Month: November 2017

GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK ANNOUNCES SHOWS FOR SPRING 2018

…and what a line-up!

 

2018 Cilla The Musical comes to York in January and it stars Andrew Lancel with Kara Lily Hayworth as Cilla.  This is the spectacular musical adaptation of the critically acclaimed hit ITV television series that tells the extraordinary story of the ordinary girl from Liverpool who becomes one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers of all time.

From the award-winning West End producers of Gangsta Granny comes the world premiere of David Walliams’ amazing tale of frights, fights and friendship: Awful Auntie, featuring

Just married. Buried alive. Hedda longs to be free…Lizzy Watts (The Durrells) plays the title role inHedda Gabler, National Theatre’s modern production of Ibsen’s masterpiece, coming next February.

For the little ones we have Dear Zoo, a brilliant new stage production.  Dear Zoo live on stage is suitable for children aged 2 – 6 years. Brought to life through child-engaging puppets, original music and lots of audience interaction, it will immediately appeal to those who love the book as well and those coming to the story for the first time.

A major new production of Strangers on a Train is set to steam into theatres across the UK next year. The masterful and gripping thriller is based on the taught psychological drama by the celebrated writer Patricia Highsmith (The Talented Mr Ripley, Carol).  John Middleton who leftEmmerdale earlier this year stars alongside Hannah Tointon and Christopher Harper.

We are really pleased to announce The Kite Runner; based on Khaled Hosseini’s international best-selling novel, this powerful story has been adapted into a stunning new stage production. A haunting tale of friendship as it follows one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption.

If it’s a laugh you’re after then you’ll love The Play That Goes Wrong.  2015 Olivier Award Winner for Best New Comedy.  The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong… does!  The accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences!

More laughs with stand up comedy in the form of Joe Lycett, Ed Byrne, David Baddiel, Brian Conley, Tim Vine and Ross Noble who will be gracing the Grand Opera House stage next year.

Suggs is treading the boards again with a brand new show.  If the first show was about how on Earth he got there, Suggs: What a King Cnut is about the surprises that awaited him when he did. Vertigo on the roof of Buckingham Palace.  Nearly blowing the closing ceremony of the Olympics.  Watching his underpants fall to earth on Bowie’s driveway.

The wonderful Belle and Sebastian will be coming to the theatre for the first time in March.  The band recently put out a new single, “We Were Beautiful”. In December 2017, January and February 2018, the band will release a trio of EPs under the name How to Solve Our Human Problems.

A couple of new tributes are on the way and are proving to be popular with the public:  Wannabe – The Spice Girls show featuring favourite Spice Girls hits such as ‘Spice Up Your Life’ through to the hip shaking ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’, the Wannabe show recreates the era of Girl Power giving you a 90s night out to remember!  If you’re a fan of one of X Factor’s finest exports, the BRIT award-winning Little Mix, you’re sure to love Little Mix Experience, a high-energy show from beginning to end, packed with all of Little Mix’s greatest hits and it’s suitable for all ages! Featuring songs such as DNA, Wings, Salute, Black Magic, Shout Out To My Ex and many, many more.

David Burt leads the cast of Antic Disposition’s
A Christmas Carol
Middle Temple Hall, Middle Temple Lane, London, EC4Y 9AT
Friday 22nd – Saturday 30th December 2017

Antic Disposition’s much-loved musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ festive classic A Christmas Carol returns to the spectacular Elizabethan setting of Middle Temple Hall this December. West End star and Olivier Award nominated David Burt (Les Misérables; Evita; Cats; Jesus Christ Superstar) will recreate his critically-acclaimed performance for the third year in the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Returning to the cast of Antic Disposition’s A Christmas Carol will be David Anthony, Charlotte Armer, Chris Courtenay, Elliot Fitzpatrick, Katie Lovell, Dean Riley and Katherine Robb. The cast also includes Scott Brooks, Mabel Clements, Kate Hume, Timothy Mylechreest and María Rodríguez Reina, who will be joining the production for the first time. Additionally, young actors Harvey Loakes (The Wind in the Willows, London Palladium) and Charlie McLellan (Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre) will share the role of Tiny Tim.

First performed in Middle Temple Hall in 2012 and now firmly established as one of London’s most magical festive treats, Antic Disposition’s A Christmas Carol has been newly revised and expanded this year for performance by a talented company of actor-musicians. This joyous celebration combines the ghostly tale of miser Ebenezer Scrooge with a score of original songs inspired by the carols of a traditional Victorian Christmas.

A Christmas Carol is adapted for the stage by Antic Disposition’s artistic directors Ben Horslen and John Risebero, who together founded the Peter Brook Award-winning company in 2005. Their recent joint directorial credits include: Henry V and Richard III (UK cathedral tours); The Comedy of Errors (Gray’s Inn Hall); and Romeo and Juliet (Temple Church).

They are joined this year by composer and musical director Nick Barstow who recently toured the UK as Musical Director of Frank Wildhorn’s Wonderland, starring Kerry Ellis, and was a judge on Gareth Malone’s The Choir for the BBC. His arrangements and orchestrations have been performed around the world and recently at the Royal Festival Hall under the baton of comedian and Maestro winner Sue Perkins.

 

WE’VE GOT CHRISTMAS WRAPPED UP

O come all ye faithful and celebrate the joy of Christmas at Leeds Grand Theatre, City Varieties Music Hall and Hyde Park Picture House.

 

In keeping with a tradition that spans more than 100 years, our three iconic venues will be providing plenty of entertainment this festive season, both traditional and modern, to spread Christmas cheer to the people of Leeds and beyond.

On Sunday 4^th December, step back in time to the swinging sixties for Sixties Gold at Leeds Grand Theatre. The sing-a-long, clap-a-long, foot-tap-a-long show features a stellar line-up of 60s bands, including Gerry and The Pacemakers and The Searchers.

From Monday 5^th to Sunday 17^th December Northern Ballet bring their new production, The Little Mermaid, to the Grand for the first time. Choreographed by David Nixon OBE, this beautiful new ballet will reimagine the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale and take you on a journey beneath the waves.

From Wednesday 20^th December to Saturday 6^th January join Mr Maddens, Mr Poppy and a heavenly host of hilarious children and unruly animals in NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL. Based on the smash-hit films, this new show features all your favourite sing-a-long songs, including ‘Sparkle and Shine’, ‘Nazareth’ and ‘One Night One Moment’. It promises to be the perfect feel-good comedy for all the family.

Over at City Varieties Music Hall the now-famous Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto gives Aladdin the rock ‘n’ roll treatment.

The soundtrack, played live on stage by the cast, is crammed with hit songs from well-known bands and artists, including The Monkees, James Brown and Cher.  Expect familiar characters, corny jokes and the legendary ‘boulder fight’ in a Christmas show that has something for the whole family: Friday 24^th November to Sunday 7th January.

For a traditional treat, visit the beautiful Hyde Park Picture House for the classic Christmas film It’s A Wonderful Life. Watch George, Clarence and the townsfolk of Bedford Falls in the warm surroundings of the plush auditorium as the distinctive gas lighting flickers in the background: December 19^th to 24^th.

And remember, whilst Christmas comes but once a year, Leeds Grand Theatre, City Varieties Music Hall and The Hyde Park Picture House provide entertainment all year round.

Leedsgrandtheatre.com / 0844 848 2700

Cityvarieties.co.uk / 0113 243 0808

Hydeparkpicturehouse.co.uk / 0113 275 2045

WORLD PREMIERE

A   V E R Y    V E R Y    V E R Y   D A R K   M A T T E R

A new play by Martin McDonagh with a cast led by Jim Broadbent

Following Martin McDonagh’s success at the Venice, Toronto and London film festivals with his critically acclaimed Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri the London Theatre Company announces, in advance of its next programme, the world premiere next autumn at the Bridge Theatre of a new play by McDonagh. With a cast led by Jim Broadbent and directed by Matthew Dunster and designed by Anna Fleischle, A Very Very Very Dark Matter will preview from 10 October 2018. Tickets will go on public sale on 14 November 2017 at 10am GMT with priority booking for Bridge members opening today at 10am GMT. The 12-week run will conclude on 29 December. Further casting and members of the creative team will be announced in due course.

In a townhouse in Copenhagen works Hans Christian Andersen, a teller of exquisite and fantastic children’s tales beloved by millions.  But the true source of his stories dwells in his attic upstairs, her existence a dark secret kept from the outside world.  As dangerous, twisted and funny as his National Theatre and Broadway hit The Pillowman, Martin McDonagh’s new play travels deep into the abysses of the imagination.

Martin McDonagh is an award-winning writer and director.  His plays are The Beauty Queen of Leenane, A Skull in Connemara, The Lonesome West, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Cripple of Inishmaan, The Pillowman, A Behanding in Spokane and Hangmen.  As a writer and director for film his credits are Seven Psychopaths, In Bruges, Six Shooter as well as Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri which won Best Screenplay at this year’s Venice Film Festival, the Grolsch People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival and was the closing film at this year’s BFI London Film Festival.

Jim Broadbent is a BAFTA and Academy award-winning actor. He has previously appeared in Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman at the National Theatre where he was also seen in Improbable Theatre’sTheatre of Blood.  Broadbent has worked extensively for the Donmar Warehouse, the Old Vic, the Royal Court and the Royal Shakespeare Company and has most recently been seen on stage in A Christmas Carol at The Noel Coward Theatre.  His many film credits include Iris, for which he won an Academy Award, The Lady in the Van, Paddington, Brooklyn, Iron Lady, Le Weekend, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Moulin Rouge and King Lear, currently in production.  His more recent television credits includeGame of Thrones, War and Peace, London Spy and The Go-Between as well as his BAFTA winning role inLongford. 

 

Matthew Dunster directed McDonagh’s Hangmen at the Royal Court where he has also directed Liberian Girl.  Other directing credits include The Seagull and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Open Air Regent’s Park, Love’s Sacrifice for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Love the Sinner for the National Theatre, Doctor Faustus, Imogen, The Frontline and Much Ado About Nothing for Shakespeare’s Globe, Mametz for the National Theatre of Wales, Before the Party for the Almeida Theatre and Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Macbeth and Mogadishu for the Royal Exchange Theatre.  As a writer his plays include Children’s Children which premiered at the Almeida Theatre and You Can See the Hills which premiered at the Royal Exchange Theatre as well as an adaptation of 1984.

London Theatre Company will announce the remainder of the Bridge programme for 2018 early next year.

Young Marx, the opening production at the Bridge continues to 31 December 2017.  Nicholas Hytner’s promenade production of Julius Caesar with David Calder, Michelle Fairley, David Morrissey and Ben Whishaw follows from 20 January – 15 April 2018. The world premiere of Barney Norris’ Nightfall, directed by Laurie Sansom, runs from 28 April – 3 June 2018.

Listings Information

Address:                                   The Bridge Theatre, One Tower Bridge, London SE1 2SD

Box Office:                               0843 208 1846 or [email protected]

Access:                                    0333 320 0051 or [email protected]

Website:                                   www.bridgetheatre.co.uk

Twitter:                                    @_bridgetheatre

Instagram:                               _bridgetheatre

Facebook:                                facebook.com/bridgetheatrelondon

New Diorama Celebrates Its First Off-Broadway Transfer

New Diorama Theatre is delighted to announce today that their Edinburgh Fringe hit show Secret Life of Humans is transferring for a five-week run, at the Brits Off-Broadway which runs at New York’s 59E59 Theaters from 30 May until 01 July 2018.

The show, a co-production with Greenwich Theatre, written by David Byrne, and co-directed by David Byrne and Kate Stanley, is the first of their in-house productions to transfer internationally.  The original cast and production team will transfer with the show.

The show, the New Diorama’s fifth in-house production, is devised and inspired by Yuval Harari’s international bestseller, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind and the life of celebrated mathematician and television presenter Dr Jacob Bronowski.

David Byrne said “Secret Life of Humans is the first of our in-house productions to transfer internationally and the whole ensemble are incredibly excited to present our hit show to New York audiences. Jacob Bronowski, one of the show’s central characters, had his first big US hit with Ascent of Man, which we recreate as part of the production. So hopefully that’ll be a good omen for the success of Secret Life of Humans Off-Broadway.”

The show is a New Diorama production, in co-production with Greenwich Theatre and before transferring to New York it will have a London run at the both the New Diorama Theatre 

10 April to 05 May 2018 and the Greenwich Theatre from 08 to 12 May 2018.

The production is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, The Cockayne Foundation, and PRS For Music Foundation.

 

What the Press said:

★★★★ “Ambitious, intelligent and moving…unfolds with thriller-like precision with real visual flair.”  The Guardian

★★★★ “Bold, beautiful and utterly absorbing theatre, finding the thrilling drama inherent in the human story. It takes your breath away.”  The Stage

★★★★ “Presented with brilliant imagination… strikingly accomplished, absorbing and enjoyable.”  The Scotsman

★★★★★ “A masterpiece…mesmerising to watch. The stunning execution of an intriguing concept makes Secret Life of Humans nothing less than a theatrical triumph.” Broadway Baby

 

LISTINGS

10 April – 5 May, 2018

New Diorama Theatre, London

www.newdiorama.com / 020 7383 9034

8 – 12 May, 2018

Greenwich Theatre, London

www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk / 020 8858 7755

‘JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF FABULOUS’ IN SEDOS’ NEW PRODUCTION OF THE AWARD-WINNING ‘PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL’

Sedos presents a new sell-out production of the award-winning musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert at theBridewell Theatre, off Fleet Street, from 22 November-2 December 2017. The musical, which has book by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott, is based on the 1994 Oscar winning Latent Image/Specific Films Motion Picture distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

The critically-acclaimed stage musical version of Priscilla has played to packed houses all over the world during its 11-year journey since its premiere in Sydney in 2006. Sedos’ new production of Priscilla promises a vibrant and energetic production – with a cast of 25, many of whom are featuring in their first Sedos production.

 

A colourful and vibrant spectacular featuring all-time dance and pop hits from the 80’s and 90’s, the story follows the adventure of three friends brought together under unique circumstances. They travel in a wonderfully quirky bus from the glamour and sparkle of Sydney as they ‘Go West’ into the heart of the Australian desert continent.

The production has direction by Angus Jacobs, musical direction by Ryan Macaulay and choreography by Eloise Horton.

Director Angus Jacobs said: “We are thrilled to be bringing our special touch to this wonderful production and even more so that the run is completely sold out. We have designed some stunning original costumes for this production and coupled with the unique challenges (or opportunities!) presented by getting a moving bus onto the stage of the Bridewell Theatre, we are really thrilled with our fresh take on the show.

“From our first workshops back in July to our opening night later this month, the team have worked so hard and we can’t wait to share ‘our Priscilla’ with the audience.”

Since 2012 Sedos has been the resident theatre company at the Bridewell Theatre.

 

LISTINGS DETAILS

Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical

Book by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott, and based on the Latent Image/Specific Films Motion Picture distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Wednesday 22 November to Saturday 2 December 2017

Evenings at 7.30pm, Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

Bridewell Theatre, Bride Lane, off Fleet Street, London EC4Y 8EQ

The whole run is sold out, but returns may be available from the theatre box office, which opens 30 minutes before the performance. More info: sedos.co.uk

The Lost Boy Peter Pan
Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road, London N7 9EF
Wednesday 29th November 2017 – Sunday 7th January 2018

Based on the most famous children’s story of all time, this magical adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale of fairies, pirates and the little boy who flew through the window is the perfect alternative to Pantomime. The Lost Boy Peter Pan is a journey past the second star to the right and on until morning, featuring an exciting and diverse selection of well-known pop songs.

Searching for the perfect mother, Peter finds Wendy Darling and her brothers, taking them to his home in Neverland. Will they ever return? Will they ever grow up?

This funny and moving tale offers an insight into Peter’s life before he met Wendy and offers a fresh look at this much-loved story. With seven live actor-musicians, this enchanting and charming production is a treat for all ages.

Adapter and director Alexandra Spencer-Jones comments, Using a kaleidoscopic taster tray of best-loved pop hits, The Lost Boy Peter Pan is as much a celebration of Neverland’s music as the works of the brilliant J M Barrie. As an island, Neverland itself is a place of creation, imagination and music – music on the ships of pirates, in the glens of fairies and in the hearts of warrior lost boys. I made the decision to make a musical alternative to a pantomime because I wanted to
create a careful and beautiful story which didn’t begin with Wendy and her Darling brothers but rather Peter’s escape from the real world to Kensington Gardens, concentrating further on the growth of Peter throughout the course of both of Barrie’s books.

The show was created and developed at Broadway Catford Theatre as part of Action To The Word’s residency. It is presented by Action to the Word in association with Glynis Henderson Productions.

Stylish, stylised, and drenched in sweat, the show has a breathless, exhilarating energy. (The Stage on A Clockwork Orange at Park Theatre)

@ForcedEnts  #RealMagic / Facebook / Instagram / www.forcedentertainment.com
FORCED ENTERTAINMENT
ANNOUNCES UK TOUR DATES
 INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED COMPANY SET TO TOUR UK WITH REAL
MAGIC AFTER IT OPENS AT EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL IN
AUGUST

International Ibsen Award-winners Forced Entertainment have today announced UK tour dates for 2017. The company will present their acclaimed new production, Real Magic, at venues across the UK including: Edinburgh International Festival, Cambridge Junction, Platform Theatre, King’s Cross London, mac Birmingham and Manchester’s HOME between August and December 2017.

Real Magic creates a world of absurd disconnection, struggle and comical repetition. To the sound of looped applause and canned laughter, a group of performers take part in an impossible illusion – part mind-reading feat, part cabaret act, part chaotic game show – in which they endlessly revisit moments of defeat, hope and anticipation. Caught in a world of second-chances and second-guesses, variations and changes, distortions and transformations, Real Magic takes you on a hallucinatory journey, creating a compelling performance about optimism, individual agency and the desire for change.

Forced Entertainment have been making ground-breaking work together since 1984, based in Sheffield they present work across the globe.

LISTINGS

REAL MAGIC
Edinburgh International Festival
The Studio
22 – 27 August
www.eif.co.uk / 0131 473 2000

Cambridge Junction
7 November 2017
www.junction.co.uk / 01223 511 511

Platform Theatre, King’s Cross, London
Supported by Kings Cross in association with Central St Martins
14 – 18 November
www.forcedentertaintment.com / 0114 279 8977

mac Birmingham
23 – 24 November 2017
www.macbirmingham.co.uk / 0121 446 3232

HOME, Manchester
29 November – 1st December
www.homemcr.org / 0161 200 1500

REMEMBRANCE DAY THEATRE PRODUCTION IN LEEDS

 

A production created to commemorate Remembrance Day takes to a Leeds stage this weekend – exactly 99 years since the end of WW1.

Those Were The Days is at City Varieties Music Hall this Saturday November 11; it will shine a spotlight on Leeds during the War, its people and their stories, as well as the role the theatre itself played during this time.

Leeds-born Liz Coggins is the writer and director of the piece: “Those Were The Days celebrates the city, its culture and, importantly, its theatres,” she explains. “City Varieties is the oldest running music hall in the country – it’s a delight to be telling a history of Leeds theatres on stage at Leeds’ most historic theatre.”

 

The City Varieties began its life in 1865 as a room above a pub and went on to entertain the people of Leeds through two world wars before becoming world-famous for hosting the BBC programme The Good Old Days, which ran every weekend for 30 years from 1953. As other such venues closed, the City Varieties continued and today is the longest running music hall in the country.

With a cast aged six to 60, the is a celebration of the music hall entertainment that ran alongside WW1; introducing the audience to  the stars of the time;  Marie Lloyd, Vesta Tilley, Florrie Ford, Charlie Chaplin and Leeds lass Vesta Victoria each make an appearance, buoyed by the songs and comedy sketches of the era.  Live music supports the cast and songs include the famous Marrow Song, Yes! We Have No Bananas, It’s A Long Way To Tipperary and many more.

The younger cast members are students at On Stage Academy, a drama class based in Leeds city centre. They work with Liz and her team to learn every aspect of theatre and stagecraft.

“It is such a delight to see young people performing pieces from 100 plus years ago,” says Liz. “Children are never too young to experience live professional theatre and its many genres. The history of this profession is as important as the craft itself.  I would encourage families to come together for an old-fashioned, fun evening at the theatre.”

Those Were The Days is at City Varieties Music Hall, Swan Street, Leeds City Centre on Saturday November 11^th at 7pm

 

Tickets are on sale now priced at £19.60

 

Book online at cityvarieties.co.uk or call Box Office on 0113 243 0808

 

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED

JOINING JONNY AWSUM & PAISLEY BILLINGS

IN CROYDON’S FAMILY PANTOMIME, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

 

Q Productions are delighted to announce the full cast of West End performers who will be joining television favourites Jonny Awsum and Paisley Billings in Croydon’s family pantomime JACK AND THE BEANSTALK at the Waddon Theatre at Waddon Leisure Centre from 7th – 31st December 2017.

As previously announced, Croydon’s very own comedian Jonny Awsum (Britain’s Got Talent live semi-finalist) will play Silly Billy Trott and Paisley Billings (Tattoo Fixers) will play Fairy Sweet Pea. Joining them will be Charlotte Bramwells as the Princess, Steve Edwin as Fleshcreep, Tim Hudson as Dame Trott, Charlie Leonard as Jack Trott and David Streames as the King, with Becky Bassett,Timothy Benjamin, Olivia Stott and Alfie White in the Ensemble.

The talented local juvenile ensemble will comprise: Shannice Bepot, Hayden Burden, Ella Chapman, Mario Davis, Abbie-Mae Garland, Olivia Hall, Holly Hickson, Talula Horton, Abigail Lenny, Zion Nelson-Bent, Sophie Ramsey, Eva Ruby, Brooke Skinner, Kira Spencer- Brown, Mya Stratford and Frankie Thomas.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK is directed by Lainie Baird, with choreography by Joanna Lee Martin.

The Waddon Theatre at Waddon Leisure Centre will be converted into a 400-seat theatre space throughout December, offering wonderful family entertainment that all ages can enjoy together.  The theatre has a brand new seating plan which ensures every seat in the house has the best view possible.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK runs from Thursday 7th – Sunday 31st December 2017 (times vary, check website). Tickets, priced at £16.50 (children/senior citizens), £18.50 (adults), £66.50 (family ticket – 2 children, 2 adults) are on sale from www.thecroydonpanto.com.

Tickets for Schools and Clubs (min. 10 people), are £12 per head, and every 11th ticket is free. 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 this special groups rate.

There will be a ‘relaxed performance’ of JACK AND THE BEANSTALK on Thursday 14th December at 2.00pm. 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.

For all the latest news about JACK AND THE BEANSTALK visit www.thecroydonpanto.com  and follow @TheCroydonPanto on Twitter and @CroydonPanto on Facebook.