Month: February 2019

DEAFINITELY THEATRE AND BIRMINGHAM STAGE COMPANY ANNOUNCE FULL CASTING OF HORRIBLE HISTORIES – DREADFUL DEAF – 

DEAFINITELY NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED!

Deafinitely Theatre and Birmingham Stage Company present

The World Première of

Horrible Histories – Dreadful Deaf – Deafinitely not for the faint-hearted!

Director: Paula Garfield; Designer: Paul Burgess; Lighting Designer: Joe Hornsby

Composer and Sound Designer: Chris Bartholomew

On tour: 29 May – 23 June 2019

Deafinitely Theatre and Birmingham Stage Company today announce the full cast for Horrible Histories – Dreadful Deaf – Deafinitely not for the faint-hearted!. Paula Garfield directs Fifi Garfield, Naomi Gray and Nadeem Islam. Dreadful Deaf has a special school’s performance at Heathlands School in St Albans on 24 May before opening at Bristol Old Vic Theatre on Wednesday 29 May. The show then tours to York Theatre Royal and The North Wall in Oxford before completing its run at Derby Theatre onSunday23 June.

We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is deaf dead!

So it’s time to prepare yourselves for Horrible Histories live on stage as it delves into the dreadful, dangerous and deluded stories of the deaf! From groovy Greeks to gorgeous Georgians, ruthless Romans to vile Victorians, come with us into this incredible world to discover the extraordinary people and amazing stories you simply won’t believe!

Deaf or hearing, this bilingual production – in spoken English and British Sign Language – is a truly frightful treat for all the family!

Fifi Garfield’s previous credits for Deafinitely Theatre include Contractions (New Diorama Theatre) and A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe) Other theatre credits include London Bubble (UK tour).

Naomi Gray’s theatre credits include Mirror Mirror (UK tour), The Sam Neill Experience: A Dance Musical (The Camden Fringe) and Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood (CAST, Doncaster). For television her credits include Julian Fellows Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder. For film her credits include The Feast of the Goat.

Nadeem Islam’s previous credit for Deafinitely Theatre is Something Else (UK tour). His other theatre credits include Up N Under. His television credits include Deaf Funny, Lost Community and Up For It.

Paula Garfield directs. For Deafinitely Theatre she has directed 4.48 Psychosis – whichwas nominated for best direction on short list by BroadwayWorld UK, Contractions – which wonthe Off West End Award for Best Production, Two Chairs, Motherland, Children of a Greater God, Playing God, Double Sentence and Gold Dust. She also devised and directed The Boy and the Statue for Deafinitely at the Tricycle Theatre and on a London schools’ tour.  Garfield has directed two productions at Shakespeare’s Globe – Love Labour’s Lost, for the Globe to Globe Festival as part of Deafinitely’s 10th anniversary, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Her other directing work includes Tanika’s Journey (Southwark Playhouse) Grounded (Park Theatre).

An actor, director, workshop leader and organiser, Garfield has worked on a variety of television, film and theatre projects over the past fifteen years. In 2002 she established Deafinitely Theatre with Steven Webb and Kate Furby after becoming frustrated at the barriers that deaf actors and directors face across the arts and media. She has produced and directed many plays and worked extensively in TV, including Channel Four’s Learn Sign Language, Four Fingers and a Thumb, BBC’s Hands Up and Casualty, plus appearances in every series of the BBC’s deaf drama, Switch.

About Deafinitely Theatre

Deafinitely Theatre is the UK’s first professional deaf-launched and led theatre company, creating bilingual productions of classic and contemporary plays for deaf and hearing audiences that combine the visual storytelling of British Sign Language with the immediacy of spoken English.

Established in 2002, the company’s vision is a world where deaf people are a valued part of the national theatre landscape, recognised for the excellence of their work. Deafinitely challenges barriers to training and opportunities, working hard to nurture the next generation of deaf theatre makers and audiences through its continuing programme of productions, consultancy work and education and training activities for young people and adults.

The company’s most recent productions include 2018’s sold-out run of 4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane at New Diorama Theatre and Derby Theatre and 2017’s award-winning production of Contractions by Mike Bartlett at ND2 (New Diorama Theatre) – winner of the 2018 Off West End Award for Best Production.

About Birmingham Stage Company

Birmingham Stage Company is the award-winning producers of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny and Awful Auntie. The company produce all the Horrible Histories shows live on stage including the West End productions of Barmy Britain. The company also performs internationally, including David Almond’s Skellig on Broadway, and Horrible Histories at The Sydney Opera House.

Neal Foster is Actor/Manager of Birmingham Stage Company which since its foundation in 1992 has staged over eighty productions. The company has become one of the world’s leading producers of theatre for children and their families, including Horrible Histories Live on Stage for thirteen years in the UK, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. Foster has written and directed all of the most recent Horrible Histories shows including Barmy Britain – Parts One, Two, Three & Four (Garrick Theatre, Apollo Theatre and Sydney Opera House); Groovy Greeks andIncredible Invaders for a national tour and Wicked Warwick at Warwick Castle. His first fictional adaptation was David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny,which transferred to the Garrick Theatre and then the Harold Pinter Theatre and was nominated for a Best Entertainment and Family Olivier Award.  His adaptation of David Walliams’ Awful Auntie enjoyed an 18 month national tour and his next David Walliams’ show will be Billionaire Boy in autumn 2019.

This production is made possible by the generous support of:

Arts Council Strategic Touring Fund, Autograph Sound Recording, Edwardian Hotels London, The Garfield Weston Foundation, Old Diorama Arts Centre and White Light Ltd.

Dreadful Deaf – Deafinitely not for the faint-hearted

Listings

On tour: 29 May – 23 June 2019               

www.deafinitelytheatre.co.uk

Twitter:                @DeafinitelyT

Facebook:           deafinitelytheatre

Dreadful Deaf – Deafinitely not for the faint-hearted is suitable for ages 5+

Tour Dates 

Bristol Old Vic 

29 May – 1 June

Box Office: 0117 987 7877

www.bristololdvic.org.uk

York Theatre Royal

7 June – 8 June 

Box Office: 01904 623 568

www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

The North Wall

18 June

Box Office: 01865 319 450

www.thenorthwall.com

Derby Theatre

22 June – 23 June 

Box Office: 01332 59 39 39

www.derbytheatre.co.uk

IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR WITH MOTHER DAUGHTER DUO, LINDA LUSARDI AND LUCY KANE IN PANTO AT ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL THIS EASTER

FULL CAST FOR THE WIZARD OF OZ REVEALED

Regal Entertainments are delighted to announce the full cast of their Easter panto, The Wizard of Oz,which comes to St Helens Theatre Royal from Sat 6 – Mon 22 April.

Recently announced Linda Lusardi who is set to play The Wicked Witch, will be joined by her daughter, ITV’s The Voice star Lucy Kane, as Glinda.

The full cast also includes Charlotte Gallagher; Harry Moore; Steve Arnott; Reece Sibbald; and Jay Lusted.

Linda Lusardi’s career has spanned nearly 30 years. The former Emmerdale and Brooksideactress first shot to fame in the early 80’s as one of Britain’s best-loved models, before moving in to the world of television.

Her major TV roles include Carrie Nichols in ITV’s Emmerdale, where she murdered Tom King in one of the most memorable storylines of the year; Maggie Lyons in The Bill; Frankie in Brookside; and played herself in The Detectorists on BBC4.

Her real-life daughter, singer and actress Lucy Kane, rose to fame on 2017’s series of The Voice as part of Team Tom. Her stage credits include the title role in Annie, Princess Jasmine in Aladdin at Alban Arena, St Albans and the title role in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at The Playhouse, Weston-Super-Mare.

On appearing on stage together, Linda Lusardi said: “I am thrilled to be working with Lucy for the second time this year. She is not only my daughter but my best friend. She’s so talented and I am immensely proud of her. We have great fun spending time on and off stage. We are really looking forward to appearing in The Wizard of Oz and meeting the people of St Helen’s”

Lucy Kane added: “I am so excited to be performing in The Wizard of Oz this year in St Helen’s. It’s such a beautiful story and I get to share the stage with my brilliant Mum!”

Charlotte Gallagher steps back in to the famous ruby slippers as Dorothy. No stranger to the Theatre Royal stage, Charlotte previously appeared in the 2015 and 2016 productions of The Wizard of Oz as well as Snow White and Peter Pan.

Another familiar face to St Helens audiences is Harry Moore,who played the role of the Wizard in last year’s February half-term production. He is back for 2019 as Tin Man.

There are also a whole host of new faces.

Steve Arnott who has a plethora of panto experience including Captain Hook in Peter Pan at Darlington Hippodrome and Abanazer in Aladdin at Venue Cymru, will play Lion.

Playing the role of Scarecrow is Reece Sibbald. His previous stage roles include Scarecrow in the touring production of Chuckles of Oz starring alongside The Chuckle Brothers.

Completing the cast, Jay Lusted, who played one of the seven dwarfs in 2017’s Christmas panto Snow White, returns as the great Wizard of Oz.

Click your heels together and join Dorothy and Toto as they journey along the Yellow Brick Road to meet the Wizard so he can make their dreams come true.

Regal Entertainments’ reimagined panto version of this classic family tale includes a brand-new script and music for 2019 including lots of chart hits, old and new, for audiences to sing along to.

St Helens Theatre Royal manager, Chantelle Nolan said: “I am very excited to announce the full cast for The Wizard of Oz. It will be wonderful to see the chemistry on stage between Linda and Lucy. We have some returning favourites, as well as some new faces to this year’s production; plus, a new script and lots of brilliant new songs to sing and dance to. So be sure to join us over the rainbow in Oz this Easter!”

Get ready for a whole lot of family fun as this fantastic tale is reawakened.

For more information, please visit: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

Like us on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/St-Helens-Theatre-Royal

Follow us on Twitter: @TheatreRoyalStH

LISTING DETAILS

Regal Entertainments Ltd presents The Wizard of Oz

Dates: Saturday 6 April – Monday 22 April 2019

Times: Monday-Friday: 1pm / Saturday and Sunday: 1pm & 5pm

Tickets: From £13*

*All prices are inclusive of a £1 per seat transaction fee. On-line bookings are subject to an additional 50p per seat on-line processing fee.

THEATRE ROYAL BOOKING DETAILS

Book in person at the Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside WA10 1LQ (Mon – Sat 10am – 5pm). Alternatively, call 01744 756 000 or log on to:www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

RITA SIMONS AND JOE MCFADDEN STAR IN PETER JAMES’

THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL AT RICHMOND THEATRE

Monday 8 – Saturday 13 April

Following the success of Not Dead Enough (2017), Dead Simple (2015) and The Perfect Murder (2014), multi-million selling author Peter James returns to Richmond Theatre with THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL from Mon 8 – Sat 13 Apr. This new adaptation stars Rita Simons and Joe McFadden in a nail-biting story based on the author’s own real-life experience in a haunted house.

The Harcourt family – Ollie, Caro and daughter Jade – move into the house of the dreams that has been empty for the last forty years. However, their dream home quickly turns into the stuff of nightmares, as they begin to sense that they aren’t the only residents at Cold Hill… THE HOUSE ON COLD HILLis a modern-day ghostly thriller that will send shivers down your spine and make you think twice about returning home to a dark, empty house after the show!

Rita Simons is best known for playing ‘Roxy Mitchel in BBC’s Eastenders, having won numerous awards for her role. Her other credits include Mile High, Dream Team and Legally Blonde.  In Spring 2012, Rita was the subject of a major documentary film Rita Simons: My Daughter, Deafness and Me made by Leopard Films for primetime BBC1. Most recently Rita rave reviews for her performance as Lisa Prescott in the film The Krays: Dead Man Walking, an untold chapter from the notorious legend of the Kray Twins. In November 2018, Rita was a contestant on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Outta Here! Finishing in 8^th place.

Simons says, “I am really thrilled to be starring in the House on Cold Hill alongside such great actors as Joe, Charlie, Persephone and the rest the cast. I could not put it down when I first read the script – it’s a brilliant and modern day supernatural thriller that had me totally gripped and occasionally jumping out of my seat! I can’t wait to see audiences hopefully have the same reaction to it, in theatres around the UK.”

BAFTA nominated actor Joe McFadden is perhaps best known for playing series regular Raf di Lucca in BBC1’s Holby City from 2014 – 2017, and as ‘P C Joe Mason’ in Heartbeat from 2010 – 2014. Other acclaimed TV roles include Sex, Chips and Rock n Roll, The Crow Road (for which he received a BAFTA nomination), Cranford and Take The High Road. His extensive theatrical credits include working with John Tiffany and the National Theatre of Scotland on The Missing, touring the UK with Alan Ayckbourn’s Haunting Julia, Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Rent at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End and Rainbow Kiss at the Royal Court. Last year he partnered with Katya Jones in BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing and captured the nation’s hearts, eventually winning the series to become the 2017 Strictly Champion.

McFadden says, “It’s a real honour to be entrusted with the character of Ollie and the words of skilled wordsmith, Peter James. He’s created a story that is both chilling and an interesting portrayal of modern family life and will definitely make you think twice about buying that sprawling dream pad in the country!”

They will be joined by Charlie Clements (EastEnders, Casualty, The Bill) and Persephone Swales-Dawson (Hollyoaks) with THE HOUSE ON COLD HILLmarking her professional stage debut.

THE HOUSE ON COLD HILLreunites Peter James with two time Olivier-nominated theatre producer Joshua Andrews, the Olivier award-winning director Ian Talbot and award-winning writer Shaun McKenna. Also joining the company are Padraig Lynch as Fortinbras, Tricia Deighton as Annie and understudy Zoe Hickson.

World Premiere of The Thunder Girls starring Beverley Callard to preview at The Lowry

Three more leading British actresses to be announced

‘The Thunder Girls,’ is the debut play by Manchester local Melanie Blake, starring four female actors over the age of 50, and will have its will preview run at The Lowry Tue 24 – Sat 28 September.

Blake adapted the play from her debut novel of the same name, which will be published by Pan Macmillan this summer. The play’s all-star female cast will be announced one by one over the next few months and the first ‘Thunder Girl’ to be revealed is Coronation Street star and national treasure Beverley Callard. ‘The Thunder Girls’ is a true celebration of women, with all four of The Thunder Girls actresses, as well as the writer coming from working class roots.  

‘The Thunder Girls’ follows an ‘80s girl group reuniting 30 years after greed, envy and ego tore the band and their friendship apart. The play focuses on what goes on during the night from hell when lead singer Chrissie tries to reunite the band she dumped. Chrissie is desperate to salvage herself from bankruptcy after being conned out of her fortune by her toy boy husband.  But is there a price which can heal the wounds?  Or maybe some friendships never die, even if you want them to?

The soon to be revealed all-female cast are all much loved house hold names. Beverley Callard takes on the role of Roxanne, the former band member who holds the balance of power in the reunion summit – but Roxanne’s wounds are the deepest as Chrissie didn’t just steal her career when she broke up the band, she stole her man.  And Roxanne, who has nothing left to lose, is more than happy to cut off her nose to spite her face.  For her, revenge might be sweeter than reconciliation and it has been a long time coming.

They say write about what you know, and as one of the UK’s most powerful female talent agent and former music manager, Melanie has lived and breathed ‘The Thunder Girls.’

Melanie came from nothing but was inspired by Jackie Collins’ books and ‘80s television to believe that she could become whoever she wanted to be.  She went on to work with the biggest names in showbiz from Destiny’s Child and The Spice Girls while at Top of the Pops before forming her own management company which became the most successful independent agency in the UK.

‘The Thunder Girls’ will have its premiere preview run at The Lowry Tue 24 – Sat 28 September.

Steve Cowton, head of theatre operations at The Lowry, said: “We love being able to host exciting new work. We’re particularly looking forward to welcoming The Thunder Girls premiere as it’s a story that is rooted in the North West and we’re sure our audiences are going to love the show.”

Beverley Callard said: “As an actor, when the scripts for plays land on my doormat – I’m always flattered and read them with relish. Mostly I have to say no because of my commitments to Coronation Street. Often, the lead character is a man, usually in a cast of maybe 10 men, 2 women, if we’re lucky. The females will be 20 something, or 30 something, and if you’re lucky maybe one woman ‘of an age’ max. Then I read ‘THE THUNDER GIRLS’ and WOW! A four strong ensemble of real women with real life experience! Feisty, sexy, funny, not to mention rich in drama, comedy and tragedy. Most important of all, this play is fiercely entertaining, every audience will love it!  I simply could not say no and cannot wait to play Roxanne.”

Melanie Blake said: “To be returning to my home city 25 years since I left with my debut play premiering at The Lowry is an honour and a privilege – and proof that dreams really can come true. It’s taken nearly two decades to bring THE THUNDER GIRLS play and book to the public and I can’t wait to come home and see the audiences’ reaction to this strong female narrative. It’s time we saw more strong female leads in theatre and my play is about four incredibly powerful and empowered women and I can’t wait to see it staged in Salford.”

Listings Information
The Thunder Girls
Dates: Tue 24 – Sat 28 September
Times: 8pm. Wed & Sat 2pm.
Tickets: £20.50 – £28.50
Website

JONATHAN CHURCH, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THEATRE ROYAL BATH’S SUMMER SEASON, ANNOUNCES THE OPENING SHOWS FOR ITS 2019 PROGRAMME  
 

• BAFTA-WINNING COMEDIAN, ACTOR AND SCREENWRITER JENNIFER SAUNDERS TO STAR IN NOËL COWARD’S BLITHE SPIRIT WITH LISA DILLON, FROM 13 JUNE TO 6 JULY, DIRECTED BY RICHARD EYRE
   
• OLIVIER AND GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATED RUPERT EVERETT WILL MAKE HIS DIRECTORIAL STAGE DEBUT AND LEAD THE CAST IN A NEW VERSION OF UNCLE VANYA BY DAVID HARE, FROM 18 JULY TO 3 AUGUST
   
• JONATHAN CHURCH’S TENURE AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THEATRE ROYAL BATH’S SUMMER SEASON NOW EXTENDED TO 2022
   
• PRIORITY BOOKING OPENS ON 23 FEBRUARY AT 10AM WITH GENERAL ON-SALE FROM 7 MARCH
   

Jonathan Church, Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Bath’s Summer Season, today announces the opening shows for its 2019 programme which will see much-loved British comedian Jennifer Saunders star as Madame Arcati in Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit directed by Richard Eyre, and Rupert Everett making his directorial stage debut in Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanyain which he will also play the title role in a new version by David Hare. Blithe Spirit will run from 13 June to 6 July with opening night for press on 19 June, followed by Uncle Vanya from 18 July to 3 August with opening night for press on 24 July, both in the Main House. Further casting and the full summer programme will be announced in due course.

Theatre Royal Bath is also delighted to announce it is extending its tenure with Jonathan Church as Artistic Director of the Summer Season by a further three years through to 2022. It follows Jonathan Church’s inaugural summer season in 2017 and a hugely successful 2018 programme with two West End transfers including the critically acclaimed production of Arthur Miller’s The Price currently playing at Wyndham’s Theatre, and Switzerland at the Ambassadors Theatre.

BLITHE SPIRIT
Thursday 13 June – Saturday 6 July


Jennifer Saunders, one of the UK’s most popular comic actors, makes her Theatre Royal Bath debut as the preposterous clairvoyant Madame Arcati in Noël Coward’s classic comedy Blithe Spirit. The production brings together a distinguished and multi-award-winning creative team, directed by former National Theatre director Richard Eyre with design by Anthony Ward and lighting by Howard Harrison. Lisa Dillon will also star as Ruth Condomine, with further casting to be announced.

Written in 1941, Coward’s inventive, witty and meticulously engineered comedy proved light relief and a popular distraction at the height of World War II when it was first staged. The show had a record-breaking run in the West End and on Broadway and remains one of the playwright’s most popular works.

Novelist Charles Condomine and his second wife Ruth are literally haunted by a past relationship when an eccentric medium inadvertently conjures up the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, at a séance. When she appears, visible only to Charles, and determined to sabotage his current marriage, life – and the afterlife – get complicated.

Jennifer Saunders is well known as one half of the comedy duo French and Saunders, for which she and Dawn French received a BAFTA fellowship in 2009, and for the hit comedy series and subsequent film, Absolutely Fabulous, which she also wrote and starred in. She has received numerous awards including two Emmys, five BAFTAs and four British Comedy Awards. Other recent credits include Lady Windermere’s Fan (West End) and the BBC series Jam and Jerusalem.

Lisa Dillon starred as Mary Smith in the BBC series Cranford. Her stage credits include Richard Eyre’s Private Lives in the West End, the RSC’s The Roaring Girl and The Taming of the Shrew, A Flea in Her Ear and Design for Living at the Old Vic and The Knot of the Heart and When the Rain Stops Falling at the Almeida. 

Noël Coward was an English playwright, composer, actor, producer and director. His dramas include Hay Fever and Private Lives. For film, he wrote and directed the Academy Award-winning In Which We Serve and the screenplay for Brief Encounter.

Richard Eyre was at the helm of the National Theatre for 10 years and is the winner of five Olivier Awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award. His numerous hugely-acclaimed productions include Guys and Dolls, The Invention of Love and Private Lives. His award-winning film and television work includes Iris, Tumbledown and The Children Act.

Anthony Ward has designed numerous productions including the Tony Award-winning Mary Stuart, the Olivier Award-winning Oklahoma! and What’s on Stage Award winner Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Howard Harrison is a two-times Olivier Award-winning lighting designer whose recent works includeImpossible and Mamma Mia! (London, Broadway and worldwide).

Blithe Spirit is presented by arrangement with Lee Dean.

UNCLE VANYA
Thursday 18 July – Saturday 3 August


Rupert Everett returns to Theatre Royal Bath where he last appeared in The Judas Kiss in 2012 and which went on to transfer to the West End, and following recent critical acclaim as Oscar Wilde in The Happy Prince which he also wrote and directed. Everett will direct his first stage play and lead the cast in Anton Chekhov’s theatrical masterpiece Uncle Vanya, a playful story of unrequited love, loss and misplaced dreams, in a new version by the playwright and screenwriter David Hare. 

It’s late summer, at the close of the nineteenth century. In the heart of the Russian countryside, Vanya and his niece Sonya have worked for years to manage the ramshackle estate on behalf of his brother-in-law, a retired professor. When the professor arrives with his stunningly beautiful young wife and announces his plan to sell the estate, all their lives are thrown into turmoil.

Rupert Everett rose to fame in Another Country which earned him his first BAFTA nomination. Since then he has played many leading roles including in the multi-award-winning film My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Importance of Being Earnest, An Ideal Husband, Dance With A Stranger, The Madness of King George and St Trinian’s. His stage credits include Blithe Spirit on Broadway and Pygmalion andThe Judas Kiss in the West End.

Anton Chekhov was a leading playwright and author of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is regarded as one of the most influential writers of the Russian realist school. His plays include The Seagull, Three Sisters and The Cherry Orchard.

David Hare’s award-winning plays include Racing Demon, Plenty, Skylight, Amy’s View and The Judas Kiss. He received Academy Award nominations for his adaptations of The Hours and The Reader.

LISTINGS

Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath, BA1 1ET
Box Office: 01225 448844
Website: www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Facebook: TheatreRoyalBath
Twitter: @TheatreRBath

Blithe Spirit
By Noël Coward
Directed by Richard Eyre
Designed by Anthony Ward
Lighting Design by Howard Harrison
Presented by arrangement with Lee Dean
Thursday 13 June – Saturday 6 July
Press night: Wednesday 19 June, 7pm
Performance Schedule: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Thu & Sat 2.30pm (no matinee 13 or 15 June)
Tickets: £25.50 – £39.50 (Preview Perfs and Mondays, all seats £15)

Uncle Vanya
By Anton Chekhov in a new version by David Hare
Directed by Rupert Everett
Thursday 18 July – Saturday 3 August
Press night: Wednesday 24 July, 7pm
Performance Schedule: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Wed & Sat 2.30pm (no matinee 20 July)
Tickets: £25.50 – £39.50 (Preview Perfs and Mondays, all seats £15)

KILN THEATRE, FUEL AND BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE PRESENT

THE HALF-GOD OF RAINFALL

By Inua Ellams

• CAST ANNOUNCED: RAKIE AYOLA AND KWAMI ODOOM WILL PLAY THE CHARACTERS OF MODUPE AND DEMI DIRECTED BY NANCY MEDINA
• TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FOR INUA ELLAMS’ NEW PLAY AT BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE FROM APRIL 13^th – APRIL 20^th AND KILN THEATRE FROM APRIL 25^th – MAY 17^th.

‘For thousands of years, Gods enjoyed full dominion over the lives of men. As prayers dwindled, Gods felt their power cut’

Casting has been announced for Nancy Medina’s forthcoming production of Inua Ellams’ new play The Half-God of Rainfall. Rakie Ayola (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) will play Modupe, mother to her half-god son Demi who will be played by Kwami Odoom (Barber Shop Chronicles). This world premiere production will be directed by Nancy Medina, designed by Max Johns, with movement direction by Imogen Knight, sound design by Tanuja Amarasuriya, lighting design by Jackie Shemesh and casting by Briony Barnett.

Modupe, cursed with extraordinary beauty, draws the unwanted attention of the Greek and Yoruba gods. Her son Demi, half Nigerian-mortal, half Olympian child, is bestowed with powers; one of them manifests in the game of basketball. When he unknowingly sparks Zeus’ wrath, Modupe tries to protect him from the capricious whims of the gods.

Inua Ellams writes this contemporary saga that weaves poetry with storytelling in a majestic, chaotic journey across mythologies that transports us from a tiny village in Southern Nigeria to the further reaches of our galaxy and beyond.

This production is a collaboration between Kiln Theatre, Fuel and Birmingham Repertory Theatre and is Ellams’ next play since Barber Shop Chronicles.

Rakie Ayola
Rakie’s recent theatre work includes: Leave To Remain (Lyric Hammersmith), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (The Palace Theatre), The Rest of Your Life (Bush Theatre), King Lear (Royal Exchange/Talawa), Crave/4:48 Psychosis (Sheffield Crucible), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (National at The Apollo), The Winter’s Tale (RSC). Recent television includes:Noughts and Crosses (ITC/BBC), Shetland (ITV/BBC), No Offence (Abbott Vision/Channel 4),King Lear (Talawa/BBC4) Film includes: Been So Long (Netflix), Dredd (DNA Films), Now Is Good(BBC Films), Sahara (Paramount). Rakie is Patron of @ChildhoodTT, @MelqoshM and @eclipsetcl.

Kwami Odoom 
Kwami Odoom’s work in theatre includes: BOYS (The PappyShow/Vaults); A Christmas Carol(Royal Shakespeare Company); Queen Margaret (Royal Exchange); Barber Shop Chronicles(National Theatre); DNA, Pigeon English, and Romeo and Juliet, (National Youth Theatre REP Company). Television includes: The Athena (Sky Kids / Brycoed Productions); The Rook(Lionsgate); and Doctors (BBC).
Film includes: A Family Affair (Florence Keith-Roach)

LISTINGS

The Half-God of Rainfall
By Inua Ellams
Supported by London Community Foundation & Cockayne – Grants for the Arts.

Birmingham Repertory Theatre
13 April – 20 April 2019
7.45pm (except 16 April at 7pm)
Press night: 16 April
Tickets: From £15
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
0121 236 4455

Kiln Theatre
25 April – 17 May 2019
7.30pm / 2.30pm (Wednesday and Saturday)
Press night: 30 April
Tickets: From £10
www.kilntheatre.com
020 7328 1000

Storyhouse, Chester- until Friday 22nd February 2019.

Reviewed by Joseph Everton

4****

The Moscow City Ballet, brainchild of Victor Smirnov- Golovanov and now under the charge of artistic director, Luidmila Neroubachtchenko, has extensively toured the globe since 1988, sharing Smirnov- Golovanov’s interpretation and celebration of the ideas of 19th and 20th century Russian choreographers with the world. The climate of political distrust wasn’t on the minds of the Cheshire audience as this beautiful production brought a welcome distraction and a splash of festive nostalgia to a midweek evening in February.

The emphasis was on storytelling in Act One, where the cast displayed their ability to act, as well as dance with Daniil Orlov impressing as Drosselmeyer. At times, I forgot that it was February as the stage filled with Christmas colour, gifts, a tree and a short cameo for Santa Clause. Certain scenes sometimes felt a little rough around the edges, with an over use of slightly tacky props reminding me more of a low-budget children’s production than a celebrated ballet. However, this did help to provide an easy-to-follow narrative to Nutcracker newbies.

As perhaps Tchaikovsky and original choreographers Petipa and Ivanov had little more to add to the original story of ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’ by E.T.A. Hoffman, Act Two was largely devoted to divertissement after divertissement. This provided a chance for individuals from the corps de ballet to demonstrate their ability with the stage to themselves, flanked by lines of dancers subtly changing position but not distracting from the main event, and they delivered excellently. Kozhabayev Talgat showing he was the full package, delighting with a powerfully precise and athletic display.

The Moscow City Ballet’s The Nutcracker was a testament to Russian artistry and the skill of Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, done justice by an accompanying orchestra. It was enthralling, enjoyable and would provide an excellent introduction to ballet to all who have not yet experienced it.

Rediscover the ‘People’s Palace’ St George’s Hall
Public invited to tour the refurbished Grade ll listed building
Saturday 2 March 11am – 3pm

After an extensive transformational refurbishment, St George’s Hall is throwing its doors wide open for residents of Bradford and beyond to rediscover their ‘People’s Palace.’

The Open Day on Saturday 2 March from 11am-3pm will give people the opportunity to look around the much loved building and find out about its amazing history and recent refurbishment.

Visitors can learn about the early history of the Hall in the Victorian era and discover how the building has evolved over 165 years from its time as a Classical Concert Hall, a Cinema, Rock and Pop Venue and even
an Airport Departure Lounge! Incredibly, in 1964, air travellers were invited to St George’s Hall to check in, leave baggage and relax in the lounge, before taking a coach to the airport in Yeadon.

Self-guided tours will be available on the open day, to provide information on the conservation of the venue, a chance to browse heritage displays across all four levels of the Hall, and view some historic objects found during the refurbishment.

There will be hands on family activities and a chance to dress up as some of the famous faces of St George’s Hall including leading author Charles Dickens, suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst and rock legends
David Bowie and Freddie Mercury! The newly opened ground floor café with its beautifully restored mosaic
floor will be serving refreshments, with hot food available 11am – 2pm.

The extensive refurbishment of St George’s Hall has included major works to the roof, windows, electrics and
stone work. The front-of-house areas have been increased, and seating has been upgraded to improve sight
lines and comfort, whilst ensuring the world class acoustics are unaffected.
Adam Renton, General Manager Bradford Theatres said:
“We are throwing open the doors of St George’s Hall so that everyone can discover just how special
the wonderful St George’s Hall is. This is an informal Open Day for all to enjoy. I’m sure you will
find out some truly fascinating facts!”

Rose Theatre, Kingston – until 23rd February 2019

5*****

Any event which gets children interested in the theatre is always a good thing. Zog, based on the book of the same name by Julia Donaldson (she also wrote The Gruffalo) tells the story of Zog, a Dragon who desperately wants a gold star at school.

Accompanied on his quest for the good star, Zog (played by Elliot MacKenzie) are Princess Pearl (Emily Benjamin), fellow dragons Henry (Dixie McDevitt) and Pip (Robert Ginty) and Dragon teacher Madame Dragon (Euan Wilson).

The story line is simple to follow and at 55 minutes the production is just the right length to keep children engaged, especially as there is audience participation and the dragons “fly” around the audience. The set looks like a giant climbing frame but acts as various things from the woods where the dragons live to Princess Pearl’s prison cell. The use of puppets is well thought out as well as puppet versions of the dragons are used when they are flying but the Dragon costumes worn by the cast being the dragons to live on stage. Pearl is a wonderful character who decides against being a princess and decides to become a doctor. Joining Pearl is Sir Gadabout The Great (Robert Ginty) who becomes the nurse to Pearls doctor. The duo become a trio when Zog offers to be their ambulance and fly them around the world healing people.

All in all Zog is a brilliant production to get children interested in theatre all I’m still not sure if it is a musical or a play with songs but any production that shows that girls can be doctors and boys can be nurses are amazing and every one should go and see this show.

New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until 23rd February 2019

Reviewed by Alexandra Sykes

4****

Over the years I have seen a lot of jukebox musicals and I have loved each and every one of them so The Band is no different. Featuring the music of Take That, The Band has audiences singing and dancing along.

The musical starts with 16 year old Rachel (Faye Christell) explaining that she grew up listening to a boy band, knew all the words to their songs and all her friends – Heather (Katy Clayton), Claire (Sarah Kate Howarth), Zoe (Lauren Jacobs) and Debbie (Rachelle Diedricks) loved them as well. After an unfortunate event after going to see the boy band in Manchester the girls part ways but are brought back together 25 years later after a grown up Rachel (Rachel Lumberg) wins tickets to see the boys on their reunion tour in  Prague. Leaving behind boyfriend Jeff (Martin Miller), she meets up with Heather (Emily Joyce), Claire (Alison Fitzjohn) and Zoe (Jayne McKenna)

The story makes you want to ring your best friend and tell them you love them (which I did) whilst singing along to Take That. With the songs woven well into the story and sung mainly by AJ Bentley, Nick Carsberg, Curtis T Johns, Sario Soloman and Yazdan Qafouri who all won their parts via a TV Talent show. The set works well with the story as do the outfits worn by the characters.

All in all a good innocent girly night out that will be enjoyed for many years to come