Month: July 2019

WEST END BARES

ANNOUNCES THEME FOR

10^th BIRTHDAY PERFORMANCE

SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER

AT TROXY

After nine spectacular years raising money for the Make A Difference Trust, WEST END BARES, theatre’s hottest annual fundraiser, announces its 10^th Birthday performance; WEST END BARES: STRIPPED at Troxy on Sunday 13 October at 8.30pm.

WEST END BARES: STRIPPED, theatre’s hottest annual fundraiser, will revisit some of the much loved and classic strips from its 10-year history.  Taking one number from each year and reimagining it to match the scale and spectacle of Troxy, this year’s show will see returning favourites from all previous editions as well as hot new talent from the West End and beyond.

WEST END BARES: STRIPPED will be an almighty party like no other to celebrate our tenth birthday in style. Featuring phenomenal singers alongside all the flesh audiences have come to expect with over 100 performers from the West End and beyond, this will be a birthday party like you’ve never seen before! Taking inspiration from our very first show STRIP BRITTANIA in 2010, as well as some of the most exciting moments from shows like ALL THE FUN OF THE BARE and RUBY STRIPPERS, this year’s show is guaranteed to be the hottest ticket in town

Award winning director and choreographer, Jerry Mitchell, creator of the original concept ‘Broadway Bares’, the inspiration behind West End Bares, said today: “It’s time for the biggest British Bares yet! It’s going to be one FULLOUT party so get your tickets now. Over 600 of the West End’s hottest talents have taken part since the first show in 2010 and the 10th anniversary of West End Bares proves that what we do together really does make a difference. STRIPPED will be the ultimate celebration of everything Bares stands for: community, equality and never being afraid to be sexy. Don’t miss it!”

Melanie Tranter, Chair of the Make A Difference Trust said today; “This will be a true celebration of ten amazing  years of West End Bares and a celebration of the incredible generosity of the theatre community who have given their time and talent so generously to raise thousands of pounds to support those living with or affected by HIV. Together we are making a difference.”

WEST END BARES will be directed by David Grewcock and Will Lucas, with choreography from Sean Parkins (Dreamgirls, The Book Of Mormon, Wicked), Joanna Goodwin (Sunset Boulevard, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Barnum), Lucy Jane Adcock (Sweet Charity, Guys & Dolls, Matilda), Stuart Rogers (The Bodyguard, We Will Rock You, Mary Poppins), Racky Plews (American Idiot, Footloose, Knights of the Rose), Ashley Nottingham (Newsies, Spamalot, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Ella Nonini (Cats, Wicked, Mamma Mia) Adam Scott (Mamma Mia, That’s Entertainment) and more to announced.

Special celebrity guests and performers for this year’s performance will be announced later this Summer. Previous celebrity supporters over the last ten years have included Graham Norton, John Barrowman, Eddie Izzard, Samantha Bond, Dame Judi Dench, Joe Lycett, Beverley Knight, Summer Strallen, Tom Allen, Bianca del Rio, Michelle Visage, Adam Garcia, Dianne Pilkington, Mark Gatiss, Ian Hallard, Celinde Schoenmaker and Oliver Savile.

WEST END BARES benefits the Make A Difference Trust, a UK based charity with a vision of a world free from HIV and AIDS.  Since its first scintillating show in 2010 WEST END BARES has raised over £3000,000.  WEST END BARES is based on the original concept BROADWAY BARES by Tony Award winning Broadway and West End director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell. 

Building on a legacy of over 30 years of fundraising by the theatre industry, The Make A Difference Trust raises funds for HIV and AIDS projects that build awareness and provide care, support and education in the United Kingdom and Sub-Saharan Africa. The Trust works with established partners to ensure projects have maximum impact and are sustainable. The Trust has distributed grants to support individuals experiencing hardship across the UK as well as grants to support projects with their UK and International partners, to relieve poverty, provide a safe environment and education for children and orphans affected by HIV and AIDS, and to secure the needs of the individual and the greater community as a whole For further information about the Make A Difference Trust please visit www.madtrust.org.uk

Tickets for WEST END BARES are on sale now and are priced at £25 – £80.

Tickets are available from www.troxy.co.uk/ or www.madtrust.org.uk. Booking fees apply.

VIP tickets are available directly from the MAD Trust by calling 020 7231 9719 and include access to the pre-show drinks reception, VIP entrance to the theatre with a drink on arrival, £10 of MAD money, the best seats in the House for the legendary Rotation and access to the Exclusive After Party. Booking fees apply.

Please note: All artists appear subject to availability.

LISTINGS DETAILS

WEST END BARES

Sunday 13 October

8.30pm

Website: https://troxy.co.uk/

Troxy
490 Commercial Road,
London

MICHELLE COLLINS TO STAR IN

HOW LOVE IS SPELT

4-28 SEPTEMBER, SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE

Full casting is announced for the first major revival of Chloë Moss’s play HOW LOVE IS SPELT

Michelle Collins will star as Marion in the first major revival of Chloë Moss’s play HOW LOVE IS SPELT, which opens at Southwark Playhouse on Wednesday 4^th September and runs until Saturday 28^th September.

Also joining the cast are Nigel Boyle (Line of Duty, Peaky Blinders), Benjamin O’Mahony (BBC’s Ripper Street), Yana Penrose (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Larner Wallace-Taylor (An Inspector Calls, UK tour), and Duncan Moore (Windows and Caste, Finborough Theatre).

During her 30-year career, Michelle Collins has worked extensively in television, film, and theatre. Although perhaps best known for her leading roles in two of Britain’s most popular soaps, EastEnders and Coronation Street, Michelle has a host of other notable television credits to her name including 2000 Acres of Sky, The Illustrated Mum (for which she won an International Emmy Award), Sunburn, Real Women, Rock Rivals, Doctor Who, Midsummer Murders, Death in Paradise, Miss Marple, Hotel Babylon, and The Dumping Ground. Theatre credits include The Glass Supper, Hampstead Theatre; and, UK tours of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Most recently, Michelle appeared in My Dad’s Gap Year at Park Theatre.

Nigel Boyle has been cast as Colin. Nigel is known for his series regular role DI Ian Buckells across two series of the critically acclaimed BBC drama Line of Duty. His other screen credits include series regular DS Anthony Reynolds in ITV’s Home Fires, The End of the F**king World (Netflix), Alan Partridge: This Time (BBC), Peaky Blinders for Tiger Aspect, and Humans (Channel 4). On stage, Nigel has appeared in DYBBUK, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham; Circus Land, New Leicester Square Theatre; Sweet Love Remembered, Shakespeare’s Globe.

The role of Joe will be played by Benjamin O’Mahony, whose acting credits include Taming of The Shrew (Hampstead Theatre), Twelfth Night, Henry V (Propeller Theatre Company, World Tour), What You Will (Shakespeare’s Globe), People Like Us (The Vineyard Theatre, New York), Unrestless (Old Vic), The Cherry Orchard (Rose Theatre Kingston), King Lear (Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory), 24 Hour Plays (Old Vic), and The Emperor Self (Arcola Theatre). On screen, Benjamin played series regular Det. Sgt. Frank Thatcher in Ripper Street (BBC), Corporal Michael Doyle in Strike Back (Sky One), and Stefan Atkins in Doctors (BBC). He also played a leading role in the award-winning film Kajaki: Kilo Two Bravo.

Yana Penrose will play Chantelle. Yana’s theatre credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), An Enemy of the People (UK tour, Albany Theatre), Ballad of Rudy (Royal Exchange, Manchester), Dinosaur World (UK tour), and All The Girls Standing In The Line for The Bathroom (Theatre Royal Stratford East). For screen, credits include Humans (Channel 4) and feature films Crossing Over and Carnivore. Yana is also part of the Royal Court’s Young Writers Group 2019, and is the recipient of Camden People’s Theatre BAME seed commission for her debut play, Daddy Issues.

Completing the cast are Larner Wallace-Taylor (An Inspector Calls, UK tour; Doctors, BBC) and Duncan Moore(Windows and Caste, Finborough Theatre; The Nine O’Clock Service and The Green Quilt, Theatre503; Inside Out Festival, The Curve, Leicester; Political Pageantry, Old Red Lion Theatre; A Yorkshire Tragedy, White Bear Theatre). They will play Peta and Steven respectively.

HOW LOVE IS SPELT is directed by Charlotte Peters (Associate Director War Horse UK Tour and An Inspector Calls West End) and designed by Georgia de Grey, who wasa finalist for the Linbury Prize for Stage Design in 2013 and nominated for an Off-West End award for her set design for Alkaline at the Park Theatre.

Set in 2004,HOW LOVE IS SPELT tells the story of Peta, who’s new in town and ready for whatever London has to throw at her. She’s looking for romance, for friendship, for exciting people to lead her on big adventures.

This nostalgic and honest meditation on love and relationships from Susan Smith Blackburn Prize-winning playwright Chloë Moss (This Wide Night, Soho Theatre; Dickensian, BBC) was first produced and performed at the Bush Theatre in 2004.

Listings Information

Venue

Southwark Playhouse

77-85 Newington Causeway
London SE1 6BD

Nearest Tube: Borough / Elephant and Castle

Performances  

HOW LOVE IS SPELT

Wednesday, 4 – Saturday, 28 September 2019

Monday to Saturdays at 8pm
Tuesday and Saturday matinees at 3.30pm
Please see website for full schedule

Box Office:

Online

www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

24 HOURS/NO BOOKING FEES

By Telephone

020 7407 0234

NO BOOKING FEES

Ticket Prices

Previews 4, 5 September – all tickets £14
From 6 September: £22, £18 (conc.)

Concessions

Students, Under 16’s, Unwaged, Disabled, Over 65’s

Registered disabled patrons can bring one companion free of charge.

Keep up to date on Twitter

@swkplay #HowLoveIsSpelt

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre – until 27 July 2019

Reviewed by Joanne Hodge

3***

At it’s inception in 1967, Hair (Book & Lyrics by Gerome Ragni & James Rado) caused quite the controversy, being a piece of protest theatre set directly in it’s own time. Middle America was – as we may say now – ‘shook’ by it’s brazen depiction of hippy culture; free love, drug-taking and an anti-establishment stance.

We follow The Tribe, living in New York’s East Village during the Vietnam War, through the trials and tribulations of adolescence to adulthood, including parental rebellion, unrequited love, and the weight of expectation that they should become good Americans.

Maeve Blacks’ set and costume transport us directly back to heyday of the hippy, each perfectly balancing the other in a rainbow of colour and texture.

Jake Quickenden (X-Factor), as unofficial leader of ‘The Tribe’ Berger, begins the narration, leading us in to the opening musical number Aquarius. Instantly recognisable, the cast gave a rousing rendition to welcome the audience to the world of Free Love.

Although Jake’s first musical theatre role, he played Berger as a provocative, promiscuous and somewhat flamboyant character, with seasoned professionalism. Not being familiar with the show beforehand, I get the feeling Berger is that arrogant-yet-loveable rogue that you really shouldn’t fall for, but do. And if that’s what he was going for, it worked!

Other notable performances came from Paul Wilkins as Claude, Berger’s close friend and cohabitee, and the third member of their somewhat complicated triangle, Sheila – played triumphantly by Daisy Wood-Davies (Hollyoaks).

The main theme of the story is Claude’s inevitable call-up to the American Army, with the heavy-weight hanging over him that if he does enrol and pledge allegiance to his country and flag, he will certainly be sent to Vietnam to fight a war he and The Tribe are passionately against.

Claude is understandably torn, his heart heavy from the expectation of his parents, his Tribe and his country – all of which he loves in his own very different ways.

The show continues through a turbulent rollercoaster of musical numbers, from sexual to hallucinogenic, heart-breaking to all-consuming love. Special mention should go to Aiesha Pease as Dionne, who shone with every emotive note. I would certainly be excited to see her in any of her future roles.

I have to say, that whilst it’s clear the cast easily display the camaraderie that any Tribe should, and all have superb voices, I feel the sound may have let them down in a way they never would each other.

It’s great to have a live band on stage with the cast – indeed it gives authenticity to Hair as one of the great rock musicals – however, with minimal spoken dialogue, you rely upon the clarity of the lyrics to help you understand, and indeed follow the story. With the ensemble at full pelt for most of the 150-minute running time, this was more often lost. It also meant that the show’s notorious ‘nude scene’ – though staged perfectly – seemed out of place, as I just didn’t understand where it had come from. I left feeling that I myself was in a drug-fuelled haze, not quite sure exactly what had been happened in front of me.

Don’t get me wrong, Hair is certainly a show I’d see again, and if the sound issues were resolved, I’m certain I would leave feeling that I, just like The Tribe, could do whatever I wanted.

PW PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCES

UK TOUR OF

SUSAN HILL’S

“THE WOMAN IN BLACK”

OPENING AT BLACKPOOL GRAND THEATRE

WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2019

PW Productions are delighted to announce a UK Tour of Susan Hill’s THE WOMAN IN BLACK, opening at Blackpool Grand Theatre on Wednesday 11 September 2019.  The show will then visit Cheltenham Everyman, Southampton Nuffield Theatre, Northampton Royal & Derngate, Sheffield Lyceum, The Orchard Dartford, Stoke Regent, York Theatre Royal, Darlington Hippodrome, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Southend Place Theatre, Curve Leicester, Liverpool Playhouse, King’s Theatre Southsea, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Princess Theatre Torquay, Crewe Lyceum, Oxford Playhouse, Billingham Forum, Hull New Theatre, King’s Theatre Edinburgh, Churchill Theatre Bromley, Nottingham Theatre Royal and Malvern Theatres. Full tour listings below and further dates to be announced.

Producer Peter Wilson said today: “In celebration of The Woman in Black’s incredible 30 years in the West End, I am thrilled that this iconic production is to tour the UK once again. This show is set to thrill and scare audiences like never before and I can’t think of a better way to mark our birthday!”.

Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s best-selling novel tells the story of a lawyer obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over his family by the spectre of a ‘Woman in Black’. He engages a young actor to help him tell his story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. It begins innocently enough, but as they delve further into his darkest memories, they find themselves caught up in a world of eerie marshes and moaning winds. The borders between make-believe and reality begin to blur and the flesh begins creep.

In June this year THE WOMAN IN BLACK celebrated its 30^th Anniversary in London’s West End with a special gala performance at The Fortune Theatre.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK is directed by Robin Herford, with designs by Michael Holt and lighting by Kevin Sleep.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK

UK TOUR LISTINGS 2019 – 2020

WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

Blackpool Grand Theatre www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

Cheltenham Everyman Theatre www.everymantheatre.org.uk

ON SALE NOW

MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER

Southampton Nuffield Theatre www.nstheatres.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER

Royal & Derngate, Northampton www.royalandderngate.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

MONDAY 7 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER

Sheffield Lyceum www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

MONDAY 28 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER

The Orchard, Dartford www.orchardtheatre.co.uk  

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 5 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER

Regent Theatre, Stoke www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre/

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 12 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER

York Theatre Royal www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

ON SALE NOW 

TUESDAY 26 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre www.atgtickets.com/venues/aylesbury-waterside-theatre/

ON SALE NOW

MONDAY 13 JANUARY – SATURDAY 18 JANUARY 2020

Southend Palace Theatre www.southendtheatres.org.uk

ON SALE NOW

MONDAY 20 JANUARY – SATURDAY 25 JANUARY

CURVE, Leicester www.curveonline.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 27 JANUARY – SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY

Liverpool Playhouse www.everymanplayhouse.com

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 8 FEBRUARY

King’s Theatre, Southsea www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 24 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 29 FEBRUARY

Cambridge Arts Theatre www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 3 MARCH – SATURDAY 7 MARCH

The Princess Theatre, Torquay www.atgtickets.com/venues/princess-theatre-torquay/

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 9 MARCH – SATURDAY 14 MARCH

Crewe Lyceum Theatre www.crewelyceum.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 16 MARCH – SATURDAY 21 MARCH

Oxford Playhouse www.oxfordplayhouse.com

ON SALE NOW

MONDAY 23 MARCH – SATURDAY 28 MARCH

Forum Theatre Billingham www.forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 14 APRIL – SATURDAY 18 APRIL

Hull New Theatre www.hulltheatres.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 20 APRIL – SATURDAY 25 APRIL

King’s Theatre Edinburgh www.capitaltheatres.com/your-visit/kings-theatre

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 27 APRIL – SATURDAY 2 MAY

Churchill Theatre, Bromley www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 5 MAY – SATURDAY 9 MAY

Nottingham Theatre Royal www.trch.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

MONDAY 11 MAY – SATURDAY 16 MAY

Malvern Theatres www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

Grand Theatre, Leeds – until 27 July 2019

Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood

3.5***

Bill Kenwright is renowned for presenting a variety of productions whether it’s a musical or a classic thriller, the latter being the case for his latest production starring husband and wife actors, Juliet Mills and Maxwell Caulfield. The Lady Vanishes is based on Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller film. The Lady Vanishes, one of his most successful films, is written by Sidney Gilliat and Frank Launder and is based on Ethel Lina White’s The Wheel Spins.

This production is under the adaptation of Antony Lampard and the direction of Roy Marsden and is set in continental Europe amid the political tensions prior to the Second World War. The Lady Vanishes is about Iris (Lorna Fitzgerald) who is returning to England to marry her fiancé and is introduced to Miss Froy (Mills) in extraordinary circumstances when she experiences a concussion. There Miss Froy takes her under her wing and helps her on the train. The train departs after a considerable delay due to an avalanche blocking the railway line.

Iris comes round from her concussion and learns she is sharing the compartment with other passengers she does not know apart from Miss Froy. The following morning Miss Froy suddenly disappears and she isn’t to be seen and the other passengers don’t know or deny of her existence. Miss Froy ‘s disappearance leads to intrigue and suspense from both Iris (Fitzgerald) and Max (James Boswell) who turn detective despite strong opinions leading to misunderstanding, distrust and suspicions. Introduced is Dr Hartz (Caulfield), a brain surgeon, who appears more than what he says he is and the cricket obsessed Charters (Robert Duncan) and Caldicott (Ben Nealon) and others whose denials of Miss Froy whereabouts which challenge both Iris and Max. The plot mystifies, twists and thickens and changes towards something for things to become more sinister. Secretive pacts are slowly revealed from the characters as the performance gathers its pace till the very end. It is certainly a story where one is led to speculate and pre-empt as nothing much is given away as far as conclusions and analysis are concerned.

Morgan Large’s staging is appropriately atmospheric and the variable lighting and sounds (Charlie Morgan Jones and Dan Samson) nicely tie in. The performance is choreographed by Chris Cuming who ensures the spirit of Hitchcock is alive in the performance and raises the senses and imaginations expected.

It is a well done performance from the cast, which is led by Mills, Caulfield and Fitzgerald, who kept the spirit of the story alive from beginning to end with projected misnomers, the slow revealing of the characters’ real intentions and motives, and the fast changing plot. It is felt however for those who aren’t familiar with Alfred Hitchcock’s works is to read a bit about his thriller works beforehand in order to fully appreciate the plot.

THE WORLD PREMIÈRE OF ALEXANDER MATTHEWS’ MY ONE TRUE FRIEND ANNOUNCED WITH FULL CAST

MY ONE TRUE FRIEND

by Alexander Matthews

Directed by Antony Law

Directed by: Antony Law; Designer: Adrian Gee;Lighting Designer: Chris Barham

Sound Designer: Karen Dziuba;Casting: Kate Plantin CDG

Tristan Bates Theatre

21 August – 14 September

The world première of Alexander Matthews’ My One True Friend is today announced with full cast. Antony Law directs Theo Bamber (Gordon), Mensah Bediako (Kapenie), Suzanna Hamilton (Lady L), Lucy Lowe (Oonagh), and Joseph Rowe (George). The production opens on 27 August at Tristan Bates Theatre, with previews from 21 August, and runs until 14 September.

1970 Rhodesia.

Two families, two different lives.

Preparations are in hand for the irascible Lady L’s birthday party but her children are there not for family loyalty or celebration but to claim what they feel is rightly theirs. On another part of the estate Kapenie and his grandson argue about loyalty. Kapenie is loyal to a family but not his own and the generational divide is splitting even wider.  

Set against a backdrop of prejudice and inequality, My One True Friend has a profound and life-altering friendship at its heart.

Alexander Matthews today said, “Unfortunately racism is still with us. It refuses to go away. I believe that humanity will not survive without tolerance – and racial tolerance is part of that necessity. Through writing this play I hope to enliven the conversation surrounding the prejudices that we see and, in some cases, tolerate in our own lives. I’m also very pleased to, once again, bring my work to the Tristan Bates Theatre this summer.”

Alexander Matthews is a writer and academic. Previous credits as a playwright includeDo You Love This Planet?, Screaming Secrets and Glass Roots (Tristan Bates Theatre). Matthews taught Philosophy between 1975 – 1986, including a Visiting Fellowship to Princeton University in 1986, in 1977 he published A Diagram of Definition on the Philosophy of Language. For 15 years Matthews has chaired the Martha Gellhorn Trust Prize Committee, which offers a prize for journalism annually. He has also chaired the NSubF Committee, which advises the UK government on the disposal of nuclear waste for submarines, and has been chairman of the local Kingsbridge Peace Group since 1992.

Theo Bamber plays Gordon. His previous theatre credits include The Winslow Boy (UK tour).

Mensah Bediako plays Kapenie. His previous theatre credits include Respect: The Aretha Franklin Songbook (international tour), The Mountaintop (The Other Room Theatre), The View From Nowhere (Park Theatre), The Bodyguard, Driving Miss Daisy (UK tours), Clybourne Park (Royal Court Theatre / Wyndhams Theatre), Piaf(Donmar Warehouse / Vaudeville Theatre), The Harder They Come (Barbican Theatre), Floyd Collins (Southwark Playhouse) and Tobias and the Angel (Young Vic).

Suzanna Hamilton plays Lady L. Her previous theatre credits include A Tender Thing (Chipping Norton Theatre), Interval (Arcola Theatre), Mr Blue Sky, Hell & High Water (Southwark Playhouse), Darkening Fields (National Theatre), My Sister in this House (Hampstead Theatre), Siblings (Lyric Hammersmith), Waiting at the Water’s Edge (Bush Theatre). Television credits include Dinosapian, Jane Hall, as series regular Gabriella Lubas in Silent Witness and as series regular Karen Goodliffe in Casualty. Film credits include My Feral Heart, Nineteen Eighty-Four, Tess, Swallows and Amazons, Wildcats of St Trinians and Out of Africa.

Lucy Lowe returns to the Tristan Bates Theatre to play Oonagh. Previous theatre credits include Do You Love This Planet? (Tristan Bates Theatre), The Lock In, The Lonely Clouds of Guernica and Eight (The Lowry) and Towers of Babel (Octagon Theatre Bolton). Television credits include Worried About the Boy, Hollyoaks andEmmerdale.

Joseph Rowe plays George. Previous theatre credits include Circa (Old Red Lion), Double Act (Polka Theatre), Counting Stars (The Albany), Light Shining in Buckinghamshire (National Theatre), The Low Road (Royal Court Theatre) and Pieces of Vincent (Arcola Theatre).

Antony Law is a director and actor. His previous credits as a director include Do You Love This Planet? (Tristan Bates Theatre), Cinderella, Robin Hood and the Outlaws of Waltham Forest (Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre),The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (St. Leonard’s Church), A Christmas Carol, Peter Pan, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women (UK tours), Sense and Sensibility (international tour) and Jane Eyre (international tour). Previous credits as an actor include Brief Encounters (UK tour) and Bouncers (Leicester Square Theatre).

My One True Friend                                                                                                                                 Listings

Tristan Bates Theatre

1A Tower Street, London WC2H 9NP

Box Office: 020 3841 6611

www.actorscentre.co.uk/theatre

21 August – 14 September, Tuesday to Saturday 7.30pm (Saturday and Sunday 3pm matinée)

Mayflower Theatre Southampton – until Saturday 27th July 2019

Reviewed by Leanne Caplis

5*****

A mix of Benidorm, Love Island and Mamma Mia the 80’s-tastic sensation that is Club Tropicana The Musical hits our stages and continues its tour at the Mayflower in Southampton until 27 Jul 19.

After jilting her fiancée Olly (Cellen Chugg Jones) at the alter Lorraine (Karina Hind) and her friends find themselves jetting off to Spain; why waste a paid for honeymoon!? Who could have envisaged that Olly and his friends also find themselves booking the same resort? A predictable story unfolds with bags of comedy, cheese, campness and well-known pop songs.

Gary (Joe McElderry) plays the camp host at Club Tropicana and needs to ensure that his staff are prepared for the visit of a hotel inspector to be in with a chance of winning ‘Hotel of the Year’. With her nose stuck in the air the inspector Christine (Emily Tierney) is going to prove hard to please. The more Gary tries the more comedy chaos ensues. Can he overcome the hurdles to win the title?

From curtain up this show is a hit with the audience. McElderry wastes no time in getting the audience on their feet to learn the Club Tropicana dance which, if they weren’t already, gets everybody in the mood for the rest of the show.

The comedy moments in this show are genius. The one-liners from Tierney and the many innuendos from the cast members will have you in stitches. Michael Gyngell, the writer of this show, has got it just right.

The stand out star of the show for me was the hotel maid/singer/dancer/cocktail maker Consuela (Kate Robbins). I could not get enough of Robbins and her sign brought tears of laughter from the whole audience. She was intoxicating to watch and from her rendition of Cilla Black, Tina Turner and Margaret Thatcher to her pottering about cleaning the hotel I just couldn’t get enough of her.

The production team are to be commended for their attention to detail for this show. The clothing and props are most definitely a throwback to the 80’s with leg warmers, shoulder pads, the large mobile phones and opal fruits to make your mouth water. With so much activity on the stage it is hard to know where to look which makes the scene changes seamless.

I would have liked to have heard more of Amelle Berrabah’s amazing voice. Playing the hotel manager, she isn’t as prominent on stage as McElderry and Robbins but she shines when with her rendition of Only You. I was also impressed with the voice of Cellen Chugg Jones.

This show is bursting with energy. The whole cast look like they are thoroughly enjoying themselves. What’s not to enjoy when the drinks are free, well just the first one, and you have McEldery sashaying around the stage with a cheeky wink here and his over the top flirtatious ways with audience and cast alike.

So if Girls Just Want To Have Fun (and men too), I’ll give you some help with Making Your Mind Up – book a seat! A pure blast from the past which will leave you singing your favourite 80’s lyrics for weeks to come this is a show not to be missed.

STAR CAST REVEALED FOR WORLD PREMIERE OF BAND OF GOLD

AS TOUR IS ANNOUNCED FOR 2020

Stage adaptation of iconic ITV show to make World Premiere in Leeds

Production will then move to Nottingham before embarking on 2020 Tour

Band of Gold – the premiere stage adaptation of Kay Mellor’s multi award-winning ITV series,that was one of the most watched shows in television history – today announces that Laurie Brett, Gaynor Faye, Kieron Richardson, Shayne Ward and Sacha Parkinson, will star in the production. At the same time it can also be confirmed that Band of Gold will play a UK Tour in 2020, opening at Nottingham Theatre Royal on Tuesday 14 January 2020. Band of Gold will make its World Premiere at Leeds Grand Theatre on Thursday 28 November 2019.

Band of Gold was the ground-breaking crime drama that captivated over 15 million viewers each week when it aired on ITV. This nail-biting, murderous thriller features a star-studded cast includingGaynor Faye, (Emmerdale, Playing the Field, Calender Girls), Laurie Brett, (EastEnders, Waterloo Road, Les Miserables), Kieron Richardson, (Hollyoaks, Heatbeat), Shayne Ward, (Coronation Street, Rock Of Ages, X Factor winner) and Sacha Parkinson (Mr Selfridge, The Mill).

Following the unprecedented sell-out success of Fat Friends The Musical, producer Josh Andrews andKay Mellor have teamed up again for Band of Gold, to be directed by Mellor, which will run fromThursday 28 November to Saturday 14 December 2019 at Leeds Grand Theatre, before embarking on the 2020 Tour. The nail-biting thriller tells the story of a group of women – Carol, Rose, Anita and Gina – as they battle to survive whilst working in a notorious red-light district. When one of their colleagues is murdered, they need to find the killer before they strike again.

First aired on ITV in March 1995,Band of Gold starred (amongst others) Geraldine James, Cathy Tyson, Barbara Dickson and Samantha Morton. The groundbreaking crime drama captivated the nation, with bookmakers taking bets on the identity of the killer before the final episode!

UK Tour Dates

Tuesday 14th – Saturday 18th January

Nottingham Theatre Royal

Box Office: 0115 989 5555

www.trch.co.uk

Tuesday 21st – Saturday 25th January

The Lowry, Salford

Box Office: 0843 208 6003

www.thelowry.com

Monday 27th January – Saturday 1st February

Darlington Hippodrome

Box Office: 01325 405405

www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Tuesday 4th – Saturday 8th Feb

Southampton Mayflower

Box Office: 02380 711811

www.mayflower.org.uk

Monday 10th – Saturday 15th February

Birmingham Alexandra

Box Office: 0844 871 3011

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-alexandra-theatre-birmingham

Monday 17th – Saturday 22nd February

Cambridge Arts Theatre

Box Office: 01223 503333

www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

Monday 24th – Saturday 29th February

New Brighton Pavilion (Liverpool)

Box Office: 0151 666 0000

www.floralpavilion.com

Monday 2nd – Saturday 7th March

Cheltenham Everyman

Box Office: 01242 572573

www.everymantheatre.org.uk

Monday 9th – Saturday 14th March

Milton Keynes Theatre

Box Office: 0844 871 7652

www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/info/

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER AND CAMERON MACKINTOSH

ANNOUNCE

AN EXCITING NEW CAST FOR

“THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA”

AT HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE, LONDON

FROM 9 SEPTEMBER 2019

JOSH PITERMAN TO PLAY ‘THE PHANTOM’

As THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA heads in to its 34th year in the West End, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh are delighted to announce that Australian singer and performer Josh Piterman will play ‘The Phantom’ from 9 September 2019.

Also joining the cast from 9 September 2019 will be Britt Lenting as ‘Carlotta Giudicelli’ and Richard Woodfordas ‘Monsieur André’.

Continuing in the show will be Kelly Mathieson as ‘Christine Daaé’, Ross Dawes as ‘Monsieur Firmin’, Jacinta Mulcahy as ‘Madame Giry’, Paul Ettore Tabone as ‘Ubaldo Piangi’, Georgia Ware as ‘Meg Giry’ and Scott Davies as the standby ‘Phantom’. Danny Whitehead will now play ‘Raoul’, Bridget Costello will now play the alternate ‘Christine Daaé’,

Josh Piterman is an established Australian musical theatre performer and classical crossover artist. As a singer he was part of the international pop opera group, The Ten Tenors and in 2018 released his self-titled debut solo album which went to Number 1 in the Australian Classical Crossover iTunes chart. Josh’s musical theatre credits include ‘Tony’ in “West Side Story”; ‘Jamie’ in “The Last Five Years”; ‘Edward’ in “Blood Brothers”; and ‘Gerry Goffin’ in “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical”, all in his native Australia. He also played ‘Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger’ in the Australian 2016 season of “Cats”, a role for which he won the Green Room Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. Josh’s UK theatre credits include playing ‘Corny Collins’ in the UK Tour of “Hairspray”. Playing ‘The Phantom’ will mark Josh’s West End debut.

Britt Lenting makes her West End debut as ‘Carlotta Giudicelli’. Britt’s previous theatre credits include ‘Lead Vocalist’ in the UK Tour of Pasha Kovalev’s “The Magic of Hollywood”; ‘Killer Queen’ in “We Will Rock You”; ‘Enid Hoopes’ in “Legally Blonde” and ‘Prudy Pingleton’ in “Hairspray”. Britt has also been seen on television in the Dutch shows “Beat The Best” and “The Voice of Holland” and in the UK on BBC One’s “All Together Now”.

Richard Woodford’s West End theatre credits include ‘Galileo’ and ‘Khashoggi’ in “We Will Rock You” at the Dominion Theatre, ‘Grantaire’/’Factory Foreman’ in “Les Misérables” at the Queen’s Theatre; and ‘Electra’ and ‘Rusty’ in “Starlight Express” at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Richard also appeared in the 25^th Anniversary Tour of “The Phantom of the Opera”, and as ‘Gus/Growltiger/Bustopher Jones’ in the Asian tour of “Cats”, and ‘Greaseball’ and ‘Electra’ in “Starlight Express” in Bochum.

The cast is completed by Zoe Arshamian, Matthew Barrow, James Butcher, Grace Castle, Sophie Caton, Sophie Cottrill, Corinne Cowling, Hadrian Delacey, Morven Douglas, Paul Erbs, Philip Griffiths, Katy Hanna, Ellen Jackson, Adam Robert Lewis,  Kris Manuel, Tim Morgan, Danielle Pullum, Rebecca Ridout, Eleanor Sanderson-Nash, Anna Shircliff, Alistair So, John Stacey, Manon Taris, Andrei Teodor Iliescu, Ben Tyler, Claire Tilling, Victoria Ward and Simon Whitaker.

Now in its 33^rd phenomenal year in the West End, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is widely considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular productions in history. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s romantic, haunting and soaring score includes Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, Masquerade and the iconic title song.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA tells the tale of a disfigured musical genius known only as ‘The Phantom’ who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House. Mesmerised by the talents and beauty of a young soprano – Christine, the Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine’s love for Raoul, the Phantom’s obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, madness and passions collide.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is one of the most successful musicals in entertainment history playing to over 145 million people in 41 countries and 183 cities in 17 languages. It has won more than 70 major theatre awards, including seven Tony Awards and four Olivier Awards.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is the only show in history to have celebrated 30 years on both sides of the Atlantic. In October 2016 the London production celebrated its 30^th Anniversary with a special gala performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre and in October 2011 the London production celebrated its 25^th Anniversary with a spectacular staging of “The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall” which was screened live in cinemas all over the world and subsequently released on DVD. The musical became the longest running show in Broadway history on 9 January 2006 when it celebrated its 7,486^th performance. On 1 January 2018 it celebrated its 13,000^th performance and later that month on 24 January the Broadway production celebrated an amazing 30 years on Broadway.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Charles Hart, and Additional Lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Book is by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber,   Based on the novel ‘Le Fantôme de l’Opera’ by Gaston Leroux. Production Design by Maria Bjornson. Lighting by Andrew Bridge. Orchestrations by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Musical Staging and Choreography by Gillian Lynne. Directed by Hal Prince. It is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group Ltd.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is currently showing in London, New York, Prague and Sao Paulo, as well as on tour in the US and Asia. A UK Tour opens at Curve, Leicester on 24 February 2020.

LISTINGS

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

Her Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket, SW1Y 4QL

Performances: Mondays to Saturdays at 7.30pm. Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.

Tickets are priced from £25 – £85 and are available from Her Majesty’s Theatre box office on 020 7087 7762 orwww.thephantomoftheopera.com.

Currently booking until April 2020

Theatre Tokens partners with Tesco to sell in nearly 800 stores UK-wide

Shoppers will be able to buy a night out at the theatre alongside their groceries after Theatre Tokens unveiled a new retail partnership with supermarket giant Tesco to sell national theatre gift vouchers in their stores.

The gift cards, rolled out across 791 Tesco stores last week, can be redeemed to purchase tickets at any of over 250 theatres around the country, including London’s West End.

Since being established in 1984, Theatre Tokens has helped introduce new audiences to the magic of live theatre, with over 350,000 tickets purchased each year through the scheme. They have no expiry date and are produced by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), a not-for-profit organisation which invests back into the theatre industry.

The partnership with Tesco furthers the mission of Theatre Tokens to showcase the rich range of entertainment on offer at theatres across the UK, raising the profile of theatre and helping it reach as wide an audience as possible.

Theatre Tokens, the only nationwide theatre gift card and voucher scheme for the UK theatre industry, are currently also available to buy online, at participating theatres and on the high street at selected branches of WHSmith and Waterstones.

To buy and register Theatre Tokens, top up a gift card or eGift, check your balance or find out how and where Theatre Tokens can be used, go to www.theatretokens.com