Jerry Springer – The Opera Heads To Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre

James Baker, Tom Chester and Bill Elms for Northern Ricochet present

JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA HEADS TO MANCHESTER’S

HOPE MILL THEATRE

Returning after 15 years for a summer 2019 run from newly formed production company Northern Ricochet.

___________________________________________________________

A brand new production of JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA is coming to Manchester in August 2019 – almost 15 years since the show was last performed in the UK.

The controversial musical will entertain audiences over a four-week run at Hope Mill Theatre in Ancoats, from Thursday 8 to Saturday 31 August. Tickets go on sale on Monday 21 January at 10am.

JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA caused a storm when it came to the UK stage in 2002, and in this new revival it promises the same raucous energy with a revamped and fresh production for 2019!

Not for the faint-hearted or easily offended, expect chaos and debauchery to ensue in this smash hit musical based on the infamous talk show – The Jerry Springer Show.

From tap-dancing KKK members, to a provocative dancing stripper, to the ultimate battle of good vs evil between God and the Devil, nothing is off limits in this must-see production.

JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA is now being brought back to the stage as the first show from new production company, Northern Ricochet formed by James Baker (Parade, Yank), Tom Chester (Parade, Mamma Mia)and Bill Elms (Epstein The Man Who Made The Beatles, Twopence To Cross The Mersey).

Northern Ricochet was recently formed by the trio having originally met in 2016, when working together on the hit musical Parade at Hope Mill Theatre. Having struck a bond, they created a company to celebrate and aspire to passionately produce quality theatre in the north, for the north and using northern creatives, actors and voices.

The musical was previewed at the Edinburgh Festival in 2002, before going on to open at London’s National Theatre in April 2003, where it ran for six months. After moving to the Cambridge Theatre in the West End, it played to audiences for 18 months before going on a UK Tour in 2006. It was during this tour that the musical was last performed in Manchester.

During its original run, JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA made theatre history by receiving anunprecedented four awards for Best Musical at The Olivier Awards, The Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards, The Evening Standard Theatre Awards, and The What’s On Stage Awards.

After more than a decade out of the limelight, the multi award-winning show returned to the stage early last year with a six-week run Off-Broadway – which went on to be extended for a further three weeks due to public demand.

The first joint venture will see James Baker as director; Tom Chester as musical director; and Bill Elms as co-producer of JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA.

Director James Baker commented: “When Jerry Springer – The Opera first hit stages in the UK, it created a mass protest. It was unapologetic, uncompromising, fresh and original – and fused a highbrow form with a lowbrow subject matter. This fusion was what first attracted me. After getting through the protestors, I sat down and watched the best two hours of entertaining yet profound theatre I’d seen in years. It started a revolution.

“Jerry was ground-breaking and placed a mirror up to the audience. A mirror of reflection and a possibility for us to learn something. The big question is, have we learned anything? Sadly not, and I’d argue we’re even more divided than before. Prejudice still remains within race, sexuality and equality. Just because we don’t see it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I think we’ve just got better at pretending all is more harmonious. We’ve become even better actors than those in the Jerry show. Reality has become even more blurred.”

JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA was written by Richard Thomas, who also wrote the music and lyrics, with the book and additional lyrics by Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas. It is based on The Jerry Springer Show, which was first broadcast on television in 1991 and was on the air for 27 years. It tells the story of America’s favourite talk show host who suffers the worst day in his career when faced with some of the most challenging guests he’s ever met on set.

James Baker continued about the vision for Jerry Springer – The Opera in the current day: “Jerry Springer today means something very different to a modern audience. We’ve advanced so fiercely into a new digital age, past the all-you-can-eat chat show buffet. But where we’ve ended up is far more frightening. It’s time to hold that mirror back up. We are bringing you a fresh version of Jerry. One that is again a provocation but also a reflection of our times. We aim to create a movement.”

The lead role of Jerry Springer has previously been portrayed by actors David Soul of Starsky & Hutch fame and Michael Brandon, best known for his role in cop drama Dempsey & Makepeace.

And now JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA is coming back to UK audiences with a four-week run at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre. Full cast to be announced soon!

If you see just one show this year make sure it’s this one! Join us for a Jerry revolution!!!

Website: hopemilltheatre.co.uk

Facebook: /Jerry Springer Manchester      

Twitter: @JSTOMANC #JERRYJERRY

LISTING INFORMATION

JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA

Dates: Thursday 8 August – Saturday 31 August 2019

Times: Tue – Sateves 7.30pm| Sat mat 2pm | Sunday 1pm & 5pm |Thu 29 Aug 2pm

Hope Mill Theatre

113 Pollard Street,

Manchester,

M4 7JA

HOW TO BOOK

Tickets: Preview tickets all £20.00 | General tickets £22.50 & £25.00 (concessions available) | Premium VIP On Stage seating £23.00, £25.50 & £28.00 (limited 8 seats per show)

Online: Visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/hopemilltheatre

Cast and creative team announced for the world premiere of Kazu Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day

Royal & Derngate, Northampton, and Out of Joint, in association with Oxford Playhouse, present

The Remains of the Day

Cast and creative team and tour details announced for world premiere of Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day, adapted for the stage by Barney Norris

Royal & Derngate, Northampton – Saturday 23 February to Saturday 16 March 2019
Then touring nationwide

  • Cast to include Stephen Boxer and Niamh Cusack
  • 2017 Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day is adapted for the stage by Barney Norris, directed by Christopher Haydon and designed by Lily Arnold, lighting design by Mark Howland and sound design by Elena Peña
  • Commissioned by Royal & Derngate and co-produced by Royal & Derngate and Out of Joint in association with Oxford Playhouse
  • After its world premiere in Northampton the production embarks on a 10 week Out of Joint tour including Oxford PlayhouseTheatre Royal Bury St EdmundsSalisbury PlayhouseTheatre Royal YorkYvonne Arnaud TheatreNuffield Southampton,Derby Theatre and Bristol Old Vic

The cast and full creative team, along with details of the Spring 2019 tour, has been announced today for The Remains of the Day, a co-production between Royal & Derngate, Northampton and Out of Joint, in association with Oxford Playhouse. The cast will be led by Stephen Boxer (Regeneration, Royal & Derngate) and Niamh Cusack (The Winter’s Tale, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse).

2017 Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro’s masterpiece has entranced generations as a novel and its story of memory, regret and undeclared love is now re-imagined for the stage for the first time by one of Britain’s most exciting young writers, Barney Norris (At First Sight, Oxford Playhouse; Visitors,Arcola Theatre – Critics’ Circle Award and Offwestend Award for Most Promising Playwright forVisitors, Arcola Theatre; Times best-selling novelist) in collaboration with Ishiguro himself.

Through the memories of a proud butler, we discover the shocking, morally compromised truth behind the manicured gardens and grand receptions of an English stately home. Years later, faced with a life half-lived, he sets out on a journey to find the friend from his past who might finally offer him redemption.

The Remains of the Day will be directed by Christopher Haydon (Twelve Angry Men, Birmingham Rep and West End; Fringe First and Offie-winning Grounded, Traverse Theatre Edinburgh, Studio Theatre Washington DC, national and international tour; On The Exhale, Traverse Theatre), who recently directed Royal & Derngate’s co-production of The Caretaker. The production will be designed by Lily Arnold (Rules for Living, Royal & Derngate; Yellow Face, National Theatre Shed). Lighting design is by Mark Howland (Soul, Royal & Derngate/Hackney Empire; Twelve Angry Men, Birmingham Rep and West End; several productions for English Touring Opera) and sound design is by Elena Peña (Misty, Bush Theatre; The Bear/The Proposal, Young Vic; The Caretaker, Royal & Derngate and Bristol Old Vic).

The cast will be led by Stephen Boxer as the butler Stevens. His credits include StoriesMacbethand King Lear (National Theatre) and Regeneration (Royal & Denrgate and Touring Consortium Theatre Company). Kenton is played by Niamh Cusack whose stage credits include My Brilliant Friend at Rose Theatre Kingston and The Winter’s Tale at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. The cast also includes Stephen CritchlowPip DonaghyEdward FranklinMiles RichardsonSadie Shimminand Patrick Toomey.

The play will open at Royal & Derngate, Northampton in February, as part of the theatre’s Made in Northampton season, with a National Press night on Wednesday 27 February, and will tour nationally from March 2019. The tour venues will include Oxford Playhouse, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, Salisbury Playhouse, Theatre Royal York, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Nuffield Southampton Derby Theatre, and Bristol Old Vic.

Kate Wasserberg, Artistic Director of Out of Joint, said: “Out of Joint are absolutely delighted to be working with Royal & Derngate and Oxford Playhouse to bring Ishiguro’s seminal story to stages around the country. We’re incredibly excited to be working with Barney and Chris to adapt this classic tale of love, loss and regret.”

James Dacre, Artistic Director of Royal & Derngate, added: “After several years of development, we can’t wait to bring the world premiere of the iconic story to the stage. We are thrilled to be working with playwright Barney Norris and delighted to be welcoming Christopher Haydon back to Royal & Derngate.”

The Made in Northampton season is sponsored locally by Michael Jones Jewellers.

#RemainsTour19

Performance Dates and Venues

Royal & Derngate, Northampton
Sat 23 Feb – 16 Mar 19
ttps://www.royalandderngate.co.uk/

York Theatre Royal
Mon 18 Mar – Sat 23 Mar 19
https://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/

Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
Tue 26 Mar – Sat 30 Mar 19
https://www.theatreroyal.org/

Nuffield Southampton
Tues 2 Apr – Sat 6 Apr 19
https://www.nstheatres.co.uk/

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Mon 8 Apr – Mon 15 Apr 19
https://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/

Oxford Playhouse
Tue 16 Apr – Sat 20 Apr 19
https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/

Derby Theatre
Tue 23 Apr – Sat 27 Apr 19
https://www.derbytheatre.co.uk/

Salisbury Playhouse
Tue 30 Apr – Sat 11 May 19
https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/

Bristol Old Vic
Tue 21 May – Sat 25 May 19
https://bristololdvic.org.uk/

OUT OF THE FOREST THEATRE WINS 2019 ALCHYMY COMPANY AWARD

OUT OF THE FOREST THEATRE WINS

2019 ALCHYMY COMPANY AWARD

The North Wall today announces Out Of The Forest Theatre as the winner of the inaugural 2019 Alchymy Company Award for their production Call Me Fury.  The award was judged by journalist Lyn Gardner; co-Directors of The North Wall, Ria Parry and John Hoggarth; and Alchymy Festival producer, Ellie Keel.

The company receives £1500 and a full residency at The North Wall Arts Centre, before performances at the Alchymy Festival.

Sarah Wilson, Artistic Director of Out Of The Forest Theatre, today said ‘We are thrilled to be part of Alchymy 2019 – to work closely with the North Wall is a unique experience that will not only develop this piece, but the company as a whole’

Ria Parry and John Hoggarth today said “We are delighted to announce Out of The Forest as the winner of the North Wall Alchymy Company Award. We love their ambition and sense of ensemble and can’t wait to work with them in Oxford.” 

Call Me Fury is about The Witch Trials. Sort of. It’s a ferocious exploration of womanhood in a world where the people around you, the legal system, the whole social order don’t seem to give a damn. Sound familiar?

A group of women charged with witchcraft await trial and inevitable execution in a dungeon. There is no escape – except through their imagination, memory and humour, which in defiance are wild and boundless. The gallows loom just above them as a constant and physical reminder of the patriarchy, those that believe “when a woman thinks alone, she thinks evil.”

Using folk songs and stories from witch trials across the world – from England, Colonial America, Scandinavia, Africa and beyond – their individual yet shared experiences are unified by the common thread of men silencing what they don’t understand. But they will not be confined to this dungeon; they will not be confined to history.

Out Of The Forest Theatre

An ensemble-based company that seeks to redefine traditional narrative structure with an eye to blending music, movement and storytelling, with hopes of shining a spotlight on women, weirdos and way-begotten characters of history and our bizarre modern society. Because strange and wonderful things hide in plain sight and they should be explored and celebrated.

Sarah Wilson is the company’s Artistic Director. Her writing credits include Bury The Hatchet (Out Of The Forest Theatre’s debut production), On Your Head Be It: A Cautionary Tale (co-written with Joseph Cullen for The London Horror Festival). Her acting credits include Romeo and Juliet (Southwest Shakespeare Company), Macbeth (Theatre One-Oh-One), Julius Caesar (The V&A Museum). She graduated from LAMDA in 2014.

Joseph Cullen is Artistic Associate. He won the VAULT Festival’s Best Newcomer award 2017 for his stand-up show You Having Olaf?. His acting credits include The Game’s Afoot (Les Enfants Terrible).

Claire Gilbert is Producer. She is an independent theatre producer with a focus on new and political theatre. She is also Producer for Squint Theatre who present unique perspectives on the most talked about stories, and for BÉZNĂ Theatre who are a company committed to activism through theatre in artistic/educational environments across Romania and the UK. Previous work includes Complicité’s The EncounterA Pacifist’s Guide to the War on Cancer and Lionboy; and Wayward Productions’ Grief is the Thing with Feathers.

RICHARD EYRE DIRECTS PENELOPE WILTON IN A MAJOR REVIVAL OF DAVID HARE’S THE BAY AT NICE

RICHARD EYRE DIRECTS PENELOPE WILTON

IN A MAJOR REVIVAL OF DAVID HARE’S THE BAY AT NICE

Public booking opens 9am on 28 January 2019

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announcesamajor revival of David Hare’s The Bay at NiceRichard Eyredirects Martin HutsonOphelia LovibondDavid Rintoul and Penelope Wilton. The production opens on 19 March, with previews from 14 March, and runs until 4 May. Tickets go on sale to supporters of the Menier on 21 January, with public booking opening at 9am on 28 January.

In Leningrad in 1956, Valentina Nrovka has been invited to the Hermitage to offer her opinion on the authenticity of a Matisse painting, as she knew the great artist personally. Her daughter Sophia, also a painter, meets her there to seek her mother’s help, both financially and politically. This first London revival of David Hare’s play, since its première at the National Theatre in 1986, explores a mother and daughter’s fight for personal ideals and domestic responsibilities, as well as the choices made both in life and art.

David Hare is an Olivier Award winning playwright and Academy Award nominated screenwriter. As a playwright his work includes Slag (Hampstead Theatre, Royal Court, New York Shakespeare Festival), The Great Exhibition (Hampstead), Brassneck (with Howard Brenton, Nottingham Playhouse), Knuckle (Comedy Theatre),Fanshen (Hampstead & ICA, National Theatre), Teeth ‘n ‘Smiles (Royal Court, Wyndham’s Theatre), Plenty(National Theatre, NYSF & Broadway), A Map Of The World (National Theatre, NYSF), Pravda (with Howard Brenton, National Theatre), The Bay At Nice (National Theatre), The Secret Rapture (National Theatre, NYSF & Broadway), Racing Demon (National Theatre, Broadway), Murmuring Judges (National Theatre), The Absence Of War (National Theatre), Skylight (National Theatre, Wyndhams, Vaudeville & Broadway), Amy’s View(National Theatre, Aldwych, Garrick, & Broadway), The Blue Room (Donmar, Broadway and Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Judas Kiss (Playhouse & Broadway), Via Dolorosa (Royal Court, Almeida, Duchess & Broadway), My Zinc Bed (Royal Court), The Breath Of Life (Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Permanent Way (Out of Joint & National Theatre), Stuff Happens (National Theatre & NYSF), The Vertical Hour (Broadway & Royal Court Theatre), Gethsemane (National Theatre), Berlin/Wall (National Theatre, Royal Court & NYSF), The Power Of Yes (National Theatre), South Downs (Chichester Festival Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre), Behind the Beautiful Forevers (National Theatre), Ivanov, Platonov and The Seagull (Chichester Festival Theatre and National Theatre), The Moderate Soprano (Chichester Festival Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre), The Master Builder (The Old Vic), The Red Barn and I’m Not Running (both National Theatre).

Martin Hutson plays Assistant Curator. His theatre work includes Titus Andronicus, Julius Caesar (RSC), R and D(Hampstead Theatre), The Master Builder (The Old Vic), Taken at Midnight (Chichester Festival Theatre and Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Libertine (Citizens Theatre), If Only, Antony and Cleopatra, A Marvellous Year for Plums (Chichester Festival Theatre), Butley (Duchess Theatre) and The Voysey Inheritance (National Theatre). For television, his work includes Tutankhamun, The Honourable Woman, The Passion, Foyle’s War and A Very British Scandal; and for film, Backdraft 2, Dragonheart: Battle for the Heartfire, Atonement and Virtual Sexuality.

Ophelia Lovibond plays Sophia Yepileva. Her theatre work includes Nightfall (Bridge Theatre), The Libertine(Theatre Royal Haymarket) and The Effect (Sheffield Theatres). For television her work includes Elementary, W1A, Inside No 9, Mr Sloane, The Poison Tree, Titanic: Blood and Steel and Messiah; and for film, The Autopsy of Jane Doe, Man Up, Guardians of the Galaxy, A Single Shot, Gozo, Eight Minutes Idle, Mr Popper’s Penguins, Chatroom, Nowhere Boy, Shadow in the Sun, Popcorn and Oliver Twist.

David Rintoul plays Peter Linitsky. His theatre credits include Much Ado About Nothing (Rose Theatre Kingston), Hamlet (Almeida Theatre/Harold Pinter Theatre), Nell Gwynn (Shakespeare’s Globe/Apollo Theatre), Remembrance of Things PastThe World Turned Upside DownThe Trojan War Will Not Take PlaceA Midsummer Night’s DreamThe Rivals (National Theatre),  A Midsummer Night’s Dream (RSC/Garsington Opera), Richard IIRichard III (Phoenix Theatre), Map of the Heart (Gielgud Theatre), Dirty Dancing (Aldwych Theatre), An Ideal Husband (The Old Vic), Etta Jenks and Sergeant Ola and his Followers (Royal Court Theatre). Television credits include The Crown, In Plain Sight, Game of Thrones, the title role in Doctor FinlayInjusticePride and Prejudice, The Cherry OrchardHoratio Hornblower: RetributionHornblower: Mutiny, Poirot and Sweet Medicine; and for film, The Iron Lady, My Week with Marilyn, Unrelated, The Ghost Writer, Ironclad: Battle for Blood, Is Anybody There? and Agent Hamilton.

Penelope Wilton plays Valentina Nrovka. For theatre, her work includes Taken at Midnight – Olivier Award for Best Actress (Chichester Festival Theatre and Theatre Royal Haymarket), A Delicate Balance, Heartbreak House(Almeida Theatre), Hamlet (Donmar West End), The Family Reunion, The Chalk Garden (Evening Standard Award for Best Actress), John Gabriel Borkman, The Little Foxes, The Collection, The Lover, A Kind of Alaska(Donmar Warehouse) Women Beware Women (RSC), The House of Bernada Alba, Tess, The Secret Rapture, Betrayal (National Theatre), The Seagull (Barbican) and Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Young Vic). For television, her work includes Brief Encounters, South Riding, Downtown Abbey, Margot, Doctor Who, The Passion, Half Broken Things, Five Days, Celebration, Falling, Lucky Jim, Bob and Rose, Victoria and Albert, The Whistle-Blower, Wives and Daughters, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Talking Heads, The Borrowers and Ever Decreasing Circles; and for film, Zoo, The BFG, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2, Belle, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The History Boys, Pride and Prejudice, Match Point, Shaun of the Dead, Iris, Calendar Girls, Tom’s Midnight Garden, Carrington, The Secret Rapture, Blame it on the Bellboy, Cry Freedom, ClockwiseThe French Lieutenant’s Woman, and the forthcoming Downton Abbey.

Richard Eyre’s extensive theatre includes Hamlet, Kafka’s Dick, Edmond (Royal Court), Comedians, Guys and Dolls, The Beggar’s Opera, The Government Inspector, The Futurists, The Changeling, The Voysey Inheritance, Racing Demon, Richard III, Night of the Iguana,  White Chameleon, Skylight,  Napoli Milionaria,  Sweet Bird of Youth, The Absence of War, John Gabriel Borkman, The Prince’s Play, Amy’s View, King Lear, The Invention of Love, Vincent in Brixton, The Reporter, The Observer, Welcome to Thebes, Liolà (National Theatre), The Crucible(Broadway), Mary Poppins (West End/Broadway), A Flea in Her Ear (The Old Vic), The Last of the Duchess(Hampstead Theatre), The Judas Kiss and The Dark Earth and the Light Sky, his own adaptations of Les Mains Sales, Hedda Gabler, Ghosts, Little Eyolf (Almeida Theatre), Private Lives, Betty Blue Eyes, Quartermaine’s Terms, Stephen Ward, Mr Foote’s Other Leg (West End), Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Bristol Old Vic and Wyndham’s Theatre), and The Last Cigarette, The Pajama Game, and The Stepmother (Chichester Festival Theatre). His television work includes The Insurance Man, Country, v, Tumbledown, Suddenly Last Summer, Changing Stages, Henry IV Parts I and II, The Dresser and King Lear; and for film, The Ploughman’s Lunch, Iris, Stage Beauty, Notes on a Scandal, The Other Man and The Children Act. He was Director of Nottingham Playhouse from 1973 – 1978, Producer of Play for Today for BBC TV 1978 – 1981, and Director of the National Theatre from 1988 – 1997. He has received numerous theatre and film awards and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Listings Information                                                                                                                     The Bay at Nice

Public booking opens on 28 January

Venue:                                Menier Chocolate Factory

Address:                             53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU

Dates:                                 14 March – 4 May

Times:                                For the performance schedule, please see the website

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

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

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

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

www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Twitter: @MenChocFactory

A Modest Little Man Review

Bread & Roses Theatre until 26 January

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

3***

Francis Beckett’s whimsical and entertaining take on Clem Atlee’s struggles to establish the Welfare State begins with Churchill at his most rabid, warning of the threat of socialist tyranny at home before the 1945 general election. The contrast with Clem Atlee, sitting smoking his pipe calmly as those around him rage and pontificate is shown wonderfully in Roger Rose’s quiet hawk like performance.

Narrated by Clem’s wife Violet (Lynne O’Sullivan), flashbacks take us to Limehouse, where the seeds of Atlee’s socialism took root, as Labour MPs bombard Atlee with instructions and opinions about what is best for the country, including having a leadership election as the idea of Clem as PM is unthinkable. Atlee sits and makes non-committal noises before doing exactly the opposite of what they want. The only time he speaks with quiet passion and flowing language is when discussing cricket. The leadership skills, morality and intelligence of Atlee cut through the larger than life personalities and opinions of his fellow politicians. Beckett casts him as the level-headed ringmaster, allowing the clowns and performers to exhaust themselves before issuing short but inspired instructions. This means that the politicians are caricatures – the oily and entitled establishment old guard Hugh Dalton, uncultured rough diamond Ernest Bevin, resentful deputy “I’m loyal to a fault” Herbert Morrison and Welsh firebrand Nye Bevan.

Most of these caricatures work well in this light-hearted context, albeit with a couple of wobbly accents. Being from Wales, I cringed whenever Nye Bevan was on stage. Everyone thinks they can do a Welsh accent, but it’s hard to sustain for an entire sentence – and straight out of the Colm Meaney School of Welsh Accents, Bevan’s vowels and rhythms take us to every Celtic nation, Tyneside and on to the banks of the Ganges before returning to the green, green grass of home. But this wasn’t the big problem, I was utterly confused as to why Clive Greenwood chose to portray Bevan by attempting an impression of Harry Secombe playing a comedy angry drunk. The seagulls taking pot-shots at Bevan’s statue in Cardiff Queen Street would probably have appreciated this caricature.

The political machinations mostly occur offstage, with characters reporting to Clem to show progress. Even though this is skimmed over at relatively breakneck speed to get to the final scenes, the pace of the play is slow and steady, much like Atlee. Director Owain Rose keeps the action relatively tight, with the ensemble working well together and any slight hiccups will surely settle over the run.

A Modest Little Man is full of historical and political information, as well as love and admiration for the characters who changed our country. Such weighty issues could get bogged down in melodrama, but this is a warm and self-assured production that tells the story wittily, succinctly and without any bells and whistles. I think Clem would approve.

Gentleman Jack Review

Jack Studio Theatre – until 19 February

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

The journals of Anne Lister and her unconventional life lay unread for a century in her home at Shibden Hall. Their re-emergence led to this remarkable woman being hailed as “the first modern lesbian”. Ross McGregor’s new play tells her story with flair and sensitivity in the gloriously recognisable Arrows & Traps style.

Framed by scenes of John Lister (Alex Stevens) and Arthur Burrell (Tom Hartill) trying to decipher the coded passages of Anne Lister’s diaries years after her death, the secrets of her life shock and inspire Lister as her intimate history intertwines with what he knows of Gentleman Jack’s business affairs as a mine owner, traveller and mountaineer.

Lucy Ioannou and Cornelia Baumann play Anne at different stages in her life. Both actors bring passion and intensity to the role in stunning performances. Ioannou’s younger Anne is beguiling and arrogant, conveying Lister’s unashamed sexuality and brazen confidence. Laurel Marks and Beatrice Vincent shine as her lovers Tib and Mariana. Marks is full of heart and is hysterical hamming it up with Tib’s awful Shakespearean excerpts but will leave your top lip quivering as she finally leaves Anne with her beautifully understated delivery of Prospero’s epilogue. Lister’s cruelty towards adoring Tib is mirrored by her relationship with Mariana, who bows to convention and marries a wealthy man, keeping their relationship as her guilty secret.

Baumann plays the more mature Anne, steelier but no less passionate. Her confrontations with neighbouring mine owner Rawson (Toby Wynn-Davies) serve to demonstrate the misogyny and prejudice faced by a woman who refused to conform. Hannah Victory is a wonderful foil for Baumann as Anne Walker, and their relationship builds believably and maturely.

McGregor doesn’t gloss over the trickier points of Anne’s story, acknowledging her bloody mindedness and cruelty and the fact that her social position and wealth meant that she was free to live as she chose. Any abuse she and Walker endured, although horrible, was limited to talk, laughter and loss of business rather than the physical abuse and forced marriage that a woman without her privilege could face. Even so, Anne’s bravery and self-knowledge are inspirational, and nobody is perfect. When her story is told in such an honest and moving way with such magnificent stagecraft, and by such a talented ensemble, it makes for unmissable theatre.

DEAFINITELY YOUTH COMPANY ANNOUNCES GARGANTUA

DEAFINITELY YOUTH COMPANY ANNOUNCES

GARGANTUA

Deafinitely Youth Company presents

Gargantua

By Carl Grose

Director: Deafinitely Theatre’s Youth Coordinator, Rachael Merry; Designer: Paul Burgess; Sound Designer: Chris Bartholomew; Lighting Designer: Greg Cebula

John Lyon’s Theatre, City Lit

Wednesday 23February

Deafinitely Youth Company today announces Carl Grose’s Gargantua as their youth production, which will run twice on 23February. Directed by Rachael Merry, the production will be open to Deafinitely Youth Company family members.

When Mr. and Mrs. Mungus have a baby it isn’t the bouncing blue-eyed boy they were hoping for. After a two-and-a-half year pregnancy, Mini Mungus gives birth to a monster – one with an accelerated growth rate and an insatiable appetite for anything that moves (including joggers). But when sinister military scientists become intent on cloning an army of giant babies from the giant, he breaks his chains and escapes. The world can only watch in horror as he embarks on learning how to walk and rampant destruction. Who will stop this freak of nature? Who will decide his tragic fate? And who, more importantly, will change his nappy? 

Carl Grose’s writing credits for theatre include The Grinning Man (Bristol Old Vic), The Hartlepool Monkey (Fuel Theatre), Gargantua (National Theatre) and Wormy Close (Soho Theatre). Co-writing credits include Tristan and Yseult (National Theatre).

Rachael Merry’s directing credits for Deafinitely Theatre includes These Bridges (Bush Theatre). Her acting credits include Mirror Mirror and Peace & Bicycle Grease (UK tour).

Gargantua                                                                                                                                          Listings

John Lyons Theatre, City Lit

1-10 Keeley Street, London, WC2B 4BA

Wednesday 23February, 4.30pm & 7.30pm

Hollywood Star MATTHEW BRODERICK to make West End debut in THE STARRY MESSENGER

ACCLAIMED HOLLYWOOD STAR

MATTHEW BRODERICK

TO MAKE WEST END DEBUT

By the celebrated writer of Oscar-winning Manchester-By-The-Sea

Also stars Elizabeth McGovern (Downton AbbeyThe Handmaid’s Tale)

Performances begin Thursday 16 May | Wyndham’s Theatre

Hollywood star and multiple Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Matthew Broderick – renowned for roles including Ferris Bueller in the iconic movie and Leo Bloom in The Producers – is to make his West End debut in in The Starry Messengerby Kenneth Lonergan, the Academy Award-winning writer of Manchester-By-The-Sea.

The production, directed by Sam Yates (Glengarry Glen Ross), also stars Elizabeth McGovern, known to millions for her portrayal of Lady Cora in the multi award-winning drama series Downton AbbeyThe Starry Messengerwill begin performances at the Wyndham’s Theatre on Thursday 16 May and play a strictly limited 13-week season.

In the vastness of the universe are we all just lonely souls under the same night sky?

Mark Williams is lost. An astronomer at New York City’s Planetarium, he feels a closer connection to the infinite, starry sky than to his job or even to his wife, Anne. Mark doesn’t believe in fate or divine intervention, but the universe has other ideas.

After a chance meeting with Angela, a young single mother, the stars appear to have aligned. But when a catastrophic event rips through their lives, Mark is forced to re-evaluate his life, his faith and his place in the universe itself.

This bittersweet, comic drama is an unblinking exploration of love, hope and understanding our place in the universe, by one of the most celebrated writers working today.

Further casting to be announced.

The Starry Messenger is produced by Simon Friend, Act Productions, Gavin Kalin and Howard Panter.

Poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko release a sneak preview from their family rap musical, “Mole & Gecko: THE SHOW”

Poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko release a sneak preview of two songs from their new interactive family rap musical, Mole & Gecko: THE SHOW

Poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko are giving a sneak preview of their new show for children and families, Mole & Gecko: THE SHOW, with studio recordings of two songs from the show being released on YouTube.

The Name Song and The Friend Ship, written and performed by Mole and Gecko, feature in the pair’s interactive rap musical which will tour theatres in, and around, London from February. Mole & Gecko: THE SHOW tells the story rather aptly of a mole and a gecko, with the help of the audience. There are live songs, rap stories, instant poems and a weasel with a serious biscuit problem. Join our heroes as they discover that what they thought they were searching for might be less important than what they find along the way.

The Spring 2019 tour will play the Half Moon Theatre (16 February), Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead (20 February), Canada Water Theatre (2 March), the Albany (3 March), artsdepot (17 March) and Watermans Arts Centre, Brentford (7 April). Contact individual venues for booking information. 

Simon Mole is a Poet, Emcee, and Theatre-maker. He built his skills on the Brighton hip-hop scene and has shared the bill with Simon Armitage, John Cooper Clarke and Kate Tempest. He has also been featured on BBC Radio 3’s The Verb. Simon co-founded Chill Pill Collective, curating and hosting popular poetry nights at Soho Theatre and the Albany, and was the first ever Poet Laureate for the London borough of Brent. Simon is an experienced facilitator with over 10 years’ experience working with rap and poetry in community and education settings, including projects with Great Ormond Street Hospital and Arsenal FC.  

In 2012 he established Simon Mole Presents with immersive performance director Peader Kirk and producer Maeve O’Neill, since creating three full length shows for theatre spaces. Their partnership takes spoken word performance in a bold direction, with Simon’s intricately crafted poetic stories at the core of immersive entertainment and integrated participation. Indiana Jones and the Extra Chair toured nationally with sell out shows at Southbank Centre and Brighton Dome. No More Worries had a two week run at the Albany and sold-out shows at the Bush Theatre. Simon’s first family show Friends For All, was commissioned by the V&A and toured with Half Moon Presents. Since becoming a Dad, Simon writes increasingly for young people. His first book for children is a collaboration with illustrator Oamul Lu, and will be published by Quarto/Lincoln Childrens Books later this year.

Gecko is a Singer, Storyteller and Musician. A North London based artist, his playful lyrics cover the big things in life; think iPhones, libraries and Guanabana fruit juice to name but a few. Gecko has previously appeared at Glastonbury, Bestival, BBC Radio 1, 6 Music, BBC Scotland, BBC London and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In November 2017 he launched his debut album Volcano with a sold out London show, a session with John Kennedy on Radio X and a tour of Sofar Sounds shows across the UK and the Netherlands. Volcano was made ‘Album of the year’ in the Morning Star. Gecko has shared stages with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Robin Ince, Josie Long, John Hegley and Billy Bragg.

Mole & Gecko: THE SHOW is written and performed by Simon Mole and Gecko, with direction & design by Peader Kirk and project management by Rua Arts. The production is funded by Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants and supported by Apples and Snakes, the Albany, artsdepot, Half Moon Theatre, Norden Farm, Roundhouse and Rua Arts.

The Name Song on YouTube: https://youtu.be/g01Gz5OHuLk 

The Friend Ship on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-Cs7pTihwIs 

LISTINGS – SPRING 2019 TOUR

Title: Mole & Gecko: THE SHOW

Age Guidance: 5yrs+. 

Running Time: 45mins

Half Moon Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, London E1 0ND

16 February: 11am & 2pm

Box Office: https://www.halfmoon.org.uk / 020 7709 8900

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead SL6 4PF

20 February: 11.30am & 2pm 

Box Office: https://norden.farm / 01628 788997

Canada Water Theatre, 21 Surrey Quays Rd (Library/Theatre), London SE16 7AR

2 March: 1pm & 3pm

Box Office: https://www.canadawatertheatre.org.uk / 020 8692 4446

The Albany, Douglas Way, London SE8 4AG

3 March: 1pm & 3pm

Box Office: https://www.thealbany.org.uk /020 8692 4446

artsdepot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, London N12 0GA 

17 March: 11am & 2pm

Box Office: https://www.artsdepot.co.uk / 020 8369 5454

Watermans Arts Centre, 40 High Street, Brentford TW8 0DS

7 April: 3pm

Box Office: https://www.watermans.org.uk / 020 8232 1010


Nigel Havers, Denis Lawson & Stephen Tompkinson in 2019 ART Tour

NIGEL HAVERS, DENIS LAWSON AND STEPHEN TOMPKINSON

TO STAR IN THE 2019 UK TOUR OF

YASMINA REZA’S MULTI AWARD-WINNING COMEDY

ART

TRANSLATED BY CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON

After breaking box office records in 2018, David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers will produce the 2019 UK tour of the Old Vic production of Yasmina Reza’s Olivier, Tony and Moliere award-winning comedy ART, translated by Christopher Hampton. The production will star Nigel Havers, Denis Lawson and Stephen Tompkinson as Serge, Marc and Ivan respectively. The tour will open at Chichester Festival Theatre on 24 January 2019.

David Pugh said, “Dafydd [Rogers] and I have been privileged to produce Yasmina Reza’s modern comedy masterpiece for over twenty years now. It is no exaggeration to call it one of the most successful plays of all time, and we are excited to bring this production to even more audiences throughout the country on its 2019 tour.”

Nigel Havers’s films include Chariots of FireA Passage to IndiaEmpire of the Sun and The Whistle Blower. He has starred in many television productions, including The CharmerDangerfieldManchild, and, more recently, the hit US series Brothers and Sisters, Lewis Archer in Coronation StreetBenidorm and Lord Hepworth in Downton Abbey.  His theatre work includes The Importance of Being Earnest and Harold Pinter’s Family Voices, both directed by Sir Peter Hall for the National Theatre, Richard II and Man and Superman for the RSC, the hugely successful touring productions of Rebeccaand Alan Bennett’s Single Spies.    

Denis Lawson is known for his roles as John Jarndyce in the BBC’s adaptation of Bleak House, for which he was nominated for both a BAFTA and an EMMY award, and as DI Steve McAndrew in BBC1’s hit series New Tricks.  In film, his notable credits include the roles of Gordon Urquhart in the film Local Hero and Wedge Antilles in the original Star Wars trilogy. On stage, he won an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as Jim Lancastar in Mr Cinders at the Fortune Theatre, and he was nominated for an Olivier for his performance as George in La Cages Aux Folles at the Playhouse Theatre.

Stephen Tompkinson’s television credits include BBC’s The Split, five series of DCI Banks, four series of Trollied, seven series of Wild at Heart, six series of Drop the Dead Donkey (British Comedy Award Winner for Best TV Comedy Actor) and three series of Ballykissangel, and his films include Phil in Brassed Off. His theatre work includes SpamalotRattle of a Simple Man and Arsenic and Old Lace in the West End, Cloaca and A Christmas Carol (Old Vic) and Tartuffe (National Tour). 

Based on the original production by Matthew Warchus, ART will be directed by Ellie Jones, with design by Mark Thompson, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Mic Pool, original music by Gary Yershon, fight direction by Terry King and casting by Sarah Bird CDG.

Website – arttheplay.com  •  Twitter – @ARTtheplay  •  Facebook – /ArtThePlay

2019 TOUR SCHEDULE

24 January – 2 February          Chichester Festival Theatre                             01243 781312

                                                www.cft.org.uk

4 – 9 February                         Oxford Playhouse                                             01865 305305

                                                www.oxfordplayhouse.com

11 – 16 February                     Edinburgh King’s Theatre                                 0131 529 6000

                                                www.capitaltheatres.com

18 – 23 February                     Guildford Yvonne Arnaud                                 01483 440000

                                                www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk                              

25 February – 2 March            Malvern Theatres                                             01684 892277  

                                                www.malvern-theatres.co.uk                                       

4 – 9 March                             Richmond Theatre                                            0844 871 7651

                                                www.atgtickets.com/richmond-theatre

11 – 16 March                         Cheltenham Everyman Theatre                        01242 572573

                                                www.everymantheatre.org.uk

18 – 23 March                         Theatre Severn                                                 01743 281281

                                                www.theatresevern.co.uk

25 – 30 March                         His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen                     01224 641122

                                                www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/his-majestys-theatre/