By Jordan Belfort Adapted and Directed by Alexander Wright
WORLD PREMIERE IMMERSIVE PRODUCTION OF THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, BASED ON JORDAN BELFORT’S INFAMOUS MEMOIR, AS MADE FAMOUS BY THE OSCAR-WINNING MOVIE BY MARTIN SCORSESE STARRING LEONARDO DICAPRIO, TO OPEN IN CENTRAL LONDON IN SEPTEMBER 2019
FROM THE TEAM BEHIND THE GREAT GATSBY, THE UK’S LONGEST RUNNING IMMERSIVE SHOW
The Wolf of Wall Street is coming to London in a brand new immersive production based on the memoir of the infamous ‘90s New York stockbroker Jordan Belfort, as depicted by Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie of the same name by Martin Scorsese. The world premiere production will plunge audiences into a world of greed, power and excess, bringing to life the highs and lows of Jordan Belfort’s millionaire lifestyle in a night of Class A entertainment. Adapted and directed byAlexander Wright (The Great Gatsby), the show will preview in a central London location, from 5 September 2019. Further casting and venue details will be announced in due course.
Jordan Belfort. Stock-market millionaire at 26. Federal convict at 36. By day he made thousands of dollars a minute. By night he spent it as fast as he could.
Stratton Oakmont is hiring. The FBI is closing in. You’re either with him or you’re against him.
Jordan Belfort, The Wolf of Wall Street, said: “You’ve read the book, you’ve seen the film, now you can experience The Wolf of Wall Street in person. It’s going to be the greatest f**king show you’ve ever seen. Get your fun coupons now.”
Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook of Stratton Oakmont Productions Ltd, said: “The Wolf of Wall Street is a fascinating account of the extremes of capitalism and hedonistic behaviour and how obsession with money can bring humanity to its knees. Creating this show in an immersive format is mind blowing – there’s no better way to tell this story. We’re building a world over four storeys in central London featuring iconic 1990s’ New York, trader schemes and even supercars. You’ll be able to eat in our restaurant, drink in our bars, trade with Jordan, or work for the FBI. Our guests can expect the outrageous, the spectacular and the downright ridiculous.”
The Wolf of Wall Street is presented by Stratton Oakmont ProductionsLtd and comes from the minds behind The Great Gatsby – the longest-ever running immersive show in the UK which continues an open-ended run in London Bridge, as well as playing in other cities across Europe. Producers Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook’s current shows also include Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical in the West End and Amelie The Musical (UK Tour).The Wolf of Wall Street is adapted and directed by Alexander Wright.
Tim Firth, Gary Barlow and the cast of Calendar Girls The Musical
Tim Firth and Gary Barlow’s Calendar Girls the Musical will reveal all when it comes toBirmingham Hippodrome for the very first time from Tuesday 28 May –Saturday 8 June 2019.
Leading the cast is beloved star of stage and screen, Lesley Joseph. Although perhaps best known for playing Dorien Green in the ITV sitcom Birds of a Feather, alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson, Lesley has a wealth of theatrical experience to her credit. Most recently she starred as Frau Blücher in Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein at the Garrick Theatre, a role which earned her an Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.
Lesley Joseph is joined by Sarah Jane Buckley (Blood Brothers and Hollyoaks) as Annie,Sue Devaney (Dinnerladies, Casualty, Coronation Street, Mamma Mia!) as Cora, Julia Hills(Broadchurch, The Archers) as Ruth, Judy Holt (Cold Feet, Scott & Bailey) as Marie andLisa Maxwell (Loose Women, Hollyoaks, The Bill) as Celia and Rebecca Storm (Evita, Les Miserables, Chess) as Chris.
Calendar Girls The Musical is inspired by the true story of a group of ladies, who decide to appear nude for a Women’s Institute calendar in order to raise funds to buy a settee for their local hospital, in memory of one of their husbands, and have to date raised almost £5million for Bloodwise. This musical comedy shows life in their Yorkshire village, how it happened, the effect on husbands, sons and daughters, and how a group of ordinary ladies achieved something extraordinary.
Gary Barlow and Tim Firth grew up in the same village in the North of England and have been friends for 25 years. With Take That, Gary has written and co-written 14 number one singles, has sold over 50 million records worldwide and is a six times Ivor Novello Award winner. Tim has won the Olivier Award and UK Theatre Award for Best New Musical, and the British Comedy Awards Best Comedy Film for Calendar Girls.
The cast also includes Phil Corbitt as John, Ian Mercer as Rod, Sebastian Aberneri as Colin, Alan Stocks as Denis, Pauline Daniels as Lady Cravenshire, Ellie Leah as Miss Wilson, Danny Howker as Danny, Isabel Caswell as Jenny and Tyler Dobbs as Tommo.
Calendar Girls the Musical comes to Birmingham Hippodrome for the very first time fromTuesday 28 May –Saturday 8 June 2019, for tickets visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).
WINNER OF PETER HALL EMERGING ARTISTS FELLOWSHIP FAY LOMAS DIRECTS OUT OF THE DARK
Rose Theatre Kingston presents
Out of the Dark
By Suzy Gill
Directed by Fay Lomas
30 October 2019 – 2 November 2019
With the critically acclaimedCaptain Corelli’s Mandolincurrently running, Rose Theatre Kingston today announce Out of the Dark, a debut play written by Suzy Gill. Fay Lomas, winner of the 2019 Peter Hall Emerging Artist Fellowship, an annual award introduced to commemorate the legacy of Sir Peter Hall,directs.Out of the Dark opens at the Rose Studio on Wednesday 30 October and runs until Saturday 2 November 2019.
There’s the space that’s all around us — enclosing the Earth, full of galaxies, moonbeams and meteors, planets and probably other life forms. And then there’s the space inside Lily’s head. Where the matter simply stopped forming.
Lily. He. And She. A fledgling family. A family who are suddenly faced with the unexpected, when, at 6 months, Lily is diagnosed with a rare neurological condition with potentially life-changing consequences.
Out of the Dark is a lyrical, honest and tender exploration of their family life as they begin tentatively to orbit the struggles and triumphs that come following the discovery that Lily’s brain did not quite form the way that He and She anticipated.
Fay Lomas said today, ‘I’m really excited to be able to bring Suzy’s deeply moving and human story to life at the Rose this autumn. Suzy is an extraordinary wordsmith, and her play takes its audience on a journey that moves between minds and meteors in the blink of an eye. Our collaboration on this play started at a workshop (with the company Scene Gym) back in early 2018. So we’re both delighted that the Rose’s invaluable support has meant we can now share this work with a public audience in Kingston.’
Alongside Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, which embarks on a UK tour until 29 June, this year the Rose also present their annual Christmas production The Snow Queen, adapted and directed by Ciaran McConville. In addition, they welcome visiting productions including The Lovely Bones; Posh; smash hit musical Six and parody musicalFriendsical. For family theatre, Julia Donaldson’s and Alex Scheffler’s The Gruffalo and Tabby McTat return along with a new version of Kes Gray and Jim Field’s Oi Frog!
Fay Lomas is an emerging theatre director working across the Midlands and London. Her directing credits include The Crucible (Royal & Derngate Northampton Community Company), The Winter’s Tale (St Peter’s Church, Northampton), Bérénice (The Space) and Blood Wedding (The Bread and Roses). In addition, she has directed new, short plays at Arcola Theatre, Theatre503 and Southwark Playhouse. As an assistant director her credits include The Model Apartment (Ustinov Studio), Macbeth (National Theatre/UK tour), Trouble in Mind (Print Room), Death of a Salesman (Royal & Derngate Northampton/UK tour), Great Expectations (Royal & Derngate Northampton), Annie Get Your Gun (Sheffield Theatres) and Half Life (Theatre Royal Bath).
Suzy Gill is an actress, poet and playwright based in London. She graduated from the University of East Anglia in 2011. Extracts of her writing have been produced by Pint-Sized Plays, (First Time, The Bunker), SLAM King’s Cross (The Fox) and at the Old Red Lion (Twilight Zone). She regularly performs and produces Spoken Word nights across London. These have included; Hollaback (Theatre N16), SLAMinutes (The Arcola), and the post-show event for Collective Rage at the Southwark Playhouse. Her spoken word poem, Systematic Problems went viral after it was published by the Huffington Post and publicised by BBC3.
Directed by Trevor Nunn; Designer: Jon Bausor; Lighting Designer: Tim Lutkin
Sound Designer: Gregory Clarke; Musical Supervisor/Director: Tom Murray
12 July – 14 September 2019
With The Bay at Nice currently running at the Menier and Fiddler on the Roofplaying at the Playhouse Theatre, the Menier Chocolate Factory today announces the European première of the musical of Robert James Waller’s bestselling novel The Bridges of Madison County in a new staging by Trevor Nunn. The production opens on 23 July, with previews from 12 July, and runs until 14 September. Booking opens for supporters of the Menier today – 7 May, with public booking on 13 May at 9am.
Francesca is an Italian immigrant housewife living a happy existence on a farm in the American Midwest. However, when her family go off to the Iowa State Fair, she meets Robert Kincaid, a National Geographic photographer on assignment filming bridges in the area. Their initial friendship develops into a brief but passionate affair which has devastating consequences on all of their lives.
Winner of the Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations, this is one of Jason Robert Brown’smost ravishing and unforgettable shows.
The productionsees Trevor Nunn renew his collaboration with the Menier – he previously directed Fiddler on the Roof (currently running at the Playhouse Theatre),Lettice and Lovage, Love in Idleness (also West End), A Little Night Music (also West End and Broadway) and Aspects of Love for the company.
Marsha Norman is a playwright and screenwriter. Her theatre credits include Master Butcher’s Singing Club, Third and Oak: The Laundromat, Night, Mother – Pulitzer Prize Winner for Drama, The Secret Garden – Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical, The Red Shoes, The Color Purple, Getting Out, The Pool Hall, The Holdup, Traveler in the Dark, Sarah and Abraham, Loving Daniel Boone, Trudy Blue and Last Dance. Her television credits include In Treatment; and for film, Night, Mother, Face of a Stranger, A Cooler Climate, Custody of the Heart and The Audrey Hepburn Story.
Jason Robert Brown is a three-time Tony Award winning composer and lyricist. His theatre credits include 13,The Last Five Years – which was also adapted into a film in 2015 starring Anna Kendrick, Parade – which won a Tony Award for Best Score, Honeymoon in Vegas, Songs for a New World and Urban Cowboy – which he co-wrote with Jeff Blumenkrantz.
From 1968 to 1986, Trevor Nunn was the youngest ever Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, directing over thirty productions, including most of the Shakespeare canon, as well as Nicholas Nickleby and Les Misérables. From 1997 to 2003, he was Artistic Director of the National Theatre, where his productions included Troilus and Cressida, Oklahoma!, The Merchant of Venice, Summerfolk, My Fair Lady, A Streetcar Named Desire, Anything Goes and Love’s Labour’s Lost. He has directed the world premières of Tom Stoppard’s plays Arcadia, The Coast of Utopia and Rock n Roll; and of Cats, Sunset Boulevard, Starlight Express and Aspects of Love by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Other theatre includes Timon of Athens, Skellig (Young Vic); The Lady From The Sea (Almeida Theatre); Hamlet, Richard II, Inherit the Wind (The Old Vic), A Little Night Music (Menier Chocolate Factory, West End and Broadway), Cyrano de Bergerac, Kiss Me Kate (Chichester Festival Theatre); Heartbreak House, Flare Path, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, The Tempest (Theatre Royal, Haymarket); Scenes from a Marriage (Coventry & St James), All That Fall (Jermyn Street & New York); A Chorus of Disapproval and Relative Values (West End). Work for television includes Antony and Cleopatra, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, Three Sisters, Othello, The Merchant of Venice and King Lear, and on film, Hedda, Lady Janeand Twelfth Night.
This production is produced in association Michael Harrison and David Ian.
Listings Information The Bridges of Madison County
Booking opens for supporters of the Menier on 7 May, with public booking on 13 May
Venue: Menier Chocolate Factory
Address: 53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU
Press performance: 23 July at 8pm
Dates: 12 July – 14 September 2019
Times: For the performance schedule, please see the website
Box Office: 020 7378 1713 (£2.50 transaction fee per booking)
For Christmas and New Year just gone, my husband and I had the holiday of a lifetime, we went cruising. Setting off from Southampton on the QM2, we went across to New York before jumping ship and hopping onto another around the Caribbean, then back on to the QM2. On getting back onboard the QM2, all the chatter was about how great The Barricade Boys were, who had performed the night before, I was gutted that I had missed their performance by one night. To my delight I then found out that they were coming to York and I would be given the opportunity to see them, and it was a delight.
Local boy Scott Garnham co-founded the group with Simon Schofield several years ago to showcase the male voices from the musical Les Misérables. Since then they have travelled all over the world and are frequently performing on cruise ships, of which the standard of entertainment on some are superb, I have been on a few so have first-hand experience. The Barricade Boys consist of four members, which can and do change. For this performance I got to see Scott and Simon, accompanied by Kieran Brown and Dougie Carter.
Hitting the stage with a live four-piece band in place, the boys looked very dapper and slick and straight away we were treated to I Dreamed a Dream. At this stage I must admit I was not convinced, they all have such powerful voices, but the sound was a bit distorted, maybe the acoustics weren’t quite right for this size of theatre, for this particular tune, I’m no expert. I’m glad to say this was not an issue for the rest of the performance, the complete opposite in fact.
We were treated to a bit of Blues Brothers, before the boys were joined on stage by Kirkham Henry Performing Arts Choir, which Scott is an alumni of, to perform A Million Dreams from the Greatest Showman. What followed was a mixture of Motown, Reach Out being a favourite of mine, used to listen to this on my mum’s vinyl when I was growing up, to rock, pop, ballads, you name it this show had it. One poignant moment was the dedication to the Armed Forces with Bring Him Home from Les Misérables which bought a cheer from the audience. Hit close to home that one, I have been a “wife of” a soldier for many years and have been left at home many a time whilst he was away on operations.
The show was awash with highlights but I must mention the tribute to the Jersey Boys and Simon with his falsetto, plus another favourite of mine, My Eyes Adore You, a song I only came to know after the release of the Jersey Boys film. This was not the best bit of the show, no way, that came towards the end, in the form of Bohemian Rhapsody. The boys, and band, led by the very talented James Doughty, literally blew my socks off, it was absolutely fantastic, I cannot express how good it was. I was straight on my feet and it thoroughly deserved the standing ovation it received. They sang the song in its entirety and did justice to the name of Queen and Freddie Mercury. I saw Queen perform about 18 months ago, best concert I have ever been to, and they would have been an excellent addition to an already fab show. Now that’s a suggestion, how about the boys performing with Queen?
All four had incredible voices, harmonising beautifully with each other, their personalities shining through. The camaraderie, fun on stage was fantastic, so infectious to watch, by a talented group of performers. A great evening full of Uptown Funk and flossing, Oh what a night!!
Fluffy Top Productions take a light-hearted look at the highs and lows of parenthood, charting the struggles from pregnancy to parenting stroppy teenagers. Writers Emily and Pete Moody find the comedy in every stage of journey, and their songs are catchy and insightful.
The cast of nine, all wearing bright T-shirts that are familiar to any adult who’s had to sit through children’s shows, are energetic and talented, although they were poorly served by the sound balance in the church as many audience members couldn’t hear the clever lyrics over the music.
There are some sketches in between the songs that link in with the stage of parenthood the revue has reached, and these are a little hit and miss. The characters and situations are instantly recognisable, from the natural birthing zealot to school gate parents and the insane pressure and oneupmanship of young children’s birthday parties. There is also a brilliantly observed piece about translating what teachers REALLY mean in school reports.
The revue is generally well-paced but slightly overlong, with the first few songs of act two feeling like they should be grouped with those from act one as there is a big jump to parenting older children halfway through the act. I understand why the writers wanted to show the complete story of raising children right up to adulthood, but as funny as the teenage songs are, I can’t help but think that the show would be more satisfying if it was more of a Parenthood – Part 1 and ended pre-teen years, or cut some of the songs in act one to even the show out a little. A bit of a Sophie’s Choice for the writers there. Although the grandparents’ gleeful song about karma should definitely stay in!
Full of upbeat, funny songs and some very witty sketches, Parenthood has the makings of an excellent show with a few tweaks and trims. A fun and relatable night out.
When your best friend’s dream is to sing in Les Misérables in the West End, you’d do all you can to help them succeed. For Peter Tourette, things get a little complicated as his best friend is Alex, a goldfish.
Peter and Alex share the story of their brush with fame in Tice Oakfield’s bonkers comedy. Scientist Peter’s failed experiments resulted in the creation of Alex – a talking goldfish with the brain of a genius who develops a love for musical theatre, and a magnificent baritone voice, although his short-term memory isn’t improved. As Peter helps Alex find an agent, the pair’s relationship has its ups and downs with betrayal and redemption crammed in for the ultimate cheesy and hilarious dramatic arc. The pair don’t have the rights to the songs Alex used, so new, funnier versions are performed brilliantly instead.
Tice Oakfield plays Alex, in a costume that is genius in its simplicity. If there was a Bafta for fin acting, Oakfield deserves it – he keeps the audience in fits of giggles with his expressive fin work and has a voice to die for. Leo Elso also impresses as Peter with some delightfully awkward dancing around Alex’s aquarium – the chemistry between man and fish is fantastic.
This is theatre at its silliest, The Astonishing Singing Fish! is uplifting nonsense of the highest quality, an energetic and uplifting festival of the ridiculous that will leave only the coldest of fish with a straight face.
The artists of the National Theatre’s hit production of Stephen Sondeheim and James Goldman’s Follies look back on their lives and careers, performing the songs that define their most memorable and special moments
Directed by Josh Seymour. Musical Director Stefan Bednarczyk
The Spiegeltent, Underbelly Festival Southbank, 13 – 16 May, 9.30pm.
On Reflection follows in the footsteps of a hugely successful National Theatre run of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman’s iconic Follies in 2017 and 2019. It’s a not to be missed, must see theatrical event.
Underbelly directors Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood said, “We could not be more delighted to welcome the cast of Follies to Underbelly Festival Southbank, only a stone’s throw from the National Theatre. The Spiegeltent offers a unique, intimate performance environment – and what better setting for this amazing group of artists to pull back the curtain on their journey through Follies.”
Janie Dee said, “The experience of Follies has been epic. To celebrate and reflect on this incredible piece and the success of our production, we have put together a piece where we speak and sing individually about our lives and careers, and how Follies echoed and resonated. Sometimes hilarious and sometimes moving but always personal. We hope that you will come and join us to listen to the stories of dancers…singers…actors… who find themselves looking back after the show closes. Maybe elongating the moment before having to let go.”
This year’s Underbelly Festival Southbank marks the 11th year of bringing the finest in musical theatre, circus, cabaret, comedy and music to the heart of London, alongside international street food and vibrant outdoor bars.
Running Time: 60 mins | Suitable for ages 12+
Company information
Devised by the cast
Directed by Josh Seymour
Musical Director Stefan Bednaczyk
Cast
Lindsay Atherton
Janie Dee
Vanessa Fisher
Caroline Fitzgerald
Geraldine Fitzgerald
Adrian Grove
Alex Hanson
Alyn Hawke
Aimee Hodnett
Dawn Hope Alison Langer
Sarah-Marie Maxwell
Ian McLarnon
Rohan Richards Jo Riding
Gemma Sutton Christine Tucker
Listings information
Monday 13 May – Thursday 16 May, 9.30pm.
As part of Underbelly Festival (6 April – 29 September).
★★★★★ ‘A thrilling experience. The best Fiddler I’ve seen in the West End’
Daily Telegraph
Chocolate Factory Productions, Sonia Friedman Productions and Michael Harrison present
The Menier Chocolate Factory production of
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Book by Joseph Stein Music by Jerry Bock Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Director Trevor Nunn; Choreographers Jerome Robbins & Matt Cole; Set Designer Robert Jones Costume Designer Jonathan Lipman; Lighting Designer Tim Lutkin; Sound Designer Gregory Clarke Hair and Wig Designer Richard Mawbey; Orchestrations Jason Carr; Musical Supervisor Paul Bogaev
Maria Friedman and Anita Dobson join the company of Trevor Nunn’s critically acclaimed production ofFiddler on the Roof, which is currently running at the reconfigured Playhouse Theatre until 28 September. Friedman plays Golde, and Dobson plays Yente from 18 June, taking over from Judy Kuhn and Louise Gold respectively. They join Andy Nyman (Tevye), Nicola Brown (Chava), Harriet Bunton (Hodel), Dermot Canavan(Lazar Wolf), Stewart Clarke (Perchik), Joshua Gannon (Motel), Matthew Hawksley (Fyedka), and Molly Osborne (Tzeitel), as well as Miles Barrow, Sofia Bennett, Philip Bertioli, Lottie Casserley, Elena Cervesi,Lia Cohen, Talia Etherington, Shoshana Ezequiel, Isabella Foat,Fenton Gray, James Hameed, Adam Linstead,Adam Margilewski, Robert Maskell, Benny Maslov, Robyn McIntyre, Gaynor Miles, Ellie Mullane, Tania Newton, Craig Pinder, Valentina Theodoulou and Ed Wade.
★★★★★
‘Musically, geopolitically, emotionally, this Fiddler raises the roof.’
The Guardian
Direct from its sold-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Tony and Olivier award-winning director Trevor Nunn’s ‘exuberant revival’ (Daily Telegraph) of the classic Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof transfers to the West End for a strictly limited run. The Playhouse Theatre has been specially transformed into an intimate space for this ‘shiveringly intimate chamber musical about family’ (The Times).
★★★★★
‘An evening to be celebrated as a spikily poignant reminder of what it is to be human in politically dark times. Both whirlingly energetic and achingly moving, it marks itself out straight away as one of the most uplifting nights possible to be had in the West End right now.’ The Arts Desk
Old traditions and young love collide in this joyous and timely celebration of life. Tevye’s daughters’ unexpected choice of husbands opens his heart to new possibilities, as his close-knit community also feel winds of change blowing through their tiny village.
Featuring the iconic score including ‘Tradition’, ‘Matchmaker, Matchmaker’, ‘Sunrise, Sunset’ and ‘If I Were a Rich Man’, and featuring original choreography from Tony Award-winning Jerome Robbins alongside new choreography by Matt Cole, Fiddler on the Roof ‘bursts from the stage’ (Financial Times), bringing new life to one of the most beloved musicals of all time.
Olivier Award-winning Maria Freidman plays Golde. The recipient of three Olivier Awards for Maria Friedman By Special Arrangement at the Donmar Warehouse (1995), Best Actress in a Musical for her performance of Fosca in the West End production of Stephen Sondheim’s Passion (1996), and for Ragtime (2003). Her other theatre credits include Merrily We Roll Along, Blues in the Night, Chicago, The Witches of Eastwick, Anna in The King and I at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and Lady in the Dark. In 2004 she originated the role of Marian Halcombe in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, The Woman in White, both in the West End and on Broadway. She is regularly associated with the work of Stephen Sondheim, having performed principle roles in Merrily We Roll Along, A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George, and as Mrs Lovett in concert performances of Sweeney Todd (Barbican). She also appeared in New York, Washington and the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, in celebration of Stephen Sondheim’s 80th birthday. She has performed her critically acclaimed one woman shows – Maria Friedman – By Special Arrangement and Maria Friedman – By Extra Special Arrangement in venues around the UK and in New York including several seasons at Café Carlyle, and has most recently performed her new solo show From the Heart to sell-out audiences at Crazy Coqs. She has featured on many cast recordings and released several solo albums including Maria Friedman, Maria Friedman Live, Now and Then, and Maria Friedman Celebrates The Great British Songbook. On screen, her roles include Elaine Peacock in EastEnders, Trish Baynes in Casualty, Red Dwarf, the Narrator in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (DVD), and Mother Abbas on ITV’s Sound of Music Live. In 2013, she made her directorial debut at the Menier Chocolate Factory with Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along. The production opened to critical acclaim, winning the Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical and Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, transferring to the West End and Boston. Her other directing credits include High Society (The Old Vic) and the world première of the new musical Dusty (Theatre Royal Bath).
Anita Dobson plays Yente. Her extensive theatre credits include Annie (UK tour), 3Women (Trafalgar Studios), The Shadow Factory (Nuffield Southampton Theatres), The Merry Wives of Windsor (RSC), Budgie (Cambridge Theatre), The Three Sisters (Royal Court Theatre), Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (National Theatre), Kvetch (Garrick Theatre), Lovely Shayna Maidel (Ambassador’s Theatre), Charley’s Aunt (Aldwych Theatre), The Vagina Monologues (Arts Theatre/UK tour), Frozen (National Theatre / Olivier Award nomination), Chicago (Adelphi Theatre), Thoroughly Modern Milly (Shaftesbury Theatre), Hello Dolly! (Theatre Royal Lincoln/ UK tour),Calendar Girls (Noël Coward Theatre), Bette and Joan (Arts Theatre) and Wicked (Apollo Theatre). For television her extensive work includes EastEnders (as series regular Angie Watts), Leave Him To Heaven, Nanny, Split Ends, The World Of Eddie Weary, Red Dwarf, Smokescreen, I’ll Be Watching You, Dangerfield, The Famous Five,Highlander, Get Well Soon, Junk, Sunburn, The Stretch, Hearts and Bones, Urban Gothic, The Last Detective, Gigglebiz, Hotel Babylon, Moving On, Pompidou, Armada, Call The Midwife and The Rebel; and for film, Seaview Knights, Beyond Bedlam, The Tichborne Claimant, The Revengers’ Comedies, Darkness Falls, Charlie, Solitary, The Rise Of The Krays, The Fall Of The Krays, London Road and The Fight.
A Royal & Derngate, Northampton co-production with Anthology Theatre in association with Tara Finney Productions
Saturday 8 to Saturday 22 June 2019
Royal & Derngate Northampton has announced full cast and creative team for the venue’s world premiere of The Pope. This new play from Anthony McCarten, the 2019 Golden Globe and BAFTA-winning, and 2019 Oscar‑nominated writer of Bohemian Rhapsody, The Theory Of Everything andDarkest Hour, will star Anton Lesser (Game Of Thrones, The Crown, Wolf Hall, Endeavour) as Pope Benedict and Nicholas Woodeson (Baptiste, The Danish Girl, Death of Stalin, Taboo) as Pope Francis and will feature original music composed by BRIT, Oscar and Grammy-winning composerAnne Dudley (Elle,American History X, The Full Monty, Poldark). Faith Alabi (Belleville, Donmar Warehouse; Hamlet, Talawa) and Lynsey Beauchamp (Britannia, Einstein) play the roles of Sister Sophia and Sister Brigitta respectively.
This original play is the inspiration for a major motion picture of the same name that has been adapted by Anthony McCarten to premiere on Netflix later this year. Now based in London, The Pope marks his UK stage debut, although in his home country of New Zealand, his acclaimed plays include Ladies Night, which remains New Zealand’s most commercial popular play.
The production will be designed by 2018 Tony nominee Jonathan Fensom (Our Lady of Kibeho,Farinelli and the King) with lighting design by Charles Balfour (Mojo, West End; Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, National Theatre) and video design by Duncan McLean (The Jungle, West End; All My Sons, Old Vic) and is co-produced by Anthology Theatre (The Entertainer, The Wipers Times and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof) in association with Tara Finney Productions.
Six years ago Pope Benedict XVI stunned the world by quietly announcing he would resign, the first pope in 700 years to do so. What drove this arch-conservative to break with sacred tradition and cede the way for Cardinal Bergoglio – a tango-dancing, football-loving reformer with the common touch – to become Pope Francis, one of most powerful men on earth?
Together, Pope Benedict and Cardinal Bergoglio grapple with their complex pasts and uncertain futures. From coming of age under dictatorships in Germany and Argentina, to the scandal of sexual abuse by the clergy – they offer two opposing visions for the Church today. Shining a light into one of the world’s most secretive institutions, The Pope is at once a candid portrayal of two men testing the limits of their faith and an exploration of the role of religion in an age of social and political upheaval. At its heart lies a timeless question: in moments of crisis, should we follow the rules or our conscience?
Further Made in Northampton 2019 productions will be announced shortly.
Made in Northampton is sponsored locally by Michael Jones Jeweller.
For more information, visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk. Tickets can be booked online or by calling Box Office on 01604 624811.
