Month: March 2019

Major new stage production of Willy Russell’s ‘Educating Rita’ to star Stephen Tompkinson

David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and Theatre by the Lake are delighted to announce that a major new stage production of Willy Russell’s Educating Rita will tour the UK in 2019. Starring Stephen Tompkinson as Frank, and introducing Jessica Johnson as Rita, the play will be directed by Max Roberts.

Educating Rita visits The Lowry in Salford from Tuesday 30 April until Saturday 4 May. 

Educating Rita tells the story of married hairdresser Rita, who enrols on an Open University course to expand her horizons, and her encounters with university tutor Frank. Frank is a frustrated poet, brilliant academic and dedicated drinker, who is less than enthusiastic about teaching Rita. However, Frank soon finds that his passion for literature is reignited by Rita, whose technical ability for the subject is limited by her lack of education, but whose enthusiasm Frank finds refreshing. The two soon realise how much they have to learn from each other.

The play was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and played at the Warehouse Theatre, London in 1980, starring Julie Walters and Mark Kingston.  Julie Walters reprised her role in the BAFTA, Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning film opposite Michael Caine. 

Born in Liverpool in 1947, Willy Russell left school at 15 and became a women’s hairdresser and part-time singer/songwriter before returning to education to retrain as a teacher. Russell’s other writing credits include the Olivier Award-winning musical ‘Blood Brothers’, and the hugely successful play ‘Shirley Valentine’, which won the Olivier Awards for Best New Comedy and Best New Actress, and a  Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play. The play was adapted for film and nominated for a host of BAFTA and Academy Awards. Willy Russell continues to be one of the most celebrated writers of his generation with works constantly in production throughout the world as well as in the UK.

Stephen Tompkinson’s television credits include ITV’s ‘Torvill & Dean’, 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 ‘Spamalot’, ‘Rattle of a Simple Man’ and ‘Arsenic and Old Lac’e in the West End, ‘Cloaca’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’ (Old Vic), Art and Tartuffe (National Tours).  

Jessica Johnson’s theatre credits include ‘Call Me Mary Poppins’, ‘Goth Weekend’, ‘Kings and Queens’, ‘Each Piece’ and ‘Anti-Gravity’ at the Live Theatre, Newcastle. She previously played Rita in Rebecca Frecknall’s 2017 production of ‘Educating Rita’ at the Gala Theatre, Durham. Her television credits include ‘Wire In The Blood’ (ITV), ‘Coronation Street’ (ITV) and ‘Cuckoo’ (Channel 4).

Max Roberts is Emeritus Artistic Director of Newcastle’s Live Theatre. Under his direction, the Live Theatre has become one of the country’s most successful theatre companies with an outstanding reputation for developing new work. His Olivier Award nominated production of Lee Hall’s ‘Cooking With Elvis’ transferred to the West End’s Whitehall Theatre (now Trafalgar Studios) before touring nationally. He also directed ‘The Pitman Painters’, which transferred to the National Theatre and won Best Play at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards before opening on Broadway. 

Educating Rita will have set and costume designs by Patrick Connelan, lighting design by Drummond Orr and sound design by David Flynn.

Educating Rita is produced by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers, and co-produced by Theatre by the Lake.

Listings Information
Educating Rita
Dates: Tue 30 April – Sat 4 May
Times: 8pm. Wed, Thu & Sat at 2.30pm
Tickets: £29.50 – £33.50
Website

CASTING ANNOUNCED
Ghost Stories
Written by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman
Directed by Jeremy Dyson, Andy Nyman and Sean Holmes
A Lyric Hammersmith production.
29 March – 11 May 2019

The Lyric Hammersmith today announces the cast for the worldwide hit production of Ghost Stories, which runs 29 March – 11 May 2019. Written by Jeremy Dyson (The League of Gentleman) and Andy Nyman (Fiddler on the Roof, Derren Brown: Mind Control and Trick of the Mind) the show returns to the Lyric Hammersmith 9 years since its premiere in 2010. Also announced today are the Lyric’s new Friday Film Nights with four horror film screenings, especially chosen by Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson, shown in the Lyric’s intimate 54 seat cinema on Friday nights during the run of Ghost Stories.

The role of Professor Goodman is played by Simon Lipkin, whose theatre credits include the West End productions of Guys and Dolls playing opposite Rebel Wilson, Rock of Ages and Avenue Q, where he played the role of Nicky/Trekkie Monster in the original London cast. Playing Simon Rifkind is Preston Nyman, most recently known for his role in the mystery drama film Crooked House. Playing Mike Priddle is Richard Sutton, whose credits include The Cow Play at Brighton Theatre Festival and the world premiere of Chris O’Connell’s play Tall Phoenix (Belgrade Theatre). Playing Tony Matthews is Garry Cooper, whose credits include King Lear at the Old Vic and The Two Gentlemen of Verona at The Globe.

Following sell out shows, a West End transfer, productions in Shanghai, Australia, Canada, Europe and a smash hit film, the original terrifying live production is back. Experience Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s worldwide cult phenomenon in the theatre where it all began.

WARNING. Please be advised that Ghost Stories contains moments of extreme shock and tension. The show is unsuitable for anyone under the age of 15. We strongly advise those of a nervous disposition to think very seriously before attending.

Are you brave enough to book?

Friday Film Nights

As horror returns to Hammersmith, the Lyric presents ‘Friday Film Nights’ in the intimate and exclusive Lyric Cinema. Each film has been personally selected by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman to give audiences a rare opportunity to see these classic horror films. All tickets are £6 and for the true horror fan can be booked alongside a ticket for Ghost Stories.

Jeremy Dyson has chosen the 1980 cult classic The Fog, directed by John Carpenter, for Friday 12 April at 8:30pm, and 2013’s supernatural horror Mama, directed by Andy Mushietti, for Friday 26 April at 8:30pm. Andy Nyman has selected the 1975 Italian thriller-horror Deep Red, directed by Dario Argento, for Friday 19 April at 8:30pm and Japanese thriller Audition, directed by Takashi Miike for Friday 3 May at 8:30pm. Jeremy and Andy will provide introductions to each film explaining why these are some of their favourite horror films.

All tickets for Friday Film Nights are £6
Film & Theatre Combo Ticket: £35
(Buy a Band B Ghost Stories ticket for Friday performances at 7pm and on the same night a Friday Film Night ticket to receive the discount)

Tickets can be booked by calling 020 8741 6850 or at www.lyric.co.uk

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

JONATHAN MAITLAND’S

THE LAST TEMPTATION OF BORIS JOHNSON

Full casting has been announced for The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson, the new Brexit-inspired comedy drama from journalist, broadcaster and playwright Jonathan Maitland (An Audience with Jimmy Savile, Dead Sheep).  Directed by Lotte Wakeham (Artistic Director of the Octagon Theatre, Bolton), this world premiere will play at Park Theatre from 9 May to 8 June 2019

It was the dinner that changed history: the night in February 2016 when Boris Johnson decided to vote ‘leave’. Guests included fellow MP Michael Gove and his wife columnist Sarah Vine, media mogul Evgeny Lebedev, and, for Boris at least, the spirits of past Prime Ministers – Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill and Tony Blair.
Fast forward to post-Brexit Britain, 2029: a country divided.  Boris is back in the political wilderness and has ambitions to make Britain great again, but what are his true intentions?Navigating a career in politics and the media, Boris remains as divisive as ever and in an unexpected turn of events, soon finds himself mired once again in controversy.
Jonathan Maitland says of his play and protagonist “Boris Johnson is the perfect subject: compelling, colourful, deeply divisive, hugely influential. It was he, perhaps more than anyone, who changed the course of our recent history. Without him, Leave might well have lost in 2016.  And he might be our next Prime Minister. 
“But this play isn’t just about him. It’s about power: the lust for it and the cost of it. “It’s also the ultimate dramatic moving target, which makes it challenging to stage, but also, hopefully, entertaining, exciting and relevant for the audience. During the course of writing this play, things have become increasingly chaotic and unpredictable which is why we’ll be updating the script, nightly if necessary, to keep up with events.”
Leading the cast as Boris Johnson will be Will Barton.  Barton has played Boris before, in the 2017 BBC2 drama Theresa V Boris, and his most recent theatre credits include The Libertine at The Theatre Royal Haymarket, Toast at Park Theatre and in New York and Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’be at Theatre Royal Stratford East.  Also in the cast will be Dugald Bruce-Lockhart (a long-standing member and associate director of Edward Hall’s Propeller,  where roles included Henry V, Petruchio, Lysander and Olivia, and West End appearances include Freddie in The Deep Blue Sea and Bill Austin in Mamma Mia!) as Michael Gove, Davina Moon (London theatre credits include Yellow Face at Park Theatre and National Theatre, Privates On Parade at the Noël Coward, Annie Get Your Gun at the Young Vic, Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Bombay Dreams at the Apollo Victoria) as Marina Wheeler / Anita (Boris’s girlfriend), Steve Nallon (a founding member of Spitting Image, providing voices for Alan Bennett, David Attenborough, Margaret Thatcher, Roy Hattersley etc, and recent theatre roles includes Sir John Gielgud in In the Life at St James Theatre and Margaret Thatcher in Dead Sheep at Park Theatre and UK Tour) as Margaret Thatcher, Tim Wallers (Prince Andrew in The Windsors on Channel 4 and Netflix, An Ideal Husband at The Vaudeville Theatre, Travesties at The Menier Chocolate Factory and Apollo Theatre West End, and Dead Sheep at Park Theatre) as Evgeny Lebedev / Tony Blair / Huw Edwards and Arabella Weir (The Fast Show, Harry Enfield and Chums, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), Spooks, Posh Nosh, Skins, Drifters, Two Doors Down and Pure, all on TV, and her first two novels, Does My Bum Look Big In This? and Onwards and Upwards, were both international best sellers) as Sarah Vine / Chief Whip / Winston Churchill.
The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson will be directed by Lotte Wakeham, with set and costume design by Louie Whitemore, lighting design by Christopher Nairne and sound design by Andy Graham.

This project has been co-funded by Art50, a scheme commissioned by Sky Arts to explore the notion of British identity in the wake of Brexit.                                                                          

LISTINGS

9 May – 8 June 2019 

PARK200

Park Theatre

Clifton Terrace

Finsbury Park

London N4 3JP

020 7870 6876*

www.parktheatre.co.uk

Performances
Mon – Sat Evening 19:30*
Thu & Sat Matinees 15:00

*Mon 13 May 19:00

Prices*
Previews £18.50
Standard £18.50 – £32.50
Concessions £16.50 – £23.50

Child (Under 16) £15 – £20*
*Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.

Young Patrons
8 – 15 May
Tickets £10* T&Cs apply

Groups
Buy 10 tickets get the 11th free

*Telephone booking fee: 10% (capped at £2.50 per ticket)

Running Time

1hour 55 mins (including interval)

Recommended Age

14+

Please be advised there is strong language used. 

JASON DONOVAN

RETURNS TO THE WORLD FAMOUS LONDON PALLADIUM IN

Jason was the star of the iconic 1991 production

He returns to the stage this summer in the role of Pharaoh

Performances begin Thursday 27 June 2019

Today Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group are delighted to announce that Jason Donovan will return to the London Palladium in the new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to star as the Pharaoh.

Jason made his defining stage performance as the title character of Joseph in the 1990s, also at the London Palladium, in a sold-out 18-month run which produced a No.1 single and best-selling soundtrack album. It remains one of the most successful revivals of all time. Jason now returns to the show as Pharaoh, who rocks ‘Song of the King’ in the iconic musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, soon to be re-imagined in this brand new production.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will play a strictly limited 11-week season from Thursday 27 June 

Jason joins Sheridan Smith, with the double Olivier Award winning actress recently announced as The Narrator. Casting for the role of Joseph is to be announced soon.

Jason commented: “You never know the measure of a moment until it becomes a memory, and what a moment that was for me. Joseph was a ground breaker in 1991, and what a blast it will be to be back on the prestigious Palladium stage and be part of it all again with a brand new cast in this re-imagined 2019 production. I’m looking forward to breathing new life into Pharaoh and I’m so relieved he doesn’t wear a loin cloth!”

Jason became an international star with the role of Scott Robinson in Neighbours. The series went on to become one of the highest-rating shows in the UK, which led to Jason’s association and huge success with acclaimed producers, Stock, Aitken and Waterman. His debut album Ten Good Reasons was the biggest selling album of 1989, with career sales of 13 million albums and 4 UK No.1 singles.

Following his Olivier-nominated portrayal of Joseph, he has gone on to star in The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Priscilla, Annie Get Your Gun, The Sound of Music, The King’s Speech and Million Dollar Quartet. On television he has featured in I’m A Celebrity and Strictly Come Dancing, Who Do You Think You Are,ITV’s Superstar and Piers Morgan’s Life Stories. Jason also appeared in ITV’s drama Echo Beach and he continues to play sell-out tours across the country.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be directed by Laurence Connor (School of Rock Miss Saigon). Laurence will be joined on the creative team by Choreographer JoAnn M Hunter, Morgan Large who will design the set and costumes, Lighting Designer Ben Cracknell and Sound Designer Gareth Owen.

Released as a concept album in 1969,the stage version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has become one of the world’s most belovedfamily musicals. The multi-award-winning show, which began life as a small-scale school concert, has been performed hundreds of thousands of times including multiple runs in the West End and on Broadway, international number one tours, and productions in over 80 countries as far afield as Austria and Zimbabwe and from Israel to Peru! The show features songs that have gone on to become pop and musical theatre standards, including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me, Jacob and Sons, There’s One More Angel In Heaven and Go Go Go Joseph.

Told entirely through song with the help of the Narrator, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoatfollows the story of Jacob’s favourite son Joseph and his eleven brothers. After being sold into slavery by the brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled showman, the Pharaoh. As Joseph strives to resolve Egypt’s famine, he becomes Pharaoh’s right-hand man and eventually reunites with his family.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is produced by Michael Harrison.

For further information, please see www.josephthemusical.com

Savoy Theatre – 12th March 2019

Reviewed by Jessica Brady

3.5***

Who can utter the words 9 to 5 without thinking of the iconic Dolly Parton? Not I, so getting the opportunity to see the musical that has captured the hearts of Dolly fans worldwide was something not to be missed. Based on the 1980 film starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, this musical satire is true to the films characters and story with the added flare of an upbeat score. The story focuses on three women living in a male dominated world and the complications that come from working for a chauvinistic male boss.

We follow Violet Newstead (Caroline Sheen), an intelligent, hard working, single mom who has invested time and energy into the company she works for in the hopes of a well deserved promotion, Doralee Rhodes (Natalie McQueen) is an outgoing, beautiful and strong woman but is the talk of the office when it is assumed she is sleeping with the boss and finally the young and naive Judy Bernly (Amber Davies) who’s attempt to make it on her own without her cheating husband ‘Dick’ isn’t without its tears and challenges.

When the three ladies have reached the limit with their scumbag boss and his sexist behaviour , Franklin Hart Jnr (Brian Conley), they decide to take action by the way of kidnapping him from the office and gun point and hiding him in his own home and suspending him off the chandelier in full kinky bondage attire found from his bedroom.

The disappearance of Hart leaves his devoted and besotted assistant, Roz Keith (Bonnie Langford), at a loss and the three women get the opportunity to run the company how they see fit with Violet taking on the role of CEO.

The themes in the show are a little dated now and that is very evident with the book and the feeble attempts at modernising it with Trump references and Conley doing the ‘Floss’ at one point. I think there are much stronger representatives of female empowerment in theatre now and the honest truth is the three women as characters are very black and white. Having said that, its stories like 9 to 5 that have paved the way for the developments in women’s rights and equality, it could be argued in a way watching the show could be considered a celebration of the fact that we have come a long way since the 80’s but still have a way to go.

The show has some nice moments throughout but overall is just going through the motions (or so it looked like). Bonnie Langford as Roz is a perfect casting choice as she gives us showbiz, glamour and comedy all in one song- Hart to Hart. Langford is hilarious and I was left wanting more when her bits were over! The main reason to go and see 9 to 5 is for Natalie McQueen as Doralee. McQueen had the task of taking on the role originated by Dolly Parton herself and she does it with complete ease and gives you everything you expect and more. Her comic timing is perfect and her vocals never fail to amaze me, a true show stealer and Dolly should be proud to have her as part of her legacy.

Aside from Bonnie Langford and Natalie McQueen stealing the show with every seen they were in, the rest of the cast don’t quite match up to them. Brian Conley is a good sport by being suspended for the majority of the show on wires in very little clothing and a ball gag and he has fantastic comic timing but I had a hard time understanding what he was saying at points as his diction was not clear enough with the accent! Amber Davies does a decent job with Judy but her characters growth in the story is not made explicit through her performance but she does give us a great rendition of Get out and Stay Out which is the highlight for her. Caroline Sheen is great as Violet and her big standout number One of the Boys is really impressive and full of sass!

The ensemble is pretty lacklustre and heavily reliant on a click track to support their vocals. The effort with the choreography is good but it isn’t massively complicated and they seem to be more like stage hands with the amount of set moving that goes on involving them.

Overall there are some good numbers in the score and a few giggles throughout but I don’t know if the Savoy is the right venue for this production as it doesn’t quite match up the previous calibre of the shows before it, however it will be a hit amongst the Dolly Parton fans and with some digital cameos from the Queen of Country Music herself, it’s a bit of fun and a chance for you to sing along with those famous lyrics

New Victoria, Woking – until 16 March 2019

Reviewed by Isobel Glassar

4****

Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing one of the top computer-animated adventure comedy films Madagascar , now Madagascar the Musical, at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking. It was performed brilliantly, the actors put all their effort into their characters and it paid off, it was such a pleasure to watch. The theatre production followed the story line of the children’s film very well, the set design was brilliant, and everything flowed throughout the production when moving from one location to the next.

At first I was sceptical about the use of puppets in the production to play some of the characters, but they were so well made, and the actors really made them come to life on stage. They were brilliant for bringing that comedic side of the production to light, what also impressed me was the actors handling the puppets, they did such a great job at becoming the puppet that half the time you never even noticed the person standing behind it! The costumes were just fantastic, they did an excellent job on bringing these characters to life on stage.

Unfortunately Matt Terry wasn’t able to play Alex that night, so they had Brandon Gale step in. I was not disappointed, he did absolutely brilliantly. He had the charisma and cockiness of Alex the Lion that you would expect, and really flowed well with the other cast members, he was truly a joy to watch. The actor Antoine Murray – Straughan, who played Marty the Zebra honestly surprised me, Marty is a huge character in the production and you have the comedic expectations of Chris Rock, but he did such a fantastic job, he even sounded just like the character from the films, which added a sense of familiarity to the character. He managed to land every joke and honestly did amazing having to dance in that costume, it was quite impressive. He was definitely one of the stars of the show! The actress, Timmika Ramsay who played the character Gloria the hippo did an amazing job portraying the sassy and loveable female of the production and blew me away with her singing voice, I was also impressed on how she managed to do the production in that big costume, she made it seem effortless, and she was really a joy to watch. The actor, Jamie – Lee Morgan that played the character Melvin was extremely impressive, he managed to do the part amazingly, and all while controlling the head of the giraffe. He did well controlling the puppet, half the time I forgot there was actually someone in the suit! Melvin’s comedy was played very well, he did a brilliant job of playing the nervous, cautious character and the comedic spin just made him loveable. And last, but definitely not least the actor, Jo Parsons that played King Julian was fantastic! He really made the production upbeat and fun for all, he managed to bring the self-loving funny lemur to life on stage. He appealed to both the kids and the adults in the audience, he got people up and dancing and singing along. I have to admit his jokes brought me to the brink of tears, he landed them so well, and it was such a fantastic casting.

I definitely encourage you to go see this performance, whether you bring your children or just an evening out with a friend, it is honestly a joy to watch for all! You won’t find a production quite like this one, the actors, set and costume design was undeniably brilliant. If you ever want an evening for the kids, I recommend it tremendously.

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE UK PREMIERE OF NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD™ LIVE 
 

• NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD™ LIVE ANNOUNCES ASHLEY SAMUELS, JENNIFER HARDING, MARC PICKERING, MARI MCGINLAY, MIKE BODIE AND TAMA PHETHEAN IN THE NEW STAGE PRODUCTION BASED ON GEORGE A. ROMERO’S 1968 CULT HORROR FILM

• THE ONLY STAGE ADAPTATION OFFICIALLY AUTHORISED BY THE ROMERO ESTATE, RUNNING AT PLEASANCE, LONDON, FROM 9 APRIL – 19 MAY 2019, PRESENTED BY ARIA ENTERTAINMENT AND SENBLA
   
• THE PRODUCTION PLAYS HOMAGE TO THE 1968 FILM WITH A MONOCHROME SET AND DESIGN AND OFFERS AUDIENCES SEATING OPTIONS IN THE ‘SPLATTER ZONES’ OR ‘SUPPOSEDLY SAFE ZONES’

Casting is announced today for Night of the Living Dead™ Live, the first ever UK stage adaptation and the only officially authorised production based on George A. Romero’s cult zombie classic. The production, directed by Benji Sperring (The Toxic Avenger: The Musical; Shock Treatment, Valley Of Song) will come to life at Pleasance, London from 9 April to 19 May 2019. 

The production stars Ashley Samuels (Ben), recently seen in Fun Home at the Young Vic andMotown the Musical in the West End, in the iconic role of the protagonist, with Jennifer Harding (Helen/Judy) who was named Hello Magazine’s Rising Star of 2018 and received multi-award nominations for her role in The Clockmaker’s Daughter, Marc Pickering  (Harry) best known for playing the young Sheriff Enoch Thompson in Sky Atlantic’s Boardwalk Empire, Mari McGinlay (Barbra) winner of the Young Scottish Musical Theatre Performer of the Year Award,Mike Bodie (Chief McClelland) who has starred in The Comedy About a Bank Robbery and is a creator and founding member of Mischief Theatre, and Tama Phethean (Tom) previously seen at The Globe in The Great Duke of Florence and The False One.

1960s, rural Pennsylvania. Six strangers, a lonely farmhouse, surrounded by zombies – what could possibly go wrong? Who will make it out alive?

This new adaptation of Night of the Living Dead™ will be played out on a monochrome set paying homage to the 1968 classic and featuring all the iconic scenes along with an entirely new journey for the beloved characters from the farmhouse in the second act. A loving, comedic tribute to the world-renowned zombie film, this production skirts the line between the horrific and the hysterical, culminating in a frightening and funny night out. Audiences can choose to get amongst the gore in one of the special ‘Splatter Zones’ or those who prefer to keep zombies at arm’s length can opt for seating in the ‘Supposedly Safe Zones’.  

Night of the Living Dead™ Live had its world premiere in Toronto in 2013 and is the only officially authorised stage production endorsed by the Romero Estate which will come to the UK for the first time this spring.

First seen in 1968, Night of the Living Dead™ is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and influential releases of all time. Previously dominated by Hammer horror, George A. Romeroradically redefined the genre of the modern horror film introducing zombies as a social construct in his seminal 1968 movie. His influence is still felt today spawning countless zombie films and series such as Sean of the Dead and The Walking Dead. Now, more than 50 years on, the story of Night of the Living Dead™ remains as relevant as ever through its exploration of race, class division and America’s national identity.

Night of the Living Dead™ Live, based on the film by George A. Romero, is co-produced by award-winning producer Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Ollie Rosenblatt forSenbla by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd. It is written by Christopher Bond, Dale Boyer and Trevor Martin and created by Christopher Harrison and Phil Pattison.  The production is directed by Benji Sperring, designed by Diego Pitarch with lighting design byNic Farman, soundscape design by Samuel West and casting by Jane Deitch. 

Tickets on sale at www.LivingDeadLondon.com

LISTINGS

Aria Entertainment and Senbla, by special arrangement with Samuel French, present
George A. Romero’s
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD™ LIVE!
Written by Christopher Bond, Dale Boyer and Trevor Martin
Created by Christopher Harrison and Phil Pattison 
Directed by Benji Sperring
Designed by Diego Pitarch
Lighting Design by Nic Farman
Soundscape Design by Samuel West
Casting by Jane Deitch

Pleasance, London
Carpenters Mews, North Road, London N7 9EF

First Performance: 9 April 2019
Final Performance: 19 May 2019
Performances: Tuesday to Saturday 7.30pm, matinees Thursday & Saturday 2.30pm and Sunday, 5pm.

Box Office details 
Website: www.LivingDeadLondon.com
Tel: 020 7609 1800
Prices from £15

Twitter: @LivingDeadLDN
Facebook: @LivingDeadLondon
Instagram: @LivingDeadLDN
#LivingDeadLondon

NEW CAST BEGIN REHEARSALS FOR WEST END PRODUCTION OF

HARRY   POTTER   AND   THE   CURSED   CHILD

PARTS ONE AND TWO

WWW.HARRYPOTTERTHEPLAY.COM

Rehearsals began this week for the fourth West End cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child who will start performances at the Palace Theatre in London on 22 May 2019 following the final performance from the current cast on 19 May 2019

Joining the company are Michelle Gayle as Hermione Granger, Rayxia Ojo as her daughter Rose Granger-Weasley and Dominic Short as Albus Potter.  Continuing company members include Jamie Ballard as Harry Potter, Susie Trayling as Ginny Potter, Thomas Aldridge as Ron Weasley, James Howard as Draco Malfoy and Jonathan Case as his son Scorpius Malfoy. 

They are joined by cast members Lola Adaja, David Annen, Valerie Antwi, Emma Bown,Adrian Christopher, Craig Connolly, Robert Curtis, Tim Dewberry, Rachelle Diedericks,Blythe Duff, Antony Eden, Jim Fish, Thomas Gilbey, Elliot Grihault, Rosie Hilal, Joseph Horsford, Mia Hudson, William Lawlor, Susan Lawson-Reynolds, Ronnie Lee, Ryan J Mackay, Lucy Mangan, David Mara, Barry McCarthy, Marcus McKinlay, Kathryn Meisle,Gordon Millar, Duncan Shelton, Molly Shenker, Luke Sumner,  Mark Theodore,  Emma-May Uden, Madeleine Walker and Maddy Yates who complete the 42-strong company playing a variety of characters, including seven children who will alternate two roles. 

New tickets for the West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will next be released on 2 April 2019 for performances at the Palace Theatre until 19 January 2020.  Tickets are priced from £15 per part, and for every performance there are over 300 tickets at £20 or less per part. 

The most awarded new play in theatre history, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has won 24 major theatre awards in the UK and is the most awarded play in the history of the Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking nine awards including Best New Play.  The production has also won 25 major US awards with six Tony Awards including Best Play.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, one play presented in two parts, is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage.  The critically acclaimed production received its world premiere in July 2016 at the Palace Theatre in London.  It is also now playing at the Lyric Theatre on Broadway and at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre in Australia.  A further North American production will open at San Francisco’s Curran in autumn 2019 and, in spring 2020, a German language version of the play – marking its first non-English language production – will open at the Mehr! Theater am Großmarkt in Hamburg, Germany.

Details of all productions of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child can be found atHarryPotterthePlay.com

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany with movement bySteven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison,music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe, and casting by Julia Horan CDG.

The Music of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, an album of music from the internationally acclaimed stage production, is now available in stores as well as digitally, released by Sony Music Masterworks. The Music of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is written, composed, performed and recorded by Grammy and Ivor Novello Award-winner Imogen Heap. It is presented as four contemporary musical suites, each showcasing one of the play’s theatrical acts.  This unique new album format from Imogen Heap chronologically features the music heard in the stage production, further reworked to transport listeners on a sonic journey through the world of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.  For more information, visit HarryPotterthePlay.com/uk/music/.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.

The regular performance schedule is as follows – Monday – no performance, Tuesday – no performance, Wednesday – 2pm Part One & 7.30pm Part Two, Thursday – 7.30pm Part One, Friday – 7.30pm Part Two, Saturday – 2pm Part One & 7.30pm Part Two, Sunday – 1pm Part One & 6.30pm Part Two. 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has partnered with TodayTix for The Friday Forty,the production’s Lottery for Patrons to apply for some of the very best seats in the theatre priced at £40 (£20 per part) which will secure a seat for both Part One and Part Two on consecutive performances.  Patrons can enter any time from 12.01am every Monday, through to 1pm that Friday, when entries will close. Winners will be notified between 1pm and 5pm that day, and have the opportunity to purchase up to two tickets for both Part One and Part Two on consecutive performances the following week.  For further details and to enter The FridayForty, visit the official website HarryPotterthePlay.com/uk/the-friday-forty/ or download the TodayTix app foriOS orAndroid. The Friday Forty is operated by TodayTix. 

Returned and other late-release tickets may also become available at short notice. Any tickets that do become available will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis, online or in person at the Palace Theatre Box Office.

Details of any other ticket releases will continue to be listed on the official Harry Potter and the Cursed Child website, social media channels and the official newsletter.   

Kathryn Meisle is appearing with the support of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and UK Equity.

Box Office – 0330 333 4813

HarryPotterthePlay.com                          

@HPPlayLDN

Facebook.com/HPPlayLDN

instagram.com/hpplayldn

Pottermore.com

LEGENDARY MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA

COMES TO CHESTER IN SEPTEMBER

★★★★★

“Fresh, subversive, essential”

Daily Telegraph

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Iconic musical Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show is coming to Storyhouse in Chester this Autumn – and tickets are on sale now.

Since it first opened in London in June 1973 at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, The Rocky Horror Show has become the world’s favourite rock ‘n’ roll musical, having been performed worldwide for 45 years in more than 30 countries and translated into over 20 languages.

This critically acclaimed stunning new production is now back by public demand and will tour the UK until November 2019.

The Rocky Horror Show comes to Storyhouse from Monday 16 September to Saturday 21 September 2019 for eight performances only, including early evening shows on Friday and Saturday at 5.30pm.

Cast playing the roles of The Narrator, Frank, Janet and Brad at Storyhouse will be announced shortly.

Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the smash hit show features all of the famous musical numbers which have made The Rocky Horror Show such a huge hit for over four decades, including Sweet Transvestite, Science Fiction/Double Feature, Dammit Janet and, of course, the timeless floor-filler The Time-Warp.

The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank ‘n’ Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their favourite college professor. It’s an adventure they’ll never forget with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity – bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits.

The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which famously combines science fiction, horror, comedy and music, while encouraging audience participation – which means audience members getting dressed in the most outrageous fancy dress.

The Rocky Horror Show first began life in 1973 before an audience of just 63 people in the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs.  It was an immediate success and transferred to the Chelsea Classic Cinema, before going on to run at the Kings Road Theatre (1973-79) and the Comedy Theatre in the West End (1979-80).

In 1975 it was transformed into a film called The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This film adaptation took over $135 million and is still shown in cinemas around the world more than 40 years after its premiere, making it the longest running theatrical release in cinema history.

Many stars including Russell Crowe, Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Jerry Springer, Jason Donovan, and Meatloaf have appeared in The Rocky Horror Show over the past 45 years.

In 2015, as part of a sold-out season at London’s Playhouse Theatre, a special star-studded gala charity performance in aid of Amnesty International was broadcast to over 600 cinemas across the UK and Europe. The live screening featured a host of celebrities playing The Narrator, including Stephen Fry, Mel Giedroyc, Emma Bunton, Ade Edmondson, Anthony Head and Richard O’Brien – it smashed box office records and was the biggest grossing film in cinemas across the UK. The performance was subsequently screened on the Sky Arts channel.

Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, The Rocky Horror Show is the boldest bash of them all. But be warned, this show has rude parts!

Tickets for The Rocky Horror Show are priced between £15.50 and £46.50. 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.

The online version of the Storyhouse spring season 2019 brochure can be viewed by visitinghttps://issuu.com/storyhouselive/docs/storyhouse_spring_19

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY ABOUT THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

‘Panto for grown-ups – colourful, in your face,

relentlessly energetic and high on audience participation’

The Times

‘Hard to think of another musical quite as unique as this. Christopher Luscombe’s affectionate production feels like a genuine blast from the past’

Mail on Sunday

‘As delightfully naughty as ever!’

Daily Telegraph

‘So fast, so funny, so sexy’

Daily Mail

‘Still the sexiest and funniest show in town’

Evening Standard

Website:         www.rockyhorror.co.uk

Twitter:           @rockyhorroruk

Facebook:       /rockyhorrorshow

LISTING INFORMATION

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Monday 16 September 2019 – Saturday 21 September 2019

STORYHOUSE

Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

Monday 16 September 2019 at 8pm

Tuesday 17 September 2019 at 8pm

Wednesday 18 September 2019 at 8pm

Thursday 19 September 2019 at 8pm

Friday 20 September 2019 at 5.30pm

Friday 20 September 2019 at 8.30pm

Saturday 21 September 2019 at 5.30pm

Saturday 21 September 2019 at 8.30pm

Duration: 2 hours including interval

Suitable for aged 14 upwards

Tickets: £15.50 – £46.50 (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

Website:         www.storyhouse.com

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/storyhouselive/

Twitter:           @StoryhouseLive

Kinky Boots struts into Birmingham Bullring
and Grand Central

Donned, with knee-high boots, rhinestones and plenty of sparkle, cast members of the smash-hit musical Kinky Boots left shoppers in Birmingham’s Bullring and Grand Central head-over-heels as they brought the windows of Irregular Choice to glittering life.

Posing as living mannequins, the ‘Angels’ surprised passers-by as the shop windows burst to life with a rainbow of colour thanks to some of the spectacular boots, shoes and costumes featured in the award-winning production.

Currently playing at Birmingham Hippodrome until 23 March, Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie Price, a young man struggling to live up to his father’s expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son. With the shoe factory’s future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola – a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos.

Kinky Boots was nominated for 7 Olivier Awards during its West End run and won the award for ‘Best New Musical’. The production has now won every major Best Musical award across the globe and was seen by over 1.4 million people during its time in London alone.

Kinky Boots runs at Birmingham Hippodrome until Sat 23 March. To book tickets visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).