Month: April 2018

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED AS REHEARSALS BEGIN FOR

THE NATIONAL THEATRE AND SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS’

WEST END TRANSFER OF

C O N S E N T

Today (16 April 2018), rehearsals begin for the West End production of Nina Raine’s Consent which will begin previews at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 18 May with its opening night on 29 May 2018.  Directed by Roger Michell and originally co-produced and commissioned by Out of Joint, this strictly limited 12-week run is booking through to 11 August 2018 following the 2017 critically acclaimed sell-out run at the National Theatre.  A series of accompanying pre-show talks and discussions exploring ideas of justice, consent, marriage and modern parenthood will be announced at a later date

Clare Foster, Lee Ingleby and Thusitha Jayasundera join the previously announced cast comprising Claudie Blakley, Stephen Campbell Moore, Heather Craney and Adam James. Consent has set by Hildegard Bechtler, costumes by Dinah Collin, lighting by Rick Fisher, music by Kate Whitley, sound by John Leonard and Sarah Weltman with casting by Amy Ball CDG.

Why is Justice blind? Is she impartial? Or is she blinkered?  Friends take opposing briefs in a contentious legal case. The key witness is a woman whose life seems a world away from theirs. At home, their own lives begin to unravel as every version of the truth is challenged.  This ‘tense, entertaining modern-day tragi-comedy’ (Daily Telegraph) takes a searing look at the law whilst putting modern relationships into the dock.

Claudie Blakley’s (Kitty) theatre credits include Once in a Lifetime for the Young Vic, The Painkillerat the Garrick Theatre, Chimerica for the Almeida Theatre and the Harold Pinter Theatre, Rules for Living, The Cherry Orchard, Comedy of Errors, Attempts on Her Life and Rosencrantz & Guildernstern are Dead for the National Theatre, Macbeth and Lear for the Sheffield Crucible, Di and Viv and Rose and The Good Samaritan for the Hampstead Theatre, Love and Money for the Young Vic and Royal Exchange, All’s Well That Ends Well for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Kosher Harry for the Royal Court, The Lady from the Sea for the Almeida Theatre and Billy & the Crab for Soho Theatre. Her television credits include Grantchester, Silent Witness, The Driver, What Remains, The Night Watch, New Tricks, Nativity, Blue Geranium, Lark Rise to Candleford, Cranford Chronicles, Fallen Angel, Fear of Fanny, Vital Signs, Dirty Filthy Love and Inspector Lynley Mysteries. Her film credits include Bright Star, London to Brighton, Severance, Pride and Prejudice, Gosford Park and The Cat’s Meow.

Stephen Campbell Moore’s (Edward) theatre credits include Photograph 51 at the Noël Coward Theatre, Chimerica for the Almeida and the Harold Pinter Theatre, Berenice for the Donmar Warehouse, Clybourne Park in the Wyndham’s Theatre, All My Sons at the Apollo Theatre, The History Boys for the National Theatre and on Broadway, Much Ado About Nothing and Antony and Cleopatra both for the Royal Shakespeare Company, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Albery,Richard II and Coriolanus for the Almeida Theatre. His film credits include Goodbye Christopher Robin, How To Talk To Girls At Parties, The Lady in the Van, The Ones Below, Burnt, Moonwalkers,Man Up, Complicit, Johnny English Reborn, Season of the Witch, Sea Wolf, The Children, The Bank Job, Amazing Grace, The History Boys, A Good Woman and Bright Young Things. His television credits include The Child in Time, The Last Post, Stag, The Wrong Mans, The Go Between, Our Zoo,Hunted, Just Henry, Titanic, Sleepyhead, Pulse, Ben Hur, Lark Rise to Candleford, A Short Stay in Switzerland, Ashes to Ashes, Rough Crossings, Hustle, Wallis and Edward, He Knew He Was Rightand Byron.

 

Heather Craney (Gayle and Laura) originated the roles of Gayle and Laura in Consent for the National Theatre. Her other theatre credits includeThe Vote and Passion Play both for the Donmar Warehouse, Made in Dagenham at the Adelphi Theatre, Handbagged, Pink and You Me & Wii all for the Tricycle Theatre, I Like Mine with a Kiss at the Bush Theatre, Joe Guy at Soho Theatre, Sugar Mummies and Stoning Mary both for the Royal Court. For film, her recent credits include Child 44,Dangerous Parking, Mark of Cain and Vera Drake which earned her a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. On television her credits include Line of Duty, Life of Riley, Torchwood, In the Dark, Ahead of the Class, Holby City, Doctors, Silent Witness and Eastenders.

 

Clare Foster’s (Zara) theatre credits include Travesties at Menier Chocolate Factory and Apollo Theatre, Guys & Dolls, Master and Margarita and Out of This World all for Chichester Festival Theatre, Merrily We Roll Along at Menier Chocolate Factory and Harold Pinter Theatre, Separation, Duet for One, Love On The Dole and A Streetcar Named Desire all at Bolton Octagon Theatre, Crazy for You at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Novello Theatre, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Avenue Q at the Noel Coward Theatre, The Far Pavilionsat the Shaftesbury Theatre, Sweet Charity at Sheffield Crucible and We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre.  Her recent film and television credits include Holmes and Watson, Les Miserables, Black Forest, Dark Heart, Sherlock, Taboo, Galavant, Ripper Street and The Crown.

Lee Ingleby’s (Tim) theatre credits include Our Class and The Pillowman both at the National Theatre, Furnace Four and Shoreditch Madonna both at Soho Theatre, Cressida at the Almeida Theatre, Drink, Dance, Laugh and Lie at the Bush Theatre, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Albery, Dreaming at the Royal Exchange and About the Boy at The Royal Court. His extensive work in television includes The A Word, Line of Duty, Inspector George Gently, Nature Boy, White Heat, The Street, Luther, Our Zoo and The Five as well as the ITV series Innocent and Netflix mini-series adaptation of Watership Down. His work in film includes Master and Commander, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Ever After: A Cinderella Story.

Adam James (Jake) is an award-winning actor who has worked extensively on stage and screen. Most recently seen in Girl from the North Country at the Noël Coward Theatre, Adam originated the role of Jake in Consent for the National Theatre, where his previous credits have included 13, Gethsemane and Blood and Gifts. He is recognisable on screen for his roles in Dr Foster, King Charles III, The Crimson Field, Hustle and Extras amongst others. Other theatre credits include An Enemy of the People for Chichester Festival Theatre, Bull for the Young Vic, Now or Later and My Child both for the Royal Court and King Charles III at the Almeida Theatre. His film credits include The Kill Team, Johnny English III, Hunter Killer, A Little Chaos, Last Chance Harvey, Mother of Tears and Road To Guantanamo. His more recent television credits include Home From Home, Eric, Ernie and Me, Endeavour, Grantchester and Coalition.

 

Thusitha Jayasundera (Rachel) was most recently seen in The Divide at The Old Vic and King’s Theatre Edinburgh, and has previously appeared in Nina Raine’s Tiger Country at Hampstead Theatre. Her other theatre credits include My Eyes Went Dark at Finborough and Traverse Theatre,Behind the Beautiful Forevers, Crime and Punishment, War Horse and The Caucasian Chalk Circle for the National Theatre, The Vertical Hour for the Park Theatre and The Comedy of Errors, Cain, Peer Gynt and Pentecost for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her extensive work in television includesMidsomer Murders, Doctor Foster, Humans, The Foreigner, Broadchurch, The C Word and Lewis.

 

Nina Raine’s other plays include Tiger Country, Rabbit and Tribes as well as an adaptation of The Drunks by the Durnenkov Brothers.  She was shortlisted for the 2004 Verity Bargate Award and awarded the 2006 Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Awards for Most Promising Playwright for her debut play Rabbit.  Tribes won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play, the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Foreign Play and the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Play and has been performed in eighteen different countries. Nina was nominated for a Susan Blackburn Smith Award for Consent.

Roger Michell’s many productions include Waste, Landscape with Weapon, Honour, Blue/Orange, Under Milk Wood, The Homecoming and The Coup all for the National Theatre, Farewell to the Theatre and Some Sunny Day both for Hampstead Theatre, Rope for the Almeida Theatre, Tribesand Birthday both for the Royal Court, Betrayal, Old Times and My Night with Reg for the Donmar Warehouse, the latter transferring to the Apollo Theatre in the West End. Michell’s film credits include My Cousin Rachel, Le Week-End, Hyde Park on Hudson, Morning Glory, Venus, Enduring Love, The Mother, Changing Lanes, Persuasion, My Night With Reg, Titanic Town and Notting Hill.  On television his credits include The Buddha of Suburbia, Downtown Lagos, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jeffries, Birthday, Ready When You Are, Mr Patel and Michael Redgrave – My Father.

 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre:                           Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton St, London SW1Y 4DN

Dates:                              18 May – 11 August 2018

Running time:                    Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes including a 20 minute interval

Box Office:                         ATG Tickets 0844 871 7622

National Theatre 020 7452 3000

Performances:                    Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm

Age Guidance:                    15+

Prices:                              From £15

Website:                           www.consentwestend.com

Twitter:                           @consentwestend

Facebook:                         @consentwestend

Cafe Society Swing

 

Cafe Society Swing comes to Theatre Royal Stratford East

 

Boasting a stellar international cast, this acclaimed show tells the story of the first racially-desegregated jazz club in New York – Cafe Society, which opened in Greenwich Village 80 years ago, in December 1938. It will play the historic Theatre Royal Stratford East from Tuesday 5 June to Saturday 16 June.

 

Full of swinging jazz, blues, gospel and bebop, Cafe Society Swing stars vocalists China Moses, Vimala Rowe and Ciyo Brown and making her London stage debut Judi Jackson, with an eight-piece band directed by the show’s author, pianist Alex Webb.

 

From 1938 to 1949 Cafe Society played host to some of the finest musical talent of the 20th century, including Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan and Count Basie. Billie Holiday was one of the first headliners at the club and it was at Cafe Society that club owner Barney Josephson presented her with the classic protest lyric Strange Fruit – which became her signature song.

 

Cafe Society Swing follows the venue’s thrilling struggles and triumphs to its eventual demise in America’s ‘Red Scare’ of the late 1940s.  On its New York run in 2014 the New York Times called it ‘a balm for the soul’ and gave it a ‘Critic’s Pick’. UK reviews have been just as favourable: ‘Fabulous’ – Financial Times (****), ‘A genuine treat’ – The Times (****), ‘An eight-piece band worthy of any West End stage’ –  London Evening Standard (***), ‘Brilliantly conceived theatrical cabaret’ – TheArtsDesk.com.

 

The show features the Cafe Society All Stars – an eight-piece band consisting the cream of UK jazz musicians, led by Alex Webb (piano, MD) with Dave Bitelli (tenor sax), Tony Kofi (alto), Nathaniel Cross (trombone), Sue Richardson (trumpet), Ciyo Brown (guitar), Miles Danso (bass) and Andy Chapman (drums).

Theatre Royal Stratford East

Listings

Gerry Raffles Square, London E15 1BN

5 – 16 June

Tue – Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm

Tickets: From £10

Facebook: theatreroyalstratfordeast

Twitter: @stratfordeast

Instagram: theatre_royal_stratford_east

Youtube: theatreroyalstratfordeast

 

DUSTY
THE DUSTY SPRINGFIELD MUSICAL

Book by Jonathan Harvey
Directed by Maria Friedman
Designer Tom Pye
Choreographer Tim Jackson

• FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCED, INCLUDING RUFUS HOUND AND ROBERTA TAYLOR, FOR THE NEW MUSICAL CHARTING THE LIFE OF DUSTY SPRINGFIELD

• THEY JOIN KATHERINE KINGSLEY, PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED IN THE TITLE ROLE

• DUSTY WILL PREMIERE IN JUNE AT THEATRE ROYAL BATH, BEFORE PLAYING AT  SHEFFIELD LYCEUM THEATRE, NEWCASTLE  THEATRE ROYAL AND THE LOWRY, SALFORD

To celebrate the birthday of Dusty Springfield (born 16 April 1939) further casting has been announced today for DUSTY, the landmark new musical about her life which will have its world premiere at Theatre Royal Bath in June 2018 before dates at The Lyceum in Sheffield, Newcastle Theatre Royal, and The Lowry in Salford.

Joining the previously announced Katherine Kingsley (Piaf, Singin’ in the Rain) in the title role will be actor, comedian and presenter Rufus Hound (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Wind in the Willows) as Dusty’s manager Billings and Roberta Taylor (The Bill, EastEnders) as Dusty’s mother Kay.

The full cast will include Ishmail Aaron, Jenny Bolt, Alex Bowen, Esther Coles, Joelle Dyson, Joanna Francis, Paul Grunert, Ella Kenion, Adam Lyons, Lisa Mathieson, Katharine Pearson, Micha Richardson, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Hampus Lee Strand and Chad Wilder, with further casting still to be announced.

With a fiercely funny and emotionally charged script from BAFTA and Olivier nominated writer Jonathan Harvey (Beautiful Thing, Coronation Street), DUSTY is directed by Olivier Award-winner Maria Friedman (Merrily We Roll Along, Stepping Out).

DUSTY features many of the singer’s blazingly soulful pop hits, including I Only Want to Bewith You, Son of a Preacher Man and You Don‘t Have to Say You Love Me. 

London born Dusty Springfield’s career started in the late 1950’s. She soon became known across the world for her soulful voice and iconic look with hits spanning four decades. Dusty was recently voted one of the most influential women of the last 100 years in a poll by BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today programme. Her 1969 masterpiece ‘Dusty In Memphis’ is considered one of the greatest albums of all time and Dusty has been inducted into both the US Rock and Roll and UK Music Halls of Fame.

DUSTY draws on the memories of her close friend, manager and authorised biographer Vicki Wickham, her lifelong personal assistant Pat Rhodes, and friend and record company executive Tris Penna.

Rufus Hound is a well-known actor, comedian and presenter equally at home with roles on screen including Doctor Who, Cucumber, Hounded and on the stage including What The Butler Saw (Theatre Royal Bath / Leicester Curve), Don Quixote (RSC), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy Theatre London). He returns to The Lowry following his award-winning role as Mr Toad in The Wind in the Willows. Prior to DUSTY, he will be playing opposite Katherine Kingsley in Noël Coward’s Present Laughter at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Roberta Taylor is best known as series regulars Inspector Gina Gold in The Bill and previously Irene Raymond in EastEnders. Further screen credits include Luther, Shakespeare & Hathaway, Bleak House. Alongside her television work her numerous roles onstage include an acclaimed and memorable performance as Phoebe Rice in John Osborne’s The Entertainer (Manchester Royal Exchange).

Katherine Kingsley has received widespread critical acclaim and multiple Olivier and WhatsOnStage Award nominations. Theatre credits include playing Marlene Dietrich in Piaf (Donmar Warehouse), Christine Colgate in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy Theatre London)/ Manchester Opera House / Aylesbury Waterside Theatre), Helena in Michael Grandage Company’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Noël Coward Theatre), Lina Lamont in Singin’ In The Rain (Palace Theatre London / Chichester Festival Theatre) and The 39 Steps(Criterion Theatre). On screen credits include the film Genius as well as appearances on The Bill, Casualty and Bad Education. 

Jonathan Harvey wrote his first play in 1987, and has since written over 15 more, including Babies, Boom Bang-A-Bang and Beautiful Thing, which was later made into an acclaimed film. He has been the recipient of the Evening Standard, George Devine and John Whiting Awards, and his work has been both Bafta- and Olivier-nominated. Jonathan’s extensive television writing includes Coronation Street, on which he has worked since 2004, Beautiful People and Gimme, Gimme, Gimme. He has also written for shows as diverse as Rev, Shameless, At Home With The Braithwaites, The Catherine Tate Show and Tracey Ullman’s Show. He has also published five novels and been hailed as ‘the new theatrical voice of his generation’.

Best known as a three-time Olivier Award winning star of the musical stage, director Maria Friedman made an astonishing directorial debut in 2012 with a hugely acclaimed production of Merrily We Roll Along which won Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards 2013, the Olivier Awards 2014 (for which Maria was also nominated for Best Director of a Musical), and the Critic’s Circle Award 2013. She went on to direct High Society at The Old Vic in 2015 and recently Stepping Out at the Vaudeville Theatre.

DUSTY is produced by Eleanor Lloyd Productions in association with Tris Penna and Vicki Wickham. Set and Costume Design is by Tom Pye with Choreography by Tim Jackson, Lighting Design by Bruno Poet, Sound Design by Richard Brooker, Video Design by Finn Ross, Orchestrations and Vocal Arrangements by Steve Sidwell and Musical Supervision and Vocal Arrangements by Tim Sutton. Music Consultant is Tris Penna, Casting Director is Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG and Hair, Wigs and Make Up are by Carole Hancock.

LISTINGS

DUSTY
THE DUSTY SPRINGFIELD MUSICAL
Book by Jonathan Harvey
Directed by Maria Friedman
Designer Tom Pye
Choreographer Tim Jackson

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

TOUR SCHEDULE

Saturday 23 June – Saturday 7 July 2018
THEATRE ROYAL BATH 
www.theatreroyal.org.uk | 01225 448844
Tickets from £23.00
Evenings performances at 7.30pm
Matinee performances on Saturday 30th June, Thursday 5th July and Saturday 7th July at 2.30pm.(no performance Monday 25th June)

Wednesday10 July – Saturday 14 July 2018
SHEFFIELD LYCEUM THEATRE
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk | 0114 249 6000
Tickets from £18.00
Evening performances at 7.45pm
Matinee performances on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm

Tuesday 17 July – Saturday 21 July 2018
NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL 
www.theatreroyal.co.uk | 08448 112 121
Tickets from £19.50
Evening performances at 7.30pm
Matinee performances on Wednesday and Thursday at 2pm and Saturday at 2.30pm

Tuesday 24 July – Saturday 28 July 2018
THE LOWRY, SALFORD
www.thelowry.com | 0843 208 6000
Tickets from £14.50
Evening performances at 7.30pm
Matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm

Paterson Joseph brings his one man show Sancho: An Act Of Remembrance to Wilton’s Music Hall for London Premiere

 

·        4 – 16 June, Wilton’s Music Hall

·        Presented by Pemberley Productions in association with Oxford Playhouse

·        Based on the unknown story of the remarkable Charles Ignatius Sancho, the first Afro-Briton to vote

 

Following an international tour, Wilton’s Music Hall will host the London premiere of Sancho: An Act Of Remembrance, acclaimed actor Paterson Joseph’s one-man play that tells the extraordinary unknown story of Charles Ignatius Sancho, English gentleman, socialite, composer, writer, abolitionist and first Afro-Briton to vote in Britain.

Sancho was conceived, written and performed by Paterson Joseph (NT’s Emperor Jones, RSC’s Julius Caesar, Peep Show and Green Wing) after years of wanting to star in a period drama but finding that the only stories about black Britons before the 20^th century were that of slavery and therefore limited roles for black actors. He was fascinated then to discover the story of Sancho and his incredible, unique life.

Born on a slave ship in 1729 and educated in London in secret, Sancho spent his early life working as a butler for aristocratic families in South London where he immersed himself in music, poetry, reading and writing. He went on to own a greengrocers in Westminster, mixing with notable actors, writers and musicians, before becoming the first British-African to vote in a British election. He was immortalized by the great English painter Thomas Gainsborough and became a fierce voice in the abolitionism movement and a symbol of the immorality of the slave trade. In a largely white society, Sancho’s life was not just unusual but completely unprecedented, and it was for this reason that Joseph decided to bring his story to life on stage.

This revealing and funny one-man show casts a light on the widely unknown and often-misunderstood narratives of the African-Britain experience; Joseph cleverly takes audiences through Sancho’s early years in 18^th Century London and explores his ascent into middle class society. Co-directed by Simon Godwin (Associate Director, National Theatre), this is a true exploration of the curious, daringly determined and intelligent man who plays a remarkable yet relatively unknown role in the history of Britain.

Paterson Joseph says “Charles Ignatius’ dream was to travel to America, we achieved that for him. I’m even more excited to bring the most forgotten man in British history to his, and my, hometown at the beautiful Wilton’s Music Hall.”

Listings Info

Dates: 4 June – 16 June

Times: 7:30pm, 2:30pm on Saturdays and Wednesday 13 June

Tickets: £12.50 – £25

Recommended for ages 10+

TAKE A TRIP DOWN SUNSET BOULEVARD THIS MONTH AT SHEFFIELD THEATRES

 

Experience Andrew Lloyd Webber’s TONY-award winning masterpiece Sunset Boulevard at the Lyceum from Monday 23 – Saturday 28 April.

 

In her mansion on Sunset Boulevard, faded silent-screen goddess Norma Desmond lives in a fantasy world. Impoverished screen writer Joe Gillis, on the run from debt collectors, stumbles into her reclusive world and is seduced by her luxurious lifestyle. When his love for another woman leads him to try and break free, dramatic consequences ensue.

 

Starring West End legend Ria Jones as Norma Desmond, and Danny Mac (Strictly, Hollyoaks) as Joe Gillis, this Golden Age musical promises to be a night of glamour and spectacle. Featuring much-loved songs including: Sunset Boulevard, With One Look, As If We Never Said Goodbye, The Greatest Star of All and The Perfect Year.

 

Sunset Boulevard comes to the Lyceum Theatre from Monday 23 – Saturday 28 April.  Tickets can be purchased from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office in-person, by phone on 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Musical tackles the Menopause head on

Hit musical comedy comes to Hull New Theatre

Following a string of sell-out UK tours Menopause the Musical rolls in to Hull New Theatre next month.

Set in a department store where four women, with seemingly nothing in common, meet by chance and make fun of their woeful lives experiencing ‘the change’, the quartet soon realise that the menopause is no longer ‘the silent passage’ but is an unavoidable stage in every woman’s life.

With an all-star cast including Cheryl Fergison(CORR) (EastEnders), Maureen Nolan (The Nolans), Rebecca Wheatley (Casualty) and Hilary O’Neil (Copy Cats), this hysterical show is packed with one-liners about night sweats, hot flushes and memory loss and backed by an instantly recognisable soundtrack of innuendo-laden versions of 60s, 70s and 80s pop classics.

This hugely popular all-singing, all-dancing comedy is the ultimate girls’ night out.

The show has proved such a hit that an extra performance has already had to be added in Hull and tickets for this too are selling quickly.

To book for Menopause the Musical on Tuesday 8 May, visit the Hull City Hall Box Office, call 01482 300 306 or go to www.hulltheatres.co.uk

DARLINGTON HIPPODROME LAUNCHES A SIZZLING SUMMER SEASON

As thoughts turn to balmy summer evenings, Darlington Hippodrome is pleased to announce a sizzling season of shows between May and September

As opening shows go there’s none hotter than a trip back to the glamorous, glitzy nights of Las Vegas as we welcome a tribute to The Rat Pack and Ella Fitzgerald for a week of pure nostalgia. Hit follows swinging hit including all-time favourites ‘The Lady is a Tramp’, ‘Volare’, ‘My Way’, ‘Mack the Knife’ and many, many more. The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas will raise the roof of Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 May

Week-long shows at the Hippodrome continue with the Touring Consortium Theatre Company and Rose Theatre Kingston co-production of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde from Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 May. This adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson gothic thriller stars Phil Daniels (Quadrophenia, Les Misérables, EastEnders) as Dr Jekyll who unleashes an inner, sinister figure in his experiment to separate good from evil

Hot on the heels of this classic thriller we welcome a Hollywood legend to Darlington as Stephanie Powers (McLintock!, Hart to Hart, The Magnificent Seven Ride Again) stars opposite Clive Francis (The Crown, An Inspector Calls) in 84 Charing Cross Road from Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 May. Based on a true story, 84 Charing Cross Road is a tender and heart-warming tale of transatlantic friendship between a vivacious New York writer and a London bookseller in post-war Britain

The life, music and dance of Michael Jackson is celebrated as we welcome back Thriller Live from Monday 28 May to Saturday 2 June. Direct from London’s West End where it is now in its record tenth year, Thriller Live is a spectacular concert created to celebrate the career of the world’s greatest entertainer

Winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie taps its way onto the Hippodrome stage starring Hayley Tomaddon (Coronation Street, Dancing on Ice). Taking you back to the height of the Jazz Age in New York City the show delivers a brilliant evening of madcap merriment and spectacular dance routines

Who wouldn’t want to spend an evening with The King? This Is Elvis is a new musical treat celebrating the 1968 TV special that re-invigorated Elvis Presley’s career and secured his place in history as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Starring Steve Michaels – who looks more like Elvis than Elvis – the show runs from Monday 25 to Saturday 30 June

From the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll to an undisputed king of comedy as Joe Pasquale stars in a brand new stage production of Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em. The most successful sitcom of the 1970s introduced us to the hapless Frank Spencer and his long-suffering wife Betty. Joe Pasquale, Sarah Earnshaw and Susie Blake bring all our favourite characters to life on stage with a never-ending list of disasters, roller-skating escapades and runaway chickens from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 July

Darlington Hippodrome have teamed up with Wisecrack promotions to present the world premiere of The Great Joe Wilson by Ed Waugh from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 September. A huge star in the 1860s, Joe Wilson was able to encapsulate an epic story in song. His subject matter ranged from love, death and supporting workers on strike. This is a must-see funny, tragic and informative play and features Joe’s words put to music by internationally renowned singer-songwriter Pete Scott

Shorter run productions in the Summer / Autumn season at Darlington Hippodrome include the fabulous Liza Pulman singing the songs of Barbra Streisand with special guests the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band (Monday 30 April). Brian Conley presents his inimitable brand of humour on Tuesday 1 May in his new 2018 tour: Still The Greatest Entertainer (In His Price Range). The visually stunning BalletBoyz return to Darlington in their new show Fourteen Days on Wednesday 2 May. One of the industry’s true legends, Gilbert O’Sullivan comes to Darlington Hippodrome on Tuesday 3 May with his ten piece band to present new material as well as his back catalogue of classics. Get ready to roar as Dinosaur World Live comes to town from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 May. Discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs live on stage

The Royal Geographical Society presents Hugh Thomson as he recounts his experience of hiking with pack mules across the Andes (Wednesday 16 May at The Hullabaloo). On Wednesday 30 May (also at The Hullabaloo) join the Edinburgh Fringe’s favourite housewife, Barbara Nice, for an evening of proper good fun

Two ladies of comedy with completely different styles will grace the Hippodrome stage in June. Ruby Wax brings her new one-woman show Frazzled to Darlington on Sunday 3 June followed on Tuesday 5 June by Pam Ayres

One of the nation’s most loved entertainers shot to fame on our TV screens 20 years ago in the programme The Cruise. Jane McDonald has since appeared in the musical Cats as well as TV shows such as Loose Women and Star for a Night. Jane will be returning to Darlington Hippodrome on Thursday 7 June

Perfect for a child’s first visit to the theatre, Teletubbies Live is a show full of love and laughter. Join Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 June in a show specially created for little ones

Dan Snow will share memorable anecdotes from his career as an historian and broadcaster on Sunday 17 June. Dubbed The History Guy, Dan is the son of legendary broadcaster Peter Snow and the nephew of Channel 4 newsreader Jon Snow. The sharply-dressed, well-spoken comedian Tom Allen brings his solo tour to The Hullabaloo on Thursday 21 June. Dig out your cowboy boots and your blue suede shoes as we welcome A Country Night in Nashville on Thursday 21 June and the sensational Showaddywaddy on Friday 22 June or why not top the week off with An Evening of Eric & Ern – a brilliant homage to Morecambe and Wise crammed full of famous comedy sketches on Saturday 23 June

Darlington Hippodrome plays host to the Darlington Dance Festival on Sunday 8 July when dance schools, community groups and schools will take to the stage in a vibrant celebratuion of dance. On Monday 23 July we welcome Jaqui Dankworth – daughter of Dame Cleo Lane and Sir John Dankworth, Jaqui is firmly positioned as one of the UK’s foremost jazz vocalists

Critically acclaimed stand-up comedian Chris Ramsay brings his Just Happy to Get Out Of The House tour to Darlington Hippodrome on Tuesday 24 July and if you want an evening of flag waving and singing then The Last Night at the Proms is on Wednesday 25 July. It’s a double whammy for The Hullabaloo on Friday 27 July as we welcome Hal Cruttenden and Eshaan Akbar for their Edinburgh Previews. Celebrating the career of one of the world’s best loved singers, Whitney – Queen of the Night comes to Darlington on Saturday 28 July. There’s another chance for our younger audiences to enjoy the theatre as we welcome Milkshake! Live on Sunday 29 July. This brilliant show is sure to amaze and delight.

The award-winning team from baletLORENT brings an original adaptation of Rumplestiltskin to the Hippodrome stage on Saturday 1 September and on Monday 10 September the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment take us back to the golden age of movies with a recreation of a remarkable cinema event that first took place in 1926 with Der Rosenkavalier

Tickets for this new season go on sale from 10am on Monday 16 April.

For further information and to book contact the box office on 01325 405405, or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk to choose your own seats online. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

West End performer PETER CAULFIELD
will join Barcelona performer JOAN VÁZQUEZ in

PAQUITO FOREVER
 A New Musical

Live at Zédel (The Crazy Coqs – London)
Wednesday, 2nd May 2018, 7.00pm

Peter Caulfield, who starred as King Herod in the multi award-winning production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, will join Joan Vázquez in the London presentation of  PAQUITO FOREVER, the one-man musical of this season in Barcelona.

PAQUITO FOREVER is a new musical written by Fran Arráez and Gerard Alonso and directed by Victor Alvaro. PAQUITO FOREVER will make its London premiere at Live at Zédel on Wednesday 2nd May 2018, 7.00pm. The show will be performed in English.

Meet Paquito Alonso, flamenco dancer, comedian, transvestite… artist! From his childhood in post-war Spain –wandering the Paralelo cabarets wishing to be a Star– to a career in the States getting to perform at the best venues in New York and Vegas, the true story of Paquito Alonso is one of relentless determination, in a quest to find a place in the world where he could be who he truly was in times of repression.

Vázquez –accompanied on the piano by Gerard Alonso, and joined by West End performer Peter Caulfield– brings an evening of stand-up comedy, flamenco, blues, jazz, dancing and a tiny little bit of cross-dressing. Don’t miss the chance to meet the endearing Paquito and discover this awesome true story of big dreams and courage. Cabaret at its best.

Regarding the opening of PAQUITO FOREVER in London Joan says: ‘Paco passed away shortly after I was cast in the role of Paquito in the revival of FLOR DE NIT. He had created that role in the 90s and the news came as a shock right in the middle of rehearsals. I began enquiring about his life and, to my surprise, he had had an amazing artistic career audiences didn’t know about. His story had to be told. I had to do a show about him.
I can’t believe we’re taking the show to London right after our Barcelona run! We have been getting such good feedback for the show and we feel very grateful for that. People are feeling very moved by the story of Paco. I can’t wait for Londoners to see it!’

PAQUITO FOREVER has received nominations for Barcelona Critic’s Awards for Best Musical, Spain Music Theatre Awards for Best Actor (Joan Vázquez) and Spain Max Theatre Awards for Best Musical.

Joan’s credits include Claude in Hair, Frank in Merrily We Roll Along, Sky in Mamma Mia! and Lockwood in The History Boys, in the recent Barcelona and Madrid productions. Other credits include Abdullah in the world première of Bagdad Café directed by Percy Adlon, My Fair Lady, and the first Spanish production of Rent, directed by Abby Epstein and Michael Greif.
Joan has regularly worked with repertory companies in Barcelona such as Gataro, The Zombie Company, La Barni or El Musical Més Petit, in revues, cabaret and fringe productions such as Flor de Nit, Le Llaman Copla and Off- Broadway. His writing credits include Se Fue En Un Barco (The Ship that got away), a play about Spanish post-war refugees.

Peter Caulfield trained at LIPA in Liverpool and since graduating he has worked across the board in Theatre, TV, Film, Animation and Radio. Peter’s TV credits include ‘Cucumber’ (Channel 4), ‘Banana’ (E4), ‘Doctor Who’ (BBC) and the international Nordic crime thriller ‘Modus’ where he played opposite Kim Cattrall. He is also well known for various West End Theatre performances including smash hit’s such as ‘Enron’, ‘Obamaology’, and ‘One Man Two Guvnors’.
Peter is an accomplished vocalist, starring as King Herod in the multi award-winning production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ at Regent’s Park Open Air theatre and in a number of Stephen Sondheim productions including: ‘Into The Woods’ (Royal Opera House), ‘Follies’ and ‘A ‘Funny Thing Happened on The Way To the Forum’ (National Theatre). Peter most recently starred as Mr Tumnus in the Sally Cookson reimagining of ‘Lion Witch and the Wardrobe’.
This year he will also see the release of British feature film ‘Strangeways Here We Come’, set on a Salford high rise estate starring Michele Keegan and BAFTA winner Chan Cresswell. Peter plays an American Morman, called Charlie. In the summer he will also be appearing as Edgar Alan Poe at the the Royal Festival Hall in the Tiger Lillies new show ‘Edgar Alan Poe and the Haunted Palace’.

The Original Cast Recording of PAQUITO FOREVER is available digitally on iTunes and Spotify.

LISTINGS
PAQUITO FOREVER – A New Musical
Music by Gerard Alonso
Book by Fran Arráez
Lyrics by Fran Arráez, Roser Batalla, Frank Capdet and Joan Vázquez
Book and Lyrics adapted into English by Joan Vázquez
Directed by Victor Alvaro
Choreography by Beália Guerra
Piano by Gerard Alonso
Performed by Joan Vázquez and featuring Peter Caulfield

Wednesday, 2nd May 2018, 7.00pm

Crazy Coqs / Live at Zédel
20 Sherwood Street, London W1F 7ED

BOOK TICKETS
Tickets: £25
Website: https://www.brasseriezedel.com/live-at-zedel/
Box office: 020 7734 4888
ON SALE NOW!

THE MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY ANNOUNCES FULL CASTING FOR THE UK PREMIÈRE OF

JORDI GALCERAN’S THE GRÖNHOLM METHOD

 

The UK première of

THE GRÖNHOLM METHOD

By Jordi Galceran

in a translation by Anne García-Romero and Mark St. Germain

Direction: BT McNicholl; Set & Costume Design: Tim Hatley

Lighting Design: Howard Harrison; Sound Design: Gregory Clarke

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces full casting for the UK première of Jordi Galceran’s The Grönholm Method. Making his UK directorial debut, BT McNicholl directs Jonathan Cake (Frank), Greg McHugh (Carl), Laura Pitt-Pulford (Melanie) and John Gordon Sinclair (Rick). The production opens on 22 May, with previews from 10 May, and runs until 7 July.

 

Set in the offices of a New York City Fortune 500 company, 4 unsuspecting candidates embark on the most testing job interview of their lives.

This taut play – which premièred in Barcelona in 2003 to great critical acclaim, exposes the psychological depths people will go to in order to get what they want.

In our age of reality TV game shows and tweeting US presidents, The Grönholm Method explores the human capacity to manipulate, lie and ‘play the game’ to get ahead in life.

Jonathan Cake plays Frank. His theatre credits include Baby Doll (National Theatre/Albery Theatre), Medea (Queen’s Theatre/US tour), Coriolanus (Shakespeare’s Globe), A Flea In Her Ear (Old Vic), Antony and Cleopatra (RSC), Cymbeline (Lincoln Center, New York), Almost an Evening and Parlour Song (Atlantic Theatre, New York), The Philanthropist (American Airlines Theatre) and Restoration(New York Theatre Workshop). For television his credits include Legends of Tomorrow, The Affair, Criminal Minds, Camping, Lawless, Doll and Em, The Killing, Desperate Housewives, Chuck, Six Degrees, Extras, Inconceivable, Empire, Fallen, Out of Ashes, Riverworld, Mosley, The Jump, Rebecca and American Embassy; and for film, Little Faith, Brideshead Revisited, Krews, The One and Only, Honest, Diamond Cake, True Blue and First Knight.

Greg McHugh plays Carl. His theatre credits include Celebrity Autobiography (Kings Theatre, Glasgow), Will & Greg: A Sketch Show (Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh), Rough Cuts Sketch Show(Comedy Unit) and The Ugly Kid Sketch Show (Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh). For television his credits include The A Word, Fresh Meat, Marvellous, Dates, Two Doors Down, Bad Education, Bob Servant, Gary: Tank Commander, Gary’s War and Tank Commander; and for film, Kicking Off.

Laura Pitt-Pulford plays Melanie. She returns to the Menier Chocolate Factory having performed in their recent production of Barnum. Other theatre credits include Seven Brides for Seven Brothers(Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre – Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical), Nell Gwynn (ETT & Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, UK tour), Platinum (Hampstead Theatre), Side Show, Mack and Mabel, Parade (Southwark Playhouse), Flowers for Mrs Harris (Sheffield Crucible), Oliver!, The Sound of Music, Piaf, Hello Dolly! (Curve), The Smallest Show on Earth (UK tour), The Return of the Soldier (Jermyn Street Theatre), The Light Princess (National Theatre), A Man of No Importance(Salisbury Playhouse), Sweet Charity (Belfast MAC), The Little Prince (Lyric Belfast) and Guys and Dolls (Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, Clwyd Theatre and Salisbury Playhouse). For television, her work includes Father Brown and Free Rein.

John Gordon Sinclair plays Rick. He returns to the Menier Chocolate Factory having previously performed in The Invisible Man. Other theatre credits include Jeeves & Wooster (Duke of York’s Theatre), The Ladykillers (Vaudeville Theatre), The Producers (Theatre Royal Dury Lane), The Real Thing (UK tour), Absurd Person Singular (Garrick Theatre), Filumena, Kafka’s Dick (Piccadilly Theatre), She Loves Me (Savoy Theatre – Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical) and Gasping(Theatre Royal Haymarket). For television his credits include Diana and I, Ill Behaviour, Siblings, Rab C. Nesbitt, Mad About Alice, Rubbadubbers, Murder in Mind, Loved by You, Nelson’s Column, An Actor’s Life for Me, Your Cheatin’ Heart, Snakes and Ladders, Hot Metal and Fraggle Rock; and for film, Gregory’s Girl, Nico 1988, World War Z, Gregory’s Two Girls, The Brylcreem Boys, Erik The Viking, The Girl in the Picture, Local Hero, Living Apart Together and Britannia Hospital.

Jordi Galceran (b1964) is a Catalan playwright, screenwriter and translator. In 1995 he submitted two scripts to play competitions – Paraules Encadenades (Word Play) (1995) won the 20th Born Theatre Award (organized by the Artistic Circle of Ciutadella, Menorca) and the Serra d’Or Critics Award for Theatre in 1997, and Dakota was awarded the Ignasi Iglésias Award in 1995 by the Institut del Teatre of the Diputació de Barcelona. His other works include Surf (1990), Fuita (1994),Gaudí (2002), Paradis (2000), Carvival (2006), Cancun (2008), Burundanga (2011) and Credit (2013).The Grönholm Method (2003) is perhaps his most recognised international success, with productions in over 60 countries. He has translated and adapted more than twenty plays, and in addition to theatre work, he has worked as a writer for several television series and has written eight feature films.

BT McNicholl is currently the director of the national tour of the Broadway hit Cabaret.  Mentored by director Mike Nichols, McNicholl has served on the creative team of a dozen Broadway plays and musicals (including the Tony-winning Spamalot and Billy Elliott), with directors including Sam Mendes, Rob Marshall, James Lapine, Jerry Zaks, Stephen Daldry and David Hare. He won the Helpmann Award in Australia for Best Director for Cabaret, and has staged long-running productions of it in Paris, Madrid and Amsterdam. Regionally in the US, he has directed award-winning productions of Camilla (Walnut Street Theatre, Kleban Award), Very Good Eddie(Goodspeed Opera House; Best Musical) and The Cherry Orchard (Dorset Theatre Festival).  Other work includes staging national tours for Disney, Spamalot at the Hollywood Bowl, and working with Stephen Sondheim to create a concert version of A Little Night Music.  In Hollywood, he has worked on Scott Rudin films, most recently as an acting coach on the Oscar-nominated Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

A published playwright and BMI Award-winning lyricist, he wrote the book and lyrics for The It Girland The 101 Dalmatians which was staged at Madison Square Garden. McNicholl served as a Development Consultant for MGM’s theatrical division, spent three years with the Shubert Organization and is now the Producing Artistic Director of La Mirada Theatre in California.

Listings Information                                                                                                           The Grönholm Method

Venue:                                 Menier Chocolate Factory

Address:                              53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU

Press performance:         22 May at 8pm

Dates:                                   10 May – 7 July

Times:                                  Tue – Sat 8pm, matinees Sat and Sun 3.30pm

Box Office:                          020 7378 1713 (£2.50 transaction fee per booking)

Website:                              www.menierchocolatefactory.com (£1.50 transaction fee per booking)

Tickets:                                 Prices vary, as below from discounted preview tickets to premier seats. With the emphasis on ‘the sooner you book, the better the price’:

                                                Prices from £32.50

A meal deal ticket includes a 2-course meal from the pre-theatre menu in the Menier Restaurant as well as the theatre ticket.

www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Twitter: @MenChocFactory

GEMMA SUTTON

TO STAR AS ANGEL

IN KANDER AND EBB’S

THE RINK

AT SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE

FROM 25 MAY TO 23 JUNE 2018

 

Gemma Sutton will star as Angel, alongside Caroline O’Connor in the first London revival in 20 years of Kander and Ebb’s THE RINK. The new production of THE RINK will play at Southwark Playhouse for a limited season from 25 May to 23 June 2018, with a national press night on Tuesday 29 May. Further casting to be announced.

 

Gemma most recently played Fran in Strictly Ballroom (West Yorkshire Playhouse & Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto) and Marian in The Go Between (Apollo Theatre, London). She received critical acclaim for her portrayal of both June and Louise in the West End production of Gypsy opposite Imelda Staunton (also June in the Chichester Festival Theatre production). Her other theatre credits include Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray (UK tour), Roxie Hart in Chicago (Curve Theatre, Leicester), Drunk (Leicester Curve Theatre and The Bridewell Theatre, London) and Enid/first cover Elle in Legally Blonde (Savoy Theatre, West End).

 

Anna, an Italian housewife who runs a roller-skating rink on the Eastern seaboard, is about to sell it to developers until her estranged daughter, Angel, returns after a long absence, hoping to save the rink and patch things up with her mother.

 

THE RINK originally premiered on Broadway on 9 February 1984, starring Chita Rivera as Anna and Liza Minelli as Angel.  Rivera won the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for her performance. The show premiered in London at the Cambridge Theatre on 17 February 1988, starring Josephine Blake and Diane Langton as Anna and Angel respectively.

 

THE RINK has a book by Tony Award-winning Terrence McNally (Ragtime, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Master Class). This new production is directed by Adam Lenson and choreographed by Fabian Aloise, with musical direction by Joe Bunker, set design by Bec Chippendale, costume design by Libby Todd, lighting design by Matt Daw, sound design by Mike Thacker and casting by Jacob Sparrow.

 

THE RINK is produced by Jack Maple and Brian Zeilinger, with associate producers Corey & Jessica Brunish, Stuart Burrows & Jonny Clines and Daniel G.Peterson.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

25 May to 23 June 2018

 

Southwark Playhouse

77-85 Newington Causeway

London SE1 6BD

 

Performance Times:

Monday – Friday 7.30pm

Saturday and Tuesday 3.00pm & 7.30pm

N.B Tuesday 29 May – no matinee performance

 

Tickets: £25 and £20 concessions (from £14 during previews) 

Box Office:  020 7407 0234

Website:  southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SouthwarkPlayhouse
Twitter: @TheRinkMusical
@swkplay