mellor, whose extensive television credits include hit series Band of Gold, The Chase, The Syndicate and In the Club, and whose stage credits include A Passionate Woman.

Produced by Joshua Andrews and Adam Spiegel, with original music and songs composed by Nicholas Lloyd Webber, Fat Friends – The Musical is packed full of warmth, life and weight loss. This brand-new stage show reunites our favourite foodie friends in an original musical bulging with hopes, humour and heart. Join the infamous group of loveable characters as they are put through their Zumba paces at their local branch of Super Slimmer’s by the lovelorn Lauren, whilst Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams. Fat Friends – the Musical offers a generous serving of hilarious fun with a sprinkle of romance on top!

Fat Friends hit television screens in October 2000, following the lives of a group of overweight friends as they struggled with the absurdities of modern dieting. Running for five years on ITV, the show starred Alison Steadman, Gaynor Faye and Lisa Riley, and launched the careers of James Corden and Ruth Jones. Written by Kay Mellor, the show was nominated for multiple awards including the BAFTA for Best Drama Series.

Fat Friends – the Musical is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 7^th Nov to Saturday 2^nd Dec 2017

Tickets are priced from £20 (restricted viewing) to £50

(prices include a £3 booking fee. Postage charge £1 where applicable)

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

Harrogate Theatre – 21 June 2017.  Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood

1927 presents Golem and the company is reputed for its productions which have a specific emphasis on combined animation and claymation and are complimented with live music. Their current production is no exception and is currently on a worldwide tour. Golem is co-produced with Salzburg Festival, Théâtre de la Ville Paris and the Young Vic in London and its show was in its development stage at Harrogate Theatre back in 2014.

The talented and creative cast tells the story about a unique man who is created in clay and is programmed to be in subordination to his master. The story is supported by eclectic staging that represents contrasts of the old and the new and the traditional and modern with a background of animation and visual puppetry. The story synchronises superbly with the performers on stage and its moving visuals.

The story is chaotic but at the same time it adds ambience to the world’s state of mind with people being in control and being controlled. It certainly underlines themes that matter to many in the audience particularly with one’s relationship with gadgets and technology. One can only think that technology, particularly the internet, at one time didn’t exist in the majority of households but now it’s fully dependable by many and can be accessed from any technological device 24 hours a day. Through Golem one is reminded how gadgets are programmed according to humans’ commands but over the time the programming changes with increased demands as in the case newer versions of Golem in the story. The demands are so much so that it can enslave and influence people lives in which their future depends on it – such as the case of Robert, Golem’s master, who is led to make life changing decisions. There are constant reminders about moving with the times and not being left behind and seeking infinitive opportunities. It is so parallel today and everyone is affected whether it’s from a technological or humanity perspective.

Accompanied with live music, with a couple of actors doubling up as musicians, this production is certainly remembered for its eye-catching animation and its satirical approach to technology told through the story of a man made character. Golem is despotic as much as liberal and leaves a lot of food for thought with regards to the digital world one lives in.

@fiveguysmusical / facebook.com/fiveguysmusical / fiveguysmusical.com

Underbelly Productions
in association with Cameron Mackintosh,
Steven Harris and Westminster City Council presents

A NEW PRODUCTION OF
FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE
A musical by Clarke Peters
Featuring Louis Jordan’s greatest hits
Directed by Clarke Peters
Musical Staging and Choreography by Andrew Wright
Inspired by Charles Augins’ original choreography

• FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED & FIRST PICTURES RELEASED FOR BRAND NEW PRODUCTION OF THE HIT WEST END AND BROADWAY MUSICAL FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE

• DIRECTED BY CLARKE PETERS WITH MUSICAL STAGING AND CHOREOGRAPHY BY ANDREW WRIGHT THE PRODUCTION WILL RUN IN A BRAND NEW THEATRE IN MARBLE ARCH FROM SEPTEMBER 

Underbelly Productions have today announced full casting for a brand new production ofClarke Peters’ Olivier Award-winning and Tony-Award nominated musical, Five Guys Named Moe. The production will open on 14 September 2017 in a new temporary theatre in Marble Arch, London.

Edward Baruwa will play Nomax and the ‘Moes’ will be played by: Ian Carlyle (Four-Eyed Moe), Dex Lee (Know Moe), Idriss Kargbo (Little Moe), Timothy Martin (Big Moe) and Emile Ruddock (Eat Moe).Underbelly have also released the first look at how the inside of the new Marble Arch Theatrewill look. Specifically designed for the production will be reminiscent of 1940s New Orleans Jazz clubs, occupying the whole space. There will be cabaret table seating in the centre of the space with a drinks table service.

In addition to the theatre, there will be a connecting foyer designed in the style of a New Orleans courtyard with hanging atmospheric foliage, festoon lighting, a beautiful bespoke bar, a performance area for a jazz trio and concession stands selling popcorn, sweets, snacks and merchandise as well as a cloakroom area.

Five Guys Named Moe was first seen at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in 1990, it transferred to the West End and played for four years, subsequently playing on Broadway from 1992. Clarke Peters’ career defining musical features the irresistible hits of trailblazing ‘King of the Jukebox’Louis Jordan, including Early In The Morning, Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby, Choo Choo Ch’Boogie and Saturday Night Fish Fry. The soundtrack of soul, blues, gospel and early r ‘n’ b is performed on stage by a live band.

The production, which is to be directed by Peters himself,  is currently booking from 29 August to 25 November 2017, with an Opening Night on 14 September.

Five Guys Named Moe will be directed by Clarke Peters (The Wire, Treme, Person of Interest, Porgy and Bess, The Ice Man Cometh) with musical staging and choreography by Andrew Wright (Half a Sixpence, Singin’ in the Rain, Guys and Dolls), inspired by Charles Augins’ original choreography, set and costume design by takis (Side Show, In The Heights, Hairspray,The Good Person of Sichuan), lighting design by Philip Gladwell (The James Plays, Cymbeline, Trainspotting, After Miss Julie, Hairspray), sound design by Ben Harrison (Cabaret, Dreamboats and Petticoats, Dancing in the Streets, The King & I, Starlight Express, Blood Brothers, Soul Sister) and musical supervision from Steve Hill (Fame, RENT, The House That Nat Built, Bent, Hair).

Cameron Mackintosh said: “I am really thrilled that Underbelly are producing a brand new production of Five Guys Named Moe in London later this year. It’s a show that brought fun and joy to audiences in the West End for many years so it’s great to see its return for its 25th Anniversary. I am particularly excited that this new production is being staged in a Spiegeltent theatre specifically tailored for Five Guys so that Underbelly’s unique style will give audiences and the show a special intimate experience which will definitely make it the best party in town – a party which I’m delighted to support Underbelly in throwing.”

Clarke Peters said: “It’s a rare and wonderful thing to have the chance to direct a show that not only you have created but also performed in. It’s a show that is very close to my heart and soul and is so much of who I am. It’s an honour to return to it on its 25th Anniversary and reimagine the show in this new theatre space; one which is perfect for creating a closeness and dynamic energy between the story and the audience. Further to this it’s a treat to be working with a fantastic creative team and I can’t wait to transport audiences into the magical world of rhythm and blues. This rhythm will lift one and all from their blues!”

Robert Davis, Westminster City Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Heritage said: “Westminster City Council is delighted to be working with Underbelly Productions to bring Five Guys Named Moe to Marble Arch in its very own, bespoke theatre. Bringing this internationally acclaimed musical to this world-renowned, iconic space is a truly mouth-watering prospect that will further increase the cultural offer available to residents, businesses and visitors throughout the City of Westminster.  To quote the show itself; ‘Let The Good Times Roll!’”

Edward Baruwa’s (Nomax) theatre credits include: Motown (Shaftesbury Theatre); Peter Pan in Concert (Adelphi Theatre); Dessa Rose (Trafalgar Studios); Little Shop of Horrors (Aberystwyth Arts Centre); Sister Act (UK Tour); Smokey Joe’s Café (Landor Theatre); Avenue Q, (Noel Coward Theatre & Gielgud Theatre); Les Miserables (Queens Theatre); Porgy and Bess; (Savoy Theatre),Dancing in the Streets; (Cambridge/Aldwych Theatre); Jerry Springer the Opera (Cambridge Theatre); Miss Saigon (Original UK Tour); The Rocky Horror Show (European Tour); and The Wiz (Hackney Empire). Feature Film credits include: Florence Foster Jenkins and London Road.

Ian Carlyle’s (Four-Eyed Moe) recent theatre credits include: Showboat (Sheffield Crucible);Sister Act (National Theatre Dublin); Notre Dame de Paris (International Tour); Jesus Christ Superstar (UK National Arena Tour); We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre) Porgy and Bess(Savoy Theatre); Miss Saigon (UK Tour) and Disney’s The Lion King (Lyceum).

Dex Lee (Know Moe) most recently appeared in The Wild Party (The Other Palace). His theatre credits include: Grease (Curve, Leicester); Father Comes Home From The Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3)(Royal Court Theatre); In The Heights (King’s Cross Theatre and Southwark Playhouse)Hairspray (UK Tour); Carrie (Southwark Playhouse) and The Scottsboro Boys (Garrick Theatre).

Idriss Kargbo’s (Little Moe) credits include Wicked (Apollo Victoria); Shrek The Musical (UK Tour) Scottsboro Boys (Young Vic); Disney’s The Lion King; (Lyceum); Thriller Live! (Lyric Theatre) and Oliver! (Theatre Royal Drury Lane). Film credits include Been So Long.

Timothy Martin’s (Big Moe) musical credits include: Ragtime (Bologna Opera Theatre); Sister Act (UK Tour); Candide (Florence Opera Theatre); Rent (Trainon Theatre, Naples); The Full Monty (Italian Tour); Lady Day (Italian Tour); Tony, West Side Story (Theatre Argentina) and Treemonisha (New York City Parks). Theatre includes: Moby Dick (Italian Tour);Blue/Orange  (Italian Tour); Guess who’s Coming to Dinner (Italian Tour); The Blacks (Italian Tour) and Driving Miss Daisy (Manzoni Theatre). Television includes: The Amanda Knox Story; Black Butterfly and Bent.

Emile Ruddock’s (Eat Moe) recent theatre credits include: Crazy For You (Watermill Theatre); Kiss Me Kate (UK Tour); The Scottsboro Boys (Garrick Theatre and Young Vic Theatre);Avenue Q (Rugby Theatre); 42nd Street Gala (London Palladium and Dominion Theatre) and42nd Street (Rugby Theatre). His film and television credits include: The X Factor 2015 (Backing Dancer); The 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony and Got to Dance 2013 with ‘The Pulse Collective’.

Clarke Peters has a long-established and wide-ranging career in theatre, television, radio and film. His many stage credits include: King Lear (Shakespeare in the Park), Race, Chicago, The Iceman Cometh (New York), Guys and Dolls, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Mourning Becomes Electra (National Theatre), Porgy in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (Savoy Theatre), Driving Miss Daisy, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Little Shop of Horrors, Blues in the Night and Five Guys Named Moe also written by Clarke.  Films include: Spike Lee’s Red Hook Summer, Notting Hill, Mona Lisa, Bad Education, Marley and Me, Freedomland, The Benefactor, Endgame, Mandela: The Prison Years and Nativity! Peters is also known for his varied television career including regular appearances in The Wire, Tremé, Jericho, The Divide, Chance and The Corner.

Andrew Wright is a double Olivier Award nominee. He choreographed Half A Sixpence for Cameron Mackintosh (Chichester Festival Theatre, Noel Coward Theatre), Singin’ In The Rain  (Chichester Festival Theatre, Palace Theatre, UK national tour, Japan, Asia, Russia and Australia; winner of Best Choreographer WhatsOnStage Awards 2013 and nominated for Best Choreographer Olivier Awards 2012), Guys and Dolls (Chichester Festival Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, Savoy Theatre, UK national Tour; nominated for Best Choreographer Olivier Awards 2016 and Broadway World Awards 2014/16), Barnum  (Theatre in the Park, Chichester, UK national Tour), 42nd Street  (Chichester Festival Theatre, Curve Theatre, Leicester), The Critic/The Real Inspector Hound  (Minerva Theatre), High Society (UK national tour), Wonderful Town (UK national tour),Betty Blue Eyes  (UK national tour), Saturday Night Fever  (UK national tour), A Little Night Music  (Palace Theatre), Follies (Royal Albert Hall), the world premiere of Mrs Henderson Presents (Theatre Royal, Bath ,Noel Coward Theatre, Toronto), The Showgirl Within  (Garrick Theatre) and Almost Like Being In Love  (National Theatre).

The ensemble cast includes: Omari Douglas, Nathaniel Morrison and Mykal Rand.

Let the Good Times Roll!

Nica Burns presents the Sheffield Theatres production of

Music by Dan Gillespie Sells
Book and Lyrics by Tom MacRae
From an idea by Jonathan Butterell
Directed by Jonathan Butterell
Design by Anna Fleischle
Choreography by Kate Prince
Lighting design by Lucy Carter
Sound design by Paul Groothuis
Musical direction by Theo Jamieson
Casting by Will Burton

Apollo Theatre
Previews from Monday 6 November 2017
Press Night Wednesday 22 November 2017

Once upon a time there was a 16-year-old boy who had a secret he wanted to tell…

So, he approached a documentary film maker as you do, and asked if they would help him tell it. The resulting documentary was seen by a theatre director and it inspired him to create a musical. A producing regional theatre backed him. He then bumped into a famous musical theatre star who introduced him to a well-known pop composer who was working with a lyricist and book writer. The
theatre put on the production. A major producer saw it and offered them a West End theatre.

So, thanks to Jamie Campbell, Firecracker Films, Michael Ball, Sheffield Theatres and Nica Burns, a new British musical by a new British theatre writing and directing team, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie opens at the Apollo Theatre on Wednesday 22 November 2017.

Fairy tales really do come true.

“Touching, Funny, Joyous”
THE OBSERVER

“Sends you out on a feel-good bubble of happiness”
DAILY TELEGRAPH

“Everyone should really be talking about Jamie”
THE TIMES

“The show is terrific and John McCrea gives an exceptional performance. The West End has a talented new leading man.”
MICHAEL BALL

Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield.
Jamie doesn’t quite fit in.
Jamie is terrified about the future.
Jamie is going to be a sensation.

Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight. This fearless, funny, fabulous brand new musical sensation hits London with catchy new songs by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling Dan Gillespie Sells and writer Tom MacRae. Sixteen: the edge of possibility. Time to make your dreams come true.

John McCrea will reprise his role of Jamie, alongside the majority of the Sheffield Crucible cast including: Josie Walker, Mina Anwar, Tamsin Carroll and Daniel Anthony, Luke Baker, Courtney Bowman, James Gillian, Harriet Payne, Shiv Rabheru, Lucie Shorthouse, Kirstie Skivington.

Director Jonathan Butterell, Composer Dan Gillespie Sells and writer and lyricist Tom MacRae said:

“After Everybody’s Talking About Jamie was commissioned we spent three hours in a wig room in Sheffield in which we wrote the complete plot and framework for the show before catching the train back to London. The three of us just clicked and we were instantly a team. It has been a new adventure for all of us, this is our first musical and going from zero to West End has felt like a fairy tale.

There is a bit of all three of us that has ended up in Jamie. We knew we needed a very specially talented performer to play him and when John McCrea walked into the room he was perfect. We hope that audiences will see a bit of Jamie in themselves too.”

Producer and theatre owner Nica Burns said:

“Everybody seemed to be talking about the show so I went to see the final matinee in Sheffield with no expectations. I came out of the auditorium singing the tunes having laughed, cried, laughed again and dancing with happiness. I found the director, and immediately offered to produce the show in London
at one of my theatres. It had to come to the West End. This is an uplifting musical for our times and for everyone.”

Liz McClarnon and Louis Emerick join the cast of Elf: The Musical for its Christmas 2017 season

Further casting has been confirmed for Elf: The Musical which heads toTheatre Royal Plymouth and The Lowry, Salford for a limited run this winter.

Liverpudlian chart topper Liz McClarnon will star in the production as ‘Jovie’ and much loved British TV actor Louis Emerick will take on the role of ‘Santa Claus’. They will appear alongside previously announcedBen Forster as ‘Buddy’, Joe McGann as ‘Walter’ and Jessica Martin as ‘Emily Hobbs’, who all reprise their roles from the record-breaking 2015 Christmas run in the West End.

Liz McClarnon is well-known for being one third of British chart topping girl group Atomic Kitten. As part of the group Liz accumulated countless awards and a multitude of chart topping hits including “The Tide is High”, “Eternal Flame” and “Whole Again”. Atomic Kitten’s number one hit “Whole Again” spent four weeks in the UK charts as well as topping the charts in seventeen countries.

Liz has starred in an array of theatre productions including Legally Blonde, War Of The Worlds and more recently in the hit musical SHOUT.  She is also a regular on both TV and radio includingCelebrity Masterchef (2008 champion), Hotter Than My Daughter(BBC 3) and Heart North West Breakfast.

Louis Emerick is best known for his portrayal of Mick Johnson in the soap opera Brookside and for his recurring role of PC Walsh in Last of the Summer Wine. Numerous television and film credits also includeCold Feet, The Bill, Holby City, Doctors and Layer Cake (alongside Daniel Craig).

Alongside his numerous screen credits, Louis has proven himself as a highly accomplished and critically acclaimed stage actor. Notable theatre credits include; The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui alongside Mark Rylance (Contact Theatre, Manchester); On the Ledge (Royal Court, Liverpool), Basil and Beattie (Royal Exchange), the National Tour of Soap Opera, Bouncers (The Royal Court, Liverpool) and most recently the role of Horse in the National Tour of The Full Monty.

Elf: The Musical returns to Theatre Royal Plymouth for one week only, from Sat 11 – Sat 18 November before heading to The Lowry, Salford. The Salford venue will host the show’s first Christmas season outside of London from Fri 24 November 2017 until Sun 14 January 2018.

Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit starring Will Ferrell, Elf is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Michael Rose in association with the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin present the Theatre Royal Plymouth production of Elf at The Lowry.

Elf: The Musical features a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar andChad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer).

The production will feature direction and choreography by Morgan Young (Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), set design and costumes by Olivier Award winner Tim Goodchild, lighting design by Olivier Award winner Tim Lutkin, orchestrations by Doug Besterman, video design by Ian William Galloway and sound design by Avgoustos Psillas & Terry Jardine for Autograph.  Musical supervision will be by Stuart Morley.

Listings Info 
Elf: The Musical
Dates: Fri 24 November 2017 – Sun 14 January 2018
Times: 7.30pm. Wed, Sat & Sun 2pm.
Tickets: £25.50 – £58.50 (including booking fee)
Website

DUE TO OVERWHELMING PUBLIC DEMAND

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

JIM STEINMAN’S

BAT OUT OF HELL – THE MUSICAL

ADDS A FURTHER TWO WEEKS OF EXTRA PERFORMANCES

AT THE LONDON COLISEUM –

FINAL TWO-WEEK EXTENSION ON SALE NOW

With wonderful reactions from audiences, standing ovations every night and audiences singing their hearts out at the end of each performance, the producers of Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical are delighted to announce a further extension to the run at the London Coliseum this summer. The production officially opened in London’s West End last night, and, due to overwhelming public demand, a further two weeks of extra performances have been added.  This will be the final extension – the limited season must end 22 August 2017.

As with many great works of art, the genesis of the Bat Out Of Hell album occurred across a number of years.  One of the songs was written while Steinman was an undergraduate at Amherst College in the late 1960s.  In the 1970s, Steinman wrote a theatrical musical that was presented in workshop in Washington D.C. in 1974 and featured many of the songs that would ultimately appear on the Bat Out Of Hell album, which was released in 1977.

Bat Out Of Hell became one of the best-selling albums in history, selling over 50 million copies worldwide.  16 years later, Steinman scored again with Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell, which contained the massive hit I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That).

For the stage musical, the legendary and award-winning Jim Steinman has incorporated iconic songs from the Bat Out Of Hell albums, including You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth, Bat Out Of Hell, I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, as well as two previously unreleased songs, What Part of My Body Hurts the Most and Not Allowed to Love.

Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical is a romantic adventure about rebellious youth and passionate love, set against the backdrop of a post-cataclysmic city adrift from the mainland.  Strat, the forever young leader of The Lost, has fallen for Raven, daughter of Falco, the tyrannical, ruler of Obsidian.  

Jim Steinman’s previous musicals include his collaboration with Andrew Lloyd Webber on Whistle Down the Wind, including the hit single released by Boyzone, No Matter What, and the musical Tanz der Vampire, which has been running for 20 years and has been presented in Vienna, Stuttgart, Berlin, Hamburg, Paris, Budapest, Warsaw, St Petersburg and Tokyo.

Directed by award-winning theatre and opera director Jay Scheib, the cast of Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical is led by newcomer Andrew Polec as Strat and Christina Bennington as Raven, with Rob Fowler as Falco and Sharon Sexton as Sloane.  Also starring are Aran MacRae as Tink, Danielle Steers as Zahara, Dom Hartley-Harris as Jagwire, Giovanni Spano as Ledoux and Patrick Sullivan as Blake.  Also in the cast will be Jemma Alexander, Emily Benjamin, Stuart Boother, Georgia Carling, Natalie Chua, Jonathan Cordin, Amy Di Bartolomeo, Jordan Lee Davies, Olly Dobson, Hannah Ducharme, Isaac Edwards, Phoebe Hart, Linus Henriksson, Rosalind James, Kalene Jeans, Michael Naylor, Eve Norris, Tim Oxbrow, Andrew Patrick-Walker, Benjamin Purkiss, Anthony Selwyn, Courtney Stapleton and Ruben Van keer.

Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical has book, music and lyrics by Jim Steinman, direction by Jay Scheib, choreography by Emma Portner, with musical arrangements and supervision by Michael Reed, set design by Jon Bausor, costume design by Jon Bausor and Meentje Nielsen, video design by Finn Ross, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestration by Steve Sidwell, casting by David Grindrod Associates and musical direction by Robert Emery.

Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical is produced by David Sonenberg, Michael Cohl, Randy Lennox, Tony Smith.

Website:  www.BatOutOfHellMusical.com

Twitter & Facebook:  @BatTheMusical

LISTINGS INFORMATION

5 June – 22 August 2017

London Coliseum

St Martin’s Lane

London

WC2N 4ES

Performances:  Mon-Sat at 7.30pm, Thurs & Sat at 2.30pm (extra 2.30pm matinee on Tue 22 August)

Tickets:  from £15.00

Box Office:  020 7845 9300