Month: November 2017

Leeds Grand Theatre – until 2 December 2017 then on tour around the UK

5*****

Fat Friends the Musical has had its world premiere in Leeds and it’s a wonderful life affirming story of love and acceptance set in Headingley, a part of Leeds in Yorkshire.

Written, or given birth to, by Kay Mellor who wrote the tv show on which this based and with music by Nick Lloyd Webber, who proves talent runs in the family.

Kelly Stephenson (Jodie Prenger) is marrying Kevin Murgatroyd (Andrew “Freddie”Flintoff) in 6 weeks.  She has fallen in love with her dream gown, 2 sizes too small for her and is persuaded to join Super Slimmers with the promise of having the entire wedding paid for by Super Slimmers founder Julia Fleshman (Natasha Hamilton).  With the lives of the other members of the slimming club causing chaos to ensue.

Jodie Prenger is phenomenal as Kelly, beautiful and confident and happy in her own skin.  Her outfit for her hen night is stunning.  Freddie Flintoff, famous for playing cricket and Sports Personality of the Year 2005, is actually quite good – he can sing, he can dance and he can act – clearly a man of many talents.  His character of Kevin loves every glorious curve and sexy inch of Kelly and it’s only when he thinks she has lost weight that the problems start.

Rachel Wooding shines as Kelly’s sister Joanne.  Thin with no need to diet she has some amazing one liners but proves her metal and family loyalty.  Sam Bailey is mum to Kelly, Betty, who has lost 5 stone whilst living and working in a chippie.  Kevin Kennedy is dad Fergus.  Their song, sung to Kelly, If You Don’t Want to Marry Him is beautiful  – filled with the emotion of parents wanting the best for their child.

Class leader Lauren (Natalie Anderson) thinks she needs to lose 2 pounds for life to be perfect even though Vicar Paul (Jonathan Helliwell) thinks she is pretty perfect already, exploring the theory that even thin people have body image issues.  Paramedic Alan (Neil Hurst) used to be happily married until his wife joined a gym and lost weight and left him.  And with Look North following Kelly’s weight loss, reporter Val (Chloe Hart) is under pressure to lose weight or she won’t be able to sit on the tv sofa anymore.

The ensemble (Craig Armstrong, Emma Crossley, Ellie Leah, Laura Mansell, Ryan Pidgen, Lizzie Bea and Paul Brangan) dazzle. They sing, they dance, they even do zumba with aplomb.

The set and costumes by Bretta Gerecke are stunning.  The set converts into a multitude of scenes by just simple moves and the costumes, the hen night scene in particular are impressive in their worship of the curve.  Not one of the costumes ridicules the size but enhances the form.

The live band (Jon Ranger, Nick Pinchbeck, Jennah Smart, Jacob Phillips, Zeb Tonkin, Bret Vanderburg and Josh Carpenter) play Simon Lee’s arrangements with perfection and Karen Bruce’s choreography is quite fabulous.  With first class lighting and sound by Nick Richings and Gareth Owen Sound.

Mellor has written a gloriously stunning musical.  The script and lyrics are wonderful.  Throughout the show I cried with laughter and I cried with emotion all down to the majesty of Mellor’s words.

I can’t impress on you enough how wonderful this show is but let’s cry out the overriding theme of the show of “Love who you are”, “Everyone is Beautiful” and “Diets are Crap”.

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

CALLISTO: A QUEER EPIC

 

Forward Arena presents

Callisto: a queer epic

By Hal Coase

Director: Thomas Bailey; Artistic Director: Emma D’Arcy

Composer and Sound Designer: Tom Stafford Lighting Designer: Matt Swithinbank

Costumer Designer: Lily O’Hara

Arcola Theatre

5 December – 23 December

Press performance: 8 December, 8pm

Following a sell-out run last year, Forward Arena today announces the full cast for Hal Coase’s Callisto: a queer epic, which returns to Arcola Theatre as their final production this year. Thomas Bailey directs returning cast members, Georgia Bruce (Amy/Melissa), Nicholas Finerty (Cal/Harold/Hart), Mary Higgins(Katherine/Lola), Phoebe Hames (Isobel Morcom/Aunty/Nurse) and Marilyn Nadebe (Arabella); joined by Jonathan Purkiss (Lorn/Richard/Killigrew), Darren Siah (Alan/Blake/Dryden) and Francesca Zoutewelle(Tammy). Callisto: a queer epic opens at Arcola Theatre on 8 December, with previews from 5 December and runs until 23 December.

Callisto: a queer epic is a swirling constellation of remarkable queer stories.  In London, 1680, opera star Arabella Hunt has secretly entered into the first recorded gay marriage in UK history. In Worcester, 1936, Alan Turing pays one final visit to Isobel Morcom, mother of his lost first love, Christopher. In the San Fernando Valley, 1979, Tammy Frazer arrives at Callisto Pornographic Studios, searching for the love of her life. And on the Moon, 2223, Lorn is building a paradise to sleep in, but Cal, his A.I. companion, is determined to keep him awake.

Hal Coase’s work has been performed at Camden People’s Theatre, Arcola Theatre, Pleasance Theatre, Ashmolean and North Wall Arts Centre. He has just finished work on a stage adaptation of Virginia Woolf’sMrs Dalloway for the National Youth Theatre which plays at the Ambassadors Theatre in November and December.

                               

Georgia Bruce plays Amy/Melissa. Her credits include ArtsLab: Comedy Troll (North Wall Arts Centre), and The Oxford Revue: Hello You (Edinburgh Fringe).

 

Nicholas Finerty plays Cal/Harold/Hart. Theatre credits include Children and Animals (North Wall Arts Centre, Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Romeo and Juliet (Southwark Playhouse, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre) and Grimm (Edinburgh Festival Fringe).

Mary Higgins plays Lola. Her credits include The Norman Conquests Trilogy (Oxford Playhouse), Circleville, Circlevalley (Edinburgh Festival Fringe). She also co-wrote Hotter (Edinburgh Festival Fringe) which will play at Clapham Omnibus in February.

Phoebe Hames returns to the Arcola to play Isobel Morcom/Aunty/Nurse and previously appeared in Alice in Wonderland. Other hteatre credits include Romeo and Juliet and (Southwark Playhouse, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre).

 

Marilyn Nadebe reprises the role of Arabella. Recent theatre credits include Titus Andronicus (Edinburgh Fringe), Orlando: The Queer Element (Hanbury Hall).

Jonathan Purkiss plays Lorn/Richard/Killigrew. Recent theatre credits include The Pillowman (Oxford Playhouse) and Romeo and Juliet (Southwark Playhouse).

Darren Siah plays Alan/Blake/Dydren. Recent theatre credits include Sketch!  (Soho Theatre Downstairs), Rent (Exeter Phoenix Theatre), August Osage County (Exeter Northcott Theatre), On Hold (Edinburgh Festival Fringe & White Bear Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Petersfield Shakespeare Festival). For film her credits include Four Quartets and The Origami Crane.

 

Francesca Zoutewelle plays Tammy. Her theatre credits include Twelfth Night (Flute Theatre), Hamlet(Trafalgar Studios, Park Theatre and European Tour),) Into the Woods, Britannia Wave the Rules (Royal Exchange, Manchester), The Last Days of Troy (Shakespeare’s Globe and Royal Exchange, Manchester) and Merlin (Royal & Derngate Northampton). For film her credits include Mr Turner.

 

Thomas Bailey directs. His credits include The Games We Played (Theatre503) and Roost (North Wall Arts Centre). He is currently directing Mrs Dalloway as part of National Youth Theatre’s West End season. He is also Joint Artistic Director of Forward Arena.

Emma D’Arcy is Artistic Director. Her theatre credits include Against (Almeida Theatre), A Girl in School Uniform (Walks Into A Bar) (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Clickbait (Theatre503). She is also Joint Artistic Director of Forward Arena and was the Artistic Director on The Games We Played (Theatre503).

 

ABOUT FORWARD ARENA

Forward Arena makes theatre that is culturally and politically awake, without ever forgetting theatre’s responsibility to be an impressive and stimulating feast of liveness. The company was formed in 2016 by co-Artistic Directors Emma D’Arcy and Thomas Bailey and Executive Director Ellie Keel.

ABOUT ARCOLA THEATRE

Arcola Theatre is one of London’s leading off-West End theatres. Locally engaged and internationally minded, Arcola stages a diverse programme of plays, operas and musicals. World-class productions from major artists appear alongside cutting-edge work from the most exciting emerging companies. Arcola delivers one of London’s most extensive community engagement programmes, creating over 11,000 opportunities every year. By providing research and development space to diverse artists, Arcola champions theatre that’s more engaging and representative. Its pioneering environmental initiatives are internationally renowned, and aim to make Arcola the world’s first carbon-neutral theatre.

Callisto: a queer epic

Listings

Arcola Theatre

24 Ashwin Street, Dalston, London E8 3DL

Box Office: 020 7503 1646

www.arcolatheatre.com

5 December – 23 December

Press performance: 8 December, 8pm

Twitter: @ForwardArena  /  @arcolatheatre

Facebook: ForwardArena  /  arcolatheatre

Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Rebecca Stafford Productions present
Witness for the Prosecution
By Agatha Christie

• DUE TO GREAT DEMAND FOR TICKETS ‘WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION’ WILL EXTEND ITS RUN INSIDE THE MAGNIFICIENT LONDON COUNTY HALL BUILDING. 
• THIS NEW PRODUCTION OF AGATHA CHRISTIE’S CLASSIC PLAY HAS DELIGHTED BOTH CRITICS AND AUDIENCES ALIKE.  IT WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY ON LONDON’S SOUTH BANK UNTIL 16 SEPTEMBER 2018.  
• TICKETS FOR THE NEW BOOKING PERIOD ARE NOW ON SALE.

Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Rebecca Stafford Productions are delighted to announce that due to great critical acclaim and huge demand for tickets Witness for the Prosecution will extend its run on London’s South Bank until 16 September 2018.   Tickets for the new booking period are now on sale at www.witnesscountyhall.com.

This new production of Agatha Christie’s classic courtroom play has captured the imagination of audiences who have experienced the drama inside the unique setting of County Hall’s ornate Chamber. Director Lucy Bailey thrillingly places the audience in the thick of the action, with some even watching from the jury box, as this gripping tale of justice, passion and betrayal unfolds around them.

Leonard Vole is accused of murdering a widow to inherit her wealth. The stakes are high. Will Leonard survive the shocking witness testimony?  Will he be able to convince the jury of his innocence and escape the hangman’s noose?

Witness for the Prosecution is now booking until 16 September 2018.  The production is designed by William Dudley, with lighting by Chris Davey and sound design by Mic Pool.

Casting for the new booking period is to be announced.

 

LISTINGS

Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Rebecca Stafford Productions present
Witness for the Prosecution
By Agatha Christie
Directed by Lucy Bailey
Designed by William Dudley
Lighting Design by Chris Davey
Sound Design by Mic Pool

London County Hall
The Chamber, County Hall, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 7PB
Until 16 September 2018
Box Office: 0844 815 7141
Online: www.witnesscountyhall.com

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Tuesday to Saturday, 7.30pm and matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm and Sunday at 3pm

See website for performances 24 December – 9 January

Ticket Prices

Tickets from £10

No booking fees if booked via the official website

Our exclusive VIP Jury Ticket will place you in the heart of the courtroom action, with access to a private bar area. Jurors will receive a complimentary programme and 2 complimentary drinks (soft drink, beer or house wine) to be redeemed pre-show or at the interval.

Website: www.witnesscountyhall.com
Twitter: @WitnessPlayLDN
Facebook: /WitnessPlayLDN

Twitter: @LaSoireeLive / Facebook: LaSoiree / Instagram: LaSoireeLive / You Tube: OfficialLaSoiree / website: La-Soiree.com / #LaSoiree / #LaPetite Soirée
Brett Haylock, Mark Rubinstein and Mick Perrin present
LA SOIRÉE

ROLL UP, ROLL UP… LA SOIRÉE HITS THE WEST END!

• LA SOIRÉE ANNOUNCES AN ASTONISHING LINEUP OF JAW DROPPING NEW ACTS FOR ITS WINTER RUN IN LONDON’S GLITTERING WEST END.  THE WEST END WON’T KNOW WHAT’S HIT IT!
• THIS YEAR’S HEADY COCKTAIL OF RIDICULOUSLY TALENTED ARTISTS INCLUDE, LONDON DEBUTS FROM THE CHILLY BROTHERS AND THEIR AWESOME, GRAVITY DEFYING RUSSIAN CRADLE; MALLAKHAMB INDIA! PERFORMING THE AMAZING AND ANCIENT INDIAN ARTFORM; GERMAN CHAMPION AERIAL ARTIST LEA HINZ; DARINGLY DEXTEROUS MICHELE CLARK; FANCY CHANCE AND HER MISCHEIVIOUS HAIR HANGING; LEON FAGBEMI AND KLODI DABKIEWICZ’S SENSUOUS HAND TO HAND; ELECTRIFYING SYMONÉ ON HULA HOOPS AND HOME-GROWN HACKNEY TALENT, LJ MARLES
• RETURNING LA SOIRÉE FAVOURITES INCLUDE, THE SIDE-SPLITTING AMY G, MONTREAL PUPPETEERS CABARET DECADENSE WHO WILL BE GETTING THE PARTY STARTED; AND DAREDEVIL CHICKEN CLUB – YOU’LL NEVER LOOK AT A BANANA THE SAME WAY AGAIN
• LA SOIRÉE AND ITS BRAND NEW FAMILY-FRIENDLY SHOW, LA PETITE SOIRÉE, WILL RESIDE AT THE RECENTLY REFURBISHED, SPARKLING ALDWYCH THEATRE FROM 24 NOVEMBER  2017 – 3 FEBRUARY 2018

“We are beyond excited to be coming to London’s West End this Christmas to create havoc in the grand Aldwych Theatre with La Soirée and our brand new afternoon offspring La Petite Soirée.  This glamorous old dame of a theatre has allowed us to present work above and beyond our beloved spiegeltent, so prepare to meet a whole host of new gravity defying artists that will make your head spin and as your sides split with laughter! 

And whilst the opportunities to dazzle have expanded we will still be performing on our little round, red stage and the much-loved intimacy of La Soirée shall remain.  So we dare you…come on up to the Aldwych stage and get up close and personal with these astounding performers.”

Brett Haylock, Creative Producer of La Soirée.

The award-winning and much-loved La Soirée is thrilled to announce multiple new acts for its residency at the Aldwych Theatre, this winter, from 24 November 2017 to 3 February 2018.  Featuring fabulous cabaret performers from across the globe, get ready to party with the newest incarnation of La Soirée’s infamous dysfunctional family as they revel in their posh new surroundings and make mischief in London’s glittering West End.

La Soirée’s heady cocktail of intimate cabaret, comedy, circus sideshow and contemporary variety is more potent than ever and this is their most daring line up to date.  Putting the Aldwych Theatre in a spin, La Soirée will transform this traditional theatre into an intimate cabaret club with La Soirée’s much-loved, in-the-round seating still in place.  So step in from the cold, leave your troubles at the door and prepare to be charmed, astonished and electrified by the very loveable crème de la crème of the cabaret world:

DAZZLING AND DANGEROUS DEBUTS INCLUDE:

THE CHILLY BROTHERS CRADLE ACT featuring NATHAN BRISCOE AND MAXIME BLANCKAERT

Maxime & Nathan, AKA The Chilly Brothers, share the passionate belief that art should constantly renew itself and defy the limits of reality.  Hailing from the prestigious National Circus School of Montréal, together they have mastered the death defying art of the Russian Cradle.  From Canada to France, Asia to the Baltic Sea they have captivated audiences with their perilously epic performance.  You’ll be on the edge of your seat throughout their jaw-dropping and surreal display of human strength and precision.

MALLAKHAMB INDIA! featuring RAJESH AMRALE WITH RAJESH RAO

This phenomenal UK exclusive from Rajesh Amrale and Rajesh Rao, is straight from the streets of Mumbai.  Mesmerising yet immensely powerful you’ll be astounded by the amazing and ancient art of Mallakhamb.  Rarely performed outside of its homeland of India, this pair of awesome acrobats will blow you away with their extraordinary mix of unparalleled strength, sensational speed and spectacular skill.

This outrageously talented pair first caught La Soirée’s attention over five years ago and they have been nurturing this cultural exchange for all these years.  La Soirée is beyond excited to finally see these two incredible talents debut on a West End stage and make their lifelong dream come true.

LEA HINZ on ARIAL HOOP

Watching the captivating Lea Hinz onstage, one would never have guessed that she nearly gave up the world of performing for medical school!  Record-breaking, six-time German Rhythmic Gymnastics Champion, Lea’s fusion of enchanting grace and flexibility, combined with dynamic power and impressive strength, gives aerial hoop a unique spin!  This dazzling aerial artist, will be sure to leave you feeling sky-high!

LJ MARLES on his unique TENSION STRAPS

With breath-taking balance and pinpoint precision, this home-grown Hackney talent is wowing audiences all over the world with his revolutionary new aerial concept.  La Soirée brings you the exceptional Tension Straps!  Entrancingly ethereal, LJ Marles is taking aerial straps to new heights; strength and grace coalesce for fearless physical feats which push the edge of aerial artistry.

MICHELE CLARK on HULA HOOP

This daringly dexterous hula-hooper has hypnotised crowds across the globe, from China to the US. Risky rotations, inexplicable illusions and a truly original performance make for her signature style.  With unique skill and distinct flair, Michele Clark’s hoop tricks will spin you dizzy!

HAIRHANG by FANCY CHANCE

Fancy Chance has been hair hanging since 2007.  Self-taught and a bit nuts for doing so, she’s been dangling by her locks, doing one woman shows, dragging it up as Prince, burlesque-clowning it and causing general mischief for over a decade around the UK and the globe.

HAND TO HAND featuring LEON FAGBEMI and KLODI DABKIEWICZ

Hailing from championship gymnastic backgrounds, this alluring pair unite for what makes the perfect partnership.  Smouldering Leon, an ex-acrobatic gymnast, showcases sublime strength, and the fiery former rhythmic gymnast Klodi flaunts mind-bending flexibility.  Together they share beautiful grace, outstanding balance, and sumptuous sensuality in their seductive and passionate hand to hand performance.

SYMONÉ on HULA HOOP

This high energy hula-hooper is renowned for her distinctive dancehall rhythms and electrifying voguing.  Specialising in multi hoop performance Symoné inspires a legion of hula fans to take their first foray into the world of hoops.  With her fierce and sassy attitude, she will have you on your feet and swinging your hips in solidarity.  Symoné will join La Soirée from December onwards.

RETURNING FAVOURITES FROM THE DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY:

AMY G

The inimitable Amy G is a legend of the international cabaret scene.  A comic powerhouse with a spectacular voice, she’s been likened to Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in one woman, and no, that’s not meant to be kinky.  Amy G’s played in over 40 countries, 7 languages, and on La Soiree’s little red stage for over a decade.  Whether she’s belting out high drama, getting down on roller skates, or blowing your mind with her golden kazoo, her intoxicating mix of virtuosic physical, musical and stand-up comedy will leave you astonished, dizzy, and giggling inappropriately.

CABARET DECADENSE featuring ANDRÉ-ANNE LE BLANC AND STEPHEN QUINLAN

Cabaret Decadanse features a cast of amazing characters who deliver breath-taking performances to a haunting soundtrack.  These Montreal puppeteers opened the first London season at the Hippodrome in 2008 and are back for our first West End season.  It’s a rollicking, sassy, sexy and hilarious puppet feast for adults, in which the puppeteers are as mesmerizing as the puppets themselves.  Extraordinarily expressive, these creations are made from stuffed rags and scraps of material and are brought to vivid life through their brilliant choreography.

DAREDEVIL CHICKEN CLUB featuring JONATHAN TAYLOR AND ANNE GOLDMAN

After blowing the roof off the spiegeltent last year at Leicester Square, Daredevil Chicken Club are back.  This Vegas couple has charmed crowds in over 36 countries, performing in a legion of languages, sharing love and laughter across the lands with their raucous comedy. Fusing raunchy slapstick and 80’s pop melodrama, this hilariously unforgettable duo will have your sides splitting with their vaudevillian verve, and matrimonial mischief.  Marc and Svetlana (AKA Daredevil Chicken) are proof that what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas.

This Christmas will also be the first time that La Soirée is offering La Petite Soirée, a family-friendly, fun and daring hour-long show for cabaret fans of all ages that promises all the spirit of the Olivier Award winning entertainment but less of the sauce.  La Petite Soirée will play at 3pm on Saturdays and throughout the Christmas holidays.

More artists for La Soirée and La Petite Soirée to be announced soon.

La Soirée and La Petite Soirée are presented by Brett Haylock, Mark Rubinstein and Mick Perrin.

 

LISTINGS

Brett Haylock, Mark Rubinstein and Mick Perrin present
LA SOIRÉE
24 November 2017 – 3 February 2018
Press Night: Friday 1 December 2017

Aldwych Theatre
49 Aldwych, London WC2B 4DF
Box office: 0845 200 7981
www.nederlander.co.uk

La Soirée Performance Schedule
Monday – Friday at 8pm
Saturday at 6pm & 9pm
Tickets from £19.50

Early bird offer: £10 off all shows up to and including 7 December if you book by 15 November 2017.
Running Time is approximately 2 hours including interval

La Soirée may contain nudity and is recommended for ages 17+

La Petite Soirée Performance Schedule
Saturday – 3pm
Extra performances on 27, 28, 29, 30 December 2017 & 2 January 2018

Tickets from £15

Running Time is approximately 1 hour with no interval

La Petite Soirée family friendly performances are suitable for all ages

SIRENS OF THE SILVER SCREEN – CREATED AND PERFORMED BY BETH BURROWS

Upstairs at the Gatehouse – until 18th November.  Reviewed by Jess Brady

4****

Beth Burrows presents her one woman show telling the poignant stories of the three most iconic woman of the last century, Judy Garland, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. These women were and still remain the epitome of what old school Hollywood glamour represented as they captured the hearts and minds of millions with their beauty, talent, charisma and sadly their turbulent lives.

Burrows appears on stage after a projection flashing archetypal moments of footage that the sirens are best known for which is a lovely touch and begins the show with the infamous song that set Judy Garland on her path to stardom ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’ from the 1939 classic ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in full Dorothy attire and a charming yellow brick road. This is then followed by Burrows giving the audience an account of Judy’s life including her drug abuse and the abuse she suffered at the hands of MGM along with intermittent moments of action as Judy herself with further projections of Garland and a costume change into her more formative years.

This style of presentation for each Siren is the general premise for the production as a whole. Burrows does give us a more human account of what happened to these women and seems to have a wonderful talent of empathising in her retelling of their lives as well as serenading us with some well recognised tunes made famous by the women with a fantastic singing voice! Despite the use of Marilyn, Audrey and Judy not being an original idea for a show, Burrows does a wonderful job of getting to the core of what made these three women alike in many ways aside from their fame and beauty.

The set is charming and resembles that of a 1950’s dressing room equipped with a chez longue, wardrobe (which the projections are displayed on), a back stage dressing table and an onstage musical duo including keys and trumpet played expertly by Bobbie Goulder and double bass played by Doug Grannell who accompany Burrows in her musical interludes.

The direction by Mark Geisser and musical direction by Bobbie Goulder are fitting and considerate to the piece and really gives Burrows a chance to use the full length of the set and content of the show to her advantage making this production a fitting tribute to the three sirens. Burrows has created a piece full of personality and humour that displays her obvious love for the era and the women she has chosen to tell the stories of. Anyone who is a fan of that era of Hollywood will enjoy this creative show and will leave feeling like they know the real truths of three sirens that took the world by storm.

WEST END CAST CONFIRMED FOR

BAZ LUHRMANN’S SPECTACULAR MUSICALInternationally renowned singer/songwriter WILL YOUNG

to play new role of Wally Strand

 

JONNY LABEY, winner of ITV’s Dance Dance Dance,

and ZIZI STRALLEN to play iconic lovers Scott and Fran

 

Will Young, Jonny Labey and Zizi Strallen will lead the cast of Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musicalwhen it makes its West End debut in 2018. Based on Baz Luhrmann’s classic film that inspired the world to dance, Strictly Ballroom The Musical will begin performances at the Piccadilly Theatre on Friday 16^th March 2018 .

 

Will Young will play the brand new role of band leader, Wally Strand. Ever since winning the inaugural series of Pop Idol in 2001, Will has been one of the UK’s most popular and successful music artists. He holds the record for the fastest selling debut single in British chart history, and has enjoyed a phenomenal career in music with four No1 albums, as well as acting alongside Dame Judi Dench in the film Mrs Henderson Presents, and his hugely acclaimed stage debut as the Emcee in the West End production of Cabaret.

 

Jonny Labey will make his West End debut in the leading role of Scott Hastings, the maverick ballroom dancer torn between his passion and his pride. Jonny burst into the national spotlight by winning the ITV show Dance Dance Dance. Jonny, well known for playing the role of Paul Coker in EastEnders, has also starred in the film Soft Lad, headlined the play Verge of Strife, and can currently be seen as a new judge on CBBC’s Taking The Next Step.

 

Zizi Strallen will play the role of Fran, the fledgling dancer who partners with Scott and catches his eye following his fall from grace. Having shot to stardom as the lead in Mary Poppins, Zizi’s additional West End credits include Follies, Cats, Dirty Dancing, Hairspray and Chicago.

 

The cast includes Michelle Bishop (Thoroughly Modern Milly, Sunset Boulevard) as Pam Short, Ivan De Freitas (Jesus Christ Superstar, Aladdin) as Merv, Gabriela Garcia (In The Heights, Ghost) as Vanessa Cronin, Charlotte Gooch (Top Hat, Dirty Dancing) as Tina Sparkle, Richard Grieve (Neighbours, Emmerdale and Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Les Kendall, Liam Marcellino (Cabaret, Miss Saigon) as Wayne Burns, Stephen Matthews (The Lion King, The Producers) as Doug Hastings, Fernando Mira (ENO, Victorian State Opera) as Rico, Eve Polycarpou (Villa Thalia, In The Heights) as Abuela, Lauren Stroud (Top Hat, Hairspray) as Liz Holt & Gary Watson (Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be, A Chorus Line, Jersey Boys) as Ken Railings.

The cast also includes Chris Bennett, Chrissy Brooke, Hannah Fairclough, Selina Hamilton, Christopher D Hunt, Luke Jackson, Justin-Lee Jones, Robin Kent, Jacob Maynard, Leanne Pinder, Tinovimbanashe Sibanda & Dale White.

 

The full cast is yet to be announced.

 

Strictly Ballroom is the romantic story that was embraced around the world, and went on to put the Strictly into Come Dancing! Based on the multi award-winning movie, the first instalment from Baz Luhrmann’s acclaimed Red Curtain Trilogy, the musical production is a kaleidoscope of colour and fun. When rogue championship ballroom dancer Scott defies all the rules of competition to follow his heart, he teams up with left-footed partner Fran to compete in the Pan Pacific Championship his own way. Their love blossoms as their routines flourish, and together they triumph in bringing down the sequin-clad regime of the Dance Federation.

Featuring the film’s iconic music such as Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps and Time After Time, Strictly Ballroom The Musical will also include electrifying songs from a host of internationally acclaimed artists.

The production originated in Australia where it was created by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin. Drew McOnie (whose dazzling choreography for In the Heights earned him the 2016 Olivier Award) will direct and choreograph the West End premiere, with a book by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce.

Strictly Ballroom The Musical is produced by Global Creatures the team behind Walking With Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular, Muriel’s Wedding The Musical and the Broadway-bound King Kong and Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

For all information about STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL, please see: www.strictlyballroomthemusical.com

 

 

STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL – LISTINGS INFORMATION

CREATIVE TEAM

Created by Baz Luhrmann

Book by Baz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce

Directed & Choreographed by Drew McOnie

Set Design by Soutra Gilmour

Costume Design by Catherine Martin

Lighting Design by Howard Hudson

Sound Design by Gareth Owen

Musical Supervision by David Caddick

Orchestrations by Simon Hale

ADDRESS

Piccadilly Theatre

16 Denman Street

London

W1D 7DY

 

SEASON DATES

First performance: Friday 16^th March 2018

 

PRESS NIGHT

Wednesday 11^th April 2018 at 7.00pm

 

BOOKING ONLINE

www.strictlyballroomthemusical.com

 

PERFORMANCE TIMES

Monday – Saturday: 7.30pm 

Matinees: Wednesday & Saturday, 2.30pm

 

TICKETS

Prices from £15

TELEPHONE BOOKING

0844 871 7630

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: StrictlyBallroomTheMusical

Twitter: @strictlystage

Instagram: StrictlyBallroomTheMusical

JANIE DEE TO STAR IN

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

TORBEN BETTS’S

MONOGAMY

NATIONAL PRESS NIGHT ON MONDAY 11 JUNE 2018

 

The Original Theatre Company and Ghost Light Productions will present a short tour ahead of a London run of Torben Betts’s new play MONOGAMY, starring Janie Dee as Caroline Mortimer.  MONOGAMY will run at the Festival Theatre in Malvern from 2-5 May 2018, Yvonne Arnaud in Guildford from 8-12 May 2018 and York Theatre Royal from 22-26 May 2018, ahead of a limited 5-week run at Park Theatre in London from 6 June to 7 July 2018, where there will be a national press night on Monday 11 June. Further tour venues and casting to be announced.

Janie Dee is currently starring in the National Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. Her other West End credits include Carousel (National Theatre), for which she won the Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical, Comic Potential (Lyric Shaftesbury), for which she won the Olivier,  Evening Standard, Critic’s Circle, Obie and Theatre World Awards for Best Actress, Mack & Mabel (Criterion Theatre), My One and Only (Piccadilly Theatre), Betrayal (Duchess Theatre), Noises Off (The Old Vic),Hand to God (Vaudeville Theatre), Blithe Spirit opposite Dame Angela Lansbury (Gielgud Theatre) and  Calendar Girls (Noël Coward theatre). Her TV credits include Suki in the TV film version of Harold Pinter’s Celebration, Emma Lavenham in the Adam Dalgliesh TV mini-series Death in Holy Orders and The Murder Room, and regular character Remy in London’s Burning (ITV).

Caroline Mortimer, the nation’s favourite TV cook, has it all: a sparkling career, a big house in Highgate, a (golf) loving husband, smart kids and the best kitchen money can buy. But beneath the immaculate furnishings and studio lighting and away from the glare of the ever-present cameras, Caroline must face the looming collision of living a private life in the public eye. What happens when the cameras turn off and the truth comes out?

Torben Betts said of his new play, “I’m delighted that The Original Theatre Company and Ghost Light Theatre Production are producing my new play after they did such a fine job with their two touring productions of Invincible. I’m also very much looking forward to working with Janie Dee again after she starred in my adaptation of The Seagull at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre a few years ago. There are elements of that play in MONOGAMY, in that it’s about, amongst other things, the conflict between an unhappy middle-aged celebrity and her angry son who feels very much at war with the modern world.

“As with Invincible I have attempted to take the pulse of the nation and, though I don’t offer a cure for the self-evident sickness, I hope I have come up with a play which will make people laugh as much as it might prompt them to ask themselves some uncomfortable questions about the way we are living our lives right now.”

Torben Betts was born in Lincolnshire and studied at Liverpool University.  He became the resident dramatist at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre in 1999.  Poet and dramatist Liz Lochhead said Betts “is just about the most original and extraordinary writer of drama we have.”  His play The Unconquered won Best New Play 2006/07 at the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland.  2015 saw a revival of his acclaimed 2012 play Muswell Hill at London’s Park Theatre, his latest work, What Falls Apart, opened at Newcastle’s Live Theatre, and his version of Chekhov’s The Seagull was staged at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.  In February 2016, Betts adapted Get Carter for Northern Stage in Newcastle, running in tandem with The Original Theatre Company’s UK tour of his critically acclaimed Invincible, which, earlier this year, had a month-long run at the 13^th annual Brits Off Broadway festival in New York City.

MONOGAMY will be directed by Alastair Whatley, with design by James Perkins and lighting by Chris Withers.  The national tour is produced by Tom Hackney for The Original Theatre Company and Freddie Ryecart for Ghost Light Theatre Production.                                                                                                                       

Website: www.originaltheatre.com

Facebook: TheOriginalTheatre 

Twitter: @OriginalTheatre/ @MonogamyPlay

2018 SCHEDULE

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED

JOINING NISHA ANIL (CBEEBIES) & SANDRA MARTIN (GOGGLEBOX)

IN MAIDENHEAD’S FAMILY PANTOMIME

ALADDIN

 

Q Productions are delighted to announce the full cast of West End performers who will be joining television favourites Nisha Anil and Sandra Martin in Maidenhead’s family pantomime ALADDIN at the Pearce Suite Theatre, Magnet Leisure Centre, from 9th – 31st December 2017.

 

As previously announced, Nisha Anil (CBeebies) will play Princess Jasmine and Sandra Martin (C4Gogglebox) will play the Spirit of the Ring. Joining them will be Ashley Bates as Wishee Washee,Richard Foster King as Abanazar, Ian Hallard as Widow Twankey, Michael Larcome as Aladdin and Lejaun Sheppard as the Genie, with Jamie Hocknell, Eloise Jones and Bronia Pearce in the Ensemble.

 

The talented local juvenile ensemble will comprise: Jessica Davies, Belle Gardner, Alexis Gilbert, Connie Groom, Tia Groom, Ellie Meikle, Eloise Metherell, Saphyre Rich, Lois Sellman, Madeleine Sellman, Agatha Thomson, Scarlett Tunn and Tilly Wright.

 

ALADDIN is directed by Ashley Oliver.

NISHA ANIL is the presenter of the popular CBeebies programme, Same Smile. Nisha’s other screen credits include Strictly Cinderella (CBBC)and Citizen Khan (BBC1). Having trained extensively in acting, puppetry and mime, Nisha has numerous stage credits, and she sings live with The Herberts and with Richmond and the Groovolution.

SANDRA MARTIN is much-loved by television audiences for her charismatic appearances on Channel 4’s BAFTA-winning reality series Gogglebox. She has built up a wide following on social media and is known for her big personality and contagious laugh.

Following the exciting re-launch of The Pearce Suite Theatre at Magnet Leisure Centre, Q Productions is delighted to be bringing Maidenhead its first fully-produced professional pantomime with the much-loved family favourite, ALADDIN, which will be packed full of side-splitting comedy, stunning special effects and lavish costumes.  The 400-seat theatre will offer wonderful family entertainment that all ages can enjoy together.

 

ALADDIN runs from Saturday 9th – Sunday 31st December 2017 (times vary, check website). Tickets, priced at £15.50 (children/senior citizens), £16.50 (adults), £59.50 (family ticket – 2 children, 2 adults) are on sale from www.themaidenheadpanto.com.

Tickets for Schools and Clubs (min. 10 people), are £9 per head for the relaxed performance (£10.50 for other performances). Every 11th ticket is free, and there is a free interval ice cream for every child in the group booking.  Call the groups hotline: 01494 917519 by 10^th November for these special groups rates.

There will be a ‘relaxed performance’ on Thursday 14th December at 10.30am. Relaxed performances are open to everyone, but the environment has been specifically adapted for families with children with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, individuals with sensory and communication disorders, those with learning disabilities and anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment.

Follow all the latest news about ALADDIN, visit www.themaidenheadpanto.com and follow[@MaidenheadPanto]@Maidenheadpanto on Twitter and @TheMaidenheadpanto on Facebook.

Brand new images of rehearsals for Children’s Touring Partnership and Royal & Derngate’s new adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s family classic, “THE JUNGLE BOOK”. The production will premiere at Royal & Derngate, Northampton from Tuesday 28 November until Sunday 31 December 2017 and will then embark on a UK national tour from Thursday 25 January 2018 beginning at Chichester Festival Theatre.

“THE JUNGLE BOOK” tells of Mowgli the man cub who battles for survival in this heart-warming coming-of-age story about a boy raised by wolves in the jungle. With the help of his animal friends, including Bagheera the panther, Balloo the bear and Kaa the python, Mowgli outwits the cruel and powerful tiger, Shere Khan, and learns the law of the jungle.

Cast includes Rachel Dawson as ‘Kaa Grey’, Lloyd Gorman as ‘Shere Khan’, TJ Holmes as ‘Hiran’, Avita Jay as ‘Raksha’, Keziah Joseph as ‘Mowgli’, Dyfrig Morris as ‘Balloo’, Deborah Oyelade as ‘Bagheera’ and Tripti Tripuraneni as ‘Akala’. They are joined by Ruri James and Chipo Kureya in the ensemble.

The award winning creative team bringing Kipling’s timeless story to the stage includes playwright Jessica Swale, director Max Webster and internationally renowned songwriter Joe Stilgoe.