Cilla The Musical Review

Palace Theatre, Manchester – until 25 November 2017.  Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

5*****

Cilla Black was an iconic woman who most of us know either from TV or her music career, died suddenly from a fall two years ago.  The musical Cilla is a homage to her life and the start of her career. We see young Cilla just an average scouse girl in the 1960s, and we follow her rise to stardom. The musical included songs by her and the Beatles who she had close connections with for a long time.

I cannot put into words how good Cilla was, we are given the best vocals you will ever hear from all the cast, but Kara Lily Hayworth (Cilla) played the role with so much perfection and finesse, I’m sure Cilla would be pleased, with how she sang and just captured her iconic character that the nation loved. We see how she grew up in Liverpool listening to the ‘Big Three’ and then started performing with them, then we are introduced to her friend Richard who is better known as Ringo. We see her relationship with her partner Bobby, played superbly by Carl Au.  They share the song ‘You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling’ together in the second act which took the whole audience breaths away. How can anyone talk about Cilla with mentioning Brian Epstein, one of the most famous managers in the world, played by Andrew Lancel – who knows the character pretty well as he played the man himself in the production of ‘Epstein- The Man Who Made The Beatles’.  Needless to say he gave the role a stellar performance capturing his complex character and relationship with Cilla Black

The staging and costumes captured the 1960s so well, with everything having a seamless finish, the scene changes took no more that 5 seconds and with the detail that some scenes had I was impressed, as at some points there was a whole array of furniture. The costumes mirror the decade and looked stunning on stage.

I could force anyone to see a show at this moment in time it would be to see this show, it is an instant classic with the lovable characters and iconic songs that you will be singing along to, the songs like ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’ and ‘You’re My World’. The musical is done to a standard that makes it seems like you aren’t even watching a show with the amount of precision from both the cast and crew.

The Tragedy of Macbeth – Shakespeare for the Game of Thrones generation

Icarus Theatre Collective with Millenium Forum, Derry present
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Shakespeare for the Game of Thrones generation
International Tour – January-April 2018

The vicious, barbaric undercurrent in Shakespeare’s fear-filled tragedy erupts in Icarus Theatre’s kinetic and blood-thirsty production.

Unrivalled on the battlefield, Macbeth is rewarded with rank and favour by a grateful king but the war has left its scars. With each enemy Macbeth butchers, his lust for power takes a more menacing grip. Spectres slaughtered on the battlefield drip poison in his ear, and passions erupt as he ferociously seizes the throne. But, violence breeds violence, and a reign born in blood quickly spirals out of control as Macbeth’s demons return to destroy him.

Set in the 11th century and culminating in an epic battle filled with revenge, justice, and beheadings, Icarus Theatre blends the traditional and the physical to bring to life some of literature’s most vibrant language and characters.

This production centres around the idea that Macbeth himself is suffering from PTSD. Director Max Lewendel comments, War is hell, and medieval warfare even more so. There is something in the psychology of PTSD that resonates here in a very Hitchcockian kind of way. This world is a supernatural nightmare for Macbeth and I wanted to explore the idea that the horrors of whathe has done and seen lurk in every shadow, in every corner.

In addition to this new psychological element, many of the traditional male roles are here cast
as female characters, stressing the importance of gender parity on stage. This is a patriarchal
world, but one that is being challenged by powerful women pushing forward change.

 

From Tudor queens to pop princesses, the 6 wives of Henry VIII sing their way out of the history books and into the spotlight in the London premiere of Six the musical at the ArtsTheatre

From Tudor queens to pop princesses, the 6 wives of Henry VIII sing their way out of the history books and into the spotlight in the London premiere of Six the musical at the Arts Theatre
 
Welcome to the show to the histo-remix…
From Tudor queens to pop princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII sing their way out of the history books and into the spotlight.

With songs including Ex Wives, Haus of Holbein and Don’t Lose Ur Head, this pop concert remixes five hundred years of historical heartbreak into one hour of 21st century sass.

If you thought this show was all about one man – you thought wrong!

Cast and creative team to be announced.

The London premiere of
by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss

Arts Theatre

Performances at 8pm on
18 December 2017
8, 15, 22 January 2018

www.sixthemusical.com

SIX started life with Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2017, where it was nominated for the inaugural Musical Theatre Review Best Musical Award. The original production attracted the attention of producers Kenny Wax and Global Musicals, who are presenting this all-new production for the show’s professional premiere at the Arts Theatre in London on 18 December, 8, 15 and 22 January.

Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss met at university, where they spent three years making theatre together and neglecting their degrees. In January 2017, they made their first foray into writing as a duo with the musical, SIX. Following the show’s success in Edinburgh, they are incredibly excited for its debut at the Arts Theatre. The team also make up two-thirds of the award- winning theatre company Hot Gay Time Machine, whose show, Hot Gay Time Machine,
enjoyed considerable success at the fringe this year, and a sold out run at The Other Palace in November.
LISTINGS

The London premiere of

by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss

ARTS THEATRE
6-7 Great Newport Street
London WC2H 7JB

Box office:020 7836 8463

Book Tickets at
artstheatrewestend.co.uk

Performances:
Monday 18 December 2017 at 8pm
Monday 8 January 2018 at 8pm
Monday 15 January 2018 at 8pm
Monday 22 January 2018 at 8pm

Running time: 70 mins (approx) no interval

Tickets:
£15 in advance, £20 on the day

Social media:
Facebook: sixthemusical
Twitter: @sixthemusical
www.sixthemusical.com

LEADING THEATRE WEBSITE WHATSONSTAGE ANNOUNCE RESULTS OF POLL ON THE NATION’S FAVOURITE SHOWTUNES

WHATSONSTAGE ANNOUNCE RESULTS OF POLL ON THE NATION’S FAVOURITE SHOWTUNES

Leading theatre website, WhatsOnStage, launched a poll to find the nation’s favourite showtunes. With thousands of votes cast, the clear winner was “One Day More” from Les Miserables – reflecting the show’s huge popularity as the West End’s longest running musical, opening in 1985. It continues to play to packed houses today.

Les Miserables had 7 songs in the top 100, only eclipsed by the US phenomenon Hamilton with 8 songs – the latter opens next month in London at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

Wicked also performed strongly, with 4 songs in the top 100. The top composers were Lin Manuel Miranda with 10 songs, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Andrew Lloyd Webber both with 9 songs, followed by Stephen Sondheim and Alan Menken with 5 songs each.

WhatsOnStage’s Chief Operating Officer Sita McIntosh said today, “We had an unprecedented response to our top 100 showtunes of all time poll and the result shows that people’s favourite musical songs are a wonderfully varied mix. Tunes from shows such as Les Miserables and HamiltonWicked and CompanyIn the Heights and Matilda sit happily side by side.

“There were several appearances of songs from shows that have been recently revived – including Follies and Gypsy – as well as old school classics such as West Side Story. The list also clearly demonstrates the appetite for Hamilton, which is due to open in London next month. And isn’t it great to see a tune from new American musical Dear Evan Hansen – which hasn’t yet made it over to these shores – alongside veteran towering greats in the top ten? “

THE TOP 100:

1 “One Day More” from Les Miserables

2. “Defying Gravity” from Wicked

3. “The Phantom of the Opera” from The Phantom of the Opera

4. “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables

5. “Being Alive” from Company

6. “Alexander Hamilton” from Hamilton

7. “Seasons of Love” from Rent

8. “Waving Through a Window” from Dear Evan Hansen

9. “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from Funny Girl

10. “Tonight” from West Side Story

 

11-20

11. “Rose’s Turn” from Gypsy. 12. “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from Les Miserables. 13. “Music of the Night” from Phantom. 14. “For Good” from Wicked. 15. “On My Own” from Les Miserables. 16. “Memory” from Cats. 17. “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables. 18. “Stars” from Les Miserables. 19. “Somewhere” from West Side Story. 20. “My Shot” from Hamilton.

21-30

21. “No Good Deed” from Wicked. 22. “Send in the Clowns” from A Little Night Music. 23. “Springtime for Hitler” from The Producers. 24. “50 Percent” from Ballroom. 25. “Heaven On Their Minds” from Jesus Christ Superstar. 26. “Losing My Mind” from Follies. 27. “Wait for It” from Hamilton. 28. “Anthem” from Chess. 29. “I’m Here” from The Color Purple. 30. “And I Am Telling You” from Dreamgirls.

31-40

31. “Falling Slowly” from Once. 32. “Gethsemane” from Jesus Christ Superstar. 33. “Non-Stop” from Hamilton. 34. “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat” from Guys and Dolls. 35. “Burn” from Hamilton. 36. “The Wizard and I” from Wicked. 37. “This is the Moment” from Jekyll & Hyde. 38. “When I Grow Up” from Matilda. 39. “Yorktown” from Hamilton. 40. “96000” from In the Heights.

41-50

41. “Anything Goes” from Anything Goes. 42. “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” from Evita. 43 “Quiet” from Matilda. 44. “Raise You Up” from Kinky Boots. 45. “The Sound of Music” from The Sound of Music. 46. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel. 47. “A Weekend in the Country” from A Little Night Music. 48. “All That Jazz” from Chicago. 49. “Listen” from Dreamgirls. 50. “Do Re Mi” from Sound of Music.

51-60

51. “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” from Gypsy. 52. “Ring of Keys” from Fun Home. 53. “For Forever” from Dear Evan Hansen. 54. “Friend Like Me” from Aladdin. 55. “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess. 56. “I Am What I Am” from La Cage Aux Folles. 57. “I Know Him So Well” from Chess. 58. “If I Loved You” from Carousel. 59. “La Vie Boheme” from Rent. 60. “Take Me Or Leave Me” from Rent.

 

61-70

61. “Once and For All” from Newsies. 62. “Revolting Children” from Matilda. 63. “Santa Fe” from Newsies. 64. “Satisfied” from Hamilton. 65. “She Used To Be Mine” from Waitress. 66. “Singin’ in the Rain” from Singin’ in the Rain. 67. “Til I Hear You Sing” from Love Never Dies. 68. “Tomorrow” from Annie. 69. “The Room Where it Happens” from Hamilton. 70. “Gold” from Once.

71-80

71. “If I Were a Rich Man” from Fiddler on the Roof. 72. “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist” from Avenue Q. 73. “Bui Doi” from Miss Saigon. 74. “Circle of Life” from The Lion King. 75. “I’m Still Here” from Follies. 76. “Javert’s Soliloquy” from Les Miserables. 77. “Luck Be A Lady” from Guys and Dolls. 78. “Make Them Hear You” from Ragtime. 79. “Man Up” from Book of Mormon. 80. “Stars and the Moon” from Songs For a New World.

81-90

81. “Out There” from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. 82. “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” from Hello, Dolly!. 83. “Run Freedom Run” from Urinetown. 84. “Suddenly Seymour” from Little Shop of Horrors. 85. “Sunday” from Sunday in the Park With George. 86. “Ol Man River” from Show Boat. 87. “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” from My Fair Lady. 88. “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” from Phantom of the Opera. 89. “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray. 90. “All That Matters” from Finding Neverland.

91-100

91. “America” from West Side Story. 92. “Any Dream Will Do” from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. 93. “Aquarius” from Hair. 94. “As Long As He Needs Me” from Oliver!. 95. “Breathe” from In the Heights. 96. “Cabaret” from Cabaret. 97. “Cell Block Tango” from Chicago. 98. “Dead Girl Walking” from Heathers. 99. “And Eve Was Weak” from Carrie the Musical. 100. “Electricity” from Billy Elliot.

My Fair Lady Review

Grand Opera House York – until Saturday 25th November.  Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

4****

Based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion, Pick Me Up Theatre brings My Fair Lady to the stage at the Grand Opera House in York this week.

Most of us know the tale of Eliza Doolittle (Toni Feetenby) and her transformation from the cockney flower girl into an elegant lady, tutored by the smug and pompous Professor Henry Higgins (Rory Mulvihill), who is a linguistics expert. Egged on by Colonel Pickering (Mark Hird), they make a wager on whether or not Higgins will succeed and turn Eliza into a lady able to mix with royalty.

All Eliza wants to do is to own her own flower shop as opposed to selling flowers in the street, struggling to make a living. Eliza agrees to take lessons with Higgins, in fact she approaches him and offers to pay before moving into his house at 27a Wimpole Street, in the belief she will better herself and increase her chances in opening her own shop.

Before her transformation, Eliza is loud and brash, and cries like a strangled cat when things go wrong, wiping her nose on her sleeve in the process, but this all changes after her elocution lessons with Higgins. In fact, she is mistaken for European royalty following her transformation and outing at the Embassy Ball, a success all round, or is it?

Feetenby delivers a superb performance as the leading lady, her transformation is wonderful to watch and the work and effort put into her role with the changing of character and accents is amazing. She seamlessly delivers both parts with equal success. This is the third time she has played Eliza Doolittle over the years and you can tell how comfortable she is with the role. Mulvihil was convincing playing the arrogant, controlling, sometimes awkward and yet ultimately charming role of Professor Henry Higgins. His treatment of Eliza at time is so belittling and condescending, trying to really disguise his true feelings, you couldn’t help but love and loathe him at the same time. Just like Feetenby, My Fair Lady is not new to him having previously played Higgins in an earlier production. The lead characters were superb, perfectly cast and performed with great voices.

I must also mention Sam Hird as Freddy Eynsford-Hill, the lovelorn young chap in love with Eliza, his singing just blew me away, what a voice!

The stage was well used and the choreography was excellent, especially considering the amount of performers there were on stage. The costumes were also excellent, at times beautiful, and the amount of changes that all the cast had was staggering, how all managed that so successfully is a feat on its own. All I can say is that the back of house did a fantastic job and a huge well done must go to all who we never get to see.

It is always great to hear live music at theatre show and this was no exception, though at times I did find the orchestra to be overly loud and not necessarily always consistent in their playing. Saying that it did not detract from the singing or overall effect of the show. I did also find that there were a couple of scenes that really dragged on just a bit too long for me, which made for a very long show.

Overall the large cast worked well on stage, with near flawless performances by all. I’m always amazed at how supposedly amateur productions put on such professional shows and I had to keep reminding myself that it was in fact an amateur show, the only way I could tell was because of the very large cast. It was a credit to the well-loved film, and a brilliant display of teamwork and how amateur theatre should be done.

 

Dancing On Ice announces Live UK Tour

23rd MARCH – 15th APRIL 2018

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 24th NOVEMBER AT 8.00AM

STARRING

TORVILL & DEAN

AS TOUR HOSTS AND HEAD JUDGES

 

The Dancing on Ice Live UK Tour will be skating back across the country next yearstarring the legendary Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.  Following a four year break, this spectacular new show will perform all over the UK throughout March and April 2018.  Tickets for this live extravaganza will go on sale at 8.00am on Friday 24th November.

 

Joining Torvill & Dean on tour will be a host of celebrities and professional skaters from the new Dancing on Ice series, which starts on ITV in January next year.  Jayne & Chris will host the tour once more and take up their new roles as Head Judges.  The King and Queen of Ice will be on hand to give their expert critical feedback and their all-important scores to the celebrities and their skating partners.

 

In addition to the scores from the Ice Panel Judges, arena audiences can text vote from their mobile phones for their favourite skating couple.  Audience votes will then be added to the scores from the Judges to decide the overall celebrity winning couple.  They will then take to the ice to perform a magical finale. 

 

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean said: “We are delighted that Dancing on Ice Live is touring again next year.  We really enjoyed hosting the last tour in 2014, so we’ll be doing that again, plus we’re taking on our new roles as Head Judges.  The tour has struck such a huge chord with audiences around the country ever since it began in 2007 and we can’t wait to be back on the road in 2018, with a bigger and better live show for all the family to enjoy.”

 

The 27 show spectacular will open at The SSE Arena, Wembley on 23 March.  The tour will then visit some of the biggest entertainment venues across the UK, including Sheffield’s FlyDSA Arena, Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena, Manchester Arena, the SSE Hydro in Glasgow and a homecoming at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.  The tour culminates at the Arena Birmingham on 15 April.

 

 

 

Tickets for DANCING ON ICE LIVE TOUR 2018

will be on sale from Friday 24th November

 

23 – 25 March             London: The SSE Arena, Wembley             0844 815 0815

(Friday 23rd at 7.30pm, Saturday 24th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 25th at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

27– 29 March             Sheffield: FlyDSA Arena                                0114 256 5656

(Tuesday 27th at 7.30pm, Wednesday 28th at 7.30pm, Thursday 29th at 7.30pm)

30 March – 01 April    Newcastle: Metro Radio Arena                    0844 493 6666

(Friday 30th at 7.30pm, Saturday 31st at 2.30pm & 7.30pm and Sunday 1st at 1.30pm)

03 – 04 April                Manchester Arena                                         0844 847 8000

(Tuesday 3rd April at 7.30pm and Wednesday 4th April at 2.30pm & 7.30pm)

06 – 08 April                Glasgow: SSE Hydro                                      0844 395 4000

(Friday 6th at 7.30pm, Saturday 7th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 8th at 1.30pm)

10 – 12 April                Nottingham: Motorpoint Arena                  0843 373 3000

(Tuesday 10th at 7.30pm, Wednesday 11th at 7.30pm and Thursday 12th at 7.30pm)

13 – 15 April               Arena Birmingham                                        0844 338 8000

(Friday 13th at 7.30pm, Saturday 14th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 15th at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

 

Tickets: £35 – £65 (bands venue dependent) 

The O2 prices are £36 – £66 (Inclusive of a £1 per ticket venue facility fee)

All ticket prices are subject to a booking fee

 

 

 

To book tickets or for further information visit: www.dancingonicetour.co.uk 

Facebook:           /dancingonicetour

Instagram:          @DancingOnIceTour

Twitter:                @DOI_Tour

Hashtags:            #DOITour

                                #DancingOnIceTour

Emma Rice’s production of Noël Coward’s ‘Brief Encounter’ will play The Lowry Tue 20 – Sat 24 February 2018.

Emma Rice’s production of Noël Coward’s ‘Brief Encounter’ to play The Lowry

Brief Encounter
Tue 20 – Sat 24 February 2018

Kneehigh’s production of Noël Coward’s ‘Brief Encounter,’ adapted and directed by Emma Rice, will play The Lowry (Tue 20 – Sat 24 February 2018) before a West End run. 

The award-winning Kneehigh Theatre production will be produced by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers, Jenny & Steve Wiener and The Old Vic. 


Emma Rice said, “I’ve always loved getting lost in the dark, and the cinema is one of the best places to do it.  However, a film doesn’t change.  It carries on whether you are there or not; performances are captured forever, never altering. 

“My production of ‘Brief Encounter’ combines the romance of cinema with all that live theatre can offer; magic, passion, surprise, suggestion and naughtiness.  I carry this show in my heart and couldn’t be more excited to return to this heart-pounding production. Radical and romantic, nostalgic but oh, so relevant – let passions ignite!”

Producers David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers said, “Emma Rice’s award-winning theatrical production of Brief Encounter is one of the highlights of our producing career. It is incredibly exciting to bring it to The Lowry before a West End run. Our wonderful stage production of ‘Brief Encounter’ switches between live action and film, so we will once again be turning the cinema into a theatre especially for this show.


“We are very proud to be working again with Emma on this spellbinding production, which we hope a new generation will now have the chance to see, as well as those who may have missed it the first time or loved it so much they just have to come back and see it again.”

A chance meeting in a railway station café where they were brought together by Laura ‘getting a little piece of grit in my eye’, led to one of the most haunting and heart-breaking love stories ever told.  The award-winning Kneehigh production of Noël Coward’s ‘Brief Encounter,’ which was originally produced at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, triumphed in the West End in 2008 and subsequently received great critical acclaim on Broadway and went on to tour worldwide.  It was described by Ben Brantley in the New York Times as ‘surely the most enchanting work of stagecraft ever inspired by a movie.’

‘Brief Encounter’ will be directed by Emma Rice, designed by Neil Murray, with lighting by Malcolm Rippeth, original music by Stu Barker, sound by Simon Baker and projection by Gemma Carrington & Jon Driscoll.

 

First Casting Announced For Story of Lennon’s Missing Banjo

“The very first tune I ever learned to play was ‘That’ll Be The Day’. My mother Julia taught it to me on the banjo, sitting there with endless patience until I managed to work out all the chords”
JOHN LENNON
 
FIRST CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR STORY OF LENNON’S MISSING BANJO
Lennon’s Banjo – one of the most hotly-anticipated new plays of 2018 – will premiere at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre next spring.
 
And today producers reveal the first four cast members who will appear in this fascinating romp through Beatledom to find the holy grail of pop memorabilia – the first instrument John Lennon learnt to play – missing for 60 years and now worth millions!
 
Coronation Street and Doctor Who’s Eric Potts will play tour guide and Beatle nerd Barry in the world premiere. Barry’s love for the Fab Four is all consuming but his obsession and relentless ramblings is a constant irritation to his so-called friends.
 
Jake Abraham takes on the role of disgruntled Beatles Shop co-owner Steve, a guy who has heard Yellow Submarine once too often and is now desperate to escape to a new life. Also signed up to appear are Lynn Francis and Roy Carruthers. Lynn will play work-weary pub landlady Brenda, and Barry’s only true friend, while Roy takes on the role of ruthless Texan businessman Tony DeVito.
 
Produced by Pulse Records Ltd in association with Bill Elms, Lennon’s Banjo will open at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre on Tuesday 24 April 2018 for a two-week run, continuing through until Saturday 5 May.
 
On 9 October 1957, a young John Lennon turned 17. It was the last birthday he would spend with his mother, Julia, who was killed the following summer in a road traffic accident. 2018 2018 marks the 60th anniversary of Julia’s death and the banjo’s disappearance.
 
It is well documented that Lennon was estranged from his parents and brought up by his Aunt Mimi. He said in many of his interviews: “I lost my mother twice. Once when I was five-years-old when she left me with my Aunt Mimi, and again at 17 when she was run over by a drunken off-duty police officer.”
 
It was Julia Lennon who introduced John to the world of pop music, teaching him to play rock and roll on a banjo, given to her by John’s grandfather. Lennon often recounted how he would sneak off to visit his mum who lived only a few miles away. There, he would learn to play songs like ‘That’ll Be The Day’. He has been quoted as saying: “Mum would sit there with endless patience until I managed to work out all the chords.”
 
Mysteriously, the banjo went missing shortly after Julia Lennon’s death and no-one has set eyes on it since. One thing is certain though, if it did resurface it is estimated to be worth in the region of five million pounds.
 
“The intrigue and mystery surrounding Lennon’s missing banjo, and the logic that it could be sitting in somebody’s attic right now, has the potential to make headlines around the world. The story crosses over beautifully from fiction to fact and back again to tease and tantalise you into believing every word is true.” Trinity Mirror
 
So where do the facts end and the fiction begin? Everything will be revealed in this intriguing, colourful and fast-paced comic caper starring a talented cast of actors.
 
Bristol Old Vic-trained Eric Potts played baker Diggory Compton in Coronation Street, and has also starred in Still Game, Doctor Who and Last of the Summer Wine. His theatre appearances includeBrassed Off, When We Are Married, Art, Footloose and Cissie and Ada.
 
And the actor, writer and director is also a panto legend, writing many of the First Family Entertainments’ Christmas shows.
 
Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels star Jake Abraham has an extensive list of film, TV and theatre credits to his name including 51st State, Game of Thrones, Justice, Red Dwarf, and, on stage, On the Ledge, You’ll Never Walk Alone, The Ale House and Council Depot Blues.
 
Lynn Francis is a regular on the Liverpool theatre stage. She has recently appeared in two runs of The Royal at Royal Court Liverpool. Other credits include Ladies Day, A Nightmare On Lime Street andThe Salon.
 
Roy Carruthers’ stage credits include Twopence To Cross The Mersey, Ladies Night, Funny Money andNight Collar. His screen appearances include Good Cop, Longford and Sparkle.
 
Lennon’s Banjo is written and co-produced by Rob Fennah.
 
Rob said: “It’s like The Beatles meets the Da Vinci Code. As a huge Beatles’ fan myself, I have matched the story to historical reality including dates, places and events. I want everyone to enjoy the romp through Beatledom in search of the holy grail of pop memorabilia and come out of the theatre believing, as I do, that the banjo is still out there somewhere just waiting to be found.”
 
The new play is based on the 2012 novel Julia’s Banjo by Rob Fennah and Helen A Jones.
 
No stranger to theatre, Fennah wrote both the musical and stage play adaptations of Helen Forrester’s Twopence to Cross the Mersey. He is currently working on the stage play sequel to Twopence, By The Waters Of Liverpool which is being premiered at the Liverpool Empire in October 2018.
 
Lennon’s Banjo is directed by Mark Heller.
 
Mark said: “I’m really excited to be a part of Lennon’s Banjo, and to work with such a talented experienced cast.
 
“I can’t wait to jump, full steam ahead, into rehearsals and start exploring this adventurous mystery caper that Rob has created with his marvellous script – working with the cast to bring these fun, eclectic bunch of characters to life.”
 
The creative team behind the show have previously announced the Fab Four Production Partners onboard as being The Cavern, The Beatles Story, Hard Days Night Hotel, and The Beatles Shop.
 
Missing for 60 years… The holy grail of pop is now worth millions to whoever finds it! 
 
For more info visit www.lennonsbanjo.com
 
 
LISTING INFORMATION

LENNON’S BANJO
Epstein Theatre 
Tue 24 April – Sat 5
 May 2018
Tickets from £16
Group Rates Available
 
HOW TO BOOK
 
Tickets are on sale now. 

Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of the War of the Worlds – Alive on Stage Returns

Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle – Saturday 1st December 2018

Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds – Alive on Stage returns to UK arenas next year to celebrate its 40th ANNIVERSARY, at the Newcastle Metro Radio Arena on Saturday 1st December 2018.

Conducted by Jeff Wayne, with the 9-piece Black Smoke Band and 36-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings, the most ambitious production yet will ‘break through the fourth wall’ to bring the action closer to the audience for a most captivating and immersive experience.

The show, which is mixed live in Surround Sound, will also feature Liam Neeson in 3D holography, the incredible 3-tonne 35-foot tall Martian Fighting Machine firing real flames, the incineration of a cast member in full view of the audience, and a ground-breaking levitation effect! Full cast to be announced soon!

Nearly 40 years on, Jeff Wayne’s double album has grown into a true classic, and has sold over 15 million records worldwide, with two International hit singles – ‘Forever Autumn’ and ‘The Eve of The War’, spending over 330 weeks in the UK album charts. It has also won two prestigious UK Ivor Novello Awards, the US Best Recording in Science Fiction and Fantasy, and for Jeff, Classic Rock’s ‘Showman of The Year’ Award.

DON’T MISS your chance to experience this spectacular Arena production and join the 40 YEAR celebrations!

Jeff Wayne said: “In June 1978 my original double album was released. I had no idea if it would vanish as quickly as one can say… “ULLAdubULLA!” But here I am today, soon to be celebrating its

40th Anniversary throughout 2018, culminating in what I believe will be the most exciting arena tour we’ve ever performed. No one would have believed…

Tickets will go on sale Friday 24th November 2017 and are available online, from the booking hotline number 0844 493 6666 or in person from the Metro Radio Arena Box Office. Please note venue facility and booking fees will apply.

Tickets are available from:-

  • Credit Card Booking and Information Line 0844 493 6666
  • The Metro Radio Arena Newcastle Box Office (Mon – Fri: 10.00am – 4.00pm, Sat: 11.00am – 2.30pm)
  • Internet Site:- www.metroradioarena.co.uk
  • Group Bookers should call (0191) 260 6006
  • Accessible Bookings should call 0844 493 6666 for further details

Summer Holiday – a brand new production of the feel-good musical to tour the UK in 2018

SUMMER HOLIDAY

A BRAND NEW PRODUCTION OF THE FEEL- GOOD MUSICAL FEATURING CLIFF RICHARD’S CLASSIC HITS

WILL TOUR THE UK IN 2018/19

Based on the iconic 1960’s film starring Cliff Richard and The Shadows this brand new stage musical includes all of the number one hits from the movie, plus some additional Cliff Richard classics. The famous red double-decker bus with make its first stop at the Liverpool Empire on 8 May 2018 before touring the UK.

Summer Holiday tells the story of Don and his fellow London Transport mechanics as they journey together in a red double-decker bus through Paris, the Alps, Italy and Greece. Along the way they pick up a girl singing group and a young American pop star who is on the run from her domineering mother!

This hit – filled musical features many of 1960’s biggest songs including In the CountrySummer HolidayTravellin’ LightBachelor BoyMove ItLiving DollThe Young Ones and On the Beach.

Tickets for Summer Holiday are on sale now. Star casting to be announced.

WEBSITETWITTER

 

SUMMER HOLIDAY

 

Stage Adaptation by Michael Gyngell and Mark Haddigan

 

Based on the film SUMMER HOLIDAY, Directed by Peter Yates

Screenplay by Ronald Cass and Peter Myers

By special arrangement with StudioCanal

Orchestrations by Keith Strachan

Presented by arrangement with

Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited

On behalf of Josef Weinberger Limited

Executive Producer

David King

Director and Choreographer

Racky Plews

SUMMER HOLIDAY – 2018 UK TOUR DATES

Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 May                                                     Box Office: 0844 871 3017

Liverpool Empire                                                                              Website: www.atgtickets.com/liverpool

Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 May                                                   Box Office: 0844 871 7652

Milton Keynes Theatre                                                                  Website: www.atgticket.com/miltonkeynes

Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 May                                                   Box Office: 0844 871 7645

New Victoria Theatre, Woking                                                   Website: www.atgtickets.com/woking

Tuesday 29 May – Saturday 2 June                                           Box Office: 01904 623568

York Theatre Royal                                                                          Website: www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 June                                                       Box Office: 020 3285 6000

Churchill Theatre, Bromley                                                          Website: www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 June                                                  Box Office:  0844 871 3011

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham                                     Website: www.atgtickets.com/birmingham

Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 June                                                  Box Office: 0844 871 3014

Edinburgh Playhouse                                                                     Website: www.atgtickets.com/edinburgh

Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 June                                                  Box Office: 01752 267222

Theatre Royal, Plymouth                                                              Website: www.theatreroyal.com

Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 July                                                    Box Office: 0844 871 7650

Theatre Royal, Brighton                                                                                Website: www.atgtickets.com/brighton

Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 July                                                    Box Office: 0844 856 1111 ON SALE SOON

Blackpool Winter Gardens                                                           Website: www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

Tuesday 30 July – Saturday 4 August                                       Box Office: 0844 848 2700

Leeds Grand Theatre                                                                     Website:www.leedsgrandtheatre.com

Tuesday 22 – Saturday 27 August                                               Box Office: 01702 351135

Cliffs Pavilion, Southend                                                               Website: www.southendtheatres.org.uk

Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 September                                          Box Office: 01322 220000 ON SALE SOON

Orchard Theatre, Dartford                                                           Website: www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

Tuesday 11 – Saturday 15 September                                     Box Office: 01244 409113 ON SALE SOON

Chester Storyhouse                                                                        Website: www.storyhouse.com

Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 September                                     Box Office: 0844 871 7646 ON SALE SOON

New Wimbledon Theatre                                                             Website: www.atgticket.com/wimbledon

Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 September                                     Box Office: 01325 405405 ON SALE SOON

Darlington Hippodrome                                                                                Website: www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 October                                                                Box Office: 0844 871 7649 ON SALE SOON

Regent Theatre, Stoke                                                                  Website: www.atgtickets.com/stoke

Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 October                                           Box Office: 0844 871 7607 ON SALE SOON

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre                                                     Website www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury

Tuesday 30 October – Saturday 3 November                       Box Office: 0844 871 7647 ON SALE SOON

Kings Theatre, Glasgow                                                                 Website: www.atgtickets.com/glasgow

FURTHER DATES FOR 2018 AND 2019 TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON