Month: December 2018

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE ANNOUNCES CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD IS TO STAR IN NEXT YEAR’S FAB-U-LOUS PANTOMIME – SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS!

Hot off the heels of Cinderella opening at the Manchester Opera House this Saturday 8 December, Manchester Opera House is delighted to announce that next year’s pantomime will be the enchanting fairy-tale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, starring the judge we all love to hate, Craig Revel Horwood as the ultimate Wicked Queen.

Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients that Opera House audiences have come to expect, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be spectacularly brought to life with an abundance of jaw-dropping dance, side-splitting comedy, sensational special effects and plenty of festive magic.

Fresh from the ballroom, Craig Revel Horwood will dazzle in an array of stunning costumes and show Manchester his real mettle as he tries to outwit the fair Snow White and prove to the world that he is the fairest of them all!

Craig is a well-known face on television in the UK and now all over the world, as a judge on all 16 series of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing. In 2013, Craig wrote and directed a brand-new show, Strictly Confidential that toured the UK starring familiar faces from Strictly Come Dancing. He has directed and choreographed theStrictly Come Dancing live tour for the last six years, as well as appearing as a judge.

He recently returned to his roots as a performer in musical theatre, starring as Miss Hannigan in the West End production of Annie. Craig also choreographed and directed the recent UK tour of Sister Act starring Alexandra Burke, directed and choreographed the new Dusty Springfield musical Son of a Preacher Man, which toured the UK, and choreographed the feature film Paddington 2. His new book In Strictest Confidence has recently been published, and he can currently be seen in cinemas starring in the film Nativity Rocks.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will once again be produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, continuing their partnership with Manchester Opera House following this year’s upcoming production of Cinderella from 8 December – 30 December 2018.

Michael Harrison, managing director of Qdos Entertainment’s pantomime division, said: “I’m thrilled that we have managed to secure Craig to lead our Opera House pantomime next year. As the Strictly Come Dancing judge that everyone loves to hate, I’m sure that Manchester audiences, young and old, will enjoy booing and hissing our fab-u-lous Wicked Queen!”

Sheena Wrigley, Theatre Director at the Palace Theatre and Opera House Manchester, said “We’re absolutely delighted that Qdos Entertainment are coming back to us for a third year on the run, bringing their stunning sets, costumes, and impressive special effects to dazzle and entertain the whole family. It’s very exciting to present yet another high-quality production to our audiences and Craig Revel Horwood is the perfect choice for such a villainous role.”

Further casting will be announced next year.Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the fairest pantomime of them all, plays at the Opera House from 8^th – 30^thDecember with tickets from £12. For more information, or to book, visit www.atgtickets.com/Manchester.

LISTINGS

Friday 6^th December – Sunday 29^th December 2019

Opera House, Manchester – www.atgtickets.com/Manchester
Tickets from £12.

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR FOLLIES

★★★★★

The Arts Desk, Broadway World,

City A.M., Culture Whisper, Daily Express, Daily Telegraph,

Financial Times, The Guardian, Independent, Metro, Musical Theatre Review,

The Observer, Radio Times, The Stage, The Sunday Times, Time Out, The Upcoming

WINNER: 2018 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and Best Costume Design

FOLLIES

Book by James Goldman

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Directed by Dominic Cooke

Olivier Theatre

Previews from 12 February, booking until 6 April 2019

After a sold-out run, Follies returns to the NT in 2019. Stephen Sondheim’s legendary musical includes such classic songs as ‘Broadway Baby’, ‘I’m Still Here’ and ‘Losing My Mind’. Featuring a cast of 40 and an orchestra of 21, Follies is directed by Dominic Cooke. Tracie Bennett, Janie Deeand Peter Forbes return to reprise their roles, with Alexander Hanson and Joanna Riding joining the cast as Ben and Sally.

The Follies 2019 cast includes Julie Armstrong (Christine Donovan), Lindsay Atherton (Young Carlotta), Josephine Barstow (Heidi Schiller from mid-April until the end of the run), Rosanna Bates(Young Emily), Jeremy Batt (Young Theodore), Tracie Bennett (Carlotta Campion), Billy Boyle(Theodore Whitman), Kaye Brown (Ensemble), Janie Dee (Phyllis Rogers Stone), Anouska Eaton(Young Deedee), Liz Ewing (Ensemble), Vanessa Fisher (Young Stella), Caroline Fitzgerald(Sandra Crane), Geraldine Fitzgerald (Solange LaFitte), Peter Forbes (Buddy Plummer), Bruce Graham (Roscoe), Adrian Grove (Sam Deems), Alexander Hanson (Ben Stone), Alyn Hawke(Ensemble), Harry Hepple (Young Buddy), Aimee Hodnett (Young Sandra), Dawn Hope (Stella Deems), Liz Izen (Deedee West), Jasmine Kerr (Ensemble), Alison Langer (Young Heidi), Felicity Lott (Heidi Schiller from 22 February until mid-April), Sarah-Marie Maxwell (Young Solange), Ian McIntosh (Young Ben), Ian McLarnon (Ensemble), Claire Moore (Hattie Walker), Tom Partridge(Ensemble), Gary Raymond (Dimitri Weismann), Michael Remick (Ensemble), Rohan Richards(Kevin), Joanna Riding (Sally Durant Plummer), Lisa Ritchie (Young Hattie), Myra Sands (Emily Whitman), Gemma Sutton (Young Sally), Monica Swayne (Young Christine), Christine Tucker(Young Phyllis) and Liam Wrate (Chorus/Swing).

Follies is designed by Vicki Mortimer, with choreography by Bill Deamer, musical supervision byNicholas Skilbeck, orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, additional orchestrations by Josh Clayton, musical director Nigel Lilley, lighting design by Paule Constable and sound designer by Paul Groothuis.

Click here to watch Tracie Bennett’s performance of ‘I’m Still Here’ from Follies at the 2018 Olivier Awards ceremony, captured live at the Royal Albert Hall:

Supported by the Follies production syndicate.

Exclusive crystal provider for Follies

Talks and Events

A Short History of Stephen Sondheim’s work – 26 February, 6pm

Developing Musical Theatre (in partnership with the Genesis Foundation) – 7 March, 6pm

Making Follies: Wigs, Hair and Makeup – 14 March, 6pm

Follies actors in conversation –  15 March, 3pm

The Making of Follies – 19 March, 10am

Making Follies – costumes and headdresses – 25 March, 6pm

Designing Follies with Vicki Mortimer – 29 March, 5pm  

Wilton Music Hall – until 5 January 2019

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley

5*****

The magical setting of the 19th Century Wilton Music Hall creates the scene as soon as you walk through the grand entrance. A wonderful Edwardian fantasy tale of good overcoming evil is woven, using a delicious blend of lighting, puppetry, music and costume.

The three child characters were at the centre of the story. Theo Ancient as Kay captured the spirit of adventure, maintaining an earnest performance throughout. In the same way Safiyya Ingar as Mariah gives her character youthful tom boyish energy and brings plenty of humour to the piece, waving her pistols and swashbuckling! Samuel Simmonds as Peter is the essence of a public school boy dweeb, sad and funny all at once. You forget they are grown ups really! The supporting cast playing multiple parts seamlessly sewed the story together. With larger than life Nigel Betts as both Cole Hawlings and Abner Brown, he truly brought ancient magic and modern hope alive in this traditional winter’s tale.

Thanks to The Creative Team, their adventure was embellished with the liquid movements of skilful puppetry giving it a magical aura. I particularly loved the Phoenix. Alongside this was the quirky use of old wooden wardrobes to create entrances and exits, hiding places and prison cells, height and depth. They were particularly effective during the chase scenes and rampant scrobbling!

It’s great to find a traditional Yuletide tale with grown up shades of dark and light, that laid the foundations for tales like Northern Lights and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Piers Torday has done a great job adapting John Masefields Novel, encouraging us all to seek these books out and have a read. A proper Christmasy family production.

Theatre Royal Haymarket, London – until 12 January

5*****

Take That appeared on stage last night in support of the Evening Standard’s Christmas AIDSfree appeal when they host a special gala performance of their musical.

The Theatre Royal Haymarket was transformed when all of the seats in the stalls were removed to make way for dinner tables.

Ticket proceeds from the black-tie event, which marked the opening night of The Band in the West End, were expected to raise thousands for the AIDSfree appeal with the Elton John Aids Foundation.

But for press night there was no trace of the party.  Instead the giant TV, showing pages from Ceefax, entertained the audience as the auditorium began to fill up.

Words can not really say just how good this show is.  Written by Tim Firth and co produced by David Pugh, Dafydd Rogers, Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams – The Band is the newest jukebox musical to hit the stage.  

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

Whilst some “jukebox” musicals have songs shoehorned in and very little in the way of story, The Band is different.  The music of Take That is secondary to the piece, it doesn’t drive the show and its fits perfectly into the story.  Firth has woven a tight script around a simple premise of schoolgirl crushes and the pains of love and loss across a narrative that spans over 25 years.  The simplicity of which means that we can really connect with the characters

It would feel wrong to single out one member of the cast for praise as they were all outstanding, all playing their parts superbly.  The younger group of friends Faye Christall (Rachel), Debbie (Rachelle Diedericks), Heather (Katy Clayton), Claire (Sarah Kate Howarth) and Zoe (Lauren Jacobs) show great chemistry on stage together.  The older group of Rachel Lumberg, Emily Joyce, Alison Fitzjohn and Jayne McKenna are fierce, funny and wonderful. The casting is superb with the scenes in which they appear together showing how similar they all are. Back For Good sung by the teenagers to their adult selves was particularly moving.  It takes no imagination to believe they could be a younger and older version of the same person.  For these are real people, totally identifiable. And you will sit looking at your 16 year old self and recognising the 40 plus year old woman you have become

The Band (AJ Bentley, Nick Carsberg, Curtis T Johns, Yazdan Qafouri, Sario Solomon) won their roles on the BBC show “Let it Shine” where they competed for the roles.  The band are lyrically outstanding, adding depth and meaning to Gary Barlow’s lyrics, giving a resonance to the scene’s in which they appear.

The cast is completed by the comedic Martin Miller as Rachel’s long term partner and Andy Williams who is hilarious as several different cameo characters and billed as Every Dave in the programme. There are no weak links in this cast. It could have been incredibly cheesy and sentimental but they manage to keep it grounded and real whilst also being entertaining and slightly mad at times! So well directed ~ slick and sharp! Very well done indeed!

This is the perfect feel good musical, for the 40+ generation especially – I hope it continues its West End run and keep on touring around the country.  Go and see it for yourself but take tissues

Churchill Theatre – until 30 December 2018

Review by Elizabeth J Smith

4****

We all know the story of Cinderella and when performed as a pantomime there are certain ‘givens’ that we expect. Beautiful Cinderella, handsome prince charming, two ugly sisters and lots of laughs along the way.

The Churchill and Qdos Production don’t fail on any of these. With much hilarity from the start with references to the local area and the local people. Funny comments on todays news. Packed full of the expected skits and the timeless catch phrases that had the audience shouting out “oh no you didn’t”, booing the villains of the piece and arring with sympathy for the love forlorn Buttons.

Lesley Joseph plays the fairy godmother, pulling on references to her well known Essex character of Dorien, “Birds of a Feather”. She doesn’t possess the greatest of singing voices but her fairy godmother anthem was super.

Phil Reid, Buttons, had the audience in his hand and responded quickly to any heckles. When he brings two men from the audience to join him on stage, his expert ventriloquism make for a side splitting spectacle. Well done those unsuspecting stars.

Charlotte Haines, is the beautiful Cinderella and oozes sweetness. James Darch, handsome Prince Charming is just that, with a few sneaky thigh slaps in timely panto fashion. Gary Watson steals many a scene with his camp portrayal of Dandini.

Graham Hoadly and Jack Land Noble give a commanding performance of the grotesque, man eating duo, the ugly sisters, Claudia and Tess. With some of the fastest costume changes.

The energy with which the main characters perform “if I were not upon the stage” made this pantomime staple fresh as the first time you see it performed. Hilarious. The scenery, costumes and lights make for a magical evening for all ages to enjoy and the uniqueness of panto can go forth for another year.

The Lowry, Salford – until Sunday 16th December 2018.

Reviewed by Sarah Cockerill

5*****

From the moment the audience took to their seats, it felt as though we were about to watch an arena tour rather than a theatre production, reaffirmed by the cheering from the crowd when the lights went up. This was no ordinary musical.

Following a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and an initial stint at the West End earlier this year, the award winning musical, Six, comes to The Lowry, Salford for two weeks before continuing it’s West End run in the new year.

Making musical history, this spectacular hit show from Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss is jam packed full to the brim with power numbers, laugh out loud humour and countless Tudor titbits to enlighten even the brightest history buff.

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. These 6 famous words repeatedly used to describe 6 famous women of history who are defined by their fate, are given the opportunity to showcase their side of the story and provide insight into their multifaceted lives. Six provides a glimpse into the trials and tribulations faced by Henry VIII’s wives through epic musical numbers where each wife takes centre stage to tell her tale – we see Catherine of Aragon (Jarneia Richard-Noel), Anne Boleyn (Millie O’Connell), Anne of Cleves (Alexia McIntosh), Katherine Howard (Aimie Atkinson) and Catherine Parr (Maiya Quansah-Breed) perform songs that make you want to get up and join them on stage for a dance, plus a stark contrast performance from Jane Seymour (Natalie Paris) who stuns the audience into silence (and tears) with her emotional number “Heart of Stone”.

The performances from each wife was empowering, elegant and thoroughly entertaining. They did not disappoint. If Little Mix taught a history lesson, this is how it would look.

Catch the Six ladies at The Lowry, Salford until Sunday 16th December 2018.

Union Theatre – until 23rd December

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Striking 12 is a fantastic bittersweet show that is perfect for those not wanting obvious saccharine festive offerings. It’s like a less anarchic millennial Scrooged, but ditching Dickens for Hans Christian Anderson. (Which would provoke some juicy language from the versions of the two authors playing down the road at the Bridge.)

Office worker Declan is just going through the motions at work, and just wants to be left alone on New Year’s Eve. When a stranger knocks on his door trying to sell lightbulbs that she claims combat SAD, he listens to her sales pitch but sends her away, joking that she’s like the little matchgirl. Her reaction makes him seek out Anderson’s story and instead of going to his friends’ parties, he sits and reads the sad, sad story.

That’s about it, really. This short but sweet production of Milburn, Vigoda and Sheinkin’s musical isn’t earth-shattering, but director Oliver Kaderbhai and the accomplished cast create a show that burns as bright as the matches in the little girl’s hands. With a cast of only 6, the hustle and bustle and claustrophobia of city life is depicted beautifully through Marah Stafford’s choreography. Leon Scott and Kate Robson-Stuart excel on the drums and violin as they play Declan’s colleagues and friends badgering him to celebrate. Danielle Kassaraté is full of energy as the narrator, cajoling Declan into taking part in the story and there is lots of humour from the three’s mock frustration as they have to shift roles or misunderstand instructions. Declan Bennett as Brendan keeps a fine balance between self-indulgence and true despair and provides fantastic vocals as he works through his bah humbug feelings. Bronte Barbé is sweet and kooky as the lightbulb seller and will break your heart as the little match girl. The songs jump genres but all feel perfect for the show and are all played with style by the cast and Andrew Linnie on the piano.

Striking 12 highlights the hypocrisy that surrounds the festive season, with those in need or alone only able to sit watching at the fringes, without becoming too worthy and never losing its sense of fun. You can’t help but be uplifted by the joyful, hopeful ending, and will walk out humming the songs, looking skyward and hoping for snow.

UK TOUR OF IAN RANKIN AND RONA MUNRO’S REBUS: LONG SHADOWS EXTENDS IN 2019 DUE TO PUBLIC DEMAND

 

Daniel Schumann, Lee Dean and Cambridge Arts Theatre

in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre present

 

Rebus: Long Shadows

By Ian Rankin and Rona Munro

Director: Robin Lefevre; Designer: Ti Green; Lighting Design: Chahine Yavroyan and Simon Bond
Composition and Sound Design: Garth McConaghie; Casting: Ginny Schiller CDG

On tour: 29 January – 9 March 2019

Daniel Schumann, Lee Dean and Cambridge Arts Theatre in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre today announce an extension to the successful UK tour of Rebus: Long Shadows due to public demand. The production written exclusively for the stage by author of the original novels, Ian Rankin and playwright Rona Munro toured from September to November 2018, and in 2019 will tour to a further five cities – Glasgow from 29 January, then visiting Cardiff, Cambridge and Newcastle, before completing its run in Bath on 9 March.

 

Ron Donachie joins the cast as John Rebus. He is no stranger to the role having created the title role in all the BBC Radio dramatisations of the Rebus novels. He also played Deputy Chief Inspector Gunner in the Rebus TV series and Ser Roderick Cassell in Game of Thrones. Continuing in their roles are Dani Heron (Angela), Eleanor House (Heather/Maggie), Neil McKinven (Mordaunt), John Stahl (Big Ger Cafferty) and Cathy Tyson (Siobhan Clarke). 

Detective Inspector John Rebus is retired but the shadows of his former life still follow him through the streets of Edinburgh. Whisky helped but now he’s denying himself that pleasure. But when the daughter of a murder victim appears outside his flat, he’s back on the case and off the wagon.

Ian Rankin is the internationally bestselling author of the Inspector Rebus and Detective Malcolm Fox novels, as well as a string of standalone thrillers. His books have been translated into 36 languages and are bestsellers on several continents. Rankin has won multiple awards including four The Crime Writers Association Dagger Awards, and in 2004 received America’s celebrated Edgar Award. He is also the recipient of the OBE for services to literature.

 

Rona Munro has written extensively for stage, radio, film and television. Her theatre credits include The James Plays, Scuttlers, Iron – which won the John Whiting Award, The Last Witch and Little Eagles. Her television credits include Rehab, Bumping the Odds (BAFTA nomination), and Doctor Who; and for film, Ladybird Ladybirdand Oranges and Sunshine.

 

Ron Donachie will play the role of John Rebus. His theatre credits include Oscar Slate: The Trial That Shamed a City, The Beached of St Valery, Broth and The Oddest Couple (Òran Mór), The Iliad, The Crucible, Dark Road, The Man Who Had All The Luck, Six Characters in Search of An Author, Living Quarters and A Streetcar Named Desire (Royal Lyceum Edinburgh), Scenes From The Big Picture (National Theatre), Everything Must Go! (Soho Theatre). His television work includes Game of Thrones, series regular Billie Byrne in Waterloo Road, Vera, Downton Abbey, The Loch, River City and Shameless; and for film Outlaw King, Steel Rain, Filth, Blitz, Made of Honour, Titanic, Jungle Book and Beautiful Creatures.

 

Dani Heron plays Angela. Her theatre credits include Immaculate Correction (King’s Head Theatre), Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Citizens Theatre, Glasgow/HOME , Manchester), 306: Day, The James Plays (National Theatre of Scotland), Jumpy, The Venetian Twins (Royal Lyceum Theatre), A Perfect Stroke (Òran Mór/Traverse Theatre), Chariots of Fire (Gielgud Theatre), One Turbulent Ambassador(Lyric Hammersmith) and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Greenwich Theatre). Her television credits include Armchair Detectives; and for film, I Am Me.

 

Eleanor House plays Heather/Maggie. Her theatre credits include Passing Places and A Christmas Carol (Dundee Rep).

Neil McKinven plays Mordaunt. His theatre credits include Women in Mind (Birmingham Rep/Dundee Rep), Celestina (Birmingham Rep/Edinburgh International Festival), Of Mice And Men(Birmingham Rep), Gilt, Caledonia (National Theatre of Scotland), A Doll’s House (Dundee Rep Theatre), Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, Solstice (RSC), The Breathing House, Glengarry Glen Ross, Dead Funny, The Merchant of Venice, Curse of the Starving Class (Royal Lyceum Theatre), Hamlet (West Yorkshire Playhouse), King Lear (Citizens Theatre, Glasgow), Cosmonauts Last Message…(Lyric Hammersmith), Riddance, The Tree of Knowledge, Wiping My Mother’s Arse,Widows, Abandonment (Traverse Theatre), The Drowned World (Bush Theatre), Between Dog and Wolf (Òran Mór), Geoff’s Dead Disco for Sale (Live Theatre) and A Family Affair (Theatre Royal Bath). His television credits include Strathblair, The Ship, The Poison Tree, Silent Witness, Shetland, Shameless, Doctors, Case Histories, Single Father, Rebus, A is for Acid, Glasgow Kiss, Degrees of Error, Taggart, The Vet, Scottish Killers: Dennis Neilson and Humans.

John Stahl plays Big Ger Cafferty. His theatre credits include 549:Scots of the Spanish Civil War(Citizen’s Theatre, Glasgow), Waiting for Godot (Tobacco Factory Theatre), A Lie of the Mind (Southwark Playhouse), The Winter’s Tale (Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh), Father Comes Home From the War, The Alice Trilogy, The Weir (Royal Court Theatre), The James Plays, Mary Stuart(National Theatre of Scotland), The Crucible, Ghosts (Bristol Old Vic), Much Ado About Nothing, The Globe Mysteries (Shakespeare’s Globe), Frankenstein (National Theatre), Memory Cells (Pleasance, London), The Whisky Taster (Bush Theatre), Macbeth (Royal Exchange Theatre) and Blue Eyes and Heels (Soho Theatre). His television credits include playing Rickard Karstark in Game of Thrones.Other credits include Shetland, High Road and Resort to Murder; and for film, Mary Queen of Scots, Victoria and Abdul and Loch Ness.

 

Cathy Tyson plays Siobhan Clarke. Her theatre credits include The String Quartet’s Guide To Sex And Anxiety (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), The Listening Room (Theatre Royal Stratford East), The Importance Of Being Earnest (Curve/Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Red Snapper (Belgrade Theatre Coventry), Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie (Tabard Theatre), Golden Girls (RSC), The Vagina Monologues (UK tour), Antony and Cleopatra (Hackney Empire), The Merchant Of Venice (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Pygmalion, Educating Rita (Theatr Clwyd), Stand (Battersea Arts Centre) and Mum’s The Word (Albery Theatre). She is a Golden Globe and BAFTA nominated actress, her television credits include series regular Carol Johnson in Band Of Gold. Other credits include Gold, Scully, Always and Everyone, Night & Day, Grange Hill, Bonkers, The Liverpool Nativity, Perfect and Rules Of Engagement; and for film, Together, The Fight, The Marker, ChickLit, Mona Lisa – for which she won the Los Angeles Film Critics’ Award for Best Supporting Actress, Priest, The Lost Language of Cranes, The Old Man Who Read Love Stories, Ollie Kepler’s Expanding Purple World and Business As Usual.

Robin Lefevre is an award-winning theatre director who has worked extensively in the UK, Ireland and the United States. He directed John Hurt in Afterplay, Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, and John Byrne’s first play Writer’s Cramp. On Broadway his credits include Brian Friel’s The Aristocrats which won him the New York Drama Desk Award for Best Director and George Bernard Shaw’s Heartbreak House. More recently he has worked on Duet For One at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and on tour, Ladies in Lavender at the Royal and Derngate and The Glass Menagerie at the Gate Theatre in Dublin.

Tour Dates

Glasgow Theatre Royal

29 January – 2 February

Box Office: 0844 871 7647

www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-glasgow

Cardiff New Theatre

4– 9 February

Box Office: 029 2087 8889

www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

Cambridge Arts Theatre

11 – 16 February

Box Office: 01223 503333

www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

 

Newcastle Theatre Royal

25 February – 2 March

Box Office: 08448 112122

www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Bath Theatre Royal

4– 9 March

Box Office: 01225 448844

www.theatreroyal.org.uk

FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR
THE UK PREMIERE OF

TO STAR ALONGSIDE KATHARINE McPHEE

Music and lyrics by six-time Grammy Award-nominee Sara Bareilles
Book by Jessie Nelson
Based upon the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly
Directed by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus

• Laura Baldwin, Peter Hannah, David Hunter and Marisha Wallace will join the original London company
• Playing at London’s Adelphi Theatre from 8 February 2019
• Tickets are now on sale via waitressthemusical.co.uk

Further casting has been announced for the original London company of Sara Bareilles’ Tony Award®-nominated musical Waitress. Marisha Wallace will play Becky alongside Laura Baldwin as Dawn, with Peter Hannah as Earl and David Hunter as Dr. Pomatter. The four new principals will join the previously announced Katharine McPhee who will make her West End debut starring as Jenna, having played the role on Broadway earlier this year.

Waitress will begin preview performances on 8 February ahead of its official opening night on 7 March at London’s Adelphi Theatre. Currently playing its third year on Broadway, Waitress will bring with it an all-female lead creative team – a West End musical first.

Laura Baldwin (Dawn) trained at Bird College. Her recent stage work has included the roles of Janey in Eugenius!, Story Sandra in Big Fish and Sam in The Little Beasts (all at The Other Palace). Laura has also played Wendy in Peter Pan (The Gordon Craig Theatre), Teen Fiona/Red Riding Hood in Shrek (UK Tour), Veronica/Ensemble in Betty Blue Eyes (UK Tour) and Alice in Alice in Wonderland (The Lichfield Garrick).

 

Peter Hannah (Earl) graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 2013 and has gone on to play roles such as The Devil in The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart (National Theatre of Scotland, Spoletto Festival, and McKittrick, New York – Drama Desk Award winner 2017 for unique Theatrical Experience), Captain Ridley in Cockpit (Royal Lyceum Theatre), Mac in the Greater Game (Southwark Playhouse) and Thomas Highgate in The 306 (National Theatre of Scotland). Peter’s other theatre roles include Shakespeare in Love (Noel Coward Theatre), Four Play (Theatre503), A Clockwork Orange (Nottingham Playhouse), One Arm (Southwark Playouse) and Mock Tudor (Pleasance Courtyard). Film and television Credits include Alex in Above The Clouds (Third Light Films), Lucas in Mr Turner (Thin Man Films), Newton in Mary Gloster (Short Film) and Police Constable Stanmore in Doctor Who (BBC).

David Hunter (Dr. Pomatter) trained at The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA). He is currently playing the lead role of Charlie Price in Kinky Boots (Adelphi Theatre) and previous West End credits include Once (Phoenix Theatre), One Man, Two Guvnors (Adelphi Theatre, National Theatre and UK Tour), Seussical (Arts Theatre) and The Who’s Tommy (Prince Edward Theatre). Other theatre credits include The Hired Man (Leicester Curve and Colchester Mercury), Pub (The Royal Exchange) Spinach (The Royal Exchange) and The Mayor Of Zalamea (Liverpool Everyman).In 2012 David reached the semi-finals of ITV’s Superstar, competing to play the role of ‘Jesus’ in Jesus Christ Superstar. Screen credits include the film Nativity 3 and he has recently filmed an episode of Holby City for BBC1. As the frontman of pop/rock band ‘Reemer’, David has recorded with the producers responsible for The Rolling Stones and The Who, before earning support slots for artists such as The Feeling, Scouting for Girls and finally McFly on their UK Arena Tour. In April 2018 David released his first Solo EP, Silver Linings, featuring five original songs.

Marisha Wallace (Becky) recently made her West End debut playing Effie White in Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre) after playing the role at the Tony-winning regional theatre Dallas Theater Center. Since landing in London she has performed in numerous concerts at The Royal Albert Hall, the London Palladium, and she’s a part of Broadway and West End Divas. She recently performed the role of Celie in The Color Purple in Concert at Cadogan Hall and had two sold out nights at Zedel. Marisha’s Broadway credits include the original Broadway productions of Something Rotten and Disney’s Aladdin, and she also appeared in the first US national tour of The Book of Mormon. Other stage credits include Sistas!, Aladdin (Toronto), Oklahoma!, for which she won the Drammy for Best Actress, One Night With Janis Joplin, Rent and Hair. Screen credits include Aladdin (the forthcoming live action film), Disney’s Frozen Fever, The Tony Awards, Good Morning America, The View and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Since finding international fame as a captivating singer on American Idol – Season 5,Katharine McPhee (Jenna) has become a successful recording artist, landing numerous songs and albums on Billboard’s pop, jazz, holiday and adult-contemporary charts in her native US. Her latest album of timeless American standards “I Fall In Love Too Easily” was released by BMG in 2017. As an acclaimed actress, she was the breakout star of the 2013 NBC-TV musical series Smash, Executive Produced by Steven Spielberg with music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray). She recently starred in the hit CBS dramatic series Scorpion.

Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “​The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county — and a satisfying run-in with someone new — show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.

Waitress opened on 24 April 2016 at Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theater. Based on the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress was the first Broadway musical in history to have four women in the four top creative team spots, featuring original music and lyrics by 6-time Grammy®​ ​nominee Sara Bareilles (“Love Song,” “Brave”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (​I Am Sam​), direction by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (​Pippin​, ​Finding Neverland​) and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The production is currently touring the US and has also recently announced it will have its Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.

On its Broadway opening, Waitress was nominated for four Outer Critics’ Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical; two Drama League Award Nominations, including Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical; six Drama Desk Nominations, including Outstanding Musical; and four Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical.

 

LISTINGS

WAITRESS
The Adelphi Theatre
The Strand,
London WC2R 0NS

Performances from Friday 8 February
Opening night: Thursday 7 March

Monday – Saturday evenings at 7.30pm
Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

24 Hour Telephone Booking line: 020 7087 7753
waitressthemusical.co.uk

Images from: www.thecornershoppr.com/downloads/waitress/

Twitter: @WaitressLondon
Facebook: Waitress the Musical – London
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