Month: January 2019

VAULT Festival (Crescent), Leake St, Lambeth, London SE1 7AD
Wednesday 6th – Sunday 10th March 2019, 19:45

Fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe, the acclaimed Theatre Témoin now stage Feed at VAULT Festival – a show that brings their vibrant visual style to the world of click-bait culture, fake news and cyber gluttony. Welcome to the stimulating world of Feed where emotions are the currency and your passions and fantasies will be indulged… for a price.

A Palestinian woman takes a striking photograph of a boy. A journalist steals the image for an unrelated article. A blogger is moved to tears by the article and posts a tribute. An SEO specialist makes the blogger’s tribute go viral. Now all four are caught in a media storm, in a whirring story that moves from reality into dark fantasy as the algorithms spin to deliver ‘what people want’. As we progress through these individual’s stories, we see them spiral out of control as they get pulled into the online madness.

…a disquieting glimpse into the festering heart of the internet, told with a darkness and vibrancy that compulsively grips…. There’s a fascinating fluidity to Feed as it stretches and swells, enhancing and exaggerating until there’s blood on the floor, vicious internet trolls at the gates, and Peck is the devil incarnate (The Stage).

Theatre Témoin have always been unafraid of tackling important issues and here they explore the dark absurdity of today’s media landscape and what capitalism has turned it into. Feed uses a surreal style interweaved with Bouffon physicality to look at how algorithms and capitalism are shaping the information we receive and consume online and how this information is, in turn, shaping us

Director Ailin Conant comments, I think as a consumer I’m used to the idea that companies are after my money. But the moment you realise that your time and your feelings are for sale, and that companies will use your own arousal (be it anger or excitement or addiction) just to keep you on your screen… I start to feel like my body, my brain, my organism is being hijacked. This is the discomfort that drove us to create Feed.

Theatre Témoin is committed to engaging communities in the process of making their work and have conducted numerous R&D workshops with young people during its development. Feed is a co-production with The Lowry and The Everyman Cheltenham and is supported by Arts Council England and The Charles Irving Trust.

IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL PIE DAY

ANNOUNCES PIE PARTNERSHIP WITH
THE THEATRE CAFÉ
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

It is announced today that Waitress will partner with The Theatre Café, London’s first ever theatre-themed coffee shop, which will be making and selling delicious fresh pies each night at the show. Audience members will be able to buy the famous Waitress pie jars in apple crumble, chocolate salted caramel or banoffee at the Adelphi Theatre when the show begins preview performances on8 February. The Waitress pie jars were originally created by Cute As Cake of New York.

Rehearsals are now underway ahead of the show’s official opening night on 7 March. The West End premiere of Sara Bareilles’ Waitress will star Katharine McPhee (Smash) as Jenna, Emmy-nominee Jack McBrayer (30 Rock) as Ogie, Marisha Wallace as Becky, Laura Baldwin as Dawn, Peter Hannah as Earl, David Hunter as Dr. Pomatter and Shaun Prendergast as Old Joe. Currently playing its third year on Broadway, Waitress will bring with it an all-female lead creative team – a West End musical first.

The full company includes Kelly Agbowu, Laura Baldwin, Piers Bate, Nicole Raquel Dennis, Michael Hamway, Peter Hannah, David Hunter, Stephen Leask, Jack McBrayer, Chris McGuigan, Katharine McPhee, Olivia Moore, Nathaniel Morrison, Sarah O’Connor, Leanne Pinder, Shaun Prendergast, Charlotte Riby and Marisha Wallace.

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 also recently announced the first of its “Cast Album Karaoke” nights in London, meaning that theatre lovers who have always dreamt of singing on the West End stage will soon be able to make their dream a reality. The first ever karaoke nights will be held post-show on Tuesday 19 Februaryand Monday 18 March 2019. For the chance to sing one minute of any song from the show – live on stage and accompanied by the show’s musical director Katharine Woolley – interested audience members just need to sign up in the theatre before the performance.

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 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: https://www.thecornershoppr.com/downloads/waitress/

Twitter: @WaitressLondon
Facebook: Waitress the Musical – London
Instagram: @WaitressLondon

New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until 26th January 2019

Reviewed by Becky Doyle

4****

What a beautiful and endearing story that had me captivated from start to finish. I was initially disappointed to hear that Mathew Horne would not be playing Raymond on the chosen night and instead the role would be played by Adam Lilley. However, I took all my disappointment back within 30 seconds of Lilley walking on the stage with his skill and tact in playing an autistic character that made me empathize with both he and his on stage brother Chris Fountain (Charlie). Their relationship evolving and brotherly love and understanding coming through was what made the show what it was. The story was easy to follow and you began to see that life was never going to be the same for Charlie, nor that of Raymond.

The set was minimal yet was all that was needed and the space was used to its fullest. Between scenes the music that was played was upbeat, in time with the era and had be swaying along during the little time being taken to set up the stage between scenes.

The special moment between Raymond and Charlie, which brought the play to an end, had myself with tears in my eyes with a desire to know more. The cast was presented with a standing ovation, which was nothing, less than they deserved.

Overall, this show brought to the stage a well-known film and story that could hold relevance to so many. If you have the opportunity I wouldn’t hesitate to seeing the show yourself.

TWO MAJOR ARTS COMPANIES TEAM UP FOR ONE-OFF

GIANT OUTDOOR THEATRE EVENT IN YORKSHIRE AND LONDON

-on sale now-

Internationally-renowned Yorkshire-based theatre company Mind the Gap is preparing to present a giant piece of outdoor theatre that is set to be a world first BY the company known for its provocative and cutting-edge works.

Featuring a giant baby, 3D projection mapping, a cast of 100+ and an original music score, ZARA will perform in only two venues – Halifax Piece Hall, Yorkshire in April and Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, Southwark, London in May.

Julia Skelton, Executive Director of Mind the Gap said:

“ZARA is a huge-impact piece of outdoor theatre that has been four years in the making. We have brought together an international team of directors, choreographers, producers, designers, technicians, puppeteers, musicians and actors. Right now, there are hundreds of people working on the project in the UK and we are really proud to be the company behind the idea.”

Mind the Gap is collaborating with world-renowned outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank who have created large scale shows for a host of celebrations including the XVIIth Manchester Commonwealth Games and numerous UK and European Capitals of Culture.

“I met Mind the Gap a couple of years ago and knew immediately that we should work with them,” says Liz Pugh Creative Producer of Walk the Plank.

“I was drawn to their work and their ethos; they are bold, inclusive, and are breaking boundaries. Walk the Plank make work in public space in order to reach and engage as diverse an audience as possible, as such we are thrilled to collaborate with a company so respected in the theatre industry and within learning disability arts.”

ZARA is the pinnacle output of Mind the Gap’s Daughters of Fortune project which explores learning disability and parenthood for a mainstream audience. It began with Anna, a forum theatre piece used for research workshops and was followed by Mia a production that has met with critical acclaim, featured at 2017’s Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival where it was the only learning disability theatre company to perform, and has toured to 24 theatres across the UK. ZARA brings this award-winning project to a large-scale outdoor audience.

“I believe theatre has the power to move hearts and minds, and with this international team of leading creatives, ZARA is going to do just that,” says Artistic Director Joyce Nga Yu Lee.

“Throughout our research, the stories we heard were tender, shocking, funny, poignant and everything in between; ZARA is a fusion of these complex and untold precious stories – and then supersized! It’s an unprecedented performance that puts learning disabled parents and artists at its heart and is guaranteed to deliver an unforgettable experience.”

Zara: Daughters of Fortune has a limited run in Yorkshire and London:

Friday 19^th & Saturday 20^th April 2019

The Piece Hall, Halifax

Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park (home of Imperial War Museum), London

Friday 10^th & Saturday 11^th May 2019

Tickets are priced at £8 and are on sale now

Book online at www.mind-the-gap.org.uk/productions/zara–

Performance Listings:

ZARA: Daughters of Fortune

The Piece Hall, Halifax HX1 1RE

Friday 19^th and Saturday 20^th April 2019 at 7pm

Tickets: £8 / £28 for four people / £12 Balcony

Booking:  www.mind-the-gap.org.uk/productions/zara

Age guidance: Family friendly

ZARA: Daughters of Fortune

Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, Southwark SE1 6HZ

Friday 10^th & Saturday 11^th May 2019 at 7pm

Tickets: £8 / £28 for four people

Booking: www.mind-the-gap.org.uk/productions/zara

Age guidance: Family friendly

Sheffield Lyceum – until Saturday 26 January 2019

Reviewed by Lottie Davis Browne

4****

“Oh this year (Sheffield) is off to sunny Spain – Y viva Espana!” Snow might be forecast for parts of Sheffield but for one week only at Sheffields’ Lyceum Theatre the sun is shining, the sangria’s are free flowing at Neptune’s Bar, in this all-inclusive brash live screen-to-stage comedy of the hit TV show Benidorm.

For those of you not familiar with the television series, the stories are set (with regularly returning tourists) in a budget all-inclusive Spanish resort – a popular with British tourists who love value-for-money, pie and peas and a pint, karaoke, a perm or silver highlights at Blow and Go Salon and of course the hot weather.

Middle-class couple Ben (Bradley Clarkson) and Sophie (Tricia Adele-Turner) have booked a luxury holiday in Altea – however due to an apparent over booking by the hotel, they are instead sent to the sister-hotel – the Solona in budget loving Benidorm – a 4 turned 3 (or should that be 3 and a half??) star hotel with equally 3 star guests. When they are mistaken as being undercover hotel inspectors, the Solana staff – spurred on by the ever bossy Joyce Temple-Savage (Sherrie Hewson) go out of their way to make the couple feel welcome. Throw in a gay Swinger friend of Jacqueline’s (panto dame regular Damian Williams) – who is smitten with Blow and Go’s Kenneth (Tony Maudsley) and you’ve got pure comedy gold. I personally adored Williams in this role – should Benidorm ever make a return to the television screen, Williams definitely needs to reprise this role!

Six of the television series regular characters make up the bulk of the cast (characters such as the raunchy swinger Jacqueline, Blow and Go’s Liam and Kenneth and womanising barman Mateo) which, for someone who has watched the show from the start of series two (quickly catching up on series one beforehand), was reassuring to see the much loved characters brought to life on stage. I thought Jacqueline (Janine Duvitski) was hilarious on television but oh my goodness her character is even more outrageous live! My sides were splitting as tears of laughter rolled down my face. Adam Gillen brings a certain element of naiveness and admiration to the stage and his character as the lovable Liam, who is totally devoted to his prisoner dad (Lesley – the cross dresser), whilst his dad appears to be having a rare old time in the open prison and has made a new “friend” – Liam is missing his dad and eager for his return to Benidorm.

The plot is not a new storyline as such – a similar – if not identical – storyline has already been done in one of the earlier series (possibly series one?) – therefore I had already guessed the outcome within the first five minutes of the show starting, however this did not take away my enjoyment in anyway shape or form. The live production is as laugh out loud and crude (that Jacqueline is a saucy one!) as the television programme, however by watching it live the humour intensifies 100%

Mark Walters clever set design recreates the Solana hotel perfectly – along with salon Blow and Go and Neptunes bar. Shelley Longworth shows her true star qualities in Act Two as part of the karaoke at Neptunes bar with a knockout rendition of Faith Hills’ “There You’ll Be”. However the show stealer for me has to be Damian Williams as the loveable and hilarious “Gay Derek”.

At just under two hours running time (including an interval), Benidorm Live is a refreshing escape from the cold and depressing January “Brexit Blues” – and reminds us that nobody does comedy like us Brits! So grab your passport for the perfect post Christmas escape and get your tickets to see this must see performance!

Nominations announced for Inaugural Casting Awards in February

The Casting Directors’ Guild (CDG) in partnership with Spotlight is pleased to announce the nominations for its inaugural Casting Awards, which will take place on Tuesday 12 February 2019 at Ham Yard Hotel London. This new event will be the first UK Awards ceremony to celebrate the significant achievements of casting in the fields of Theatre, TV, Film and Commercials. The nominations are:

The 2019 CDG Award for Best Casting in a Theatre production sponsored by The Stage

• Alastair Coomer for The York Realist (Donmar Warehouse)
• Sophie Parrott for An Octoroon (National Theatre Transfer)
• Wendy Spon and Jacob Sparrow for Follies (National Theatre)
• Charlotte Sutton for Caroline or Change (Hampstead Theatre)
• Paul Wooller, Felicity French and Trevor Jackson for Hamilton (Victoria Palace, Cameron Mackintosh Ltd)

The 2019 CDG Award for Best Casting in a TV production sponsored by United Agents

• Kharmel Cochrane for The End of the F**king World (Netflix)
• Tracey Gillham for Inside No. 9 Series 4 (BBC2)
• Julie Harkin for Kiri (Channel 4)
• Jina Jay for Black Mirror Season 4 (Netflix)
• Kate Rhodes James Casting for Bodyguard (BBC1 & Netflix)

The 2019 CDG Award for Best Casting in a Film Sponsored by Independent Talent

• Lucy Bevan for Murder on the Orient Express
• David Grindrod, Stephen Crockett, Will Burton for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again Musical Ensemble Casting
• Julie Harkin for Beast
• Jina Jay for The Darkest Hour
• Debbie McWilliams for Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool

The 2019 CDG Award for Best Casting in a Commercial

• Martin Gibbons and Dan Hubbard for Waitrose ‘Snowed In’
• Martin Gibbons for McCains ‘We Are Family 2’
• Hammond Cox Casting for Cadbury ‘Mum’s Birthday’
• Orla Maxwell for Jaguar EPace ‘Mistress of Mischief’
• Belinda Norcliffe and Heidi Lawry for Walkers ‘70^th Birthday’
• Sasha Robertson Casting for Unstereotype Alliance ‘Audition for an Advert’
• Sasha Robertson Casting for ICRC ‘Every Parent’s Worst Nightmare’ 

The nominated productions premiered between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018 and have been submitted by members of the Casting Directors’ Guild, who will now vote for a winner in each category.

These awards are kindly sponsored by Spotlight, Independent Talent Group, United Agents, EON Productions and The Stage.   

METAL RABBIT PRODUCTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH PARK THEATREANNOUNCE THE WORLD PREMIÈRE OF

WE’RE STAYING RIGHT HERE WITH FULL CAST

Metal Rabbit Productions in association with Park Theatre present

The World Première of

We’re Staying Right Here

By Henry Devas

Directed by Jez Pike; Set Designer: Elizabeth Wright;Lighting Designer: George Bach

Sound Designer: Dominic Brennan

Park Theatre

26 February – 23 March

Metal Rabbit Productions in association with Park Theatre present the world première of Henry Devas’ debut play, We’re Staying Right Here, a black comedy exploring issues of male depression and suicide. Jez Pike directs Tom Canton, Danny Kirrane, Daniel Portman, who plays Podrick Payne in Game of Thrones and Liam Smith.The production opens at Park Theatre on 1 March, with previews from 26 February, and runs until 23 March.

‘You’re not trapped in here… you just wouldn’t last five seconds out there.’

Everything was ticking along just fine for Matt. Stand-up comic. New father. Nice bloke.

Then the war started and Matt’s world changed.

Now, hidden away in his boarded up flat, Matt, Tristabel and Benzies spend their days bantering about life, comedy… and Paul Newman. With the pressure mounting to keep what’s out there from getting in here, one thing becomes clear. Matt must escape. The others want him to. They won’t shut up about it. These days, they won’t shut up about anything. If only Matt could make up his mind about what his role in this war is going to be.

Writer, Henry Devas, said today,“I’m over the moon to have my debut play premiering at Park Theatre this spring. The play’s aim is to explore the experience of depression and the issue of suicide amongst men whilst finding comedy and humour within one of societies darkest themes. 

Having experienced depression personally and with suicide being the number one killer of men under 50, I believe it is imperative to encourage discussion surrounding this silent, and in many cases invisible, epidemic. Through taking a unique approach to the subject, we hope to increase awareness and understanding of this legitimate illness, whilst attempting to remove the stigma that absolutely still exists.”

We’re Staying Right Here marks Henry Devas’ playwriting debut. His credits as an actor include The Mousetrap(St. Martin’s Theatre), The Winterling (Theatre by the Lake) and Bedroom Farce (Harrogate Theatre/Oldham Coliseum Theatre).

Tom Canton plays Tristabel. His theatre credits include The Country Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre), Richard II(Almeida Theatre), The Hook (Royal & Derngate Northampton) and Wuthering Heights (Gate Theatre, Dublin). His television credits include Wasted.

Danny Kirrane plays Matt. His theatre credits include Jerusalem (Royal Court Theatre/Music Box Theatre), As You Like It (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), A Little Hotel on the Side (Theatre Royal Bath), Three Sisters (Young Vic), Romeo and Juliet (UK tour) and The History Boys (National Theatre). His television credits include Wasted, Critical and Trollied; and for film, Peterloo, Fubar, Ravers, The Hatching, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and Walking on Sunshine.

Daniel Portman plays Benzies. His theatre credits include The Collector (The Vaults), Black Watch(Barbican/Scotland tour) and Philoctetes (Òran Mór). His television credits include series regular Podrick Payne in Game of Thrones.

Liam Smith plays Chris. His theatre credits include Howard Barker Double Bill (Arcola Theatre), Seagulls/Every 20 Mins (Bridewell Theatre), More No Still (Print Room), Air Around Us, Hacked (Theatre503), Old Times, The Winterling, Waiting For Godot, Dracula and Knives in Hens (Theatre by the Lake).

Jez Pike is the Director of Productions at the Maddermarket Theatre in Norwich. His theatre credits for the company include Hayfever, Nell Gwynn, Swallows and Amazons, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, Jerusalem, King Alfred’s Kitchen and Quality Street. His other theatre credits include: The Winterling, Not About Heroes, The Shape of Things and Knives in Hens (Theatre by the Lake), Sex, Lies & Serial Killers (Theatre503) and Janis (Theatre503/Edinburgh Festival Fringe).

WE’RE STAYING RIGHT HERE                                                                                                                 Listings

Park Theatre, Park90

Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, N4 3JP

26 February – 23 MarchP

Box Office: 020 7870 6876*

www.parktheatre.co.uk

*No booking fee online. Telephone booking fee applies.

FASCINATING AIDA’S

LIZA PULMAN SINGS STREISAND

COMING TO THE EPSTEIN THEATRE THIS MAY

Acclaimed singer and comedienne Liza Pulman celebrates the legend of Barbra Streisand with her fabulous band, in her hugely successful and critically acclaimed five-star triumph, Liza Pulman Sings Streisand.

Fascinating Aida’s Liza Pulman comes to The Epstein Theatre on Friday 3 May as part of a new UK tour for 2019 after playing to packed houses across the country in 2018, which included three sell-out shows at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theatre The Other Palace in Victoria, and two sell-out performances at Wilton’s Music Hall. 

The latest dates will also include a run at The Lyric Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue in London’s West End later this year.

The tour date at The Epstein Theatre gives fans another fantastic chance to see her incredible talents live on stage after her revered performance at the Liverpool Philharmonic in 2018, as she squeezes history, warmth and humour into this truly world class show.

Liza is excited to bring the show back to Liverpool, she said: “I formed my amazing 6-piece band a few years ago and hit the road with our first show ‘Songs Of Hollywood’. One of the songs I sang was Evergreen from the film ‘A Star Is Born’, and so many people told me I sounded like Barbra Streisand, which was flattering, then I started to look at how and why that might be.

“She has always been such a huge influence on my singing and on my approach to music that I wanted to celebrate that somehow, so here we are. We visited Liverpool as part of 2018’s tour and I am delighted to be bringing the show back to audiences here after such a warm and welcoming response last year.”

Alongside her musical director Joseph Atkins and The Starlight Ensemble, Liza bewitches audiences with sheer vocal virtuosity and emotional expression, bringing not only her exceptional voice and compelling storytelling, but her own personal slant on Streisand’s life and music.

A must see for music lovers and Streisand fans everywhere.

Website: www.lizapulman.com | Twitter: @liza_pulman | Facebook: lizapulmanofficial | Instagram: lizapulman

What the press have said about Liza Pulman:

“A superb evening’s entertainment. Seldom has a standing ovation been better-earned”

★★★★★ Stage Talk 

 “Incredible performances delivered with humour, grace and class”

★★★★★ Theatre Weekly 

“Amazing, her voice was truly wonderful”

★★★★★ Jewish News  

“A world class show”

★★★★★ Encore Radio

“A night of sheer joy. A classy, warmly produced, exquisitely delivered night underscored by the numbers of people on their feet at its end”

★★★★★ ChrisHighReviews.com

“Completely immerses the audience from beginning to end”

★★★★★ Love London Love Culture

“Bewitches us with sheer vocal virtuosity and emotional expression”

★★★★★ BritishTheatre.com

“Get your tickets booked, I promise you won’t be disappointed”

★★★★★ London Theatre

“Liza has got style oozing out of her pores and a belting set of lungs”

★★★★★ TheGayUK

LISTING INFORMATION

LIZA PULMAN SINGS STREISAND

The Epstein Theatre

Date: Fri 3 May 
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: £25

To book tickets please call 0844 888 4411* or go online at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk * or in person at The Epstein Theatre Box Office from 12pm – 6pm Monday – Saturday.

*Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy

For more details check out www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk and join our mailing list. Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/EpsteinTheatre and twitter @EpsteinTheatre.

Metta Theatre and Exeter Northcott Theatre present
FULL CASTING CONFIRMED FOR 
THE NEW MUSICAL

IN THE WILLOWS

Olivier Award-winning actor Clive Rowe MBE to play Mr Badger

The X Factor’s Seann Miley Moore joins the cast as Duck

Featuring deaf street dancer Chris Fonseca & Let It Shine’s Matt Knight

Music video for Easy Life released

Full casting has been confirmed for the UK tour of In The Willows: the explosive brand new musical retelling of The Wind In The Willows, from the award-winning Metta Theatre. Olivier award-winning actor, ‘the nation’s favourite pantomime dame’, and star of BBC’s The Story of Tracey Beaker, Clive Rowe will star as Mr Badger, while X Factor favourite Seann Miley Moore (Duck) and Let It Shine performer Matt Knight (Chief Weasel) join the cast.

The production opens at the Exeter Northcott on 22 February 2019, touring the UK until 1 June, with a press night on Thursday 21 March at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry.

With spectacular street dance choreographed by the award-winning Rhimes Lecointe (Associate choreographer for Zoo Nation, and Artistic Director of Boudicea), the production will also star deaf street dancer Chris Fonseca. In The Willows will incorporate British Sign Language (BSL) into the choreography for aunified experience for D/deaf and hearing audiences alike. There will also be audio description available for all performances across the tour.

Mole’s first day in ‘The Willows’. Her classmates look a bit scary. Surely Mr Badger will look out for her, as streetwise Rattie, rich kid Toad and cheeky Otter teach her the ways of The Riverbank. But when Toad gets locked up for joyriding, the Weasel Clan break into his (lily)pad. It’s now only a matter of time before Chief Weasel reveals Mole’s dark secret…

This classic story is brought leaping into the twenty first century. Featuring ballads, beats and backflips, this new musical will be fun for the whole family.

 Olivier-award winner Clive Rowe MBE has had an illustrious career on stage and screen; best-known to family audiences for his role as ‘Norman “Duke” Ellington in BBC Children’s drama The Story of Tracy Beaker, Clive’s extensive stage credits include Me and My Girl (Chichester), Guys and Dolls (NT and West End), Chicago(Adelphi), The Light Princess (NT), Kiss Me Kate (Chichester and Old Vic), and many appearances in panto, particularly at the Hackney Empire.

Originally from Sydney Australia, Seann Miley Moore stole the nation’s heart as a finalist on the UK’s X-Factor. Mentored by Radio 1’s Nick Grimshaw, he received a standing ovation for his rendition of Queen’s The Show Must Go On. Since then, Seann has toured globally, recently released his second EP 4TrackBitch and last year, with a triumphant return to his home town, sang his original song & Pride anthem We In Luv at the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. Seann’s fearless sense of style and self-expression has inspired many. So much so that he found himself on the cover of the UK’s Gay Times and was chosen as a representative of Missguided’s International Fashion Campaign Keep Being You.

After suffering meningitis, street dancer Chris Fonseca was made deaf in both ears from a very young age. He dances with the use of a Cochlear Implant in one ear, and the sensation of musical vibrations through his body. In 2010, Chris joined the all deaf dance group, Def Motion. In 2014, he joined Studio 68 dance training academy as a teacher and choreographer. He is now a solo dancer.

In The Willows will also be reaching out to young performers across the country to appear onstage in the production at their local theatre. Beginning with a free dance workshop from leading dancer Sheila Attah – open to beginners and performers with access needs – successful performers aged 17-25 will have the chance to perform onstage alongside some of the country’s leading musical performers.

The production will also be encouraging D/deaf performers to apply, given the production’s inclusion of British Sign Language (BSL) into the choreography. The audition process will take place at selected regional workshops, detailed at: www.mettatheatre.co.uk/workshops

FULL CASTING

Victoria Boyce as Mole

Abiola Efunshile as Owl

Chris Fonseca as Otter

Treasure Iyamu as Twitchy Rabbit

Harry Jardine as Toad

Matt Knight as Chief Weasel

Zara Macintosh as Rattie

Seann Miley Moore as Duck

Katherine Picar as Bitchy Rabbit

Clive Rowe as Badger

Victoria Boyce makes her professional debut, having trained at the The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Abiola Efunshile’s stage credits include: Dynamite Swing in Hairspray (UK & Ireland Tour), 50th anniversary production of Hair (Vaults Theatre), Hero (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Dua Lipa (Dancer BRIT Awards 2018), Jax Jones (Dancer- Capital Jingle Bell Ball 2018) and Dancer in Four Corners Dance Company (dir- Dean Lee).

Harry Jardine theatre credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lyric Hammersmith), The Secret Seven(Storyhouse), Octagon (Arcola), Shakespeare in Love (West End) and Les Misérables (West End). His film credits include: Mind The Gap (dir: Matt Holt), Dirty Boy (dir: Doug Rao), White Girl (dir: Nadia Latif), Journey’s End(dir: Saul Dibb), The Thief (dir: Esther Baker), Master of Ceremonies (dir: Toby Wharton) and In The Heart of the Sea (dir: Ron Howard).

Treasure Iyamu’s dance credits include the music videos: Shakka’s Sugar Cane, Nile Rodgers’ Sober, Maleek Berry’s Gimme Life, Smokepurpp ft Lil Pump’s Nephew, Kamile ft Louis & Kranium’s Emotional, Korede Bello’s Melanin Popping and Nipah’s Forever. She has also danced on the X Factor Final 2017, with Rak Su and Wyclef Jean.

Matt Knight’s stage credits include: Little Mermaid Circus Musical (UK Tour, Metta Theatre), Peter Pan The Arena Tour (World Biggest Panto) and The Jungle Book (2016 & 2017 UK Tour). His screen credits include: Semi Finalist – Iron Sun in Let It Shine (BBC One), Dancer in Florence Foster Jenkins (Stephen Frears), Actor / Tricker in Tip Of The Wall Script (Red Bee Media), Featured Dancer in Wiley (Music Video), Dancer / Tricker in Ant & Dec’s Text Santa Christmas Show (ITV).

Zara Macintosh’s live credits include: Twelfth Night (Shakespeare Festival, Royal Court Theatre), H20 in Pandemonium (Water and Steam Museum) and Vocalist for Collaborative Orchestra and Singers (Britain’s Got Talent/SYCO). 

Katherine Picar was an original cast member of the West End Revival of Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre, and she returned to the production for the UK and Ireland tour. As a dancer Katherine appeared in theUnited Kingdom Eurovision Music Video entry in 2015, as Ballet/Pointe Girl in Billy Elliot The Musical directed by Stephen Daldry and as a tap dancer on The One Show for Arlene Phillips.

In The Willows transforms Kenneth Grahame’s well-loved tale into a thrilling new musical, written and directed by Poppy Burton-Morgan (Jungle Book, UK & International Tour), with music from award-winning composerPippa Cleary (The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Chocolate Factory; Prodigy, St James Theatre) and groundbreaking Composer Keiran Merrick, set and lighting design by William Reynolds, costume design by Ryan Dawson Laight (Blak Whyte Gray, Barbican), and with choreography from Rhimes Lecointe.

After their smash hit street-dance Jungle Book and circus-musical Little Mermaid, the award-winning Metta Theatre bring you a bold new take on this much-loved classic. Metta Theatre is at the forefront of cross-art-form theatre practice, known for combining emotionally powerful performances with imaginative theatricality and striking visual style. Metta Theatre is one of the UK’s leading mid-scale touring companies – making exceptional theatre and opera that represents and celebrates the diversity of our world.

In The Willows is produced by Metta Theatre and Exeter Northcott Theatre, supported by the Arts Council Strategic Touring Fund.

www.mettatheatre.co.uk

@mettatheatre

www.facebook.com/mettatheatre

www.inthewillows.co.uk

#MettaTheatre #InTheWillows

IN THE WILLOWS  – UK TOUR DATES 2019

22 February – 2 March                                                                                     Box Office: 01392 726363

Exeter, Northcott Theatre                                                                               Website: exeternorthcott.co.uk

7 – 9 March                                                                                                         Box Office: 023 9264 9000

Portsmouth, New Theatre Royal                                                                   Website: newtheatreroyal.com

20 – 23 March                                                                                                     Box Office: 024 76553055

Coventry, Belgrade Theatre                                                                            Website: belgrade.co.uk

27 – 30 March                                                                                                     Box Office: 0131 529 6000

Edinburgh, Festival Theatre                                                                            Website: capitaltheatres.com

2 – 6 April                                                                                                             Box Office: 017687 74411

Keswick, Theatre by the Lake                                                                         Website: theatrebythelake.com

9 – 10 April                                                                                                           Box Office: 01865 305305

Oxford, Oxford Playhouse                                                                                Website: oxfordplayhouse.com

16 – 20 April                                                                                                        Box Office: 01904 623568

York, York Theatre Royal                                                                                  Website: yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

24 – 27 April                                                                                                        Box Office: 01684 892277

Malvern Forum                                                                                                   Website: malvern-theatres.co.uk

1 – 4 May                                                                                                             Box Office: 01253 290 190

Blackpool, The Grand Theatre                                                                       Website: blackpoolgrand.co.uk

9 – 11 May                                                                                                           Box Office: 0844 871 7646

Wimbledon, New Wimbledon Theatre                                                        Website: atgtickets.com

22 – 26 May                                                                                                         Box Office: 01708 443333

Hornchurch, Queens Theatre Hornchurch                                                  Website: queens-theatre.co.uk

29 May – 1 June                                                                                                 Box Office: 0117 987 7877

Bristol, Bristol Old Vic                                                                                       Website: bristololdvic.org.uk

FOOT-STOMPING NEW MUSICAL NO MIRACLES HERE GETS READY FOR UK TOUR

THE FOUR WEEK COUNTDOWN FOR ACCLAIMED SHOW WHICH STOPS OFF AT ORMSKIRK NEXT MONTH

A dance marathon in a northern town forms the backdrop for a foot-stomping and thought-provoking new musical that promises to have audiences on their feet across the UK.

No Miracles Here is set to embark on a 15-date national tour in spring 2019, opening at Northern Stage in Newcastle on February 15. The show stops off at The Arts Centre in Ormskirk on 25-26 February.

The Letter Room presents a sweat-soaked marathon with a northern soul – a tale of resilience, strength and the need to stay on your feet.

Ray is young man with a big night ahead of him. The music has started, and he can’t leave the floor. He just has to keep going.

Follow the journey of Ray and his band The Raylettes in what is an uplifting and joyful look at how you can overcome depression through dancing.

Packed with live music and dance, No Miracles Here is an anthem to feeling alive and keeping the faith.

The raw and vibrant musical production was made in association with the charity Mind, and developed through support from the RSC, Northern Stage, Shoreditch Town Hall and The New Wolsey Theatre. It is brought to the stage on this new tour by producer Max Emmerson.

Stan Hodgson, co-artistic director of The Letter Room, said: “We’re delighted to be performing No Miracles Here, our music-filled story of resilience and hope set in a dance marathon.

“The show had a wonderful reception when it was initially staged in Edinburgh, Salford and London. We tried to tell a personal story of human struggle, but fill it with music, movement and humour.  And we can’t wait to pick up our instruments, get our sweatbands on and bring it to new audiences across the country in 2019!”

Minimum age recommended: 14+

What reviewers have said about No Miracles Here

“A vibrant, lively, imaginative theatrical experience” – The Scotsman

“A feet-stomping, hand-clapping, spirit-raising show…No Miracles Here will leave you grinning from ear to ear” – Broadway Baby

“This truly original show is at once a moving, original exploration of mental health issues and an electrifying blend of live music and dance” – British Theatre Guide

“Unusual and engaging” – The Stage

Website:         www.theletterroomtheatre.co.uk

Facebook:       wearetheletterroom/

Twitter:           @TheLetterRoom

NO MIRACLES HERE TOUR

NEWCASTLE

Northern Stage

February 15-16

0191 230 5151

www.northernstage.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

ORMSKIRK

The Arts Centre, Edge Hill University

February 25-26

01695 584480

www.edgehill.ac.uk

ON SALE NOW

DURHAM

Gala Theatre

February 28

03000 266 600

www.galadurham.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

HALIFAX

Square Chapel Arts Centre

March 1

01422 349422

www.squarechapel.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

KESWICK

Theatre By The Lake

March 5

01768 774411

www.theatrebythelake.com

ON SALE NOW

IPSWICH

New Wolsey Studio

March 7

01473 295900

www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

NORWICH

The Garage

March 9

01603 283382

www.thegarage.org.uk

ON SALE NOW

DONCASTER

CAST

March 12

01302 303959

www.castindoncaster.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

LONDON

Greenwich Theatre

March 14-16

0208 858 7755

www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk

ON SALE NOW

LINCOLN

Lincoln Performing Arts Centre

March 21

01522 837600

www.lpac.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

CREWE

Crewe Lyceum

March 23

01270 368242

www.crewelyceum.co.uk

ON SALE NOW