Month: March 2018

Richmond Theatre – until 10th March. Reviewed by Jessica Brady

5*****

The 70’s classic Sit-com Some Mothers Do ‘Ave’ Em gave us some wonderful years of slapstick comedy with heart behind it and notable catch phrases have stood the test of time. So, it seems like a perfect opportunity to relive this classic in a wonderfully written stage version filled to the brim with hilarious and unfortunate mishaps!

The script is sculpted around Raymond Allen’s original series, re-written and directed perfectly by Guy Unsworth, who has stayed true to the original innuendos and stunt like comedy and taken several storylines from the TV episodes to make a full and coherent play which can be enjoyed by all ages!

Taking on the title role of Frank Spencer is ‘Im a Celebrity’ King of the Jungle Joe Pasquale and what a set of shoes to fill! Michael Crawford made the original Frank Iconic, with his clumsy ways and ‘OOH Betty’ but that is not an obstacle for Pasquale who take the role and makes it his own and manages effortlessly to make the audience laugh with his interpretation. A real tour de force performance and makes you fall in love with ‘Some Mothers’ all over again.

Betty Spencer, Franks long suffering but incredibly understanding wife is played by Sarah Earnshaw who again doesn’t try to replicate the performance of Michele Dotrice, but instead brings her own warm and patience to Betty which creates a lovely chemistry between Frank and Betty.

Susie Blake is well known for her comedy prowess and playing Betty’s mother, Barbara is no obstacle and proves to be equally hilarious character as Frank. Blake even does arguably one of the best stunts in the show and nothing phases her!

The rest of the cast are fantastic and support the show with the gusto it needs! Father O’Hara (played by David Shaw Parker), Terry Luscombe (played by Moray Treadwell) and the Constable (Played by Chris Kiely) all work their magic to control the chaos that unravels.

This is a wonderful example of fantastic family fun comedy, there really is something for everyone and I often had tears in my eyes from laughing so much! If you’re a fan of the original sitcom this is something you simply can not miss out on seeing whilst its on its UK tour! A fun filled evening that will leave your belly aching from laughter!

DAN LOONEY, ADAM PAULDEN,

JASON HAIGH-ELLERY AND SELLADOOR WORLDWIDE ANNOUNCE FURTHER DATES FOR THE

UK TOUR OF

THE AWARD-WINNING SMASH HIT MUSICAL

“ROCK OF AGES”

OPENING AT THE CHURCHILL THEATRE, BROMLEY

ON 20 SEPTEMBER 2018

Dan Looney, Adam Paulden, Jason Haigh-Ellery and Selladoor Worldwide are delighted to announce further dates for the UK tour of the award-winning smash-hit musical “ROCK OF AGES” opening at The Churchill Theatre, Bromley on 20 September 2018. Further to the previously announced dates, “ROCK OF AGES” will now also play Glasgow King’s Theatre (22  – 26 January 2019), His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen (29 January – 2 February 2019), Regent Theatre Stoke-on-Trent (12 – 16 February 2019), The Hawth Crawley (19 – 23 February 2019), New Wimbledon Theatre (26 February – 2 March 2019), Ipswich Regent Theatre (5 – 9 March 2019), Coventry Belgrade Theatre (12 – 16 March 2019), New Theatre Oxford (19 – 23 March 2019), Theatre Royal Nottingham (2 – 6 April 2019), Bristol Hippodrome (16 – 20 April 2019), Grand Opera House York (23 – 28 April 2019), Edinburgh Playhouse (30 April – 4 May 2019), Northampton Royal & Derngate (7 – 11 May 2019), Swansea Grand Theatre (14 – 19 May 2019), New Victoria Theatre Woking (21 – 25 May 2019), Marlowe Theatre Canterbury (25 – 29 June 2019), Blackpool Winter Gardens (2 – 6 July 2019) and Sunderland Empire (23 – 27 July 2019).

Full tour schedule below with casting to be announced soon. www.rockofagesmusical.co.uk

“ROCK OF AGES” is an LA love story lavished with over 25 classic rock anthems. Lose yourself in a city and a time where the dreams are as big as the hair, and yes, they can come true!

This hilarious musical comedy features the songs, including We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Here I Go Again, Can’t Fight this Feeling and I Want To Know What Love Is, played loud and proud by an awesome live band.

WARNING: CONTAINS SERIOUS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL DEBAUCHERY!

Now a global smash with extensive runs in London’s West End, on Broadway and in Las Vegas, the show has also been made in to a star studded Hollywood movie.

“ROCK OF AGES” has a book by Chris D’Arienzo and Arrangements and Orchestrations by Ethan Popp. It is directed and choreographed by Nick Winston (“The Royal Variety Performance”, “Annie” and “The Wedding Singer”) designed by Morgan Large (“The Woman in White”, “Top Hat” and “The Christmasaurus”) and has lighting design by Ben Cracknell (“Young Frankenstein”, “Sunset Boulevard” and “Annie”).

ROCK OF AGES – UK Tour 2018/2019

THURSDAY 20 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2018

The Churchill Theatre, Bromley

www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2018

Manchester Opera House

www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 6 OCTOBER 2018

Wycombe Swan Theatre

www.wycombeswan.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

MONDAY 8 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 13 OCTOBER 2018

Darlington Hippodrome

www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER 2018

Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin

www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER 2018

Liverpool Empire Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 6 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2018

New Theatre, Cardiff

www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 13 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2018

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 20 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2018

The Orchard Theatre, Dartford

www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

MONDAY 26 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER 2018

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 22 JANUARY – SATURDAY 26 JANUARY 2019

Glasgow Kings Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 29 JANUARY – SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2019

His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen

www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/venues/his-majestys-theatre

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 12 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2019

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre/

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2019

The Hawth, Crawley

www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/The-Hawth

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 2 MARCH 2019

New Wimbledon Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 5 MARCH – SATURDAY 9 MARCH 2019

Ipswich Regent Theatre

www.apps.ipswich.gov.uk

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 12 MARCH – SATURDAY 16 MARCH 2019

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

www.belgrade.co.uk/

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 19 MARCH – SATURDAY 23 MARCH 2019

New Theatre, Oxford

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 2 APRIL – SATURDAY 6 APRIL 2019

Theatre Royal, Nottingham

www.trch.co.uk

ON SALE 15 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 16 APRIL – SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2019

Bristol Hippodrome

www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome/

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 23 APRIL – SATURDAY 28 APRIL 2019

Grand Opera House, York

www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york/

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 30 APRIL – SATURDAY 4 MAY 2019

Edinburgh Playhouse

www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 7 MAY – SATURDAY 11 MAY 2019

Royal and Derngate, Northampton

www.royalandderngate.co.uk/

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 14 MAY – SATURDAY 19 MAY 2019

Swansea Grand Theatre

www.swansea.gov.uk/swanseagrandtheatre

ON SALE 10 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 21 MAY – SATURDAY 25 MAY 2019

New Victoria Theatre, Woking

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre/

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 25 JUNE – SATURDAY 29 JUNE 2019

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

www.marlowetheatre.com

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 2 JULY – SATURDAY 6 JULY 2019

Winter Gardens, Blackpool

www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 23 JULY – SATURDAY 27 JULY 2019

Sunderland Empire Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

Lowry, Salford – Tuesday 6 March 2018.  Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

5*****

Puccini’s tragic opera “Madama Butterfly” came to the Lowry in Manchester under the company Opera North. The play follows a Geisha called Butterfly, a devoted wife to an American Navy man. Set on a hill near the city Nagasaki, we see how long Butterfly will wait for love.

The play offers powerful visuals and even more powerful acting and vocal ability. The main character of Butterfly played by Anne Sophie Duprels, the fifteen year old to be sold to Lieutenant Pinkerton played by Merūnas Vitulskis. The leading lady gave one of the most spectacular performances I have ever seen in my life, giving the character innocence and charm, whilst being able to sing with a voice that controlled the whole room, and in the end tearing her heart on stage to let the whole weep the tale of Madama Butterfly. The servant of Butterfly is Suzuki played by Anne Taylor, who share a lot of stage time with Duprels, the two had a beautiful connection on stage and gave the second act a lot of energy and life. Taylor’s vocals were also outstanding and gave a performance that complimented the show perfectly. The whole cast of the show were stunning, and I have to note the chorus in the first act who gave an introduction for Butterfly that I don’t think I will ever forget with each member having a different and interesting character.

The set at first seemed rather small with only a tenth of the stage being used, then this metal wall was lived to introduce a stunning Japanese house with walls that moved and gave the house as much character as the actual character, we are given a painting of a volcano in the background which was dormant and added to the picturesque scenery of the show. The band who brought the show to life and worked with the company of actors to deliver what we remember most about the songs from the show, the music, led by Anthony Kraus, I don’t think I heard a single instrument or voice out of tune the whole entire show and there we some complex songs that blew me away.

Whenever I go to the Opera I am always amazed by the sheer talent of the whole production and everyone who is involved in bringing a classic art form to life, but Madama Butterfly blew me away with its stellar and beautiful show. It has become the best opera I have ever seen and I’m looking forward to watching the other two productions of Opera North at the Lowry as part of a trio along with Don Giovanni and Un Ballo in Maschera.

Hull New Theatre – until 17th March 2018.  Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams

5*****

Let’s be clear from the start I am not a Take That fan so I went to the Hull New Theatre last night wondering whether I would enjoy The Band and a tad dubious about seeing another “Jukebox” musical. I shouldn’t have worried what a fabulous night I had as this sleek, high-energy, high-powered musical is a triumph.

As we waited for the show to start Ceefax entertained us with pages from September 1993, setting the scene beautifully. The show’s story revolves around five teenagers who adore “The Band” and win tickets to a concert of their heroes. The second act sees a reunion of four of the women 25 years later. Tim Firth’s writing is very carefully observed and makes us laugh, cringe, cry and cheer for the women who this musical is really about. The teenagers were superb and took me right back to the days when I too adored a pop star and made promises I was so sure I would keep.

Take That’s music is very cleverly interwoven into the story adding to the whole piece and helping to tell the story, but not taking it over. I loved the way “The Band” popped up to sing in the most unlikely places. The version of Back For Good sung by the teenagers to their adult selves was particularly moving. The music is an integral part of the show and reminds us how important music is to so many and that it has the power to inspire, to support us when we’re down and to instantly transport us to another time and place.

The scenery, lighting and special effects are simply stunning and at times it was difficult to know where to look next. I don’t think I have ever seen gladiators, singing statues, and planes in the same piece before!

It would feel wrong to single out one member of the cast for praise as they were all outstanding, all playing their parts superbly. This really is an ensemble piece and the cast have to be at the top of their game as the tale unfolds and the music weaves in and out of the story. It was like watching a 1000 piece jigsaw being put together, all the individual bits adding up to an extravaganza to please all the senses.

I came out of the theatre buzzing, having loved every minute of this spectacular show. If you get the chance go and see for yourself – you won’t be disappointed.

CASTING ANNOUNCED
FOR NEW WEST END ADAPTATION

OF MOLIÈRE’S TARTUFFE

Peaky Blinders, The Revenant and Sherlock Holmes star
PAUL ANDERSON in West End debut as Tartuffe

Internationally acclaimed French actress and Spiral star
AUDREY FLEUROT to play Elmire

Theatre Royal Haymarket | 25 May – 28 July 2018

Acclaimed film and television actor Paul Anderson will play the title role in Tartuffe at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, alongside celebrated French stage and screen star Audrey Fleurot as Elmire. In the West End’s first ever dual-language production, Molière’s classic comedy re-imagines Tartuffe as a radical American evangelist who uproots the life of a French film tycoon in Hollywood.

Tartuffe will premiere for a limited ten-week West End run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from Friday 25^thMay 2018 (Press Night on Tuesday 29^th May).

Paul Anderson will make his West End debut as Tartuffe, a duplicitous evangelist who holds Orgon’s family under his seductive spell. As well as starring in the hit drama Peaky Blinders (BBC & Netflix) as Arthur Shelby, Paul Anderson has held leading roles in The Revenant (20^th Century Fox), Legend (Working Title), In the Heart of the Sea (Warner Bros. Pictures) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (Warner Bros. Pictures). Paul Anderson will also appear as Guy of Gisborne in Leonardo DiCaprio’s upcoming Robin Hood film (Summit Entertainment) later in 2018.

Audrey Fleurot will play Elmire, Orgon’s wily wife who endeavours to avoid the beguiling effects of Tartuffe’s charm. Audrey Fleurot’s leading roles have included Joséphine Karlsson in the BAFTA nominated Spiral (Canal + / BBC), Magalie in the multi award-winning international hit film The Intouchables (Quad), Hortense in Un village français (Tétra Média) and as herself in Call My Agent! / Dix pour cent! (Netflix).

Additional casting is yet to be announced.

L.A. Present day. French media tycoon Orgon has re-located to Tinsel town with his family, his heart set on becoming Hollywood royalty. With a new studio to his name, and a palatial Beverly Hills mansion, his empire seems infallible. But all is not as it seems, as Orgon falls under the seductive spell of Tartuffe, a radical evangelist. So comprehensively has Tartuffe hoodwinked Orgon that he looks set to steal his fortune, drive away his son, seduce his wife and marry his daughter.  

As befitting the Theatre Royal Haymarket, which was known to the play-going world as ‘The New French Theatre’ following it’s opening in 1720, this adaptation of Tartuffe will alternate between English with French surtitles and French with English surtitles to reflect the unfolding plot.

Written in 1664, Tartuffe, or The Impostor became regarded as one of Molière’s most celebrated comedies, complete with some of the greatest classical theatre roles. Set present day in Donald Trump’s America, the play’s trenchant mockery of human frailties remains as relevant as ever in this darkly comic adaptation of the classic satire.

Adaptor Christopher Hampton is an Academy, BAFTA and Olivier award winning writer and director. His screenplay credits include the Oscar-winning Dangerous Liaisons, Atonement, Ali and Nino and A Dangerous Method. His stage credits include his Olivier Award-winning adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Sunset Boulevard, Stephen Ward, and his original plays Appomatox, The Talking Cure, White Chameleon, Treats, Savages and The Philanthropist.

Director Gerald Garutti is the former dramaturg of the French National Theatre (Théâtre National Populaire, 2006-11). In English, he has directed a script-in-hand performance of Dangerous Liaisons for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Notes from the Underground starring Harry Lloyd (The Print Room) and The Fall Of The House Of Usher (Vingtième Théâtre). His latest production in France was the sell out Brief Praise of Nightstarring Pierre Richard (Théâtre du Rond-Point & touring). He has written, adapted and directed texts including Badly But Quickly (National Theatre, Odéon), Correspondence For Three (Le Printemps des Poètes), The Hunters of the Absolute (France Culture), A Century of Fury (Brangues), The Sense of Desire (Odéon), Haim – In The Light Of A Violin (Salle Gaveau, national tour for four seasons) and Lorenzaccio (Théâtre National La Criée).

www.TartuffePlay.com

CREATIVES

Directed by Gerald Garutti

Adapted by Christopher Hampton

Composed by Laurent Petitgand

Designed by Tim Goodchild

Lighting design by Paul Anderson

Sound design by David Gregory

ADDRESS

Theatre Royal Haymarket

18 Suffolk Street

London

SW1Y 4HT

SEASON DATES

Friday 25 May – Saturday 28 July 2018

BOOKING ONLINE

www.trh.co.uk

PERFORMANCE TIMES

Mondays – Saturdays: 7.30pm 

Thursdays: 2.30pm

TICKETS

Prices from £15

TELEPHONE BOOKING

020 7930 8800

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: TartuffePlay

Twitter: @TartuffePlay

#TartuffePlay

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF MARIA SPADAFORA AS CREATIVE ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

StoryHouse, Chester – until Saturday 10th March 2018.  Reviewed by Julie Noller 

5*****

My first memories of Cilla Black are of ITV Saturday nights, Blind Date and Surprise Surprise, when she made a scouse accent trendy again. She was a big bouncy ball of fun with a lorra lorra laughs. But this wasn’t the story of down to earth mumsy Cilla in the 1980’s; this was the story of Cilla the young down to earth girl from Scotty Road in Liverpool of the 1960’s. Way before she’d reinvented herself. Where voices were everywhere and everyone knew a Beatle or two and to be introduced to Brian Epstein was everything.

Cilla was originally written by Jeff Pope as a three part television serial celebrating the early years of the Queen of Entertainment, growing up and discovering life and love in postwar Liverpool, the booming times of growth, yet everything was small (except the hair) mini skirts and cars. Liverpool as a port itself was slowly declining yet behind closed doors a musical revolution was developing a new sound. Merseybeat was being nurtured in clubs such as the world famous Cavern Club on Matthews Street. The mini series was given the seal of approval by Cilla herself, the musical became a reality sadly after the much loved iconic star had passed away.

Cilla the Musical sould be explained in two parts, firstly the story. The emotion, the humour, the devotion, the love story. Not just between Cilla and our Bobby, but the feistyness of John Lennon. The hardness of the music industry. The fickleness of fame. Then there’s Brian Epstein brilliantly played by Andrew Lancel, we sense a man in turmoil. So sure of himself bringing stars to the top of the hit parade and yet lonely, insecure and needy. Sadly we see his star fading and eventually being extinguished before his time.

The superb Kara Lily Hayworth delights and enthrals as Cilla. I admit to clapping and toe tapping away as well as rubbing goosebumps, my hairs electric. My fellow audience members delighted me by swaying in their seats, singing away and I heard more than once an exclamation of ‘this is my favourite song’. It’s hard to believe that she was found by attending an open audition after a four hour queue, she feels like she was born to play Cilla. Kara lit up the stage in a way only the very best do. Bobby heartwarmingly played by Carl Au is more than a devoted puppy to the enigma he worships, he is indeed her soulmate, best friend and most trusted confidante. In a world where we people watch as hobby, their relationship should be held aloft as a symbol that if something is worth fighting for then you reap what you sow. Religion aside, people first, is something of a motto. The humour is quite often fast paced and surprising, Cilla’s Dad John White (Neil MacDonald) was in the merchant Navy not a great gag but when delivered with perfect timing is hilarious. Her Mother Big Cilla (Pauline Fleming) proud of her daughters achievement of leaving school suitable for office work, devestated upon her leaving that career to become a recording star and then telling all; she herself could have been famous.

Secondly we have the music, who could tell the story of Cilla Black, during 1960’s Liverpool, without including some of the best songs of Merseybeat? I say some as at nearly three hours long you may begin to struggle, but no you’ll be tapping and swaying. Those three hours pass in a blur of lights and great music. I loved the fact people were up dancing and not just swaying in their seats. I grew up listening to stories of trips to Liverpool, clubs in Chester where these stars actually played. Well tonight I lived during the 1960’s, what a magical decade it was. The songs themselves didn’t need an introduction, but they were all delivered with great passion and understanding. The cast were all brilliant, Characters we all know so well, Cilla was the Queen of Entertainment tonight her star is not only shining in the heavens above but on a small theatre stage in Chester and what a brilliant star it is.

Grand Opera House York – until Saturday 10th March 2018. Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

4****

Strangers on a Train is based on the Patricia Highsmith’s first novel, published in 1950, made famous by Oscar winning Alfred Hitchcock film, adapted by Craig Warner.

Two strangers, Charles Bruno and Guy Haines, meet on a train crossing America. Haines just wants to be left alone to read his book, but his new acquaintance, Bruno, is just one of those annoying, infectious people that won’t take no for an answer and is continually pouring Haines out a drink from his bottomless hip flask. Once the alcohol has taken affect and inhabitations lowered the talk turns to murder! Surely what Bruno is proposing is just a joke and is only the drink talking?

The cast as a whole are really quite good, with the main protagonists well cast, delivering strong performances. Chis Harper as Bruno is the stand out performer of the show, funny, manic and decidedly creepy. We firstly see him as the spoilt rich kid, loud and brash, wanting everything on a plate, resenting his father for limiting his funds, why should he work when he can have things for free? He certainly convinces with Bruno, an alcoholic with mummy issues. He becomes more and more psychotic, totally fixated by Haines, and managing to wheedle his ways into Haines life. Jack Ashton plays the somewhat quieter Haines, becoming more and more trapped as he is being manipulated by Bruno. His world is falling apart, a character in torment. There is strong support from John Middleton, as Arthur Gerard, the private eye who solves the mystery, but to be honest Bruno has left too many clues for it not to be solved, Hannah Tointon as Haines’s frilly fiancée and then wife Anne, who is far tougher than she first appears, and Helen Anderson, Bruno’s fragile mother, whose very close relationship with her son is toxic and uncomfortable.

David Woodhead has produced a very clever set. From the initial visual on stage of the American flag, we were introduced to sliding panels revealing different scenes, including the inside a train carriage, an office, a bedroom and a house. The last scene involved a train yard, this was atmospheric and very believable. The show was delayed on the night I went to see it, due to technical difficulties, which after seeing the intricate staging was not a surprise. I’m glad to say that part from that small delay no other problems were encountered.

Strangers on a Train is a good night out with suspense throughout, right until its dramatic conclusion.

OfficialLondonTheatre.com / YouTube / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Giphy / #OlivierAwards

· CATHERINE TATE ANNOUNCED AS HOST OF OLIVIER AWARDS 2018 WITH MASTERCARD.

· 2018 BE INSPIRED CHAMPIONS ANNOUNCED

· ROAD TO OLIVIERS A NEW FOUR-PART SERIES TO PREMIERE WITH FACEBOOK LIVE THROUGHOUT MARCH AND APRIL

The Olivier Awards with Mastercard, the UK’s most prestigious stage honours, is delighted to announce Catherine Tate as the host of this year’s 42nd Olivier Awards ceremony. The ceremony will be hosted at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 8th April and broadcast to the UK and worldwide.

Catherine Tate is an award-winning actress and writer renowned for her BBC Two series The Catherine Tate Show and her central role in BBC One Doctor Who alongside David Tennant. Stage credits include Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory, 2015), The Vote (Donmar Warehouse, 2015), Season’s Greetings (National Theatre, 2011), Much Ado About Nothing (West End, 2011) and Some Girl(s) (West End, 2005) as well as credits at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Catherine presented BBC Two Shakespeare Live! From the RSC with David Tennant and the pair recently reunited for Disney’s Duck Tails (2017). Other recent film credits include playing Baba Yaga in animated horror comedy Monster Family (2017).

Catherine Tate commented, “I’m delighted to be hosting this year’s Olivier Awards. Theatre has always been a big love of mine both as a performer and as an audience member. For me it’s the shared experience that can’t be beaten. The memories I have of theatre stay with me long after the show has ended, even the productions I caught as a child, such is the power of this wonderful medium! There is so much to celebrate within the UK theatre scene and it’s my pleasure to be involved in this exciting and inspiring event.”

The Oliviers Awards is also delighted to announce the 2018 Be Inspired champions, voted for by members of the public and industry. This year’s winners include Ballet Teacher, Angela Allport; accessible theatre campaigner and reviewer, Pippa Stacey; Youth Theatre Director, Cheryl Govan and editor of The Musical Theatre Appreciation Society social media platforms, Willy Mukendi. The champions will attend the ceremony on 8th April to receive their plaques during the red carpet show.

2018 sees the premiere of Road to the Oliviers, a new four-part series building excitement with intimate performances, interviews with the nominees and backstage footage from nominated shows. These will be co-produced by the Olivier Awards and Facebook, and broadcast live on 16th, 23rd, 29th March and 6th April.

Mastercard continues its partnership with Society of London Theatre and its headline sponsorship of the Olivier Awards, bringing cardholders with a passion for theatre closer to the genre they love