Month: May 2019

Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough – until 31 May 2019

Reviewed by Sara Garner

3½***

Pictures of Dorian Gray is a 90-minute play about the price we would pay for eternal youth and beauty. This play introduces the audience to the dark and mysterious side of Oscar Wildes work. Wilde explores the idea of sin and redemption in a rambling narrative that also includes his legendary wit and reflection and wonderful language.

Artist Basil Howard (Helen Rebuen) is painting his finest work to date. The subject and now his muse is the beautiful and charming orphan Dorian Gray (Stanton Wright). He believes that Dorian’s exquisiteness is responsible for inspiring his art. It’s through Basil that Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton (Richard Keightley) and the two become great friends. His pleasure-seeking view of the world enthrals the young beauty, leading him to believe that beauty and pleasure are the only things in life worth pursuing. The seductive power of Lord Henry would corrupt anyone. A series of shocking and supernatural events are set into motion which will destroy Dorian. Howard is left powerless as Dorian slips further into depravity in the fulfillment of pleasure with no thought to how this affects the people around him and he regrets introducing them. Augustina Seymour plays Sibyl Vane who is the 1st victim of Dorian’s thoughtlessness. Rebuen plays the vulnerability and general nature of Howard well as doing Keightly in his portrayal of the gregarious Wotton.

There is little explanation for why the beautiful and charming Dorian suddenly turns into a cold-hearted, immoral cad at what seems to be the drop of a hat. The cross-gender roles were slightly confusing at times. The narrative worked well to evoke emotions however at times this was a little overpowering. The timeline of 18 years of depravity was slightly unclear with the obvious clue of Howard and Wotton utilizing walking sticks.

With no real set changes for any of the scenes, it gets a little static, but changes in lighting work well to convey the right atmosphere.

It has been cleverly adapted by Lucy Shaw and directed by Tom Littler with Set and lighting designed by William Reynolds.

Overall a very powerful and physical adaptation of this famous novel. It still has such resonance with our modern-day lives and the pursuit of perfection via social media. The cast switch roles at different performances, giving the audience a choice of four versions. Will the story feel different with a male or a female Dorian Gray?

ACCLAIMED ACTOR & DANCER

RICHARD WINSOR

REPRISES HIS MEMORABLE ROLE AS THE ICONIC TONY MANERO

IN BILL KENWRIGHT’S AUTUMN 2019 TOUR OF

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

OPENING AT THE NEW VICTORIA THEATRE WOKING

FROM 6 AUGUST 2019

Ignite The Inferno. Feel The Fever. Like Never Before.

Richard Winsor will be leading the Autumn 2019 tour of Bill Kenwright’s reimagined and revitalized production of Saturday Night Fever,as the iconic Tony Manero.

Winsor has performed around the world, starring as the principle dancer with Matthew Bourne for ten years. He then landed the lead role in the cult dance film, StreetDance 3D and then went on to play Caleb Knight in the BBC flagship medical drama, Casualty.

Opening at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking from 6 August 2019, the nationwide tour will then continue to strut its way to Malvern, Southampton, Leeds, Nottingham, Chester, Coventry,Cheltenham, Belfast, Aberdeen and Milton Keynes.

Saturday Night Fever tells the story of Tony Manero and his reckless yet thrilling road to dancing success. The musical features the Bee Gees’ greatest hits including Stayin’ Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever, Tragedy and More Than a Woman as well as ‘70s favorites Boogie Shoes, Disco Inferno and for the first time will feature a group playing the Bee Gees live on stage.

The ‘70s classic Paramount/RSO movie is based on the New York Magazine Article Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night written by Nik Cohn in 1976, which was an instant hit when it was released in cinemas. The album remains the best-selling movie soundtrack of all time.

Whilst paying homage to the movie, this new stage version promises more drama, more music and hot new choreography. It is directed and produced by Bill Kenwright, with choreography by Olivier Award winning Bill Deamer, designs by Gary McCaan, lighting by Nick Richings, and sound by Dan Samson. The stage adaptation is by Robert Stigwood in collaboration with Bill Oakes.

LISTINGS

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

2019 AUTUMN UK TOUR

Website: www.kenwright.com                               

Twitter: @BKL_Productions

Instagram: @bklproductions

New Victoria Theatre, WokingTues 6th – Sat 10th August	Atgtickets.com/woking0844 871 7645
Malvern TheatresTues 13th – Sat 17th August	Malvern-theatres.co.uk01684 892277
Mayflower Theatre, SouthamptonTues 20th – Sat 24th August	Mayflower.org.uk023 8071 1811
Grand Theatre, LeedsTues 27th – Sat 31st August	Leedsgrandtheatre.com0844 848 2700
Theatre Royal, NottinghamTues 3rd – Sat 7th September	Trch.co.uk0115 989 5555
Story House, ChesterTues 10th – Sat 14th September	Storyhouse.com01244 409 113
Belgrade Theatre, CoventryTues 17th – Sat 21st September	Belgrade.co.uk024 7655 3055
Everyman Theatre, CheltenhamTues 24th – Sat 28th September	Everymantheatre.org.uk01242 572 573
Grand Opera House, BelfastTues 1st – Sat 5th October	Goh.co.uk028 9024 1919
His Majesty’s Theatre, AberdeenTues 8th – Sat 12th October	Aberdeenperformingarts.com01224 641122
Milton Keynes TheatreTues 15th – Sat 19th October	Atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes0844 871 7652

Blue Elephant Theatre – until 25 May 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

3½ ***

Wooden Arrow Productions promising new play mixes personal drama with stories of well-known victims of knife crime in an engaging and thought-provoking production.

It’s the summer of 2018, and Michael (Samuel Awoyo) and his girlfriend Liv (Barbara Dadson) are waiting for their results after the first year of college. After a stop and search while buying booze for a party, Michael is frustrated and when he sees his best mate Charlie (Pierre Moullier) in a dodgy situation with a drug dealer, he rushes in and gets stabbed.

The charming and cheeky introduction to the characters means that you are invested in them straight away, and watching the aftermath of the incident and its effect on Michael’s loved ones is emotional. The dialogue does sometimes feel like a therapy session, but this is what the family need to work through during this devastating time. Michael, who Awoyo manages to keep likeable even with his belligerent and selfish attitude at the beginning of the play, is changed most, developing a calmer and more mature outlook, while his seemingly more level-headed brother (Michael McGarry) wants revenge.

The family relationship and friendships are beautifully written and performed, with Ella Baulcomb a hoot as Mum, and Pierre Moullier delightful as the hapless but loveable Charlie.

Interspersed with the story are spoken word segments detailing the brutal murders of Stephen Lawrence, Jane Clough and others. These are accompanied by sympathetic and disturbing movement by the cast to create a powerful impression.

The frustration and injustice felt by the family as the police fail to find the attacker builds to a shared monologue about the growing danger of knife crime, calling for education and the government to take responsibility rather than apportion blame. But writer Rees Jenkins wisely ends the play on a lighter, hopeful note giving Michael the last word as he explains his zen-like sense of justice with an impish glint in his eye – making this message much more appealing and relatable to younger audiences.

KILN THEATRE ANNOUNCE GALA EVENT TO CELEBRATE FIRST ANNIVERSARY IN THE NEWLY REFURBISHED THEATRE

Kiln Theatre today announce a special one-off fundraising gala on 5 September, one year to the day since the newly refurbished theatre reopened on Kilburn High Road.

To mark this special occasion, Susie McKenna is bringing together some of the finest talent in theatre – Sharon D Clarke, Debbie Kurup, Clive Rowe, Gemma Sutton and Jim Carter, accompanied by Mark Dickman for an unforgettable night of music, comedy and much more. Further names will be announced shortly.

Artistic Director of Kiln Theatre, Indhu Rubasingham, said today, “We opened our doors on 5 September 2018 by the skin of our teeth and we want to invite you to celebrate with us a year since this beautiful building came into being. This is an exciting time for Kilburn and Brent as we advance towards 2020 and being London Borough of Culture. This is an exclusive event to celebrate and to raise funds to stage our productions, to reach out to the different communities in our borough and to keep our ticket prices as low as possible so we can aspire to be a theatre for all.”

Every ticket includes a signed programme, a sparkling wine reception on arrival and drinks and canapes after the show. There will also be an auction with ‘money can’t buy’ lots, and a raffle across the evening.

All proceeds from the evening are in aid of Kiln Theatre, helping the company to create innovative productions, make drama available to our local community and aspire to be a theatre for all – connecting everyone, whatever their background, through the power of performance.

Sharon D Clarke, Debbie Kurup, Clive Rowe, Gemma Sutton will appear in Susie McKenna’s production of Blues in the Night at Kiln Theatre from 18 July to 7 September.

ABOUT KILN THEATRE

Based in Kilburn, Kiln Theatre creates internationally renowned, high-quality, engaging and innovative work which presents the world through a variety of different lenses, amplifying unheard voices into the mainstream. Led by Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham and Executive Director Daisy Heath, it makes theatre that crosses continents and tells big stories about human connections across cultures, race and languages.

We encourage artists of all ages and backgrounds. Our work is commissioned specifically for our theatre and produced by Kiln Theatre’s artistic team, as well as additional work which is programmed in collaboration with national or international partners.

Recent productions include White Teeth by Zadie Smith, adapted by Stephen Sharkey, Holy Sh!t by Alexis Zegerman, Approaching Empty by Ishy Din, The Son by Florian Zeller and The Half God of Rainfall by Inua Ellams. Recent collaborations include the National Theatre, Tamasha and Sundance Theatre Lab (US).

The ambitious Creative Learning programme aims to champion the imagination, aspiration and potential of the Brent community young and old. It invests in creating meaningful relationships with young people to inspire and encourage their creativity, their confidence and self-esteem. It works with older people to create a thriving community around the theatre.

Tickets can be purchased via the website: www.kilntheatre.com

www.KilnTheatre.com

Twitter: @KilnTheatre / @KilnCinema

CHANNING TATUM’S MAGIC MIKE LIVE HEADS TO BERLIN

MAGIC MIKE LIVE BERLIN

TO PREMIERE AT POTSDAMER PLATZ NOV 26, 2019

LAS VEGAS (May 23, 2019) – With two successful stage productions in Las Vegas and London, MAGIC MIKE LIVE will now thrill audiences in Berlin, Germany beginning this fall.  Channing Tatum’s acclaimed male revue, inspired by the hit “Magic Mike” film franchise, will take the stage at the newly remodeled Club Theater at Potsdamer Platz on Nov. 26, 2019, with preview performances beginning November 16, 2019. Visit MagicMikeBerlin.de for the most up to date information about the show, ticket availability and VIP Experience packages.

“When we launched our show in Las Vegas two years ago, we had no idea what was going to happen. It was surreal to see something we had been talking about for so long come to life. The fact that people reacted the way they did and that over 300,000 people have come to see it still blows my mind. Then we decided to go to London and the show has absolutely killed it there.  So, we started talking about where we wanted to go next. We wanted to go to a place where we could take the experience to a whole new level and from the first moment we arrived, we fell in love with Berlin and it became clear to us that this is where we had to launch our new production!” said Director, Channing Tatum.

Curated by Tatum and co-directed by Tatum and film franchise choreographers Alison Faulk, Teresa Espinosa and Luke Broadlick, MAGIC MIKE LIVE Berlin will feature 20 world-class artists performing acrobatic and dance routines intertwined with one-of-a-kind acts, in front of, behind and all around the audience.

“After launching the flagship production in Las Vegas, and then having the incredible experience of reimagining the show for London’s West End, the Magic Mike Live team is thrilled to be able to bring our biggest, boldest, most ambitious production yet to Berlin,” shared Executive Producer Vincent Marini. “We can’t imagine a better home for the show than one of Europe’s greatest cities.”

This summer, the former Adagio Nightclub in Potsdamer Platz will undergo a multi-million-euro transformation into the Club Theatre. The redesign of the venue, being led by the Magic Mike Live team, and Magic Mike’s franchise production designer Rachel O’Toole, in partnership with MediaLane Germany and Karhard Architects, will be a further evolution of the now iconic home of the Las Vegas production, where the original company recently celebrated two years and 1,000 performances. “The immersive staging, the cutting-edge technical equipment, the incredibly detailed production design and the bespoke layout of the intimate 600-seat venue combine to create a one-of-a-kind, curated, 360-degree experience for the audience that is absolutely unique to this show and this venue.’” said Michael Hildebrandt, Managing Director of MediaLane Germany.

“I was totally enthralled by the Las Vegas show and knew from the first second that I would love to bring it to Germany,” shared MediaLane CEO Iris van den Ende. “I’m proud that this show’s Continental European debut will be in Berlin.”

MAGIC MIKE LIVE is produced in Berlin by Channing Tatum, Steven Soderbergh, Reid Carolin, Greg Jacobs, Peter Kiernan, and Nick Wechsler in collaboration with Medialane B.V., Vincent Marini, Creative House Productions, Bruce Robert Harris & Jack W. Batman, TSG Entertainment & Ashley DeSimone and Richard Winkler. MAGIC MIKE LIVE production credits include:

Director: Channing Tatum

Written by: Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin

Co-Director and Choreographer: Alison Faulk

Associate Director and Choreographer: Teresa Espinosa

Associate Director and Choreographer: Luke Broadlick

Production Design: Rachel O’Toole

Composer and Music Supervisor: Jack Rayner

Scenic Design: Rob Bissinger and Anita La Scala

Lighting Design: Philip Gladwell

Sound Design: Nick Kourtides

Costume Design: Marina Toybina

Aerial Design and Choreography: Dreya Weber

Production Management: Don Gilmore and Henriët Wunnink

Casting: Katie Zanca and Candice Fox

Executive Producer: Vincent Marini 

MAGIC MIKE LIVE Berlin

Club Theater at Potsdamer Platz – Marlene Dietrich Platz 1, 10785 Berlin

MAGIC MIKE LIVE Berlin begins performances Nov. 16, 2019

MAGIC MIKE LIVE Berlin will perform an apx. 90 min. show Tuesday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m. with a 10 p.m. performance on Friday and Saturday. Performance schedule is subject to change without notice.

MAGIC MIKE LIVE Berlin is intended for audiences 18 years of age and older.

Tickets starting at €54.90 are on sale now at www.magicmikeberlin.de or 01806 – 999 0000 

Connect with the show on social media @MagicMikeLiveBerlin

Wishes Granted for Hull New Theatre’s Pantomime, as Casting for Aladdin is announced.

Hull New Theatre has announced that Blue star Simon Webbe, Benidorm favourite Jake Canuso and film and television legend Robin Askwith will embark on a magic carpet ride into Old Peking for this year’s spectacular annual pantomime, Aladdin, from Thursday 5 December.

Since joining the BRIT award-winning boyband in 2001, Simon Webbe and his bandmates have sold over 14 million records worldwide, releasing five critically acclaimed studio albums and headlined several UK tours. In 2011, to coincide with their tenth year in the music industry, Blue represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest with their entry I Can. While the group took a well-earned break, Simon launched his own solo career that saw him take to the West End stage in Sister Act the Musical alongside Shelia Hancock and Whoopi Goldberg, as well as Three Little Pigs at the Palace Theatre.

Simon’s numerous television appearances include Strictly Come Dancing where he was a runner-up in the 2014 series; I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! and ITV2’s The Big Reunion. In 2015, Simon made his pantomime debut for Qdos Entertainment and since then has starred in Jack and the Beanstalk in Northampton and High Wycombe, and Aladdin in Bradford last year. In 2018 he released his third studio album, Smile and still regularly tours with his Blue bandmates.

Joining him as the Genie of the Ring will be Benidorm’s bartender Jake Canuso. Best known for his role as Matteo in the long-running ITV comedy, Jake most recently visited Hull in the sold out UK tour of Benidorm Live which saw him reunite with many of his much-missed co-stars. Jake’s other television credits include Splash!, Hustle, Shameless, The Hour and Bad Education. He also appeared in the hit movies Nine opposite Daniel Day Lewis and Judi Dench, and The Dark Knight Rises alongside Christian Bale and Gary Oldman.

Also joining the line-up as the evil sorcerer Abanazar is film and television star Robin Askwith. A regular on the big screen throughout the 70s Robin went on to appear in numerous television shows including Public Eye, Dixon of Dock Green, Z-Cars, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and, most recently, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Benidorm. His extensive stage work includes numerous farces including Run for Your Wife, One for the Road and Dead Funny, and the title role in Brecht’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui and the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Starring as Aladdin’s brother Wishee Washee is comedian Neil Hurst. Best known for his roles in The Syndicate and Fresh Meat, Neil was also a co-host of ITVs All Star Family Fortunes, and most recently starred alongside John Malkovich and Rupert Grint in The ABC Murders for the BBC. Neil most recently appeared at the Hull New Theatre in Fat Friends The Musical to audience and critical acclaim.

Janice Wincott, Theatre and Halls Manager, Hull Culture and Leisure said: “we are thrilled that in this, Hull New Theatre’s 80th year, our hugely popular festive production will feature such a star-studded cast. Aladdin is a firm family favourite and this incredible line-up is sure to delight all our audiences from seasoned attendees to first time visitors.”

With tickets flying out of the Box Office, audiences shouldn’t leave it any longer to book their tickets for this year’s must-see production packed full of audience participation, laughter, music, a wish-granting genie and plenty of panto magic.

Tickets for Aladdin at Hull New Theatre, from 5-29 December 2019, are on sale now. Book at the Hull City Hall Box Office, call 01482 300 306 or visit the website www.hulltheatres.co.uk to book online.

The Vaults Theatre, June 12th – 22nd, 7.30pm

The Psychic Project is a mind-reading show based on the true story of America’s psychic spying programme from the Cold War. It tells the story of the programme and attempts the CIA’s experiments, seeing if the audience can achieve the same results; i.e. whether the audience can become psychic spies.

The show is unusual in that the performer, David Narayan, does not demonstrate any psychic powers. Instead, every experiment is attempted by audience members, using the techniques from the CIA’s archives. After sold out shows in 2017 and 2018, The Psychic Project comes to The Vaults Theatre for eight performances.

“As disturbing as it is astonishing” The Oxford Times

In 1972, the CIA was worried about Russian investment in mind-control research. They feared that the Russians were ‘weaponising’ psychic powers, with one report stating that the Soviets had the ability to collect
intelligence using paranormal means, and another that they may be able to mould the thoughts of key US military and civilian leaders, even causing the instant death of any US official.

Taking these reports seriously, America started a 20 year psychic research programme of their own. The research began as lab studies, but became operational, with projects including tracking drugs and locating hostages. The research was made public in 1995, with scientists divided over whether psychic spying was a genuine phenomena.

The Psychic Project draws upon 100,000 pages of CIA documents in order to attempt the experiments with a live audience. Previously only available via US Freedom of Information Act requests, the declassified documents were made available via the CIA’s website in 2017. Some parts are still redacted – in particular the sections on causing changes to human cells.

“Narayan presents this story with intrigue & suspense… impressive and inexplicable” Daily Info

PAUL O’GRADY RETURNS AND MATT BAKER JOINS

JULIAN CLARY, PAUL ZERDIN, NIGEL HAVERS AND GARY WILMOT IN

G O L D I L O C K S   A N D   T H E   T H R E E   B E A R S

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED 5 WEEK RUN AT THE

LONDON PALLADIUM FOR THE 2019 FESTIVE SEASON

Qdos Entertainment today (Friday 24 May 2019) announce that Paul O’Grady will return to the London Palladium in Goldilocks and the Three Bears to play The Evil Ringmaster.  Joining O’Grady and making his Palladium Panto debut will be Matt Baker as Joey the Clown who will star alongside season regulars Julian Clary as The Ringmaster, Paul Zerdin as Silly Billy, Nigel Havers as Daddy Bear and Gary Wilmot as Dame Betty Barnum. 

Joining the cast will also be a series of speciality acts including internationally renowned illusionist Phil Hitchcock, The Skating Medini (Asia and Dylan Medini) – a dynamic high-speed roller-skating act from one of Italy’s oldest circus families, Sascha Williams – ‘Rola Bola’, from the Belli Family Circus in Germany and Europe’s youngest stunt rider Peter Pavlov and the ‘Globe of Speed’.

Performances begin at the London Palladium on Saturday 7 December 2019 for a strictly limited 5-week run until Sunday 12 January 2020.  Public booking opens on Friday 31 May 2019.  Final casting will be announced at a later date.

Dame Betty Barnum and her daughter Goldilocks’ circus is under threat from an evil rival circus owner and, with the help of their madcap circus friends, they’re battling to rescue their Big Top from ruin. Will they succeed? All seems lost, until three brilliant bears join the gang… Roll up, roll up to see panto join the circus, and be swept away by a London Palladium spectacular that’s just right at the home of pantomime!

Returning for the fourth year and once again produced by the Olivier award-winning team and directed by Michael Harrison, choreography will be by Karen Bruce, set design will be by Ian Westbrook, with a returning team of costume designers including Hugh Durrant, visual special effects by The Twins FX, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Gareth Owen and original music by Gary Hind.

Best known as host of BBC Radio 2’s The Paul O’Grady Show and for helping rescue dogs in For the Love of Dogs – not to mention his acid-tongued creation Lily Savage – Paul O’Grady is returning to the London Palladium following his performance as The Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella, which reintroduced pantomime to the iconic venue in 2016.

Matt Baker who will make his Palladium Panto debut is best known on television as a presenter of The One Show and Countryfile on BBC1. Previously he presented Blue Peter and was a finalist on Strictly Come Dancing.  He has been seen on stage as Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. 

Julian Clary returns to the London Palladium for the fourth year having previously played The Man in the Mirror in last year’s Snow White at the London Palladium, The Spirit of the Bells in Dick Whittington and Dandini in Cinderella. 

Ventriloquist Paul Zerdin has previously appeared at the Palladium as Muddles in last year’s Snow White at the London Palladium, Idle Jack in Dick Whittington and as Buttons in Cinderella.

Nigel Havers played The Understudy in the 2019 production of Snow White at the London Palladium, Captain Nigel in Dick Whittington and Lord Chamberlain in Cinderella, all at the London Palladium.

Gary Wilmot’s played Mrs Crumble in last year’s Palladium pantomime Snow White at the London Palladium and was also seem in the previous year’s Dick Whittington.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears is produced by Nick Thomas and Michael Harrison for Qdos Entertainment. Nick Thomas is the founder and Chairman of Qdos Entertainment Group, one of the largest entertainment companies in Europe and is the UK’s second largest regional theatre and concert hall operator.  Michael Harrison has previously produced over 100 pantomimes for Qdos Entertainment where he is also Managing Director.  As a producer in the West End his credits include the imminent production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium,Gypsy, The Bodyguard, Annie and Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein.

As the world’s biggest pantomime producer, over the past 37 years Qdos Entertainment has established itself as one of the largest entertainment companies in Europe. Over the past three decades the pantomime giant has staged 719 pantomimes.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre:                               London Palladium, Argyll St, London W1F 7TF

Dates:                                  7 December 2019 – 12 January 2020

Gala night:                           11 December 2019 at 7.30pm

Box Office:                           020 7087 7747 (no booking fee)

Performances:                      see website for performance schedule

Website:                               PalladiumPantomime.com

Twitter:                                PalladiumPanto

Facebook:                             Facebook.com/PalladiumPantomime

The Little Orchestra – Messiah, Parts II and III
Porchester Hall, Porchester Road, London W2 5HS
Friday 7th – Saturday 8th June 2019

In the relaxed and sumptuous atmosphere of Porchester Hall, The Little Orchestra will present an exciting investigation of parts II and III of Handel’s Messiah, staged in their signature fashion with an intimate semi-immersive theatrical style concert, a pop-up food menu, a fully stocked bar and plush sofas. Appealing to a non-concert going audience, The Little Orchestra dissolve barriers between audience and music in their thrilling and unique productions

Revitalising the more traditional concert model, The Little Orchestra continue their exploration into one of the best-known classical works in Western music. Nicholas Little will be more than a conductor, bringing to life the stories behind the creation of the masterpiece and the composer’s life. Acting as a compere, he will guide the audience and ensure the music is accessible to the uninitiated. First performed more than 250 years ago, Handel’s Messiah has become one of the most frequently performed choral works in the canon

The Little Orchestra design a relaxed and fun evening where beautiful pieces are played by talented young musicians. Featuring a full choir and orchestra, they will transform Porchester Hall with a custom set and lighting design inspired by the music to create the perfect space to unwind and lounge.

After the main event a relaxed post-concert-soiree including some key arias from Handel’s bestknown Italian operas will continue to bring the space to life while people meet and mingle. With a themed food and drink offering and a bar that remains open until midnight, The Little Orchestra’s events bridge the divide between the concert experience, an immersive production and a good night out.

Nicholas Little comments, The story is so often the key and we want to allow people to be able to tune into this. Once people have a sense of the story of the music, whether there are words or not, that really lights up the imagination and changes the way you hear the music. Suddenly it’s not just a whole bunch of noises, but a landscape or a scene or an emotional dynamic.

For those who don’t want the full experience, The Little Orchestra are also presenting a stripped-back version for the first time, allowing a pure focus on the music and stories (with no food and drink offering) – for only £10. This will be held on Thursday 6th June at Cecil Sharp House.

ORE ODUBA

TO PLAY TEEN ANGEL

AT CERTAIN PERFORMANCES IN LEEDS

FOR THE UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF

GREASE

TV presenter and winner of Strictly Come Dancing, Ore Oduba will play the role of Teen Angel at certain performances at Leeds Grand Theatre, the opening venue of the UK and Ireland tour of GREASE. Ore alternates the role with the previously announced Peter Andre. Ore will play the role on 24 & 25 June and from 29 June to 16 July. GREASE opens at Leeds Grand Theatre on 19 June, running there until 20 July 2019. The tour then continues until October 2019. This new production of GREASE is directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips.

Since his Strictly Come Dancing triumph in 2016, Ore Oduba has gone on to present some of TV’s biggest shows, including This Morning and The One Show. He also hosts the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour and is a familiar voice to listeners of BBC Radio 2, having deputised for the likes of Zoe Ball, Claudia Winkleman and Steve Wright.

Ore Oduba said, “GREASE is one of the most iconic musicals of all time, so to be making my stage debut in such a well-loved piece is a dream come true. I can’t wait to start rehearsals with our talented young cast and creative team; I just know this show is going to be truly electrifyin’!”

Also in the cast are Dan Partridge as Danny, Martha Kirby as Sandy, Louis Gaunt as Kenickie, Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky as Rizzo, Jordan Abey as Doody, Ryan Anderson as Roger, Damian Buhagiar as Sonny, Eloise Davies as Frenchy, Natalie Woods as Jan, Tara Sweeting as Marty, Dale White as Eugene, Jessica Croll as Patty Simcox, Corinna Powlesland as Miss Lynch, Abigail Climer as Cha Cha, Darren Bennett as Vince Fontaine and Will Haswell as Johnny Casino. Completing the cast are Thea Bunting as Cynthia, Emily Beth Harrington as Carly, Jonathan Hermosa Lopez as Bobby, Dom Hutcheson as Mickey, Ruby May Martinwood as Sofia, Lindsay McAllister as Donna Sue and Kevin O’Dwyer as Chad.

GREASE originally opened in Chicago in 1971, followed by a move to Broadway in 1972, where it received seven Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Musical. During the show’s eight-year run, at the time, little known actors, including Peter Gallagher, Patrick Swayze and John Travolta, all appeared in the production, with Richard Gere understudying many roles before going on to star as Danny Zuko in the 1973 London premiere.

The 1978 film adaptation starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, when adjusted for inflation, is the highest-grossing live action musical of all time and celebrated its 40^th anniversary last year. The musical features beloved songs, including Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’, Hopelessly Devoted To You and You’re The One That I Want.

GREASE is directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Philips, with designs by Colin Richmond, orchestrations and musical supervision by Sarah Travis, lighting design by Guy Hoare and sound design by Tom Marshall and casting by David Grindrod CDG for DGA.

This new production of GREASE is produced by Colin Ingram for InTheatre Productions, Donovan Mannato, William Sinclair, Ricardo Marques, Hunter Arnold and Curve.

Website: greasethemusicalontour.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/greaseUKTour

Twitter: @greaseuktour                     

2019 TOUR SCHEDULE

19 June – 20 July                      Leeds Grand Theatre                                        0844 848 2700 

                                                  www.leedsgrandtheatre.com                                   

23 – 27 July                              Cliffs Pavilion, Southend                                  01702 351135                                                                                                                                                      www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk                               

30 July – 3 August                     Sunderland Empire                                          0844 871 3022                                                                                                                                                     www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland 

13 – 24 August                          Birmingham Hippodrome                                 0844 338 5000

                                                  www.birminghamhippodrome.com                     

27 – 31 August                          King’s Theatre, Glasgow                                  0844 871 7648

                                                  www.atgtickets.com/venues/glasgow    

3 – 14 September                      Curve, Leicester                                               0116 242 3595

                                                  www.curveonline.co.uk                                     

17 – 28 September                    Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin                   0844 847 2455                                                                                                                                                  www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie                           

1 – 5 October                            New Theatre, Oxford                                         0844 871 3020

                                                  www.atgtickets.com/oxford                              

8 – 12 October                          Churchill Theatre, Bromley                              020 3285 6000                                                                                                                                                   churchilltheatre.co.uk                

15 – 19 October                        Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff                     029 2063 6464                                                                                                                                                   www.wmc.org.uk