Month: June 2018

Southwark Playhouse (The Large), 77-85 Newington Causeway,
London, SE1 6BD
Thursday 22nd November – Saturday 29th December 2018

The fantastical world of Dr. Seuss bursts onto the stage in this larger-than-life musical extravaganza from award-nominated Immersion Theatre, brimming with fun and excitement for ‘thinkers’ of all ages. Set to an electric score and co-conceived by Monty Python’s Eric Idle, this raucous and ultimately touching story by Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty is a feel-good musical bonanza which dares us to think big and reminds us of the power of loyalty, family, and acceptance. After all, a person’s a person no matter how small!

Join the mischievous Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, and a host of other much-loved characters on a magical, madcap adventure from the Jungle of Nool, to the Circus McGurkus, to the tiniest planet in the sky, Whoville.

Seussical is far from being only a show for children; it is a fantastical, colourful, high-energy musical filled with larger-than-life characters and an incredible and varied score featuring a range of genres from funk, to big band, to rock and roll, to musical theatre. The characters all have something which we can all connect with, be it a sense of mischief, insecurity, that feeling of you against the world, and everything in between.

From bullying, to unrequited love, to being insecure with your body, to inclusivity, Seussical touches on some of today’s most topical issues in a funny and moving way. With choreography from 2018 Off West End award winner Chris Whittaker, this production is an intelligent, hilarious and moving piece of theatre whose themes, plot, characters, and score resonate and entertain audiences of all ages.

Director James Tobias comments, Seussical encapsulates everything Immersion Theatre stands for. We have worked incredibly hard to develop a lovely reputation in the regions and we have chosen this exceptional show as our re-introduction to London’s Off West End circuit. It is no exaggeration to say this has been on my bucket list of shows for Immersion to produce since the company’s creation in 2010. Not only is the music sensational, but the characters are beautifully created, being madcap enough to astound and keep younger audience members mesmerised throughout, but real and relatable enough to give the story heart and substance.

Immersion Theatre’s passion is high quality family theatre which can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. They strive to create shared family experiences which adults can engage with and enjoy as much as their little ones.

Jonathan Church Productions and Theatre Royal Bath Productions in association with Yvonne Arnaud Theatre present
VULCAN 7 
by Adrian Edmondson and Nigel Planer

• NEW COMEDY VULCAN 7 WRITTEN BY AND CO-STARRING ADRIAN EDMONDSON AND NIGEL PLANER
• WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OPENS ON 19 SEPTEMBER AND WILL EMBARK ON A NATIONAL TOUR FOR AUTUMN 2018 

Jonathan Church Productions and Theatre Royal Bath Productions in association withYvonne Arnaud Theatre are delighted to announce brand new comedy Vulcan 7 written by and starring Adrian Edmondson and Nigel Planer, directed by Steven Marmion which will premiere this autumn before embarking on a UK tour. Vulcan 7 will open on Wednesday 19 September in Guildford and tour to Cambridge, Newcastle, Bath, Richmond, Malvern and Edinburgh.

British actor-comedians Adrian Edmundson and Nigel Planer rose to fame in TV sitcoms The Comic Strip Presents… and the BRIT award-winning cult classic The Young Ones and have performed together in Filthy, Rich and Catflap and in the spoof band Bad News. In their latest comedy Vulcan 7 they will co-star as former drama students, Gary Savage and Hugh Delavois, one a plodding actor, the other a struggling Hollywood star, both in their 60s who are reunited on Icelandic wasteland, on the set of a fantasy movie. The cast is completed by Lois Chimimba who stars as film runner, Leela.

Hugh has landed the role of Vulcan’s butler and he’s making his seventh film for the franchise. Gary is a one-time Hollywood A-lister playing a guest monster with four hours in make-up and one word in the script. Sparks fly inside the trailer as old wounds are opened. Leela, a runner, attempts to keep the peace, but outside the trailer things are not going to plan either: the director’s gone AWOL, the catering truck’s on the wrong side of a ravine, and the volcanic activity is growing more lively by the minute…

Adrian Edmondson (Gary Savage) is well known for his role in TV sitcom Bottom which he wrote and starred in with Rik Mayall. Other television credits include Jonathan Creek, Blackadderand the BBC adaptation of War & Peace. On stage he has appeared in The Rocky Horror Show in the West End and Twelfth Night at the RSC. Film credits include Captain Peavey in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Nigel Planer (Hugh Delavois) is an actor, comedian, novelist and playwright who has worked extensively in the West End with leading roles in original productions  Evita, Chicago, We Will Rock You, Wicked, Hairspray, Feelgood and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for which he received an Olivier Award nomination. Other credits include the spoof actor character Nicholas Craig and Doctor Who: Live tour. He has been nominated for numerous awards and won the BRIT award for Best Comedy Record in 1984 for his appearance in The Young Ones.

Lois Chimimba (Leela) has appeared with the National Theatre most recently in Common, and previously Peter Pan and wonder.land. Other theatre credits include Pitcairn with Shakespeare’s Globe and Chichester Festival Theatre and Nightingale and Chase at the Royal Court. She has appeared on television in the drama series Trust Me and on film in The Proposal.

Steven Marmion (Director) is currently Artistic Director at Soho Theatre where he has been at the helm since 2010. Productions include Only The Brave and the award-winning Madam Butterfly’s Child and Mad Margaret’s Revenge. He has directed workshops for the National Theatre, Hampstead Theatre, Royal Court and the RSC with whom he is an Education Associate Practitioner. Associate director credits include Rupert Goold’s production of Macbeth and its Broadway transfer.

 

Listings

VULCAN 7 2018 AUTUMN TOUR SCHEDULE

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre 
Wednesday 19 – Saturday 29 September
Millbrook, Guildford GU1 3UX
Box Office: 01483 440077
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Cambridge Arts Theatre  
Monday  1 – Saturday 6 October
6 St Edward’s Passage, Cambridge CB2 3PJ
Box Office: 01223 503333
www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

Newcastle Theatre Royal
Monday 8 – Saturday 13 October
Grey Street, Newcastle NE1 6BR
Box Office: 0191 244 2500
www.theatreroyal.co.uk
Performance schedule: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Thurs 2pm & Sat 2.30pm

Theatre Royal Bath (Tickets on sale on 23 July)
Monday 15 – Saturday 20 October
Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET
Box Office: 01225 448815
www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Performance schedule: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Wed & Sat 2.30pm

Richmond Theatre 
Monday 22 – Saturday 27 October
The Green, Richmond, TW9 1QJ
Box Office: 0844 871 7651
www.atgtickets.com

Malvern Festival Theatre  
Monday 29 October – Saturday 3 November
Grange Road, Malvern, WR14 3HB
Box Office: 01684 569256
www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

King’s Theatre Edinburgh
Monday 5 – Saturday 10 November
2 Leven St, Edinburgh, EH3 9LQ
Box Office: 0131 529 6000
www.capitaltheatres.com/kings
Performance schedule: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Wed & Sat 2.30pm

 

ROSE THEATRE KINGSTON MAKES COMMITMENT TO STOP USING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC

 

Rose Theatre Kingston today announces its commitment to stop using single-use plastic within the venue as part of its continued efforts to become a greener organisation.

The company has already made a number of steps towards reducing its single-use plastic within the venue. These include:

·         Replacing all single use plastic bottles with glass bottles.

·         Providing biodegradable, eco-friendly plastic cups with optional biodegradable plant-based covers.

·         Replacing all plastic packaging for sweets with biodegradable plant-based packaging.

·         Replacing all single-use plastic cutlery with biodegradable plant-based plastic.

·         Introduction of biodegradable straws and only giving these out upon request.

Rose Theatre Kingston will also implement further schemes to eradicate single-use plastic in the venue and also with the aim to contribute toward changing staff and audiences’ day-to-day habits. This includes:

·         Selling eco-friendly coffee cups in the venue and the introduction of a money-off scheme when using reusable containers for hot drinks.

·         Encouraging all staff to drink from reusable mugs and water bottles and refrain from using plastic bags.

Robert O’Dowd, Chief Executive at Rose Theatre Kingston, said today, ‘Anyone who has seen the last series of Blue Planet has now realised the shocking impact of plastic in our oceans. The Rose is committed to reducing its contribution and aims to be an organisation that leads in confronting the issue of plastic pollution.’

 

ABOUT ROSE THEATRE KINGSTON

Founded by Sir Peter Hall, and modelled on the original Elizabethan Rose Theatre on London’s Bankside, Rose Theatre Kingston is the largest producing theatre in South West London.

Since opening in 2008, the Rose has collaborated with a range of directors, playwrights and producing partners to create vibrant, engaging and inspiring productions. Recent works include the first stage adaptation and world première of Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend directed by Melly Still, Zach Helm’s Good Canarydirected by John Malkovich, John Barton and Peter Hall’s Shakespeare adaptation The Wars of the Roses directed by Trevor Nunn. Upcoming productions include world première of Nick Dear’s double bill Hogarth’s Progress and a major revival of Friedrich Schiller’s Don Carlos starring Tom Burke.

With over 150,000 visitors a year, the Rose enjoys artistic and critical acclaim from its own productions and co-productions as well as from hosting the work of renowned theatre companies including Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare’s Globe, Headlong, English Touring Theatre, Peter Brook, Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, and Sheffield Theatres. With an auditorium that lends itself to both intimate and epic scale productions, the Rose has established itself as one of the most exciting theatres in the UK.

www.rosetheatrekingston.org

 

Twitter:                @Rosetheatre

Facebook:           /RoseTheatreKingston

Instagram:          RoseTheatreKingston

M O T O W N   T H E   M U S I C A L

NOW BOOKING TO NOVEMBER 2019

OVER 450,000 NEW TICKETS RELEASED FOR WEST END PRODUCTION

 

Motown the Musical today releases over 450,000 new tickets for sale, taking bookings for the hit West End show at the Shaftesbury Theatre to 2 November 2019.  With music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Motown the Musical tells the story behind the legendary classic hits, directed by Charles Randolph-Wright.

On 4 July this year Motown the Musical will mark 1000 performances at the Shaftesbury Theatre and in October a tour will play simultaneously around the UK.   In January 2019 Motown the record label will mark its sixtieth anniversary and a month later Motown the Musical will celebrate its third year in London.

The production features a fifteen-piece orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop!  In The Name Of Love, My Girland I Heard It through the Grapevine.  With just $800 borrowed from his family, Motown founder Berry Gordy, goes from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul, discovering and launching the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and many more.  Motown the Musical uncovers the true story of the legendary record label that changed music history and created the soundtrack of a generation.  

The cast is led by Jay Perry as Berry Gordy, Natalie Kassanga as Diana Ross, David Albury as Smokey Robinson and Carl Spencer as Marvin Gaye.   Cruz Lee-Ojo, 12 years old from Uxbridge and Tumo Reetsang, 13 years old from Southwark share the role of Young Michael Jackson, Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder.

Ensemble members comprise Chanice Alexandra-Burnett, KM Drew Boateng, Timothy Benjamin, Ryan Carter, Ricardo Castro, Amandla Elynah, Livvy Evans, Segun Fawole,Angela Marie Hurst, Cameron Bernard Jones, Cleopatra Joseph, Duane Lamonte, Nathan Lorainey-Dineen, Mireia Mambo, Matt Overfield, Adam Philpott, Ainsley Hall Ricketts,Lawrence Rowe, Nate Simpson, Jaime Tait, Kyle Turner, Anna Van Ruiten, Cherelle Williams, Lashane Williams, Michael Woolston-Thomas, Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli andMitchell Zhangazha.

Motown the Musical has music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Ethan Popp, co-orchestrations and additional arrangements by Bryan Cook and dance arrangements by Zane Mark.  Choreography is by Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams, scenic design by David Korins, costumes by Emilio Sosa, lighting by Natasha Katz, sound by Peter Hylenski and video by Daniel Brodie.  UK Associate Director is Tara Wilkinson, Conductor & UK Associate Music Supervisor is Gareth Weedon, UK Associate Set Designer is Andrew Edwards and UK Associate Lighting Designer is Alistair Grant and UK Sound Associate is Chris Full. Motown the Musical is produced in the West End by Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris, Berry Gordy and Adam Spiegel.

 

Motown the Musical ‘s online Lottery allows audiences the opportunity to purchase two great seats at £15 each.  Patrons can apply at any time for all performances in a two-week period.  Lucky winners will be notified three-five days before their allocated performance and will have 24 hours to purchase their tickets online before the next winner is selected.

Motown the Musical is proudly supported by Swarovski crystal who originally partnered with the show on Broadway and provided 400,000 Swarovski crystals for costume and set.

NEW ADVENTURES

ANNOUNCE FULL CASTING FOR

MATTHEW BOURNE’S

“SWAN LAKE”

MATTHEW BALL, WILL BOZIER AND MAX WESTWELL

TO PLAY ‘THE SWAN’

LIAM MOWER, DOMINIC NORTH

AND NEWCOMER, JAMES LOVELL

TO PLAY ‘THE PRINCE’

 

New Adventures is delighted to announce casting for the UK tour of Matthew Bourne’s new production of his legendary “SWAN LAKE”. 

The show will tour for 32 weeks to 22 venues throughout the UK and begins at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on Saturday 22 September 2018, ahead of an eight-week Christmas season at Sadler’s Wells from Tuesday 4 December to Sunday 27 January 2019.  “SWAN LAKE” will continue until the end of May 2019, before embarking on a number of international tour dates. UK Tour listings below.

Royal Ballet rising star, Matthew Ball, will be joining New Adventures for the entire London season of Matthew Bourne’s “SWAN LAKE” at Sadler’s Wells in the role of ‘The Swan’. Matthew will be making his debut with New Adventures and will dance four performances each week during the eight-week season at Sadler’s Wells. He is currently making his debut as ‘Prince Siegfried’ in The Royal Ballet’s new production of “Swan Lake” at the Royal Opera House. Matthew Ball joins New Adventures’ star Will Bozier, currently dancing to great acclaim as ‘Harry, the Pilot’, in Matthew Bourne’s “Cinderella” and former English National Ballet star Max Westwell who was also recently seen in the West End in “An American in Paris”. Will and Max are both making their debuts in the role of ‘The Swan’ and will perform throughout the tour. 

Both returning to the role of ‘The Prince’, two much loved New Adventures Principal dancers, Liam Mower (currently wowing audiences as ‘The Angel’ in “Cinderella”) and Dominic North (acclaimed star of “Edward Scissorhands”, “The Car Man”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “The Red Shoes” and currently “Cinderella”). They are joined by New Adventures’ newcomer, James Lovell who is making his professional debut.

‘The Queen’ will be performed by two long-time New Adventures favourites, Nicole Kabera and Katrina Lyndon both making their debuts in this role.

‘The Girlfriend’ will also be performed by Katrina Lyndon. She is joined by Freya Field and Carrie Willis who are both returning to the Swan Lake Company.

‘The Private Secretary’ will be played by long-time Company Principal Glenn Graham (recently seen as ‘Grischa’ in “The Red Shoes”) along with Max Westwell and Ashley-Jordon Packer.

Returning to New Adventures are Tom Broderick, PJ Hurst and Alex Sturman.

Making their debuts with New Adventures are: Nicole Alphonce, Leigh Alderson, Jonathan Luke Baker, Alistair Beattie, Benjamin Bazeley, Megan Cameron, João Castro, Zanna Cornelis, Kayla Collymore, Keenan Fletcher, Michaela Guibarra, Bryony Harrison, Nicholas Keegan, Shoko Ito, Courtney Liu, Jack Mitchell, Barnaby Quarendon, Jack William Parry, Sam Salter, Stan West and Milwhynne Williams.

Also making their New Adventures debut are Andrew Ashton from Newcastle, Isaac Bowry from Glasgow and Harry Ondrak-Wright from Birmingham who all performed in the acclaimed New Adventures production of Lord of the Flies in 2014.

New Adventures is committed to finding and developing diverse young talent from across the UK and their annual open auditions were attended by over 400 dancers. Since Lord of the Flies in 2014 New Adventures has been supporting young dancers from this production on their journey into training and professional work. The company have delivered various initiatives, including Swan School, two week-long intensives designed to prepare graduate level dancers for the audition process. This production of Swan Lake is the first New Adventures production to feature dancers who had their first experience of dance with the company in Lord of the Flies.

New Adventures is delighted to continue its relationship with Central School of Ballet and will this year be joining forces for the third year of our Student Associates Programme. This year making their New Adventures debuts on the Sadler’s Wells stage will be third year students, Lewis Bondu and Alex Fadayiro. The Student Associates are generously sponsored by the Archie Lloyd Charitable Foundation.

Matthew Bourne said today “With the largest cast in our repertory, Swan Lake always gives us the opportunity to bring a wealth of new talent into the Company and I’m excited to welcome so many new dancers into the New Adventures family. I’m particularly thrilled to welcome cast members whose journey to this production came via our production of “Lord of the Flies” or through our “Swan School” which was designed to develop young talent for this company. My thanks also to Royal Ballet Director, Kevin O’Hare, who was as enthusiastic as I was about seeing Royal Ballet star, Matthew Ball, dance this role, and was instrumental in making that happen”.

Matthew Bourne’s “SWAN LAKE” returns with a fresh look for the 21^st century.

Retaining the iconic elements of the original production loved by millions around the world, Matthew Bourne and his Associate Artists, award-winning designers Lez Brotherston (Set & Costumes) and Paule Constable(Lighting) will create an exciting re-imagining of the classic production.

Thrilling, audacious, witty and emotive, this Swan Lake is perhaps still best known for replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble, which shattered conventions, turned tradition upside down and took the dance world by storm.

Collecting over thirty international accolades including an Olivier Award in the UK and three Tonys on Broadway, Matthew Bourne’s powerful interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is a passionate and contemporary Swan Lake for our times.

New Adventures is a national portfolio organisation supported using public funds by Arts Council England.

For more information please visit: www.new-adventures.net

Facebook /MBNewAdventures    Twitter @New_Adventures     Instagram @MBNewAdventures

 

LISTINGS

 

SATURDAY 22 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2018

THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH – www.theatreroyal.com

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 6 OCTOBER 2018

CURVE, LEICESTER – www.curveonline.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 9 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 13 OCTOBER 2018

WYCOMBE SWAN, HIGH WYCOMBE – www.wycombeswan.co.uk  

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER 2018

FESTIVAL THEATRE, EDINBURGH – www.capitaltheatres.com

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER 2018

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE, ABERDEEN – www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 6 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2018

ALHAMBRA THEATRE, BRADFORD – www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 13 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2018

THEATRE ROYAL, NOTTINGHAM – www.trch.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 20 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER 2018

THE LOWRY, SALFORD – www.thelowry.com

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 4 DECEMBER 2018 – SUNDAY 27 JANUARY 2019

SADLER’S WELLS, LONDON – www.sadlerswells.com

ON SALE NOW

 

TUESDAY 29 JANUARY – SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2019

MILTON KEYNES THEATRE – www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre

ON SALE NOW

 

TUESDAY 5 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2019

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME – www.birminghamhippodrome.com

ON SALE NOW

 

TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2019

MAYFLOWER THEATRE, SOUTHAMPTON – www.mayflower.org.uk

ON SALE NOW

 

TUESDAY 5 MARCH – SATURDAY 9 MARCH 2019

THEATRE ROYAL, GLASGOW – www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-glasgow

ON SALE NOW

 

TUESDAY 12 MARCH – SATURDAY 16 MARCH 2019

BRISTOL HIPPODROME – www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome

ON SALE NOW

 

TUESDAY 26 MARCH – SATURDAY 30 MARCH 2019

MARLOWE THEATRE, CANTERBURY – www.marlowetheatre.com

ON SALE SOON

 

TUESDAY 2 APRIL – SATURDAY 6 APRIL 2019

NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL – www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

 

TUESDAY 9 APRIL – SATURDAY 13 APRIL 2019

LIVERPOOL EMPIRE – www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire

ON SALE NOW

 

TUESDAY 16 APRIL – SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2019

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE – www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre

ON SALE NOW

 

TUESDAY 23 APRIL – SATURDAY 27 APRIL 2019

HULL NEW THEATRE – www.hulltheatres.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

 

TUESDAY 30 APRIL – SATURDAY 4 MAY 2019

NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING – www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre

ON SALE JUNE 2018

 

TUESDAY 7 MAY – SATURDAY 18 MAY 2019

THEATRE ROYAL, NEWCASTLE – Www.theatreroyal.co.uk

ON SALE 6 JULY 2018

 

TUESDAY 21 MAY – SATURDAY 25 MAY 2019

LYCEUM THEATRE, SHEFFIELD – www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

 

York Theatre Royal – until 9 June 2018

Reviewed by Marcus Richardson 

4****

I went to see Birdsong at the York Theatre Royal, a tale of conflict, love and friendships. The play is set during World War 1 leading up to the battle of the Somme. The play looked at the men who dug tunnels underneath enemy lines to set explosives. Jack Firebrace is the energy of the group and leads the other diggers as the father of the group, as he seen sleeping on the job by lieutenant Stephen Wraysford, a man getting closer and closer to the one he loves in grace.

The actors had a big job in working with the play which gripped the audience at at points the audience was just stunned with silence. The actor who played Jack, Tim Treloar, did a fantastic job at making the audience laugh and creating a warming environment even though it was very clear that they were in trenches and at war. Stephen Wraysford was played by Tom Kay, the lieutenant is first seen as cold and distant but thought out the place we learn more about his superstitious views and his reading of entrails, Kay did a very good job at giving the performance just the right amount of emotion, going in between past and present we see two different character a man in love and a man at war, his ability to switch in an instant is interesting to watch and done seamlessly. The whole cast worked so well together you felt the bond that each character had on stage from the friendships in the trench to the lovers in France. Working with such an emotional performance the whole cast knew what they were doing and did it well.

The costumes were very realistic, true the time and those not in uniform suited characters very well. The set was clever in creating the feel of trenches and tunnels with the use of a single wood support arch during scenes when in the tunnels and dim lighting on the action while the rest of the stage is in black. When going in back in time to when things were better, the lighting had a warmer glow and the stage was manipulated with a wall that had the insides of house one one side, during these scene it didn’t feel like that 2 minutes ago it was used a battle field. One of the most shaking parts was how demanding the explosions were, it scared the audience and rumbled the building, most explosions happened in the tunnel and a dash of colours were used on the back of the stage, this was very effective in the dark and really worked in showing how powerful they were.

The show flew by and there wasn’t a moment where I wasn’t engaged with the action on stage. The emotion of the audience was played with in such a masterful way, and while we had the sense of war, I for one enjoyed looking into the life of the Tommys. I would recommend it to anyone obviously it’s not suitable for young kids but the play was both educational with a look into life for soldiers and interesting to watch.

By Sabrina Fancy

The new Rogers and Hammerstein Broadway smash hit musical The King and I comes to London’s West end June 21st for a 14 week run before touring Asia.

This 4 time Tony award winning show stars the queen of musicals Kelli O’Hara, who won a Tony award for her portrayal of Anna. The Oscar and Tony nominated Ken Watanabe reprises his role as the King of Siam.

This classical musical tale is set in the 1860’s Bangkok, follows the King of Siam who wants to change how he is perceived by the world. He hires Anna, a refined Welch widow to educate his royal children and many wives in the ways of the west. The King and I, follows a culture moving into modernity and change, which threatens the kingdom along with the tempestuous relationship that develops between the King and Anna. The secondary plot is a budding love story.

I was able to attend an informal rehearsal where I was treated to some of the musical performances with the cast, included ‘Getting to know you’, ‘I have dreamed’ and ‘Shall we dance.’ I was blown away and am looking forward to seeing the King and I at the London Palladium which is looking to be quite possibly the musical of the year!

Salisbury Playhouse – until 23 June

Reviewed by Sharon MacDonald-Armitage

4****

Based on the golfing stories of PG Wodehouse and adapted by Jon Glover and Edward Taylor, Salisbury Playhouse production of Love on the Links, directed by Ryan McBryde is a hoot of an evening out. Set in Surrey’s Woodhills Golf Club, just far enough away from London.

Set in the club’s “19^th Hole” Love on the Links opens with The Oldest Member (Michael Fenton Stevens) snoozing in his armchair by the fireplace. Partaking in his favourite tipple, a White Horse and Malvern, which he never seems to pay for, he is the driving force of the play narrating the various woeful love stories to Jack (Adam Jackson-Smith) who is enamoured with Daphne Cartwright and struggling to find a way to win her over. His anecdotes and manipulation of the various characters ensures the stories are amusing and eventually all link in. He even engages with the audience drawing them into the narrative like an old friend; probably to gently scam another drink!

The set by James Button cleverly conveys the feeling of a traditional golf club with its wood panelling, corner bar and leather chairs. So much effort has gone into the detail including the carefully placed props and costume additions, that you could easily see yourself buying a quick snifter from the bar. The use of a leather sofa without a back is intriguing until you see how it takes on a life of its own when the actors begin to use it across the stage.

With the cast rushing around playing various roles linked to The Oldest Member’s stories, it is nothing short of comical. Lily (Jenna Boyd) is hilarious and is seamless with her comic timing; her sideways glances and fluttering eyelashes paint a thousand words. Gloria (Tiffany Graves) is a perfect pairing with Lily; a very jolly hockey sticks ebullient gal!

The silly slapstick upper class humour is peppered by the downright earthiness of barman Fitt (Tim Frances) who is well aware of the nature of the stories The Oldest Member narrates. With Asser (David Shelley) and Turnbull (Rob Witcomb) proving a fine pairing with Lily and Gloria there is nothing but an evening of fun ahead.

If PG Wodehouse is your thing, then you will not be disappointed and even if it isn’t there is still much fun to be had with this show