Month: March 2019

• SOHO ESTATES ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF A BRAND NEW THEATRE FOR LONDON IN THE HEART OF SOHO TO OPEN IN LATE 2019

• DESIGNED BY ARCHITECTS SODA STUDIO AND THEATRE CONSULTANTS CHARCOALBLUE, THE BOULEVARD THEATRE WILL BE SITUATED ON THE SITE OF THE ORIGINAL BOULEVARD IN WALKER’S COURT

• THE BOULEVARD WILL PRODUCE ITS OWN IN-HOUSE PRODUCTIONS ALONGSIDE A LATE NIGHT PROGRAMME OF LIVE MUSIC, COMEDY, SPOKEN WORD, CABARET AND FILM

• THE THEATRE WILL FEATURE A CUTTING-EDGE DESIGN THAT ALLOWS FOR MULTIPLE CONFIGURATIONS IN A FULLY REVOLVING AUDITORIUM AND BALCONY

• FAWN JAMES DIRECTOR OF SOHO ESTATES WILL BE JOINED BY NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR RACHEL EDWARDS

Fawn James (director of Soho Estates) today announced the launch of the Boulevard Theatre in the heart of Soho in Walker’s Court. The revived venue is located on the site where her grandfather Paul Raymond opened the original Boulevard Theatre.

The artistic programme will be headed up by the artistic director Rachel Edwards (Sweeney Todd – London & New York, Founder of Tooting Arts Club).  With a seated capacity of up to 165, the venue will present its own in-house theatre productions together with a vibrant late night programme of live music, comedy, spoken word, cabaret and films.  The venue and operations will be run by General Manager Leon Scott. Both will be supported by the Executive Director Martin Ball.

Using cutting-edge VR technology SODA studio, in collaboration with Charcoalblue, have designed the innovative space which features Europe’s most advanced revolving theatre (the balcony and stalls independently revolve allowing for multiple configurations) and a two-floor glass bridge leading to a restaurant and bar area.

The opening season of work will be announced later in the year, and the venue will open its doors to the public in late 2019.

The original Boulevard Theatre site began as a sister venue to the Raymond Revuebar. It was run under the same name as the Revuebar and provided an additional bar and restaurant which housed gaming tables, prior to the gaming act in 1968.

The Boulevard Theatre presented various productions, including erotic, comedy and straight plays, and is most famously known as the home of Peter Richardson’s Comic Strip. Over the years, shows included: ‘Women Behind Bars’ c.1977 / Jeremy Taylor’s ‘Back in Town’ c.1979 / ‘The Marilyn Chambers Show’ c.1979 / ‘The Comic Strip Presents’ c.1980 / ‘The Collector’ (by John Fowles, adapted by David Parker) c.1984 / ‘Infidelities’ starring Jill Bennett c.1986 / Eddie Izzard’s ‘Raging Bull’ comedy club c.1989.

Soho Estates has been a prominent landowner in Soho for over 50 years. Fawn James is a Director of Soho Estates. Her grandfather was Soho Estates’ founder Paul Raymond, an entertainment impresario and property investor, who staged revue and variety shows at countless Soho venues from the 1950s onwards. Fawn intends to honour her grandfather’s legacy by helping to promote Soho as an arts and entertainment district. The regeneration of Walker’s Court has provided the ideal opportunity to amalgamate her passion for the arts and to embrace her heritage.

A brand new website has been launched today for people interested in hearing more about The Boulevard Theatre and its programme of work:

www.boulevardtheatre.co.uk  

ONE WEEK UNTIL HEARTWARMING

TALE OF ANNIE COMES TO TOWN

It’s less than one week until family favourite Annie the musical arrives in Chester to entertain audiences.

Full casting for the forthcoming UK tour of the smash hit production was announced recently byMichael Harrison and David Ian who are bringing their new show to Storyhouse.

Annie comes to Storyhouse from Monday 25 March to Saturday 30 March 2019. There are matinees on the Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm.

Anita Dobson will star as Miss Hannigan, joined by Alex Bourne as Oliver Warbucks, Richard Meek as Rooster, Jenny Gayner as Lily, and Carolyn Maitland as Grace Farrell.

The title role of Annie is shared by Faye Katsande, Ava Smith and Freya Yates. They are joined by three teams of young performers who play the girls in Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. 

Completing the cast are Michael Anderson, Thomas Audibert, Andy Barke, Caroline Bateson, Daisy Boyles, Blaise Colangelo, Gary Davis, Ashleigh Graham, George Rae, Anne Smith, India Thornton, Matt Trevorrow, Amy West, and Samuel Wilson Freeman.

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search.

With its award-winning book and score, this stunning new production includes the unforgettable songs It’s The Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You, and Tomorrow.

As Angie Watts in EastEnders, Anita Dobson created one of the most popular characters in television winning numerous awards. Her West End theatre credits include Madame Morrible in Wicked; Mama Morton in Chicago; Mrs Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie; Chris in Calendar Girls; Joan Crawford in Bette and Joan; and Nancy in Frozen at the National Theatre, for which she was nominated for an Olivier, Evening Standard and London Critics Award. Her film credits include London Road.

Alex Bourne reprises his performance as Oliver Warbucks after playing the role in this production of Annie in the West End, Toronto, and on the 2015/16 tour. His many other West End credits include Danny in Grease; The Beast in Beauty and the Beast; Billy Flynn in Chicago; Khashoggi in We Will Rock You; and Fred/Petruchio in Kiss Me, Kate, for which he received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. His other credits include Daryl Van Horne in The Witches of Eastwick; and the Watermill Theatre, for which he received a TMA nomination for Best Actor; Sam Michael in the national tour of Mamma Mia!; and Lex Hogan in Eugenius! at the Other Palace.

Richard Meek’s many credits include Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie; Brad, Eddie and Dr Scott in The Rocky Horror Show; and Sir Galahad in Spamalot, all on national tour. He has also appeared as Leo Bloom in the international tour of The Producers, as well as Dustin and Greaseball in the 25^th anniversary cast of Starlight Express in Bochum, Germany.

Jenny Gayner’s West End credits include Miss Wilson in the original cast of The Girls at the Phoenix Theatre; Hunyak in Chicago at the Adelphi, Cambridge and Garrick theatres; and Spamalot at the Palace Theatre. Jenny has also appeared as Lina Lamont in Singin’ In The Rain and Brooke Windham in Legally Blonde, both at Kilworth House.

Carolyn Maitland reprises her performance as Grace Farrell after playing the role in this production of Annie in Toronto. Her West End credits include Ellen in Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre; Marian in The Woman In White at Charing Cross Theatre; and Groundhog Day and Kiss Me, Kate, both at the Old Vic. Her other credits include Molly in the national tour of Ghost; and Kathy Seldon in Singin’ In The Rain at Kilworth House.

Annie has music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan. The musical is directed by Nikolai Foster, with set and costume design by Colin Richmond, choreography by Nick Winston, lighting by Ben Cracknell, and sound design by Richard Brooker. Annie is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian.

Tickets are on sale now and range in price from £20.50 to £60 (each ticket is subject to a £1.50 booking fee).

Storyhouse has a dynamic pricing policy on the majority of shows, ensuring the earlier you book your tickets, guarantees the best seats at the lowest price.

Website:         www.storyhouse.com

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/storyhouselive/

Twitter:           @StoryhouseLive

LISTING INFORMATION

ANNIE

Monday 25 March 2019 – Saturday 30 March 2019

STORYHOUSE

Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

Monday 25 March 2019 at 7.30pm

Tuesday 26 March 2019 at 7.30pm

Wednesday 27 March 2019 at 2.30pm

Wednesday 27 March 2019 at 7.30pm

Thursday 28 March 2019 at 7.30pm

Friday 29 March 2019 at 7.30pm

Saturday 30 March 2019 at 2.30pm

Saturday 30 March 2019 at 7.30pm

Tickets: £20.50 – £60 (each ticket is subject to a £1.50 booking fee)

Dynamic Pricing: Book early to guarantee cheapest and best seats

HOW TO BOOK

Online:            Visit www.storyhouse.com

By Phone:       Call 01244 409 113

In person:       Visit the Ticket Kiosks at Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

Leeds Grand Theatre – until Sat 23 March 2019

Reviewed by Sally Richmond

5*****

Want to party? Then go see Benidorm Live – the stage show based on the hugely, successful popular TV programme. Derren Litten’s stage version of Benidorm has the audience in fits of laughter right from take off and continuously throughout the whole performance.

Benidorm Live is set in the Solana Resort in Benidorm, Spain, where we meet the crazy staff and holiday makers played by the brilliant cast from the TV series including: Joyce (Sherrie Hewson), Liam (Adam Gillen), Kenneth (Tony Maudsley), Mateo (Jake Canuso), Jacqueline (Janine Duvitski) and Sam (Shelley Longworth) and new members – Sophie (Tricia Adele-Turner), Ben (Bradley Clarkson), Ricky (Will Jennings) and Derek (Damian Williams). The plot of the live stage production involves the team trying to uncover secret hotel inspectors, who are going to shut down the Solana Resort and of course it’s all done in a most farcical manner. Obviously chaos erupts, giving many laugh-out loud moments along the way. Performed on Mark Walters’ dazzling set, which smoothly transforms from hotel reception, poolside, Blow ’N’ Go salon and Neptune’s entertainment bar, Benidorm Live is a show which gives you everything you want and expect from it – brash comedy, jaw breaking jokes and your favourite characters at their best (or in Jacqueline’s case her naughty worst!).

Like the TV programme, the stage version is a hit because of the enormously talented cast. Jan Duvitski has some show stealing moments with her constant stream of innuendos and perfectly timed one-liners. The moment she jumped on fellow cast members and screamed, ‘Bouncy! Bouncy!’ she had the packed Grand audience in stitches. Hewson is her dazzling self throughout and simply adored by the audience during her whole performance as she flounces around giving commands and not realising what a dreadful manager she actually is. The Solana’s very own original Latin Lover Mateo, brings his character to life as he wows the audience with his hip-thrusting moves to Livin’ La Vida Loca and tries to seduce the female holidaymakers. Longworth gives a beautiful rendition of Faith Hill’s There You’ll Be and her powerful vocals hit the high notes to perfection. Maudsley’s fabulous Kenneth and Gillen’s Liam are as outrageous as ever and the stage production gives them more opportunities to ham up the slap-stick another notch.

Litten’s stage debut certainly entertains the audience and oozes the feel-good throughout. Totally brazen, brash pleasure-seeking has been the success to Benidorm the TV series for more than a decade and it translates to the stage extremely well, in fact given the audiences reactions – singing along and even having a boogie at some points, one could say that being on the stage actually enhanced it for some.

Benidorm Live brought a lot of sunshine to a cold, wet Monday evening in Leeds and provided much laughter and cheer to a full audience . Guaranteed to make you giggle – this show really transports you to Spain and on leaving, you’ll feel like you’ve just had a wild 24 hours at The Solana. Book your ticket and don’t miss the next flight!

DISNEY’S FROZEN OPENS IN AUTUMN 2020 IN LONDON’S WEST END

As Frozen celebrates its first year on Broadway, Disney Theatrical Productions today announces the opening of a new production of the musical in London’s West End in Autumn 2020. With music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and book by Jennifer Lee, Michael Grandage’s production, with set and costume designs by Christopher Oram, lighting design by Natasha Katz, and choreography by Rob Ashford, will reopen the newly refurbished Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Frozen – produced by Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher – opened on Broadway in March 2018 and quickly established itself as the biggest new musical hit of its season, nominated for the Tony Award® for Best Musical. In addition to the opening in London, the musical has a North American tour planned for Autumn 2019, productions in Australia and Japan opening in 2020, and a further production for Hamburg in 2021.

The highest grossing animated film of all time, Frozen was released in cinemas in 2013, winning multiple awards, including two Academy Awards® for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (“Let It Go”), the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film and the BAFTA for Best Animated Film. It was written and directed (with Chris Buck) by Jennifer Lee, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Frozen 2 will be coming to UK cinemas this November.

Audiences are invited to learn more about Frozen the Musical and to sign up for priority booking at FrozenTheMusical.co.uk. Performance schedule and casting to be announced at a later date.

Jennifer Lee said today, “We’re so humbled by the continued support for Frozen – at its heart, a joyous story about love and sisterhood. We’re very excited to share what we have created on stage with London and to see it come to life in that gorgeous theatre.”

Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez commented, “The power of Frozen comes from the story of two strong, very real women saving their world by leaning in to their deep love for one another. Expanding this story has been an absolute joy. We went deeper and discovered several song moments that enrich the story in a new emotional and theatrical way.”

Michael Grandage said, “Bringing Frozen to the stage has been a gloriously happy journey. We’re all looking forward to getting back in the room together as a creative team, to build our London company and bring Frozento the West End.”

Thomas Schumacher, President & Producer Disney Theatrical Productions, added, “As Frozen celebrates its first year on Broadway, we’re thrilled to share the London plans for the show. Michael Grandage has created a production that is as full of heart and joy as it is spectacle. It will be an honour to reopen Andrew Lloyd Webber’s gorgeously refurbished Theatre Royal Drury Lane, one of the crown jewels of London’s West End.”

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, owned and managed by LW Theatres, is closed for 20 months for a landmark £45 million renovation and restoration project and will reopen as Frozen begins previews.

With choreography by Rob Ashford,set and costume design by Christopher Oram, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Peter Hylenski,video design by Finn Ross, puppet design by Michael Curry, and musical supervision and arrangements by Stephen Oremus.

Kristen Anderson-Lopez’s theatre credits include In Transit (Broadway), Up Here (La Jolla Playhouse) and Finding Nemo: The Musical (Disney World, running since 2006). For television, her songs include for 87th Academy Awards (Emmy® nomination), The Comedians, and The Wonder Pets. For film, her work includes Disney Pixar’s Coco (Oscar® Best Original Song win for “Remember Me”, Grammy nomination), Frozen (Oscar and Grammy Award® wins for “Let It Go”), Winnie The Pooh, and the forthcoming Frozen 2. She was a 2014 recipient, and now board member, of the Lilly Awards.

Robert Lopez’s Broadway credits include as co-creator/writer of The Book of Mormon (five Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Music; nine Tony® Awards including Best Book, Best Original Score and Best Musical), co-creator/songwriter of Avenue Q (three Tony Awards including Best Original Score and Best Musical). Other theatre work includes Up Here (La Jolla Playhouse) and 1001 Nights(Atlantic Theater). His television work includes songs for The 87th Academy Awards, The Simpsons, South Park, Scrubs and The Wonder Pets. For film, his work includes, Disney Pixar’s Coco (Oscar® Best Original Song win for “Remember Me”, Grammy nomination), Frozen (Oscar Best Original Song win for “Let It Go”), and the forthcoming Frozen 2.

Lopez is one of 12 artists to win Emmy®, Grammy®, Oscar® and Tony Awards® (EGOT).

Jennifer Lee is Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios. She is the Academy Award®-winning writer of Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Frozen, which she also directed with Chris Buck. For her work on Frozen, Lee received numerous awards including a Golden Globe, a Critics’ Choice Award, a BAFTA and an Academy Award®. Her Disney Animation career began as co-writer of the Oscar®-nominated Wreck-It Ralph. She also wrote the screenplay for Disney’s 2018 release A Wrinkle in Time. Currently, Lee is writing and directing Frozen 2.

Michael Grandage is Artistic Director of the Michael Grandage Company in London. For the company he directed Henry V, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Peter and Alice and Privates on Parade, Dawn French: 30 Million Minutes Photograph 51, Red and The Lieutenant of Inishmore, and the feature film Genius with Colin Firth. He was Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse (2002–2012) and Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres (2000–05). He is the recipient of Tony, Drama Desk, Olivier, Evening Standard, Critics’ Circle and South Bank Awards. He has been awarded Honorary Doctorates by the University of London, Sheffield University and Sheffield Hallam University and is President of Central School of Speech and Drama. He was appointed CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2011. His book, A Decade At The Donmar, was published by Constable & Robins in 2012.

Twitter @FrozenLondon

Facebook /FrozenLondon

Instagram @FrozenLondon

DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS (DTP) operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher bringing live entertainment events to a global audience of more than 20 million people a year in more than 50 countries. Current London: Aladdin at The Prince Edward and The Lion King, approaching its 20th anniversary at The Lyceum.  Other London credits: the Olivier-nominated play Shakespeare in Love and DTP’s inaugural production Beauty and the Beast, which won the Olivier Award for Best Musical.  Other productions on Broadway and around the world: Frozen, Newsies, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh, TARZAN® and Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida.  Other successful stage musical ventures have included productions of Disney’s High School Musical, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame in Berlin, and King David in concert.

Worldwide, its nine Broadway titles have been seen by over 160 million theatregoers, and have been nominated for 20 Olivier Awards, winning the honour five times. With 20 productions currently produced or licensed, a Disney musical is being performed professionally somewhere on the planet virtually every hour of the day.

THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE

LW Theatres will breathe new life into the unique and iconic architecture of their Grade 1 Regency building and restore the historic theatre to its former 1812 glory. The revived Theatre Royal Drury Lane will also be the first commercial theatre in the West End to offer facilities beyond the regular theatrical fare, creating a true destination venue in its own right. Front of house facilities will be open to the public all day and include bars, restaurants and cafes so the iconic interiors can be enjoyed by everyone not just theatre goers in the heart of Covent Garden.

Royal & Derngate, Northampton, presents 

Ibsen’s                                                    
Ghosts
in a new version by Mike Poulton

Royal & Derngate, Northampton – Friday 19 April to Saturday 11 May 

Royal & Derngate announces full cast and creative team for Ibsen’s Ghosts in a new version by Mike Poulton

• James Wilby and Declan Conlon announced to join Penny Downie and Pierro Niel-Mee
• Directed by Lucy Bailey and designed by Mike Britton, with lighting design by Oliver Fenwick and sound design and music by Richard Hammarton
• World premiere of Mike Poulton’s new adaptation of Ibsen’s masterpiece Ghosts to open in Northampton in April
• Part of Royal & Derngate’s Made in Northampton season
• @RoyalDerngate / #MadeInNorthampton / #GhostsThePlay

The full cast and creative team has been confirmed for Royal & Derngate’s world premiere production of a brand new version by Mike Poulton of Henrik Ibsen’s masterpiece Ghosts, opening in Northampton in April. The cast will be led by Penny Downie, James Wilby, Declan Conlon andPierro Niel-Mee, and the play is directed by Lucy Bailey with Mike Britton as designer, Oliver Fenwick as lighting designer and Richard Hammarton as sound designer and composer.

A shattering story of the consequences of secrets and lies, Ibsen’s Ghosts is a damning comment on the morality and hypocrisy of 19th century life and this searing new version asks if much has changed since it was written over 100 years ago.

Constrained for years by societal expectations, widow Helen Alving is determined to escape the ghosts of her past but when her son Osvald returns home it is clear that some legacies are impossible to avoid. With secrets kept and lies told, the ghosts of her husband’s actions demand bigger sacrifices now than ever before.

As previously announced, Helen will be played by Penny Downie, whose extensive stage and television credits include Hamlet in the West End and ITV’s Downton Abbey. She is joined in the cast by James Wilby, as Pastor Manders. James’ extensive stage credits include work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Lyric Hammersmith and his screen credits include leading roles inPoldark, Maurice, Gosford Park, Howards End, Regeneration and A Handful of Dust.

Celebrated Irish actor Declan Conlon will play Jakob Engstrand and Pierro Niel-Mee will play Osvald. Declan was recently seen in The Ferryman at the Gielgud Theatre and in Anna Karenina andCome on Home at the Abbey Theatre Dublin, for which he is nominated for the 2019 Irish Times Award for Best Actor. Pierro recently played Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love and appeared at the RSC and in the West End in Imperium. Eleanor McLoughlin (Ah, Wilderness, Young Vic; The Winter’s Tale, Cheek by Jowl) completes the cast as Regina Engstrand.

With Tony nominations for Fortune’s Fool and adaptations of Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies, playwright Mike Poulton’s acclaimed plays also include Imperium for the Royal Shakespeare Company and A Tale of Two Cities for Royal & Derngate. At the Northampton venue, Lucy Baileypreviously directed Gaslight and Love from a Stranger (nominated for the UK Theatre Best Touring Production Award in 2018). Her Olivier Award-nominated production of Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution is still going strong at London County Hall over a year after first opening.

Ghosts is designed by Mike Britton whose previous credits for Royal & Derngate include Love from a Stranger and A Tale of Two Cities (UK Theatre Award nomination for Best Design). Other credits include Henry V at the Royal Exchange Theatre (winner of Manchester Evening News Award for Best Design). Also re-united from the Love from a Stranger creative team are lighting designer Oliver Fenwick, whose other credits include King Lear (Duke of York’s Theatre/Chichester Festival Theatre), and sound designer and composer Richard Hammarton whose credits include The Mountaintop(Theatre503, Trafalgar Studios).

Ghosts can be seen at Royal & Derngate from Friday 19 April till Saturday 11 May, with a national press night on Wednesday 24 April.

#GhostsThePlay

* A charge of £3 applies for all transactions of £15 and over. Does not apply to Groups, Friends or Disabled Patrons, and is per-transaction, not per-ticket.

B-SIDE brings Hip-Hop back to Birmingham

(B-Boy competing at B-Side Hip-Hop Festival 2018)

B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival is back from Friday 3 – Sunday 12 May, with a phenomenal line up of dance battles, high-energy workshops, live music and DJ sets from legendary names in Hip-Hop.

The explosive festival will feature the best national and international artists plus the city’s finest talent. Already confirmed are Karl ‘Dyzee’ Alba (Canada), Roxy (UK), ChryBaby (New York) and Youth Olympic Bronze medal winner B-Boy Shigekix (Japan), with many more to be announced.

Birmingham Hippodrome is working with festival partners to bring the key elements of Hip-Hop to Birmingham. Break Mission are back with their epic international dance battles andSweat The Technique workshops, Marso Riviere’s popular KRE8! Labs and battles return, as well as DJ Psykhomantus’s Vision Bombing Game Show. Juice Aleem brings hisFluxCon comic convention along with many speakers and performers and once again the Southside streets will be filled with eye-catching live graffiti courtesy of High-Vis Festival.

Expect to see many new performances specially created for the festival with Dance Hub Birmingham commissioning several new exciting pieces including Break Mission’s Dance of Death. Zoo Nation Youth Company Birmingham, one of Birmingham Hippodrome’s Young Companies, will also showcase an exciting piece of contemporary Hip-Hop theatre.

B-SIDE opens during May Bank Holiday Weekend (Friday 3 May) with a Hit the Ode andB-SIDE R.A.P Party special. The poetry and music night will showcase some amazing spoken word artists and Hip-Hop DJs. 

On Saturday 4 May, the festival continues in Bullring & Grand Central, for the first of two take-over days. The team are bringing a host of DJs, dance and rap battles, and live performances to the shopping centre. It also returns on Monday 6 May for a B-SIDE family day, B-SIDE Breakin’ the Bullring, complete with pop-up performances and Fun DMC, a Hip-Hop inspired party for kids and parents.

On Sunday 5 May, High-Vis Festival will lead a graffiti trail beginning at the Hippodrome and ending in Digbeth, a part of Birmingham famous for its street art. Elsewhere, a special screening of Bombin’ will take place at The Mocking Bird as part of Flatpack Festival,. The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at UK Hip-Hop and graffiti culture featuring some recognisable locations in Birmingham. 

The festival culminates on Sunday 12 May with the B-SIDE and Break Mission International Dance Championship taking place in Southside. The epic clash will see dancers from all around the world competing in this tense battle.

Graham Callister, Associate Director of Community Engagement and Festivals at Birmingham Hippodrome, commented: “B-Side is fast becoming the UK’s number one Hip-Hop festival for international and national artists alongside the amazing talents we have in the city. 

“We’ve expanded both the length of the festival, from five to 10 days, and locations of our events as we stretch ourselves from Southside to Bullring & Grand Central, and for the first time into Digbeth.  Each of our festival partners brings a different energy and take on what contemporary Hip-Hop culture is, enabling us to offer a truly diverse festival and attract a wider audience year on year.  We’re really hyped about this year’s programme and are already planning the party for our fifth anniversary next year in 2020 so don’t miss it!”

B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival is a Birmingham Hippodrome Project supported by Arts Council England, Southside BID, Bullring and Grand Central and The Arcadian.

Stay up-to-date with activities and join the conversation on social media using #BSIDE.

For more information, visit: www.birminghamhippodrome.com/bside

• THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY ANNOUNCES NEW CHILD CASTING FOR THE UK & IRELAND TOUR OF MATILDA THE MUSICAL
• OLIVIA JUNO CLEVERLEY, FREYA SCOTT AND SOPHIE WOOLHOUSE WILL JOIN SCARLETT CECIL IN THE TITLE ROLE OF MATILDA FROM 19 MARCH

The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced new child casting for the Matilda The Musical UK and Ireland Tour with Olivia Juno Cleverley, Freya Scott and Sophie Woolhouse joining Scarlett Cecil in sharing the title role of Matilda from today, 18 March. The West End production will continue to play at the Cambridge Theatre, where it is now in its eighth year and is booking until 24 May 2020.

The other young performers announced today will join the UK and Ireland Tour who play the roles of Bruce, Lavender, Amanda and the rest of the pupils at Crunchem Hall are as follows: Aiya Agustin, Elliot Boothroyd, Brooke Burke, Presley Charman, Oliver Dalby, Lillie May Downton, Charlie Garton, Toby Hales, Theo Hanness, Porsha Hoyland-Lau, Darcy Kelly, Noah Leggott, Ben Pike, Erin Rushidi, Alfie Sanderson, Ryan Tayler-Young andLily Van Veen.

Evie Allen, Joseph Black, Georgia Mae Brown, Adam Lord, Felicity Mitson, Toby Mocrei, Chantelle Tonolete and Joely Robertson will continue in the company, playing the roles of Bruce, Lavender, Amanda and the pupils at Crunchem Hall.

After joining the cast in January, Elliot Harper (Miss Trunchbull) will continue to play alongsideCarly Thoms (Miss Honey) and Sebastien Torkia and Rebecca Thornhill (Mr and Mrs Wormwood) until the tour concludes its run at Norwich Theatre Royal on 17 August 2019.

The full adult cast includes Richard Astbury, Joe Atkinson, Nina Bell, Peter Bindloss, Oliver Bingham, Emily Bull, Samara Casteallo, Matthew Caputo, Matt Gillett, Michelle Chantelle Hopewell, Sam Lathwood, Steffan Lloyd-Evans, Charlie Martin, Anu Ogunmefun, Carly Thoms, Rebecca Thornhill, Sebastien Torkia, Adam Vaughan andDawn Williams.

Matilda The Musical UK and Ireland tour is currently playing in Bradford where it’ll play until 23 March before touring to Edinburgh Playhouse (2 – 27 April), Bristol Hippodrome (7 May- 8 June), Southampton Mayflower (11 June – 6 July) and Norwich Theatre Royal (16 July – 17 August). 

Matilda The Musical is written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and direction by Matthew Warchus. The production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and the special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.

Winner of 94 international awards, including 23 for Best Musical, Matilda The Musical has now been seen by 9 million people worldwide, having toured to over 70 cities and played more than 6600 performances in the West End, on Broadway and on tour across North America, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Matilda The Musical had its first non-English language production at the LG Arts Centre in Seoul, South Korea from September 2018 to February 2019.

Inspired by the incomparable Roald Dahl’s beloved book, Matilda The Musical was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and premiered at the RSC’s Stratford-upon-Avon home in November 2010, before transferring to London’s West End in October 2011, where it opened to rave reviews. The New York production of Matilda The Musical opened in April 2013 at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre and was celebrated on 10 “Top Ten” lists for 2013, including TIME Magazine’s #1 Show of the Year.

Matilda The Musical swept the board at the 2012 Olivier Awards, with a record-breaking seven awards, and won four Tony Awards and a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater for the four girls sharing the title role on Broadway.

The Australian and New Zealand production won a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Musical in 2015, and played sold-out seasons in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Auckland. The show broke further records in July 2016 by winning all 13 Helpmann Awards for which it was nominated.

Matilda The Musical is produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company with André Ptaszynski and Denise Wood as Executive Producers. The production was developed with the support of Jeanie O’Hare and the RSC Literary Department.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE SQUARES ANNOUNCES

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM –

TOURING TO LONDON SQUARES AND PARKS THIS SUMMER

Shakespeare in the Squares presents

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Tatty Hennessy

19 June – 11 July 2019

Shakespeare in the Squares today announces its annual production – this year, A Midsummer Night’s Dream –which will play across London, opening up the city’s glorious private squares and gardens. Directed by Tatty Hennessy, the production runs from 19 June to 11 July

Shakespeare’s wild play of love and magic is transplanted to 1920s Britain, a country bruised by battle and economic hardship where our lovers chafe against the constraints and conventions of an older generation and seek to find freedom in the forest. There they stumble upon a riotous world untouched by time, still reveling in illusion. Moonlight suffuses this drama, bringing romance and a touch of madness – even in an oppressive world, all manner of things can happen under cover of night.

Sue Fletcher and Martin Neild, founders of Shakespeare in the Squares, said today, “We have been waiting to produce A Midsummer Night’s Dream since starting Shakespeare in the Squares four years ago, it is a story so well suited to the beautiful gardens and parks we visit. This well-loved play is often performed, and we wanted to be sure we could offer a fresh perspective. So when Tatty shared her unique vision of magic, madness and circus, we knew the time had come to bring it to life in London’s squares and gardens both familiar and new.”

Tatty Hennessy is an award-winning playwright, dramaturg and director. She continues her collaboration with Shakespeare in the Squares with A Midsummer Night’s Dream following her productions of As You Like It andRomeo and Juliet for the company. Her previous directing credits include her own adaptation of The Snow Queen (Theatre N16), a revival of her first play All That Lives (Ovalhouse Theatre) and Acorn (The Courtyard Theatre). Hennessy was the Baylis Assistant Director at The Old Vic in 2018, where she assisted on Max Webster’s production of Fanny & Alexander.  As a writer, she won the Heretic Voices competition in 2017 with her play A Hundred Words for Snow, which received an acclaimed production at the Arcola Theatre in 2018 and is currently playing at Trafalgar Studios.

ABOUT SHAKESPEARE IN THE SQUARES

Founded by Sue Fletcher and Martin Neild in 2016, Shakespeare in the Squares is a not-for-profit touring theatre company that stages a Shakespeare play across London squares and parks every summer. The productions are tailored to the individual garden squares, and the company works with the garden committees and other local organisations to create a unique community celebration around the play. The company aims to provide a showcase for talented young theatre practitioners and to introduce audiences to the stars of the future. The company’s previous productions include As You Like It, Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing which performed to sell-out audiences.

www.shakespeareinthesquares.co.uk

Twitter: @shakessquares

Facebook: shakespeareinthesquares

Instagram: @shakespeareinthesquares

Schedule for Summer 2019

All performances at 7pm unless stated

Wednesday 19 June                        Leinster Square, W2

Thursday 20 June                            St James’s Gardens, W11

Friday 21 June                                   Norland Square, W11

Saturday 22 June                            Queen’s Park, NW6

Sunday 23 June                                 Camden Square, NW1      

Tuesday 25 June                               Arundel and Ladbroke Gardens, W11 2EP (press night – nearest tube stations are Ladbroke Grove and Holland Park)

Wednesday 26 June                        Paulton’s Square, SW3

Thursday 27 June                             St James’s Square, SW1

Friday 28 June                                   Paddington Street, W1 (3pm matinee)

                                                           Paddington Street W1 (7pm evening)

Saturday 29 June                             Little Wormwood Scrubs Park, W10

Sunday 30 June                                 Ladbroke Square, W11

Tuesday 2 July                                   Cornwall Gardens, SW7

Wednesday 3 July                            Connaught Square, W2

Thursday 4 July                                 Elgin and Arundel Gardens, W11

Friday 5 July                                       Bedford Square, WC1 (part of the Bedford Square Festival)

Saturday 6 July                                  St Peter’s Square, W6

Sunday 7 July                                     The Courtyard at le Gothique, Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, Wandsworth, SW18 (3pm matinee)

Tuesday 9 July                                   The Courtyard at le Gothique, Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, Wandsworth, SW18 (7pm evening)

Wednesday 10 July                          Formosa Gardens, W9

Thursday 11 July                               Cleveland Square, W2

Shakespeare in the Squares kindly thanks the following sponsors for their support: Domus Nova, Durbar Restaurant , Garden Square News, Harrison Allen, Hayes Parsons, John D. Wood, Knight Frank, Maroush, Melt London, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Tesco Bags of Help, Vickers and Westbourne Block Management.

FIRST LOOK AT

AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’
The FATS WALLER Musical

Now playing at Mercury Theatre Colchester until Saturday 30 March

Prior to London run at Southwark Playhouse

From Friday 19 April to Saturday 1 June 2019

First production images are released today of Ain’t Misbehavin’ – now playing at Mercury TheatreColchester until Saturday 30 March. The production then transfers to Southwark Playhouse from Friday 19 April to Saturday 1 June, as the first London revival in almost 25 years.

The cast features Adrian Hansel, Renée Lamb, Carly Mercedes-Dyer, Landi Oshinowo andWayne Robinson.

Adrian Hansel originated the role of Seaweed in the West End production of Hairspray, with other credits including Five Guys Named Moe at Marble Arch Theatre. Renée Lamb played Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Catherine of Aragon in the original London cast of Six at the Arts Theatre. Carly Mercedes-Dyer was recently seen in Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre, with other credits including The Lorax at The Old Vic and Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Landi Oshinowo recently appeared in Big Fish at The Other Palace, with West End credits including Shrek the Musical and Sister Act. Wayne Robinson returns to Southwark Playhouse having played Benny in In The Heights. He was most recently seen as Jagwire in Bat Out of Hell.

Ain’t Misbehavin’ is directed by Tyrone Huntley, making his directorial debut. Tyroneis best known for his acclaimed performance as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, for which he won the Evening Standard Theatre Award and received an Olivier Award nomination. He recently appeared in Leave to Remain at the Lyric Hammersmith with other performing crediting including Angry (Southwark Playhouse) and Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre).

Ain’t Misbehavin’ is choreographed by Oti Mabuse, making her debut as a theatre choreographer. Best known as a professional dancer on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing since 2015, Otiis also an 8-time South African Latin American Champion and one of the most successful South African dancers in the world. Oti was most recently a Dance Captain and Mentor on BBC One’s new Saturday night dance and entertainment show The Greatest Dancer.

Completing the creative team are designer takis, lighting designer James Whiteside, sound designerDan Samson and associate choreographer James Bennett. There will be new orchestrations byMark Dickman, and casting is by Will Burton CDG.

Celebrating the legendary jazz musician Fats Waller and his energetic, exuberant and effervescent music, Ain’t Misbehavin’ steps back into the 1920’s and the raunchy nightclubs of Manhattan.Join an extraordinary group of performers on a journey through a defining period of American musical history, the Harlem Renaissance – where musicians were free to experiment with new styles, and joints were jumpin’ with talented dancers, singers and instrumentalists jamming to a new beat known as swing.

Ain’t Misbehavin’ first premiered at Manhattan Theatre Club in 1978 and transferred to Broadway the same year, where it won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The original West End production opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre in 1979, and was followed by a revival at the Tricycle Theatre and Lyric Theatre in 1995. This new production will mark the first London revival in almost 25 years.

Ain’t Misbehavin’ is basedon an idea by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr, with orchestrations and arrangements by Luther Henderson, vocal and musical concepts by Jeffrey Gutcheon and vocal arrangements by Jeffrey Gutcheon and William Elliott.

Twitter:

Southwark Playhouse @SwkPlay

Mercury Theatre Colchester @Mercury Theatre

Instagram:

Southwark Playhouse @SwkPlay

Mercury Theatre Colchester @MercuryTheatreColchester

King Head Theatre – until 6 April 2019

Reviewed by Prachya van de Gevel

5*****

Bradley (Lewis Brown) and Alexis, lex for short (Freddie Hogan), shine out in this amazing play. The writing by Tom Wright takes me on a rollercoaster of emotions, laughs and dare I say strolls down memory lane.

Bradley and Lex have been dating now for 3 months getting to know each other and tonight it appears is the big night as we are greeted by a large bed in the room with the two men intimately entwined with each other.

As things begin to heat up , the conversation turns to use of protection and issue of prep and the role it has in modern dating and overcoming the stigma attached to HIV. The play continues down a path of back and forward laugh emotions and how each has dealt with

Some of the serious issues affecting the LGBTQ community when it comes to dealing with acceptance of their own sexuality, demons of the past and the frantic world of the “chem” fuelled sex parties and the inevitable outcomes. It packs all the punches and certainly does not hold back when it comes to tackling the issues head on. The chemistry between the two leads is astounding and they bring Tom Wrights script to life, with little to no props, it is all about the acting and the writing. I cannot praise this play enough

The talent of the cast in conveying the hot topics with humour, dignity and raw emotion, the setting of the Kings Head Theatre made it a perfect place to showcase the intimacy of the story.

Thank you it was a real privilege to watch and to the writer who I had an opportunity to speak to after the play, thank you I felt a real emotional connection to the story and its characters.