Month: January 2018

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MALY DRAMA THEATRE OF ST. PETERSBURG MAKE A RARE RETURN TO LONDON WITH A LIMITED SEASON OF LIFE AND FATE AND UNCLE VANYA

RETURNING TO LONDON FOR A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED LIMITED SEASON
THE INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED
MALY DRAMA THEATE OF ST.PETERSBURG PRESENT
The legendary Maly Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg – described by Peter Brook as ‘the finest ensemble theatre in Europe’ – returns to London this spring for a strictly limited engagement for the first time in over a decade. They will present the UK première of Vasily Grossman’s epic novel, Life and Fate, and reprise their celebrated production of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya at London’sTheatre Royal Haymarket. Press nights will be held for Life and Fate on Tuesday May 8th andWednesday 9th and on Tuesday May 15th for Uncle Vanya. Both productions will be performed in Russian with English surtitles.
 
Under the artistic directorship of Lev Dodin – one of the most celebrated theatre practitioners working today – the Maly Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg has become one of the greatest theatres in the world. During his 35 year tenure many of Dodin’s shows have won international awards including state prizes of Russian and the USSR, Golden Mask Awards and a Lawrence Olivier Award (becoming the first international company to do so for Stars in the Morning Sky, 1989). In 2000 he received the European Theatre Award.
 
LIFE AND FATE (UK première)
 
7.00pm May 8th & 9th (Press Nights), 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th
2.30pm May 20th
“Big, frightening, merciless yet incredibly touching, tortured and beautiful …
a requiem of a performance.”
Kommersant, Moscow
 
“Beautiful, terrifying and resoundingly contemporary”
Financial Times on the Paris Premiere
 
It’s early 1943. Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Russia are in a bitter struggle for their very survival.
 
Adapted for the stage for the very first time from Vasily Grossman’s celebrated novel, banned because of the parallels it drew between Nazism and Soviet Communism, Life and Fate is a sweeping panorama of Soviet Society, an epic tale of a country told through the fate of a single Jewish family, the Shtrum’s.
 
From Nazi concentration camps to the Gulags of Siberia and the Soviet nuclear programme, as the battle of Stalingrad looms large the characters must work out their destinies in a world torn by ideological tyranny and war.
 
This critically acclaimed production, winner of the Golden Mask for best play, has toured around the world since its première in 2007, shining a light on the heart of 20th century darkness.
 
On presenting a draft prior to publication, Grossman’s magnum opus, Life and Fate, was seized by the KGB. The former Red Army newspaper war correspondent, (championed by his fellow soldiers for the honesty of his writing) was told by the Communist Party’s chief ideologist Mikhail Suslov that the novel would be unpublishable for at least 200 years. Its astonishing act of wartime truth-telling and the parallels it drew between the Soviet Union and the Third Reich were deemed unacceptably anti-Soviet. Grossman became in effect a persona non grata.
 
The KGB raided Grossman’s flat and seized manuscripts, notes and even the ribbon from the typewriter on which the text had been written. Unbeknownst to authorities, Grossman had smuggled two copies to acquaintances in the literary world. He died in poverty, forgotten and ignored in 1964, but his masterpiece would live on. Microfilmed and smuggled to the West, it was first published in 1980 to critical acclaim. France’s Le Monde hailed it ‘the greatest Russian novel of the 20th Century.’ Military historian Antony Beevor described it as the War and Peace of the Stalinist era.
 
Lev Dodin discovered the novel in 1985 whilst guest directing in Helsinki. He says: “I still remember vividly that I ‘gulped down’ the novel in two nights and that I was in absolute shock. I didn’t even think before reading it was possible to write about our life in such a way.”  Before its world premièrein Paris in spring 2007 the company spent three years rehearsing the piece, researching the period in great detail, visiting Auschwitz, and eventually premiering the piece in Norilsk, a city in the very heart of Gulag territory.
 
Dodin continues: “Grossman’s Life and Fate is in fact a simple family story, and it presents us with a vast panorama of the events and problems of the 20th and 21st centuries. In our everyday lives we still encounter the modern guises of fascism, communism, nationalism, totalitarianism, extremism, cruelty and lack of freedom. In spite of everything, people still continue to live, love and hope.
 
“Suffering has no nationality – I think this is why Grossman’s novel is becoming so popular – again – in Europe and across the world.”
 
UNCLE VANYA
7.00pm May 15TH (Press Night), 16th and 17th
“A masterful production… one of the best evenings of London theatre this year”
Evening Standard
 
“A beautiful production that has the stillness and luminosity of a great painting”
The Guardian
 
Vanya, together with his niece Sonya, has sacrificed his life managing the estate of Professor Serebryakov, his former brother-in-law and Sonya’s father. But when the Professor returns from the city with his glamorous young wife Yelena, tensions spiral as their world is thrown upside down.
 
Chekhov’s tragicomic masterpiece of dashed dreams and thwarted and eternal love returns to London in
Lev Dodin’s definitive interpretation of this classic play.
 
Maly Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg’s Royal Theatre, Haymarket season is presented by
Oliver King and Ekaterina Kashyntseva for Belka Productions
with the support of Roman Abramovich, Sir Leonard Blavatnik , Yuri Shefler & Alexander Machkevitch.
 
For more information visit Maly2018.com. Follow us on Twitter #Maly2018
 
 
VENUE                                                              Theatre Royal Haymarket, Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4HT
BOOKING INFORMATION         (T) +44 (0) 207 930 8800 |(W) www.trh.co.uk
 
LIFE AND FATE
Tue 8th May – 7.00pm
Wed 9th May – 7.00pm
Fri 11th May – 7.00pm
Sat 12th May – 7.00pm
Fri 18th May – 7.00pm
Sat 19th May – 7.00pm
Sun 20th May – 2.30pm
 
UNCLE VANYA
Tue 15th May – 7.00pm
Wed 16th May – 7.00pm
Thur 17th May – 7.00pm
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Bismillah! An ISIS Tragicomedy comes to VAULT Festival

February 28th – March 4th, VAULT Festival

Coming to London after a barnstorming, critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2015, Wound Up Theatre’s Bismillah! An ISIS Tragicomedy, now has its London debut at VAULT Festival this Spring, exploring the strange new reality of youth in modern day Britain and examining social alienation, radicalisation, disenfranchisement and the rock band Queen.

“bold and thought-provoking” The Guardian

Dean joined the army, Danny joined the Islamic State. Bismillah! is their time together as captive and guard. Set in 2015 in a basement in Northern Iraq, Bismillah! uses humour and compassion to approach an incredibly vital discussion around the experiences of disenfranchised young people in modern Britain.

This hilarious and heartbreaking production examines the impact of racial, social, economic and religious politics on youth in society. It’s a show which tackles huge contemporary issues: from rising social tensions and the fall out of interventionist foreign policies to working in Weatherspoons and the ever-rising price of a standard meal deal.

★★★★★“brilliantly acted and superbly written(…) side-splitting and touching” Broadway Baby

Bismillah! stormed the Fringe during its critically acclaimed run at the 2015 Edinburgh Festival. It was listed for the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award and was endorsed by Nihal Arthanayake on the BBC Asian Network. Since its Fringe run, the show has been in development with Sevan Greene at London’s Theatre Royal Stratford East. VAULT Festival marks the show’s London theatrical debut.

Wound Up Theatre, joined by award-Winning producer Sofi Berenger and director Jonny Kelly, produce award winning theatre-maker Matthew Greenhough’s script. Wound Up produce social and politically aware theatre, which discusses seismic issues, through comedy – facilitating discussions and challenging ideas. The company’s first play, Delusions of Adequacy, explored youth unemployment, and #VILE: The Untimely Demise of a Manufactured Pop Star, exploring the impact of celebrity culture and social media on mental health in working class Northern Communities.

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Scandal behind the filming of Network revealed in Mad As Hell at Jermyn Street Theatre

Mad As Hell
Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6ST
Wednesday 7th February – Saturday 24th February

Documenting the scandalous relationship between Peter Finch and Eletha Barrett in Hollywood, Cassie McFarlane’s Mad As Hell will continue Jermyn Street Theatre’s Spring Scandal Season. A battle between race and prejudice and the courage of love, Mad As Hell will reveal for the first time how the backdrop to Finch’s iconic performance was as fiery as the role he played.

This explosive play will star Stephen Hogan (Redwater, BBC; Transformers, The Last Knight, Paramount; Peer Gynt, National Theatre), Vanessa Donovan (forthcoming films include I Love London and The Marker) and Alexandra Mardell (Mine, The Courtyard theatre; Vera, ITV).

Inspired by her mother’s retelling of the story of Finch and Barrett and the Jamaican reaction to Finch’s relationship with a local woman of the ‘wrong class’, Cassie McFarlane has researched and revisited Jamaica for Mad As Hell. Recipient of the Evening Standard Most Promising Newcomer for her role in the pioneering Black British film Burning an Illusion, McFarlane found a lack of roles for Black British actors at the time led her to instead write and produce short films for the BFI, Channel 4, and ZDF in Germany, and to direct plays at theatres including Soho Theatre.

A bar in Jamaica. The early 1960s. When womanising, hell-raising film star Peter Finch meets Eletha Barrett, a charismatic island girl, they both get more than they bargained for. As Finch begins his Oscar- winning performance in Network, racial and class tensions threaten to upstage the on screen narrative.

Writer and director Cassie McFarlane comments, Like many Jamaicans, I have known the story of Peter and Eletha since childhood. I think it will speak to many people about Hollywood, about prejudice, and about mixed-race relationships. I am excited to be bringing their amazing story to life in Mad As Hell, and to direct its world premiere in the middle of the West End.

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Dai Fujikura Portrait | Avex Classics | Wigmore Hall | 17 Feb 2018

Dai Fujikura Portrait
Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2BP
Saturday 17th February 2018, 7.30pm

Following the successes of previous years’ ‘Avex Recital Series’, Avex now launch their 2018 programme with a special Dai Fujikura Portrait concert featuring musicians from around the world, performing works for shamisen (a traditional Japanese instrument), toy piano, violin, saxophone, and a quintet comprising oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon and piano. This evening of beautiful sound colours and contrasting sonority will also mark several UK premières as well as a world premiere of a piece for solo piano.

The incredible artists who will be performing at Wigmore are Mei Yi Foo (piano and toy piano), HONJOH Hidejiro (shamisen), Yu Kosuge (piano), Rie Koyama (bassoon), Masanori Oishi (saxophone), Enno Senft (double bass), Philippe Tondre (oboe), Bartosz Woroch (violin), Makoto Yoshida (clarinet) and Teunis van der Zwart (horn).

Dai Fujikura is acclaimed worldwide and has been awarded many important prizes throughout his career including the Royal Philharmonic Society Award, Otaka Prize, Akutagawa Composition Award, WIRED Audi Innovation Award, the Paul Hindemith Prize, and The Silver Lion Award from Venice Biennale 2017. His works include operas, orchestral pieces, ensemble works, chamber music, and film scores that cross over into the contemporary world with strong connections to experimental, pop, jazz and improvisation.

Having received numerous international co-commissions, Dai Fujikura’s music has been performed in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He recently held the composer-in-residence position at Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra. In the UK, he has received two BBC Proms commissions, his Double Bass Concerto was premiered by the London Sinfonietta, and in 2013 the BBC Symphony Orchestra gave the UK premiere of his Atom. Recently, Dai has been named the artistic director of the Born Creative Festival in Tokyo Metropolitan Theater for 2017.

Hiroyuki Nakashima, President at Avex Classics International, comments, Avex Classics International is committed to nurturing the best young musical talent and giving them an international platform. From intimate recitals to huge multimedia presentations, we engage audiences of all ages and nationalities in the unique power that defines the best musical performances and artists. Our return to Wigmore Hall demonstrates the best of Japanese talent and we are delighted to be back at this renowned hall.

Dai Fujikura Portrait looks back across Fujikura’s whole career as far as some works from his time at college. He describes Frozen Heat for Solo Piano (1998) like meeting an old friend.

Neo for Solo Shamisen (2014) was Fujikura’s first composition for the shamisen. Until this point he had always associated Japanese instruments as the clichéd music heard in Japanese restaurants outside of Japan. When this work was commissioned he cast aside these preconceptions and carried out extensive research into the history of the instrument. His attraction to the shamisen was the concept of adding ‘noise’ to the sound, something unthinkable in western classical music; he treated this piece like a guitar solo in a rock concert.

While many of the works have been composed specifically for the artists who will perform them at Wigmore, every few years Fujikura composes for himself which allows him to go back to basics and experiment with new methods and systems. SekSek and Ayatori for Solo Piano (2011) is one such work. With works like this, Fujikura imposes strict limits on the piece. For instance, he might develop a rule where ‘no more than three notes can be played at the same time’, or ‘no pedal’, or ‘right hand and left hand always move together’.

Bringing together an incredible range of award-winning musicians from around the globe, Dai Fujikura Portrait offers an opportunity to celebrate the work and achievements of this incredible composer.

Dai Fujikura comments, I am delighted to have a portrait concert at the renowned Wigmore Hall with all-star musicians from all over the world. Many of the works have been specially written for these musicians, for both traditional Japanese and western instruments. I am curious to hear 20 years of my music played together at this concert which includes compositions dating back to 1998 as well as a world premiere. What a way to celebrate my 40th!

The second concert in Avex’s 2018 series will held on Saturday 2nd June. This Rachmaninov programme will be performed by Yuki Ito (cello) and Sofya Gulyak (piano)

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New Jersey Nights Review

Darlington Hippodrome – until 20 January 2018.  Reviewed by Lindsay Sykes

3***

New Jersey Nights is a concert style production which takes the audience through a celebration of greatest hits by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. With a distinct party atmosphere, there is no story line, making this a show purely about the music. It has a very different feel to the hit musical Jersey Boys, and as far as tribute acts go, these boys are up there with the best.

Opening in Ruby’s Bar with the six dancers evoking the era of the late 50’s and early 60’s with their costumes and dancing, they remain on stage for most of the show embellishing it with their enthusiasm.  The set comprises of a bland makeshift bar set-up (backboards on wheels portraying the walls, a bar and to the right a table and chairs), it doesn’t look particularly inviting. However as the four piece band take their places, initially behind the bar walls while a lone barman fiddles with the vintage radio for a signal, the stage soon becomes alive.

Lead vocals are shared between the four performers – Joshua Dever, William Hazel, Duncan Heather and Ricky Rojas – who have all toured extensively with the production previously. Kicking off the show with Oh What a Night and continuing with hits including Sherry, Walk Like a Man, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Let’s Hang On, Grease and Who Loves You. This is balanced with slower numbers such as My Eyes Adored You and Fallen Angel and a beautifully sung acapella version of Silence is Golden.

Aside from the main Valli numbers the girls in the show perform two songs from Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound. As they are the dancers it is obvious that they are lip-synching which is a shame in a live show.  However it is a nice nod to one of the musical influences of the Four Seasons and allows the three girls to take centre stage.

A show like this, with few unscripted moments, thrives on banter and all four are excellent at creating a rapport with the audience. It’s a smart move, as the format of the show – songs followed by a short piece of narration – could feel quite sterile without that spark.  All four performers seems to be having a good time and it shows in their enthusiasm

On a snowy January evening this show is well worth the effort of going to see to banish the post Christmas blues.  The evening came to a close with a megamix which brought almost the entire audience to their feet. Everybody was dancing and singing without a care in the world and I noticed some truly impressive moves. The singers produce a fine performance of the Four Seasons including all of the falsetto and harmonies. If you love the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and are prepared to take New Jersey Nights for what it is you will have a fun-filled night. In Darlington until January 20th and on tour around the UK

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Sunset Boulevard Review

Mayflower Theatre Southampton – until 20 January.  Reviewed by Jo Gordon

4****

Set in the Golden era of Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard shows us the desperate, seedy and needy lives of those who want to make it big and those who have faded from the limelight – grasping hard on to the little glimmer of fame they still have. Joe Gillis  is a struggling writer trying to make it to the top at Paramount Pictures and failing, trying to dodge the debt collectors he finds himself broken down outside an old mansion, 10086 Sunset Boulevard, and knocks the door for help. Confronted with a creepy looking butler, Max Von Mayerling,  Joe is invited in where he meets the once, silent movie Goddess, Norma Desmond, a larger than life, velvet clad turban wearing Diva who demands to be adored like the superstar she believes she still is.

After convincing Joe to edit a script she has written for a film that will be her big return to the silver screen, Joe becomes a kept man and eventually Norma’s lover in the hope this is his chance to be the high flying writer he dreams of. Meanwhile he continues working on a script with  Molly Lynch whose friendship begins to blossom into something more. Tired of Norma’s melodramatics, controlling ways and her spiral downwards into madness he realises that his new way of life is destroying him and tries to leave to be with Molly ending in fatal consequences.

The orchestra play the 1950’s inspired musical score sublimely, carrying off the big numbers in a way that makes you forget they are not high in numbers and the set has been incredibly well designed, placing you in various locations back in the day.  The whole cast are a talented and energetic bunch. Dougie Carter played a superb Joe Gillis, portraying the young writers at all costs desperation with feeling and depth, whose singing hits the mark every time. Ria Jones took my breath away as Norma Desmond, a veracious, melancholic, expressive performance who on delivering the big show tunes left the audiences excitement palpable! I imagine I am a rarity in having never seen this production before, whether on stage or indeed the film, thinking the all singing dialogue would ruin it for me…. how wrong I was… I adored it! “Those wonderful people out there in the dark” were on our feet left wanting more.

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A (Brave) New Cast Announced For The Play That Goes Wrong At Storyhouse

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
CAUSING FURTHER CHAOS NATIONWIDE
OLIVIER AWARD WINNING WEST END SMASH HIT COMEDY
ANNOUNCES (BRAVE) NEW CAST FOR 2018 UK TOUR
The Play That Goes Wrong, the West End’s Olivier Award winning box office hit, today announces the full cast for its 2018 UK Tour. The touring cast presents: Jake Curran (Chris), Catherine Dryden (Annie), Bobby Hirston (Max), Benjamin McMahon (Dennis), Gabriel Paul (Trevor), Steven Rostance (Jonathan), Kazeem Tosin Amore (Robert), Elena Valentine (Sandra) with David Kristopher-Brown (Understudy), Laura White(Understudy), Liam Horrigan (Understudy) and Louisa Sexton (Understudy).
 
Back on the road following the phenomenal sell-out success of this year’s tour, the 2018 UK tour will open at Northampton’s Royal & Derngate on 4 January, visiting 34 venues nationwide until September 2018. The show stops off at Storyhouse in Chester on Monday 29th January for one week only.
 
Winning eleven international awards, including the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and a 2017 Tony Award for its Broadway transfer, The Play That Goes Wrong continues to play to sold out houses in the West End, whilst enjoying its new status as Broadway’s longest running play. It is a remarkable rags-to-riches story for a play, which started its life at a London fringe venue with only four paying members of the public at the first performance, and has since played to an audience of almost one and a half million worldwide. This autumn The Play That Goes Wrong has been playing simultaneously in twelve countries.
 
Co-written by Mischief Theatre company members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, The Play That Goes Wrong is a highly physical comedy packed with finely-tuned farce and Buster Keaton inspired slapstick delivered with split-second timing and ambitious daring. The play introduces The ‘Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’ who are attempting to put on a 1920s’ murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong… does, as the accident prone thespians battle on against all the odds to get to their final curtain call.
 
“Why would all these regional theatres want a return visit of our little murder mystery show when last year’s tour went so badly wrong. I am at a loss to understand it.” Producer, Kenny Wax
 
Mischief Theatre was founded in 2008 by a group of graduates of The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and began as an improvised comedy group. Their other production The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is now booking into its third year in the West End at the Criterion Theatre and their new improv show Mischief Movie Night opens in the West End on 13 December at the Arts Theatre. In December 2016, Mischief made their TV debut on the BBC with Peter Pan Goes Wrong, starring David Suchet as the guest narrator. Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Olivier Award Nominee 2016) also enjoyed two sell-out West End seasons and a UK tour. Mischief returns to BBC One this Christmas with a brand new production, A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong, filmed in front of a live studio audience (transmission date to be announced). The company is led by Artistic Director Henry Lewis and Company Director Jonathan Sayer.
 
The Play That Goes Wrong is directed by Mark Bell, with set designs by Nigel Hook, lighting by Ric Mountjoyand costumes by Roberto Surace. The Play That Goes Wrong is produced in the West End and on tour byKenny Wax Ltd and Stage Presence Ltd.
 
Twitter: @playgoeswrong 
Facebook: The Play That Goes Wrong
 
LISTING INFORMATION
 
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
Storyhouse
Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR
 
Monday 29 January – Saturday 3 February 2018
Evenings 7.30pm | Wed & Sat Mats 2.30pm
Tickets: From £20.50 (Dynamic pricing: Book early to guarantee cheapest and best seats)
 
HOW TO BOOK
Online:            Visit www.storyhouse.com
By Phone:       Call 01244 409113
In person:       Visit the Ticket Kiosks At Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR
Visit Chester Visitor Information Centre.
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LATEST SHOWS TO GO ON SALE AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

LATEST SHOWS TO GO ON SALE AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

Priority tickets on sale from Wednesday 17 January / General from Wednesday 24 January 2018

CILLA THE MUSICAL *** SIXTIES GOLD *** RAIN MAN *** MOTOWN ***

*****

Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 October 2018

 

CILLA THE MUSICAL

 

Based on the critically acclaimed ITV mini-series, Cilla The Musical follows the story of the extraordinary life of the ordinary teenage girl from Liverpool, Priscilla White, and her rocky, yet incredible rise to fame.

 

At just 25-years-old, Cilla Black was one of the most internationally recognised singing stars, who later went on to become one of Britain’s favorite television entertainers headlining multiple series of Blind Date, Surprise Surprise and many more.

 

The musical score is the ultimate soundtrack to the sixties, including ‘Anyone who had a heart’, ‘Alfie’ and‘Something tells me’.

 

*****

 

Sunday 28 October

 

SIXTIES GOLD

 

Following 2017’s successful tour, Sixties Gold returns with an even stronger line-up of artists that, between them, scored over 50 UK Top 30 hits: The Searchers, The Merseybeats, The Fortunes, PJ Proby, Love Affair’s Steve Ellis and Vanity Fare.

 

*****

 

Monday 29 October to Saturday 3 November 2018

 

RAIN MAN

 

Bill Kenwright presents the inaugural Classic Screen to Stage Theatre Companies production of Rain Man – based on the Oscar-winning film starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman.

 

Rain Man tells the story of two brothers, Charlie Babbitt, a self-centered salesman, and Raymond, Charlie’s long-lost elder, autistic brother. When Charlie discovers that Raymond has inherited the family’s multi-million-dollar fortune, he sets out to get ‘his half’ by ‘borrowing’ Raymond from the institution where he has spent most of his life and embarking on a trip across America.

 

*****

 

Tuesday 6 to Saturday 17 November 2018

 

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL

 

The sensational hit West End musical is bringing its unique sound to Leeds and is guaranteed to having audiences ‘Dancing in the Street’.

 

With just $800, Berry Gordy founded Motown Records and launched the careers of multiple legendary artists, including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and The Temptations.

 

Featuring over 50 classic hits, including ‘My Girl’, ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’ and ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’, Motown The Musical tells the thrilling tale of the man who broke barriers and fought against the odds to create something more than a record label.

 

*****

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Liverpool’s Ray Quinn Announced To Star In Jack And The Beanstalk At The Epstein Theatre

LIVERPOOL’S RAY QUINN ANNOUNCED TO STAR IN JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

THE GIANT PANTO COMING TO THE EPSTEIN THEATRE FOR EASTER 2018

Fe-fi-fo-fum – get ready for some panto fun! As LHK Productions announce that leading the all-star cast for their Easter panto, Jack and The Beanstalk, will be Liverpool’s own Ray Quinn.

This egg-cellent production will be scaling new heights at The Epstein Theatre from Thursday 29 March – Sunday 8 April and tickets are on-sale now.

Multi-talented singer, dancer and actor, Ray first came to attention in 2000 playing Anthony Murray on Channel 4’s Brookside, and won the hearts of the nation in 2006 on ITV’s The X Factor where he went all the way to the final, finishing runner-up.

Following the success of The X Factor, Ray’s debut album Doing It My Way entered the charts at number 1, selling over 300,000 copies without even releasing a single.

He then skated to victory not once, but twice on the ITV show Dancing On Ice first as Series 4 champion in 2009, and then again on the All Stars series in 2014.

No stranger to the theatre stage, Ray has appeared in some of the biggest hit shows includingGrease, Dirty Dancing and Legally Blonde and most recent, in the UK tour of the smash musical The Wedding Singer starring as Glen.

On joining the cast, Ray Quinn said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be coming home to Liverpool and appearing on The Epstein stage. There is no better feeling than playing to an audience in your home town! Panto is great fun, I always have a great time and I can’t wait to be back. I’ll see you at Easter Liverpool!”

LHK Productions Managing Director Lee Kelly added: “We are delighted to have cast Ray as Jack for our Easter panto. He is a local lad, audiences from Liverpool know and love him! He is a true professional, and has appeared in some of the UK’s biggest stage shows, so I know he will be a great addition to the show!”

Jack and the Beanstalk is the tallest of gloriously tall panto tales, telling the story of hapless hero Jack who swaps the family cow for a bag of beans.

With a beanstalk reaching the heavens, golden geese and hungry giants, this show really is too big to miss.

The full cast who will be joining Ray tell this epic tale will be announced in the coming months, so watch this space!

Be sure to join LHK Productions and The Epstein Theatre this Easter for Liverpool’s best value panto, with tickets starting from just £11.

PANTO LISTING:

Jack and the Beanstalk

Date: Thursday 29 March – Sunday 8 April

Times: Vary

Tickets:  Adult £16.50/ Concession £15.50/ Family £54

Groups: £14 and 1 in 15 FREE

Limited number of £11 tickets available on select performances

             

*Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy

 

HOW TO BOOK

Call 0844 888 4411, visit www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk or book in person at the theatre box office (open 2pm-6pm Mon-Thu & 12pm-6pm Fri-Sat)

Or via TicketQuarter: Call 0844 8000 410, visit www.ticketquarter.co.uk

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Mental health in millenials is examined in new play at Lion and Unicorn Theatre

Breathe

February 1st – 2nd, Lion and Unicorn Theatre

New play Breathe, after readings at the Young Vic and scratch night performances at the Bread and Roses, is staged in a full production at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre this February. The play tackles the thorny issue of mental health amongst millenials trying to make their way in life.

“ambitious (…) I look forward to see the (full production)” The Blog of Theatre Things

Breathe pans across the struggles of four housemates living in London trying to successfully accomplish their dreams. Personal secrets, fears and dreams emerge as their lives intertwine, revealing the importance of human connection and friendship in the face of anxiety and depression. Will they choose security or transform their fears into fuel to conquer their dreams?

Writer Lucrezia Pollice is a freelance theatre & film director and producer based in London. After training as an actor at the famous Italian drama school Paolo Grassi Academy and the RADA foundation course at CSVPA, Lucrezia graduated with a First Honours Degree from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, in Drama, Applied Theatre and Education – focusing her degree on Directing, Producing and Playwrighting. She recently produced and directed the critically acclaimed short documentary IDENTITY ,which premiered at the United Nations WTPFilm Festival at the BFI Southbank. She will soon be producing and directing a documentary short film for Westminster Council.

Producer Aretusa Campagnolo worked as an assistant producer for MDA Contemporary Dance Company and as an executive producer for RedWedge Srl, a film production company based in Rome. She moved to the UK to undertake a Master’s degree in Culture, Policy and Management at City University of London, where she graduated in October 2017. Prior to moving into assisting in producing Metal Rabbit Productions in 2017, she interned as a Company Administrator for circus company Gandini Juggling.