Month: April 2018

Trafalgar Studios – until 12 May

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

3***

Joel Drake Johnson’s fine comedy drama explores thorny office politics and ingrained racist attitudes in a Chicago hospital.

Opening with surgeon Dr Williams (Bo Poraj) and office manager Ileen (Elizabeth Berrington) discussing the return to work of Jaclyn (Tanya Moodie) after a short absence, it is made clear from the outset that Williams is unpleasant, slimy and aggressive – traits that Ileen just can’t, or won’t see in him. Before even seeing Jaclyn, Williams’ comments make it clear that she is black, but they both baulk hysterically at the mention of “the race card”. Ileen has been promoted to office manager, even though she and Jaclyn are the only two workers in the office, and Williams has someone else lined up to replace Jaclyn if Ileen can collect enough evidence to remove her.

Jaclyn breezes into the office, a bundle of energy in complete contrast to Ileen’s calm and gentle demeanour. She talks knowingly and at great length about her doctor’s warnings of toxins in the office environment, and is an exhausting combination of jollity, territorialism and aggression. Throughout the play, as she becomes more aware of Ileen’s complicity with Dr Williams, Jaclyn’s behaviour becomes even more bizarre and her attitude towards a patient (albeit immediately after a confrontation with Ileen) causes her huge problems.

The insidious racism of every character (Jaclyn is disparaging about Muslims and Mexicans herself) is sadly recognisable and Sheila Reid delivers the line that drew the most gasps perfectly as an elderly patient nonchalantly telling Jaclyn that her angry is probably “revenge for slavery”. The relationship between Jaclyn and Ileen is never clear – were they friends before Jaclyn’s absence? Is Dr Williams’ intervention the real cause for the disintegration of their relationship? Berrington does well as Ileen, beginning as a timid people-pleaser and subtly becoming more and more paranoid and unhinged, while Poraj is satisfyingly smarmy as Williams. Moodie’s fantastically multi-layered performance is the highlight of the play, veering between neediness and defensive hostility with breath-taking ease. Her delivery of the pivotal monologue near the end of the play is sublime, portraying the bigotry she must endure every day outside the office.

Director Jonathan O’Boyle keeps things tight and pacy, with the running time of 90 minutes seeming much less. The laughs come thick and fast, and the situations in the play will surely make you question events that you may have brushed over or accepted in everyday life. Rasheeda Speaking is well worth a look.

Rose Theatre, Kingston – until 6 May

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Messina becomes a glitzy spa hotel in modern Sicily in Simon Dormandy’s new production of Much Ado About Nothing. The arrival of mafia boss Don Pedro and his men puts strutting hotel manager Leonato (David Rintoul – wonderfully OTT in pastels and a glorious toupee) in a spin, but the news that Don Pedro’s second in command, Claudio, has fallen for his daughter Hero (Kate Lamb) soon has him rubbing his hands in glee at the prospect of his daughter marrying such a powerful man. The wicked plotting of Don Pedro’s brother Don John, brought to the hotel as a captive, puts the prospects of a happy ending for the couple in jeopardy.

Hero and Claudio’s shallow romance always takes second fiddle to the battle of wits and tongues between Beatrice and Benedick, and this production has hit the jackpot casting Mel Giedroyc and John Hopkins in those roles. Whenever they are on stage, you know something special will happen. Giedroyc’s Beatrice comes across as an angrier version of herself at first, but as the prospect of being loved develops, her performance becomes ever more nuanced. Hopkins is as brilliant as ever, playing the bachelor buffoon and bringing a sense of wonder and vulnerable emotion as he discovers his true feelings for Beatrice. Both are extraordinary physical comedy performers, bringing the sense of the ridiculous to their most tender scenes together. If Sue ever retires, Mel may just have found her new comedy partner.

The physical and visual comedy comes thick and fast, making the quieter scenes involving the mafia bosses more sinister and dark, with Peter Guinness at his most menacing, and the watchmen/Dogberry sequences are actually funny rather than groan inducing. Stewart Wright’s Scouse Dogberry is a hoot, and the Don Pedro/Don Pesto running gag never fails to raise a laugh. Calam Lynch makes a mark on his theatrical debut as Claudio – playing him as an eager street thug with an undercurrent of violence constantly threatening to explode. In the final scene when he and Benedick usually reconcile merrily, this production leaves you doubting whether Hero will be able to curb his anger and worrying about Beatrice and Benedick waking up one morning to find a horse’s head on their pillow.

This is a fantastically vibrant production of Much Ado About Nothing – fresh, fiery and full of fun – grab a ticket while you can.

Dominion Theatre – booking until 27 October

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

5*****

Bat is back and is better than ever.

Moving to the Dominion after a stint in Toronto, the tweaks and subtle changes to squeeze this spectacular onto smaller stages have resulted in a slicker, smoother show that never ceases to amaze.

The plot – Peter Pan in a dystopian future – is as whacky as ever, with Strat, the leader of the genetically frozen Lost (who never age once they reach 18) falling for Raven, the daughter of Falco the dictator of Obsidian, causing Falco to go to extreme and violent lengths to protect his precious princess. There are plot holes aplenty, but who cares? The loyal fanbase have discussed and developed detailed and intriguing backstories for the characters, and it’s easy to see why – the world of Obsidian just sucks you in and takes you on a wild ride set to the magnificent music of Jim Steinman.

Andrew Polec was born for this role – with a voice that can burst your eardrums with its power, but also break your heart with its vulnerability. His performance is wild, weird and wonderful, paired brilliantly with Christina Bennington as Raven – switching between rock diva and angelic choirgirl in a breath and bringing a satisfying fire and aggression to the relationship dynamic. After performing together over the last year, the onstage relationship between Falco and Sloane has evolved into near perfection. Their barnstorming comedy numbers (Who Needs the Young and Paradise by the Dashboard Light) are amazing, but their emotional power in What Part of My Body Hurts the Most is breath-taking, and it is always a highlight of the show. Alex Thomas-Smith is sweet as Tink, Danielle Steers continues to bring the house down with her smoky powerhouse vocals, and Wayne Robinson, Giovanni Spano and Jonathan Cordin (standing in for Patrick Sullivan) will make the stiffest of upper lips wobble with their glorious rendition of Objects in the Rear-View Mirror.

The energy onstage is off the scale, and it is tempting to jump up and whoop after every number, with regular standing ovations after the first act finale – Bat Out Of Hell performed as if possessed by the entire pantheon of rock gods. Emma Portner’s choreography fits perfectly into the futuristic tribal vibe, full of humour and opportunities for every member of the cast to showcase their moves.

Bat Out Of Hell is one of the best musicals I’ve ever seen. Trust me, you’ll want to book another ticket as you leave the theatre. OTT, brilliant and bonkers, with visual thrills and stunning vocals, Bat Out Of Hell is a theatrical orgasm that will leave you gasping for air and begging for more.

Theatro Technis, Camden – until 5th May.

Reviewed by Keiley Archer

4****

Gavin McAlinden and the Acting Gymnasium company offer a modernised version of Shakespeare’s comedy ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, performed in the small venue of the Theatro Technis, which creates an intimate setting ready to engage the audience into the tale of love, music, and mistaken identity. Based around contemporary music festival culture, the production presents a unique twist on the classic.

The play begins with Thesus, the Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, planning a festival in celebration of their forthcoming marriage; and moves on to follow the ventures of four Athenian lovers and The Mechanicals, a group of six actors preparing a play, all of which are manipulated by the fairies residing in the forest of which the play takes place. These interwinding narratives could become confusing, particularly to an audience who may not have watched much Shakespeare before, however the Acting Gymnasium production does not fall into this trap.

The inclusion of modern day festival culture opens Shakespeare up to an audience who may not have considered watching prior to this adaptation, particularly younger audiences. However, this does not take away any enjoyment from audiences already familiar with Shakespeare’s work, as it allows people to experience the classic in a new perspective. McAlinden’s directing provides the audience with an energetic performance to enjoy.

The set is minimal, but this allows the audience to keep focused on the actors and stage action without becoming distracted by any extravagant scenery. Characters with long soliloquies such as Oberon, played by Michael Claff, and Puck, played by Max Easton, are able to engage the audience through effortlessly portraying their devious personas and mischievous intentions which are central to the plot. The comedy within the dialogue combined with the physical comedy in the staging included throughout the performance, whether it be the witty wordplay of the Mechanicals or the humorous stage action between the four lovers, remains engaging from start to finish.

Overall, Acting Gymnasium’s production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ offers a fresh version of Shakespeare’s play, which will appeal to both a new audience and Shakespeare lovers alike. It is a definite must-see for theatre lovers!

Edinburgh Playhouse – until 21 April 2018

Reviewed by Linda McLaughlan

4****

A topic every woman (and possibly man) can relate too with a few laughs, tears and love thrown in along the journey to finding the perfect body

A story of how diets are looked at from several different angles, finding the perfect dress, looking for the ideal man to love you or trying to hold onto a broken marriage, those who are trying to loose a few pounds to those who are seeking to make money regardless of the outcome.

The evening begins with a group of YoYo dieters of every shape, size and sex sweating on the stage trying to shed the excess pounds before the next weigh in at Slimming Club. Betty (played by Elaine C. Smith) has been selected as a contender for Slimmer of the Year and is nervous for the big final weigh in after losing 5 stone following the plan, whilst working in the family fish and chip shop “Big and Battered”. The final is being held in the local church hall where Lauren (played by Natalie Anderson) is an ambassador to the success of the plan and what can be achieved because she has done it and a testament to its success (although rather hung up about the 2lb she MUST lose to get back to goal weight), hence the Zumba & Aerobic Classes she also runs in the church hall.

Betty is the front runner to win the final of the contest and is supported by her husband Fegus (played by Kevin Kennedy) and two daughters Kelly (played by Jodie Prenger) and Joanne (played by Rachael Wooding). Kelly and Joanne are two very different in personality and shape with Kelly being the more voluptuous of the two girls having put on a few stone in weight since being with her fiance Kevin (played by Joel Montague). Kelly and Kevin are due to get married in six weeks and Kelly has found her dream dress and is super excited to try this on in her local Bridal Shop which is owed by Lauren……….. only it doesn’t fit!!!

Regardless of this fact Kelly is determined to buy the dress anyway and that she will fit into it on her wedding day…………Even though she truly believes Diets are Crap.

And so the story really takes a turn in all of the lives of the slimmers. Betty doesnt win the final ……. In fact is putting on weight!!! Lauren is desperate for love and finding the perfect man….. even though he is right under her nose in the form of Paul (played by Jonathon Halliwell), but he is a Vicar and not Jewish….. which the family would not approve of. Kevin loses his job and money becomes tight, Fergus is worried about the chip shop business …… going down the pan (the preverbial chip pan) and Kelly begins to believe she will never fit into her dream dress……..then along comes Julia Freshman (played by Natasha Hamilton) who is hungry for success……. In the shape of Kelly bringing in the publicity after she sets her the challenge of losing 2 stone to get into her dress, which she will pay for ….

Infact Julia has agreed on National TV she will pay for the whole wedding ………. but at what cost to Kelly.

The musical score in the movie is lively and funny with a few songs which have the audience in fits of laughter….. my personal favourite being “Chocolate” ….. well who doesn’t love a piece!!! This is definitely a must see for anyone who and everyone…… Kay Mellor has successfully brought her TV sitcom to the stage and it is a huge success

Awful Auntie Finds Her Way to Hull

David Walliams’ beloved children’s novel is adapted for the stage

Fancy a night in the country? Birmingham Stage Company transforms the Hull New Theatre stage into a magnificent country-house in David Walliams’ Awful Auntie from 17-20 May.

From the award-winning producers of Gangsta Granny comes the stage adaptation of David Walliams’ amazing tale of frights, fights and friendship, featuring a very large owl, a very small ghost and a very awful Auntie!

When Stella sets off to visit London with her parents, Lord and Lady Saxby, she has no idea her life is in danger! Waking up three months later, only her Aunt Alberta can tell Stella what has happened. But not everything Aunt Alberta tells her turns out to be true and Stella quickly discovers she’s in for the fight of her life against her very own awful Auntie!

Tickets for Awful Auntie at Hull New Theatre from 17-20 May are on sale now. Book via the Hull City Hall Box Office, call 01482 300 306 or visit our new website www.hulltheatres.co.uk, but you’ll need to be quick tickets are selling fast.

Please note: Suitable for ages 5+

TV STAR SHOBNA GULATI TO PLAY RAY IN

EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, the award-winning feel good new musical sensation, is pleased to announce that Shobna Gulati, best known for playing Sunita Alahan in ITV’s Coronation Street and Anita in Dinnerladies, will take on the role of Ray from Monday 7 May 2018.

Shobna joins current cast members, John McCrea (Jamie), Josie Walker (Margaret), Tamsin Carroll (Miss Hedge), Lucie Shorthouse (Pritti Pasha), Phil Nichol (Hugo), Alex Anstey (Laika Virgin), Luke Baker (Dean Paxton), Luke Bayer, Courtney Bowman (Fatimah), Marvyn Charles, Ken Christiansen (Jamie’s Dad), Jordan Cunningham (Sayid), Daniel Davids (Levi), James Gillan (Tray Sophisticay), Ryan Hughes (Mickey), Daniel Jacob (Sandra Bollock), Cherelle Jay, Rebecca McKinnis, Harriet Payne (Bex), Chloe Pole, Shiv Rabheru (Cy), Lauran Rae (Becca) and Kirstie Skivington (Vicki).

Shobna Gulati said:

 

“Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a wonderful show; it’s truly warm, infectious for the soul and incredibly uplifting. The entire cast and team are so gifted and such energetic storytellers who give us a universal tale for right now. The show is full of the rich diversity that makes my heart sing and what makes Britain great! This musical celebrates life! This incredible production and  ensemble is one I am so proud and so pleased to become a part of.”

 

Shobna Gulati has become a household name for her role as Anita in Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies and as Sunita in Coronation Street. Theatre credits include Daisy Pulls It Off (The Park), Anita & Me (Birmingham Rep and Touring Consortium), Grease (Leicester Curve Theatre), Mamma Mia! (international tour), April in Paris(Derby Playhouse and UK tour), B!rth, Hunger for Trade, Come Closer, Pretend You Have Big Buildings, Cafe Vesuvio (Royal Exchange, Manchester), The Jungle Book (West Yorkshire Playhouse), dinnerladies (UK tour), Romeo and Juliet (Leicester Haymarket) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Tara Arts, UK tour). She has also written and directed the critically acclaimed comedy show for young women, The Masala Girls. Film work includes Shadowscan (BAFTA winner), Honey and Razerblades, Junkhearts, Ashes and Finding Fatimah. Other TV includes Moving On, Hold the Sunset, Doctors, Casualty, In the Club, EastEnders, New Street Law, Magnolia, River City, Paranoid, You, Me and Them, Where the Heart Is, Loose Women and Celebrity Masterchef. She currently voices Kari in Cbeebies’ Treasure Champs. Radio includes her own late night show on BBC Radio Manchester, and many plays for BBC Radio 4, including The Break and The Show What You Wrote.

 

 

Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield.

Jamie doesn’t quite fit in.

Jamie is terrified about the future.

Jamie is going to be a sensation.

Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight. This fabulous, funny, feel good brand new musical sensation hits London with catchy new songs by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling Dan Gillespie Sells and writer Tom MacRae. Sixteen: the edge of possibility. Time to make your dreams come true.

Watch the Everybody’s Talking About Jamie trailer here.

Music by Dan Gillespie Sells

Book and Lyrics by Tom MacRae

From an idea by Jonathan Butterell

Directed by Jonathan Butterell

Design by Anna Fleischle

Choreography by Kate Prince

Lighting design by Lucy Carter

Sound design by Paul Groothuis

Musical direction by Theo Jamieson

Casting by Will Burton

Twitter                                                 @JamieMusical #JamieLondon

Facebook and Instagram               Jamie Musical

 

 

BOX OFFICE INFORMATION

 

EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE

Apollo Theatre

31 Shaftesbury Avenue

London W1D 7ES

Booking number:  0330 333 4809

Website:  www.nimaxtheatres.com  / www.EverybodysTalkingAboutJamie.co.uk

NO BOOKING FEES FOR BOOKINGS THROUGH THE THEATRE AND OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Performances Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Matinees – Wednesday and Saturday at 2.3pm

Ticket prices – £10 to £65.

Currently booking until 6 October 2018.

SEE YOUR FAVOURITE STARS FROM THE SOLANA HOTEL

LIVE ON STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME

KING’S THEATRE, GLASGOW

MONDAY 4 – SATURDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2019

 

Derren Litten’s smash hit ITV comedy BENIDORM is set to bring sunshine and smiles to Glasgow as the first ever stage version of the ITV comedy runs at the King’s Theatre next year.

Benidorm Live already has audiences across the country rushing to book their tickets for one of the year’s most anticipated theatre events. Produced for the stage by Michael Harrison and David Ian, Benidorm will beam down on the city from Monday 4 until Saturday 9 February.

Litten has written an all new set of Alicante escapades for the much-loved cast members, including Jake Canuso (Mateo), Janine Duvitski (Jacqueline), Sherrie Hewson (Joyce Temple-Savage), Shelley Longworth (Sam), Tony Maudsley (Kenneth) and Neptune’s very own Asa Elliott as they swap sangria for the stage next year after a quick spruce at the Blow ‘n’ Go!

Benidorm – Live will be the stage debut production of the hugely popular TV show, and on making its transfer, writer Derren Litten said: “I’ve loved ten years of writing my TV show Benidorm but despite a successful writing career I’m first and foremost a performer so have always been secretly frustrated I couldn’t hear the audience’s laughter. This national tour of Benidorm Live will not only make a long lasting dream come true but will also mean I no longer have to stand in strangers gardens listening at their windows at 9 o’clock on cold winter evenings.”

ITV’s smash-hit comedy celebrates a decade of all-inclusive hilarity, having followed the ensemble cast of holiday makers and staff for ten series since it first broadcast in 2007 and is currently being broadcast in the UK.

Critically acclaimed, Benidorm has received two National Television Awards a TV Quick Award and nominations at the British Comedy Awards and BAFTAs.

After leaving school in Hull in the late 1980’s Derren Litten spent a year working as a professional magician whilst auditioning for drama schools.  He won a place on the 3 year acting course at the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama where he met fellow student Catherine Tate.  After 10 years of working as an actor, Derren was asked by Catherine to write for her newly commissioned TV sketch show, The Catherine Tate Show; in which he also appeared in many of the sketches.  After co-writing and appearing in two series and a Christmas Special, Derren was given a script commission by legendary comedy producer Geoffrey Perkins, “just write anything you want as long as it’s funny” he said; that show turned out to be ITV’s BAFTA nominated hit comedy Benidorm. Derren’s hobbies include drinking and karaoke, usually in that order. He splits his time equally between homes in London and Spain

Award-winning partnership between Hope Mill Theatre & Aria Entertainment announce

highly-anticipated final two productions of an ambitious 2018

 

• New British musical The Return of the Soldier, by Charles Miller & Tim Sanders and adapted from Rebecca West’s 1918 novella set at the end of World War One.

 

Thursday 6 – Saturday 29 September 2018

 

• UK Premiere of Broadway hit, A Christmas Story The Musical – written by songwriting duo behind The Greatest Showman, La La Land and Dear Evan Hansen – Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

 

Friday 26 October – Saturday 1 December 2018

 

On sale now

 

The award-winning creative team of Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester and Aria Entertainment have revealed their 2018 autumn/winter shows. They are the moving new British musical, The Return of the Soldier – the World War One story being brought to the stage in this, the 100^th anniversary of the end of the conflict. And the UK Premiere of A Christmas Story The Musical – the hit festive Broadway show from the writers of The Greatest Showman, La La Land and Dear Evan Hansen.

 

Today’s announcement marks the conclusion of an ambitious and diverse 2018 for the hugely successful partnership between Joseph Houston and William Whelton, the co-founders of Hope Mill Theatre and producer and co-artistic director Katy Lipson, of Aria Entertainment and the latest step of Katy, William and Joseph’s vision to make the theatre the home of new musicals and revivals in the north and beyond.

This year has seen Hope Mill Theatre named 2018 Fringe Theatre of the Year by The Stage and the recent critically-acclaimed London transfer of their production of Pippin. Will, Joseph & Katy were also named in industry powerlist The Stage 100 for the first time. And after his critically acclaimed work on Hair and Pippin, Will is to choreograph A Christmas Story The Musical.

Hope Mill’s current critically-acclaimed hit Spring Awakening runs until 3 May at the Ancoats theatre, and is followed by Aspects of Love that runs from 5 July to 9 August 2018 – and tells the story of passion, love and loss across three generations of a family and their artistic companions, against a background of 1940’s France and Italy.

William Whelton and Joseph Houston, of Hope Mill Theatre, said: “This is Hope Mill Theatre’s third year in operation and this season has been a truly ambitious one for our collaboration with Aria Entertainment. Once again we are bringing our audiences new and exciting work including a new British musical and European premiere of a Broadway show – Both of those shows will be closing what has already been an incredible year.”

Katy Lipson, of Aria Entertainment, added: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be playing host to such important writers of contemporary musical theatre like Miller and Sanders, and Pasek and Paul and look forward to bringing their work to our wonderful Manchester audiences.”

The Return of the Soldier, by Charles Miller and Tim Sanders, is a musical adaptation of Rebecca West’s remarkable novella written at the end of World War One, and is its highly anticipated return to the stage following a limited run at Jermyn Street Theatre, London, in Autumn 2014, produced by Aria Entertainment and Guy James.

Published before the end of the conflict when West was just 24 years old, the story is widely regarded as a masterpiece and presents a fiercely youthful, and female angle, on a period of time that continues to fascinate 100 years on. In 1982, the book became a successful film starring Alan Bates, Julie Christie and Glenda Jackson.

With a cast of five, this is an intimate and powerful new drama of love and loss with sparking wit, glorious observations of the English class system and some very poignant truths. Ever present is the cataclysm of war and its invidious effects on all involved.

Set in Harrow during the summer of 1916, The Return of the Soldier is an intensely bitter-sweet tale, dissecting the very different love of three women for one man. When Christopher returns from the front, shell-shocked and with memory loss, there are profound consequences for all three women and their love. In the end, only an extraordinary sacrifice will restore the fragile status quo.

Composer Charles Miller puts a unique and contemporary twist on several English music styles from the period in his evocative score. Tim Sanders’ script aims to capture West’s sardonic and contemporary humour as well as her painfully accurate insights into human folly.  This exciting new musical adaptation will bring a compelling story of war to a whole new generation

Directed by Charlotte Westenra. Produced by Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre with Guy James – their second collaboration after Pippin.

The Return of the Soldier runs from Thursday 6 to Saturday 29 September,

A Christmas Story The Musical, with book by Joseph Robinette and music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman, Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land) won rave reviews on Broadway in 2012 and is based on the classic film of the same name – which has become a cult staple of the Holiday Season in the US.

Set in the 1940s in the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana, the musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts—an Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model air rifle.  Rebuffed at every turn, Ralphie plots numerous schemes to achieve his desperate desire for the coveted BB gun…

Packed with iconic scenes from the movie, Pasek and Paul’s delightfully versatile score ranges from gentle ballads to show-stopping full-ensemble numbers such as “Ralphie to the Rescue!”, “A Major Award,” “Sticky Situation,” “Up on Santa’s Lap,” “Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana” and the inevitable “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out!”

This all new production will bring an exciting new dimension to those who have seen the movie and will certainly stand on its own for those who haven’t.

A Christmas Story, The Musical has a book by Joseph Robinette Music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story distributed by Warner Bros, written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark, and Upon In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash written by Jean Shepherd. Produced with permission of Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and Dalfie Entertainment.

Directed by Bronagh Lagan and choreographed by William Whelton. Produced by Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre.

A Christmas Story The Musical runs from Friday 26 October to Saturday 1 December.

Further creative team and casting to be announced for both shows.

www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk

@Hopemilltheatr1

@soldiermusical

@Christmas_Mcr

Cast announced for world premiere stage adaptation of Nigel Slater’s Toast

Samuel Newton to portray food writer Nigel Slater in stage adaptation of his best-selling memoirs

A Week 53 commission, Toast is adapted by Henry Filloux-Bennett and directed by Jonnie Riordan

Ahead of rehearsals starting on Monday, cast has been announced for the world premiere run of the stage adaptation of Nigel Slater’s memoirsToast, at The Lowry in Salford.

Samuel Newton (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, UK Tour) will play Nigel Slater, with Lizzie Muncey (Twelfth Night, National Theatre) playing Mum, and Stephen Ventura (The 39 Steps, West End) playing Dad. Marie Lawrence (Murder in Successville, BBC3) plays Joan and Andy Brady (Nativity! UK Tour) as Josh/Stuart completes the cast.

Nigel Slater said: “With casting now complete it’s an extremely exciting time as the words on the page start to come to life. To have your life story portrayed through film was incredible but there was always that thing with film that no matter how beautifully something’s filmed, it isn’t quite real. And this production will be. That, for me, is very very exciting.”

Samuel Newton adds: “Toast is a lovely story about a boy who struggled to find himself growing up who then found his way. It’s a story that lots of people will be able to connect with and relate to in terms of their own childhood experiences.

“I am a foodie – my mum was always keen that I learned about food when I was growing up and she’s probably even more excited than anyone about me playing Nigel. Ahead of rehearsals starting I’ve been making a new Nigel Slater recipe every day – which is the closest to method acting I’ll get!”

Vividly recreating suburban England in the 1960s, Nigel Slater’s childhood is told through the tastes and smells he grew up with. To reflect this, audiences will be offered samples of the dishes and tastes central to Nigel’s story during the show.

From making the perfect sherry trifle, waging war over cakes through to the playground politics of sweets and the rigid rules of restaurant dining, this is a moving and evocative tale of love, loss and…toast.

Toast runs at The Lowry from Tue 22 May to Sat 2 June.

The author of a collection of bestselling books and presenter of nine BBC television series, Nigel Slater has been the food columnist for The Observer for 25 years.

His memoir ‘Toast – the Story of a Boy’s Hunger’ won six major awards, has been translated into five languages and became a BBC film starring Helena Bonham Carter and Freddie Highmore.

A Week 53 commission, Toast is adapted by Henry Filloux-Bennett and directed by Jonnie Riordan.

Week 53 is part of The Lowry’s ambition to host bold and experimental contemporary art that is accessible and engaging to a broad audience. The inaugural festival, exploring The Lowry’s relationship with place under the theme ‘Locus’, saw approximately 10,000 visitors entertained by 200 performers across 63 performances – 33% of which were first time visitors. The Lowry is the most visited cultural destination in the North West and is increasingly expanding its role as producer and commissioner, cementing its position as a power house for culture.

Listing information
Nigel Slater’s Toast
The Lowry, Salford
Tue 22 May – Sat 2 June 2018
7.30pm & 2.30pm matinees on selected days
Tickets: £20 – plus an allocation of ‘Pay What You Decide’ seats which are being offered across all Week 53 ticketed shows and will be released soon.